The Americus City Council met on July 18th at 6 pm. Charles Crisp was recognized as honorary council member for the month of July. Public works director George Allen addressed the progress on implementing the copper and lead pipe grant to check water pipes. “We’re finishing up the inspection phase, and then it goes into the replacement phase.” When asked if he thought that many pipes would be replaced, he replied: “I’m not sure yet.”

During citizens comments, Ava Owens, upcoming highschooler at Southland Academy addressed the council, requiring permission to put a free library box in one of the City parks that has playground equipment. “I love reading and even though I’m only starting high school, I can already tell you that being able to read has opened so many doors for me.” She stated a desire to pass her love of reading to others. “I will make sure it stays clean and stocked up with books. I do need community service hours for my school, but I really want to go above and beyond what most do.”

Jeff Turner, from AutoSolve, gave the results of the comprehensive study on City employee’s pay. Turner stated they did a salary study in several neighboring cities to compare salaries, including Cordelle, Albany, Dawson, and others.

Turner gave results. “We had two employees at 95% to 100% of their supervisor’s pay. Two employees were above the maximum, 22 employes fell below 10% of their expected pay, five employees fell below their pay grade minimums.” He noted the final five were part time workers.

He gave the results of the market study: “What we found was city Americas was 3.15%, below the market minimum, 5.65% below the market midpoint, and 7.15% below the market maximum.”

Turner gave several recommendations. “Expand the number of utilized pay plans from one to two.” He also recommended raising the number of pay grades.

He mentioned the implementation of the entire recommendations would be $223,692.88. He also stated that “The implementation would affect all 153 employees, with 74 employees receiving a 2.41% increase and 79 employees being brought to the new minimum.” He mentioned the average recommended salary increase per employee was $1,457.85.

Councilmember Daryl Dowdell asked “How much did this study cost?” Turner replied that it cost $45,000.

The Council discussed a request for a speed bump on Elm Avenue between South Lee and 16th Green. Police Chief Mark Scott answered questions about the process for petitioning for a speed bump. “When we get the petition, I go through and look at every name, and then I get on the County’s website and look at, to see how many of those actually live there, and we verify the ones who signed the petition to see if they are actual residents of that street, and then we count the number of houses, or property owners.” He mentioned that the way the ordinance reads, renters don’t count. “To me the biggest issue is, it’s 35 miles an hour coming through that street. By our ordinance and by physics you can’t put a speed bump there.”

Council member Charles Christmas commented. “You have so many renters right there. Your ownership is minimal.”

Scott commented on the lack of renters qualifying for petitions. “That’s something that Council might want to look at. That has come up many times.”

Nelson commented that he believed they needed to educate residents, encouraging them to discuss petitions with property owners.

Council member Nicole Smith made a motion to deny the petition with the provision that Public Works look into an alternative solution. Council member Kelvin Pless seconded the motion, with all against.

The Council then heard a request to approve the purchase a service truck for the stormwater department by public works director George Allen for $36,798. He noted it would be funded by the storm water machinery and equipment line item.

Dowdell commented. “My concern is with where the money is coming from.” He stated that he disagreed with a past comment by City attorney Jimmy Skipper about how strictly cars had to be assigned to individual departments. “I don’t think public works is riding around in the police cars unless they are salvaged.”

Brown made a motion to approve the request, with Council member Terrence Clemons seconding. It passed with only Dowdell opposed.

The council then heard a request to accept bids for lawn maintenance contracts from public works. There was a debate on the competency of low bidders to accomplish the job. The motion was made by Dowdell, and seconded by Clemmons, and carried unanimously with the caveat concerning capability of bidders.

A motion was made to reappoint Miss Linda Brown for another three-year term to the Lake Blackshear library. Kinnamon addressed Brown. “Mr. Brown, do you want to [abstain]?”

Brown replied: “I can abstain, but I don’t really have to.” He mentioned that if it would be better off, he would abstain. “If it wasn’t a law to prevent me from voting, I wouldn’t abstain.”