Tag Archives: Trash

Videos: Workshop 2, Lowndes County Comprehensive Plan Update 2025-11-17

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Update 2026-01-17: the next such Workshop is being rescheduled; we don’t yet know until when.

Update 2026-01-16: Power, water, and datacenters –Suwannee Riverkeeper 2025-11-17.

Very interesting discussions at the second Workshop on the five-year Update to the Lowndes County Comprehensive Plan. Datacenters, water, sewer, power, trash, accessibility, affordable housing, guiding development, and more.

The third Workshop will be this Monday Tuesday, January 20, 2026, about 6 PM, after the Work Session of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC), at 325 West Savannah Avenue, Valdosta, GA.

Update 2026-01-17: the next such Workshop is being rescheduled; we don’t yet know until when.

[Workshop 2, Lowndes County, Comprehensive Plan Update, Many interesting discussions, 2025-11-17]
Workshop 2, Lowndes County, Comprehensive Plan Update, Many interesting discussions, 2025-11-17

Suwannee Riverkeeper noted reliable power and water are needed for economic development, and AI datacenters could be a problem for that. Also, don’t assume just because the governor says we’re doing datacenters that they will expand everywhere. Remember the dotcom bust and how cheap PCs took over, then smartphones. Somebody will invent a much less expensive method of doing so-called artificial intelligence, a method that does not require huge datacenters. Meanwhile, there are natural limits on water, witness Barber Pool, fed by a spring that now hardly ever trickles. Continue reading →

Videos: 911 Center Award, Appointment to 7 Rivers RC&D, Network Hardware, and Solid Waste Franchises @ LCC Regular 2025-03-25

Once again the Special Recognition – E911 Center Award, this time up front, added several minutes to an otherwise brief meeting on a light agenda, for the Lowndes County Commission Regular Session Tuesday evening.

[Collage @ LCC 25 March 2025]
Collage @ LCC 25 March 2025

About 5.a. Seven Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker said he had asked the incumbent, Jake Price, who said Corey Milirons was a good candidate. So the Commissioners appointed him.

They approved everything else unanimously as well.

For the 6.b. Advanced Dispoal Services Residential Solid Waste Franchise Renewal, Commissioner Demarcus Marshall asked about price increases.

Answer from Kevin L. Beals: not-to-exceed price is already set to $25 back in 2023. Current cost is $20/month and neither franchisee is asking for any raise.

Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker asked if the two franchisees are aware they are not supposed to start collecting before 7 AM.

Answer: it’s in their agreement, and if they do, contact Mr. Beals to get them to stop.

In 7. Reports – County Manager – Chairman gave comments, County Manager Bill Slaughter said County Manager Paige Dukes was in Atlanta “clearing the path for us” to be recognized in the state House and Senate for the county’s 200th anniversary.

One Citizen was heard, 8. CWTBH – Brittany Bayshore 5630 Emily Lane Home School event invitation.

Below are links to each LAKE video, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the LAKE videos of the previous morning’s Work Session and agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request. Continue reading →

Videos: 911 Center Award, Appointment to 7 Rivers RC&D, Network Hardware, and Solid Waste Franchises @ LCC Work 2025-03-24

Update 2025-03-29: Videos: 911 Center Award, Appointment to 7 Rivers RC&D, Network Hardware, and Solid Waste Franchises @ LCC Regular 2025-03-25.

An additional item within another, 7. Reports – County Manager – recognition of 911 center award, added 4 minutes to an otherwise brief meeting on a light agenda, for the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning.

[Collage @ LCC 24 March 2025]
Collage @ LCC 24 March 2025

They vote this evening at 5:30 PM.

Below are links to each LAKE video, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also the agenda and the board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request. Continue reading →

Appointment to 7 Rivers RC&D, Network Hardware, and Solid Waste Franchises @ LCC 2025-03-24

It’s a light agenda for the Lowndes County Commission this week, with one board appointment, one request for replacement for various end-of-life network hardware, and renewal of the two solid waste franchises to Advanced Disposal Services and Deep South Sanitation. The only BUDGET IMPACT listed is $79,351.45 for the network hardware.

For the Seven Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. they will consider replacing retiring Jake Price, who is the UGA Extension Service county agent for Lowndes County, with Corey Millirons, who lists his Knowledge & Skills as “Agricultural, common sense & desire to improve community”.

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request is on the LAKE website.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Videos: Solid Waste Franchises, Roads, Water Main, Hospital Revenue @ LCC Work 2024-03-25

Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk made a rare appearance to answer questions about the Speed Zone Ordinance, at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning.

The longest item was 7.d. Georgia County Internship Program Grant for Summer 2024 Grant Period at three and a half minutes. Commissioner Joyce Evans had some questions, which were mostly inaudible.

Second longest was 4. Georgia 811 Safe Digging Month Proclamation, at more than two minutes.

County Manager Paige Dukes mentioned that people were getting frusted with Deep South Sanitation Advanced Disposal Services (ADS) customer service since it was moved upstairs to Waste Management. However, she had no suggestions for changes this year to the 7.f. Advanced Disposal Services Residential Solid Waste Franchise Renewal.

Instead of her Reports, the County Manager requested an executive session to discuss real estate transactions, and they moved into that session.

The Lowndes County Commissioners vote tonight at 5:30 PM.

