The Richmond Hill City Council agreed Tuesday to support a new median cut on Hwy. 17, south of the Hobart Corp.’s property, to help ease traffic in and out of a proposed school.
Jim Singleton asked for a letter of support for the cut during a city council meeting on Tuesday night. According to city documents, Singleton is in the early planning stages of building a new Montessori school on a lot next to the Hobart Corp.   
Singleton will apply for a variance from the Georgia Department of Transportation for the cut, which would be in front of the proposed school’s entrance and is designed to ease traffic in and out of the school, according to city documents.
DOT regulations stipulate that median cuts be at least 1,000 feet apart, Singleton told council members. He has to apply for a variance since his proposed cut would be across from the A-1 Motel, around 670 feet from another existing cut. The proposed median cut would be between one in front of the LaFarge Concrete Plant, near the viaduct, and one at the north end of Hobart Corp.
Mayor Harold Fowler said cars making U-turns by the viaduct is a safety concern and the council should sign a letter of support for Singleton’s proposed median cut.
In other actions:
• The city council approved a $2.62 million contract with Operations and Management International (CH2MHill OMI) to continue operations, maintenance and management service for the city’s wastewater treatment plant and public works department. The contract takes effect on Jan. 1 and expires Dec. 31, 2011.
• City Manager Mike Melton told council members he would meet with developer Lamar Smith on Friday to further discuss repairs to Rushing Street. The city and the developer have disagreed over who should fix the cracked road.
• The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival Committee gave the city a $17,219 check for the use of J.F. Gregory Park, Melton told council members.  
• Council unanimously approved an application to sell beer and wine at the Walgreen’s on Hwy. 17.
• Council approved an intergovernmental agreement that allows the Richmond Hill Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to spend around $138,000 from hotel/motel taxes.