Here is a rundown of what happened at the Hampton City Council’s May 9 regular meeting.
The council approved the second reading of a conditional use permit allowing for congregate housing at a residence at 6 Lindsey Lane. The first reading passed 3-2 last month, and this time the vote in favor was 4-1.
City staff recommended that the conditional use approval be limited to assisted living personal care services provided by the current property owner and not be transferable to another person or entity. It would expire upon property ownership change or alteration to exclude homestead exemption and primary residency status for the current owner.
After being tabled in April, a resolution approving a professional service contract that would allow ADM to use the city’s wastewater system to dump its sewage was denied.
A request from the city’s Main Street program was approved to allow staging of the “Eats and Beats” summer event series scheduled for 5-9 p.m. the first Friday of June, July and August. Each event features music, food trucks, interactive vendors, small businesses and restaurants downtown.
Officials said that Main Street is partnering with the Police Department and Public Works to ensure safe and successful events for all vendors, attendees, and volunteers. Customers wishing to purchase alcohol from an existing downtown business with a city-issued alcohol license must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid ID.
A second-quarter financial update was provided by city staff, after which the council engaged in a discussion of proposed upgrades at McBrayer Park.
The council passed a resolution authorizing staff to submit an application for grant funding from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Land Water Conservation Fund Grant Program. It is a federal grant program funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior (National Park Service) and administered by DNR to be used to acquire land for parks, to develop outdoor recreation facilities, and/or rehab/renovate existing facilities in local communities throughout Georgia.
It works as a dollar-for-dollar match grant with the maximum request being $500,000 to be applied to a $1 million total project cost. City officials stated their desire to apply any awarded funds to the McBrayer Park improvement project.
City staff provided updates to the council on two major ongoing projects.
Recent accomplishments at East Hampton Community Park include the addition of playground equipment and more work on the trail, as well as curb/gutter and water/sewer. The project is being funded by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, SPLOST revenue, and park impact fees.
A pre-construction meeting for the planned Elm Street improvements took place late last month, and the mayor has signed a notice to proceed. The project should take six months and will likely affect more than 800 homes. Officials said multiple community meetings are planned to answer any questions, and there is the chance of a design change order at some point.
