Athens council approves several ordinances: sewer and fiber budget changes, grant acceptance; mayor announces property condemnations

Athens City Council on April 7 approved a set of ordinances that adjust funding for public works projects, accept a regional energy grant, and authorized a special right-of-way permit for a private fence. The mayor also reported two properties in the city moving toward condemnation and briefed council on flood-management and outreach plans for a proposed income tax increase.

Ordinances and appropriations: Council approved Ordinance 25-25, granting a seven-year special right-of-way use permit at 145 Grosvenor Street to allow a wooden fence that crosses an unused alleyway. Councilors described the alley as one that “goes to nowhere” and approved the measure without further amendment.

Council also approved amendments to project budgets: Ordinance 26-25 amended 2025 appropriations to close out Dairy Lane Stagecoach Sewer work, increasing project authorization by $200,000 to cover sidewalks, bike path repaving and construction engineering adjustments. Ordinance 27-25 increased funding for the city fiber network project by $450,000; councilors said the change covers installation between City Hall and key facilities including Richland Fire…