On Tuesday, February 2, the Perry Council held their first biweekly meeting of February. Due to preventative measures taken by council in respects of the recent COVID-19 spike, this meeting was virtual. As of February 15, these measures will be rolled back, and council meetings will be open to the public once again.
First on the council’s agenda was the introduction of Ms. Jazmin Thomas, the new Downtown Manager for the City of Perry, presented by Assistant City Manager Robert Smith.
“Mayor and council, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Ms. Jazmin Thomas, our new Downtown Manager. She will be your eye and ears in Downtown Perry, and serve as a liaison between downtown property owners, business owners, visitors, work with the Downtown partners, all type of thing. She will be a primary staff point of contact for the Downtown Development Authority and the Main Street Advisory Board,” explained Smith.
Smith went on to sing Thomas’ accolades, noting her strong mix of private and public sector experience, as well as two degrees from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, one in Rural Studies, and the other in Agricultural Communications, as well as masters degree from Valdosta State, in Public Administration.
Thomas also took a moment to address the council, briefly thanking them for their warm welcome.
Mayor Randall Walker then addressed Thomas, speaking for the council. “We’re delighted that you chose Perry as a place to move back to and join the workforce. Thankfully, we have one of the best workforces and teams in the state of Georgia, if not in the Southeast.”
Moving on, the council also discussed multiple appointments to boards, authorities and commissions. Firstly, Billy Jerles will be taking the role of the council’s representative on the Perry-Houston County Airport Authority and was approved unanimously. The council also appointed Graham Lavender to the Perry-Houston Airport Authority, Rebecca Moody to the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Perry and Phyllis Ingram to Perry’s Housing Authority. All of these appointments were approved unanimously.
The council also discussed an ordinance to make a code amendment referring to Perry’s unified animal control. Recently, the council decided to move the management of Perry Animal Control from the Perry Police Department into Perry’s Public Works. This amendment would simply move certain responsibilities from the Chief of Police to the City Manager. As this was a first reading, the council made no decision.
Finally, the council made their decision pertaining a resolution of support from the Downtown Development Authority. Ashley Hardin, CECD of the Economic Development Authority, presented the resolution. When authorized, the DDA will use the funds, awarded to them by the Georgia department of Community Affairs, to construct a new mixed-use building, and will be, as currently planned, prepared for the use of Air BnB’s, as well as a restaurant on the lower floor. The council approved this resolution unanimously.
The council discussed various council member items, and then adjourned.
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