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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

The Cordele City Commission met on Tuesday November 21, 2023 at 9am at the Cordele City Hall Courtroom with Chairman Joshua Deriso, Commissioner Vest Beal Shepard, Commissioner Isaac H. Owens, , Commissioner Wesley Rainey and City attorney, Tommy Coleman in attendance and Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr. was absent. When the approval of agenda was put forward it was asked by Commissioner Rainey that agenda items seven and eight be put forward to the next meeting. This was denied to a lack of vote and they had issues approving the agenda. They did eventually approve the agenda and moved forward to a speaker appearance that had signed up to speak in regards to agenda item number one on considering and approving a alcohol license. The speaker is an employee of a DUI school that is located close to the location of the store requesting the alcohol license and the employee was asking that the commissioners do not approve the license due to conflict.

They then moved forward to the department heads goals and accomplishments. Fire Chief Todd Alligood recognized two firefighters that have recently completed the basic firefighter certification. They also had a successful blood drive with 20 donors.

Municipal Court Jackie Walker reported that they accomplished their clerk certification at the beginning of the month. Chief Jalon Heard reported for codes that they have found over 200 incidents or code related with zero citations. He also addressed some false information that has been going around about codes, he explained that the police enforcement is divided in division and are separate to one another. He also clarified that they don’t deal with pothole issues that is an issue that needs to be addressed by public works. He reported that the police department is in the process of hiring officers with some still training in Forsyth. On Friday, November 17, 2023 they did a toys for tots drive with Georgia State Patrol. They are currently accepting donations for their annual shop with a cop. He also clarified issues regarding crime being up in Cordele. He said that crime is up nation wide but in Cordele they have actually decreased in 6 of 8 categories they base their reports on.

Agenda item number one was to consider and approve an alcohol license for Aj’s, 305 south 7^th Street, Cordele, GA. Owner – Anand Vijay Kumar Patel, 404 15^th Avenue, Cordele, GA. Beer and wine consumed off premises. Police Chief Heard approved this application on November 2, 2023. This item

Agenda item number two was to consider and approve a permit for the Christmas Parade. The sponsoring organization is the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce and the event is Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 6:00pm. The parade will begin at City Hall and proceed South on 7^th Street to the Community Clubhouse. Police Chief Heard approved the application on November 17, 2023. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number three was to consider and approve the proposal from Hutchins Clenny Rumsey Huckaby, P.C. to provide accounting services to the City of Cordele. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number four was to consider and approve the generator preventative maintenance agreements for UC&T. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number five was the first reading of an ordinance regarding the disposal of discarded, dismantled, wrecked, scrapped, ruined or junk motor vehicles in the possession of the City of Cordele; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number six was to consider and approved the resolution accepting the donation of a hurst power unit; repealing all resolutions in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number seven was the discussion of the City Civility Award. This item was properly moved, with no second.

Agenda item number eight was the discussion of the appointment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman by the governing body and the creation of an at-large ward. This item was not covered due to a lack of motion to discuss.

We lastly heard from the City Manager, Angela Redding with her report. She reminded everyone that Express Disposal would be doing a meeting at the Community Clubhouse on December 14 from 5-7pm. She also went through a comprehensive plan for the City of Cordele. As well as going over accomplishments they have done up to this point like; buying the ladder truck for the fire department, revamped code enforcement and delinquent property taxes just to name a few. She also reminded everyone about the energy assistance program that will start on December 1^, 2023 for elderly and January 2^nd for general public