Monticello Council Adopts COC MOU
The Monticello City Council spent considerable time Tuesday discussing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city of Monticello and the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (COC).
Some questions had been raised at a work session last Thursday (see related story, page 2), about the COC’s MOU with the city. A few small changes were made and it was up for consideration at Tuesday’s regular meeting. City Attorney Joe Reitman had encouraged the city and/or COC create an events ordinance to accompany the MOU. He also sent word Tuesday that he wanted to look at the Main Street agreement before the MOU was approved. Council, however, voted to move forward.
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) had approached the city about a desire to also schedule events on the Square. DDA Director Michele Celani approached the council saying that she agreed the city should adopt an events ordinance. She said the DDA is charged with beautification of the Square, economic redevelopment, and providing a favorable climate. She said the MOU was fine, with the exception of the COC co-hosting or co-sponsoring all events. She said it poses an unfair burden on the COC to have to co-host all events. She said the DDA would give the city 10 percent of the proceeds of all events.
Mrs. Celani said it is impossible for DDA to dispatch its mission and administer programs without having events. If she is unable to scheduled events she can’t do her job, she said. She said it’s a problem for COC to be co-host. She said DDA was told they could not have artists on the Square on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Pam Mayer, who was speaking for the COC, said when DDA suggested it, and the COC immediately went to merchants on the Square to see if they would be willing to be open, and also to vendors at the market to see if they would set up on Sunday. No one was interested. Therefore, DDA was encouraged to have their art special on the sidewalk.
Mrs. Celani said she is not trying to be contentious. Mrs. Mayer said the COC co-hosts the market and promotes it. Mrs. Celani questioned if the DDA is responsible for beautification why it has no right to use the Square.
After much debate and discussion, Mayor Bryan Standifer said we have two great entities wanting access to the Square. He also said that the DDA is a leg of the city and he would like to see them have some priority.
Mrs. Mayer said this has worked since 2011.
After much discussion, and two failed motions, the council voted 4-1 to adopt the MOU. Mayor Pro-tem Gail Harrell, who sits on the DDA, voted against the motion.
The council then discussed a revised MOU with the Get Ahead House which was approved unanimously with little discussion.
During citizen comments, Adam McGinnis told the city he and many others are concerned about utility rates. He said he was told in September that a meeting would be held on electric rates. Councilman Wease told Mr. McGinnis that all customers are getting a $100 bill credit this month, and earlier this year they received a $200 bill credit. He said that is the equivalent of 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
Mr. McGinnis asked if council was aware of how padded the budget was with the funds coming from the electric department. He said it is a money-grab abuse of power. He said he doesn’t see the city making a move to fix it.
Before the MOU discussion, the council heard monthly reports from both the COC and the DDA. Mrs. Celani said eth Shoppes of Monticello has a 100 percent occupancy rate, and that so far $1,121.61 in sales tax has been paid, and the city has received $1,000 in new business licenses. She said the Shoppes are self-sufficient, and DDA is receiving rent from the Shoppes.
She told council nearly $10,000 has been raised (some of which is pledged, not in hand) for the art alley project, and that the welcome mural should be complete in March or April 2021. She talked about the youth advisory council which will advise DDA on youth issues. They will say what they like to see in Monticello and will complete a public service project.
She also spoke on the young entrepreneurs program helping to get students civically engaged. She said so far members of the Jasper County High School Technology Student Association and Art Club and seven students are participating. She said the DDA would introduce a new website in 2021.
Brandi McMichael gave the COC monthly report said Shop Small Saturday was a huge success. She said the COC is taking applications for Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year until December 30. She said the visitor count for the Visitors’ Center for the year is at 6,762.
In the city manager’s report, council learned that the MEAG loan from when the electric system was upgraded is paid off.
City Manager Angela Redding said that she is working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to close out the sidewalk project. She presented a list of meeting dates and holidays for the city for 2021.
In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, council:
•Approved alcohol licenses for Circle K, McMichael’s Package Store and Hide-away Package Store.
•Re-appointed David Thompson and Tom Shekita to the Historic Preservation Commission.
•Voted on art submissions to go in art alley.
•Tabled action on proposed recreation use improvements for Mine Lake, a DDA presentation by Wendall Yoder, a resolution for rules of meeting procedures, and an ordinance to amend Monticello code for taxes for blighted property.
