Perry City Council passes urban camping ordinance

PERRY, Ga. — At Tuesday’s meeting of mayor and council, Brooke Newby, city attorney, shared the second reading of an ordinance relative to “Urban Camping and Improper Use of Public Spaces.” She discussed the potential addition of a new Section 17-65 to the city code.

“In order to address the urban camping that’s currently going on in the city and to protect the public areas, parks and streets within the city, this would establish the definition of ‘camping,’” Newby said. “It would establish a definition of ‘public areas,’ ‘storing personal property,’ ‘inappropriate use of public area’ and ‘interference with ingress or egress.’

“It also establishes ‘prohibited acts’ that would not allow anyone to camp, as it’s defined, within a public area. It also prohibits the use of private property. It requires a warning to be given to anyone found in violation of this ordinance. They would have to be given a warning prior to being issued a citation or being arrested for a violation of this section. It also provides a section for dealing with abandoned personal property, that the police would be able to give notice, and then also after that posted notice, to be able to remove and then later dispose of the abandoned personal property as they would confiscated personal property.”

Council unanimously approved the ordinance. Read the ordinance by viewing Pages 60-62 of the Dec. 6 council meeting agenda file at perry-ga.gov/escribe-agendas-minutes.

Robert Smith, assistant city manager, presented the 2022 International Economic Development Council Silver Award for real estate, redevelopment and reuse, recognizing the Muse Theatre.

“This [award] is for bringing back the Muse Theatre and turning it into a viable business, a functioning space here in Downtown Perry,” Smith said.

He mentioned the IEDC appreciated the collaborative approach the economic development staff, city as a whole as well as the building owners, took in utilizing three state programs to make the project happen: Georgia Cities Foundation, Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund and Rural Zone Tax Credit Program.

“We’ve gotten a lot of Georgia awards and things like that, but this is an international award, a silver award,” Councilmember Joy Peterson said. “And even though we don’t have the same economic development staff present at that time, that was quite an accomplishment for all of them.”

Leisure Services Director Sedrick Swan told mayor and council of success with three of the local football teams: 8U, 10U and 12U. On the weekend of Thanksgiving, the teams competed in a district tournament in Jones County.

The 10U and 12U were then able to compete in Carrollton this past weekend after winning at the district level in Jones County. 12U won 2nd Place in the region, and 10U won 4th Place in the region. 8U won 2nd place at the district level.

He added there are 531 kids participating in the youth basketball program this season.

Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Middle Georgia-Robins Air Force Base Sustainability Plan.

Council unanimously approved an agreement between the city and Francis Energy — contingent upon another grant involved in which Francis will apply — where up to four Level Three charging stations will be placed at 1211 Washington Street.

Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding for safety camera placement around the City of Perry. This should include 20 cameras in Perry, with another six to eight added by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office within the city as well.

Finance Director Mitchell Worthington brought forward two bids for sidewalk additions to run along the intersection of Ball Street and Tucker Road. His department recommended awarding the bid to Sam Hall & Sons in the amount of $225,795. Council unanimously approved the bid.

Worthington spoke on another sidewalk project on Main Street between Church in the Park and the location of the future VA facility. His department recommended awarding the bid to Plumbline Construction in the amount of $68,984.24. Council unanimously approved the bid.

Worthington then shared a bid regarding another sidewalk project running from Market Place to Sam Nunn Boulevard. His department recommended awarding the bid to Sam Hall & Sons in the amount of $341,350. Council unanimously approved the bid.

There were two bids to come through for a project to improve the grade at Sunset Avenue. The finance department recommended awarding the project to Griffin Grading & Concrete in the amount of $53,467.41.

Council unanimously approved the Perry Rotary Club to place two “little libraries” within the city: one in Creekwood Park and one in Rozar Park.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance to amend the FY2022 Operating Budget.

Community Planner Holly Wharton spoke on a special exception request to allow an expansion of church facilities at 2440 Hwy. 127. Council unanimously approved the request.

Bryan Wood, community development director, brought forward a request to modify the Land Management Ordinance authorizing the Main Street Advisory Board to adopt design guidelines for the downtown development overlay district. The Planning Commission recommended approval.

Wood also requested modifications to the Land Management Ordinance to establish minimum threshold for multiple fire access roads on residential developments and to establish lot drainage standards.

Interim Police Chief Alan Everidge introduced three new department recruitments beginning their academy training this coming January in Tifton: Bryan Hunter, Brandon Pointer and Noah Meacham.

Mayor Walker said the public is invited and welcome to attend the council’s public meetings. These are located at the Perry Events Center, 1121 Macon Road.

The next council work session will take place Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. The following day, the pre-council meeting will begin at 5 p.m., with the official council meeting following that at 6 p.m.

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