Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
On Tuesday, June 13, the Madison City Commission met in regular session at City Hall. During the meeting, Commissioners were presented with illustrations of a proposed public restroom and city information center for downtown Madison. According to Commissioner Ina Thompson, there is a great deal of support from downtown businesses and community members for a public restroom in the downtown Madison area. A possible location being considered for the restrooms is across from the Post Office, facing Pinckney St. It is anticipated the City would apply for $100,000 to $120,000 in grant money to fund the construction of the downtown restrooms. The restroom facility is one of the deliverables in the city's Competitive Florida Partnership Program Grant funded by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The Commissioners also received a report from the Madison Police Department (MPD). During the month of May, 2017, the MPD answered 2,434 calls. There were 33 felonies reported, and 45 misdemeanors reported. There were 15 felonies and 40 misdemeanors cleared during the month. There were 13 criminal citations, 158 non-criminal citations, and 136 warning citations issued during the month. There were seven traffic accidents within the city limits in the month of May, 2017. The Commissioners also received a report from Madison Fire Rescue. Madison Fire Rescue responded to 30 calls during the month of May, 2017.
The Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which consisted of minutes from previous meetings, a federally funded public assistance state agreement between the State of Florida's Division of Emergency Management and the City of Madison regarding reimbursement of Hurricane Hermine expenditures, award of surplus bids, and approval of Earnest Johnson to serve as the fifth member of the Board of Trustees for the Madison Firefighters' Pension Trust Fund.
Ewing Roofing was awarded the bid for repair of the fire station roof. The bid was at a cost of $24,742, which includes a 50-year limited warranty on the silicone roof coating.
The Commissioners discussed a suggested land transaction between the City of Madison and a local resident. The Commissioners took no formal action on this item.
The Commissioners passed an interlocal agreement between the City of Madison and Madison County regarding the City's Community Development Block Grant.
The Commissioners passed a revocable permit involving a city right-of-way.
Commissioner Cooks was selected to be the City's Voting Delegate at the Florida League of Cities Conference in Orlando, Fl. The dates of the conference are August 17-19.
An updated code enforcement report was presented by City Manager Tim Bennett.
Bennett presented the City's monthly financial report. Enterprise funds for the City remain above expenditures.
The next meeting of the Madison Board of City Commissioners is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.