City Residents Get Extended Due Dates for Utility Bills

City of Monticello residents will have extended due dates in April and May to pay their utility bills as result of a 3-0 vote Tuesday of the Monticello City Council.

The action came with the stipulation that residents, on both billing cycles, would not face cutoffs or late fees if the monthly bill is paid by the last day of each month.

Councilman Bryan Standifer went to bat for fixed-income residents that he felt needed a break after enduring extremely high winter utility bills and numerous office billing issues.

“We have a lot of people on fixed incomes and we need to look after them,” said Mr. Standifer.

City manager Hugh King said that he didn’t have a problem with extended due dates but that having sufficient funding to cover the city’s bills must also be considered in order that finances don’t lag behind again.

During a utility bill update, Mr. King reported that April billing for both cycles was on track and receipt of utility revenues was good.

While Councilman Standifer took up the issue of utility bills, Scott Sauls sought some rationale on renovating the park behind the old Washington Park School and constructing Funderburg Park.
{{more}}#
“Why are we going to pump funds into Washington Park when we’re scrounging for funds to build Funderburg Park,” asked Mr. Sauls. “Why maintain two parks?”

The park discussions arose following Mr. King’s updates of the Funderburg Park construction and renovation process of the Washington Park.

With regard to Funderburg Park, the installation of six-inch water line extensions had been completed and the underground electric project is to start next week.

The city manager also provided a detailed account of the Funderburg Park funding sources and use thus far. His report included a receipt of $223,673 from a Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant; $39,264 in a local account; and a $65,000 Land & Water Conservation matching grant, wherein Washington Park comes into play.

Mr. King said that receiving the $65,000 grant was dependent on the Washington Park renovations being completed and passing inspection by the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR).

Last year the city was cited by the DNR for failure to maintain the Washington Park facility and given a time frame to bring the park back to standard in order to receive the matching grant funds.

Mr. King said that the city had only received one proposal to renovate the park which would include demolishing the building and pool and returning that area back to grass land. Since the $10,000 proposal was not in the city’s price range, he said that the project would be done in-house at an estimated cost of $1,000.

Mr. Sauls questioned as to where the $1,000 would originate and said that he had an issue with spending $1,000 on one park when other parks are being neglected, like the Westview Park.

Mr. King explained that the city would spend $1,000, from the general fund, on Washington Park renovations to get the $65,000 grant funds for Funderburg Park.

In bringing some levity to the issue, Councilman Glenn Newsome suggested that the city manager create a proposal for future maintenance to all the city’s parks.

“We need to maintain our properties as a council,” said Mr. Newsome who further suggested the recreation department be contacted about increased usage of the Washington Park facility.

The city manager’s monthly report also included an update on the 12kV electric upgrade which is 40 percent through the tree trimming stage; the forthcoming city audit; oak tree status on the Square; city’s participation in the Family Engagement Day event on April 22 at the middle school; repairs to the police station ceiling; signing of the service delivery strategy by the county commission chairman; and the receipt of Otis Clark’s letter of resignation as a city council member.

In personnel matters, Belinda Worley officially became city clerk Tuesday evening by a 3-0 vote of council. She joined the city staff as finance director in February and holds certifications as city clerk, county clerk, and finance officer levels I and II.

Prior to February, she worked as director of finance and administration in Sylvania. Gail Harris performed city clerk duties prior to Ms. Worley’s employment.

Council also voted unanimously to employ Carter & Sloope for engineering and related professional services for the local water/sewer bond program. The project is estimated at $1,641,600. Project engineer Martin Boyd said that he would try to make the project progress as smoothly as possible.

Councilman Newsome added a stipulation to the 20-page contract that the project would be completed no later than December 31, 2007 and that a time extension would be granted if agreeable by the city and engineer.

In other action, Rachel Torrance, Sarah Calies, and Tim Coffey were appointed to the zoning appeals board by a 3-0 vote and approved an ordinance adopting the National Incident Management System.

In financial business, council approved April payments thus far in the amount of $169,150 and reviewed March payments of $689,801.

Trinity Advisors consultant Reggie White was not able to attend the meeting and therefore an overall budget report was not provided.

Better Hometown director Sage Edwards provided a program update which included a Light Up Monticello project; May 18 start of Market on the Square; start of Brown Bag Thursdays on May 11; request for funding to print additional maps; and presented a Square beautification project from the Leadership 2005 class.

During citizen’s input, William Gibson presented Ms. Edwards with an honorary recording in appreciation for her work during Black History Month. Mr. Gibson also presented the opening invocation Tuesday.

Council comments included Mr. Standifer informing the council that he would not be available to attend the Family Engagement Day as a city representative; Mr. Sauls suggested implementing bank debits as a method for payment of utility bills; and Mr. Newsome reported that he had met with the city manager regarding future goals.

Mayor Susan Holmes reminded everyone of the Easter sunrise service in the Square this Sunday.

Council member Jacqueline Smith was not in attendance.