Monticello Council Considers New Limits On Speed

During the Monticello City Council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday the council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to change the speed limits on several streets. Permission has been received from Department of Transportation, to make these changes, said City Manager Bob Schwartz, which include the following:

•College Street from the intersection of State Route 11 and College Street to the city limits to be zoned 35 mph.
•Funderburg Drive from SR 11 (Washington Street) to South Street to be zoned 25 mph.
•Funderburg Drive, .04 mile south of South Street to .03 mile south of Wilson Road to be zoned 30 mph.
•Funderburg Drive, .03 mile south of Wilson Road to SR 380 to be zoned 35 mph.
•Honeysuckle Road from SR 11 (Maddox Street) to SR 16 (West Washington Street)to be zoned 35 mph.
•Persons Street from SR 83 (Forsyth Street) to SR 16 (West Washington Street) to be zoned 35 mph.

Also unanimously approved were payables, and Water/Sewer drawdown—Carter And Sloope Engineering $4,201 and Rehab Construction partial payment estimate of $87,729.
The council appointed Charles Reddish, a resident, and Rachel Martin, a merchant, were unanimously approved to fill two vacancies on the Downtown Development Authority. Also unanimously approved was the appointment of Billy Nalls to fill one vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).
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The priority project list of the sidewalk project, which the council has developed during the last three meetings with their consultants, was unanimously approved.

Also, Ken Smith addressed the council concerning his recent appeal of a decision of the HPC to deny a structure at the car wash business on the piece of property he owns. After much discussion the decision of the Council was to hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17, at which time they will hear from HPC Chairman Ken Kocher on his recommendation on the issue after he has a meeting with property owner Ken Smith.

During the City Manager’s report, Mr. Schwartz advised the council of the following:

•The power in the city will be cut off from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to half of the city on October 10 and the other half on Oct. 17 to upgrade power from 4KV to 12 KV. The city has spent almost $1 million in preparation and more details will follow prior to these dates. The mayor added this will save the city some money and hopefully attract some industry and remove us from the list of two cities in the state which have not upgraded.

•The financial report promised by CPA Shelby Bowles was not ready because of the Labor Day holiday, and would be available within a few days.

•The recycling trailer is installed and working properly.

•A request from St John’s Episcopal Church to close the street on October 3 from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. for a block party, which was unanimously approved by the council.

•Concrete has been poured for the new flag pole on the Square and a ceremony will be held on the Square Friday morning, Sept. 11, attended by Woodmen Of The World who donated the flag pole.

•A survey was being taken with merchants around the Square to see what they need as far as 30 minute limited parking.

•A UGA graduate student will be working with the city on the City Charter.

In the Police Chief’s report, Chief Bud Smith reported in the month of August his department responded to 448 calls for service, and issued 96 citations. He also reported the total of fines and fees collected from August court totaled $16,746.

Rev. William Gibson was the only spokesperson with citizen input. Rev. Gibson spoke about the problem of the high cost of utilities to people with small fixed income, and the unnecessary presence of city police officers at cookouts and gatherings.

At the end of the meeting Mayor Glenn Newsome asked for council comments.

Katherine Alexander said she just received a very large utility bill, almost as large as her mortgage, and she wanted the public to know the council needed to work on the utilities and keep their hearts and minds open to what we need to do, and that she was committed to continue to work on it.

Mayor Pro Tem Russell Gross said he was not present when the budget was voted on and if he had been he would have voted against it and it would not have passed.

Bobby Jacobs said that for a city the size of Monticello a lot was offered and if we want to cut we have to reduce the size of the city. And if we want to keep the city at the level it is someone had to pay. He added, we just don’t have the revenue coming in to continue the level of service we offer.

Mollie Pompey said she was available to anyone who wanted to talk to her about anything at anytime, except after 9 p.m.

Bryan Standifer had no comment.

Mayor Newsome said, looking back at the Utility Survey we had done, it was clear what we had to do, however, we will continue to seek solutions.

A called meeting was scheduled for Sept. 17, a work session for October 5 and a regular meeting for Oct. 13.