Centerville council approves repavement of Carl Vinson Parkway 

CENTERVILLE — Centerville City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Houston County Board of Commissioners in reference to the repavement of Carl Vinson Parkway during their recent council meeting on Tuesday, April 7.

During new business, Mayor J. Micheal Evans explained that this will start from Watson Boulevard to the north side of Elberta Road. 

Utility Superintendent Chris Coleman said the repavement is a large project. He said the city will use its full LMIG funding of $122,736.76. This also includes 30% of the LMIG match allocation, $36,821.03. The total cost of the project is $159,557.79. 

Coleman said the remaining balance will be paid by Houston County. 

Evans shared that he is excited about the project. He said the road is highly used and is thankful the county will contribute to its repairs.  

Earlier in the meeting, Evans proclaimed April as National Safe Digging Month. According to the proclamation, thousands of times a year, the underground infrastructure is damaged by those who do not have underground lines located before digging. This results in service interruption, environmental damage and a threat to public safety. 

In 2005, the Federal Communications Division designated 811 to provide contractors and homeowners a simple way to contact utility operators to request the location of underground lines at the intended dig site. 

Evans said the Houston County Utility Coordinating Committee is a stakeholder-driven organization dedicated to the prevention of damage to underground utilities in Georgia, promoting the National 911 notification system and Georgia 811 in an effort to reduce damage. 

The proclamation says damage prevention is a shared responsibility, and by using safe digging practices, contractors and homeowners can save time, money, and help keep infrastructure safe and connected. 

Evans encourages contractors and homeowners throughout the city to always contact 811 before digging. 

During council comments, Councilmember Velicia Lowe reminded the public that April is Child Abuse and Awareness Prevention month. 

On Friday, the city hosted its annual proclamation signing and ceremony. She said they recognize and support the efforts of the Advocacy Board to support abused and neglected children in the community. The next Centerville City Council meeting will take place Tuesday, April 21, at 5 p.m., at Centerville City Hall, 300 E. Church Street. A livestream of Tuesday’s meeting and supporting documents can be found on the city’s Facebook page.