The Piedmont City Council has approved a bid in the amount of 145-thousand 500 dollars for improvements to gas lines in the city.

That low bid was submitted by T.J. Construction.

Mayor Bill Baker, who also gave a report regarding a recent work session involving the council, the Piedmont School System and officials with ITS, which is the wireless internet provider for the City and its school system.

The City has been allocating to the school system, derived from ITS leasing the fiber optic cable from the City; the lease amount is $6,500 per month which nets the City $250 to cover the cost of receiving the funds, depositing them into the bank and then writing the check to the School Board. However, all this goes away should the City choose to discontinue the ten year contract.

A vote on the matter is scheduled for the council’s February 4th meeting.

In other news from last night’s Piedmont City Council meeting, Mayor Baker was named the Piedmont Journal’s “Citizen of the Year.”

In addition to serving on the council for more than 20-years, Baker has had two stints as mayor. He has also been an active member of the community. Most recently, organizing the 1st ever Piedmont Polar Plunge to benefit local cancer through Venecia’s Foundation.