Milledgeville City Council convened on Feb. 13 for their first monthly meeting for February.
Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan commenced the session with remarks about council member Denese Shinholster, who has served on the Middle Georgia Regional Commission for over 15 years. She has moved up to an officer position and is now treasurer.
Following this, two presentations were presented by Chief Appraiser Wade Williams from the Baldwin County Tax Assessor’s office and Tess Harper from the Department of Community Affairs.
Williams provided an update on the Baldwin County Tax Assessor’s Office and discussed the importance of getting the property appraised and homesteads available to the citizens of Milledgeville.
Harper, the communications coordinator for the Office of Downtown Development with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, presented the city with an award for being designated a Georgia Exceptional Main Street.
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to the city's unwavering commitment to fostering growth, nurturing excellence, and driving innovation within its downtown area,” said Harper. “The Main Street approach provides a balanced path towards revitalization with a focus on economic development, in the context of historic preservation and partnership with the national Main Street center.”
Milledgeville is among 19 communities in the state of Georgia that hold this prestigious recognition.
City Manager Hank Griffeth then shared information with the council about projects up for a vote during the meeting and additional information about Milledgeville.
The first was a resolution to authorize a contract with Skyline Construction Services to replace the roof on the Allen’s Market Building. The $65,000 repair was unanimously approved by the council members.
The next resolution authorized a contract with Atlas Structural for traffic improvement by Oak Hill Middle School and Lakeview Primary School on Blandy Road. Griffeth further explained how this project will be paid for by the speed camera revenue that is in front of the high school, which will soon be generated on Blandy Road.
A portion of speed camera revenue must be used for educational purposes, including school safety, which the traffic improvement is described as. This resolution was unanimously approved by the council members.
The final approved resolution authorized a contract with Peach State Construction Company to improve and replace stormwater drainage in nine different areas around Milledgeville. These areas would include Woodview Circle, Leo Court, Sinclair Dam Road, Long Acre Road, Stoneridge Drive, Allison Drive, River Ridge Road, and portions of Thomas Street and West Montgomery Street.
Within the past two years, 16 other areas have been improved upon for stormwater damage. The more than $2.6 million project will be paid for through American Rescue Plan Act funds. The project is said to start by April and will take about 9 months to complete.
Griffeth then added additional information revolving around Milledgeville, including information about the City of Milledgeville Fire Rescue and Central City Park.
The Milledgeville Fire Rescue has applied for a fireworks tax grant.
This grant can provide the rescue with up to $25,000 worth of equipment. Battalion Chief Ronald Crooms explained how the rescue is asking for $21,345, which will purchase five sets of head-to-toe bunker gear. The rescue will find out about the grant within the next few months.
Public works have begun demolishing the equipment at Central City Park. All playground equipment and some exercise equipment have been removed from the area. The new equipment will be delivered on March 25 with installation occurring the following Monday.
Parham-Copelan then addressed new business, including a discussion about the proposed construction of a Circle K on North Columbia Street. This ordinance discussion involved allowing the special use of 2345 N. Columbia St., formerly BB&T Bank, for a Circle K convenience store and gas station.
This discussion will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission on March 4 and brought back to the council for approval on April 9.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27.