Some 50 to 60 citizens turned out to see their city government in action at the October meeting of the Washington City Council Monday night, and saw action – or at least heard talk – on issues ranging from animal shelter funding to new police cars.

Mayor Willie Burns led the meeting, with city council members Earlene King, Pamela Eaton, Patricia Wilder, Anna Norman, Ray Hardy, and Nathaniel Cullars Sr. in attendance, along with city administrator Mike Eskew, city attorney Pete Kopecky, and City Clerk Debbie Danner.

The meeting was opened in prayer by former council member Rev. G.L. Avery.

Mayor Burns opened the floor to the first visitor set to speak. Judy Anderson, president of the Washington Wilkes Humane Shelter Association, rose to address the shortfall of operating funds for the shelter. The first reason for the shortfall was that the staff was increased more than the budget allowed. “The board thought this was okay, they thought it would work out because of donations and adoptions, but both donations and adoptions are way down.

Second, she said, “As we all know, gas prices have increased astronomically, and gas is needed for the vehicles, the shelter, and the incinerator.”

The third reason for the shelter shortfall, Anderson said, was an ex pense related to septic tank repairs.

In total, the shortfall through the end of 2005 amounts to $4,100, she said. The association had always absorbed the shortages in the past. “This year the association does not have this money.”

Anderson went on to say that the humane shelter association was a volunteer project that holds fundraisers through the year, including one Wednesday at The Christmas Shop, and a silent auction at the Pope Center in November. “We’d love to see you all there,” she said. “We do all we can to raise money as a non-profit.”

She concluded, “We feel that the shelter provides a needed service to the City of Washington and the county. The expense to manage and operate an animal control shelter would cost the city substantially more than what we’re asking for. You have needed our help in the past, and now we need your help. Thank you.”

Mayor Burns thanked Anderson for her comments and said, “We’ll take your recommendations under consideration.”

Anderson responded, “You know, I’ve never really known what that meant... ‘under consideration.’”

The mayor responded, “Come down to the office in the morning, and have a set-to with me and Mike Eskew, the city administrator, and we’ll work it out.” He and Anderson agreed who needed to be at the meeting and set the time.

Eskew reminded everyone present about the facts relating to the shelter’s septic system expenses. “We were asked by the shelter association – us and the county – to split on an equal basis a $4,000 improvement to the septic tank. The council, in an April meeting, approved that $2,000 expenditure. I understand that the bill was closer to five (thousand) than to four. I believe that is the issue.”

Jane Callaway representing Wilkes Telephone was next to speak. She spoke on the company’s pending telephone franchise agreement and how the company was doing a combined franchise agreement to include broadband services throughout the company’s threecounty area.

City attorney Kopecky told council members that a draft franchise agreement was being looked over now. “After we review it, then we send it up to GMA to review, and corrections are made, then council members get to see the corrected copies.”

Police Chief Mike Davis reported that the number of police calls was down 108 so far this year.

Next to address the council was Terry Tankersley of Pineview Estates, who passed out photos of erosion damage to his property that connected to a city right-of-way. He spoke for the residents of the subdivision about “the washing away of our property.”

“I’ve brought it to the attention of some people, but can’t get nothing done. So I brought these pictures, and I ask for your help, anything that can be done.”

Mayor Burns said, “Mr. Tankersley, the mayor, Mr. Eskew, and the streets superintendent went out there and looked, and in a few days you’ll be getting some help. The majority of the erosion is in the right-of-way and we’re going to take care of it. We’re going to clean the ditches, open up the drains, and lay padding across those ditches so the grass will grow back.”

Eskew pointed out to Tankersley that some work would have to be done to the embankment of his yard to reduce the steepness. “The engineer’s advice was to cut down the sheerness, make it more gradual, and replace that clay with some topsoil, and then put the matting down.”

The mayor made it clear that the city was not working in Tankersley’s yard. “Citizens, this is in the rightof way, this is not in his private property. I don’t want nobody thinking we’re going to come fix your yard – that ain’t what this is,” he said.

Council member Wilder spoke up about a similar problem on Recreation Drive. “We have water standing on the old railroad right-ofway… and we’ve talked to everybody on it and nobody wants to help.”

Eskew said that the county had a part to play in the problem and it was on their list of projects to tend to next

For Mayor’s Topics, Burns mentioned that the MEAG board of directors would be meeting in Washington October 19-20. The efforts of Mike Eskew, Anna Norman, and Patricia Wilder, he said, brought the meeting to Washington, and “it was a big plus” for Washington. “They’re going to bring their wives, and they’re going to shop, and play golf at the country club.”

Burns also announced that the city would host a training session of the Georgia Municipal Association Region 7 November 17.

Louise Maynard reported on Mule Day on behalf of the WashingtonWilkes Chamber of Commerce. Despite “days of rain,” she said, she could report that, by actual count, almost 2,000 people attended the Saturday event. She also reported that more than 40 children got to take a “Young Eagles” private airplane ride at the Fly-In at Washington Wilkes Airport the same day.

Council member Norman reminded attendees that First Baptist Church was sponsoring a free trick or treat event on The Square Sunday, October 30 for the community.

Council member Pamela Eaton reminded those present of the next Downtown Development Authority meeting October20 at 8:30 a.m. at Farmers State Bank.

September visits at the city-owned attractions were up, council member Patricia Wilder reported, with 134 visiting the Washington Historical Museum and 232 visiting Callaway Plantation. Gift shop sales were $344 at the museum and $879 at Callaway.

At his turn, city administrator Eskew commented on efforts to capture a certain chow dog that council members had received complaints about. The dog has not yet been trapped, he said, but they were narrowing down the dog’s roaming habits in an effort to do so. The dog does not appear to be aggressive, he reported.

Eskew also announced the closeout of a grant for blight removal for The Fitzpatrick Hotel would be October 26 at 10 a.m. It will be announced in the media beforehand, he said.

Further, Eskew sought approval of the previously reviewed and amended franchise agreement with Georgia Power. The council approved the agreement.

The council also considered the purchase of two police cruisers, an amount not to exceed $55,000, to replace wrecked units. The two units had been scheduled to be purchased in 2006, Eskew said, but the purchase was needed now.

Council member Ray Hardy asked about the status of another damaged police unit and was told it was repaired and back in service. The request to purchase police cars was approved with Hardy voting in opposition.

Following the city council meeting, there was a public hearing for a Brownfield Grant Application. A “brownfield site” is property, real estate, that might have the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant; and that presence might complicate the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of the property.

Linda Grimaldi, a representative from the RDC, said the grant money would allow any place in the city that might be polluted – former factories, gas stations, dry cleaners, etc. – to be tested. The program would be in two phases, and grants could total more than $500,000.

The grant program was described in detail, and one aspect has changed recently: with the permission of the owner, a potential land buyer can now have a property assessed for pollutants before purchase.