MILTON — The Milton City Council discussed several items on Monday during its regular meeting. Topics ranged from making a counter offer on riverfront property to swearing in a new police chief.
Tindell takes over as Milton Police Chief. Tony Tindell was officially sworn in as Milton’s police chief during Monday’s council meeting. Tindell, who previously served as a captain for the department, takes over the post from Greg Brand, who retired in February.
WATCH: Video of Tony Tindell being sworn in as new Milton police chief>
City to counter offer on riverfront property. With the exception of one nay vote from Council Member Alan Lowery, the council approved to renegotiate with Milton Holdings LLC for riverfront property on Willing Street in downtown Milton.
“The owners … have indicated their final to sale for us is for $144,600, and the city paying all of the closing costs,” Watkins said.
Watkins suggested bringing a counter offer of $135,000 and leaving it on the table until the end of next month.
The city recently attained $142,000 from Gulf Power, through an accounting error on Gulf Power’s behalf, the company paid the amount to the city.
During discussion Mayor Meiss suggested the Gulf Power money be used elsewhere like replacing city garbage trucks or further improving city parks. Meiss suggested the city not pursue the property, leaving it in the interest of the private sector.
“Let the market do it’s thing and let the investors come in,” he said. “It’s a beautiful piece of property on our river and in my opinion I don’t think it’s our job to buy this piece of property. ”
In a statement, Watkins said the purposed purchase of the property at 5154 Willing Street is for purpose of the extension and development of the Riverwalk Park.
“With the development of the 2013 Riverfront Master Plan, The Riverwalk Park encompasses the area from Carpenter’s Park to 5154 Willing Street. While completion of the park would be complimentary to the new courthouse, the expansion has been in progress since 2013 when the city began the development of the project.”
Barbecue cookoff in downtown Milton? Mayor Wesley Meiss said the city and the local Knights of Columbus will work to attract a community event similar to Seville Square’s annual Smoking in the Square BBQ Cookoff in downtown Pensacola.
“If we are looking for a signature event for downtown, this could be it,” Watkins said. “These are very professional people and they know how to do these barbecue competitions … they have all the right contacts to bring the right people in to do that.
“If we put it in conjunction with Bands on the Blackwater and the car show and other things, this could be a very big weekend.”
Further discussions on the event will take place during the city’s Committee as a Whole meeting, scheduled next Thursday.
Contract approved with lobbying firm. The Milton City Council approved a contract, budgeted at $38,000, with Liberty Partners of Tallahassee LLC.
Raising hemochromatosis awareness. City leaders proclaimed July a Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month. Hemochromatosis is a genetic iron disorder in which the body loads too much iron, according to Hemochromatosis.org. If left untreated, excess iron can damage joints, organs and can even become fatal.
Milton Fire Department promotions announced. With Capt. Bobby Hutchinson’s retirement, Lt. Geoffrey Freeman has been promoted to the vacant captain position and Firefighter Daryl Auerbach has been promoted into vacant lieutenant's position.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Council counters property offer, swears in new police chief (VIDEO)