>> MILLEDGEVILLE CITY COUNCIL
The Milledgeville City Council heard a presentation Oct. 10 about the Georgia College & State University (GCSU) Community Research Grant partnership, heard updates about Deep Roots, and approved two resolutions regarding each.
Beginning the meeting, Director of the GCSU Center for Innovation Nicholas Creel explained what the $100,000 Community Research Grant partnership was. The funding comes through the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PII), which promotes community projects to enhance economic development.
The goal behind the partnership is to launch a workforce development program, which will cover the certification on design and installation of solar power systems as well as teach students how to be able to launch their own company in this field.
Creel stressed that the goal is to hopefully create a work pipeline into Milledgeville and grow the program overtime. To learn more about the specifics regarding this partnership, refer to “Milledgeville and GCSU receive solar power grant” published in the Sept. 28 issue of The Baldwin Bulletin.
Later in the meeting, the council, excluding council member Jeanette Walden who was not present, approved a resolution authorizing the agreement with GCSU for a workforce development study in solar technologies and eco entrepreneurship for “the greater Milledgeville Region”.
This authorization allows the program to move forward as planned.
After Creel’s presentation, City Manager Hank Griffeth spoke about a few city matters. He stated that a draft letter has been completed regarding a reply to the Baldwin County School System’s request for a redundant water supply.
He requested the review and approval of the council so the letter can be sent out this week. While Griffeth did not state specifics of the letter or read it, the last council meeting’s discussion on the topic ended with an agreement to deny the request, as it would be unfair to other organizations in need and could cause other water related issues.
Griffeth also spoke on the parking issues on the 300th blocks of North Wilkinson Street and Liberty Street. According to discussion with GCSU Parking & Transportation services, the parking has been used by Bell Hall residents, due to there no longer being specified parking for that hall. Griffeth and Director of Parking & Transportation Services John Jackson decided that placing signs prohibiting overnight parking should help alleviate some of the issues being caused.
Griffeth also proposed speaking with the church in this area to strip a loading and unloading zone in front of the church to help with citizens struggling to make it to their service on time.
Moving into new business, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance to amend Personnel Policies and Procedures to add a section entitled social media and media relations. This will be voted on at the next public meeting. Then, the council heard from Deep Roots Festival Committee Chair Frank Pendergast about what to expect from this year’s festivities and approved a resolution to confirm Deep Roots as a community festival and establish the festival zones.
The meeting concluded with the approval of two alcohol license applications on behalf of El Tequila Grill, Inc, located at 168 Garrett Way, for beer, wine, liquor and a Sunday Sales consumption on premises license and on behalf of Fall Line Brewing Company for a special events on-sight alcohol consumption license for the sell of beer during the Deep Roots Festival.