CITY OF GRAY
The City of Gray’s all committees meeting was a bit sparce with only two of the six usual members in attendance.
The May 15 meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem James Collins, and the only other member there was Councilman David Tufts. Collins and Tufts are both on the city’s Plan and Streets committees, which made those the only official committee meetings of the evening.
Mayor Ed Barbee remains hospitalized after suffering complications from a May 4 outpatient procedure. Councilman Benny Gray continues to be unable to attend meetings due to an illness, and there was no reason given for the absences of councilmen Terrell Fulford and Terry Favors.
Collins read the financial report stating that 98.3 percent of the city’s 2022 property taxes had been collected, leaving an uncollected balance of $16,646.
Under the Plan Committee, Collins, who chairs the committee, encouraged participation in the May 20 Jones County Cleanup Day. He said collection bags and water would be provided for the cleanup and lunch would be sponsored by Dairy Queen and Stone Gables Farm.
Main Street Manager Ashley Roberson said work is being done to establish a Farmers Market in Downtown Gray every second Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, beginning in June.
City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan spoke for the streets committee and said he was informed by Matt Smith with Carter and Sloope that bids would be accepted for the Dolly Street project.
“We hope to be ready to start moving in October,” he said.
Roberson distributed designs for a planting plan for downtown Gray that included bump-out flower beds. She said the Gray Downtown Development Authority paid for the design. She said city workers were going to dig up the beds so they could be replanted, and the cost of the plants would be covered by city’s share of the hotel/motel tax and the streets budget.
City Attorney John Newberry said he had spoken to County Attorney Ashley Brodie about tags to allow golf carts to be driven on streets. He said the county has had interest, but the streets would have to have a speed limit under 25 mph, which are mostly in the city.
Newberry said the discussion was in the early stages, and the next step was to talk to the Gray Police Department. The attorney said the city may want to consider any grants that are available.
Collins said he felt like the council needed time to consider the idea.
With no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the city council is scheduled June 5.
