>> CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE
The City Council read the Gloria Walker proclamation, heard updates from the Oconee River Greenway Authority, approved an ordinance, and several resolutions on Sept. 27.
The meeting began with David Sinclair of the Baldwin Investment Group informing the council that his company has contracted the property at 107 S. Wayne St.
Sinclair stated that his company will likely take a two-phase approach to plan future developments and is looking forward to the downtown development.
After his presentation, Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan gave a short comment regarding attending a meeting with other community leaders and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Kevin Tanner to discuss concerns about the demolition of the Central State Hospital Buildings.
According to Parham-Copelan, concerns could be shortened to “wanting to see it done properly and within the welfare and safety of the community.”
Tanner will be taking feedback from this meeting back to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities before they move forward with demolition plans.
Parham-Copelan also commented to the council that by next Tuesday they need to submit their proposed appointments for the Land Bank Authority board. She recommended that the member on the board should not be one of them and suggested instead potentially local bankers, lawyers, or real estate agents.
“As the mayor, I don’t want to see one of us (the council) on the board. I think it would be unfair of us, as an entity, to put one of our council members on it. We need people that are going to be open-minded to what they are doing and how it is being done,” said Parham-Copelan. “They should be supportive of it as long as it’s moving in the right direction.”
After her brief comments, the mayor approached the podium to read the Gloria Walker Day proclamation.
Gloria Walker was a “hometown icon” who came together with her friends in Milledgeville to create a hit ‘60s band called The Chevelles.
Deemed as a “soul band” by Don Schanche Jr., who wrote a story about their history on his blog Salvation South, the band was known for their rhythm and blues music.
In 1968, they had their breakthrough with the song “Talking about my Baby”. According to the proclamation, Walker “so positively reflected on her hometown of Milledgeville.” That is why, Saturday, Sept.
16 was deemed Gloria Walker Day in the City of Milledgeville. As part of the celebration for this day, the proclamation asks the public to learn more about Walker, The Chevelles, and their contribution to musical history.
Completing presentations, the treasurer of the Oconee River Greenway Authority informed the council that the proposed Fishing Creek Community Trail project was completed and the program manager in Atlanta assured “all bases were covered” for reimbursement.
The Transportation Enhancement Grant used to complete the project was a reimbursement grant that both the city and county put money into to help with its completion. According to the treasurer, the reimbursement for those funds should be on the way and since the project’s completion, the trail has already seen use by multiple citizens and the colleges.
Moving into business, the council unanimously passed one ordinance and three resolutions: The ordinance amends the Progressive Discipline Chapter of the City of Milledgeville Personnel Policies and Procedures.
A resolution pledges to practice and promote civility in the city of Milledgeville as part of an initiative by the Georgia Municipal Association.
A resolution that authorizes an agreement with New Singular Wireless PCS, LLC for a third amendment to the lease agreement to place the cell. This authorization extends the time limit on the agreement for another five years with the expectation of five additional five-year terms ending in March 2049.
A resolution that authorizes an agreement with Simonton Engineering, LLC for the engineering services associated with the channelization on Blandy Road to accommodate traffic for Lakeview Primary and Midway Hill Primary Schools.