A report on the water improvement grant status, a new business license issued, and a closed meeting were top items considered at the Climax City Council monthly meeting April 11.

Bob Roberson and Stacy Watkins gave a detailed report on the status of the Community Development Block Grant water improvement grant the city is seeking.

According to Roberson, the water improvement grant has been submitted. He said Watkins, the engineer for the city, had completed a water analysis, and the improvements needed for the city met the requirements as far as water quality and fire prevention needs.

Roberson said some of the water pipes were just about as old as they could be, dating back to 1913, and he said $360,000 was the amount of the grant applied for with the city matching $40,000.

The grant application went in on April 1, and he said the Department of Community Affairs would be in a review mode over the course of the summer. Roberson went on to say the council should hear something from the grant about mid-August. He felt Climax would be in “striking” range and had as good a chance of getting the grant as some others he had applied for. Of the 15 grants applied for he said he felt 13 were in this striking range and Climax was in that 13. However, he said, there were no guarantees.

“It is a wait and see now,” he said.

Ricky Parrish addressed the council about a business license for a car detailing shop. The council approved a license for detailing only at present with Parrish applying again for a food vending license later.

At the end of the open meeting a motion passed to close the meeting and enter an executive session for personnel issues.

After reopening the regular meeting, Mayor Charles Hadsock stated the council took no action nor votes in the closed meeting pursuant to the Georgia Sunshine laws.

He also announced that Police Chief Joel Jenkins told the council that he would be having surgery soon. With this announcement the city will be in need of part-time police officers for law enforcement in the city during the chief’s absence.

The mayor asked for a motion from the council to pass a resolution to cover any part-time police officers the city would acquire under workmen compensation. A motion passed unanimously.

Other business

Police Chief Jenkins reported $6,825 in fines, fees and etc. Several street signs need replacing according to the chief and he will provide a list to the council.

Fire Chief Jeff Kelly reported a slow month, even due to the dry weather.

The council is looking at another company for the water tank maintenance that would be less expensive with some better services. More information is needed before any decision will be made to change companies.

Handrails have been painted at the depot with one coat of paint. The status of selling junk items accumulated by the city is still being explored. Discussion about the improvements to the drainage ditch on Martin Luther King Drive continued with information from county road supervisor giving more insight as to what was needed about the ditch and a drainage pipe. The ditch will need to be rerouted and field dirt brought in with the pipe and fittings estimate at $8,000 to $10,000. A decision was postponed at present on the ditch.

GDOT proposal for resurfacing application has been submitted pending approval of 1 percent sales tax referendum in August of 2012.