Freeport council approves beautification grant applications, North Bay tank change order and community center fire monitoring

The City of Freeport council on Sept. 9 approved a package of project items: two resolutions to support a beautification grant application for the U.S. 331 North corridor, a $3,500 change order to replace a rusted roof hatch on one North Bay elevated water tank, and add-ons to provide community center fire protection monitoring and installation.

Planning staff said the beautification grant covers roughly 1.5 miles from the entrance to Freeport south on U.S. 331 and would add landscaping to improve the corridor. The council authorized signatures to apply for and accept the beautification grant and separately approved a resolution supporting project maintenance.

Engineering and project staff presented change order #1 for the North Bay elevated water storage tank. The change order, requested by the project contractor and engineer, covers fabrication and installation of a new roof hatch at a cost of $3,500; staff said there is no change to the contract time. The council approved the change order.

City staff also explained the community center required annual fire-protection monitoring; staff presented an annual monitoring cost of $600 and a second quoted installation/communication option for $740. The council approved the monitoring and related installation as added agenda items and instructed staff to finalize procurement and paperwork.

The transcript shows motions carried for each of these items but does not include detailed roll-call vote tallies in the record.