PIEDMONT – Under the direction of Mayor Pro Tem Greg South, who was filling in for Mayor Bill Baker’s absence, the Piedmont City Council passed two resolutions and adopted an ordinance at Tuesday’s council meeting. One of those resolutions concerned a settlement with Low Life Construction for $34,000 for the completion of the downtown gazebo project.
The council and Low Life Construction have been at odds concerning the payment amount for the project. At its Dec. 15, 2020 meeting, the council offered to pay $33,000 for the job after council members looked at invoices provided to them, which totaled $16,465.88. Low Life Construction representative Dallas Whorton asked for $43,060. Low Life later counter offered back to the city the amount of $36,000.
The other resolution the council passed at Tuesday’s meeting concerned the authorization of the purchase of natural gas from the Southeast Energy Authority. The resolution approves the execution and delivery of a gas supply agreement relating to purchase, and consents to the assignment of certain obligations under the agreement in connection with the issuance of bonds by the Southeast Energy Authority.
Water, Gas and Sewer Manager Byrian Watts spoke to the council in more detail about the agreement in its work session.
“We would just buy it (gas) cheaper,” Watts said. “If we had this right here, we’d be paying 30 cents less, whatever the market is. It’s a win-win situation. We’re not risking anything.”
District 3 councilman Jubal Feazell made a motion that all savings associated with the gas supply agreement be earmarked specifically for the Piedmont Water, Gas and Sewer Department. The motion was unanimously approved.
Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency Representative Myles Chamblee also spoke to the council concerning emergency alerts for severe weather during its work session.
The council adopted an ordinance concerning the donation of an access road behind the Mapco Convenience Store that intersects Highway 9 and Highway 278. The city agrees to take ownership and maintenance of the road from Lin Latta, President of Farmers and Merchants Bank.
In other business, Adam Holcomb was approved for appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board. Bills for payment totaling $437,339.45 and minutes from the previous meeting were also approved.
The next council meeting is scheduled for March 2.