Lyons City Council Solves Emergency Radio Confusion

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The Lyons City Council, during a regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 14, unanimously agreed to purchase new equipment to separate the radio frequency communications of the Lyons Police Department and Lyons Fire Department According to City Manager Jason Hall, the increased amount of radio bleed-over traffic has created a need for new equipment to separate the departments into two different radio frequencies. This purchase and installation of new equipment for addition of the Lyons Fire Department frequency will cost $26, 321.25, which was approved and added to the city’s 2023 budget. This budget amendment also included the postponement of the renovation of the NeSmith Birthday House, addition of bathrooms, and renovation of the upper field pavilion at Partin Park. These projects were expected to cost a total of $30,000, and will be completed later next year.

Annexation

Also during the meeting, the Council approved annexing the newly-acquired 604.83-acre property along U.S. Highway 1 into the City’s authority. This space was obtained by the Toombs County Development Authority in September for the creation of additional industrial space and is the largest industrial park in the county’s history. Currently, the Authority, alongside government and utility partners, are working on the development of the site as they create transportation and utility infrastructure to meet anticipated future industrial demand. The park will include multiple property types, including spaces built-to-suit and speculative development.

Transfer of Property

Councilmembers also passed a resolution to gift several properties owned by the City of Lyons to the Lyons Development Authority to continue to work to grow economic development in the area. These properties include 0.83 acres on North Washington Street, 0.30 acres on the corner of North Hall Street and Georgia Highway 292, 0.55 acres on the corner of West Oglethorpe Avenue and U.S. Highway 1, and 0.39 acres on the corner of North Hall Street and Georgia Highway 292.

Rezoning

A proposal to rezone a 1.6-acre lot on the corner of South Victory Drive from R-1 (residential) to C-1 (commercial) was unanimously approved to allow Montfort Rentals LLC to build a commercial restaurant space.

Alcohol License Exception Because New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday, during which businesses are normally unable to sell alcohol for consumption on the business premises, the Lyons City Council approved the creation of a one-time Sunday alcohol license.

This license will allow businesses to sell alcohol to be consumed on their property from 12:30 p.m. until 12 a.m. on Sunday, December 31. These permits cost $100 each to sell wine, beer, or malt beverages, while licenses for distilled spirits sales and consumption is $750 each. These permits must be obtained by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, for them to be legal.

Proclamation

Mayor Willis NeSmith Jr. presented an official proclamation to deem No- vember 5, 2023, as Retired Educators Day in the City of Lyons. During this proclamation, he explained, “Whereas the Governor of the State of Georgia has proclaimed the day of Sunday, November 5, 2023, as Retired Educators Day in Georgia; and whereas there are more than 142,000 retired educators in Georgia, 32,000 plus of whom are members of the Georgia Retired Educators Asso ciation; and whereas the retired educators of Georgia donate thousands of hours of volunteer service and make invaluable contributions to the welfare of their respective communities across the state; and whereas it is appropriate that a day be designated for citizens to express their appreciation for the contributions that retired educators have made and continue to make for the betterment of human lives and society; and whereas local churches will recognize those lasting contributions made by retired educators in this community; now therefore, I, Mayor NeSmith, do hereby proclaim the day of November 5, 2023, as 'Re tired Educators Day,’ and I call upon the citizens of Lyons to observe that day in an appropriate manner honoring retired educators.”

Several retired educators from the Toombs County Retired Educators Association were present for the meeting, and were commended by the Mayor for their time in the classroom.

Upcoming Events

City Manager Jason Hall reminded the public of several upcoming events: November City Council work session – Tuesday, November 28, at 6 p.m.

Lyons Christmas Parade – Friday, December 1, at 6 p.m. Winter WonderLyons – Saturday, December 2, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

December City Council Meeting – Tuesday, December 5, at 6 p.m.

Congratulations

Mayor NeSmith offered his congratulations to upcoming Ward 5 City Councilman Drayton Oliver, who recently won the municipal election for the seat on November 7. Oliver thanked NeSmith for his kind words, as he emphasized his excitement to serve on the City Council this upcoming term.