The Porterdale City Council outlined its 2014 plans Saturday as the mayor and her council members met for the city’s annual retreat.

Mayor Arline Chapman, City Manager Bob Thompson and council members Lowell Chambers, Mike Harper, Tim Savage, Linda Vingers and Anita Rainey gathered with others to review the comprehensive plan first made in 2011 and to discuss goals and objectives of short-term planning.

Among the projects discussed was a $1.2 million sewer rehabilitation project coming later in the year, and tags that will go in place to alert citizens.

Another big project on the horizon is a kayak launch, in the spring. A grand opening is in the works for the launch, as well for the historic gym.

Thompson said the city is also looking into putting in a policy on new subdivisions to maintain consistency with the historic fabric of Porterdale. For those new homeowners, Porterdale is offering an incentive: letting buyers use the city’s building inspector for their own inspections. Homeowners, who can show proof of closing, can save an estimated $400 or $500 on this service.

Thompson said five or six houses have sold in Porterdale in the past six weeks.

Among other business discussed at the retreat was a black particulate believed to be coming from a plant and falling onto residents’ yards. The plant’s manager told the council the black particulate might be from the plant’s chimneys, which are in the process of being cleaned out.