Gray City Council members appear to have resolved an ongoing issue pertaining to property on Allan Green Drive at a called meeting at the conclusion of their All Committees meeting last week.
The May 18 committee meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem James Collins, and the first committee report was by Councilman Terrell Fulford, chairman of the Finance Committee.
All councilmen were present with the exception of Terry Favors.
Fulford said 97.2 percent of the 2025 property taxes had been paid. The amount of the taxes collected total $1,337,090, leaving an unpaid balance of $38,561.
There was no report from the Water and Sewer Committee, and the next agenda item was the introduction of Abigail Barton as the Director of Keep Jones Beautiful. Barton joined the team at the Gray/Jones County Business Development Center March 2 in the role of Administrative Assistant and KJB Director.
Collins is the chairman of the Plan Committee and led a discussion about temporary business permits. He stated that it is important to protect Gray’s brick-and-mortar businesses, but he also understands the benefits of allowing something different for the community.
Main Street Gray Director Ashley Roberson suggested a special event permit that is common in other cities. She said having the permits would help stop conflicting events.
“My concern is for our small businesses. We need to protect them,” Roberson said.
She said those businesses have the expense of overhead and paying taxes.
Collins said perhaps there could be a hybrid of a special event permit that would allow the vendor to set up four, six or 12 times per year. He said he would like the council to have approval for the permits.
Councilman David Tufts said the permits could be tried on a trial basis to see how it would work.
City Attorney John Newberry said the special event permit could be used to set up in places like Carol’s Park, but that would be different from a peddler’s license for vendors such as a fireworks stand at Ingles.
But most of the conversation was about food trucks that set up in various parking lots over the weekends and move on.
Tufts said the non-profit groups that set up for fundraisers would be handled differently.
Councilman Ikea Simmons agreed it is important to differentiate between non-profits and the others.
“If the food trucks are permitted to set up for certain times, that’s all,” he said.
Newberry said the food trucks need to have a license to make sure they are safe.
“It makes sense to require a permit, but who does it affect? Would it include fundraisers for the Boy Scouts or Masonic lodge?” he asked.
The attorney said before he can draft a permit resolution, he needs to understand the goal of council to require it.
Collins said the purpose would not be to slow down the process of obtaining a permit but to limit the number of times it could be used.
City Clerk Cindy Yancey said either way, there needs to be fee for the permit.
Newberry reiterated it is a good idea to require a food vendor to be licensed and safe. He added they can certainly be limited.
Collins asked about other cities having permits.
The attorney said he would research the issue and bring back a recommendation.
Personnel committee
Collins, who chairs the committee, shared the name of the employee of the month, Tabatha Brown. He said she has worked in the City of Gray Water Department for 10 years.
“We want to recognize and appreciate her. She is always willing to help out,” the mayor pro tem stated.
Collins also highlighted a small business. This month it is Cone Crazy, which is owned by Paige and Billy Horne. He said the business has been operating two years.
“It’s a fun place to go. The owners are friendly and outgoing.”
Collins had samples of the ice cream that he distributed at the conclusion of the meeting.
Streets
Tufts spoke for the Streets Committee in the absence of its chairman, Favors. He said the concern is continued reckless driving reported on Office Park Drive. Tufts said the request is to put up speed limit signs and install speed bumps going in and out of the road.
“I’m not sure there have ever been speed limit signs there,” he said.
Tufts said the owner of several properties on the road, John Wood, is also asking for the speed limit signs.
City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan spoke about the supplemental LMIG funds. He said Gray received $72,000 and pulled the list of roads needing repaving. He said Dixie Street is the worst, but the list includes Turnerwoods and Childs streets.
Morgan said the funds would pave only portions of Turnerwoods and Childs streets.
Tufts said the choice should definitely be Dixie Street, and the other council members agreed by consensus.
Mayor Ed Barbee said he scheduled a meeting with GDOT officials to discuss the crossing traffic lights.
Simmons said there was nothing to discuss for city property. Under Public Safety, Gray Fire Chief Keith Eisele said the next firefighters’ graduation is scheduled May 31 at 3 p.m. at the Jones County High School Auditorium.
The committee meeting was adjourned for a 30-minute closed session to discuss litigation and real estate. The committee meeting was again adjourned at the conclusion of the closed session.
Barbee brought the called meeting to order at 7 p.m. The only item on the agenda was a resolution of Mayor and Council to authorize Barbee to execute a purchase and sale agreement with Cedar Creek Land and Development to purchase the property for the city’s test well 117.
Collins made the motion to approve the resolution, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
The agreement is to purchase the 5.1 acres on Allan Green Drive for the amount of $495,000 with the goal of owning the high-producing test well in 10 years. The city will make payments by purchasing water pumped from the well for $1.38 per thousand gallons until the payments reach the purchase price.
That is approximately one-half the amount the city pays the county for water it purchases, which is expected to result in a substantial savings to the city. The average payment to the county for water per month is $50,000.
