The Swainsboro City Council held its regular monthly meeting Monday, August 3, at Swainsboro Fire Department Headquarters. Mayor Lillie Ann Brown and all six council members were present.
The meeting opened with the invocation by Pastor Daniel Johnson of Unity Community Outreach Ministry, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
During public participation, Amanda Washington addressed the council about the condition of Flanders Street, asking when it would be paved. She also voiced concerns about neglected houses in her neighborhood, saying that trees were growing over several rooftops.
Council unanimously approved the minutes from the June 1 and July 13 meetings.
Although there was no old business on the agenda, Councilman Julian Sconyers revisited the discussion regarding septic hauling fees. Clearwater Solutions representative Chris Morton had previously recommended increasing the fee from $75 per load to $150 per load. After additional discussion, council voted to table the matter once again and requested Morton present several pricing options at the next meeting.
Under new business, council unanimously approved the purchase of a belt press sludge pump for Clearwater Solutions at a cost of $15,482.
Jerry Cadle, representing the East Georgia Regional Airport Authority, requested approval of a contract between the City of Swainsboro and Mill Creek Construction Company for construction of a new T-hangar development at the airport at a price of $1,957,071.40 and will be funded through the Airport Authority. The request was approved unanimously.
Cadle also received council approval to appoint a committee that will recommend consultants for architectural, engineering and planning services, as well as Airport Master Planning Services, for the Airport Authority.
In addition, Cadle informed council that an application has been submitted to the FAA to transfer sponsorship of the airport from the City of Swainsboro to the East Georgia Regional Airport Authority.
He also gave an update on the future Georgia State Patrol post planned at the airport and asked the mayor and council to consider looking into extending water services to the site.
Before the meeting closed, Councilman Sconyers recognized several veterans in attendance and talked about the community's Veterans Wall project. Commemorative bricks are available for $100 each and can be personalized with three lines honoring a veteran. Additional information and order forms are available on page 3A.
Councilwoman Lafonda Kelly asked City Administrator Herman Middlebrooks for an update on the city's road paving program. Middlebrooks reported that approximately 25% of the scheduled paving work has been completed and said he would provide a more detailed progress report to council the following day.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
