With that extension comes just over $1 million a year in funding for the park and its facilities.
“The folks at Chehaw are very appreciative and I’m very appreciative,” Commissioner Tommie Postell, who is on the Chehaw board, said after the vote. “Without the funding, the park could lose AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) certification, and without that certification it would be dead in the water.
“Mr. Porter and his staff have done a magnificent job since they’ve been at Chehaw, and the involvement with (naturalist) Jim Fowler is going to make Chehaw even better in the future.”
Postell said he expected the board to start lowering the amount of funding it asks the commission for after the extension expires. Commissioner Morris Gurr cast the lone vote against the measure because of that funding issue.
“I’m going to vote against this measure, but I want it to be clear that I’m not voting against because of Mr. Porter or his staff, they’ve done a tremendous job,” Gurr said before the vote was taken. “I’m voting against because I would have liked to have seen less money given to Chehaw.”
The commission also voted to approve Lee County resident Sarah Kuck as a member of the Chehaw board.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rezoning of land at 100 E. Oakridge Drive to allow a motocross facility on the property to be utilized by professional racer Nico Izzi, son of businessman Onorio Izzi.
“I have no doubt that this measure will be an asset to the city of Albany,” Postell said. “Mr. Izzi has made a bona fide effort to meet the demands of the people in the neighborhood, and it’s a plus that his son is becoming a national star in the sport.
“I think it was a win-win-win all around.”
Commissioners tabled votes on an alcohol license request by Mike Rodefer, who wants to locate Mugsy’s — a restaurant/bar — in the Archwood Plaza at the old location of the Pub nightclub, and an occupation tax certificate (business license) revocation hearing for Brick House Productions and Brick City at 1708 Shilling Ave.
Albany attorney Jim Finkelstein asked for a continuance on the revocation hearing, telling commissioners he had been hired only hours before the meeting.
“I ask to reschedule this hearing because it would continue well into the morning if I am to cross-examine all of the witness listed in this case,” Finkelstein said.
City Manager Alfred Lott noted, “I would like to remind you, Mr. Mayor, that this is not a court-of-law-type hearing, and you will control the time factor.”
Commissioners OK’d one-day alcohol licenses for the Nancy Lopez Hospice Classic golf tournament Sept. 11-12 and an American Lung Association event Sept. 18; approved a license for TaQueria La Lupita at 2427 G Sylvester Road; and approved outdoor events Aug. 9, Aug. 23 and Sept. 27 at Albany Harley Davidson.
“I will look at amending policy to limit the number of exceptions to our policy we allow each business in a calendar year,” Lott said. “We certainly want to be business-friendly, but we don’t want exceptions-to-policy to become part of people’s business plans.”
Commissioners also voted to:
{asterisk} approve rezoning requests at 300 S. Magnolia St. and 609 16th Ave.;
{asterisk} repeal an ordinance that is in conflict with Senate Bill 348 concerning collecting fines from at-fault drivers in accidents in which fire department equipment is used;
{asterisk} lower the city’s millage rate by 0.003 mills;
{asterisk} update speed limit ordinances to account for staggered school openings;
{asterisk} create a Transitional Housing Authority as required by HUD;
{asterisk} approve $15,000 in CDBG funds for the Albany Restorative Justice Center;
{asterisk} amend the city’s group health insurance plan;
{asterisk} approve more than $180,000 in HOME funds for the Mt. Olive Community Outreach Center;
{asterisk} OK grants from the state Department of Transportation for improvements to Taxiway B at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport and from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program for law enforcement; and
{asterisk} authorize ADICA to change the times of is First Friday events.