CITY OF GRAY
Gray’s City Council members held their meeting of all committees with news about progress at the new wastewater treatment plant, tweaks to the new brewery ordinance and needed safety improvements at intersections.
Gray Mayor Ed Barbee called the Jan. 22 meeting to order, and Mayor Pro Tem James Collins led the meeting.
The first committee report was from Finance Chairman Councilman Terrell Fulford. He reported the city had collected 82.34 percent of 2023 property taxes in the amount of $956,779. The total of unpaid taxes is $110,326.
City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan reported for the Water and Sewer Committee. He said he was still waiting on the analysis of the city’s test well.
Morgan said the new wastewater treatment plant would be completed soon and would begin operating in the next few weeks. He said during that time, they would troubleshoot any issues at the new plant and empty out the sediment pond to work out any kinks.
At the conclusion of that process, the current plant would be shut down for rehab.
City Attorney John Newberry said there were 30 to 40 trash collection accounts in the city that had yet to transition to Ryland Environmental, and Ryland was asking for help from the city.
Newberry said the business had been dealing directly with the previous company. He said those businesses need to be contacted due to Ryland’s exclusive contract for the city’s trash collection.
The attorney said the city code requires businesses to deal with the city’s exclusive provider. He asked for approval to send a letter to the businesses involved.
“I hope they will get better and cheaper service,” he said.
Newberry said he had been dealing with another issue about a problem with a broadband service line. He said it appears the line was cut, and the city was suspected of inadvertently cutting the line.
Morgan said he did not believe the city was in that area, and Newberry said he would send a letter to address the situation.
Collins said there was a question about the closing time for breweries. He said the closing time set in the ordinance was 10 p.m. Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe said that was correct unless the business also purchased a pouring license, which would allow them to stay open longer.
“But then the business would fall under the requirement to sell food,” he said.
Collins said his concern was, in either case, the brewery would be able to sell its product.
Newberry said yes, the brewery would be able to sell its own product.
Collins asked if the clarification of the closing time could be done with an amendment to the ordinance. Newberry said it could and asked that the amendment be placed on the next meeting agenda.
The attorney said the city also needed to start the changes to the city’s zoning ordinance to allow a brewery as a conditional use. He said he would get with Zoning Officer Tim Pitrowski to start advertising the changes.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson said she met with the Main Street board, and they would like to change some of the events for the coming year. She said the goal is not to conflict with Friday night ballgames, and some events are being planned on Saturdays.
Roberson said the first of the upcoming events is “Galentines” that is set for Feb. 10.
Under the Plan Committee, Collins said he would like some changes to the way meeting agendas are being handled. He said in fairness to council members, the public and the city clerk, he suggested changing the deadline to add agenda items as Thursday before the meeting, at the minimum.
“Council needs time to see the agenda,” he said.
City Clerk Cindy Yancey said it was not fair for copies of the meeting to be changed at 5 p.m. prior to a 6 p.m. meeting.
Collins said the additional time would give the public a chance to know what is on the agenda and would give council members a business day to consider the agenda before the meeting.
Council members agreed by consensus to the deadline change.
Roberson also reported that she and Morgan met with Georgia Power and Middle Georgia Electric about the continuation of streetscape lighting down West Clinton Street to the Courthouse.
She said Georgia Power gave options of purchasing or renting the lights. She suggested the lighting also be placed at the intersection of East Clinton Street.
The director gave council a copy of the plan and prices for the lighting. She explained that the lights up East Clinton would be removed from the plan and told council that the lighting plan falls into the Main Street Gray Downtown Development plan.
Councilman David Tufts said the project would help identify the city’s downtown area, and Fulford asked for updated numbers and costs.
Roberson also talked about the curbs at the main intersection and along the driveways at the end of the street. Council members were provided with pictures of the area.
Morgan said the initial estimate he received for the project was $26,000. The superintendent said he would like an updated quote.
Barbee asked if there were any grants for the project, and Roberson said she was looking. She said there was also the possibility of using the city’s capital improvement grant.
“It just doesn’t look good when you are coming from East Clinton,” she said.
Tufts stated that Roberson was doing a great job and noted that the new blinds had been installed at Butler Hall.
Barbee asked council to look at the crossing lights in downtown intersections. He said the “walk” lights are too short to cross the street. Lowe said that would be question for Middle Georgia Electric that takes care of all the lighting for the city.
The mayor also asked the city look at the lighting at the intersection of the Bill Conn Jr. Connector and Highway 18. He said there are no lights in the area.
“It’s totally dark,” he said. Lowe agreed it is a dangerous intersection and noted that is a state route. It was agreed to contact the state about the need for lighting.
The meeting was adjourned to enter into closed session.
The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled at 6 p.m. Feb. 5.
