Becky Crissman
Cordele Dispatch
Unadilla —
UNADILLA - Council members here heard an update on a number of projects involving the ESG and work around the city at their most recent meeting.
Percy Nolan with the ESG reported that his company has received approval to proceed with the repairs on the Cherry Street pump station.
Representatives from the EPD were in Unadilla the day of the meeting conducting a sanitary survey of the city's water system. They had two recommendations: install a meter on one of the wells and put screens on the drain line.
Nolan said EPD (state Environmental Protection Division) found no violations of its rules.
Due to complaints from local citizens that limbs are being left on the street too long, the city's grapple truck will now being running two days per week, City Administrator Perry Ivie said.
Still a sore spot among some council members is the progression of cleaning out ditches to prevent citizens' homes from flooding during heavy rainfall.
Councilman Dexter Whittaker questioned Nolan about the situation. He said that his company’s backhoe has not been operable. “We are currently awaiting parts to repair it.”
Mayor Charles West interjected, asking council members to recall any ditches that were fixed before the contract with ESG. Councilman Whittaker reacted by saying that in the past the council would not spend money on the equipment that the Public Works department needed to handle the situation.
Nolan assured council that the ESG is working diligently to get all ditches cleaned out.
Councilman Clint Shugart inquired if the grass had been cut for the Fire Department and Nolan informed him that it had. West thanked ESG for cutting the grass around the water tank and the flowers around the city hall. “It looks very nice,” he said.
Ivie complimented the ESG on the work the company has been doing with the consent order.
During his report Ivie informed council members that there is a need to pull some funds from two CD's and the Fines and Forfeitures Account to cover some of the costs of the Streetscape Project. Ivie assured council that the money would be refunded by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
Shugart made the motion that funds be used as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman John Offenburg and passed by a vote with Whittaker abstaining.
Also during the meeting:
Offenburg asked Ivie if the USDA had any grants available for recreation. Ivie said there are not any at this time. The councilman also asked about the possibility of the prison work detail assisting with the grass cutting around the city.
West said that he would contact the warden about it.
Ivie also informed council members that the city has mosquito spray and will begin providing that service to the city soon.
The next meeting of the Unadilla City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m.
