City Commission: potholes and police

The April meeting of the City of Madison Commissioners was held on Tuesday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. The commissioners discussed potholes, the 40 acres of land, located at 687 SW Industrial Extension, a policy on utility connections outside city limits, awarded a bid and discussed changes at the police department. The meeting started off with a public comment from James Register. He stated that he damaged his tire on a pothole while traveling down Lawson Street on December 23, 2014. He feels the city is responsible and wants the city to pay for his tire replacement. A claim was submitted to the city’s insurance company, Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, and the claim was denied, stating that the investigation showed no negligence on the city’s part. City Commissioner Marcus Hawkins requested that the 40 acres of land located at 687 SW Industrial Extension be put on the agenda to discuss the potential of placing the land out for bid. At a meeting on Feb. 10, 2015, the commissioners approved the sale of the 40 acres to Jimmie Ragans. At the March 10, 2015 meeting the commissioners voted to rescind the sale of the land. Two concerned citizens spoke to the commissioners about the land: Johnny Norris and Avena-Lyn Smith. Norris and Smith both own properties that are adjacent to the 40 acres. Norris asked the commissioners if they knew the history of the property or what the property is designated for. Neither the commissioners nor City Manager Tim Bennett could answer. He continued by saying that his property was flooded 30 years ago because of the city. “That property was designated through Suwannee River Water Management to the city for drainage,” said Norris. Norris urged the commissioners to look into the property before considering selling the property. If his property is flooded again, he will hold the city responsible, not the new owners. Avena-Lyn Smith’s property has an easement for the city to drain off their water, due to an agreement with the city and the previous owner. Smith states that the easement has lines to it and if the water goes over the line, she will have issues with flooding. “If the water starts rising because of whoever purchases this property does not have an agreement with you about where the water is going to go from there, I will be upset,” said Smith. Mayor Ina Thompson asked that more research be done on the property before they consider possibly selling the land. A policy on utility connections outside of the city limits was prepared by City Attorney Clay Schnitker that authorizes the City Manager to connect any single-family residence located outside city limits to city utility, provided certain criteria was adhered to. To be connected, the property must be adjacent or within 500 feet of existing city owned utility lines. The commissioners unanimously approved a bid to C&S Machine out of Thomasville, Ga. to repair the bar screen at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The bar screen is used to remove large objects such as rags, plastics bottles and solids from the waste stream entering the treatment plant. Currently, the employees must remove the items themselves. The bid stated that the project would not exceed $10,000. City Manager Tim Bennett informed the commissioners that six interviews have been completed in the search for a new Police Chief and another interview would be conducted on Wednesday, April 15. Bennett also informed the commissioners that three police officers have resigned from the police department and replacements have been hired. The replacements are: Tony Mashburn, Allison Bennett and Skylor Storm Deming. Bennett will start Thursday, April 16 and Mashburn and Deming will begin in two weeks.