Although the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival was cancelled last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, the Richmond Hill City Council gave it the green light for 2017.
Several members of the seafood committee, including Billy Albritton and Bonnie Proctor, sought the council’s permission to use J.F. Gregory Park Oct. 20-22 for the normally annual festival. The council approved their request unanimously.
Albritton had also sought permission to extend the approval to include Oct. 19-21, 2018, but that would’ve required amending the council agenda since it had not been requested prior to the council meeting.
Mayor Harold Fowler assured Albritton, and the other members of the committee present, that there would not be a problem reserving those dates, it would just have to be done at a later meeting when it had been advertised properly in time to make the agenda.
Albritton said that would be fine.
In a related move, fire chief Ralph Catlett also asked the council for permission to hold fireworks in the park during the 2017 festival and to waive the fireworks fee normally charged.
The council unanimously agreed on both issues.
In other business, the council approved the final plat for Creekside Subdivision, Parcel T — Phase 6, to be located on Brisbon Road. The development is 42 single-family lots on 14.58 aces.
The property developer is Simcoe at Creekside, LLC. and the property is zoned planned development, level 2.
In financial business, the council amended the city’s financial policy to bring certain policies, including those affecting bond issuance and related financial matters, into better alignment.
The council also approved city manager Chris Lovell’s request to use $325,000 in 2016 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds to complete the city beautification program at the intersection of Ford Avenue and Highway 17.
The council reassigned the contract for Hurricane Matthew debris grinding and removal to Williams Brothers Trucking for $125,000. The contract had previously been let to another trucking firm, but they were unable to complete the job. The cost of the relet contract was the same as had been previously approved by the council.