Council approves loan application for water system

The February meeting of the Swainsboro City Council and Mayor took place Monday, Febru-ary 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Swainsboro City Hall. Bishop Bertha Jones delivered the invocation with the Pledge of Allegiance following. The council then approved the minutes of the Janu-ary 27, 2025, meeting. Former councilmember Rita Faulkner was recognized to address coun-cil concerning damage to the Gumlog gymnasium from recent weather-related events. She was informed by the Mayor that the city was waiting on action from insurance officials and contacts from FEMA. Next, appointments were made by the mayor of councilmembers and citizen representatives to various city departments and committees. Under old business, Car-ol Donaldson, Director of the Sunshine House, spoke to council on conditions at the Swains-boro City Auditorium. Mrs. Donaldson attended the council’s workshop meeting on January 27, 2025, and gave a detailed proposal of suggested policies and needed repairs to improve operations of the auditorium. She was invited to return for the regular meeting. Following a lengthy discussion, council took no action on the matter and suggested that the committee on parks and cemetery return in the future with a proposal to address the improvements needed in repairs, as well as operations and protocol of the city property. It was also suggest-ed that grant funding from Millcreek Foundation and other sources be investigated as possi-ble sources of support. In the past, responsibility for the management and upkeep of the au-ditorium was shared by the city and the county. Moving into new business, council consid-ered the 2025 LMIG grant. Before voting on a list of roads in need of improvement, Coun-cilperson Collins inquired about roads approved for LMIG funding from the fall of 2021 but never paved in any of the following years. Collins asked why these projects had not been completed. The explanation given cited the Covid crisis, the higher prices of asphalt and con-tract defaults of various contractors. LMIG funds are granted on a yearly basis from the Georgia Department of Transportation with presumption of project completion within 12 months. A motion to approve the current list of roads for LMIG was passed to conclude dis-cussion. Next, under new business, representatives of ClearWater Solutions discussed the need for repair or replacement of the generator at a Transfer Station for wastewater opera-tions. Council tabled the request pending more favorable bids. Following this, council ap-proved a FY 2025 GEFA Drinking Water State Loan Fund Application. Under the consent agenda, eight measures were approved: 1. Two new hires in the Fire Dept. 2. Establishment of “part-time” roster for Police Dept. 3. Hiring of one fulltime police officer 4. Hiring of part-time personnel for Animal Shelter 5. Continuation of rental of Caterpillar front loader from Yancey Rental 6. Wastewater Treatment Mixer Motor Replacement 7. Consideration of game room license for Maadipo 208 LLC, ABC Food Mart, 208 North Main St. for coin operated machines 8. Consideration of game room license for Urvano Bustamante DBA Mi Reyna Tienda Mexicana at 230 West Moring St. for coin operated machines. Following this, the meeting was adjourned.