No Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash At Paper Mill
April 1, 2019
There were no serious injuries reported in a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Highway 29 at Tree Street in Cantonment, in front of International Paper. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Amended Complaint Filed In Apartment Developer’s Lawsuit Against Century Over Water, Sewer Fees
April 1, 2019
A lawsuit filed against the Town Century by an apartment developer over the amount they were charged to connect water and sewer service remains active.
In October 2018 Century filed a motion to dismiss the suit by The Paces Foundation and Century Park Apartments, and the plaintiffs recently filed an amended complaint.
In February 2018, Paces submitted a $165,180 check to the town for water and wastewater tap fees along with a protest letter from attorney William J. Dunaway of the Clark Partington law firm in Pensacola. The letter informed the town that the payment was made in full, but the amount remained in dispute.
In their amended complaint, Paces is seeking a declaration that they owed the town $63,750 for full payment and an additional $101,430 deposit charged was invalid, and “any further appropriate supplemental relief.” The plaintiffs have withdrawn a request for “unjust enrichment.”
The lower fee of $63,750, according to Paces, was decided upon during a 2015 meeting with then-Mayor Freddie McCall and Town Planner Debbie Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.
In 2017, the town council passed two resolutions increasing the water and sewer tap fees and charged Paces based upon 50 connections. The apartment complex, according to the lawsuit, has only one master meter that serves all 50 units.
Paces contends they relied upon the lower payment quote in determining their financial options with the apartment development. They contend they were forced to submit the higher fee in order to obtain utility services and obtain a certificate of occupancy for the apartments.
McCall and Nickles did not deny the meeting, nor did they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee. “The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickles said during a March town council meeting also attended by McCall.
“Paces responded to the Town of Century’s request that they come in and invest in the Community with an affordable housing plan. Paces relied on the word of Mayor Freddie McCall and the Town Planner, Debbie Nickles, when they negotiated the impact fee for water and sewer for the $10 Million dollar apartment complex. It was wrong for the new Mayor not to honor the deal made with Mayor McCall and Paces believes that the Court will agree,” Dunaway, the attorney for Paces, told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the lawsuit was filed.
The town claimed they are immune to the lawsuit under sovereign immunity.
The town claims that Florida law does not allow a party to attempt to enforce an oral agreement against a governmental entity such as Century. Citing a 1984 Florida Supreme Court case, the town says there is not written agreement with Paces; therefore, they have no claim.
The town also asserts that alleged agreement is unenforceable because it is not written or signed.
The town’s motion to dismiss is pending and has not yet been set for a hearing.
On October 15, 2018, Mayor Henry Hawkins told the town council that Century’s response to the lawsuit would be “getting them on technicalities” [read previous story ...]. He said subpoenas were incorrectly served on Town Clerk Kim Godwin but still listed a former town clerk’s name. Hawkins said that he should have been served as the “highest ranking person” in town government, and “if they are going to serve anybody else, they have to serve them between 11 a.m. and noon.”
None of the issues raised by Hawkins were in the motion to dismiss filed in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Pictured top: Century Park Apartments. Pictured top inset: A check submitted under protest to the town by the Paces Foundation. Pictured bottom inset: The handwritten document Paces contends demonstrated a lower water and sewer tap fee as authorized by town code. Pictured below: Century’s justification for the $165,180 tap fee charged to the developer. NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
A/C Unit Stolen From The Miracle League
April 1, 2019
Authorities are searching for a thief that stole an air conditioning unit from the Miracle League of Pensacola at the John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Complex on Nine Mile Road.
The full-size unit was taken sometime last week from a fenced area, according to the league. It provided air conditioning for the main Miracle League Building which houses a concession stand, restrooms and a storage area.
Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers (850) 433-STOP.
The nonprofit Miracle League of Pensacola provides physically and mentally challenged children and adults an opportunity to play baseball, softball and t-ball just like anyone else, all in a spirited and secure environment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia School Board Hires Consultant To Guide Search For New Superintendent
April 1, 2019
The Escambia County School Board will hire a consulting company to assist in the process to hire an appointed superintendent.
The board vote unanimously to hire the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) for $25,000. FSBA is a nonprofit corporation representing the elected school boards in Florida.
