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Cochran council approves annexation, road resurfacing, HUD housing grant and municipal contracts
Summary
The Cochran City Council on Aug. 13 approved a series of motions including annexation and R‑1 zoning for a 2.5‑acre Paulk parcel, a $381,445 resurfacing contract for Mac Thompson Road, acceptance of a $500,000 HUD CHIP housing rehabilitation grant, and several municipal contracts and appointments.
Cochran City Council on Aug. 13 voted unanimously on a package of routine and project items, including annexing a 2.5‑acre tract on Mac Thompson Road and approving R‑1 zoning for the property so the owner may build single‑family homes.
Council approved a $381,445 contract with The Scruggs Company to resurface Mac Thompson Road from Colonial Road to Faulk Road, with $350,000 to be paid from T‑SPLOST funds and $31,445 from SPLOST funds. The council also accepted a $500,000 HUD Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) grant for housing rehabilitation, with the city’s required match set at $15,893; the grant will fund rehabilitation of six owner‑occupied houses in Districts 1 and 3.
Other approved items included an annual water‑testing contract with M.E. Sack Engineering for $42,000 per year; an amendment to the alcoholic beverage ordinance adjusting distance requirements between package stores; appointment of Chris Carney to the Downtown Development Authority for a four‑year term; and awarding a communications contract to FirstNet to prioritize public‑safety telecommunications. The council also approved required compliance documents for the CHIP grant and the city’s Strategic Plan.
City Clerk Candace Summerall reported the council gave staff consensus to apply for a $7,800 GMA‑GIRMA safety grant; that application does not require a formal vote. During her updates Summerall said staff will proceed immediately to change the city’s health insurance broker following reported performance concerns.
Actions and outcomes at a glance
- Annexation of Casey Paulk parcel (Parcel B37A‑189A): Motion to approve annexation passed unanimously (mover: Council Member Gary Ates; seconder: Council Member Shane Savant). - Zoning of annexed parcel to R‑1 Residential: Motion passed unanimously (mover: Gary Ates; seconder: Lonnie Tedders). - Mac Thompson Road resurfacing: $381,445 awarded to The Scruggs Company; funding split T‑SPLOST $350,000 / SPLOST $31,445; motion passed unanimously (mover: Lonnie Tedders; seconder: Shane Savant). - HUD CHIP housing rehabilitation grant: Acceptance of $500,000 grant with $15,893 city match; motion passed unanimously (mover: Shane Savant; seconder: Gary Ates). - CHIP grant compliance documents: Approved unanimously (mover: Gary Ates; seconder: Keith Anderson). - DDA appointment: Chris Carney appointed to a four‑year term; motion passed unanimously (mover: Shane Savant; seconder: Lonnie Tedders). - FirstNet communications contract: Awarded to FirstNet; motion passed unanimously (mover: Shane Savant; seconder: Gary Ates). - Water‑testing contract: $42,000/year with M.E. Sack Engineering; motion passed unanimously (mover: Lonnie Tedders; seconder: Gary Ates). - Alcoholic beverage ordinance amendment (distance requirements): Approved unanimously (mover: Gary Ates; seconder: Lonnie Tedders). - Strategic Plan: Approved unanimously (mover: Gary Ates; seconder: Keith Anderson).
No roll‑call vote tallies beyond “passed unanimously” were recorded in the public minutes. The meeting also authorized staff to pursue certain grant applications by consensus.
The council entered an executive session at 8:49 p.m. to discuss real estate and potential litigation under O.C.G.A. § 50‑14‑3(b)(1) and returned to open session at 9:04 p.m. No public action resulting from the executive session was recorded in the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
