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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

The Cordele City Commission met on Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 9am at the Cordele City Hall Courtroom with Chairman Joshua Deriso, Commissioner Vest Beal-Shephard, Commissioner Isaac H. Owens, Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr., Commissioner Wesley Rainey and City attorney, Tommy Coleman in attendance.

The meeting started with a presentation from Executive Director of Crisp County Community Council, Monica Robinson. Crisp County Community Council is partnered with Georgia Family Connection, which is a state wide network that is appointed by the legislator, There is a family connection in every county in the state of Georgia and there is no other state that has it. Their focus is the health, wellbeing and education of children within the county. Robinson gave an update on upcoming initiatives. There are a few factors that she mentioned they will be focusing on in our community in the 2025 Fiscal Year, these include; poverty, health and wellness, and reading. The biggest issue that Crisp County is currently facing is the amount of children in poverty, which is currently more than double the percentage statewide. They plan to use the next 3-5 years to work on this issue through bringing in resources to the community, and through the help and support of the community and governments.

Department Heads Goals and Accomplishments:

Cordele Fire Department:

• They are still involved in Leadership Crisp.
• Chief Alligood spoke to the Cordele Lions Club last week.
• They have completed a walk through for new Crisp Regional ER expansion.
• Training officer is developing a functional fitness program.

Cordele Police Department:

• Officers attended the Job Fair at Crisp County High School and they have noticed a substantial increase in applications.
• They have multiple positions available; 1 Corporal, 2 Sergeants with 6 people in different stages of the hiring process.
• April 20^th is the Autism Awareness Stroll at the Crisp Regional walking track from 10am – 12pm.
• In the process of becoming state certified.

Cordele Codes Department:

• There are still issues with people putting trash in the alleys and improper dumping. They have given out multiple citations in regards to these issues and are working on educating people (lawn contractors, citizens and landlords) about dumping in the alleys.
• They are continuing training, and are waiting on registration to open for Sept training.
• Updates on community projects; Quick Trip is complete aside from some paving, TA Express Truck stop is currently at a standstill, Burger King Remodel is complete, Crisp Regional expansion has started, Truck Stop Speedway where Smoakies was, they are in the process of moving Smoakies.

UC&T:

• There has been a total of 12 inches of rain in the last month and a half.
• They had issues with the screw pumps, and they had to use a gas pump that only pumps 350 gallons a minute. It took them 5 hours to get the screw pumps repaired.
• This was the first time in over 30 years where they had overflowed the pond at the treatment plant.
• The wastewater plant was only built to last 20 years and they are now over 40 years old.

Agenda Items

Agenda item number one was a proclamation to make the April 14th thru the 20th National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This was approved by the commission, and presented to Director of E-911, Linda Herman by Commissioner Isaac Owens.

Agenda item number two was a proclamation making April 14^th thru the 20^th is National Animal Control Officer Week. The was approved by the commission, and presented to Shelter Manager Brandi Akin and Animal Control Officer, Alyssa Herndon by Commissioner Vesta Beal-Shephard. They were also presented with a gift basket by the Cordele Police Department.

Agenda item number three was to consider and approve someone from the city to be appointed on the Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority. Commissioner Vest Beal-Shephard, volunteered for this position and the commission approved.

Agenda item number four was to consider and approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the City Code of the City of Cordele to delete paragraph K of section 3.64; adopting a new paragraph K of section 3.64; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. The commission approved this item.

Agenda item number five was to consider and approve new alcohol licenses: Reviewed by Chief Heard on April 5, 2024.

– Clubb Zodiack – Beer Only – Consumed on premises and liquor by the drink

– US Discount – Beer Only – Consumed off premises

– La Rivera Authentic Mexican Food – Beer Only – Consumed on Premises

The commission approved these licenses.

Agenda item number six was to consider and approve the service agreement by and between Emory University and the City of Cordele.

Background: Emory will be supplying city employees, sun related and heat illness related preventable items.

The commission approved this item.

Agenda item number seven was to consider and approve the Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance agreement. The commission approved this item.

Agenda item number eight was to consider and approve the service agreements with Cobra Exterminating to provide Pest Control Services at City Facilities. The commission approved this item.

City Manager Report

Georgia Cities Week will be held April 22 thru 26^th. There will be a number of events going on during that week in including a Housing Summit that will be held at the Community Clubhouse on April 20^th from 10am – 2pm. The city is also having a coloring contest from those in the 1^st thru 6^th grade. Coloring pages can be picked up at City Hall, and the cut off date is April 26^th at 4pm. There will also be an opportunity for citizens to get a tour of the wastewater plant on April 23^rd at 10am or 1pm. Please contact the city if you are interested, as there are limited spots.

On April 18 at 10am, T-Mobile will be presenting the City of Cordele with a $50,000 Hometown Grant at 601 15^th Ave West in Cordele.

Over the weekends of April 20-21^st and April 27-28^th we will see an influx of people in the City of Cordele due to a baseball tournament. Over 150 teams will be coming to Cordele spread over the two weekends.