City Names Interim Manager
The Monticello City Council members voted unanimously to accept the resignation of City Manager Roger Harrison and name Peggy Billerman interim manager/clerk at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.
The action came at the end of the meeting, after a closed session.
Mrs. Billlerman was named interim city clerk after a called meeting February 26. Lathaydra Sands, the previous city clerk, accepted the position of city manager for Lithonia before the February 26 meeting.
During the meeting, the council heard from Adam McGinnis with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). He told of upcoming events, including a Tour of Homes on April 27.
He said a new Mexican restaurant is supposed to open on the Square April 1, and other buildings are also going to be filled. An art company and kitchen house are both expected on the Square, he said, and an organic farmer is going to locate in his “cow” lot. Other farmers may join in that endeavor, he indicated.
He also mentioned the Sunrise Thrift Store is moving, and the DDA wants to find the right tenant for that building once it is vacated. The DDA will assess the building then work on attracting a retail business.
He said the DDA needs help. It is currently without a director, but they are moving forward with everything, and don’t feel like they want to use their energy searching for a director right now. He did have budget questions, which he will address with Mrs. Billerman later.
He said the DDA is looking at pole banners, and needs help from council with parking, signage and traffic.
Councilman David Wease received the council’s blessing to move forward with addressing the parking issues on the Square, which he is working on with DDA, the sheriff’s office, and the Department of Transportation.
{{more}}
The Council also passed a resolution for the budget calendar, with the first work session scheduled for Thursday, March 28, and two more scheduled April 18 and May 2. Mayor Pro Tem Stone Workman encouraged the public to come to the meetings so they can grasp the undertaking of trying to lower the budget to reduce electric rates. Mr. Workman has said he won’t vote for a budget that doesn’t do that, and the city is dealing with the loss of revenue from Georgia-Pacific as well as trying to cut electric rates. It will be a very difficult budget, he said.
Councilman Wease said had he not sat in on budget work sessions before getting elected, it would have taken him a long time to get up to speed. He recommends others be involved in the process as well.
Council also approved a charter amendment that would allow the Probate Judge to live in the unincorporated areas of Jasper County and still conduct the city election. That motion passed 4-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Workman casting the dissenting vote.
Council also agreed to replace the non-working high school water generator at a cost of $5,930. They also had a first meeting of an ordinance to amend the GMEBS retirement plan as required by the IRS, and approved a resolution to amend the Electric Cities Intergovernmental agreement on pole attachments, which will net the city a little more money.
