The council’s decision to proceed with the drone purchase was backed by the recent grant and a donation from the Florida Highway Patrol, which included two older drones compatible with the planned new purchase. These drones are expected to serve multiple city functions, such as aerial surveillance during large events, locating lost individuals, documenting traffic accidents, and performing utility inspections. The council emphasized the importance of integrating the drone systems to ensure all software, parts, and functionalities would work together efficiently. This move is anticipated to enhance safety measures and operational capabilities across various city departments.

Discussions also touched on the limitations of drone use, particularly concerning privacy issues. The council clarified that drones would not be used to target individual properties without a warrant, aligning with legal guidelines. The unanimous support for the purchase from the council highlighted their commitment to improving city services through innovative technology.

In an unrelated matter, the council addressed the donation of a surplus police vehicle to the Chattahoochee Police Department. This decision was driven by Chattahoochee’s need for a vehicle and the identification of certain vehicles in Perry as no longer cost-effective to maintain. The donation of a 2019 Ford Explorer was approved, with discussions ensuring proper documentation and liability clauses for the transfer.

The council also engaged in a discussion about the purchase of a water well site on Plantation Road. Although the owner agreed to the purchase price, they only offered a 30-day due diligence period instead of the requested six months. A realtor suggested increasing the non-refundable deposit to $10,000 to secure the desired period. The council weighed the challenges posed by the holiday season, acknowledging that the last six weeks of the year could hinder progress. Concerns about water quality were raised, with advice from engineers to “dig for volume, not for quality,” indicating inherent quality issues due to the aquifer’s nature.

Additionally, the council considered safety equipment procurement for city workers, focusing on the need for steel-toe boots for employees working on a project involving heavy equipment. The discussion revealed a lack of a formal shoe policy and debated whether the city should cover the cost of protective gear. The council highlighted the importance of safety compliance and the potential savings from preventing injuries, ultimately supporting the purchase as necessary for specific project needs. The conversation underscored a balance between ensuring employee safety and addressing equitable treatment across departments.

The meeting also addressed infrastructure and public safety concerns, including the need for a new evidence storage building for the police department and the condition of Steven Street, described as the worst road in the city. The council considered grant requests to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure improvements, safety measures, and community facilities, all within the constraints of available funding and resources.

The conversation about school speed zones focused on local educational institutions, particularly the Boys and Girls Club. The council discussed the implications of establishing these zones and the necessity of signage to ensure safety around schools. The potential for additional requests from private schools was acknowledged, with the council agreeing on the importance of authorizing signage and enhancing penalties for offenses within school zones.

Finally, there was mention of new business incentive packages aimed at attracting developers and businesses to Perry. Council members reflected on previous requests and proposed a tiered system of incentives based on capital investments. While there were differing opinions on the necessity and transparency of such a system, a suggestion was made to adopt a flexible approach, offering competitive packages tailored to individual business needs.