Council recognizes Corporal Van Arflin

Perry Police Chief Steve Lynn, joined by Mayor Randall Walker, presented Corporal Van Arflin with a plaque from the Georgia Chief’s Association at Tuesday night’s meeting of Perry city council. The plaque served as a token of appreciation for Arfin’s dedication and efforts to the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. As a certification manager, Arflin helped to rewrite standards that have now been adopted.

“I know you are very proud of your work, so thank you very much. I appreciate what you do everyday to keep us safe,” Walker said.

Council approved a resolution that amended the Perry Fee Schedule. This resolution made changes to the rates regarding the raise of rental fees for the Perry Arts Center—which was a condition in the creation of a building custodian position within the city—as well as a reduction in water and wastewater consumption fees for industrial users that are required to pretreat entering or retreating water. City Manager Lee Gilmour explained that industrial users might be required to treat incoming or outgoing water, which can be costly. Because this process is expensive, as well as beneficial to the city, it is Gilmour’s belief that a slight reduction to those fees could prove to serve as an incentive for industry to come to the city. He also noted that the reduction would have a minimal effect on the overall fee schedule, stating that the city’s industrial load is small.

The subject of the Perry International Festival was also discussed. The festival is slated to be held March 21, in the downtown district, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Assistant City Manager Robert Smith said the event would present the need for several road closures, and asked that council approve. Smith said that the closures would include roads such as Carroll Street from Marion to Washington, and Ball and Jernigan Streets from Commerce Street to Main Street. These roads would be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Council approved the application for this special event unanimously.

Council also voted Tuesday to table the issue of a crossing guard to service the busy intersection in front of Matt Arthur Elementary School. Mayor Walker shared that he spoke with Houston County Board of Education Superintendent, Dr. Mark Scott, about the issue. According to Walker, Scott said that the Board of Education has an in-depth process that is used in these types of instances and that he asked that council take no action until the Board had the opportunity to exhaust that assessment. Walker also said that the Board is aware of the situation and has expressed potential plans to rectify the situation, citing a possible two-lane road to be installed in place of a parking lot.

Battalion Chief Kirk Crumpton asked council’s permission to apply for a grant that would aid in the purchase of 80 replacement protective hoods, which protect firefighters from fire by products such as carbon. This grant comes from a tax placed on fireworks sales in the state of Georgia. The total cost for the equipment would be $7,120, which would also need to be matched with a 10% contribution from the city. Council unanimously approved Crumpton’s request.

In other business, Mayor and council approved two appointments to various boards. Trish Cossart was appointed to the Main Street Advisory Board, as the nominee from the Perry Merchants Association. To the Housing Authority of the City of Perry, the appointment of Phyllis Ingram—who serves as the Housing Authority Resident Board Commissioner, as well as a resident of the Housing Authority—was renewed.

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