[Collage @ LCC 25 March 2024]
Collage @ LCC 25 March 2024

Gretchen remarks about 7.b. Purchase of Property on Harbin Circle from Second Harvest, Continue reading →

Packet: Solid Waste Franchises, Roads, Water Main, Hospital Revenue @ LCC 2024-03-25

The two solid waste collection company franchise agreements are up for annual renewal, at the Lowndes County Commission. This time there are no changes except for dates.

Engineering is publishing a revised Speed Zone Ordinance, incorporating streets in Valdosta and Remerton.

[Packet: Solid Waste Franchises, Roads, Water Main, Hospital Revenue @ LCC 2024-03-25]
Packet: Solid Waste Franchises, Roads, Water Main, Hospital Revenue @ LCC 2024-03-25

Lowndes County Utilties is apparently getting a better price for running a sewer line on Holly Lane by doing it the same time as the Golden Oaks Subdivision installation.

That and other items run up almost a million and a half dollars this session.

Cost What
$1,082,688.00Bid for Quantity of 25 – 1/2 Ton Trucks for Various County Departments
$161,500.00Purchase of Property on Harbin Circle from Second Harvest; Short-term
$76,200.00Bid for Quantity of 60 SCBA Cylinders for the Fire Department
$63,176.00Coleman Road NW Right of Way Purchases
$42,652.50Golden Oaks Subdivision Force Main Change Order
$140.00Hospital Authority Revenue Certificates (TEFRA)
$0.00Deep South Sanitation, LLC, Residential Solid Waste Franchise Renewal, April 1, 2024
$0.00Hospital Authority Revenue Certificates
$0.00Advanced Disposal Services Residential Solid Waste Franchise Renewal, April 1, 2024
$1,426,356.50Total

Here is the agenda.

The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website.

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor

Continue reading →

Packet: Lead Service Line Inventory and MCWTP Micro Screen, Lakeland Ave. Stormwater, New water wells @ VCC 2024-01-25

The board packet for tonight’s Valdosta City Council meeting, full of wastewater, stormwater, and trash items, is on the LAKE website, all 137 pages of it.

The packet includes some details about the proposed Lakeland Avenue Regional Stormwater Facility, which is item 5.c) on the agenda.

[Collage, Valdosta City Council Packet 2024-01-25]
Collage, Valdosta City Council Packet 2024-01-25

If you can’t attend in person, you can watch it on facebook live on Valdosta, A City Without Limits.
https://www.facebook.com/CityofValdosta

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Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/donate

Agenda: Lead Service Line Inventory and MCWTP Micro Screen, Lakeland Ave. Stormwater, New water wells @ VCC 2024-01-25

Update 2024-01-25: Packet: Lead Service Line Inventory and MCWTP Micro Screen, Lakeland Ave. Stormwater, New water wells @ VCC 2024-01-25.

Tonight’s Valdosta City Council agenda is full of wastewater, stormwater, and trash items.

[Agenda, Valdosta City Council, 2024-01-25 and Lakeland Avenue map]
Agenda, Valdosta City Council, 2024-01-25 and Lakeland Avenue map

If you can’t attend in person, you can watch it on facebook live on Valdosta, A City Without Limits.
https://www.facebook.com/CityofValdosta

Here is the agenda.

[Agenda, Valdosta City Council, 2024-01-25]
Agenda, Valdosta City Council, 2024-01-25
PDF

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE VALDOSTA CITY COUNCIL
5:30 PM Thursday, January 25, 2024
CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Continue reading →

Videos: Animals, Juveniles, Golf Course, Subdivision infrastructure, solid waste, and alcohol @ LCC Regular 2023-04-25

The Lowndes County Commission breezed through approving everything unanimously two weeks ago.

There was some further discussion in Reports about the county taking over management of the Moody AFB golf course and some other items.

[Collage @ LCC 25 April 2023]
Collage @ LCC 25 April 2023

Then in Citizens Willing to Be Heard, Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Hall spoke about changes in state law regarding animal control, including about what counts as a breeder. And it is now unlawful to tether animals during inclement weather or mental distress, but that is not being enforced. She recommended Lowndes County revise its local animal control ordinance to be in line with the noise ordinance.

She recently learned the county was budgeting $7 million for a new animal shelter. She said there was much lower hanging fruit than that, such as updating the ordinance to use ideas that work elsewhere.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also Continue reading →

Videos: Juveniles, Golf Course, Subdivision infrastructure, solid waste, and alcohol @ LCC Work 2023-04-24

Update 2023-05-08: Videos: Animals, Juveniles, Golf Course, Subdivision infrastructure, solid waste, and alcohol @ LCC Regular 2023-04-25 2023-04-25.

Surprise housing!

Two weeks ago, the longest regular business item at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session was 6.a. FY2024 Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant, mostly because Judge Council wanted to mention a first quarter success rate of 86%, and a second quarter success rate of 79%.

Also taking more than a minute were 6.b. Quiet Pines Golf Course Agreement for Lowndes County to operate that course for Moody AFB, and the alcohol license for Twin Lakes Club & Grill, for which they went through various scenarios requiring a new license.

[Collage @ LCC 24 April 2023]
Collage @ LCC 24 April 2023

Unscheduled under 7. Reports was a seven-minute surprise report on affordable housing. Mark Stalvey from the Housing Authority and Rhett Holmes from IDP Properties (the low income housing tax credit developer) gave a presentation on a new development at the corner of South Troupe Street and Griffin Ave. They are working on a phase two and asked for financial support in the form of $1,000,000 low interest loans. Similar to Freedom Heights on Bemiss Road which is both market rate and rent controlled units.

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item, with a few notes by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.

See also Continue reading →