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Twin City approves Hurricane Helene emergency measures, grant for fire-station generator and utility protections
Summary
Twin City’s mayor and commissioners unanimously approved an emergency-declaration package tied to Hurricane Helene, including a mayoral emergency declaration, a temporary suspension of utility disconnections and acceptance of a GEMA grant for a fire-station generator (15% match $3,450).
Twin City officials unanimously approved a package of Hurricane Helene response measures at the Oct. 8 regular meeting, authorizing emergency actions, participation in county debris removal and acceptance of grant funds for storm-related recovery.
Mayor Matt W. Donaldson requested approval of an emergency declaration effective Sept. 26, 2024; the commission approved the declaration as part of a consent package that included an executive order dated Oct. 3, 2024, to suspend utility disconnections and waive late charges for October 2024. Commissioner Jesse S. Brown moved to approve the consent items and Mayor Pro Tem Jule Bady Jr. seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
The commission also approved Resolution 2024-08, an intergovernmental agreement with the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners for debris removal after Hurricane Helene. Minutes state the county contracted with a third party for debris removal and that there is no financial obligation to the City of Twin City under the agreement.
As part of the same consent action, the city accepted a GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award to purchase a generator for the Twin City Fire Station. The minutes state the city must provide a 15 percent match of $3,450.00 toward the project cost. The commission authorized Mayor Donaldson to execute all documentation associated with the grant award.
The commission reviewed a GEFA Drinking Water SRF Lead Service Line Replacement Program grant in the amount of $54,750.00 but was told the single bid received exceeded the city engineer’s estimate; the city engineer recommended rejecting that bid and re-bidding the work. The minutes note low contractor response attributed to Hurricane Helene. The commission did not approve contract award at the Oct. 8 meeting and directed rebidding per the recommendation.
The measures were discussed during a pre-commission workshop that preceded the regular meeting; the emergency declaration, executive order and grants were then approved on the regular meeting consent motion. The commission scheduled a special meeting for Oct. 14 and will set the 2024 millage rate at its Nov. 5 meeting.
Details recorded in the minutes indicate unanimous approval for the consent package; the minutes do not include verbatim statements beyond the actions listed and do not record any roll-call vote tallies by name.
