By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@cordeledispatch.com

VIENNA — Mayor and council members here met for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Monday night. Pastor of the month, Rev. Choice Cobb gave an invocation to begin the meeting.
Council voted on several action items during the meeting:
Mayor Pro Tem Beth English motioned that the board approve a resolution to apply for the 2016 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $500,000. That motion was passed by a unanimous vote of the council. English also motioned that the board approved a resolution authorizing a $10,000 match and $10,000 leverage amount for the CDBG 2016 that was also approved unanimously.
Councilman Walter Brown motioned to approve a letter of agreement between the City of Vienna and the River Valley Regional Commission for the 2016 CDBG. That motion was also approved unanimously. Brown also motioned that the council approve a request to purchase a badly needed animal control truck for the city. The cost of the vehicle will be $22,900 minus $7,000 trade of surplus vehicles. That motion was also approved.
English motioned to declare 4 vehicles as surplus. The motion was passed unanimously by the council. Council members also voted to approve a lease supplement with the Georgia Municipal Association to purchase a ROW Tractor Mower.
City Administrator Michael Bowens submitted a proposal to the council from Omega Mapping in regards to the mapping of the city cemetery. Bowens said the mapping would be broken down into 3 phases; Spring/Summer 2016, Summer/Autumn 2016 and Autumn/Winter 2016-2017. Mayor Hobby Stripling Sr. informed the council there was a possibility of a grant. He asked the council to table a decision on that until a later time. The council agreed.
Council members also listened to reports from various department heads. Community Development Director Janet Joiner informed the board the city-wide cleanup was getting underway. She said that until March 25 is free pick-up for trash left at the curb. Civic organizations and citizens are committing to clean areas of the city. Joiner says it is their hope to have the city Clean as a Whistle by Easter.
Mayor Stripling informed the board that mosquito spraying had begun in the city as well.