Monticello City Council Makes Annual Appointments
The Monticello City Council voted Tuesday to re-appoint Roger Harrison as city manager, Lathaydra Sands, city clerk, Joe Reitman, city attorney, and Robert Jordan, city engineer. They also voted to name Dianne Parker to the Historic Preservation Commission.
The vote did not come without some discussion. As a matter of fact, council went into closed session to discuss appointments before they were made. Councilwoman Cynthia Miller opposed both the city clerk and the city attorney nominations, but they passed with the other four council members voting for them.
Council members heard from employee Waymon Cody who advised them the water leak in front of Big Chic has been fixed, but the work is not yet complete, he said. The area will have to be re-paved, and he hopes to get to that next week, weather permitting.
The council heard from Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director Pam Mayer who said the city was featured in a magazine and that good things are about to happen. She said a Mexican restaurant is coming to the former Corner Café space at the corner of Warren and Washington Streets.
They also heard from the new Chamber of Commerce (COC) president, Mandi Tanner, who said the COC already has 50 members this year, and her goal is 200, which would be a significant increase from last year.
In the city manager updates, Mr. Harrison said he was preparing RFPs (Request for Proposals) for cleaning, landscaping, and other services. He also gave an update on the leaks at City Hall, saying the roofer had not yet responded to Monte, and that he had sent a message, and the next step will be a letter from the city attorney. There is space that could be rented out, once repairs are made, but at this time it is not suitable, he said. He said that the sidewalk project has begun, and should be finished by the end of April.
Mr. Harrison said the jean fund raiser was a big hit. Office staff members were allowed to wear jeans during December if they paid $1 a day. That money then provided Christmas for a needy family. He said the budget looks good right now.
