The April meeting of Gray’s City Council was brief with most items previously explained and discussed in committee meetings and only the vote left for the business meeting.
Mayor Ed Barbee called the April 7 meeting to order. During his mayor’s report, Barbee talked about the first Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation meeting the was held the previous week.
The mayor encouraged city leaders to attend the meetings, which are required for a periodic update of the city’s Disaster Plan. The updated plan is required for the city to be eligible for federal and state disaster relief plans.
Item one on Monday’s agenda was the first reading of an ordinance that will amend Gray’s code pertaining to heavy trucks on city streets. The amendment adds 16 streets to those prohibiting trucks weighing in excess of 8,000 pounds.
Exemptions are made, however, for trucks delivering or loading goods or those traveling to their registered place of business. The second reading and adoption of the amendment is expected May 5.
Council members voted to close out a test well project that was not viable and authorized the mayor to sign the award for instillation of a generator at the Glover Lane lift station. The bid award went to the low bidder, Middle Georgia Electric, in the amount of $97,523.
The mayor was authorized to sign the Local Road Assistance application to the Georgia Department of Transportation for additional funds of $71,868. Those funds are awarded with no matching funds required.
More good news for the city was a refund of $152,218 from the Wolf Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant construction project. The plant was constructed by Haren Construction Company. The total cost of the project was $10,368,431.
Council members considered and approved quotes for the renovation project for 102 E. Clinton Street. The building that sits in front of City Hall is being renovated to be used for an economic hub that will contain offices for Main Street Gray, Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce and the Jones County Development Authority.
The offices will share a receptionist and split the expenses. The quote for the renovations was $99,345.
The final agenda item was a budget amendment to distribute the revenue received from the Hotel/Motel tax. The total amount was $8,683 and was divided between Main Street Gray and the Chamber to be used for tourism.
There were no public comments, and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Gray City Council is the All Committees Meeting scheduled April 21 in the conference room at City Hall.
