Alamo City Council Buys Fire Truck, Names Mayor Pro Tem

Alamo’s City Council tackled a lengthy agenda at its regular monthly session on February 20, and during the two-hour meeting purchased a fire truck, heard a proposal to establish a day care center in the City, and appointed a new mayor pro tempore.

Meeting at the newlycompleted City Hall, the Council made a decision to purchase a used fire truck at a cost of $10,000, which will replace a 1995 fire engine with an odometer reading of 119,000 miles. Alamo Fire Department spokesman Ryan Dixon told the Council that the new truck is coming to Alamo from the city of McRae-Helena. The 1999 model is fully equipped and has a mileage of 12,000 miles. Dixon said the Department has already received offers from other fire departments to purchase the vehicle that is being retired.

Dixon said that since he has been with the volunteer Fire Department, the city’s ISO (fire insurance) rating has been reduced from 8 to 5, cutting homeowners’ insurance payments by half. He said another engine is needed to further reduce the rating, and the Department and the City are in the process of applying for a grant to purchase a new engine. In the meantime, the recently-purchased truck will help maintain fire response.

Day Care Proposal

Elijah and Christy Shaw, who own Little Branches Learning Center in Wheeler County, approached the City Council about their hopes of expanding their business into downtown Alamo. The Shaws are already providing care to 25 children at their Hill Farm Road location in the county, which was established in 2007, but need to expand their operation based on demand, and perhaps move it to a more universally accessible location. Currently, there are no other licensed day care centers operating in the county, with the exception of Head Start, which is governmentsponsored with limited enrollment based on specific criteria. The Shaws are interested in either renting or purchasing the former hardware store on Railroad Avenue in downtown Alamo. The building is owned by the City of Alamo.

The Council was supportive of expanding day care opportunities in the county, but pointed out that the old hardware store is in need of upgrades, including restroom facilities. The Shaws said the structure would have to be renovated according to state regulations in order to accommodate a day care facility. The matter was deferred pending further research.

Another issue regarding child services was back on the City Council’s agenda last week. Santina Fryer, co-founder and executive director of the Gents and Glam Community, Family, and Youth Services from Baxley, appeared before the Council at its December meeting, regarding a summer program administered by her organization which is called Camp G.R.O.W. Fryer had asked the Council about renting the recently- vacated old city hall building on Main Street for the summer program. Camp G.R.O.W. has been accommodated through a local church most recently, but more room is needed. During the February 20 meeting, issues about the condition of the structure, safety, parking, handicapped access, and liability were brought up, and the Council opted to refer the request to its Planning and Zoning Committee for more in-depth research before rendering a decision.

Other Business

After receiving high praise for his past performance from his fellow Council members, Dondrea Geter was nominated for and accepted the mantle of mayor pro tempore. His predecessor, Steve Jones, conducted the February 20 meeting in the absence of Mayor Pam Lee, who was available via conference call. The Council adopted its new business ordinance after the second reading of the document during the meeting. The ordinance provides for the City to raise insurance license fees from $15 to $40 based on census data.

The Council approved a contract with Great Scott Window Tinting of Milan to provide tinting of City Hall windows at a cost of $3, 132. The Council asked staff to look into acquiring bids for providing lettering on the windows at City Hall, including hours of operation.

After advertising for applicants to provide housekeeping services at New City Hall, the Council set the salary and hours for the job before beginning the interviewing of candidates. The Council decided to set hours at 16 hours maximum weekly, and the salary at $14 per hour and up based on experience of the applicant.

The Council decided on the date for an open house to introduce the community to New City Hall for Monday, March 25, from 3 until 5 p.m. The Council will also hold its regular session on that date, starting at 6 p.m.

As work continues on the City’s Eastside Park, the Council voted to set aside $200,000 in reserve funding to cover expenses as they arise. The Council agreed to take the reserve funds from the General Funds Savings Account and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) account. It was agreed that a spreadsheet would be used to monitor spending and reimbursements. Upgrades to the park are being funded through a $2.2 million grant being administered by the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission (HOGARC). Expenses incurred by the City are reimbursable through the grant after receipts are submitted to HOGARC.

New features at the park which are being funded through the grant include an amphitheater, landscaping, sidewalks, a turf football field, enclosing the new basketball court, and fencing for the parameter of the park.

The Council approved a low bid from Southeast Environmental of Blackshear to install new equipment at the City’s pumping station on Pearl Street at a cost of $45, 000. The Council had already approved a bid from Smith and Loveless to supply equipment for the job at a cost of $73,800, but opted to defer accepting the bid from Southeast until other bids could be solicited. The City received two bids, but one of the bids was at double the amount of the bid submitted by Southeast Environmental.

The Council approved a three-year contract from Republic Services of Vidalia to remove household waste and sludge. The Council had previously decided to go with Ryland Environmental of Dublin, but changed its stance during a called meeting on January 16. The City’s former contract with Republic was due to expire on January 31.

The new contract with Republic includes a provision for a potential price increase based on the consumer price index. The new contract raises the fee for household collection from $10.65 to $15.98. Sludge will be collected at a rate of $38 per ton and hauled to the Toombs County Landfill at $275 per load. Since household collection rates are going up, the Council voted to provide each household with a $200, one-time credit, to offset the hike in collection fees. The funds for the credits will come from the City’s ARP account.

Proposals to rename portions of city streets in honor of prominent residents were tabled in favor of allowing the Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee to consider parameters for taking such actions in the future.

The Council renewed its contract with City Court Clerk Annie Bess to increase her salary from $325 to $425 month.

The Council approved advertising for bids for the first band of TIA road and sidewalk work, which has been outlined in past meetings by City Manager Jeff Floyd. The Council also approved the contract for a lead line survey being funded by a $58,000 grant from the Georgia Environmental Financial Authority.

Alamo Fire Chief Brian O’Quinn informed the Council of the Department’s activities for January 8-February 20. The department answered nine calls and completed 17 hours of training.

Alamo Police Chief Karen Zanders reported that her Department logged in 230 calls and collected fines of $230.

O'Quinn fills the Alamo City Council in on the Depart ment’s activities during the month of January. During the session, the Council voted to purchase the Department another fire truck.

Photo by Deborah Clark

FIRE CHIEF REPORTS — Alamo Volunteer Fire Chief Brian