Live Oak public comment urges naming historic City Hall for John W. Ely Sr.; council asks staff to draft ordinance

Shane Wilson, during public comment, proposed naming the historic Live Oak City Hall for John W. Ely Sr., saying Ely "dedicated tens of thousands of hours to the community" through military, postal, law‑enforcement and council service and by leading local preservation efforts.

Wilson said Ely served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, worked for the U.S. Postal Service and served multiple terms as a Live Oak councilman (1998–2007 and 2010–2018). He credited Ely with backing development of Heritage Parks and Garden and said Ely helped secure a $5,000,000 grant to upgrade the city's water and sewer plant.

Unidentified staff advised the council that naming a building must follow the city's ordinance and would require ordinance readings and public hearings. "It's my understanding that an ordinance will be required, which requires a first and second reading," the staff member said, explaining the procedural limits on taking final action at the same meeting.

Council members voiced support during discussion and asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance for consideration and scheduling. Council and staff discussed timing for the two required readings and public hearings; one council member said the goal would be to place hearings in October and November. Council did not take a final vote on the naming tonight; staff will prepare the ordinance and return it to the council for the required readings and public hearings.

The transcript contains several variants of the honoree's name as spoken during public comment; the commenter repeatedly referred to him as John W. Ely Sr. The council's next steps will include staff drafting a proposed ordinance and publishing the required public‑hearing notices before a final vote.