City Council meets for month of April

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Members of Swainsboro City Council and Mayor Charles Schwabe held for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, April 5, at 6 p.m. in the classroom of the Swainsboro Fire Department. All members of council were present, with one being virtually in attendance. The mayor welcomed all before Bishop Bertha Jones gave the night’s invocation and the pledge of allegiance was recited by all. Minutes presented from council’s last meeting were approved unanimously by council.
In reference to new business
Mary Howard addressed council with a proposal to establish a Georgia Hi-Lo trail in Swainsboro that would eventually connect and run with trails from Athens to Savannah. These trails will have fiber internet placed through the grounds of the trail. Howard requested $1,625 for Swainsboro to be included, with the remaining balance to be collected through TSPLOSTS and grant funding as well as private funding. She gave an estimated completion date for all trails to be fully connected from Athens to Savannah by the year 2050. City and council tabled the request until the next city council meeting for further discussion and action to be taken.
Council reviewed one received bid for the operations of water, wastewater, and public works for the city with Clear Water Solutions being the only bidder. Currently, Clear Water Solutions is currently managing the operations on a month-to-month contract. Council requested additional time to review the submitted bid contract and revisit the matter at the next council meeting.
City Administrator Al Lawson discussed a proposed target area for the upcoming 2021 CDBG for consideration. He informed council that contact has been made with Turnipseed Engineers, Inc. and that reviewing of complaints for target areas was currently taking place with the proposed areas including McMillan Drive, Gumlog Road, and Carver Street. A discussion was also had on the Robin Road project with updates provided on work performed so far. Discussion was also briefly held on issues with locating information removed from the office when JACOBS’ contract ended. The information removed was said to be city property.
In reference to old business
Constituting as a public hearing, council approved the adoption of amendments made to the Occupation Taxes, Administration Fees, and Regulatory Fees ordinance.
In other business
Councilperson John E. Parker requested that further conversation be held in an upcoming meeting regarding issues discussed at a previous council meeting about warnings and citations involving the city’s junk ordinance.
An update was given on the projects Community Action For Youth and the Barbara & Tobe Karrh Community Arts Center. It was advised that financial arrangements were in place for the projects and the city was ready to take the next step in each project.
Mayor Schwabe announced a citywide clean update has been set for Saturday, April 17, from 8 a.m. until noon. Signup is available for the area of choice and pizza will be served after cleanup.