The Milledgeville City Council unanimously approved a package of new-business items including engineering amendments for drainage projects, foundation stabilization work at the police department, alcohol-license renewals and participation in a Georgia first-responder PTSD program.

Clerk-read Resolution R-24-11-51 and R-24-11-52 authorize agreements with Simonton Engineering to provide engineering services as amendments to ongoing drainage replacement and improvement projects. Council and staff discussed scope questions related to Tanglewood, Cedarwood and Pine Valley; staff said Pine Valley is included to ensure downstream capacity to handle increased flow from double vaults installed at Tanglewood, and any change orders will likely return to council in December as amendments to the Peach State contract. The council voted by roll call with unanimous "Aye" responses.

The council also approved R-24-11-53, a contract with Lowcountry Foundation Repair to lift and level uneven concrete and stabilize foundations at the Milledgeville Police Department, passing the measure by unanimous roll call.

Clerk-read Resolution R-24-11-54 approved the third batch of 2024 alcohol license renewals for the 2025 license year; staff noted 10 applications remained pending (most had passed inspection) and pending applicants that pay before Dec. 10 will be added to that month’s batch. The council approved the renewals unanimously.

On insurance and risk-management matters, the council approved a resolution to add membership in a fund of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency and R-24-11-56 authorizing participation in the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) first-responder PTSD program. The city manager described the GMA package assembled in response to House Bill 451, recommended benefit levels that meet the statutory requirements and noted optional higher limits were included in the packet but were not recommended. He said the recommended package provides a $3,000 lifetime diagnosis benefit per first responder for diagnosis benefits and a maximum $5,000 monthly disability benefit.

City Manager noted that two drainage items tied to Pine Valley will likely return as change orders to the Peach State stormwater contract in December and that those items would be paid with remaining ARPA funds. All above resolutions passed on unanimous roll-call votes recorded by the clerk.

Votes at a glance: R-24-11-51 (Simonton Engineering agreement) — approved (unanimous); R-24-11-52 (Simonton Engineering amendment) — approved (unanimous); R-24-11-53 (Lowcountry Foundation Repair contract) — approved (unanimous); R-24-11-54 (third batch alcohol renewals) — approved (unanimous); Interlocal membership (Georgia IRMA fund) — approved (unanimous); R-24-11-56 (participation in GMA first-responder PTSD program) — approved (unanimous).

Next steps: staff will return with any required change orders for the Peach State contract in December and will proceed with procurement and implementation steps for the passed contracts and program participation.