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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

The Cordele City Commission met on Tuesday December 5, 2023 at 9am at the Cordele City Hall Courtroom with Commissioner Vest Beal Shepard, Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr., Commissioner Wesley Rainey and City attorney, Tommy Coleman in attendance. Chairman Joshua Deriso and Commissioner Isaac H. Owens were absent.

The meeting started with two speakers in regards to agenda item number 6 – alcohol license renewals for a number of businesses in the city. Ron Michael and Benjamin from All Safe Driving brought up the issue that the renewal of alcohol licenses is going against state law.

We then heard from the department heads; Fire Chief ,Todd Alligood gave his report for October 31^st through November 28^th, they had a total of 49 calls for service. Engine two that was hit on I-75 is in the shop currently being worked on. Municipal Court, Jackie Walker gave her report for November, they had 219 cases, 110 traffic 45 criminal, 4 bench warrants, 23 license suspensions, and over $30,000 collected in probation fees, restitution, bonds and web payments. They had 0 incarcerated and 0 jail days. Police Chief and Codes Jalon Heard gave his reports starting with Codes, abandon vehicles 22, with a shift in focus to dilapidated properties, inspections 39, trash 30 and other complaints 43. They will be starting a Facebook page, and they have an email address to send any complaints to at codes@cityofcordele.com. He then moved onto the Police Department reports for November, part 1 crimes was 42, motor vehicle theft 2 with one recovered. He mentioned that they have noticed people have been leaving keys in their vehicle. He mentioned that this is the time of year that entering autos is up due to the holidays, so ensure you locked your vehicles and removed belongings. Continuing with the reports they had 13 aggravated assaults with one arrest of an adult and three juveniles arrested. 21 thefts/larceny’s, 13 entering auto, 4 shoplifting with three adults arrested and one juvenile and 4 other thefts along with 6 burglaries all residential. They are down on community contacts with 14 but this will increase in December. They had 48 citations, warnings 52 total calls for service 910. Department news, they took part in the Christmas Parade, they had an issue with someone going past an officer that was blocking off a street during the parade and that person had been apprehended. They are also working with Adopt an Angel, toy drive with the deadline being December 8th. Lastly, Corey Watson will be gradating Police Academy on December 15^th.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Second Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Disposal of Discarded, Dismantled, Wrecked, Scrapped, Ruined, or Junk Motor Vehicles in the Possession of the City of Cordele; Repealing all Ordinances in Conflict Herewith; and for Other Purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
2. Event Permit: Falling 4 Cordele Family Engagement Festival December 17, 2023, 12:00PM – 5:00 PM at the Cordele Community Clubhouse, 108 East 15th Avenue. Sponsored by Crisp County Community Council, 1129 N. 5th St., Cordele, GA, Monica Robinson – Executive Director. Approved by Chief Heard on December 1, 2023. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
3. Consider and Approve the Lease Agreement with Express Disposal for Rental of the Facility Located at 809 E 11th Avenue. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
4. Consider and Approve the Quit Claim Deed between the City of Cordele and Horizon Cordele, LLC. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
5. Consider and Approve the Permanent Utility Easement between Horizon Cordele, LLC and the City of Cordele. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.
6. Consider and Approve Alcohol License Renewals. With No Exception Noted. Police Chief Heard reviewed applications. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Beer Only Consumed Off Premises
Fast Stop 104 W. 6th Avenue Tiffany Graham
Flint River Food Mart 904 E 16th Avenue Manish B. Patel
L & B Wings 507 S. Joe Wright Dr. Bobby Rogers
Cordele Food Mart 316 E. 24th Ave. Ste. B Dibya Joshi
Cordele Gas & Go 1815 E 16th Ave. William S. Perry, Jr.
EZ Food Mart 501 E. 16th Ave. Chetan P. Prajapati

Beer Only Consumed On Premises
VFW Post #4742 1611 S. 7th St. Danny Ross, Quartermaster
El Girasol 102 E 14th Ave. Yolanda Medric
Cordele Recreation Parlor Inc. 105 W. 11th Ave. Randy Bridges

Beer & Wine Consumed Off Premises
Enmark Stations, Inc. 402 N. 7th St. Matt Clements, President
Dollar General Store #2386 402 S. 7th St. Abby Holden License Specialist
Dollar General Store #4025 1101 E. 16th Ave. Ste. N. Abby Holden License Specialist
Horizon Cordele 2302 GA Hwy. 300 S. Pankajkumar Patel
Circle K 1717 E 16th Ave. Jennifer Bennett License Analyst
CVS 214 E 16th Ave. Gloria St.Onge Licensing Coordinator
Family Dollar 704 N. 7th St. Sheteria Lewis Store Manager
Harvey’s Supermarket 1011 E 16th Ave M. Sandlin Grimm

Hampton Inn & Suites 1709 E. 16th Ave. John Donohue General Manager
Love’s Travel Stop #801 1525 E 8th Ave. Amy Guzzy
Pilot Travel Center #416 2201 E 16th Ave. Adrienne Flowers Licensing Manager
Stop & Go 2001 US Hwy. 41 N. G. B. Patel
Valero 601 Ave. LLC 601 E 8th Ave. Breanna Knight

Package Store
Thrifty Package Store 501 W 16th Ave. Ste. B Mukur S. Patel
Sonny’s Package Store 512 E 16th Ave. Sunil Mehta
Harry’s Liquor 1807 Central Ave. Harry Patel
24th East Package Store 316 E 24th Ave Ste. A Dibya Joshi

City Manager’s report included a reminder of the meeting with Express Disposal that is open to the community on December 14, 2023 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Community Clubhouse. She also mentioned some changes that will occur during the transition to Express Disposal, pick up will now be curbside, from December 11^th to 15^th Express Disposal will be dropping off new trash carts and Waste Management will be picking up. They ask that you do not use your Express Disposal until Waste Management has pick up theirs. After Waste Management has serviced your trash cart please leave it out for pick up. They are also doing a survey for the comprehensive plan. Holiday hours, they will be closed December 25^th and 26^th for Christmas.