>> BALDWIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The board of commissioners met on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and discussed several grant applications that are going to be requested for various projects to impact Baldwin County.
The meeting began with the discussion of the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant striping bid. County manager Carols Tobar reported that three bids were made and recommended the acceptance of the lowest bid from Pro-line Pavement Marking in Atlanta. Their bid was $135,122. The board unanimously approved this recommendation and Tobar stated that the roads to be impacted would be picked by County Engineer Brian Wood.
Next, there was discussion about two grant applications for the land and water conservation fund. This fund supports the development of the Aquatic Center at Walter B. Williams Park at the site of the old state prison. The first grant application would request $2 million from the state. The second application requests $500,000 for the Department of Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund. If both grants are approved, then both phases of the aquatic center can be completed at once.
“We are asking for the community and organizations to send in letters of support that will be submitted with the applications. Letters are very meaningful and have led to us getting grants approved in the past,” said Tobar. “We need the community’s help to see this through.”
The aquatic center is currently in design and phase one is planned to take place.
As of now, both phases together are estimated to cost $5 million together.
However, according to Tobar, the final design and cost estimates are hoped to be announced by November. With this information, the board unanimously approved both grant applications to be sent in.
Moving into new business, there was a discussion about Georgia State Route 212. Recently the road has been repaved and reseeded; however, the board expressed concerns about the grass being overgrown along the busy road. There was also discussion of cutting the grass in general around the county.
With agreement to look into those requests, the meeting moved into the county manager’s report. According to Tobar, he received a Georgia Department of Transportation permit to install the remaining six security cameras to complete the 20 around the county. He did not state where these cameras will be located. In addition, he was happy to announce that Cooper’s fire station is now open and fully staffed as of Sept. 3.
In upcoming news, the Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) ground breaking ceremony will be held Oct. 17 at 10. a.m. with the location yet to be announced.
The purpose of the CHIP grant is to provide safe and affordable housing in Georgia. Locally, Baldwin County is using the funds to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes in the census tracts and blocks in the unincorporated areas identified in the grant application. Currently, CHIP pre-inspections are happening. In addition, on Oct. 19 in Albany, Baldwin County will be awarded with a fake check of $400,00 for the CHIP grant at the Department of Community Affairs award program.
At this awards ceremony, the county will also be awarded a $1 million Community Development Block grant for sewer replacement. This grant will replace sewers at Daphney Street Southeast, Martin Drive Southeast, Stuart Circle Southeast, Lee Drive Southeast and a portion of Lee Street Southeast.
“Community Development Block Grants are impactful tools that benefit all parts of the state, especially rural Georgia,” stated DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn in the board of commissioner’s October newsletter.
“These awards represent local-driven city and county solutions that will improve the quality of life for many Georgians.”
The meeting closed with Tobar requesting more letters of support along with pictures for a $1 million grant that he plans to request for the replacement of galvanized water pipes. In addition, he stated there are plans to also request an additional $250,00 for the Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate more homes.