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Darien council approves $6,000 Concert-in-the-Park allocation, special-event permit and goat brush-clearing request
Summary
At its July 15 meeting, the Darien City Council approved a $6,000 allocation from Hotel/Motel tax for the 2026 Concert in the Park series, approved special-event permit conditions for Second Saturday Broad Street closures, and approved a goat-rental brush-clearing request for Fort King George Drive (vote 3–1, with Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale abstaining).
The Darien City Council voted on three formal motions at its July 15, 2025 regular meeting, approving funding and event permissions and authorizing vegetation clearing by a goat-rental contractor.
Mayor Pro-tem Griffin Lotson moved to allocate $6,000.00 from Hotel/Motel tax funds for the 2026 Concert in the Park Series, a motion seconded by Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale; the motion passed unanimously. The allocation was recorded in the minutes as drawn from Hotel/Motel tax funds and designated for the 2026 series.
Councilmember Russ Quarterman moved to approve the special conditions of the Special Event Permit allowing the Second Saturday closure of Broad Street. Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale seconded and the council voted unanimously to approve the conditions; the minutes note approval but do not list the permit conditions themselves.
On a separate item, Councilmember Russ Quarterman moved to approve Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale’s request to use a goat rental company to clear brush along Fort King George Drive; Councilmember William Collins seconded. The minutes record the final vote as "3 to 1 with Councilmember Ragsdale abstaining," indicating the motion carried with one recorded abstention by Ragsdale; the minutes do not specify which member voted "no."
The meeting record shows routine council and staff reports followed these items; no executive session was held and Mayor Hugh “Bubba” Hodge adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Allocate $6,000 from Hotel/Motel tax for 2026 Concert in the Park Series — Moved: Mayor Pro-tem Griffin Lotson; Second: Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale; Outcome: unanimous approval. • Approve special conditions for Second Saturday Broad Street closure permit — Moved: Councilmember Russ Quarterman; Second: Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale; Outcome: unanimous approval (conditions not enumerated in minutes). • Approve use of goat rental company for brush clearing on Fort King George Drive — Moved: Councilmember Russ Quarterman; Second: Councilmember William Collins; Outcome: approved (vote recorded as 3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain; Councilmember Jeff Ragsdale abstained; minutes do not name the "no" vote).
The minutes record only the motions, movers, seconders and tallies; they do not include deliberative remarks, the text of permit conditions, or contract details for the goat rental company. The clerk’s attestation is signed by Priscilla Taylor.
