Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance And Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ocilla council approves $290,000 property sale, new billing systems and sprayfield contract; alley renaming fails
Summary
At its April 5 meeting the Ocilla City Council accepted a $290,000 bid to sell Industrial Drive property, approved AVR and Georgia Power AMI billing solutions and awarded a sprayfield maintenance contract; a proposal to name a one-way alley “Monica Way” was denied 3-2.
The Ocilla City Council on April 5 voted to accept a $290,000 bid to sell city-owned property on Industrial Drive and approved several service contracts intended to modernize utility billing and maintain municipal land.
Mayor Horace Hudgins opened the only bid for the Industrial Drive parcel, submitted by Jose A. Vega Gasca for $290,000; Councilwoman Claire Clayton-Stone moved to accept the bid and Councilman Steven Hudson seconded. The council voted 5-0 to approve the sale.
The council also opened two bids for maintenance of a 100-acre sprayfield. Justin Ross offered $400 per month on a five-year lease and Mitch Shiver offered $20 per acre per month on a four-year lease. Councilman Lemora Moses moved to award the contract to Justin Ross; the motion passed unanimously, and City Attorney Warren Mixon was directed to prepare contract documents.
On technology and billing, Mayor Hudgins reviewed materials from AVR Billing Solutions and stated the council had met with AVR previously. Councilwoman Patrice Y.W. Manley moved and Councilman Lemora Moses seconded a motion allowing the mayor to proceed with AVR; the council approved the change unanimously.
Separately, the council approved a Georgia Power AMI retrofit to enable electronic gas-meter readings. Councilman Steven Hudson moved and Councilwoman Mona Paulk seconded the motion; the council voted in favor, authorizing the mayor to proceed with the AMI installation.
Not all proposals passed. Mail Carrier Tom O’Brian requested that the one-way alley behind the post office be designated “Monica Way” to honor former Postmaster Monica Causey. Councilman Lemora Moses moved to adopt the name and Councilwoman Mona Paulk seconded, but the motion failed 3-2, with Councilwoman Patrice Y.W. Manley, Councilman Steven Hudson and Councilwoman Claire Clayton-Stone voting no.
Councilwoman Mona Paulk also moved, and Councilman Steven Hudson seconded, to solicit bids for auditing services, citing concerns about the current auditor, Hurst and Hurst CPAs; that motion passed unanimously.
The meeting concluded with routine departmental reports and public comments. Police Chief Billy Hancock requested speed-limit signage and speed bumps on Sly Hill Road and reported the city received roughly $12,000 in insurance proceeds for a wrecked police car and a desire to replace the vehicle.
Votes at a glance: • Property sale (Industrial Drive) — Motion by Claire Clayton-Stone; second Steven Hudson; outcome: approved, vote: 5 yes, 0 no. • Sprayfield maintenance (award to Justin Ross) — Motion by Lemora Moses; second Steven Hudson; outcome: approved, vote: 5 yes, 0 no. • AVR Billing Solutions — Motion by Patrice Y.W. Manley; second Lemora Moses; outcome: approved, vote: 5 yes, 0 no. • Georgia Power AMI retrofit — Motion by Steven Hudson; second Mona Paulk; outcome: approved, vote: 5 yes, 0 no. • Alley naming “Monica Way” — Motion by Lemora Moses; second Mona Paulk; outcome: failed, vote: 2 yes (Moses, Paulk), 3 no (Manley, Hudson, Clayton-Stone). • Auditing services bids — Motion by Mona Paulk; second Steven Hudson; outcome: approved, vote: 5 yes, 0 no.
The council adjourned after completing scheduled business; Attorney Mixon will prepare contract documents where required and the city will post solicitations and procedurally follow up on the approved actions.
