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Byron council adopts urban redevelopment plan, approves retirement-plan ordinance and several intergovernmental agreements
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Byron Mayor and Council adopted an amended Urban Redevelopment Plan after a public hearing with no speakers, approved a GMEBS retirement-plan ordinance and related adoption agreement, authorized intergovernmental agreements and hired a grant-writing firm for the 2024 CHIP grant.
Mayor Michael Chidester and the Byron Mayor and Council met Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers and approved a set of resolutions and ordinances that will affect redevelopment planning, employee retirement benefits and intergovernmental infrastructure cooperation.
The council adopted an amendment to the City of Byron Urban Redevelopment Plan (URP) following a presentation by Alex Smith of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. A public hearing opened at 6:06 p.m.; no members of the public spoke for or against the amendment. Council Member James Richardson moved to adopt the resolution and Chris Hodges seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The resolution adopts the URP amendment describing the designated redevelopment area and the City’s intent to use redevelopment tools authorized by O.C.G.A. §36-61 et seq.
The council also approved hiring Grant Specialists of Georgia to provide grant-writing services and administer the 2024 Community Housing Investment Partnership (CHIP) grant. That motion, made by Chris Hodges and seconded by Michael Chumbley, was recorded as unanimous.
On financial and personnel policy matters, the council adopted Ordinance #2023-13, an amendment to the retirement plan for city employees under the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS). The council further authorized the mayor to execute the Adoption Agreement for the general addendum to the GMEBS Defined Retirement Benefit Plan addressing the Public Safety “rule of 55.” Motions related to GMEBS were moved and seconded and recorded as unanimous.
Intergovernmental cooperation items approved included a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a multi-jurisdiction Memorandum of Agreement for LMIG (Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant) work with Houston County, Warner Robins, Centerville and Perry; and a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement with GEMA-Homeland Security. Both measures were approved by unanimous votes.
On land-use business, the council moved to table Ordinance #2023-12 (land development) for further work and rescheduled second reading and adoption for the February council meeting. The council also held first reading of Ordinance #2024-1, which would amend Chapter 4 of the city code concerning the number of liquor store licenses; no final action on that ordinance was recorded Jan. 8.
The council voted to enter closed session at 6:17 p.m. under O.C.G.A. §50-14-2 to discuss land acquisition; the minutes list Council Members Michael Chumbley, James Richardson, Rusty Adams and Chris Hodges as voting in favor of going into closed session. The minutes note that the mayor, council members, the city attorney and several staff members attended the closed session. The council returned to open session at 6:50 p.m. and adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Dec. 11 regular meeting and Dec. 12 & 28 work sessions): motion by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Chris Hodges; recorded as unanimous. - Committee on Committees: keep current committee list; motion by Rusty Adams, seconded by Chris Hodges; unanimous. - Urban Redevelopment Plan amendment: motion by James Richardson, seconded by Chris Hodges; adopted unanimously. - Hire Grant Specialists of Georgia for 2024 CHIP grant administration: motion by Chris Hodges, seconded by Michael Chumbley; unanimous. - LMIG multi-jurisdiction MOA authorization: motion by Chris Hodges, seconded by James Richardson; unanimous. - Adoption of Ordinance #2023-13 (GMEBS retirement plan): motion by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Rusty Adams; unanimous. - Approval of Adoption Agreement for GMEBS general addendum (Public Safety rule of 55): motion by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Chris Hodges; unanimous. - Ordinance #2023-12 (land development): second reading/adoption moved to February (tabled); motion by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Chris Hodges. - First reading of Ordinance #2024-1 (alcohol licenses): first reading held; no final action. - Statewide Mutual Aid & Assistance Agreement with GEMA-Homeland Security: motion by Chris Hodges, seconded by James Richardson; unanimous. - Closed session for land acquisition (O.C.G.A. §50-14-2): motion to enter closed session by Michael Chumbley, seconded by Chris Hodges; minutes list four council members voting in favor.
What happens next: The URP amendment is adopted and will be implemented by the mayor and council as described in the resolution. The land development ordinance was tabled for additional work and will return at the February meeting. The city will proceed with the GMEBS adoption steps and with grant administration through the contracted firm for the 2024 CHIP grant.
