Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Madison City Commission heard an update from Benji Read, with Twin Oaks Juvenile Development. Twin Oaks bought the "Blue Building" on Pinckney Street from the county with the plan of turning the building into a manufacturing plant. When construction on the building began, it was discovered that the building would have to be completely leveled and rebuilt. Once operational, the manufacturing plant located at this site will build structural innovative panels (SIPs) for use in building construction. The type of SIPs that will be made at the Madison site show great potential in terms of meeting the need for affordable housing in the U.S. In terms of apartment building construction, these SIPs not only provide an effective firewall, but they eliminate noise as well. It is hoped that Twin Oaks will be able to start testing the SIPs in the coming weeks. If all goes according to plan, Twin Oaks hopes to start hiring workers for the plant around the beginning of 2021. Eventually, it is expected that Twin Oaks will employ around 50 full time workers at the Madison site. Read said they had plans to work with Career Source of North Florida and hold a Job Fair when they are ready to begin hiring.
The commissioners also approved, on the second reading and public hearing, Ordinance Number 2020-06. This ordinance specifies the minimum offstreet parking requirement parking spaces required for various entities such as: churches and other houses of worship; golf courses, country clubs and racquet and tennis clubs; cemeteries and mausoleums, etc.
A continuing contract for professional services between the City of Madison and Kimley-Horn and Assoc., Inc. was adopted. Kimley-Horn provides consultancy work related to site planning, design and site permitting; design services; geotechnical services; etc.
City Manager Jerome Wyche gave a report to the commissioners. Among the items Wyche covered was the E.R. Scott Street project. The project is nearing completion with stripping and signage being all that remain. The College Loop road project has been delayed, due to the crew being placed in quarantine after a member of the crew tested positive for the coronavirus. Plans for the re-dedication of the city's fire station are moving forward. It has been proposed to name the station after long-time Fire Chief Raymond Pinkard. Wyche also informed the commissioners that the city has been in conversations with Brian Faircloth, from the Madison Golf and Country Club. Faircloth has expressed an interest in expanding the current golf course from a nine-hole course to a full 18-hole course. Wyche stated that Faircloth is particularly interested in property that is co-owned by the city and the county. The county has not been approached about this as the plan is still in its preliminary "information gathering" phase.
The commissioners approved an employment agreement with the current City Manager Wyche. The current salary for the city manager is $69,475. Wyche provides his own health insurance, which saves the city approximately $12,000 per year. A motion was made and accepted to raise the city manager's salary to $71,000 per year.
There was discussion among the commissioners regarding a resolution to apply for a grant through the Suwannee River Water Management District Springs Program. The purpose of this grant would be for a program which would convert the Yellow Pine sub-division from septic to sewer. The deadline for the grant application was Tuesday, Dec. 15. If the grant for the city is approved, the city would be under no obligation to move forward with the project. Commissioner Judy Townsend expressed concern over the added expense to the residents of the Yellow Pine area, should they convert to sewer from septic tanks. Townsend also noted that the Yellow Pine neighborhood is located in the county and not in the city. "[The] county doesn't meddle in our business, we shouldn't meddle in theirs," said Comm. Townsend. Edward Dean, who has been helping the city with grant applications suggested that should the state require conversion from septic to sewer, this would be an opportunity to obtain assistance with that expense. Assistance may not be available at a later date. The commissioners voted 4-1 to move ahead with the grant application, with Comm. Townsend casting the dissenting vote.
The next meeting of the Madison City Commission is set for Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.