Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session on Tuesday, August 4 and regular meeting held on Tuesday, August 11.
Zoning and land use ordinance:
The city council conducted its first of two required readings of a new ordinance centered upon the city’s recent move to issue its own permits and conduct its own zoning and code enforcement.
Part of the ordinance reads “the Mayor and Council have determined that it is in the best interest of the city for the City of Blackshear to establish and administer its own zoning, land-use, development, permitting, inspection and code-enforcement functions within the corporate limits of the city”.
To make this possible, the ordinance adopts a zoning and development code specific to the city, adopts and continues the official zoning district map, creates a planning, zoning and code enforcement department and places it under the Blackshear Police Department and adopts the international property maintenance code among other things.
The second reading of the ordinance will take place in September after which it is expected to pass a vote by the council.
New firework permit fees:
The Blackshear City Council unanimously passed a resolution to modify the pemitting fees for public fireworks diplays.
The permit fee for any public audience fireworks display conducted within the city limits will be $50, but in addition to the base permit fee there is now a requirement for the sponsor of the event to reimburse the city for the actual cost of firefighter personnel required to be present for the display.
The resolution specifies “the number of firefighters required, the duration of their required presence, and any other staffing requirements shall be determined by the City of Blackshear Fire Chief, or the Fire Chief's designee, based upon the size, location, duration, type and circumstances of the proposed fireworks display and the level of fire protection reasonably necessary to protect the public.”
Conditional use permit:
The city council unanimously approved the issue of a conditional use permit to Peek Pavement Marking for the purpose of placing a temporary mobile office building at 715 Gordon Street and having electrical service hooked up to the structure.
The conditional use permit was issued with the understanding a permanent structure would be in place within one year.
There was no public comment for or against issuing the permit at a public hearing held prior to the regular meeting.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report:
BPD reported 16 vehicular accidents in the month of July, two with injuries. Five warnings, 106 citations and one ordinance violation were recorded.
There were only three arrests in July, all adults, which is a 70% decrease in arrests compared to July 2025.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report:
BFD responded to 31 different events in July. BFD workers and volunteers completed a total of 271 cumulative hours of activities and training.
Public Works Dept:
Last month, the department conducted 25 water and sewer locates, five sewer service repairs, four sewer main repairs, eight water service repairs and six water main repairs. There were also three meter, meter box and meter lid replacements. There were 52 leak checks, locating 35. There were also 56 read checks, 15 close outs, 30 service cut offs, 28 services cut back on and 10 new consumers connected in July. 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 department report for July.
Senior Center: Senior Center volunteer Karen Herndon delivered a brief update on recent events and activities at the center, including a recent picnic at Laura Walker Park, friends and family day at nearby Harborview-Pierce and painting mini-canvases with Bethany Strickland for inclusion in the community flag mosaic as part of the upcoming local September 12 patriotic celebration.
Next meeting:
The council will hold its next work session, meeting 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 1 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 8.
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