Council Votes To Sell Sewing Plant

The city of Monticello is relinquishing ownership of the old sewing plant to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for the base value of $169,000.

Economic Development Authority director Tracy Trovillo approached the council months ago about a transfer or sale of the Funderburg Drive property to the DDA. The organization would then assist prospective business owners with a low interest loan in an effort to revitalize downtown developments.

Following a brief executive session Tuesday evening, council members approved the sale of the building with the stipulation that allowances for an appraisal, attorney fees, closing costs, survey and environmental study are all included in the transaction. What the bottom line price will amount to was not estimated but all proceeds earned from the sale are to be applied to the city’s water bond.

Council members brisked through July’s open session business taking decisive action on a preponderance of the agenda topics. Unanimous approval was given to the following items:

•Retrospectively approved Monday, July 3 as a holiday.
•Appointed Gordon Plummer while reappointing Tom Shekita and Jenny Segal to the Historic Preservation Commission.
•Appointed Otis Goolsby to the Zoning Commission.
•Agreed to remove the former mayor pro tem as a signatory on the Municipal Competitive Trust Fund. Additionally a majority of the fund’s year end settlement of $29,812 will be placed in a flexible operating account with $800 placed in an economic development fund.
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Nearly six months after the resignation of mayor pro tem Otis Clark, council voted to conduct a special election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 to fill the vacancy.

Continued from last month, council granted business owner Ronald James a zoning special exception to operate an amusement or recreation center at 397 Funderburg Drive. A brief public hearing on the zoning issues was held prior to the beginning of the regular meeting.

The application came with a recommendation from Zoning Administrator Gene Mathis. Councilman Scott Sauls voiced concern about the center’s operating hours particularly an 11 p.m. closing. Mr. James said that as a parent he also understood Mr. Sauls concern but likewise its up to parents to set appropriate guidelines for their kids.

Also approved was an ordinance to increase water tap fees. In April 2005 then-city employee Ronnie Payne presented the council with a tap fee survey of the surrounding counties which showed Monticello on the low end.

The proposed fees will increase from $450 to $2,000 on three-fourth inch taps; from $500 to $2,500 on one inch taps; from $1,600 to $3,500 on one and one-half taps; from $2,500 to $4,000 on two inch taps; and from $550 to $2,500 on sewer taps.

Council took some time Tuesday to discuss the slowing of the progress on the tree trimming contract needed for the 12k utility conversion. Henderson and Son Tree Service was hired last November to trim back the trees along the power lines for a cost of $90,000.

City manager Hugh King said that process was steady when the company began but has since slacked off with only 40 to 50 percent of the project complete. As no timetable was set for the project, Mayor Holmes suggested having the city’s attorney send the company a memo.

Also discussed were the state’s current level 1 drought conditions by which the city is abiding. Residents with odd number addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays while even numbered addresses can water Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. All outdoor watering is prohibited during the hours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on scheduled days.

Mr. King said the city’s water sources are being monitored and residents are encouraged to abide by the watering restrictions.

To that end, council members heard a lengthy presentation from Frank Sherrill, consulting engineer for the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority, about preserving future water resources particularly the Cedar Creek well source.

Mr. Sherrill encouraged council members to plan now for future water growth. With the city at 750,000 gallons per day and the JCWSA at 300,000 per day, he said that 1 million gallons between the two entities will not always be enough.

The engineer explained that the $500,000 emergency grant that the entities had attempted to partner on earlier this year had been denied by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) because neither party was in an emergency situation. He said that USDA officials recommended seeking a Georgia Environmental Facilities Agency (GEFA) loan for the well project.

Mr. Sherrill asked if the council was interested in a continued partnership with the JCWSA on the Cedar Creek project. The council’s consensus was to research the alternative with the water authority.

FUNDERBURG PARK
Mr. King provided a progress update on Funderburg Park which is set for a grand opening this Saturday, July 15 beginning at 10 a.m.
He reported that $96,908 of HUD grant funds had been utilized to date to pay for construction. Water line extensions had been completed by city crews and work on the underground electrics were to begin soon, the city manager reported. The phase one project is estimated at $217,604.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
•Reported that the Dept. of Natural Resources had issued the city a consent order closure from July 2005 for numerous sewer spills.
Mr. King said that the letter was a positive step for the city that reflects its effort to maintain the infrastructure compliance.

•A water/sewer update on the new high school project included a pre-construction meeting with Keck & Wood, project engineers, Pyles Plumbing & Utility Contractors, contract low bidders, and School Superintendent Jay Brinson.
The project is set to begin July 17 and anticipates 135 days of work prior to completion.

•An 2005 audit update is nearly complete with Trinity Advisors Consultant Reggie White and Finance Director Belinda Worley working on journal entries.

In relation to other financial matters, council approved June payments in the amount of $981,475 for 93 checks. Two of those payments were made to the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia for two-thirds of the total amounting to more than $663,000.

Mayor Holmes was also very appreciative of the administrative staff for the provision of a May/year-to-date financial statement.

During council comments, Rev. Charles Davis of Righteous Temple U.P.C. sought feedback from council on how to go about starting the process to get Culver Street renamed. Since relocating his church to that street he has become interested in renaming the street Righteous Temple Drive. Mayor Holmes advised him to begin with the residents on that street as to how they feel about it.

Al Frost presented a new theme for the city of Monticello as “True Heart of Georgia.”
Sonny Clemons, a homeowner of 214 Mason Street, requested that the city trim back the red tip plants on the right-of-way as it prevents a view of oncoming traffic. He also suggested that speedbreakers be placed on the street.

Council comments included Glenn Newsome commending the staff on the financial reports; Jackie Smith invited the public to the Funderburg Park grand opening and commended Mr. Mathis for his research on the old lodge facility; Mr. Sauls inquired about progress on West View Park; and Brian Standifer announced a public safety committee meeting for next week.

An executive session was held for personnel and real estate discussions.