City of Graceville Commission Meeting held with grant updates

The City of Graceville held its regular commission meeting for the month of February on Tuesday, February 13 in the Graceville City Commission Chambers. The meeting began with the usual prayer and pledge. The agenda was then approved unanimously.

The first item on the agenda was to move the March Regular Commission meeting to the first Tuesday of the month due to the Presidential Primary Election and the need to accommodate Early Voting for this specific election. The motion was approved unanimously with the March Regular Commission Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

The next item on the agenda was to authorize the surplus of 2 Recreation Department vans with City Manager Watkins noting that they both needed to be salvaged as they were no longer usable. She pointed out that one was a ’98 Dodge along with another van that was a 2001. The motion was approved unanimously.

City Manager Watkins then gave an update on grants. She started noting that the funds for the Splashpad has been approved through the CDBG program. She also warned that it is a process and “will not be an immediate groundbreaking” but funding has been secured and the project is moving forward. She noted the City also received approval for a Procurement from DEO through the CDBG program specifically related to wastewater, lift stations, generators, and dealing with bad weather.

Watkins then moved on updating the commission on roadwork in the City. She noted that the Brown Street project is around 90% complete and that the Cliff Street Project is under design which includes the area near 2nd Avenue and the bridge beside Tiger Park. She finished noting that the Fire Department construction has been advertised. She went on to add that plans and specs have been approved and are in-hand.

She then moved on to Project Updates. She noted that there was no election since during the Qualifying Period the only two individuals to qualify were the two commissioners currently in office, Marshall Davis and Walter Olds.

Watkins then informed the commission that the City had been contacted by the Jackson County Health Department. She noted that they had some funds sent to them by the State to aid in handicap accessibility and other needs in the area of Park and Rec. Watkins noted that the funds would supply handicap accessible playground equipment and other equipment geared towards Parks and Recreation. She noted that the City would be getting some handicap accessible springs and replacing the Spring Toys found at Tiger Park along with tables that are handicap accessible. She finished that they will also be able to place a water fountain that also fills water bottles at the James A Martin Park with the funding.

Citizen David Hughes ended the meeting commenting on what he felt was a poor job on the Brown Street road construction. He commented that as a homeowner on that road vehicles now scrub when attempting to go into driveways along with other curb issues. Commissioner Marshall Davis was quick to thank Hughes for his comments and noted that he was aware of the issues and was hoping to work with the engineers to fix the problem.

The meeting finished with all commissioners thanking those in attendance along with City employees for their due diligence and hard work.