October City Commission meeting held with grant updates

Graceville City Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 10 at 6 PM in the commission chambers. Following the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda was modified to include an ad- ditional item to discuss a two- part Legislative Appropriation proposal request. With a motion from Commissioner Walter Olds, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Pinkard, the agenda was approved unanimous.

The first public hearing to discuss Resolution 23-1010, a road closure, was first on the agenda. Manager Michelle Watkins stated that the resolution was dually advertised with citizen objections regarding the closure of the portion of the city street that runs between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue. Watkins went on to say that it has been determined to be in the best interest of the city and its inhabitants “to vacate, abandon, and close a portion” of city streets that has not been open to the public for decades, as discussed in previous meetings. Manager Watkins noted that this determination “has been made according to State Statues” and has been conveyed to the appropriate landowners, “which includes Marvin Martin with Habitat for Humanity and Sandra Watford,” who will benefit from the closure. With a motion from Commissioner Marshall Davis, seconded by Commissioner John McClendon, Resolution 23-1010 carried unanimous approval following no citizen comments.

The Manufactured Home Variance request made for 987 Fourth Avenue was discussed just prior to the regular meeting at a Planning Commission meeting. The planning commission could not get a motion to make a recommendation to approve this request to the City of Graceville Commissioners for several reasons. Manager Watkins highlighted these reasons, beginning with the fact that the parcel of land is zoned an R3, meaning “inter- mediate lowdensity residential use district, allowing for a single-family home and accessory uses.” The gentleman that made the request had the intention of using these two houses for rental properties. Furthermore, this would cause implications for insurance coverage as indicated by Mayor Arthur Obar. Also, due to implications with setbacks and interference with surrounding homes, Watkins noted citizen feedback indicated disapproval of this request. Watkins also mentioned that documentation provided for the variance request was inadequate. Collectively, all these factors did not allow the staff to make in good faith, a recommendation for approval for this request, concluded Manager Watkins. The request was unanimously denied with a motion from Commissioner Curtis Pinkard, seconded by Commissioner Davis.

The Police Dispatch Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) previously discussed in the budget hearing, carried unanimous approval with a motion from Commissioner Olds, seconded by Commissioner Pinkard. The new system will send 100% of Graceville Police Departments emergency calls to be dispatched through Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Manager Watkins noted that 60% of Graceville Police Department’s emergency calls are already dispatched through JCSO. Additionally, this change implementation will improve response time from Graceville Police in emergency situations with radio dispatch with Graceville being on the JCSO channel of communication. Currently, Graceville PD is dispatched via phone call transfer without a system that allows communications via radio dispatch. Watkins went on to explain that this new system, also being used by Sneads and Cottondale PD as well, is more cost efficient than purchasing the necessary equipment and employing dispatchers around the clock with a yearly cost of $31350. Watkins and Chief Jake Barley both clarified that Graceville PD will operate more effectively by eliminat- ing the call transfer, improve cost efficiency, and the direct number to the Graceville Police Station will continue to be utilized during business hours, as will walk-in service.

A second change order request for the SCOP-Brown Street project in the amount of $15,928.15 was unanimously approved with a motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Pinkard. This change order will allow turnout onto highway 77 that coordinates with the DOT resurfacing project on highway 77, allowing the two projects to be completed with cost efficiency. Watkins also noted an additional $900 cost for water valve adjustments administration is currently working to have DOT cover the cost of.

Staff requested approval for two projects for Legislative Appropriation funding. The first project was unanimously approved with a motion by Commissioner Olds, seconded by Commissioner Pinkard. Requesting approval for a new fire truck or “pumper truck” for the Fire Department with considerations for the increase in calls dispatching the fire department in the past “two to three years,” and the condition of the current fire truck that is “usable” for now, explained Watkins. The Fire Department determined that the new piece of specialty equipment will cost about $650,000 and take about two years to build as a point of reference on the matter, indicating the need to get this project going before any problems arise from the current equipment. The second project a request for Legislative Appropriation funds was made for would be used to clean up the area between Badcock and Tiger Park, adding a Pavilion “like the Pavilion at the Madison Street Park in Marianna, explained Watkins. The request to make use of this area was unanimously approved with a motion by Commissioner McClendon, seconded by Commissioner Pinkard.

Watkins began the Manager’s Report with a grant update. The wet land permit has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection for the affluent pipe project, which is about 40% complete on design work. The Brown Street project (done through a SCOP grant) design work is 100% complete and construction is set to begin in the next 30 days. The Cliff Street and 2nd Avenue project is currently working on surveying and design work. The Inflow and Infiltration project has obtained Legislative Appropriation funding, but administration is awaiting federal money to run these projects in tandem to plan for contractors appropriately, explained Watkins. The preliminary design documents for the Fire Department project are set to be completed by November 10, plans and specifications are likely to be out in January. Manager Watkins noted that the goal is to have the Fire Depart- ment ready by the end of September 2024. The Waste Water improvement project in the amount of $6.3 million in CDBG funding is under administrative contract with Fred Fox, and engineering contract with Dewberry. Watkins hopes to be under administration and engineering contracts with all CDBG money by December 31, a goal that would be truly impressive to accomplish considering the slow-going procurement process associated with this funding.

Watkins was happy to report that the Internal Organization for Standard- ization inspection on the Fire Department received a four out of four rating on its equipment, just as it did in 2018. Administration is working with the Fire Department to provide an updated map of the hydrants in town as required to complete this process.

Harvest Festival is reaching capacity with 86 vendors registered, and any others following are being added to a waitlist. Watkins also reported quite a few are registered for the car show, and 30 participants have pre-registered for the 5K run. Watkins remarked that the parade is also moving along and will begin at 9 AM on Saturday. Watkins expects this year’s Harvest Festival to be the biggest one yet. The City of Graceville will have a tent available this year as well to help with organization.

Autumn Fest is set for Tuesday, October 31 from 5 PM to 7 PM, and trick or treating will also occur in the City of Graceville during this time as well. The Graceville School Homecoming Parade is scheduled for November 3, and the time is to be determined. While the Christmas Parade is set for Friday, December 8, at 6 PM.

The code enforcement update mentioned a lot of complaints about a residential lot on the corner of Cliff Street and White Avenue in which the owner is attempting to operate a commercial business at the location. Code Enforcement is moving forward with formal letters prohibiting the scrapping of cars at this location. Watkins also mentioned a home on Hope Avenue that is being renovated as having a lot of debris in the yard that possibly poses a health hazard and administration is also working to resolve this issue as well.

Citizens comments brought administration a suggestion to touch up the parking lots around town for the winter work plan. Also mentioned, attempts to resolve complaints about the broken glass at the business next to Graceville Nutrition have received no feedback. Code Enforcement is working to get in contact with the owner that is responsible for this issue.

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