VALDOSTA — Remerton’s City Council got down to business at its regular meeting Monday evening, clearing the agenda and disposing of other business in about 30 minutes.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance to create a new chapter of the code of city ordinances covering streets, sidewalks and public rights-of-way following a second reading by City Attorney Brad Folsom. The new chapter will provide for the issuance and regulation of right-of-way permits.

City Clerk Lisa Mashburn presented the city’s financial report, after which Councilwoman Lydia Day asked if, in the future, the Council could get a more detailed report listing all vendors, payables, etc. to better enable Council to track the city’s finances. Mashburn agreed to provide more detailed information at Council’s request.

During the “citizens to be heard” portion of the meeting, Bob Horne, a Remerton property owner, brought to Council’s attention the problem of residents who neglect to roll back their garbage containers from the curb once garbage has been collected. Council discussed options for obtaining compliance, like progressively increasing the fine for non-compliant residents. Containers left by the curb sometimes turn over, scattering garbage on nearby property, Horne stated.

Kelley and James Denton also approached the Council to ask whether Remerton’s plans to tie into the Valdosta city water system will improve the quality of their water, which is currently of such poor quality it is damaging their fixtures.

Utilities Director Ron Woods said the tie-in to Valdosta’s water won’t affect the Dentons because their water comes through a very old private service line. Woods stated that a water main flows near their residence, but it is up to their landlord to replace the service line enabling them to tap into the main.

Outgoing City Manager Brian McDougal reported on progress in constructing a non-motorized recreational trail in the vicinity of Sugar Creek. Remerton has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the project. The city is required to contribute $130,000 to the project, said Angela Santiago, Brooks County Regional Development Center Coordinator. Santiago is working with Remerton’s mayor, Council, and staff to implement the grant.

Remerton’s council scheduled their annual retreat for Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1:00 pm at the Goodwill Center at 1000 N. St. Augustine Road.