Council Contracts Code Enforcement

The Monticello City Council met for nearly three hours Monday evening, with Mayor Pro-tem Gail Harrell presiding. The council handled a number of business items, including contracting with a code enforcement service.

The motion to contract with Safebuilt passed unanimously, but was not clear to the public what any details are as the motion was to go with Safebuilt contingent on the previous discussion which was held in closed session. The closed session was moved from the end of the meeting to be held before the Code Enforcement discussion.

The city later adopted an intergovernmental agreement with the county which should suffice so that the city cases can be heard by Jasper County Chief Magistrate Tim Lam. The city and county have been working together for a year or more to get code enforcement in the city. Once city officials felt they had a good agreement, they decided it would be preferable to contract with a service rather than hire an employee to do code enforcement. The cost was not discussed in open meeting.

In a controversial item, council voted 3-2 to give raises effective next January. Mayor Bryan Standifer had raised this issue last month, and this month his recommendation was presented. Raise the mayor from $900 per month to $1,200 per month; Mayor pro-tem from $650 to $900 and City Council members from $450 to $750 per month. Councilman Larry Thurman made the motion, and Councilwoman Cynthia Miller seconded. Mayor Pro-tem Harrell voted with them to approve the raises, and Council members Jenny Murphy and David Wease voted against. There was no discussion.

Council also voted to increase its retirement contribution. Currently the benefit is $7 times year of service, and they raised it to $25 per year of service, according to the recommendation from Mayor Bryan Standifer. Mayor Pro-tem Harrell said other cities the size of Monticello figure about $10-15.

At the beginning of the meeting, Adam McGinnis spoke at the meeting. He said it is the 10th month he has come to eth meeting to discuss the budget, and he said it appears council members are avoiding questions. He said when you know where the money goes it is very beneficial. He said when he served on council some 20 years ago, and they had to approve the payables, it was eye-opening. He suggested current council members should consider studying the payable. He also asked where the CARES Act money the city got went. He said you’re representing the people, and he said he is doing the same thing, and he wants answers to share with them.

The council told those present that a meeting on electrical service planned for next Tuesday, April 20, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. However, much later in the meeting, after Mr. McGinnis and others had left, the council discussed changing that meeting because Councilwoman Miller said something had come up that day to prevent her from being able to attend next Tuesday. City Manager Angela Redding said she would talk to the people who are expected to present information, and see when they can re-schedule.

After hearing from Mr. McGinnis, they heard from William Gibson, who had given the invocation, and he talked about the signs on Blue Ruin Street, and the need for all to “love one another.”

Michele Celani gave an update on Monticello Downtown Development Authority (DDA) (see related story), and Mandi Tanner updated the council on the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce. She said a prayer vigil is planned at Funderburg Park this Friday for a young Jasperite who died recently.

She also said that the COC is working on updating the brochure for the walking tour of Monticello. She said the COC received a $500 grant from AgSouth for promoting the Market on the Square.

Both Mrs. Celani and Mrs. Tanner told about an event on May 21 with the senior citizens who will have lunch on the Square and shop and enjoy a “guess who” game and a scavenger hunt.

They also heard from David Thompson of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) who gave an update on a certificate of appropriateness (COA) for a fence on College Street, a violation at 916 Forsyth Street, and a resolution of a violation at 336 Forsyth Street. The portable containers are to be moved from 336 Forsyth Street, and Mayor Pro-tem Harrell asked about a time frame when they would all be removed. The city manager said she would pursue finding a time for removal of the containers.

He also suggested that the requirements to serve on the HPC are too stringent, as they are having trouble finding members. He used the example that it requires a person to own property in the city, and it could be a couple where the house is in one of the people’s names, preventing the other person from being eligible to serve.

Council recognized Johnny Ward for 30 years’ service to the city. He received a plaque and a money clip, and the council had a photo made with Mr. Ward.

Council also agreed to abandon the portion of Church Street that runs by Monticello Baptist Church. The church had asked for this, as it is planning an expansion. The council had approved it last year, but the city manager realized it had not been properly advertised. It was advertised, and a public hearing held at Tuesday’s meeting. No one spoke at the public hearing.

Mrs. Redding said that the city cannot legally give land away, so a price will have to be determined, and the church will have to compensate the city. The city can accept 15 percent below the appraised value, she said.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, Council:

•Again tabled action on website hosting, as some council members had not reviewed the information in their packets.Proposals were brought last month, and the council asked for more information, so Mrs. Redding go presented more information.

•Appointed Jasper County Probate Judge Andrea Brown as Elections Superintendent for 2021 elections.

•Appointed Jasper County Chief Registrar Carole Norris as the Absentee Ballot Clerk for the city elections.

•Agreed to purchase 14 anti-littering signs to be placed throughout the city.

•Agreed to the Inter Participant Transfer Agreement between the city of Monticello and the city of Sylvania. The city has a deficit when it comes to availability of electricity, explained Mrs. Redding, so the city will purchase electricity from Sylvania, as needed at a reasonable price. That motion passed 4-1, with Councilperson Miller voting against.

•Named Mrs. Redding and Councilwoman Miller to the 911 Authority.

•Approved a resolution for the budget calendar.