CITY OF GRAY
Gray City Council members tended to important business at their October meeting, but the most exciting part of the evening was the return of Mayor Ed Barbee.
Barbee called the Oct. 2 meeting to order for the first time since the city’s May 1 meeting. The mayor suffered from septic shock following a routine procedure May 4 and has since been recovering and adjusting to his resulting injuries.
All council members were in attendance at the meeting with the exception of Benny Gray, who resides in a nursing facility.
A zoning hearing was first on the agenda that concerned a conditional use to allow a communication tower on property behind Gray Motel. Zoning officer Tim Pitrowski explained, if approved, the tower would be a 250-foot self-support communications tower.
Pitrowski said the application met the technical requirements, but he raised two concerns in the staff report about the tower’s effect on the surrounding area. The officer said the first attempt for the tower in a different location was denied.
Attorneys for the company wanting to construct the tower and for the existing tower spoke for and against the request, respectively. The bottom line for the request was a cheaper rate for AT&T on the tower.
Councilman David Tufts noted that the people who drive through Gray continue to comment on its beauty.
“It’s hard to listen to you tell us what is best for Gray. It’s sad you’d think we would allow this to happen,” Tufts said.
Gray Downtown Development Authority Chairman Sherri Rollins said the DDA worked hard on the design guidelines, and the city has made progress because of it.
“We need to hold true to those guidelines, and I have not heard a good reason to allow this tower,” she stated. “There is a plan for the area involved in the city’s Master Plan. This tower would be in the center of that.”
New Business
The P&Z hearing was adjourned, and Barbee called the business meeting back in session. The question of the communications tower was the first item of New Business.
Mayor Pro Tem James Collins made the motion to deny the request.
Collins stated the reason for the denial was there was space on the existing tower for the company, and the tower would be in the downtown area of the city.
“It would be in our downtown corridor. That would conflict with our scenic byway and negatively affect the area,” he said.
The vote to deny the conditional use was 4-0, which was unanimous.
A resolution to set the city’s millage rate was the next item to be considered. The millage rate for 2023 was proposed to be set at 14.50 mills, with a 5.00 rollback, resulting in a net rate of 9.50 mills for all taxable property subject to ad valorem taxes.
Councilman Terrell Fulford made the motion to approve the resolution to adopt the tax rate, and it was approved unanimously.
The city’s 2024 budget was the next resolution. The budget included the City of Gray’s General Fund, Police Confiscation Fund, ARPA Fund and Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. The total of budget revenues was $2,755,178.
Tufts made the motion to approve the budget resolution, and it was approved unanimously.
Council also voted to unanimously to approve adjustments for department heads, salary caps for exempt positions, and to close the 2015 SPLOST bank account.
The only split vote at the meeting was a 3-1 vote to approve an effort by City Attorney John Newberry to cancel the city’s contract with Waste Management for trash pickup. Collins stated he felt canceling the contract before bids were received for the service was premature.
Barbee’s return
In his mayor’s report at the beginning of the meeting, Barbee said it was good to be back.
He was seated at a table in front of the raised podium, which was in the middle of the tables where council members sit.
“I’ve been working remotely, when possible, and hope tonight signals my further road to recovery,” he said.
The mayor stated his appreciation for city staff and council members.
“Thank you for the fantastic job you have done while I’ve been out. I have been taking baby steps, and that has been good for me,” he said. “I appreciate the strong support I’ve received from the community and all across the state.”
Tufts welcomed Barbee’s return on behalf of council members.
“We are pleased to have you back,” he said.
Collins, who as Mayor Pro Tem has stood in for the mayor in his absence by leading meetings and representing the city at community functions, also expressed his welcome.
“It’s really nice to have you back, and I’m glad to be able to vote again,” he added.
