City Council Accepts Contract for City Workshop, Resignation

Monticello City Council members dispensed of business Tuesday evening rather quickly taking action on several agenda items.

The council unanimously approved a contract with Steele Co to construct the city’s new work building that was voted down during last month’s regular meeting but approved during a called meeting last month.

Contract stipulations include work beginning within two months of the execution of the contract with a deposit of $25,000 and a targeted completion date of November 2023. Council members also agreed to scale back the warranty from three years to one.

Council also approved the following:

•Increasing the rezoning annexation petition application and fee schedule from $200 to $300.

•Approved CSI server replacement in the amount of $18,967.

•Accepted the annexation for city property parcel on Hwy. 83 north.

•Approved the City of Civility resolution.

•Accepted the resignation of former mayor Gail Harrell.

Two park reservations were reviewed. The Democratic Committee of Jasper County and the Get Ahead House were approved to host a Day of Kindness on the Square on March 4.

Kimberly Dearro had requested to conduct a car/bike show at Sands Drive Park on April 2. With Sands Drive Park in the process of rehabilitating the surface at the park, council members suggested moving the event to Funderburg Park. Thus council approved the event but for another location.

Two rezoning requests were reviewed as well. Stephanie Puckett was unanimously approved for a request to rezone a tract at Honeysuckle Road/Hwy. 16 from community commercial district to residential. The request was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission

Walter Smith and Tammy Knight had a request for conditional use at 918 Funderburg Drive to use as a multipurpose building for events. The current zoning is residential. The request was recommended for denial by P&Z.

The zoning request was motioned and seconded for denial by Council members Jenny Murphy and Doug Currie and when no others cast a vote the motion failed as well as the motion to approve.

Council heard from two presenting agencies. Matt Folmar of the Small Business Administration provided listeners with disaster relief options offered by his agency. He said four types of loans were being offered, two to businesses and two to individuals. Jasper residents seeking disaster relief could visit New Rocky Creek Baptist Church, visit SBA online or call the 1-800-827-5722.

Corbett Reynolds and Kedrick Collins, district engineers with the Department of Transportation, were on hand to present possible solutions for alleviating traffic on the Square. Mr. Collins said his office was asked to look into traffic flow issues around the Square. Some solutions included making Towee Street and Funderburg Drive one way streets in order to aid the flow of traffic.

The representatives provided a visual aid that can be viewed by the public. Mr. Currie noted that a public hearing would be held on the matter before any action is taken.

During Citizen Comments, James Adams spoke seeking resolution on his property petition.

Terry Sanders of the Concerned Citizens of Monticello asked about the mowing contract for the city and also sought an update on the city’s playgrounds.

Walter Smith asked about making the Council Chambers handicap accessible. He also suggested to the DOT representatives that they look at fixing the bump in the road on Hwy. 16 in front of the old Tillman House.

William Gibson was “spreading the love” on Valentine’s Day. He provided words of encouragement and thanks to the city staff, council members, and newspaper staff.

David Thompson introduced himself as a candidate seeking the seat of mayor of Monticello.