Monticello Council Approves Paving

The Monticello City Council Tuesday approved several paving projects, albeit begrudgingly, to adhere to federal regulations, and to complete other projects previously discussed.

The council spent considerable time discussing using up to $6,500 additional dollars to finish the Towee Street project. Monticello Baptist Church has done much of the project, and the Department of Transportation expects the remaining to cost about $70,000. The city and county have agreed to share that cost, said Mayor Bryan Standifer.

Councilman Cornell Williams said that he had not seen the rendition of the project discussed at Tuesday’s meting,and did not remember previously approving it. The city has already paid engineering costs in the range of $3,500-$5,000 on the project, as it has changed many times. The latest change is where the DOT agreed to pay the bulk of the cost.

All council members expressed concerns that the street remain two-way, and that parking remain to be allowed on both sides of the street.

Councilman David Wease called it the community’s secret, and indicated his concerns about the project. When it is complete, others will know about it, and it will become a bottleneck, he said.

Councilwoman Katherine Alexander said it is not our job to keep things secret, and the church spent the money to improve the orad, and the idea is to keep the congestion off the Square.

Mayor Pro-tem Bobby Jacobs said he did not want to make the pizza lady mad, and said there is a safety issue. He said that after Friday night’s game at Rose Bowl field the crowd emptied into the improved area very well. The further improvements will help, he indicated.

Councilman Williams said that before we didn’t have any money, but now we can throw it away on Towee. He said there are other city streets that need attention.

After a great deal of back and forth, and an assurance by Tracy McMichael, “the pizza lady” that the changes were fine with her and husband, Daniel who operates the liquor store, the council approved the expenditure. Adam McGinnis, another property owner whose property backs up to the street assured council he thought it was a great plan and would improve business along that corridor.

Later in the meeting, council approved the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds to be spent, as previously approved on Harvey, Frobel and Webb Streets. That work will now be put out to bid.

The council heard from Bonnie Walsh with the Monticello Housing Authority who was asking the city to take over its gas system. After much discussion, including the assurance that there is not any immediate cost involved, and not likely to ever be an exorbitant cost, the council voted to take over the system. The Housing Authority will pay for any repairs for the first 24 months. The Housing Authority has two master meters and 49 individual meters. The city will continue to bill the Housing Authority for the two master meters each month.

Mrs. Walsh said the city has done emergency repairs for them before, so there really will be little change. The change is being encouraged by the Public Service Commission which is increasing requirements on small systems, making it difficult for them to have the personnel to properly operate.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, Monticello Council:

•Approved a beer and wine pouring license for Fat Daddy’s Pizza and Wings at 422 Venture Court.

•Approved the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) annual supplemental supply agreement.

•Ratified a “tolling” agreement with Gail Harris, former city employee. The agreement basically takes away time constraints for legal action.

•Voted to contract with Probate Judge Linda Keller to be elections superintendent. Ray Lanier has served in that position but is unavailable for the upcoming election.

•After some discussion, agreed to make several purchases for the gas department. One item is a repair in excess of $4,000, and Councilwoman Alexander wondered if they should be looking at replacing the 30-year old machine.

•Approved an event for the Get Ahead House to be held on the Monticello Square on October 10. They also heard a request from Roberta Anderson for a sign at the Get Ahead House.

•Tabled any action on the personnel policy.

•Heard from business owner Don Thomaston about his water bill. City officials said they have done all they can, and the problem must be on his side.

•Heard from Mr. McGinnis about the $890 million brought to the state each year by hunters, and suggested the city work on making next year’s Deer Festival, celebrating this wonderful economic boon, something special. He also asked they consider takin a smaller deposit for temporary power requests when houses are being inspected, saying the last time he had to have temporary power it took the city employee five minutes to turn it on and five minutes to turn it off. City officials were agreeable to considering a change.

•Gave kudos to the street department for the good job its doing.