Lyons City Council Handles Regular Business
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The Lyons City Council handled a few pieces of regular business during their monthly council meeting on Monday, May 7.
During the meeting, the Council agreed to purchase property located at 250 West Avenue from Linda P. Bishop for $50,000. They also agreed to increase the compensation of the City Attorney from $150 per hour to $200 per hour to adjust to the current inflation. City Manager Jason Hall explained that this was an excellent price, as most governments paid $250$400 per hour for an attorney, depending on the level of staff needed for assignment.
Council members also agreed to move forward on hearings regarding several derelict or blighted properties in an effort to begin the process towards demolition. That list of properties may be viewed on the City’s website. Hall told the Council during his report that Code Enforcement Officer Chris Failla had resigned to move to Florida to be with his grandchild, and that his last day would be May 16. The City is currently accepting applications for this new position.
The Council also recognized several “workaversaries,” including Police Officer Harley Robertson – 1 year, Recreation Department Employee David Query – 1 year, Community Liaison Alysa Marsicano – 2 years, Police Officer Chris Morrison – 3 years, Sanitation Department Employee Robert Bryant – 4 years, Customer Service Representative Adela Santiago – 8 years, and Treatment Plant Department Employee Alan Edenfield – 9 years. Lyons Main Street Association Executive Director Daphne Walker shared a report of the success of the Tales From the Altamaha performances and Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby during the meeting. According to Walker, the Tales folk play featured 65 cast and crew members, sold 1,232 tickets, and averaged 165 attendees per show, raising a total of $20,000 in ticket sales. Ruth Fontaine was the winner of the Interview an Octogenarian contest, and her narrative will now be featured in next year’s production. Seniors Grace Hold (Toombs County High School), Ben Bennett (David Emanuel Academy), and Ansleigh Randolph (Montgomery County High School) each received the $1,000 Luray Sharpe Reid Scholarship for their dedication to the production over the past 4 years. As for the Soap Box Derby, 39 kids participated in the Super Kidz race, while 12 people took part in the Run What You Brung event. There were 39 total racers on Saturday, May 4 – 18 stock racers, 15 superstock racers, and 6 master racers. The event was a success even with a 3.5-hour rain delay, and ultimately, Isaac Pickles won the Stock Class, Taylor Copeland won the Superstock Class, and Alexis Head won the Master Class races.
The Juneteenth Committee reported to the Council that event planning was going well, with the only change being that no events will be held at the Ronnie A. Dixon City Park.
The next Council meeting is slated for Tuesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. in the Lyons Council Chamber at the City Hall.
