Monticello Council Praises Sheriff’s Office

Members of the Monticello City Council opened their February meeting by verbally thanking Sheriff Donnie Pope and Captain Edward Walker for aiding in the repainting and organizing of the Council Chambers. City Manager Doug White said that the inmates sent over to do the work “did a super job, were neat,” and he wanted to personally thank them and the sheriff for sending them to help.

Sheriff Pope responded saying, “we try to help and do what we can to take care of the city and the county. We have inmates that are extremely capable and talented and they’re glad for the opportunity to be out of the jail for more than an hour each day.

“These things benefit both the inmates and the community as a whole,” he continued. “It’s extremely nice to hear, but Captain Walker and other staff are the ones that need to be commended. I’m blessed for the caliber of folks that work in our office.”

{{more}}

Mayor Bryan Standifer said that he appreciated all of the efforts that the department has made in the city. Mayor pro tem Stone Workman also commended Sheriff Pope and his staff on all they do with a small staff and acknowledged the hard work that they do. He also commented that the city was “losing the war on litter,” and mentioned that there should be an effort made in association with Earth Day to tackle that.

Councilwoman Cynthia Miller also told the sheriff that they were doing a “wonderful job,” and that she commended them for all that they do. She said that they are a great service and that she would continue to pray for them.

Councilman David Wease said, “I am impressed in regards to such a spiritual department” and that he was “proud” of each of them. He said that the sheriff sits on the 911 committee with him and he knows that he is involved with church and his children, and “doesn’t know how there are enough hours in the day for all the sheriff does. Mr. Wease said that “every week I’m appreciative that you all do so much.”

A reoccurring topic of discussion amongst the council was visited again during the council comments portion of the meeting regarding city code enforcement. Mayor pro tem Workman stated that he and the mayor met with Judge Ray Lanier to discuss the code enforcement dilemma and presented the below:

1. The Magistrate Judge will not hear our cases and feels he has a legal case that backs him up.

2. The Magistrate Judge hears county cases to enforce county ordinances.

3. Since the city has no enforcement mechanism, we are leaving our citizens without adequate code, health and safety enforcement. I don’t believe any elected official, city or county, wants this to continue.

4. I am going to propose at our next meeting that we delete the provision on Code Enforcement from our City Code, hand off our code enforcement to the county, and turn the Code Enforcement duties over to the county.

5. By law, the county must provide a level of service to all citizens of the county, incorporated or not. We have tried to work in good faith with the Board of Commissioners for over 1 ½ years.

6. No one on our Council wanted to do this because, honestly, I feel we would do a better job, but we have been working on this for two years and can’t leave our citizens unprotected. Should we want a higher level of service than the county provides for everyone, we can always go back to our State Senator and Representative and amend our codes to reinstate a City Court.

7. I am also going to propose that we take the budgeted money for Code Enforcement and fund an acquisition and demolition line item, acquire and demolish the buildings in the worst conditions, and start a Land Bank to rebuild homes on these sites.

Mayor Standifer then commented, we’ve worked with the county for a number of years to try and come to consolidation, and we will continue to do so if they want. With the situation that we are in now, it leaves the citizens in bad shape. We have to start to take actions to protect our citizens in Monticello. “The work has been done – the county just has to follow through,” said Mr. Workman.

Mayor pro tem Workman stated that due to the code enforcement being at a standstill the city manager, Doug White, would be working less hours in the city. He is a contract employee therefore will not be compensated for those hours not worked.

The council then heard from Pam Mayer, President of the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, on the success of the annual chamber dinner in January. She also spoke to a chamber membership drive that is currently ongoing and said that chamber membership was increased. Ms. Mayer said that they would be doing a lot of thanking and visiting members. She also introduced a new program titled “Chat with the Chamber” that will happen on Tuesdays locally.

Ms. Mayer reported to the council that that she was working on some changes with the market on the square as applications are already coming in. She gave an overall report on tourism from 2016 released from the state. She said that the chamber continues to have visitors come in weekly to hear/see where My Cousin Vinny was filmed.

For the Downtown Development Authority update, Ms. Mayer stated that the group was making a difference. She told the council that the standing loan had been paid in full and that the revolving loan fund was up to date on payments. She stated that the DDA was working on a beautification of the Square project and in conjunction with the Chamber work to get the dips on the lawn filled to improve the high traffic areas on the square. She also said that the DDA was working on a catchy logo for the downtown area and also were going to get pavers for the Square that recognize all of the movies that were filmed here.

In other action the council:

• Approved the renewal of the alcohol license at Reese Hall

• Approved the minutes and payables on the consent agenda

• Went into executive session citing legal issues. The city attorney was not present, so attorney/client privilege does not apply, and therefore, it was an illegal closed session.

Council members present also discussed visiting the Capitol on February 22, and stated how well represented the city is with Susan Holmes and Burt Jones always helping out the city. Mayor pro tem Workman stated that they should also try to meet with the GDOT on the square project and the truck route.

Mayor Standifer informed the council that the new USDA director was to visit the city yesterday. He said that she was going to see the water project, and Thomas Persons Hall as well as hear from representatives and discuss the potential for a broadband opportunity for the city.