Centerville Mayor and Council met Tuesday for their regular council meeting. Due to the recent rise in positive diagnoses in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Centerville temporarily closed all of its government buildings to the public. This closure also resulted in Centerville City Council meetings being held “virtual until further notice,” based upon information posted to the city’s website. An announcement was also posted to the city’s official Facebook page where the meeting streamed in real time for public viewing and participation.
With no old business, new business kicked off with an announcement of which Mayor John Harley declared, “I’m so proud and happy of this proclamation declaring Tuesday, August 4, 2020, General John C. Kubinec Day in Centerville. This is something that we’re very proud to be able to do,” the mayor expressed just before asking City Clerk Krista Bedingfield to read the proclamation.
The wording shared was as follows: “Proclamation declaring Tuesday, August 4, 2020 General John C. Kubinec Day in Centerville, Georgia. Whereas General John C. Kubinec is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he received his commission in [1992]; and whereas General Kubinec served as Vice Commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Air Force Military Mission, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia from July 2011 until December 2011; and whereas General Kubinec served as Commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia from August 2016 until July 31, 2020; and whereas General Kubinec did distinguish himself in our middle Georgia community by integrating Robins Air Force Base activities throughout the region with many universities, schools and other institutions; and whereas General Kubinec has served his country with honor, dignity and integrity in the United States Air Force for 28 years; and whereas General Kubinec retired from the United States Air Force at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia on July 31, 2020; and whereas General Kubinec’s family has supported him as he served; and whereas General Kubinec’s daughter, Hanna, was previously made an honorary citizen of the city of Centerville, a presentation of a city coin and city key from Mayor John R. Harley; and whereas General Kubinec and his wife, Tanya, shall now be proclaimed honorary citizens of the city of Centerville; and now, therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and council of the city of Centerville hereby proclaim that Tuesday, August 4, 2020 is and shall be General John C. Kubinec day as a token of our recognition and appreciation of his and his family’s service to our country; so we resolve this 4th day of August 2020.”
Following the reading of the proclamation, Mayor Harley shared a written response from General Kubinec that said, “Please pass my profound thanks to the men and women of the city of Centerville for all they do for Robins Air Force Base and our great military. You live ‘Everyday in Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day’ through your actions, deeds and policies. It is a great honor to be recognized by your city, and I am humbled and grateful. My family and I look forward to continuing to be a part of the middle Georgia community.”
Another new item on Tuesday’s agenda pertained to the coronavirus relief fund (CARES Act). City Accountant Carol Harrison announced, “Tonight the mayor and council have the opportunity to enter into a grant agreement with the state of Georgia to receive grant funds through the CARES Act specific to coronavirus relief funds. These grant funds went directly from the U.S. Treasury to the state of Georgia. The Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia requested the state to share a portion of these funds with local governments that did not receive direct funding. Centerville’s phase one allocation of the coronavirus relief funds is $412,709. Centerville’s advance funding is $123,813 and will receive the balance in two ACH deposits upon submittal of documentation for eligible expenditures. Tonight,” Harrison concluded, “we are asking mayor and council to present a motion to enter into this grant agreement with the state of Georgia and accept those terms and conditions.”
Council unanimously approved of this request.
A public hearing regarding the financing of the acquisition, construction and installation of the new Centerville fire station called for Mayor Harley to temporarily close the council meeting and open a public forum. City Accountant Harrison explained that the fire station project is to be financed through an installment sell agreement between GMA (lessor/seller) and the city of Centerville (lessee/purchaser).
“A notification of this public hearing was placed on the city’s website,” informed Harrison, “and was also advertised in the Houston Home Journal as required by law.” Harrison also mentioned that three questions regarding the matter came in from citizens that were answered, and the posted announcement and information received over 558 views.
During the time of the public hearing, no new questions or comments related to the construction of the new fire station were submitted through the live feed. After allowing ample time for the public to interact, Mayor Harley closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting. Per City Attorney Rebecca Tydings, there was no need for a motion on this matter.
Next on the agenda was the awarding of a bid for the sale of property Land Lot 112 of the Fifth Land District, 1.40 acres at 101 Miller Court, fire station project. Councilman Micheal Evans expounded that the property was for sale in conjunction with financing for construction of the fire station project. Evans recommended that council award the sale to GMA (Georgia Municipal Association), the sole bidder. This was unanimously approved by council.
The Center Park at Centerville monument sign was the next topic to be discussed. Director of Economic Development Kate Hogan shared documentation with council showing the quotes that had been received for the creation of the sign.
“This is a 22-foot sign similar to the City of Centerville sign in front of O’Charley’s at Watson and Margie Drive,” Hogan explained. “This sign will be placed on the corner of Center Park, and it will have the Center Park logo. We have two quotes: Best Signs and Sign Store. I just wanted to bring this to your attention as we begin to finish the final touches on Center Park,” she added. “City Accountant Harrison has indicated that it would be best for our audit if we go ahead and discuss this and authorize this with a funding source.”
Mayor and council unanimously agreed to authorize the Center Park budget as the funding source. It would also be the funding source for the final item on the night’s agenda: a change order request pertaining to Center Park at Centerville. Hogan described the $27,656.75 change order request as monies needed for expenses for overlooked final touches. A few of the items mentioned were no-touch soap dispensers, bug lights, high powered hand dryers and additional electricals.
City Accountant Harrison clarified that the Center Park budget being referenced for those expenses was Department 6200 of the General Fund; not Fund 215.
Following brief closing comments from each member of council, the meeting was adjourned.
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