April 17--CORDELE -- Pending the governor's signature, Cordele's hotel/motel tax will increase from 5 to 6% July 1. City Commissioners approved the second reading of the amended ordinance Tuesday night.

Any changes to the ordinance also require state legislative action, and Rep. Buddy Harden had informed the city that legislators approved the tax increase. All it lacks now is the governor's signature.

Cordele officials requested the increased tax to fund a "quiet community" project. Additional signaling devices and crossings or median blocks will be installed at rail crossings on Midway Rd. and Greer St. so trains will not have to blow their whistles.

Previously, plans were announced to close portions of Wall and 8th Streets adjacent to the lot where the first Darton College building will be constructed at the intersection of 8th St. and 11th Ave. Now, Acting City Manager Edward Beach said Norfolk/Southern Railroad will be asked to donate land along the 8th St. corridor in conjunction with the Darton College master plan for creating green space on the campus.

Beach presented plans from Mediacom for rate increases which become effective May 1. A letter from the cable service provider explained, "outdated federal laws give the local broadcast stations monopoly power over network and syndicated programming within their respective market areas. Over the past few years, many broadcasters have used their monopoly power to demand 100%, 200% and even 300% rate increases during contract negotiations."

Senior Director of Area Operations Phil Skinner urged city officials to sign a petition asking President Obama for help. "Mediacom has taken the fight to Washington," he said. "We have asked the Federal Communications Commission and members of Congress to protect senior citizens, low-income households and rural residents from practices that are rendering pay television unaffordable for more and more Americans."

In May, Mediacom customers will begin paying a $2 local broadcast station surcharge, and the Family Cable rate will increase from $1.25 per month to $2.34.

In other business at the Tuesday meeting:

--Beach said bids for the Gateway project will be opened May 15 and presented for commission approval May 21. A Department of Transportation grant will allow the city to landscape and beautify each of the I-75 interchanges.

--Utilities Control Director Debbie Wright and her staff were commended for receiving the Platinum Award for water quality (8th consecutive year) and the Gold Award for wastewater (2nd consecutive year) from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

--On May 7, Beach said, city officials will hear the findings of a study conducted by Southwest Georgia United Inc. concerning acceptable uses for the former Boys/Girls Club property. Before any use of the property can be approved, however, the state Department of Community Affairs must be consulted. That agency was responsible for awarding a grant to build the building in 2005.

--New offices for the city manager and his executive assistant have been created in the downstairs lobby of City Hall, and officials approved the purchase of office furnishings from Murray Printing & Office Supply at a cost of $5353 which was the low bid.

--An application for the sale of beer and wine for consumption on the premises was approved for Occasions Event Venue and Catering Company at 112 24th Ave. W. Keiska Jones was the applicant.

--Three members of the Lake Blackshear Regional Library System board of trustees were reappointed to serve an additional three year term: Gabriella Dimery, Arleeta Henry and Benny Wade.

--Beach said an application for a OneGeorgia Equity Grant to assist Stella-Jones has gone for final review, but no award announcements will be made until June.

--The city has received its first TSPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax for transportation) distribution totaling just over $13,000, Beach reported.

--The acting city manager also explained that the city is awaiting EPD (state Environmental Protection Division) approval to begin spraying for mosquitos with a truck. Aerial spraying has begun, he added. To help control the mosquito population, Commissioner A. J. Rivers asked that residents do their part to get rid of standing water on their property since that is where mosquitos breed.

--With 2/3 of the fiscal year completed, Beach said revenues are exceeding expenditures by $900,000. Revenues are 4% above budget, and expenses are 10.7% under budget.

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