Cochran City Council had a lot to handle at their monthly meeting held Tuesday night, a 14-item agenda. The entire meeting can be watched by going to
https://www.facebook.com/cityofcochrancityhall/videos/391612192244205/
Before the agenda was reviewed and passed, Yeomans announced the signing of a proclamation for National Fire Safety Month.
One of the items on the agenda was a public hearing on the millage rate. There were no submitted or public comments. The proposal was to pass a rollback rate of 10.383 mills, down from 11.267.
Yeomans said the rollback could be done because of the reassessment of city property. He said there was a risk of lower tax revenue because of assessment appeals which hadn’t been settled. Yeomans said with the new rate, one of the things could happen to a person’s property taxes. It could go down, remain the same, or increase based upon assessment issued by assessor’s office. The rollback rate was passed.
Fans attending this year’s Homecoming football game will have some extra entertainment once the final buzzer sounds. The council approved a request to hold a fireworks show following the game. City Council will send a hold harmless letter to the Board of Education.
In what was described as an effort to provide children something to do on Halloween, plus discourage door to door trick or treating, the city voted to approve a trunk or treat that will be held in the police station parking lot on Third Street. All children must remain in or on their vehicle, those handing out candy must wear gloves and masks.
COVID-19 has caused many things to be postponed or cancelled. One of the things cancelled will be the annual lighted Christmas parade. A motion to hold one was voted down 3-2. Council members Gary Ates and Keith Anderson voted for it. Members Jimmy Jones, Carla Coley, and Dwight Lemon voted against. Member Rufus Veal wasn’t in attendance.
The concern was regarding COVID, not being able to enforce social distancing or mask wearing. Those who would enforce social distancing would be busy working the parade. A point was made that football games are being held and could be seen as “super-spreader” events in response to concern by Coley about holding one in the parade. She mentioned CDC guidelines which recommend against holding large gatherings through Thanksgiving.
Yeomans commented that at a game he recently attended, there was no social distancing and little mask wearing. Coley said,” sorry, sorry, next year” after the vote.
Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution requesting the state legislature increase the hotel/motel tax in the city from five to eight percent. They also approved “traffic calming infrastructure” (speed bumps) for Sixth and East Peter Streets.
The vacancy on the Cochran Bleckley Rec. Department board was filled as council approved the appointment of Tonya Harris.
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