Gray City Council members made it official at their May meeting that it is unlawful for vehicles in excess of 8,000 lbs. to drive on city streets.
Mayor Ed Barbee called the May 5 meeting to order, and the second reading of the amended truck ordinance was first on the agenda. The amended ordinance states additional streets would be restricted to large vehicles. Those streets pretty much encompass the city limits of Gray, including East and West Clinton streets, Atlanta Highway, Eatonton Highway and the roads intersecting those streets.
The code states it is unlawful for a tractor- trailer truck, pulpwood truck or any truck containing three or more axles to be on the city streets. There is an exception for delivery trucks.
Mayor Pro Tem James Collins made the motion to accept the second reading of the amended ordinance and adopt it. The motion was approved unanimously.
In his mayor’s report, Barbee announced he received a letter from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, making it official as of May 1 that the city was authorized to operate the new wastewater treatment plant.
Sarah Kidd with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission talked to council members about the Jones County/Gray Service Delivery Strategy. She said the agreement needed to be updated as the final step for county’s One Georgia Application.
Kidd explained the city is not involved in the updated plan area but is a partner in the Service Delivery Strategy.
Councilman Terrell Fulford made the motion to approve the resolution, and the motion passed unanimously.
Kidd went on to talk about a sidewalk safety grant that could be a joint application with the city and county. She said the grants would have a match, and a joint application would reduce the match amount for the city.
Collins agreed that the sidewalk projects being considered would overlap with the county. He said he would attend the Board of Commissioners meeting the following evening to discuss the possible partnership.
Tom McEachern with Tidwell & Hilburn Insurance talked about the city’s property and liability insurance renewal. He said the premium would increase to $125,219, which is 10 percent.
McEachern said, in today’s market, he considers that a flat renewal.
Fulford made the motion to approve the renewal, and the vote was unanimous.
The councilmen voted to close the city’s remaining ARPA account.
A resolution to certify a roll-back tax millage rate for 2025 was the next item discussed. City Clerk Cindy Yancey explained the rate was necessary due to HB 92 that is in reference to HB 581. The city opted out of HB 581, but placing the roll back rate on tax assessment is required by HB 92.
Collins made the motion to use 9.5 mills as the roll back rate, the same millage rate as 2024. The motion was approved unanimously.
Councilman Terry Favors made the next motion, the approval of a bid from Appling Brothers in the amount of $136,000 to proceed with drainage repairs on Folds Drive.
The drainage repairs are needed due ongoing problems in the Jackson Heights neighborhood that is damaging homes. The motion was approved unanimously.
An accompanying item was the purchase of a permanent easement to make the repairs on Folds Drive possible. The easement will be 10 feet wide, consisting of five feet on each side of the drainpipe location. The cost of the easement is $15,000.
Collins made the motion to purchase the easement property, and it was approved unanimously.
The only department head comments at the conclusion of the meeting was a report by Main Street Director Ashley Roberson that the Spring Festival went well. She said they sold 860 wristbands for the Friday night concert.
Favors asked about signs to inform the public about the amended truck ordinance. Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe said signs and message boards would be put out by the city and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office about the restrictions for 60-90 days before trucks would be cited for violations.
The next meeting of the city council is at 6 p.m. May 19.
