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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

City Commission Meeting July 16, 2024

The Cordele City Commission met on Tuesday July 16, 2024 at 9:00am at the Cordele City Hall Courtroom with Chairman Joshua Deriso, Commissioner Vest Beal Shepard, Commissioner Isaac H. Owens, Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr., Commissioner Wesley Rainey and City attorney, Tommy Coleman in attendance.

The agenda was amended to add an item in regards to the CHIP Grant. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

There was a presentation from Artiffany Stanley in regards to the Municipal Workforce Development Initiative with the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia City Solutions. They have been working with the City of Cordele over the last 6+ months working on developing the workforce in Cordele. Many people from within the different departments of the city have joined in as a project group. They have developed five action items to which they will work on moving forward.

Department heads gave their goals and accomplishments for the last month. The Cordele Fire Department is working on getting the inventory on their engines and ladders. They have been partaking in the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office annual mass casualty training. The firefighters took the First Aid Stop the Bleeding instructor train class which they will use to help assist the Crisp County EMS with the recertification of teachers within our schools. They also received three G1SCBA breathing apparatuses that were paid for by the firework tax grant.

The Cordele Police Department, Codes and Animal Control gave their update. The parvo within the shelter is now under control and animals are being screened diligently. Code Compliance did a story with WALB in regards to the trash issues within the city. They also have a new compliance officer. The police department plan to conduct Town Hall meetings with the housing authority that will take place at Sunset Homes and Morningside. They are also doing a Pops with Cops at Sunset Homes on Friday. 

Agenda Items

 Agenda item number one was the approval of an event permit for a family event, Model Train Display on July 27, 2024 at 302 North 7^th Street from 10:00am -4:00pm. Cordele Main Street, Monica Rentfrow, made the event permit request. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number two was the consideration and approval for the request of items from the fire department to be declared surplus and to dispose of items via GovDeals.com. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number three was to adopt the resolution for the joint Crisp-Arabi-Cordele comprehensive plan 2024-2029. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number four was to adopt the resolution for the policies, procedures and program design for the Community Home Investment Program (CHIP). This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number five was to adopt the resolution for Community Home Investment Program (CHIP) homebuyer eligibility and homeownership value limit requirements. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number six was to adopt the resolution for the Georgia Statues Polices by local government entities. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number seven was to adopt the resolution for Language Access Plan for Community Home Investment Program (CHIP). This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number eight was to adopt the resolution for Section 3 Policy for the Community Home Investment Program (CHIP). This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number nine was to consider and approve the contract for the Interim Finance manager Services with Thornton Government Management and Consulting, LLC. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number ten was to consider and approve the second reading of an ordinance of the City of Cordele to provide for taxation of blighted property; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and for other purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously

Agenda item number eleven was to consider and approve the second reading of an ordinance of the City of Cordele, Georgia, amending Chapter 16 of the City Code of Ordinances by adopting a new Article III entitled Enterprise Zones: repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number twelve was to consider and approve the second reading of an ordinance repealing section 12-15 of the City Code of the City of Cordele; Adopting a new section 12-15; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and for other purposes. This item was tabled until they can get to a clear answer on this topic.

Agenda item number thirteen was to consider and approve the first reading of an ordinance setting compensation for the Chairman and members of the Cordele City Commission; repealing all prior ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

City Manager, Angel Reading gave her report to which she informed everyone that Code Enforcement now has a new logo on their vehicles.

The Back to School Bash is now on August 3^rd, 2024 from 11:00AM-2:00PM at the Crisp County Recreation Center at 1205 N 5^th St Ext Cordele, GA 31015.

Pops with a Cop will be held on Friday July 19, 2024 from 3:00PM-4:00PM at Sunset Homes.