City Council breezes through short session

By Matt Flumerfelt

January 08, 2009 10:29 pm

— VALDOSTA — The Valdosta City Council breezed through their regular meeting Thursday. Unanimity prevailed throughout the session, which lasted just over an hour. Several important agenda items were voted on and approved, but most had been so thoroughly vetted at the Tuesday work session that little needed to be added.
Valdosta City Council approved the following agenda items:
• The presentation of the results of the municipal audit by Henderson & Godbee, LLP. Henderson & Godbee concluded the city had another good year financially. Tests of the city’s financial controls performed by Henderson & Godbee also received a high rating.
• Amendments to the Unsafe Dwelling Ordinance — demolition liens now carry the same weight as tax liens when disposing of property. These changes make it easier for the city to collect liens on property that is demolished because it is no longer fit for use. The amendments place a maximum allowance of 270 days in which an owner or interested party must comply with a court order issued pertaining to the property.
• A bid to purchase software to enable the city council to go paperless — this software will enable the city council to conduct meetings without producing paper packets of agenda items and supporting materials. Steven Carter, Valdosta’s Information Technology Manager, estimated this software will save the city approximately $10,000 per year after the first year.
• A revised version of the Fire Agreement between the City, County, Industrial Authority, and Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.
• Consideration of text amendments to the Land Development Regulations--this provision states that amendments to the official zoning map and future development map can be initiated by the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Adding this provision will expedite the review and approval process. Final approval of any proposed amendments remain with the Mayor and Council.
• A bid to relocate the water main at St. Augustine Road and River Street.
• A bid to replace the main circuit breaker at the Mud Creek Water Pollution Control Plant.
• A bid to improve the intersection on North Valdosta Road and Country Club Road by the Links apartment complex. This improvement was approved by Council in anticipation of increased traffic counts along the road as Valdosta continues to grow.
• A bid to add an indoor swimming pool to the Valdosta-Lowndes County Senior Citizen Center on Park Avenue.
• A bid to pave Stewart Street.
Mayor Fretti presented the Employee of the Month Award to Stacey Griffin, crewleader with the city’s Arborist Division. Fretti praised Griffin for taking on additional projects and seeing them through to completion. The mayor also recognized Kathy Brunot, Cheryl Germany, and Deborah White, for representing the city to raise money for this year’s American Cancer Society Heart Walk.