Gray’s city council meeting Monday was brief with the selection of a new workers’ compensation insurance carrier being the major decision of the session.

The Nov. 2 meeting began with the acceptance of the streets of Stonebrooke subdivision by the city with the exception of the short street containing the gate that connects the subdivision to Lite-N-Tie Road. Council members also accepted the 19 street lights contained in the subdivision to be paid by the municipality at the request of Sherri Rollins.

Rollins, who is also a member of the Gray Downtown Development Authority, took the opportunity to ask for the support of the council in the creation of a master plan for the city. She stated that the DDA and the Infrastructure and Planning Committee of Jones County People Looking Ahead Now (PLAN) will be meeting Nov. 4, and she asked for the support of council members.

“To make it work, we need the support of our local government,” Rollins said. “We want you to come to the meeting and get involved.”

The mayor had the first reading of an ordinance to amend the current ordinances concerning soil erosion and sedimentation control. City Attorney Joan Harris explained that the ordinance is written by the state, and the city is required to adopt it.

“The most significant change is that it requires the city comply as well as private businesses,” she said. Harris stated that the city should expect changes in the ordinance every year and said the amendment will take effect Jan. 1.

Tom McEachern of Dunwody Insurance addressed the council about a problem with the city’s worker’s compensation carrier. McEachern is the city’s insurance agent, and he explained the city’s carrier has been declared insolvent. He said the city needs to have a new carrier in place before Nov. 27.

“We’ve been with this carrier since 2006 and have had minimal claims, but the company has taken hits because of the economy,” he said.

McEachern said he has a bid from another company at the same rate as the city is now paying, which is approximately $24,000 a year. He said two other quotes will be coming, but he knows the city will be able to continue coverage without paying more.

The agent asked the council to lock in the bid and they agreed. McEachern said if one of the other bids was lower, he would bring it back to council.

Jones County Emergency Management Director Don Graham talked to council members about the need to replace a rescue unit stationed in the city. He said the 1994 Ford has served the city and county well, but after having the engine replaced twice, it is only able to run 48 mph.

Graham suggesting taking the box off of the unit and putting it on a new chassis rather than buy a new truck at the cost of $200,000. He said the replacement can be done for around $80,000.

After a discussion, council agreed to table the issue to its Nov. 16 committee meeting, when they have a chance to look at bids for the project.

In her report, Mayor Pro tem and fiance chairman Loretta Lipsey said the city has $548,000 in its general fund and received a sales tax check from the county for $49,000. She also noted that the city received its 1 percent gross insurance premium tax of $107,000, which was about $1,000 less than last year.

“I’m tickled that we are maintaining a good balance and the general fund is doing well,” she said.

Lipsey said city tax bills were mailed Monday.

Gray Fire Chief Ronnie Malcom said the meeting room of the fire station has been refurbished and the new air conditioner installed. He said department volunteers were presenting fire safety education classes, and he encouraged everyone to support Veterans Appreciation Day Saturday.

Councilman Terrell Fulford gave a report for the police committee and said the department gave 189 citations and city court collections were $21,909 for the month. He said the police department has received two new cars, and the chief said one of the vehicles was paid for by confiscated drug funds.

Gray Station Better Hometown Director Pat Daniels said the program is going strong, although no new cities were being added this year. She said GSBHT is a joint sponsor of the Business Expo/Business After Hours Nov. 19 and the Jaycees Parade is Dec. 8.

Daniels said Hometown Christmas will be Dec. 12 and the committee is working on putting up Christmas lights. She said she hopes the lights will be turned on by Dec. 2.