The Jones County Board of Commissioners approved two zoning requests and gave a green light for the purchase of a much-needed stage curtain for the W.E. Knox Civic Center at last week’s meeting.
Chairman Chris Weidner called the Feb. 3 meeting to order. The opening prayer and pledge were led by Pastor Adam Bray of Elam Baptist Church.
The first item of business covered planning and zoning requests with the first brought by Ronnie Hinson representing R&B Investments. Hinson’s request was to rezone four acres at the corner of Henderson Road and Highway 49 from R-MH to C2 general commercial.
He stated the reason for the request was for future development of the corner property.
Commissioner Daylon Martin made the request to approve the rezoning, and the motion passed unanimously.
The other P&Z request was for a conditional use to allow a singlewide mobile home on a property on Callie Drive. The petitioner stated she currently lives in an unsafe area in Milledgeville and would like to move for her safety and to be close to family.
Commissioner John Wood made the motion to approve the request, and it passed unanimously.
New Business
Consulting Engineer Tim Ingram recommended awarding the contract for Phase 4 of the county’s water expansion project to First Environmental Contractors in the amount of $787,999. He said 13 bids were received, and First Environmental was the low bidder.
Ingram said the company is located in Macon, and he has worked with them before.
The high bid received for the project was almost double, $1,354,626.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens asked if the price was within budget for the project, and Ingram said it was close. The engineer said water pipe prices were coming down.
The final agenda item was the reason most of those in attendance to the meeting were there.
Lisa Mullis asked the county to move forward with the purchase of the curtain for the Knox Center stage and a projector.
“It’s a large-scale project, but it will be used for community events also. It will also improve safety for those on stage,” she said.
Mullis talked about the difficulty of finding a vendor for the curtains. She said the company recommended is Main Stage out of Memphis. There will also be a curtain that can be used as a projector screen.
Kitchens said the curtain is exactly what is needed for the facility. He added it’s a complicated project, but Mullis explained it well.
County Administrator Jason Rizner said the commissioners approved the use of remaining funds from the 2015 SPLOST for the project.
Martin made the motion, and when it was unanimously approved, the room was filled with cheers and applause.
Mullis said Jones County Arts would be presenting “Into the Woods” March 27, 28 and 29, and invited everyone to attend.
Comments
Parks and Recreation Director Bert Rosenberger thanked the commissioners for their support of Jones County Arts. He gave an update for baseball signups. He said 600 have signed up to play at the Morris Bank Complex and 200 at the Highway 49 complex.
The director said the basketball championship will be Feb. 14, and four teams made the district All Stars.
Public Works Director Jerry Arnold thanked all county agencies for their help in the snow preparation.
“Everyone worked together,” he said.
Arnold added the drainage problem at Kingsview was fixed.
Martin thanked public works for the repair of Clinton Road.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn thanked public works employees for the efforts during the snow and ice, and she stated concerns about the accessibility of trash containers at the convenience centers.
Vaughn noted that some people may not be aware that the county has a three-mile mountain bike trail off Highway 49 that can also be walked. She added there is an adaptive playground on Highway 49.
Weidner said commissioners need to get started on package sales and work on board appointments.
The meeting was adjourned to enter closed session. The next meeting is scheduled Feb. 17.
