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By Beth Alston

 

AMERICUS — A local church was recognized and the mayor presented several proclamations at the monthly meeting of the Americus City Council Thursday.

Mayor Barry Blount read a proclamation recognizing Williams Road Church in Americus for its volunteer work in Brookdale Park, a city-owned park that had fallen into disrepair and has become a crime attractor until last year when volunteers worked to clean and vitalize it. The park is now used frequently by families in the neighborhood for rest, relaxation, and events. Accepting the proclamation were Keith Wishum, who pastors the church, and his wife Becky.

The mayor also read a proclamation recognizing America’s Workers Month and another recognizing National League of Cities Small Cities Month.

The honorary council member, Rob Bailey, was also presented a proclamation. Bailey had been invited by District 4 Council member Charles Christmas.

On the consent agenda, the council approved the following items.

• Certification of the updated Zoning Map. This map updates the 1959 map.
• Advertising RFPs for six buildings and RFQs for two buildings owned by the city that need roof repairs and improvements.
• Accepting a bid for a new commercial mower for the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
• A resolution adding North Jackson Street to the city’s street improvement plan.

On the agenda, the council took the following action.

• Approved an amendment to the Utility Service Ordinance to include storm water fees for debt collection. The city seeks to collect about a half a million dollars in outstanding fees.
• Approved a resolution establishing the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. See related story in today’s edition.
• Approved an alcohol license application for Americus Food and Lotto LLC, 402 W. Forsyth St., for the sale of beer off premise.
• Approved the following appointments.

— Reappointed Bill Krenson to the Americus Housing Authority board.

— Reappointed Dwight Chavis to the Americus Housing Authority board.

— Reappointed Terrell Templin to the Airport Authority.

— Reappointed Fred McLaughlin to the Hospital Authority.

— Reappointed Robert Harvey to the Hospital Authority.

— Appointed Planning and Zoning Director Debbie Bell to serve on the Historic Oak Grove Foundation.

A lengthy discussion was held on the latest piece of the Renaissance Plan adopted by the council in 2015. Main Street Director Qaijuan Willis briefed the council on a recent meeting with downtown merchants about the possibility of two-laning Lamar and Forsyth streets downtown and using diagonal parking on one side and parallel parking on the other. The issue came up because the Georgia DOT is about to resurface both Lamar and Forsyth as well as restripe. The mayor suggested it would save money to have the striping done now rather than later. The issue will be discussed again at the August meeting.