Williamson council to upgrade playground, amphitheater at the city park

Members of the Williamson city council discussed the upgrades at the Williamson Amphitheater and Park facility during their June 6 meeting. They were presented a quote for completion of the project and there was much discussion about the improvements.

Mayor Steve Fry said there will hopefully be progress on the amphitheater soon as well as the storybook trail and fitness stations. He said plans are being drafted for pickleball courts and a dog park.

The city attorney advised the work would require sealed bids presented to the board and it was noted that the mayor would create a scope of work for the bids. Council members also discussed the need for demolition of the old playground equipment and on June 19, local leaders and volunteers quickly took apart and loaded up the old play set for removal.

A locomotive-themed playground is part of plans for improvements at the Williamson city park. At their May 2 meeting, Williamson council members opened bids for new playground equipment and accepted a $65,893 bid from Young Creek Recreation.

At the June 6 meeting, council members also heard a status update on the copper and lead audit for the City Main Waterline Project’s GEFA Grant. There are 20 residences with galvanized lines and a proposal was presented for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) work to identify water lines.

A motion to accept GPR pricing up to $6,000 was approved but only if it is billed through Cater & Slope, contingent upon change orders being received before completion.

At the June 6 meeting, Williamson council also:

• Approved the 2024 Water Schedule of Fees, Taps, Review and Update with new rates presented and discussed.
  
  • Agreed to not hold a July meeting unless there is an emergency.
  
• Heard a library report for the previous month, with 90 patrons, $29.75 income and 26 books checked out.
  
  • Heard that a camera has been purchased and will be installed at the park as soon as wiring in complete.
  
• Heard that a payment agreement has been drafted for a tap fee at the detail shop. The motion to approve including the addition of a clause that states the balance is to be paid in full upon sale of the property.
  
  • Heard from council member Steve Davis that there has been progress clearing the Highway 362 meter pit, the locations of speed humps are being marked and there has been some work on a hole at the detail shop.
  
  • Heard from council member Bob Harrison that he trimmed limbs at the caboose and is working to clear the Highway 362 meter pit.
  
  • Heard an update from the city attorney on the Coggin property and acknowledged the receipt of the updated city code.
  
  • Reviewed EMA Disaster Preparedness meeting schedule with mayor Steve Fry noting it would be a good idea to include a safety shelter in the city.
  
  • Approved Dewey Yarbrough’s appointment to Code Enforcement, Building Permit Enforcement and Inspections at $20/hour plus reimbursement for mileage at the state mileage rate.
  
• Heard that the tree/power line issue at School Road and Williamson-Zebulon Road has been resolved by removing tree limbs.