The letter stated that the gymnasium and new building were out of character, overshadowed homes and devalued properties; the dumpster on Park Street is a health concern and also has created a dangerous yield from 10th Avenue to Park Street; the loud speaker paging system can be heard inside the homes and requested council to require the club to find a solution that would not destroy the tranquility of the area; the drainage pond behind a resident’s home has become a trash dump and health hazard; the traffic has increased and individuals are continuing to drive too fast; the tennis court lights were left on almost every night and the property was beginning to become a hangout at night with no supervision.
City manager Bea Edge informed council members that the issue with the drainage pond was being addressed and that a grant had been applied for to fix the problem. She told council members that she was not aware of the dumpsters being a health issue and would follow up on it immediately. Council members tabled further discussion until the next regular meeting.
Then insurance representatives presented the council with proposals to become the city’s workers compensation carrier.
Dusty Lewis, representing Key Risk, bid was $50,438.00 per year; Chris Walker representing National Liability and Fire gave a bid of $49,843.00 and Pam Helton from the Georgia Municipal Association gave a bid of $58,994.00.
Helton told council members that they were eligible for a $6,000.00 safety grant and she would assist city manager Edge into completing the proper paperwork. This lowered her bid to $52,994.00.
Councilpersons David Rawlins and Faye Jessup stated during open discussion that they wanted to stay locally and would support Lewis. Pittman stated that because of stability and that the city was already a member of GMA that he would like to support GMA. Councilperson Idella Walker agreed with Pittman. Chairman Jack Burnham commented that also with the stability that he would support GMA. When the vote was called, Rawlins, Walker, Pittman and Burnham voted for GMA and Jessup voted against.
