Monticello Council Hears from Residents
The Monticello City Council Tuesday approved its budget calendar, with the first meeting set for Monday, April 23, at 6 p.m. to discuss it. That gives the council two weeks before the final budget goes before council on May 8. Therefore, they could have a work session in-between.
Before that the council heard from several individuals, including Wanda Cummings, who owns Meme’s House in town and serves on the DDA Board. She said she is trying to get more involved. She also asked about the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) contract which she has heard is part of the reason utility bills are so high.
Mayor Bryan Standifer assured Mrs. Cummings that they are doing what they can to try to lower utility rates. He also said he wants to encourage everyone to shop locally. He said the council would see if there are any adjustments that need to be made.
Next, the council heard from Kim Joris, who was concerned about the house across the street from her on Eatonton Street. A tree fell though the house some time ago, and it is still there. The house is a health hazard, she maintains, and asked the council for some help. She also was concerned about motorists, particularly log truck speeding on Eatonton Street. Furthermore she had concerns about trash being dumped at the end of Hilton Street at Eatonton Street, and the condition of the sidewalks.
Jeff Peebles of Peebles Antique Attic was concerned about utility bills. The mayor said the city utility rates are in the middle-high range across the state. He reminded Mr. Peebles that his bill is electricity, gas, water, sewer, and garbage, so to remember that. Mr. Peebles said he didn’t have gas.
The mayor assured him that the council is pursuing avenues to cut the rates.
After citizen comments, the council heard from Betty Jump, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director, who said it is time to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan, and she wants the city’s cooperation. The council approved, and Mayor Standifer signed the letter.
During the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) update, Pam Mayer said she had done an inventory of parking places on the Square and within a block of the Square, and her determination is there is plenty of parking.
She mentioned store owners, business people and perhaps the Courthouse people could park off the Square, but that really, even when court is in session, there is not a shortage of spaces. People have to learn it’s okay to walk a little ways to their destination, she indicated. She mentioned the affordable housing program available through the Department of Community Affairs, and said she would pursue that later. The individual who was overseeing the program was killed suddenly so she said it is at a standstill for now.
After some discussion, council agreed to invite the County Commission to a meeting at City Hall on April 19, at 6 p.m. to discus the service delivery strategy.
Mayor Standifer said he had suggested just the attorneys, city and county manager and commission chair and mayor meet, but that the county said it wanted the whole group to meet.
