Monticello Council Hears from Citizens

The Monticello City Council addressed numerous topics at its regular meeting Tuesday before a full room of spectators.

Of the citizens who chose to speak, their topics were varied, but several did address the perceived high cost of electricity in the city. Gerri Yoder expressed her concerns about Mine Lake, saying that the city should first use tax dollars to address utility bills, traffic, and blight, while working to clean up the city.

Adam McGinnis addressed the council with his concerns, outlining several places in the budget where the electric department subsidizes other departments. He questioned the budget which allocates $150,000 for Mine Lake and another $141,338 for contingency. He also said electric revenues are being used for a $100,000 City Hall renovation, and that nearly $200,000 was pulled from electric revenues to go to the water department. Then he refers to the money made selling electricity. Mr. McGinnis maintains the budget is padded and there are plenty of funds to reduce electrical costs in the city.

David Thompson commented that the city’s website is not up to date, and said the city has a public relations crisis. He said the city needs to identify as the city of Monticello. He encouraged immediate action on code enforcement, which the council took later in the meeting, and said a decision needs to be made on Mine Lake and what to do with the property. (The city has a work session scheduled for Monday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. to talk about Mine Lake and other subjects.)

Rev. Horton and Roberta Anderson both addressed concerns about the electric bills. He said that Springfield Baptist Church had a “light” bill of $469, and they are having church services outside. He said people are suffering from utilities…enough is enough. He said you can’t hold people down but so long; people are fed up. Ms. Anderson said her bill was $1,000. She asked that the city consider separating the gas and electric bills so residents don’t have such a hard hit at one time.

Ms. Anderson also expressed concern about a drainage issue at the curb on Frobel Street. She said nothing is done on Frobel Street.

Mayor Bryan Standifer responded that the council is planning to meet later this month to review electric rates.

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Mayor Pro-tem Gail Harrell read a letter from citizen Candace Mock, saying she doesn’t do public speaking. Ms. Mock suggested the city offer incentives for new and existing small business.

Michele Celeni, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, gave her monthly report. She told of talking to the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission about the city’s sidewalks and other issues, and suggested a conference call later this month. She said the DDA has adopted a new logo and new tagline (see related story). She said DDA offices will be moving to 351 S. Forsyth Street, rather than remaining in the Shoppes of Monticello space.

She talked about the mural projects, and how they were coming along, speaking of another grant the DDA is applying for. In addition, the DDA asked permission to add plants to the courtyard behind City Hall to be included in Rosalyn Carter’s Butterfly Trail.

Rev. Horton had asked about the status of changing Blue Ruin Street to Joe K. Davis Street. The council had voted to approve it some time ago, but upon receiving feedback that some residents didn’t want the change, nothing has moved forward. City Manager Angela Redding said she sent a survey to all residents of the street. Of the 22 letters sent, nine were opposed to the change, three were in favor, five were undeliverable, and five were not returned.

Therefore the council voted to give the street an honorary name, rather than legally changing the name. The honorary name honors the late Mr. Davis without requiring residents to change their address on important documents.

As for code enforcement, the city has been discussing options somewhat for the last five years, and in earnest for the past year. A committee meeting last month, followed by a work session earlier this month laid out all the options. Chief Magistrate Judge Tim Lam has indicated he can only hear the cases if they are county code violations. To that end, the council voted to remove its code enforcement ordinances, and therefore the city would have the same ordinances as the county. With that, the city can hire someone for code enforcement. Ultimately, though, it will be up to the county to prosecute after the city has done the legwork. The motion indicated this was a year to year action.

Ms. Redding said that the October, November and December electric rates were mistakenly billed at summer rates. She said the front office is currently re-calculating those bills, and most residents will receive a credit on next month’s bill.

She also reported Advanced Disposal Services (ADS) has initiated a 1.7 percent consumer price index increase per the contract. She said she had spoken to the manager of CVS about a retaining wall that needs work, and said the city has gotten a “bid” of $17,940 for a new roof at the Get Ahead House. She reported that there are two new employees in the electric department for a total of five.

Council discussed airing the meetings on Facebook live or some other avenue.

During council comments, Councilman David Wease and Mayor Pro-tem Harrell thanked so many people for attending the meeting. Councilman Wease also reminded citizens that the city has given residents some $300 credit on their electric bills which equates to 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour.

Mayor Pro-tem Harrell talked about a city/county clean up set for February 27. She said that downtown businesses were going to provide breakfast for the volunteers, probably about 7:30 a.m., and then county people will go out in their areas to pick up litter, and city residents will be directed where to go to cover much of the city.

Councilwoman Cynthia Miller commented that in a conversation with the Environmental Protection Agency determined that the Mine Lake water could be potable, but that EPD is trying to stop issuing permits for individual cities.