Blackshear City Council discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly work session on February 4 and regular meeting held on February 11.
Cryptocurrency ordinance: As reported in the previous edition of The Times, the city council has proposed a resolution governing where and how any bitcoin/data mining businesses may operate within the city limits. The document ran to six pages and regulates everything from noise levels to signage and emergency contact information. Essentially, bitcoin mining can only be done in the industrial park, but without a nearby substation to deliver adequate power it is unlikely any will set up there, effectively outlawing data mining businesses within Blackshear. The final reading of the ordinance will be at the council’s March meeting.
Mattox Food Mart Alcohol License: The city council unanimously approved issuing a new alcohol license for Mattox Food Mart in the name of the new owners. MPR Trading Company doing business as Mattox Food Mart was the original owner of both the location and alcohol license, which the new owners had allowed to lapse. MPR has retaken ownership of Mattox Food Mart, but was required to apply for a new alcohol license. Having fulfilled all conditions required by local ordinance, the council has reapproved them to sell alcohol.
Department Reports Blackshear Police Dept. Report: BPD reported 15 vehicular accidents in the month of January, 2 with injuries. Ninety-six citations and 11 warnings were recorded. Eight warrants were served. There were also 11 arrests in January.
Blackshear Volunteer Fire Dept. Report: BFD responded to a total of 35 dispatched calls, were on standby for public events or otherwise rendered assistance in January. One illegal burning warning notice was issued. BFD workers and volunteers completed 211 cumulative total hours of activities and training. BFD Chief Bucky Goble also reported that the department was nearly finished with their fire response preplanning checks of local businesses.
Public Works Dept: Last month, the department conducted 41 leak checks, locating 35. There were also 13 close outs, 75 cut offs with 40 cut back on and 21 new customers connected in January. The department replaced 3 meters, 2 meter boxes and 1 meter box lid. One instance of consumer tampering occurred during the reporting period. Public works also performed weekly disbursement at the landfill, replaced damaged street signs, conducted routine cleaning of storm drains, repaired potholes, cleaned and performed routine grass maintenance at the cemetery. Four burial permits were issued and 1 burial plot was sold.
Main Street Program: The Better Hometown (BHT) report recorded $7,573.11 in expenses for the month of January. No program funds were used during the month of January, but 24 volunteer hours were used.
Senior Center: The senior center reported there are 65 individuals enrolled, including those receiving home delivery of meals. There are 14 on the waiting list and 4 on the home delivery waiting list. The recent Valentines bingo at the Pierce County Gym was a success with several other Valentines events planned for the remainder of the week.
Attendance: Mayor Keith Brooks, city attorney Adam Ferrell and all city council members were in attendance for the Feb. 11 regular meeting.
Next meeting: The council will hold its next work session at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4 and its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11.
