City Does Routine Business
By KATHY MUDD
The Monticello City Council handled many routine business items during its regular meeting Tuesday, April 8, with a discussion on the cost of revamping the city’s alcohol ordinance.
The city attorney advised them that it needed revamping, and gave the city the name of a firm that specializes in ordinances. City Manager Lathaydra Sands advised the company charges $145 an hour, and they have no idea how long it will take to re-design the ordinance. City attorney Chris Miranda said the current ordinance is outdated.
City council members discussed at length how much time they thought it would take, and finally voted to authorize the company to start, and the city manager is to come back to council once $4,000 is spent.
Council members also discussed roads, particularly Livingston Street, and agreed to fix it using funds from the 2018 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) proceeds. Houston Asphalt provided three estimates for Livingston Street, and council voted to “fix it right” at a cost of $28,800. They also will do work on South Street and Key Street.
Council also voted to return $25,000 in Revolving Loan Funds which are administered through the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). There is a cap as to what is supposed to be kept in the account, and since it hasn’t been used in some time there is an excess.
Council heard from Isaac Nesler about the planters around the Square. He said he had talked to Joe McMichael about sealing the planters around the Square, and Council was not sure it wanted to move forward with that project. That led to discussion of fire ants in the planters, and the comment that most merchants are not interested in maintaining the planters near their business.
Council woman Jenny Murphy said an overall plan is needed before any work is done. Mayor pro-tem Doug Currie suggested getting sponsors for the planters. Councilwoman Gail Harrell was who commented on the lack of interest from the merchants. Mr. Currie said that Mr. Nessler can buy something locally to treat the fire ants and hopefully eradicate them.
Council agreed for the classes of 1980-89 to have their reunion at Sands Drive Park. Organizers are to be informed they must show proof of insurance and the sheriff must o.k. it.
Council accepted a bid from CKH CPAs and Advisors, LLC for the 2025 and 2026 audits.
Council agreed to pay the invoice to High Voltage Utilities for $13,183 for the company’s assistance in setting power poles and restoring power to Eatonton Street the week before the meeting. The council did not yet have the current week’s assistance invoice, but the electric department had to call in help two weeks in a row because of power lines down on Eatonton Street.
In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, council:
*Tabled action on a parking lot lease.
*Agreed to purchase an electric building gate for the city’s entrance to property on Hwy. 83 north.
*Agreed to purchase flame pack model 400 for the gas department.
*Accepted Zach Middleton’s resignation from the Historic Preservation Commission and named Judy Hunsucker to the vacancy created.
*Passed a training cost repayment policy.
*Took Larry Thurman off the list to be a voting delegate at the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) meeting at Amelia Island later this year, and added Mayor DeAshley Thurman.
*Agreed to spend $551,450 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to repair Hwy. 83 north. SPLOST funds will also be needed to complete the job.
*Voted to approve the manager going to training in June
During citizen comments, David Thompson questioned when the traffic calming signs were going to be put up.
