During the City Council meeting on Oct. 14 City Manager Jeff Baxley reported that the Public Works Department has been busy restriping many of Baxley’s roads, some of the roads he said were all the Poor Robin Road area, West Allen St., Hopps St., Simpson Dr., and several more he mentioned have been restriped. The manager expressed his gratitude to the County for allowing the use of their machine to do the striping.

New business

The council members set a public hearing date on Nov. 18 at 6:00 p.m. on a petition for annexation filed by Joel Gregory Herrin, located at 270 Hokie Floyd Road, and establishing a residential (RM-10) zone.

A “draft” ordinance concerning “Brown Bagging” was approved by a four to two vote. Council members Pat Williams, Tim Varnadore, Mickey Bass and Betty Livingston voted to approve the “draft” ordinance that prohibits brown bagging except in specified situations and under certain stipulations. Voting against were Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Esco Hall and Eugene Walker. There will be a first and second reading to come before the Council before approving of the ordinance.

The bids for two patrol cars for the Baxley Police Department were approved. Bids that were approved were given by Cothern Varnadore Chevrolet, for the price of $18,568.98, for a 2009 Chevy Impala, and a bid given by Sapp Ford, for the price of $20,402.32, for a 2009 Ford Crown Vic.

Two new water/sewer discount applications were approved. They both met the requirements.

The council members approved moving the regular meeting from Tuesday, Nov. 11, which is Veteran’s Day, to the following day, Wednesday, Nov. 12. The manager added that the offices will be closed on Nov. 11.

Old business

The second reading and adoption of an ordinance annexing the property of Greg Herrin, located at 476 Corey Street, and establishing a Residential (R-15) zone in district 3 was unanimously approved by city council.

A first reading was then approved, after the manager explained that they had received three recommendations from the Planning Commission, on an ordinance rezoning property owned by Gerri Wiggins, located at the corner of Ken/Fair and Plier Streets, from the present residential (R-15) to a Residential (RM-10) zone.

City manager report

Manager Baxley reported that inserts will go in the Homeowners Grant Relief tax exemption bill. He added that the insert will be in each bill and will explain about the tax exemption, what it is, and how long it has been going on and notifying them upfront of the fact that in the event that the state does not have the funds, to provide the grant then everyone who received the tax relief exemption will be responsible for refunding it.

He reported the Community Planning Retreat will be held on Jekyll Island on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.