The council agreed to assist with special event applications and road closure permits, while Quinton Mitchell assumed responsibility for organizing tents, tables, chairs, and food trucks. Participants in the flag football game will don jerseys bearing the number 27 in honor of Quinan Mitchell’s achievements.

Yet, the parade planning also highlighted the challenges of communication, with council members emphasizing the need for direct contact with Quinan Mitchell to confirm event details, rather than relying on third-party information. The council sought to streamline communication by obtaining Quinan’s contact information through his father, acknowledging the difficulties of reaching him directly.

In addition to the parade preparations, the council addressed the proposal to install signs featuring Quinan Mitchell’s likeness at various locations around Williston. Two private individuals offered to fund these signs, reflecting Mitchell’s journey from a local “Red Devil” to a Philadelphia Eagle. The council considered locations suggested by local children in a council meeting, with the high school being a preferred site, pending school board approval.

The council navigated potential concerns about setting precedents for future recognitions and emphasized that the funding for these signs would come from private sources, not city coffers. The discussion included considerations about the size and visibility of the signs, balancing readability with maintaining an appropriate presence.

Another topic at the meeting was the city’s fire assessment. Fire Chief Lamar Steagle outlined the need for such an assessment, noting that Williston was among the few municipalities in the county without one. A workshop was scheduled for April 9th to delve into the implementation of a fire assessment, which could potentially alleviate equipment costs and free up funds for future use.

Chief Steagle also presented the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, aimed at addressing staffing shortages by covering 100% of the salaries for new full-time firefighters for three years. The grant would not cover overtime costs, prompting discussions on how to manage staffing levels post-grant. The council raised questions about the grant’s specifics, including employee benefits, and passed a motion to approve the grant application after clarifying that the new positions would not replace existing part-time roles.

The meeting also touched on the ongoing streetlight installation issue in a subdivision transitioning from Lenar to the Homeowners Association. Residents expressed frustration over conflicting information about responsibility for the streetlights, urging the city to enforce compliance with the developer. The council considered sending a letter from the city attorney to expedite the process and discussed the potential liability if the city assisted with installations.

Additionally, the council addressed a legislative matter concerning sovereign immunity caps. A council member shared that they had submitted a letter to a subcommittee reviewing the potential impact of lifting or increasing these caps, warning of possible severe financial repercussions for the city.

In a lighter moment, the council welcomed a new city manager, who expressed enthusiasm for the role and outlined their experience in raising utility rates and working on fire assessments. The outgoing city manager committed to assisting with the transition to ensure continuity in ongoing projects.

The meeting concluded with updates on stormwater management grant applications, aiming to address flooding issues on Northwest 7th Street and another area near Erson Park and CVS. The council anticipated decisions on these grants soon.