City adopts resolution for USDA-RD grant/loan

The Lincolnton City Council voted to approve a USDA-Rural Development (RD) grant/loan resolution for the purchase of a new garbage truck at its regular meeting held Monday, June 2.

Among those in attendance was Kathy Ross, area specialist with USDA-RD.

Ross explained that the loan amount is not to exceed $65,000. Using an interest rate of 4.653 percent for planning purposes, it was estimated that the city's monthly payments would amount to approximately $689 per month.

"The loan will be repayable over a period not to exceed 10 years from the date of closing, with the first payment due one year from the date of closing," explained the USDA-RD specialist.

Concerning the grant portion of the project, Ross said the USDA-RD is proposing to award an Economic Impact Initiative Grant to the city in an amount not to exceed $40,000.

In other comments, Ross pointed out that USDA-RD requires the city to establish a reserve fund. "The city will have to deposit 10 percent of the annual loan payment into the account until it contains a full annual payment ($8,266)."

If the grant/loan resolution is approved by the state USDA-RD director, the city should be able to advertise for bids later this month.

On a side note, Ross said, "We serve 21 counties in the CSRA and surrounding areas. So much of our service area was hit by tornadoes recently. Please keep these people in your prayers. Much restoration has been done, but there is still much that needs to be done."

In other business, the council discussed plans to petition the EPD (Environmental Protection Division) to lessen the restrictions on outdoor watering. At the present time, citizens are allowed to water their lawns, using a hose, for 25 minutes from 12 midnight to 10 a.m.

Stanley Parton, water superintendent for the city, pointed out that the number of North Georgia counties listed as experiencing Level IV drought conditions recently decreased from 61 to 55. "I don't know how they did it. The EPD said we couldn't drop the Level IV designation, but they did say we could petition for less stringent outdoor watering restrictions."

Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff said he thinks there is a good chance the EPD will lessen the watering restrictions on city and county customers.

In further comments, Superintendent Parton indicated that the EPD is no longer requiring the city to reduce water production by 10 percent each month. "This will allow us to pump more water without violating our permit."

The superintendent likewise reported that there was a sizable increase in water production for the month of May. "This was partly due to the fact that we flushed the entire city system. It was very much needed."

Total production climbed from 10.1 mg (million gallons) in April to 13.9 mg in May. It was further noted that the county purchased 5.3 mg of water from the city last month.

Also during the meeting, the council:

.. Received copies of a sewer ordinance for review. The ordinance, which is being required by the EPD, deals with grease abatement and other issues. The matter will appear on the agenda for the council's July meeting.

In related remarks, Mayor Biggerstaff reported on a recent meeting between city officials and the EPD to address issues stemming from a sewerage spill in the area behind Wallace-Wells Circle.

"The EPD said we have not fulfilled all of their requirements," said the mayor. "They may still come back and ask us to modify the wastewater treatment plant because of the nearby pond. From our viewpoint, if there were a spill, it would be better to put waste in the pond instead of the creek."

..Was informed by Superintendent Parton that H & H Industrial Maintenance is manufacturing a new container for the grit separator at the wastewater treatment plant for $2,250.

.. Heard the Zoning Department Report given by Mayor Biggerstaff in the absence of Zoning Administrator David Griffin, who was on vacation.

According to the mayor, the Zoning Department issued six building permits for a total of $242 and conducted 19 building inspections during the month of May.

Griffin's report also contained the status of various code violations being addressed by the city.

.. Voted to grant a 36-day extension of a request to rezone property, owned by Lincoln Square, LLC, from A-2 (Agricultural) to C-1 (Commercial).

.. Heard the Police Department Report given by Chief Jim Justice, who said his office received 220 calls for service last month.

"We are expecting the call volume to increase during the summer, which is normally our busiest time," said the chief.

He went on to pass along the Lincoln County Board of Education's appreciation to the city for providing officers to assist with the traffic flow at LCES. "It has made a tremendous difference," he said.

.. Agreed to seek additional bids for renovations to the kitchen at the Lincolnton Clubhouse.

.. Agreed to continue to search for a used dump truck for the water treatment plant.

.. Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that he wanted to meet with the members of the Public Utilities Committee to discuss the water account.

.. Voted to authorize the mayor to sign a lease-purchase agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) for a new truck for the Street Department at a cost of $15,955.87.

.. Voted to enter into executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken upon returning to regular session.

Councilman Guil Mattison reported that the group talked about ways to meet the budget by conserving on fuel and rescheduling personnel.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.