Howardwick taps former mayor for council

The Howardwick City Council appointed former mayor Johnny Hubbard to a vacant alderman’s position Monday night, July 16, during a called meeting.

Hubbard, who also served the city as a former alderman and mayor pro-tem, was unanimously selected after the council met behind closed doors for about 30 minutes, according to City Secretary Sandra Childress. He will fill the unexpired term of former alderman Doc Holladay, who resigned June 13.

Filling that position was first considered by the city council during their regular meeting last Tuesday, July 10, and Hubbard’s name was put forward at that time.
Aldermen Marietta Baird and Brice Hawley voted for the nomination, but Aldermen Debbora Sharpton and Johnny Floyd voted no with Floyd asking for more time and discussion in a closed session. Mayor Greta Byars cast the tie-breaking vote against the measure at that time.

Also last week, the Howardwick council considered several agenda items during regular business. The approval of monthly bills brought up discussion about the mayor’s action to switch the city’s internet and telephone service without consulting the council and the purchase of a weed eater was also questioned.

In her mayor’s report, Byars alerted citizens to burglaries occurring in the city and also reported that squatters have been active all over Howardwick.

Byars also discussed complaints she has received about the city’s waste removal company.

The council considered a previous charge that Alderman Hawley’s service as an alderman presents a conflict of interest since he also serves as a volunteer fireman. Aldermen voted 3-0-1 that Hawley has no such conflict, and he abstained from that vote.

Aldermen also discussed the city’s agreement with the volunteer fire department at length before agreeing that it needed to be left in place so the city can move forward. The board again voted 3-0-1 with Hawley abstaining.

The city’s Planning & Zoning Commission was reconsidered with the council voting unanimously in favor of revising the zoning ordinance to remove aldermen as members of the commission and that it just be composed of residents and the mayor.
The council was also unanimous in approving a new employee handbook, job descriptions, and employment applications. Those items are to take effect July 31.

The city is also getting quotes on improvements needed to City Hall following an inspection after a citizen contacted the state fire marshal’s office.  Electrical and other improvements are expected to cost the city in the neighborhood of $8,000.

The council voted to change the city’s regular meeting time from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the date staying on the second Tuesday.