Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session on Tuesday, March 3 and regular meeting held on Tuesday, March 10.
Blighted and derelict property ordinance: The Blackshear City Council held its first reading of what will be officially known as the City of Blackshear Derelict Property Ordinance.
The new ordinance outlines the legal basis for Blackshear to levy increased ad valorem taxes upon both residential and commercial properties judged to be maintained in a blighted or derelict state. The ordinance also outlines the process of identifying derelict properties, notifying the owners of those properties of the legal requirements to correct their violations, and the penalties for failing to do so. (See related story in last week’s edition of The Times.)
City awards bid to extend fire station: The city council unanimously approved a resolution to accept Macdaddy Investments bid to extend the rear of the fire station on Carter Avenue by 12 feet. The extension is needed to accommodate the longer dimensions of the city’s new fire truck.
Macdaddy Investment’s bid was $25,611.58. The next closest bid was nearly $50,000 more expensive at $73,900.
WoodmenLife donation accepted: The council passed a resolution to officially accept a $25,000 donation from WoodmenLife Chapter 477 and make the necessary changes to the city budget to account for the receipt and expenditure of the funds. (See related story in last week’s edition of The Times.)
Code and zoning enforcement: As reported in last week’s edition of The Times, the city has moved forward with resuming control of code and zoning enforcement with the city limits. The county unanimously passed a resolution to provide Pierce County with written notification of such a step. The mayor says the city should be ready to take over zoning and code enforcement by July.
Chippie Street bid accepted: In accordance with the recommendation of the city’s engineer of record, Hofstadter and Associates, Inc., the city council unanimously voted to accept the winning bid from Thrift Brothers Construction to pave Chippie Street. The winning bid was in the amount of $90,518.25.
Water and sewer system to be extended: The city council unanimously approved a resolution to declare expanding Blackshear’s water and sewer infrastructure as an “economic priority”. Mayor Brooks said applying for certain civic improvement grants becomes easier if the donating authorities see that bringing water and sewer to underserved areas is already a priority for the applicants.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPD reported 13 vehicular accidents in the month of February, two with injuries. Nine warnings, 63 citations and 5 ordinance violation were recorded.
There were only 6 arrests in February, 5 adults and 1 juvenile, which is down 33% compared to February 2025.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to 42 different events in February, including multiple grass fires and structural fires on Piney Grove Road and Barnes Road. BFD workers and volunteers completed a total of 242 cumulative hours of activities and training. In addition, the BFD reported the completion of its preplanning survey of all the businesses in Blackshear.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the department conducted 1 water main repair, 3 sewer main repairs, 3 meter replacements, 3 meter box and meter lid replacements. There were 3 water and sewage locates, 48 leak checks, locating 42. There were also 15 read checks, 38 close outs, 20 services cut back on and 23 new customers connected in February. There were no incidents of consumer tampering during the reporting period. Public works also performed routine grass maintenance, replaced damaged street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes and performed routine limb trimming and did routine grass maintenance at the cemetery.
Main Street Program: The Main Street/Better Hometown program did not file a departmental report for February.
Senior Center: Shearly Coleman gave the senior center report. She reported the February Senior Prom was a big success. The seniors enjoyed getting dressed up and some told Coleman it was the first prom they had ever attended. March 18 will feature bingo with Hospice Satilla. March 27 will be a special board game day done in partnership with 3 Rivers Regional Library system and volunteers from the Pierce County Library.
The Fun Day Olympics are set for sometime in May with three different senior centers, including Pierce, competing in events such as Frisbee throw and cornhole. Coleman asked that those present keep center volunteer Karen Herndon and her family in their prayers as they deal with the health issues of a family member.
Attendance: Council member Corey Lesseig was absent from the council’s regular meeting due to coaching at a school sporting event for Brantley Middle School.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session, meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.
