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By Jeff Moore

Contributing writer

Cordele City Commission turned down a request for a food truck permit during its Tuesday, Oct. 1 meeting because the applicant did not follow the procedure it has established.

Inspire was seeking the permit to have a food truck cater its Oct. 10 event, but had not provided the required insurance coverage, which protects the city, and therefore did not complete the request in time to make the Tuesday’s agenda.

The request for a food truck permit was voted down 2-1, with Ward 1 Commissioner Vesta Beal Shepherd and Ward 3 Commissioner Isaac H. Owens voting against and Ward 4 Commissioner Wesley Rainey voting in favor of it. Ward 2 Commissioner Royce Reeves Sr. was not present for the meeting.

At the start of the meeting, commissioners agreed to add the Inspire permit request to the agenda. Rainey said he was contacted by Inspire Monday asking to have the permit request added to the agenda. Members approved the addition, but expressed concerns discussed in detail later in the meeting.

Commission Chairman Joshua Deriso was the first to speak on the request when they reached the agenda item. He said he believes it is dangerous to allow Inspire’s request to be considered because they did not follow the process the commission has established.

“We can’t keep doing this kind of thing,” Deriso said. He said granting the permit would be unfair, noting the process was put in place to allow the commission to remain neutral.

Inspire initially contacted the city about the food truck permit Sept. 4, City Manager Angela Redding said.

They have been working through City Clerk Janice Mumphery since then and she said they were advised fully on the process.

Mumphery said the insurance document that they received did not have the city covered. She asked them to have the city added, noting that is usually easily accomplished. She said when this happens the applicant just contacts the insurance provider, adds the city to the event coverage and they send it to her soon afterwards.

Rainey questioned whether the event, which is for invited guests only and held on private property, would require a food truck permit because there will be no retail sales and the food truck is only there as a caterer.

He went on to note that there are many private catered events such as this and they do not seek permits from the city.

But Deriso said because it involves a food truck he believes it is covered and would require approval.

There was discussion on providing conditional approval to allow up to three days for the insurance issue could be resolved. But that also met with opposition.

Deriso said conditional approval should not be allowed.

“You approve it or you don’t approve it,” he said, adding that he tells everyone seeking a permit to have it in by Wednesday or Thursday prior to the meeting to ensure it is reviewed and makes the agenda.

“It becomes not fair,” Deriso added, noting that someone with a relationship to a commissioner might receive a permit, while someone with no connections likely would not.

“Everybody has to go through the same thing,” the chairman said. “That’s why we made a policy.”

Four other permits listed on Tuesday’s agenda that followed the process won unanimous commission approval. They include:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at S. Joe Wright Sr. and West 16th Avenue, organized by Joann Barrett.
• Downtown Spooktacular, 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, organized by Monica Rentfrow, Cordele Main Street.
• Sip and Stroll, 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, beginning at Albany State University at 134 West 11th Ave. and ending at Railhouse Tavern at 105 South 8th St., organized by Monica Rentfrow for PROPEL with Downtown Cordele the sponsoring organization.
• Annual Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, starting at City. Hall at 501 North 7th St. and ending at the Community Clubhouse at 108 East 15th Ave.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Orchard rezoning. Redding told commissioners they will have a public hearing Oct. 15 on Double Up Outdoors Properties LLC’s request to change the Orchard from single family housing to multi-family zoning. She noted the city planning commission had met the day before for its public hearing and turned down the request. She said the community did turn out to raise concerns and ask questions. The rezoning would about the change from 44 single family homes to a mix that would increases the number of residences to 132 with a combination of single family houses, townhouses, condominiums and duplexes. Redding said the biggest concern is the lack of specific detail on the owners’ plans. She said she recommended that they develop more concrete details before coming to the city commission, even if it means delaying the hearing. The city commission will make its final decision on the request after hearing from the public and the developers.

Alcohol license granted. The city commission unanimously approved a new alcohol license for Flint River Package Store, 813 East 16th Ave. The store, owned by Hareshkumar A. Patel, was approved for a package store license with liquor, beer and wine consumed off premises. The application was reviewed and approved by Police Chief Jalon Heard on Aug. 30.

Proclamations announced. A proclamation was presented to members of the Cordele Gas Department, which supplies natural gas to residents, businesses and industries in the city, for National Public Natural Gas Week, Oct. 6-12. A proclamation for Georgia Reads Day also won unanimous commission approval.

Sewer rehab approved. The commission approved an agreement between the city and Insituform Technologies LLC for a sanitary sewer rehabilitation project that is funded by a federal American Rescue Plan Act grant. City Manager Angela Redding said the project cost is $2.228 million.

Website update. At the request of Redding, the commission unanimously approved an additional $4,000 expenditure for the update of the city’s website. Redding said the additions will improve the site’s visibility and functionality. The total cost of the project is $33,500, Redding said, noting they received a $6,000 credit off of the project cost.

Smoke detectors. Cordele Fire Chief Todd Alligood told the commission that the department’s smoke detector blitz saw 38 units installed that will provide alerts for 87 city residents. The distribution took place Sept. 21. “It was a success,” he said. “ It went a long way to making Cordele safer.”