City Council discusses variety of ordinances Monday night

Athens City Council discussed several ordinances at their meeting Monday night, including the replacement of the Athens Community Center roof, a contract extension with Sunday Creek Horizons and the amendment of the 2022 Appropriation Ordinance.

One approved ordinance will allow Service Safety Director Andy Stone to enter into a contract that would replace the roof of the Athens Community Center. 

“I think this is more exciting than your normal roof project,” Councilmember Sam Crowl said.

The plan includes room for solar panel installation. In total, the replacement will cost up to $500,000 and the cost is broken into three separate projects, according to Councilmember Ben Ziff.

“The costs that are included in this ordinance, not only include a nice new roof for the community center but also some of the racking and ability to put solar panels which will happen in a different project in the very near future,” Crowl said. 

City Council approved another ordinance that authorized Mayor Steve Patterson to extend the city’s agreement with consulting firm Sunday Creek Horizons to create a remote work system. The ordinance authorizes an expenditure of up to $102,500, according to Councilmember Sarah Grace.

Crowl made a motion to suspend the rules on an ordinance for second reading that would amend the 2022 Appropriation Ordinance. 

“The reason being that one of the appropriations in this ordinance is for our income tax refunds and the auditor's office would like to expedite these,” Crowl said.

The suggested changes would put $100,000 towards income tax refunds; $16,000 for CONEX installation for police training, large cargo containers, and body camera kits; $55,000 for the parking enforcement fund, which would cover the cost of meter parts; $5,000 towards the garbage fund associated with medical transfers and an additional $47,000 to the garbage fund to cover increased fuel costs. The motion passed and the ordinance was approved. 

Another ordinance related to the 2022 Appropriation Ordinance amended the spending in other categories. The ordinance allotted $11,000 to go towards the tourism fund for additional payments to the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau.The ordinance also gave $6,000 to both the water and sewer funds to cover the Creative Microsystems, Inc. (CMI) annual invoice.

In other news, Santa Claus will make an appearance next Friday, Dec. 2, on Court Street and Washington Street.