At the Macon-Bibb County Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 7, several groups were honored or recognized for their contributions to the community. Five firefighters (four pictured above) were recognized for their actions at a large fire which burned two homes on High Street. Some of them were injured while battling the blaze. You can watch Mayor Reichert and Fire Chief Riggins’ remarks from the meeting at the 22:20 mark in this video.

At the start of the meeting, Martha Bowman United Methodist Church Senior Pastor, Reverend Mark Magoni, gave the invocation. SMART Students Faith Beloved Barnes and Shandrea Nicole Spencer led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Other recognitions prior to voting on agenda items were:

• The Mayor and Commissioners declared May to be National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and presented a proclamation to the Georgia Wellness & Fitness Festival.
• The Parks & Beautification Department was recognized for their hard work that led to Amerson River Park being named the 2nd Best Park in the Country!
• Commissioners voted to name an intersection after MIA military member, PFC James Roy Newberry. His family was in attendance, as well as other supporters, who presented Newberry’s family with a POW/MIA flag. The intersection of Knoxville and Bethel Church Roads will now be named after Newberry. Read more in this commission resolution.
• Commissioner Elaine Lucas was recognized for her recent ACCG Certification. You can read more about that here.

To watch any of these presentations, or the commission meeting in whole, click here.

Agenda Items
Commissioner’s approved the Macon Bright Program, to be operated by the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority. This is another tool which will be used to fight blight in our community, specifically commercial blight.

The board approved installation of new street lights. Click each item to learn more:

• Three lights on Fulton Mill Road
• 11 lights on Napier Avenue and Patterson Street
• One light at intersection of Chambers and Brookhaven Roads
• One light at 5940 Clayts Circle

Commissioners authorized an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for painting and maintenance of two bridges over Interstate 75, and an agreement for Mercer University to fund those services.

Local tennis legend Jaime Kaplan will work with our recreation department offering Tennis Consulting services. You can read more about the agreement in this resolution approved by board members.

Commissioners authorized the County Manager to hire IT firms or employees to help with workload in Macon-Bibb County IT Department.

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with DFCS to provide jobs, and skills training through the Georgia Teen Work Internship Program. 

Commissioners approved an ordinance changing the Solid Waste Department Organization Chart to add a certified Landfill Manager Position. 

Commissioners denied an ordinance which would have prohibited cinemas from obtaining liquor licenses.