BY MELISSA PYLE
Telegraph Staff Writer
LAWTEY — It’s that time of year when many households are working on home cleaning and repair projects. The city of Lawtey is facing similar issues. The city held its monthly meeting on May 1 where several items were discussed and approved for repair and replacement.
When questions were open to the public, John Mercier asked about the grant money for ditch repair. City Clerk Lisa Harley said that they are incomplete due to questions about environmental review. Mercier complained that this process has been going on for three years.
Another citizen, Sheri Wilson questioned the fire hydrant that needs repairing on Carter Road. Councilwoman Virginia Warner said they are working to find a contractor to tell them if it needs a riser or if it needs replacement. Harley interjected and said they have found someone, but the fire hydrants must be dug up to make sure there is a shutoff valve, and the contractor can’t give a price unless he knows there’s a shutoff valve.
Wilson replied by asking if the hydrant problem was by one of the councilmembers homes, would they have it fixed already? She also asked if there is enough water to put out fire if the hydrant is not working properly? Harley deferred the question to the fire department, who stated that the tanker trucks would have sufficient water available. The hydrants continued to come up as a main concern for the citizens throughout the meeting. There is a need for nine to be inspected and possibly repaired.
Another citizen thanked the police chief for addressing a prior issue about stray dogs in the area.
Vyunda Strong addressed the council about a SUV police vehicle that has not been seen. Chief Jerry Feltner said, “It’s being fixed.” Strong said she is “asking a question about a city property” and the citizens deserve and answer. She pushed the issue and the response from Mayor Jimmie Scott and Chief Feltner was that it is in the shop, but the SUV has reportedly been in the shop, awaiting diagnosis for at least three months. Strong said she wants to get a different answer when she asks about it again next month.
The meeting proceeded and items about repairs and replacing mowers, trailers, carpet and air conditioning were presented and approved by the council.
Scott discussed the monthly financials and then asked if Harley could present the cost for city hall carpet and AC repairs. These repairs are made possible by ARPA funds. The cost to repair the old flooring is $11,509. That covers the entire city hall. To replace the two existing AC units, it will cost $11,300. Council approved both items.
Councilwoman Amy Blom presented the information about the maintenance worker job description and handbook. The city is still searching for a maintenance worker. The job is posted and the final day to submit applications is May 12. Blom stated that they have received applications and will be setting up interviews after the deadline to apply passes.
Blom presented quotes for mowers, a trailer and a backhoe ditch bucket. The council approved the purchase of the mowers at a cost of $21,341. The council approved the purchase.
A member of the public asked if the old mowers will be scrapped or auctioned off. Scott said they typically put them up for bid. The purchase of the trailers was also presented and approved at a cost of $4,007. A backhoe bucket needed for digging ditches was also presented and approved at a cost of $1,542.
Warner presented bills for two water leak repairs that were $865 and $900. The council approved these repair costs. The DOC wastewater agreement amendment number four and resolution were presented and approved.
The fire department will also be receiving new flooring by use of available ARPA funds. The flooring will cost was presented and approved for $14, 497.
Councilwoman Debra Norman presented the events and needs of the Recreation Department. Norman stated that they have four board members and she wanted to nominate a fifth member. A citizen asked about the process to become a board member of the recreation department because there are seven seats and only four members. Norman said she would like to make it a five-member board and the council stated the bylaws will need to be changed to have the number of board members adjusted to five.
Several community events are being planned. One such event will be an outdoor movie night. The next recreation department meeting is scheduled for June 12. The recreation department will also be receiving new AC units. Norman stated that the current units are old and to rent the rec center the AC will need to be in working order. The cost of $10,363 was submitted and approved. Norman stressed that she appreciates the volunteers as much as the board members.
The meeting was ending when the pastor of Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church, who was also accompanied by members of the church, addressed the council about their request for ARPA funds. They had been told at the last meeting that the council would discuss and return to the May meeting with an answer to their request for funds to repair the church’s leaking roof. The council stated that they don’t know if they will have any available ARPA funds available for public requests after the repairs to major city projects were finished.
The council stated that they had not sent a public notice to everyone in the city that ARPA funds would be available. This would have to be discussed again and presented. When the council was asked if this ARPA money was already public information, the pastor of Macedonia Freewill Baptist interjected and stated that they have been aware of the possibility of funds for public use because they attend all council meetings.
The members of the church wanted a direct answer at the May meeting. The pastor was frustrated with the lack of a clear answer to her prior request. Mayor Scott said they will work on their budget and plan to have an answer in the next thirty days.
The funds were received by the city in August of 2022. City Clerk Harley said Lawtey did not put funds aside for citizens to receive money. Scott stated that if any funds are available, they can set up guidelines to determine if that will be possible to offer them to private citizens. Harley said that there are still several major repairs needed withing the city of Lawtey, including a hole in the bridge that will be a very expensive.
Warner also said they are awaiting several contractors to give them bids, but getting contractors to come out has been challenging.
