City Council approves $120K CDBG grant for West Cleveland water upgrades

The East Point City Council convened on January 27, 2025, to discuss several key issues, including updates on city vacancies, a water and sewer project, and the selection of the Mayor Pro Tem for the year.

During the meeting, Council Member Martin Rogers emphasized the need for monthly updates on city vacancies, urging the council to stay informed on this matter. The council then moved to approve a series of consent agenda items, which included various administrative actions.

A significant topic of discussion was the approval of a grant from the Fulton County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for fiscal year 2024. The council voted to accept $120,000 for the first phase of a water line replacement project on West Cleveland Avenue. Melissa Echeverria, the director of water and sewer, explained that the total project cost is estimated at $430,000, with the remaining funds expected to be sought in future grant applications.

The council also addressed the election of the Mayor Pro Tem for 2025. Initially, Council Member Sharon Shropshire was nominated but later withdrew her name from consideration. Council Member Freidley then nominated Council Member Mitchell for the position. However, Council Member Martin Rogers expressed concerns about the qualifications of the nominee, advocating for a more experienced candidate. Despite the objections, the motion to appoint Council Member Mitchell passed with a vote of 5-3.

Additionally, Council Member Mitchell was nominated as provisional Mayor Pro Tem, which also received approval. The meeting concluded with the appointment of members to the budget and finance committee, confirming Council Members Shropshire, Mitchell, and Ziegler.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to infrastructure improvements and governance, setting the stage for the city's priorities in the coming year.