According to the agreement with the school district, “FSBA will provide consulting services to the School Board for the purpose of selecting an effective Superintendent who will collaborate with the School Board as to the future direction and priorities of the School District. FSBA will guide and assist the School Board through pre-search activities identifying District criteria and priorities in relation to the needs of the district and the qualities desired in a Superintendent; assist the School Board with development of recruitment materials, application procedures, and an advertisement plan; develop a plan for receiving applications and how they will be processed; conduct reference checks and determine a process for selecting candidates for the interview phase; and assist the Board as applicable with any other tasks that lead to the selection of a final candidate for Superintendent.”
Voters in Escambia County approved a local referendum in 2018 to move to an appointed superintendent. The appointed superintendent would begin work as current superintendent Malcolm Thomas retires in November 2020.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Areas
April 1, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 31 until Saturday, April 6.
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- Temporary Closure of U.S. 29 Northbound Off and On-ramps- The northbound U.S. 29 off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, April 5 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 8 to provide safe work zones for crews to construct partial segments of the future off and on-ramps. Nine Mile Road travelers heading north on U.S. 29 will be redirected to northbound Palafox Street, 9 ½ Mile Road, and back to U.S. 29. Travelers wanting to access Nine Mile Road from northbound U.S. 29 may use W. Hood Drive, Palafox Street to Nine Mile Road.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, April 7:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 (North Davis Highway) and State Road (S.R.) 10A (Scenic Highway) Utility Work- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday, April 6 on North Davis Highway and Scenic Highway in Pensacola at the following locations as crews trim trees around utility lines:
- North Davis Highway: Northbound from south of Scenic Highway to Airport Boulevard
- Scenic Highway: Westbound from I-10 to North Davis Highway
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection- Operations may require intermittent lane closures near the intersection the week of Sunday, March 31. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- I-10 Utility Work- Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane restrictions on I-10 from the U.S. 90 alternative exit (Exit 5) to the U.S. 90 Scenic highway exit (Exit 17) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, March 31 until Tuesday, April 2 as crews perform lighting repairs.
- I-110 Utility Work- Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent, north and southbound lane restrictions on I-110 from the East Gregory Street exit (Exit 1A) to the I-10 interchange (Exit 6) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, March 31 until Tuesday, April 2 as crews perform lighting repairs.
- U.S. 98 East Chase Street Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- Intermittent lane restrictions may take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 1 as crews install pavement markings.
- I-10 Rolling Road Block- Motorists will encounter a rolling road block at the following locations in Pensacola between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday, April 2 to Wednesday, April 4 as Gulf Power pulls lines across I-10. Law enforcement will slow traffic to 20 mph for 15 minutes at each location.
- I-10 eastbound at one mile east of the S.R. 95/U.S. 29 interchange
- I-10 westbound at one mile east of the S.R. 95/U.S. 29 interchange
- I-110 northbound at East Gregory street
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah to Pine Forest Road- The westernmost Nine Mile Road eastbound ramp to Interstate 10 (I-10) is temporarily closed. During the closure, Nine Mile Road eastbound drivers will access I-10 eastbound via the second, or easternmost on-ramp at this location. The temporary closure is expected to be in place for several weeks as the westernmost on-ramp is reconstructed.
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29- Cove Avenue from Nine Mile Road to Fretz Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6. The closure will allow crews to place drainage pipes across the roadway. Traffic will be detoured to Bowman Avenue and Fretz Street. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary road closure and detour routes.
- Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Repairs- The eastbound, outside lane of Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola will be closed at Ninth Avenue from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 as crews perform drainage repairs.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities have begun. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 31 to Sunday, April 7:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 31:
- The new eastbound travel lane on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard, will open the week of Sunday, March 31.
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 31 through Friday, April 5 as crews work to widen the roadway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Gas Prices Jump
April 1, 2019
Rising demand and tightening fuel supplies led to a significant jump at the pump last week. Florida gas prices rose an average of 14 cents, before slipping a penny over the weekend.
