Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their regular monthly session held on August 13. The work session on August 6 was canceled due to Hurricane “Debby”.
Land Water Conservation Fund Grant: The city council approved a motion to move forward with a pre-application for Land Water Conservation Fund monies to help maintain and improve Blackshear City Park. If approved, the city will be required to pay a 50 percent match of any funds granted. The South Georgia Regional Commission has been retained for technical assistance in applying for and administering any approved grant funds.
Surplus Equipment: Assorted pieces of old city equipment will be listed for sale on the govdeals.com website, including a 2002 Tymco street sweeper, 2005 Ford Ranger, 2010 Ford F-150 and a 2015 Ferris 48-inch lawnmower.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPD reported 8 accidents in the month of July, 2 with injuries. Twenty-four warnings, 107 citations and 1 ordinance violation were recorded. There were also 6 arrests in July.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to 42 dispatched calls in July, including a wind storm, tornado/hurricane assessment on July 31. BFD workers and volunteers completed 198 cumulative total hours of activities and training.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the department conducted 4 sewer service repairs, 3 water and sewage locates and 6 water service repairs. Twenty-six read checks and 60 leak checks were conducted, locating 45 leaks. There were also 15 close outs, 45 cut offs, 42 read checks and 15 new customers connected in July. The department replaced 2 meters, one meter lid and 3 valves. There were no instances of consumer tampering during the reporting period. Public works also performed the weekly disbursement at the landfill, replaced damaged road and street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes, and performed routine grass maintenance at the cemetery and had 2 burial permits.
Main Street Program: The Better Hometown (BHT) report recorded $13,409.01 in operating expenses for the month of July. Two events were scheduled for the month, Dueling Pianos and Christi’s Downsouth Living Makers Market. Unfortunately, Battle of the Boards was canceled. A total of $2,513.59 of program funds and 20 volunteer hours were used for these events. Total attendance for both events was estimated to be around 200 people.
Senior Center: Center volunteer Karen Herndon was unable to attend, but Pat Sanders came in her place to provide updates. Prior to Hurricane “Debby”, the center distributed to seniors the weather radios donated by the Pierce County Fire Department. The senior center was closed due to weather August 8-9, but the seniors drive through farmers market in Patterson went ahead as planned Aug. 9 and was a success.
Mayor’s Comments: Prior to the invocation and the pledge, Mayor Keith Brooks asked those present to keep council members Jerry Boatright and Corey Lesseig in their thoughts as both had recently lost family members and could not be present.
Attendance: Mayor Brooks, City Attorney Adam Ferrell and city council members Chuck Ward, Theodore Mackey and Mat Boatright were in attendance. There was a quorum present sufficient to vote on matters before the council.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session, meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.
