The Athens City Council approved the following items during its meeting. Where a vote was recorded it is shown; otherwise the consent item passed on voice vote.
Key approvals and votes
- Sanitary sewer extension contract (agenda item K): Contract with Grayson Carter & Son contracting for $85,647.50 funded from the Water Services Department capital infrastructure fund; council approved (4–0). Staff said the developer will reimburse the city for the work because the city holds the necessary nationwide permit for wetlands work.
- Sunrise Park Phase 2 geotechnical work: Authorization for Morrell Engineering up to $12,000 funded from 2024 general obligation warrants; approved (4–0).
- Organizational charts: Revised charts adopted for the Police Department (increase from 55 to 60 sworn officers), Cemetery/Parks/Recreation (adds two positions), and Fire Department (three firefighter positions and lieutenants added); approved (4–0).
- Purchase of real property on Highway 31 (agenda item E/O): Council approved a resolution to purchase the former Acura site for $22,200,000 for municipal purposes (4–0). Councilmembers described the property as roughly 11 acres and said the city intends to use it to expand Swan Creek Park.
- Purchase of real property on Highway 72 (agenda item Q): Resolution to purchase land for $265,000 to build an electrical substation; approved (4–0).
- Consent calendar and other routine items: Travel expense resolutions for fire, water and electric personnel; computer replacements not to exceed $47,000 from the IT capital account; schedule of future public hearings for several rezonings and development plans; retail beer/wine off-premises license and a special-event on-premises license for the Athens Food and Wine Festival. All consent items passed (4–0 where roll call was recorded).
Votes were recorded in the meeting transcript where noted; staff identified funding sources and implementation steps for the capital items.