Vidalia Urban Camping Ordinance Passed

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In an effort to address the homelessness issue in the city, the Vidalia City Council approved the addition of an ordinance outlawing urban camping at the regular monthly Council meeting on Monday, July 10.

This ordinance, which does not allow individuals to store property or to camp in public city areas, was first discussed last month when the Council completed the first reading at its regular monthly meeting on June 12. The measure was tabled for 30 days to allow for public comment before being voted on.

Prior to the ordinance’s approval in the meeting, Citizen Connie Williams addressed the concern of homelessness in Vidalia and posed the possibility of the City assisting with services to help ease the issue. City leaders shared that they are participating in a group for that purpose.

Other ordinances passed dealt with issues of hotel boarders and lodgers, driveway permits, the construction of public roads, and undeveloped and unkempt property. These ordinances are available for review on the City website.

Vidalia Chick-Fil-A Operator Britt McDade was presented with the monthly Sweet Onion Citizen award for his work in the community.

Also, the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission (HOGARC), which works with the state Office of Planning and Budget, presented a $2 million check to Mayor Doug Roper. The funds will go toward the renovation of the Vidalia Regional Sports Complex, adding four multipurpose fields with LED lighting, bleachers, an ADA-compliant playground, an open-air pavilion, sidewalks, roads, and a parking lot. The City applied for the grant several months ago with the help of HOGARC.

Several purchases and payments were approved at the meeting, including: • Payment of $58,287.94 in Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to the Georgia Department of Transportation for the City’s required 40% share of the Water Facilities Contract • Payment of $37,500 of Water and Sewer Funding to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to remit the origination fee of a loan • Purchase of a Flyght Submersible Pump for Lift Station 1 ($45,816.90 from the Water and Sewer Fund) • Payment of $3,671.00 in Community Center SPLOST funds for the demolition of an old concession building on Airport Road • Payment of $24,390.00 in Georgia Environment Finance Authority funding for a 2023 Manhole Rehabilitation in the South Basin Project • Purchase, install ment, and set-up of a new server from Responsive Technologies ($39,910 from SPLOST funds) • Two-Year Contract between Flock Safety and the City for services and hardware ($66,500 from the General Fund) In addition to these action items, Howard Holman was reappointed for a second term on the Vidalia- Toombs Public Library Board of Trustees. Ashlee Nicole Tillery was also appointed to the Board for the remainder of Mike Walton’s term, which will expire in December.

SWEET ONION CITIZEN – Vidalia Chick-Fil-A Operator Britt McDade was presented with the monthly Sweet Onion Citizen Award by Mayor Doug Roper at the meeting on July 12.