Council approves franchise renewal, procurement policy and legal action after yearlong delay

At Wednesday's meeting the council approved several formal actions: a 30‑year franchise for Florida Public Utilities, a resolution establishing a direct‑pay procurement policy for local subcontractors, and authorization for the city attorney to file a bar complaint and pursue litigation to recover overdue deliverables from a contracted consultant.

Ordinance No. 4316 renews a non‑exclusive franchise allowing gas service and use of public right‑of‑way for 30 years; staff described it as a renewal of an existing agreement. The ordinance passed on final passage with Councilmember Miller Anderson absent.

The council also adopted Resolution 78‑26 (PR‑320), a direct‑pay policy allowing the city to pay subcontractors directly when the prime contractor and city contract specify such arrangement. Procurement Director Latana Ammons said the policy is intended to accelerate payments to small local businesses.

Separately, after noting repeated extensions and a year of missed deadlines for a contracted project deliverable, the council authorized the city attorney to file a bar complaint and pursue legal action to obtain the work product and recover associated costs. The vote followed staff recounting several missed deadlines and multiple extensions; the motion passed with two dissents.

These votes were handled amid a longer agenda and public comment; councilors said they intended the procurement change to help small local vendors and described the litigation step as necessary enforcement of contract terms.

The council also approved routine agenda items earlier in the meeting and set dates for budget workshops in August.