Skip to content

Adel Council approves land swap for Ala. Road

Adel Mayor Buddy Duke called to order the Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, meeting of the Adel City Council.  

Members present were Mayor Duke and Council Members Terry McClain, Greg Paige, Walter Cowart, Celestine Hayes, and Jody Greene.

Others present were City Clerk Rhonda Rowe and City Attorney Tim Tanner.

Councilman McClain gave the opening invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Approval of minutes

Councilman Paige made a motion to approve the minutes of Dec. 5, 2022, as presented. Councilman McClain seconded with all in favor.

Alabama Road land swap

City Attorney Tim Tanner reminded the Council that this has been in the making for some time and that several months ago, city officials had worked on the land swap for Texas Road.  

The land swap for Alabama Road will follow the same process. “We had to acquire appraisals to be sure that what the City is obtaining is equal to or greater in value than what it is giving up,” Tanner said. “That has been completed.”

The City is getting eight-plus acres on Alabama Road and giving up four-plus acres. The City is getting $478,000 in value, as compared to the $49,000 in value it is giving up.  

“We are now ready to enter into the agreement to swap,” Tanner said. “This process will consist of checking titles, etc., and then will come back before the Council for permission to close on the property. 

“We have been running the ads in the local newspaper for weeks concerning the swap, as required.”

Tanner said he is not sure how long the title exam will take. He reviewed the exhibits in the agreement that identify the parcels. 

Tanner referenced a small sliver of property the City does not have possession of yet. “However, the DOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) may give that up, and if so, we’ve agreed to give that to (the Williams company) in exchange for the property they are giving us,” Tanner said. “We will also be getting property for a new pump station as well.”

There are a lot of easements, some of which are recorded and some not recorded, Tanner noted.

Language will be inserted that any easements cannot be removed before bringing the matter back for a final vote, according to the city attorney. He noted the city engineer would like to get started and planned to let the bids on Dec. 21.

“Obviously, nothing will be done until we get the property in the City’s name,” Tanner said.

Councilman Cowart made a motion to move forward with the real estate exchange agreement between Williams Investment Company and the City of Adel. Councilman Greene seconded. The decision in favor was unanimous.

Alcohol license renewals 

The Council was presented with three additional alcohol license renewal applications for 2023 and were from the following: Krina & Shiv, LLC; Alina Jian, LLC; and SRI Holiday Mart, LLC.

Councilman Greene made a motion to approve issuance of the renewal licenses. Councilman McClain seconded. All were in favor.

Alcohol license application (Bajrangbali 2307, LLC)

The Council was presented with an application for the issuance of a new license to Bajrangbali 2307, LLC d/b/a Adel Express, and located at 2302 W. Fourth St.

Following the payment of all fees and a successful background check, Councilman Greene made a motion to approve the license.  Councilman McClain seconded. The decision in favor was unanimous.

Request for use of Depot (Christmas Day dinner)

Rhonda Zackery submitted a request for the use of the Depot on Christmas Day for a Christmas Charity dinner from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.  

This was for any family in need of a Christmas meal. This dinner was established in 2004 in memory of Derrick Allen Sr., who passed away on Dec. 25, 2003. They have used the Depot for the past two years to better serve the community and been a huge success, feeding over 100 people.

Councilman Greene made a motion to approve the request.  Councilman Paige seconded. All were in favor.

Altheia Paige

Mrs. Paige addressed the Council, stating that she had previously came and brought pictures concerning several streets that are in bad need of repaving.  

She said she didn’t get a clear answer at that time, but City Manager John Flythe had asked her to get a list.

She said on South Maple Street, there is a pothole covered with a piece of steel and they have gotten much worse. She asked if ARPA (COVID relief) funds could be used to pave the streets, which include West Ninth to the Quitman Highway; South Maple, from Ninth to Seventh; South Railroad, from Seventh Street to the end; and the corner of West Eighth to the railroad on Ninth at the bend, before you turn to go across the railroad track.  

Mayor Duke noted that “we have an excessive list,” and asked that Mrs. Paige turn in the roads so they could be added to the list.  

Mrs. Paige asked if he was speaking of Bill and Lavind Streets, to which the Mayor replied, “No, those have already been approved.”

She asked if the list of roads he was referring to were part of ARPA funding and was advised no, they were not.  

In response to using any balance remaining in ARPA funds, City Clerk Rhonda Rowe advised the city staff would not know the balance remaining in ARPA funds until after all the $400 payment credits have been applied to utility bills. 

Celestine Hayes

She asked if the city clerk had an amount for her, to which she was advised it is printed and ready for her.  

Councilwoman Hayes said she had a text from Dr. Treva Gear that Dr. Gear wanted read, and asked if that was permitted.  

Mayor Duke said it was not on the agenda. Ms. Paige went through the process to be heard, he said, and he felt that if Dr. Gear wanted to be heard, she needed to go through the same process, just for proper procedure. However, it was up to the Council, Duke said.

Councilwoman Hayes said it was addressed to her and Dr. Gear asked her to read it. Councilwoman Hayes asked if the Council Members had an objection. 

Councilman Cowart said he did, and Councilman Greene added that “everybody could start sending text or emails for everybody to start reading, and we have a process that we normally follow.”  

There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned.

Leave a Comment