Monticello Council Takes Action

The Monticello City Council in a 2.5 hour regular meeting Tuesday evening held three public hearings, delayed action on re-appointing two members to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), met the new code enforcement officer, approved the 2022 fiscal year budget, and got an update on the upcoming election from City Attorney Joe Reitman. They also heard from Councilman David Wease about trees on the Square.

The first public hearing was concerning nearly 9 acres on the corner of Honeysuckle Road and Hwy. 212 west. Owner Stephanie Puckett had asked to have it rezoned to Highway Commercial District and the city’s Planning & Zoning Board recommended denial. So, she changed her request to zone the property Community Commercial District which has only 15 permitted uses, and another nine conditional uses. The council heard from Mrs. Puckett who explained what zoning surrounds the property, which is located across Honeysuckle Street from Dairy Queen. Several people spoke in favor of the rezoning, and the city council voted to approve the Community Commercial District.

Next they heard from Jim Avery speaking on behalf of Jack’s Family Restaurant who was seeking a conditional use permit to locate the restaurant on 147th street at Hwy. 16 west. He said the regional restaurant currently is located in four states, and just opened its 202nd store. The local facility will be 3,250 sq.ft. building and a parking lot with 47 spaces. He told of the benefit to the community—jobs, sales tax, property tax, and another place to choose to eat from.

Several people spoke in favor of that use, as well, and it was approved.

The third public hearing was on the continuation of a Special Use Permit which would allow new owners of Reese Hall continue to operate it as a bed and breakfast, without the condition of having to live there. The city originally gave the conditional use approval in 2015, when Judy Hunsucker was opening the business. As a conditional use, it follows the owner, so the new owner must get new permission. Mrs. Hunsucker was asking that the Conditional Use Permit stay with the property, and be transferred to a new owner when that happens, rather than each owner having to come back to City Council to continue its same use.

Numerous people spoke on behalf of the continued conditional use, saying currently there are no overnight accommodations in Monticello which creates a hardship. Council approved the new conditional use wording allowing the new owners to operate the bed and breakfast.

Later in the meeting, attorney Joe Reitman spent some time explaining the city’s election guidelines. Mayor Bryan Standifer has said he will not be seeking re-election. Therefore, it is possible a current council member could seek that post. Mr. Reitman explained that if it is a council seat that expires at the end of the year, the person may continue to serve and run for their seat or another seat. However, if the person’s term is not set to expire, they must resign to run for the new post. He explained that a special election may be needed.

He suggested that if a sitting member wanted to seek the mayoral post, and not necessitate another election, they should resign no later than the August council meeting, as qualifying is in August. Councilwoman Cynthia Miller said that would not be enough time for people to realize the position is open. She questioned how far in advance a person should resign to allow people to know that a position is available. Mr. Reitman said he would look into it.

Council approved the Budget Resolution for $7,947,158. Council had several budget meetings preparing the budget, and it reflects a reduction in the Power Cost Adjustment, so that residents can see a savings on their electric bills.

One item on the agenda was to re-appoint Wendall Yoder and Towonder Dennis to the DDA board. Councilman David Wease said he would like to postpone action for two weeks as he is doing some homework on that.

A council committee was formed to meet with the representatives of the Get Ahead House to review the Memorandum of Understanding. Apparently, they had a copy of a red-lined copy of the MOU in their packet (which was not provided to The News), and the mayor felt like more discussion was needed.

Council approved an agreement with the developer of Oak Ridge Subdivision for him to place at least three main gas appliances in the 38 lots with not cost for the infrastructure and a rebate. The idea is to increase gas sales…another source of revenue for the city.

The council tabled action on appointing someone to be an authorized member representative to the Georgia Public Web.

Council met the city’s new Code Enforcement Officer—Kim Graham, who began work June 1.

Councilman Wease had taken it upon himself to do some investigation into the trees around the Square and make recommendations. After meeting with several interested parties and an arborist, Mr. Wease said it is not the roots of the trees that are causing the sidewalks to buckle. He recommended raising the canopies of all the trees and thin the limbs. Then the sidewalks need fixing, and pavers need reset. Lastly, he recommends pressure washing all the sidewalks.

Mr. Wease did not have cost estimates for the work, and is to gather those and return to council with a recommendation in July.

In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, council:

Learned that the deadline for a Master Developer has been extended until June 15 at 2 p.m.

After a closed session to discuss real estate, council agreed to accept bids to sell the Masonic Lodge property. That motion passed 4-1 with Councilwoman Miller casting the dissenting vote. Most of the votes at the council meeting were unanimous.

Heard the monthly report from Michele Celani with the DDA and Mandi Tanner with the COC.

Heard from Dianne Parker with the Historic Preservation Commission on a recommendation for a change to the outbuilding requirements. The new requirements would be less stringent. She said that people are just building without asking permission as the rules are so strict, but the new rules would encourage more people to go through HPC before building.

In comments by the governing body, Mayor Pro tem Gail Harrell said, “There is something that has been weighing on my mind since last February and the fact that I received another letter in the mail on Saturday made me decide to bring it out in the open.

“The first letter had no return address and no signature. It was a threat to my person. Because they did not threaten to kill me, the GBI could not take the case to the District Attorney.

“On Saturday I received another anonymous letter with no return address

indicating I had some devious plan.

“I ran for Mayor Pro Tem with one goal in mind, to represent ALL residents of

Monticello, not a select few. I have lived up to my promises and listened to

everyone and their concerns. I know it is impossible to make everyone happy, but hiding behind anonymous letters and not willing to come forward is in my estimation the coward way out.

“It is between me and my GOD where I will go from here and I refuse to be

intimidated or threatened by these letters.”