Update 2022-06-27: Trash boom good; more needed –Suwannee Riverkeeper @ VCC 2022-06-23.

Flags are to fly half-mast Sunday across the entire state of Georgia at the state Capitol and in Lowndes County for the late Sonny Vickers, whose absence loomed large over the Valdosta City Council meeting. The funeral will be 3 PM Sunday. There will be a special election for his Council seat, as required by the city charter.

Sonny Vickers and other matters

Mayor and Council also increased the number of vehicles for their on-call transit service, and approved two sewer line fixes.

One Citizen to Be Heard proposed renaming Cherry Street to Sonny Vickers Lane. Two others asked the city to do more about trash.

Also, that was the last Council meeting for Utilities Director David Frost, whose last day was today (Friday).

Below are links to each LAKE video of each agenda item with a few notes, followed by a LAKE video playlist. See also the agenda. The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website. Some of the materials are out of order (I don’t know why), so if you don’t find something at first, keep looking.

• I missed the first few items.
• 3.c. Special Election to fill vacant position for Valdosta City Council District 3.

  Video.

  The city charter requires a Special election, so one is being scheduled.

• 4.a. bids for the electrical outlets in the City Customer Service parking lot.

  Video.

  Outlets will allow food trucks to not have to use generators. The outlets can be locked off when not in use.

• 4.b. Amendment to the Master Terms and Conditions for the Via Transit Service.

  Video.

  Due to increased demand (300 rides per day), increasing the number of vehicles to ten total.

• Thanks to Richard Hardy

  Video.

• 4.c. Governmental Affairs Representation for the City of Valdosta.

  Video.

• 5.a. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, Fiscal Year 2022.

  Video.

• 5.b. payment of an invoice for emergency sewer repairs near Sustella Avenue.

  Video.

  Cave in at manhole on Sustella Ave. along One Mile Branch. Inspection discovered 525 feet also in danger of collapse. Due to emergency, Utilities selected a contractor without bids.

• 5.c. payment for emergency replacement, sewer line, Withlacoochee Wastewater TP.

  Video.

  Main input line to the plant, so “pretty critical.” Replaced 5500 feet of cement line with epoxy line. Emergency contractor selection with no bids. Work already completed April 6th. $259,430.86.

  Council Tim Carroll pointed out that this is David Frost’s last Council meeting, and tomorrow is his last day. Applause, and mutual thanks from Frost.

• 6. CTBH Gregory Williams proposed renaming Cherry Street to Sonny Vickers Lane

  Video.

  Gregory Williams, 806 West Gordon Street, said he was a son of Sonny Vickers’ work. He proposed renaming Cherry Street to Sonny Vickers Lane. Vickers always lived on Cherry Street.

• 6. CTBH Gracie Bacon wants junk cars and trash cleaned up on Holly Drive

  Video.

  Gracie Bacon, 708 Holly Drive, said three houses had junk cars and trash that made it difficult to breathe. She invited Council to come see for themselves, then do something about it.

• 6. CTBH John S. Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper, thanks: trash boom, Sugar Creek

  Video.

  John S. Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper, thanked the city for fixing two sewer lines and installing a trash boom at Sugar Creek. He reminded them that there was more to do. For example, that trash on Holly Drive probably washes into waterways. More than that, fast food parking lots need trash cans and to keep trash from escaping. The city has ordinances, so if they don’t do it, the city can fine them. And the city should put trash cans on its own parking lots to set an example. He invited Mayor and Council to a chainsaw cleanup on the Withlacoochee River.

• 7. Manager Report (none) 8. Council Comments

  Video.

  Council Vivian Miller-Cody said the funeral for Sonny Vickers will be 3:00 PM this Sunday at Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ, 1515 Barack Obama Blvd. If there’s no room, people can go to Harrington Funeral Home, 713 Lake Park Road, 229-242-2828. She said the family requests no flowers, rather donations to a cancer foundation which they are starting in honor of Council Sonny Vickers.

  Mayor Scott James said the state proclamation from the governor is to fly flags throughout the state at half mast this Sunday. Standing ovation.

Here’s a LAKE video playlist:

RIP Sonny Vickers + two sewer lines fixed @ VCC 2022-06-23
Valdosta City Council Regular Session, June 23, 2022, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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!