Special presentations
Sidney Wildes came before the council to give information concerning a proposed recycling/waste processing plant that would be located off Highway 121 South in Surrency. Wildes told the council they would not do anything that would hurt the community.
“Everything will be regulated. Hopefully the recycling plant will bring revenue and jobs to the county,” Wildes said. “We are putting together a power point presentation (on the recycling/waste processing plant) to be shown at a public meeting to give a visual for the public to look at.”
New business
Dr. Esco Hall, Jr. was reelected as Mayor Pro Tem, Von Spell was reappointed City Clerk/Treasurer, Alex Johnson was reappointed City Attorney and Pres Johnson was reappointed Municipal Court Judge.
The council adopted the Depository Resolution for 2012. There were no changes.
A resolution was adopted establishing the Duties and Responsibilities of Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget, and to establish procurement procedures for the same.
The council set a public hearing date on Feb. 7 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for three petitions, one rezoning and two annexations. The property owned by Brad Rentz, located at 241 Polly Ogden Lane, aka Canal Street, to be rezoned from Industrial (I-1) zone to a Residential (RM-10) zone. An annexation filed by Ricky Jackson for property located at 43 Harry Street, to establish a Business/Residential (BR-1) zone and property located at 409 Russell Road, owned by Mary Lee Wilkerson, for a petition for annexation to establish a Business/Residential (BR-1) zone.
A new application for license to sell package beer and wine for Fastrac, owned by Narmadabgn Patel, located at 1281 Blackshear Highway, was approved by a four to two vote. Livingston, Williams, Hall and Waithe voted to approve the license. Varnadore and Bass were against.
City Attorney Alex Johnson brought it to everyone’s attention that he was Sidney Wilde’s attorney.
Old business
The council approved a first reading on a request from Sidney and Forrest Wildes to consider amending the Joint Appling County Solid Waste Management Plan 2018. “This is a county matter, however the city’s current waste management plan only allows for one solid waste facility and this would need to be changed. There will need to be a second reading and approval for this to pass,” said Manager Jeff Baxley.
The council adopted a resolution pertaining to ethics as it relates to the manner in which the city conducts its affairs. Mayor Steve Rigdon told everyone that this was part of the recertification process that is required through GMA to become a certified city of ethics.
Mayor Pro Tem Esco Hall reported he has been appointed to the Citizens for Education Board who will be promoting the ESPLOST referendum that is coming up soon. He also announced that the NAACP Banquet to honor the parade marshal for this year will be Saturday, Jan. 14 and the Black History Banquet was coming up on Feb. 25.
City manager report
City Manager Jeff Baxley announced that he received official notification that the redistricting maps for the city have been approved by the Justice Department.
The manager reported that the work on the new airport terminal building was going very well.
He stated that the CDBG project on Mauldin Street is underway.
The manager announced that the Annual Chamber Banquet is coming up and will be held at the social hall at Baxley Church of God on Jan. 31.
The manager announced he would be leaving Wednesday, Jan. 11 to attend the Okefenokee Occasion at the train depot in Atlanta.
He announced they received an invitation to attend the ribbon cutting Thursday, Jan. 26 at 9:00 a.m. for the new Pre-k Center building
The council voted to enter into a closed-door session at the end of the meeting to discuss possible litigation. No action was taken.