Eatonton City Council approved a series of infrastructure, transportation and administrative measures during its regularly scheduled meeting July 7, including a new alcohol license for a local restaurant, utility right-of-way permits and T-SPLOST funding agreements with Putnam County.
Council members quickly and unanimously approved a beer and wine license for on-premises consumption at La Rosa LLC, located at 615 N. Jefferson Ave., after City Administrator Gary Sanders confirmed the application had been properly advertised and was ready for consideration.
The council also accepted the donation of approximately 0.04 acres along Sara Lee Drive to clear the title to a small section of city right-of-way. Sanders told the council that accepting the property was in the city’s best interest because most of the parcel is already occupied by the roadway.
City Attorney Chris Huskins further explained that the donation is intended to resolve a title issue that surfaced during the sale of a nearby property.
“It’s more to clear up chain of title,” Huskins told the six of eight elected representatives present. “The property owner is trying to make sure their title is more marketable, so it’s not inferred that they actually own and are responsible for that right of way.”
The council unanimously approved accepting the small triangular parcel.
Council members next approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for repairs to porches, decks and railings at a historic home at 300 N. Madison Ave. The approval came after a representative of Eatonton’s Historic Preservation Commission confirmed the work would be consistent with the historic character of the home and surrounding neighborhood.
Two utility right-of-way permits also received unanimous approval.
AT&T will install approximately 383 feet of conduit and buried fiber along West Sumter Street between South Washington and South Madison streets. Additionally, on behalf of Spectrum, Buford-based FICOA Communications will install approximately 475 feet of conduit and communications cable to extend service to the former Rice and Batchelor building on South Madison Avenue, across from the courthouse.
Sanders said both projects will require only minor traffic control.
Council members also formally approved the city’s proposed project list for the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum and authorized Mayor John Reid to execute an intergovernmental agreement reached late last month with Putnam County.
Ward 4 Councilmember Teresa Doster said the city’s proposed SPLOST allocation includes $8.2 million for resurfacing and roadway safety improvements, $1.25 million for right-of-way maintenance and drainage work, and $2.5 million for sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements over the six-year collection period.
The council also approved a revision to the current Transportation-Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) intergovernmental agreement that will allow transportation and capital project funding to begin flowing before the county’s jail renovation project is fully funded.
Sanders explained that 19.91% of each monthly SPLOST distribution will be reserved for the jail project. At the same time, the remaining revenue will continue to be distributed between the city and county under the existing formula.
During the final portion of the public meeting, Doster reported that a radar speed sign will soon be installed on Oconee Street near Alice Walker Drive in response to speeding complaints.
She also announced that the East Marion and North Maple drainage project has been completed, engineering work continues on the Rock Lane Community Development Block Grant project with bidding expected this fall, and planning continues for improvements to the City Center stage.
Ward 1 Councilmember Mylle Mangum updated the council on her recent tour of Georgia Power’s Plant Branch coal ash reclamation project. She described the operation as “very professional” and noted Georgia Power has already completed a water treatment plant as part of its environmental remediation efforts.
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell also addressed the council, introducing the department’s newest officer, Matthew Shiver, who recently completed the 16-week state police academy.
Shiver thanked city officials for the opportunity to serve in Eatonton.
The council is scheduled to meet next at 7:30 p.m. July 20 in Room 203 of the Putnam County Administration Building at 117 Putnam Drive in Eatonton.