City of Byron council approves ordinance enabling joint utility commission, accepts $43,953 REBC grant and adopts multiple administrative changes

The City of Byron Mayor and Council, meeting Nov. 9, 2020, in the Municipal Complex auditorium, voted to approve an ordinance to allow the city to participate in a Joint Utility Commission with Hawkinsville, Perry, Cochran and Warner Robins and authorized a set of administrative measures including acceptance of a $43,953.29 grant for lighting improvements.

At the start of the meeting Mayor Michael Chidester presided. During the session council held a second reading of Ordinance #2020-8, which the minutes describe as amending the city charter to permit the creation of a Joint Utility Commission in coordination with the named neighboring cities on matters related to the Jointly Owned Natural Gas effort. Council moved to approve the ordinance; the motion carried unanimously among members present.

Mayor Chidester briefed the council on a Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) grant awarded to the city and asked for authority to execute the grant agreement when it arrives so the city would not miss the execution window; council authorized the Mayor to accept the REBC grant agreement for $43,953.29 and to execute all necessary documents. The Mayor noted a concurrent lighting improvement project tied to the grant that could take up to 12 months to complete and that grant funds must be used within 12 months of permit issuance.

The council approved a number of administrative items and resolutions. On personnel matters the council adopted an amended City Administrator job description effective Jan. 21, 2020, and separately adopted amended job descriptions for the Court Administrator, City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, Administrative Assistant and Front Desk Clerk. The council also authorized an additional bill of $14,000 to Mauldin & Jenkins for extra time on the FY2019 audit; that motion passed on a 3–1 vote (Richardson, Adams and Hodges in favor; Chumbley opposed).

Other actions taken included: increasing the annual contract amount for the Georgia Peach Festival to $5,000; approving the surplus of Fire Engine 6 (Engine 3 was withdrawn from surplus after repairs); changing the payroll pay cycle so pay runs Thursday to the second Thursday; authorizing a website-development agreement with 365 Degree Total Marketing; and authorizing a Permanent BMP Maintenance Agreement with Byron QSR, LLC concerning the Dunkin' Donuts site on Storage Way. Council also approved moving forward with Phase 1 of the Dogwood Lane stormwater improvement project and directed staff to seek contractor proposals.

On utility and fee matters the council approved amendments to the Public Works fee schedule (including meter replacement and late fees), approved a policy move to exact-gallon billing once the city completes a conversion to the Tyler software system, approved the Planning & Zoning fee schedule amendment, and approved page one only of the Fire Department fee schedule (page two to be reviewed further).

At 6:20 p.m. the council entered closed session under O.C.G.A. §50-14-4 to discuss the acquisition of real estate; City Attorney Tom Richardson attended virtually along with the Mayor, four council members and select staff. The council returned to open session at 6:30 p.m., approved seeking a land appraisal discussed in closed session, and adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The Mayor was authorized to execute the REBC grant agreement when it arrives and staff were instructed to solicit proposals for the Dogwood Lane stormwater work; several fee and personnel updates take effect as recorded in the adopted resolutions and exhibits.