City of Monticello O.K.’s Property Sale
By SUSAN JACOBS
The City of Monticello could look to add $4 million plus to its coffers pending the sale of Mine Lake to its sole bidder, American Natural Resources LLC. It was bid opening night Tuesday during the regular monthly meeting of the City Council.
Council members Gail Harrell, Jenny Murphy and Mayor Pro Tem Doug Currie voted to approve the sale of the 706 acre property subject to City Attorney Joe Reitman’s review and approval of the document. Larry Thurman abstained from voting on the matter. The bid was submitted in the amount of $4,001,000 with earnest money in the amount of $250,000 made available in three days.The property was purchased by the city for $3.6 million.
The council also reviewed bids for the unimproved properties located at Forsyth Street and Short Street. There were three bids submitted for the Short Street property ranging from $1,500 to $11,300.
The council rejected the lower bids and tabled taking action on the high bidwith more information sought.
As for the property at 558 Forsyth Street bids ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with the high bid from Monticello Center LLC selected but contingent on the intended use of the property. The bid submission also came with stipulations that the property would be subject to an environmental and asbestos inspection, property be zoned commercial, and that the city provides electricity, water and sewer.
The most timely portion of the evening’s meeting was the public hearing on three planning and zoning (P&Z) applications. The first hearing involved a request for a variance to decrease the setback limit at 161 Hilton Street for the building of a new home. Altre Investment Partners applied for the variance. Council had some discussion as to whether the area was in a historic district or not, it was later confirmed by a historic preservation member that it was not. The P&Z board opposed the request.
One individual spoke in favor of the request and presented engineering renditions on five and ten feet setbacks. David Thompson spoke in opposition to the request saying that granting it could set a precedence. Stephanie Puckett also spoke against it syaing that the council should stick to their ordinances or you will have house so close to each other. Council member Harrell noted that she would like to see the property cleared and a home placed there so she motioned for its approval with a 10 feet setback. It passed 4-0.
Also approved was a zoning amendment for Hunter’s Ridge to be rezoned from R20 to a Manufactured Home Development District. There were none to speak for or against the request.
As for the request for a decrease of setback limit at 812 West Washington Street by Lower Harmony Properties for the purpose of building a convenience store.There were no supporters speaking for the request. Mrs. Puckett spoke against it saying that it is a residential area and should not be approved. She lives on that road and owns the property across the street, she noted, and doesn’t want a thru road in the area.
Mrs. Harrell motioned to deny the variance, Mr. Currie made a second and both voted in favor of denial. Mrs. Murphy abstained from the vote for buisness purposes and Mr. Thurman did not vote either. Mayor DeAshley Thurman called for a vote of those in favor of the variance and none voted. Therefore, the varaiance request was denied for lack of approval.
Two park requests were approved—Bridging Monticello for a Jasper Jubilee event on the Square May 11 and the Juneteenth Parade/Festival on June 8.
Approved were a fiscal year 2024 budget calendar; amendments to the Historic Preservation Commission bylaws; installation of the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) Program; workers’ compensation Lunch & Learn on March 27 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.; the city manager’s contract; and the bid to pave Hunter’s Ridge/Spruce Street for $360,306 by MHB Paving.
The city manager’s report included an update on the audit process. LaThaydra Sands said that the draft for the 2020 audit is expected to be complete by this Friday and that start of work on the 2021 audit was approximately three weeks away. She also advised council on soliciting for a new auditor as the city office had been with the same company 10 years.
Citizen Comments included David Thompson addressing traffic issues on the Square and the placement of citizens comments during the meeting. Roberta Anderson addressed the audits update. Mrs. Puckett spoke to the issue of the city enforcing ordinances with the run down houses and new developments. She spoke in particular of the construction currently occurring at the corner of College and Maddox Streets.
During Council Updates, Mrs. Murphy encouraged audience members to visit the Jasper Jubilee Facebook page and sign up for an event.
