Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their work session and called meeting both held September 3 and their regular meeting September 10.
Speed Limits Adjusted: The council conducted its first reading of a a resolution to change the speed limits on a roadway in the city after several complaints by residents on Church St. Previous variations in speed limits within the city have been adjusted to account for increased traffic and development in the area. From Gilmore Street to Blackshear city limits, the speed limit along Church Street will be 35 miles per hour.
Millage Rate: The council unanimously approved the proposed millage rate increase for the city, which will go from 8.64 mills to 8.711 mills This is a less than 1% increase. The council made sure to clarify, when set against the existing rollback this does not constitute an actual increase. Councilman Chuck Ward commented, “I think it is awesome and the city is doing a great job.”
New Police Vehicle Purchase: The council unanimously approved the purchase of a new 2023 Dodge Charger at a price of $44,000 from Woody Folsom Automotive Group in Baxley. This vehicle will replace a unit that was recently totaled. The city is still determining how much money will be recouped from insurance on the totaled vehicle, but the price is below the rate requiring competitive bids.
One Georgia Rural Housing Grant: After evaluating proposals from Hofstadter & Associates Inc., of Macon, Statewide Engineering Inc. of Douglas and Carter & Sloope Inc. of Macon to conduct water and infrastructure work related to the One Georgia Rural Housing Grant, Hofstadter & Associates scored highest and was awarded the contract. All three proposals were evaluated by Mayor Keith Brooks, Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright, Councilman Mat Boatright, Public Works Superintendent Wallace Tomlinson and Assistant City Clerk Angel Robson, using a qualification evaluation form approved by the State of Georgia.
Ryland Environmental: Following the invocation and pledge, Richard Lee of Ryland Environmental spoke at the start of the city council’s regular meeting. His sole purpose was to assess the council’s satisfaction with Ryland’s service, “to open the door in case there have been any issues, thank the city for its business and make sure things have been going smoothly.” The council expressed their satisfaction and had no questions for Lee.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPD reported 17 vehicular accidents in the month of August, 4 with injuries. Twenty-four warnings, 135 citations and 2 ordinance violations were recorded. There were also 5 arrests in August, including 1 for DUI.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to 68 dispatched calls in August, including many calls related to flooding, trees or lines down and other damage related to Hurricane “Debby”. BFD workers and volunteers completed 201 cumulative total hours of activities and training, including storm preparedness related to the hurricane.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the public works department conducted 3 sewer service repairs, 1 sewer main repair, 6 water service repairs, 4 water and sewage locates and 2 water main repairs, one on Moore St. and another on U.S. Highway 84. Nine read checks and 50 leak checks were conducted, locating 40 leaks. There were also 13 close outs, 42 cut offs with 33 cut back on and 25 new customers connected in August. The department replaced 2 meters, 1 meter box, 2 meter lids and 1 valve. Zero instances of consumer tampering occurred during the reporting period. Public works also performed the weekly disbursement at the landfill, replaced damaged road and street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes, performed routine grass maintenance at the cemetery, trimmed all tree limbs and weeds along the railroad line and were called in 3 times after hours.
Main Street Program: The Better Hometown (BHT) report recorded $4,000 in expenses for the month of August. Two events were scheduled for that month, a ribbon cutting at B Well Family Practice and a pep rally at Blackshear Elementary School. Twenty total volunteer hours were used for both events. One commercial building rehabilitation project was completed during the reporting period, The Banter, at a cost of $300,000.
Senior Center: Center volunteer Karen Herndon was unable to attend, but Pat Sanders came in her place to provide updates. She requested all present to keep Herndon in their thoughts and prayers. Herndon is currently recovering from COVID-19. Sanders quoted Herndon as saying, “I went for my training, got educated, but got more than I went there for.”
Sanders reported that September is Senior Citizens Month ( September is also the month for several other things. See related coverage of the Trust Partnership in this edition). The theme for the month is “Power in connection”. Sept. 14 is Burst of Fall Bingo. Sept. 16 is a workshop of grief hosted by Satilla Hospice. Sept. 25 is a workshop on Medicaid fraud. Sept. 30 is more bingo, this time at the Magnolia House.
Attendance: Mayor Keith Brooks, City Attorney Adam Ferrell, and city council members Chuck Ward, Theodore Mackey, Jerry Boatright, Corey Lesseig and Mat Boatright were all in attendance.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.
