CITY OF GRAY
Gray City Council members discussed the need to restrict 18-wheelers on city streets and the possibility of an acoustic venue in downtown Gray at their November meeting of all committees.
The Nov. 21 meeting was called to order by Gray Mayor Ed Barbee.
Councilman Terrell Fulford, who serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee, started with the financial report.
Councilmen present were Fulford, Councilman Terry Favors and Mayor Pro Tem James Collins.
Fulford said 19.3 percent of 2022 property tax funds had been received.
The chairman introduced the new branch manager and market leader of Cadence Bank, Wesley Casteel. The manager said the recent merger has helped the bank to become more modern, and its mission is to help the community prosper.
He said they would also like to start a conversation about serving the city.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson said Cadence Bank and Roof Truss had stepped up to be Dream Package sponsors for Main Street this year.
For the Water and Sewer Committee, City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan said sewer line rehab and the construction of the wastewater treatment facility were on track.
Collins spoke about the upcoming Christmas Market and encouraged everyone to vote in the Dec. 6 election. He said early voting begins Nov. 28 and ends Dec. 2.
Morgan said the date for the Georgia Sidewalks project to begin was Feb. 20. He said he would like the inclusion of Dolly Street and Highway 11 to the four-way stop and the railroad crossing in the next LMIG list.
Favors asked who is responsible for the repair of railroad crossings, and Morgan said it is the railroad. He noted that all railroad crossings in the state are supposed to be redone next year.
Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe said more streets needed to be restricted for 18-wheeler traffic.
“We really need to restrict all city streets because the big trucks tear up the roads,” he added.
The chief clarified that did not mean for deliveries but for extended or overnight parking.
Favors asked for the item to be placed on the Dec. 6 meeting agenda.
City Attorney John Newberry said the solid waste contract with Waste Management would be on the next agenda.
Gray Fire Chief Keith Eisele asked council members to consider a mutual aid agreement with Baldwin County. He said he gave the agreement to the City Clerk to be approved at the next meeting.
Eisele said the agreement meant Gray would help Baldwin County if needed and vice versa.
Acoustic venue
Chuck Asbell spoke to council members about his proposal of opening an acoustic outdoor greenspace at 109 Atlanta Road and Madison Street. He said the use would be for an outdoor music venue.
“I want a classy venue to showcase local talent in Gray and Jones County,” Asbell said. “There is no place for them to play now.”
He said the venue would possibly be open Thursday through Saturday nights, and while it would not sell liquor, it would be like a package store that sold beer and wine that could be consumed on the premises.
The speaker compared the idea to The Society Garden that is open on Ingleside in Macon. He said it would be enclosed and could be roofed to direct the sound away from the neighborhoods.
Collins said Asbell had met with Gray’s Design Review Committee, and the mayor pro tem’s first question was if the venue can be kept acoustic. He also asked if it would open doors for similar businesses.
“We need to be consistent, but I understand it could be a good anchor for the city,” Collins said.
Favors said Newberry and Lowe would have to educate the council members on the legal aspects of the proposal.
The chief said he felt the venue could be possible with a zoning change.
Roberson said other cities have entertainment districts where places like the outdoor acoustic venues would be allowed. She said she would also like to explore other options used in other places like purchasing a ‘cup’ that could hold beer or wine and could be carried around the downtown area during a walking event while visiting different stores, food trucks, craft booths and restaurants.
“It could be approved per event and be a fund raiser for Main Street. We could mold it for how it fits us best,” the director said.
Sherri Rollins said she feels the acoustic venue would be good to have for young people.
“It’s a small area and can be done very well. It would be a good place to start with guidelines,” she said. “Downtowns are the social generators for the community.”
Fulford said he thinks the outdoor venue is a good idea.
Collins asked the estimated capacity for the venue, and Asbell guessed 125. Lowe suggested forming a committee to further explore the idea, but at the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed to use the members of the Design Review Committee.
Rollins said a lot of small towns have entertainment districts, and Asbell said the people working on the idea would like to see downtown grow.
“We want to showcase our artists and maybe have family events like movie nights,” he added.
At the conclusion of the discussion the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Gray City Council is Dec. 5.
