Freeport council approves park ordinance first reading, rezoning first reading and several purchases

The Freeport City Council on April 23 approved a set of routine and project-specific actions including a parks ordinance first reading, a rezoning first reading for a parcel on Azalea Drive, and purchases for playground equipment and wastewater maintenance.

Consent agenda: The council listed city bills, the April 14 regular meeting minutes and expenditure and revenue reports through March 2026 on the consent agenda; with no public comment a motion was made and seconded and the roll call recorded ayes from Councilwoman Hafner, Councilwoman Hurst, Councilman Ferris, Councilwoman Brandon and Councilman Dee; the motion carried.

Parks ordinance (first reading): Planning staff reported they had located the existing parks ordinance and proposed adding language to prohibit use of park areas that would result in financial gain unless prior permission is granted by the parks director; nonprofit fundraisers would be allowed by permit. Staff requested first reading and authorization to advertise for second reading and adoption. After council clarification that existing rental/application processes and rentable areas would remain unchanged, the council approved first reading; the recorded "I" votes in that sequence were read as Councilwoman Hafner, Councilwoman Hurst, Councilman Harris, Councilwoman Brennan and Councilman Dickey. Staff will advertise the ordinance for second reading and adoption.

Rezoning: Planning staff presented a rezoning request for 31 Azalea Drive (property reference number 101S19 230000220010), approximately 0.74 acres south of Freeport Elementary at the corner of Azalea and Business 331. The applicant seeks to change zoning from medium-density residential to residential-commercial to allow an office complex similar to a neighboring development. The council approved first reading and authorized advertising for second reading; a roll-call sequence was read at the vote and recorded as carried.

Playground purchase: Staff proposed acquiring a climbable "songbird" playground structure for the children’s playground behind city hall at a cost of $10,400 and an annual maintenance contract of $300. The council moved, seconded and approved the purchase in a roll-call vote recorded as five affirmative responses in the order read.

Sewer equipment purchase: The sewer department requested a root rake attachment for a 333 skid steer to remove metal and debris from the north lagoon/rib at the wastewater treatment plant; staff said debris has been damaging the tiller and replacements cost about $1,000 per tine. The one-time cost for the root rake was stated as approximately $11,000; staff said the purchase is covered by savings elsewhere in the budget. The council approved the purchase by recorded vote.

Other items: Staff announced a Walton County housing summit on May 13 at Destiny Worship Church and provided a Walmart development update: technical review is complete, fees were invoiced and a pre-construction conference and fee payment are the next steps before permits issue. The council also presented a key to the city to Larue (transcript also spells Loray) Smith, identified in the meeting as Miss National Peanut and Miss Freeport 2025. The meeting adjourned for an evening lighting event.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (bills, minutes, reports): approved; recorded ayes: Councilwoman Hafner; Councilwoman Hurst; Councilman Ferris; Councilwoman Brandon; Councilman Dee (motion carried). - Parks ordinance: first reading approved; recorded "I" votes read in that sequence as Councilwoman Hafner; Councilwoman Hurst; Councilman Harris; Councilwoman Brennan; Councilman Dickey (motion carried). - Rezoning, 31 Azalea Drive: first reading approved; motion carried (roll call recorded as read at meeting). - Songbird playground purchase: approved; purchase $10,400, annual maintenance $300 (motion carried). - Root rake purchase for wastewater maintenance: approved; approximate one-time cost $11,000 (motion carried).

Next steps: The parks ordinance and the rezoning were advanced to advertising for second reading; staff will provide public notice and return those items for final action at subsequent meetings.