City engineer reports power delay at Freeland Jackson Center, Kennedy Heights pre-construction set and comprehensive plan public meeting scheduled

City engineer Jared Bauer updated the council on several capital projects and planning activities.

Bauer said the Freeland Jackson Center is still awaiting permanent power from Entergy; the projected connection date was the last week of May and an early June opening remains possible if power is connected. Contractors are rearranging work to remain productive while awaiting the utility connection.

On the Lady Lake roadway, donation documents were sent to the Lady Lake representative, Jessie Babcock, for her board’s review; construction start is pending that approval. The Kennedy Heights project has a pre-construction meeting scheduled this week; the contract was bid as a 270-day contract, which would run roughly nine months from a June start.

Bauer also reminded the council that a staff and steering committee meeting and a public meeting on the comprehensive plan are scheduled (public meeting at the Pace Center at 6:00 p.m.) to solicit public feedback as the planning phase reaches the public-engagement stage.

DPW report

Roosevelt Vessel delivered routine DPW updates: water leaks repaired, new water and gas meters installed, hydrants flushed, sewer repairs at multiple locations (including lift station repairs and specific addresses cited), parks maintenance and street sign replacements; crews reported collecting 79 bags of litter in recent work.

The engineer and DPW updates provide near-term operational milestones (power connection, pre-construction tasks, and the public planning meeting) that will determine project schedules and next steps.