Florida drivers are currently paying an average price of $2.75 per gallon for regular unleaded. Sunday’s state average is 13 cents more than a week ago, nearly 30 cents more than last month, and nearly 10 cents more than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.61 on Sunday, up from $2.57 a week ago.
“Florida drivers experienced another round of rising prices last week, as fuel supplies continued to tighten due to refinery issues,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although gas price hikes are not out of the norm, this time of year, it’s something that often catches many motorists by surprise. Fortunately, gas prices appear to be leveling off for now. Based on current wholesale prices, AAA does not forecast another round of rising prices this week, unless there is an unexpected supply interruption or stock market spike. Even still, motorists are not out of the woods yet. Until supply levels return to normal, the potential will remain for additional price hikes.”
Seasonal factors like rising demand, refinery maintenance, lower supplies, and the switch to summer gasoline can cause gas prices to rise 20-75 cents in the spring. So far this year, the state average has risen 64 cents, which is almost 20 cents more than the price-hike drivers experienced last year. The difference is largely due to bigger swings in oil prices this year, and a more volatile maintenance season for refineries.
Tate Aggies Announce 2019 Football Schedule
April 1, 2019
The Tate Aggies have finalized their 2019 football schedule.
The junior varsity and and freshmen schedules are still in the works.
Byrneville Elementary Begins Process To Finance New Construction
April 1, 2019
Byrneville Elementary School is moving forward toward a loan to construct new classrooms to replacing aging portable buildings.
The loan, estimated to be up to $3 million, will be through the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program through United Bank.
United Bank Vice President Chris Walker told the Byrneville Elementary board of directors that through the program the loan rate will be below prime, and the bank will hold a revenue warrant rather than a mortgage.
“This is so good for the borrowers. That means they are not going to seek a mortgage on the property which saves you closing costs,” he said.
Capital Trust Agency Executive Director Ed Gray attended the board’s meeting to offer financial advice in an unofficial capacity at no charge. He said the board may need to divide their overall construction project into smaller, more affordable projects.
Byrneville, a charter school that operates under its own board of directors, will first submit financials to United Bank to determine the feasible loan amount before moving forward.
Last year, the board discussed an ambitious building program for a new building with 10 classrooms, a 1,000 square foot multipurpose room and associated spaces, and a new cafetorium with a serving kitchen. The project would also have included upgrades to the existing main school building to include fire sprinklers and central air conditioning and converting the existing cafeteria into a library space that will include a closed circuit television studio. The estimated price tag with furnishings was about $7.7 million.
Byrneville Elementary Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan said “we know right now we can’t” afford a loan for the complete project to include complete renovation of the school’s main building, which was constructed in 1941.
Pictured top: Byrneville Elementary School board of directors members Cheryl Boutwell and Jeremy Hawsey listen to a presentation from United Bank Vice President Chris Walker. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview Release Testing Schedules
April 1, 2019
Spring testing is beginning soon at Tate and Northview high schools as follows:
TATE HIGH
April 9 – English Language Arts Writing grades 9 & 10
May 1 – US History
May 1 – English Language Arts Reading Session 1 grades 9 & 10
May 2 – English Language Arts Reading Session 2 grades 9 & 10
May 6 – Biology
May 8 – Algebra and Geometry Session 1
May 9 -Algebra and Geometry Session 2
NORTHVIEW HIGH
April 2 – English Language Arts Writing grades 9 & 10
May 1- US History
May 1 – English Language Arts Reading Session 1 grades 9 & 10
May 2 – English Language Arts Reading Session 2 grades 9 & 10
May 7 – Algebra and Geometry Session 1
May 8 – Algebra and Geometry Session 2
May 14 – Biology
“These exams are very important because students are required to score proficient on a number of them to meet graduation requirements,” Northview Interim Principal Gerry Pippins said. “Those that are not graduation requirements are calculated to determine the final grade in the course so they are very important as well. We urge all parents to make sure their child gets plenty rest and attends all testing sessions so they give themselves the very best chance to succeed.”
Source: Schedules provided by each school.
No Injuries Reported In Cantonment Wreck
March 31, 2019
There were no injuries reported when a driver struck a guardrail in Cantonment Sunday morning. The single vehicle crash happened on Well Line Road near Santa Rosa Road. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
