Hickman City Commission accepts bid to re-roof City Hall

Hickman City Commissioners met July 26 for their second bi-monthly meeting at Hickman City Hall. Commissioners Alicia Esters, John Wiley Gannon, Robert Griggs, and Mayor Heath Carlton attended.

Discussion on bids for the Hickman City Hall was heard by Commissioners.

Two bids were received. One bid was well over the budgeted amount, and Commissioners voted to go with Stambaugh’s bid for $30,000.

The sanitation service contract will be expiring in the Spring and Commissioners voted to start soliciting bids from area providers.

Resolution 21-154 US Bancorp was heard and adopted, for financing police vehicles and public works equipment.

The first reading of Ordinance 21-120, increase on Cemetery fees was heard. Cemetery lots will increase from $350 to $500 for a 5x5 lot, and the permit fee will increase to $75.

The increase is part of the budget and the permit fee has not been increased since 1980.

“While reaching out to other towns in the area, the $75 is pretty standard and helps the cemetery to move toward to funding itself,” Commissioner Griggs said.

Municipal Order 21-22, creating an Interest-Bearing account for the American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARPA) was discussed.

“We received the first payment today of $272,942.79 and we have requested to find out exactly how it can be spent. We do have some rather large debts coming up and would like to help pay them. We will receive another check for this amount this time next year,” City Manager David Gallagher said.

The City Manager’s Report included Ag Day was a great success. It went really well and it was estimated 200 attended from financial, agriculture, and the distillery areas.

“Ben Rudy, Fulton County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, one of the organizers, said he appreciated the work crews for their help in getting downtown Hickman ready. They also cleaned up after the event,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher reported the water lines at the distillery are in place and they are looking for storage places.

Tokai has starting up and is running partially.

“I talked with Zito Media and haven’t heard back from them. If I haven’t by the end of the week, I will call them back,” Gallagher said.

During Commissioner’s comments, Commissioner asked about placing Malcom Caldwell on the Hickman Recreation Tourism Convention Commission (HRTCC) to fill the vacant slot.

Commissioners voted for Caldwell to join the HRTCC Board.

“The new equipment for Dispatch has arrived. We are waiting for it to be installed,” Commissioner Griggs said.

Hickman Chief of Police Tony Grogan said, “I am the President for Rotary this coming year and we have a couple of grants for playground equipment. With one grant we would like to place some playground equipment at the Floyd Keith Park. The other grant is different and need to find a different project for it.”

Mayor Carlton commented on the new restaurants in Hickman and said he wishes them well.