At the Macon-Bibb County Commission Meeting on November 6, Cameron Pennyback led the invocation prior to the meeting. He drew attention to the need for unity following the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Our Pledge of Allegiance was led by 4H students CarMekia Sutton and Jonica Hill.

Dr. Christopher Blake, President of Middle Georgia State University, invited the commission and the public to a series of events recognizing and honoring veterans on the 100th anniversary of the end  of World War 1. There will be a ceremony at Coleman Hill downtown on Monday, November 12.

Mayor Pro Tem Al Tillman spoke about the start of our annual Mayor & Commissioners Christmas Motorcade. It’s a drive to gather funds and items for adults with mental challenges and other disabilities. Click here to learn how you can get involved and help those in need. For Macon-Bibb County employees, if you donate you’re entered to win a $100 Visa gift card.

AGENDA ITEMS

Commissioners voted down a measure that would have limited public comments at commission meetings to three minutes per person. The time limit will remain at 5 minutes.

Commissioners voted to expand the duties of Health Care & Retirement Benefit Committee to include making recommendations on plans, monitoring processes, and helping with wellness programs. Read more about it here.

$245,000 in Blight Bond Funds and $315,000 in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax) funds will pay for improvements at the West Macon Baseball fields.

There’s a plan to demolish ugly and worn down structures across the community. Commissioners approved a Demolition Priorities List to begin that process. You can read more about the blight elimination here.

Several grants were approved to help the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Click each link for more information.

• $155,504 Victims of Crime Act Continuation from Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) for the Solicitor’s Office
• $101,341 Victims of Crime Act Continuation from Georgia CJCC for District Attorney David Cooke’s Office
• $65,351 FY18 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the BSO & Bibb County Drug Court

Also, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office now has an official Open Records Officer. You can read about that position here.

Commissioners approved $40,710 in SPLOST funds for recent improvements at our Historic Bowden Golf Course. Recently, Bowden Golf Course reopened after being closed for months for a major overhaul. Click here to watch a livestream of the ribbon-cutting, and click here to see photos from the day.

Commissioners approved the Macon Tennis Association to serve alcoholic beverages at the John Drew Smith Memorial Tournament on November 7.

Macon-Bibb Commissioners approved the transfer of a 2.33 acre property at 181 Lower Bay St (near Vehicle Maintenance facility) to the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority.

The Commission approved using Eminent Domain to acquire 1454 Telfair Street in order to create a greenspace park for public use & other improvements.

The Board approved $268,016.65 in voter-approved SPLOST funds for sound system upgrades at the Macon Coliseum.