Alamo City Council to Let Bids on Proposed Improvement Projects

The Alamo City Council, meeting for its regular session on April 15, dealt with a number of housekeeping issues including accepting a new procurement ordinance and approving the advertising for bids on downtown improvement projects.

The ordinance, which aligns with state requirements, establishes a new policy for procurement procedures to purchase goods and services by the City and repeals other ordinances and sections of ordinances that may conflict with it.

The Council approved advertising for bids to undertake a lead line survey to address lead in drinking weater in the City. The work is being funded through a $58,000 grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

Also approved was advertising for bids to accomplish repairs to the storm drain at the City’s lift station number 4, to be paid for with Water/Sewer Department revenue. Also getting a nod were sidewalk improvements and parking lot paving at the new City Hall and Police Department. This work will be funded through Transportation Local Option Sales Tax.

The Council accepted the resignation of City Clerk Marie Carrillo, who has accepted a new position in McRae-Helena. Carrillo has been in her position for eight years. Her last day of employment will be Friday, April 21.

Bonus pay of $846.75 for City Manager Jeff Floyd and City Police Chief Karen Zanders of $1,881.65 for overtime work was approved by the Council.

The Council tabled a discussion on whether to demolish or repurpose old City Hall. The matter was referred to the Alamo Strategic Action Plan (ASAP) Committee for research and discussion, with a report to be brought before the Council at a future date.

An internship for high school student Carmen Bess, who will perform supervised clerical work without pay as part of her community service plan, was also given a nod by the Council.

During the session, the Council announced that the annual Senior Parade honoring Wheeler County High School graduates will be held downtown on May 18.

At the end of the meeting during public comments, citizen Pat Cannon asked the Council’s help in addressing a speeding issue on Georgia Highway 126 (Commerce Street) within the city limits. Cannon said she lives at the intersection of Commerce and Stubbs Streets, across from the Senior Citizens’ Center, and has witnessed heavy trucks traveling through this intersection at high rates of speed. “I am afraid someone is going to get hurt as people are coming in and out of the Center,” Cannon said. City Manager Floyd, who oversees public safety agencies for the City, said he would look into the matter.

The Alamo Fire Department reported that the volunteers responded to seven calls, including three medical emergencies, a tree down, two brush fires, and assisting another agency with a structural fire. The department logged three hours of training during the month and participated in the “Mourning After Prom” wreck re-enactment at the Wheeler County Recreation Center.