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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

The Cordele City Commission convened for its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 9:00 AM in the Cordele City Hall Courtroom. The meeting was presided over by Chairman Joshua Deriso, with Commissioners Vest Beal Shepard, Isaac H. Owens, Wesley Rainey, and City Attorney Tommy Coleman in attendance. Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr. was absent.

The meeting began with reports from department heads, who shared their goals and accomplishments for the month.

Key Agenda Items Discussed:

1. Swearing-In Ceremony: Jason Faircloth was officially sworn in as a member of the Board of Zoning and Appeals.
2. Food Truck Friday Event Permit: The Commission considered and approved the event permit for “Food Truck Friday,” scheduled for September 13, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Cordele Community Clubhouse. The motion was unanimously approved.
3. Fire Department Training Agreement: The Commission approved the Fire Department’s client agreement with Vector Solutions for training purposes. The motion passed unanimously.
4. Police Department Surplus Disposal: The Commission approved the request to declare certain items from the Police Department as surplus and to dispose of them via GovDeal.com. The motion was unanimously approved.
5. Municipal Home Rule Act Ordinance: The first reading of an ordinance related to the Municipal Home Rule Act of 1945, which provides for filling temporary vacancies on the City Commission, failed due to a lack of a second.
6. Ethics Tribunal Ordinance: The Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2023-07 regarding ethics tribunals, readopting Ordinance No. 2022-10, and providing for the selection of an ethics tribunal. The decision to return to a tribunal system was approved unanimously, though the method for selecting tribunal members remains undecided.
7. City Code Amendment: The Commission approved the second reading of an ordinance repealing Section 12-15 of the City Code and adopting a new Section 12-15, repealing all conflicting ordinances. The motion was unanimously approved.

City Manager’s Report:

City Manager Angela Redding provided updates on various initiatives, including:

• The successful Intergovernmental Retreat, where all participants actively engaged.
• Upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies:
  • Hurt Family Dentistry on August 21st at 1:30 PM.
  • Warren Outdoors on August 23rd at 11:00 AM, with lunch to follow.
• The establishment of rental costs for the Cordele Community Clubhouse for Civic Clubs, set at $55 for two hours and $100 for four hours (repast).

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.