Incumbents sworn in during first meeting of 2024
The Madison City Council awarded a contract to low bidder Garrett Paving Company for resurfacing of local streets and associated repairs during the regular meeting held on Jan. 8.
The city will pay the paving company an amount not to exceed $427,366.20 for the work, which includes improvements to the following streets:
• Jones Alley from Academy St. to Main St.
• Madison Ave. from E. Jefferson St. to Vine St.
• 1st St. from W. Washington St. to W. Jefferson St.
• North Ave. from Main St. to 5th St.
• Thomason St. from Main St. to the railroad
• Reese St. from Main St. to Academy St.
• Burney St. from Main St. to the railroad
• Eliza Morris St. from Garnett St. to Pearl St.
• Penor St. from the southwest end to E. Washingon St.
Madison’s Director of Transportation Aaron Wadley said he had reviewed the bid with those familiar with the contractor and found them to be a reliable company.
The city council also approved a site plan amendment for a Planned Residential Development (PRD) called Town Walk which was created in 2006. Three houses were built within the development adjacent to 5th St. and the Madison Railroad Depot that year, but no residential construction has occurred since, according to Bryce Jaeck of the city’s planning department.
Developer Sandy Sanford wants to take out duplexes that had been included in the original plan and replace them with single-family homes, a move that will reduce the total units from 34 to 29.
Jaeck said the Madison Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the amendment unanimously District 2 Councilman Eric Joyce expressed concerns about the appearance of the houses since little information was included in city documents about design.
However, city planner Monica Callahan said the final subdivision permits would address design concerns.
Sanford, who has received a preservation award from Georgia Trust, told the council that he wasn’t going to build anything the city wouldn’t be proud of.
Mayor Fred Perriman said he was happy to see the development renewed.
“It’s going to make the area look so much better,” Perriman said.
The council also voted to impose a moratorium on zoning applications involving industrial zoning for the next four months while policies are being reviewed.
The first 2024 meeting represented the first for new city clerk Deborah Gilbert who is replacing Ashley Hawk who had served in that position since 2015.
Housekeeping items
Three of the city council members were sworn in by Probate Judge Charles Merritt for new terms after the 2023 election, which was canceled when no candidates qualified to oppose incumbent candidates Rick Blanton, Carrie Peters-Reid, and Ed Latham.
The city also made appointments and reappointments to public service boards: Cemetery Stewardship Commission – Pam King (term expires June 30, 2026).
Corridor Design Commission – Himanshu Bhatwala, Leslie Clark-Jones, and Robert McAlister (terms expire Dec. 31, 2025).
Historic Preservation Commission – Zeb Grant, Austin Pugmire, John Roby, and Michael Raymond (terms expire Dec. 31, 2025).
Planning and Zoning Commission – Terri Hurt, Sherry Terrell, Robert Trulock, and Kendra Wyatt (terms expire Dec. 31, 2026).