In the City This Week
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021
National Engineers Week
February 21-27, 2021
The City of Valdosta is excited to participate in National Engineers Week, February 21-27, 2021. Engineers Week is a time for everyone to celebrate and wonder what the next big innovation will be. It's a call to recognize the people who create today's awe-inspiring wonders like cloud-busting skyscrapers and human travel to Mars. Our lives would be very different without daily marvels like clean drinking water, computers, and cars.
The 2021 year's theme is 'Imagining Tomorrow.' We hope to bring awareness to the many aspects of engineering while also sharing helpful resources!
READ MORE >>> https://bit.ly/3ka6o6B
City of Valdosta Issues December 30 COVID-19 Update on Services and Facilities
The local Department of Health stated that on December 30, 2020, stating in the last two weeks, our 10 county district COVID-19 positivity has increased from 15 to 27 percent. Until further notice, all city facilities will be closed to the public beginning on January 1, 2021. This includes Municipal Court, City Hall, Utilities, Public Works, the City Hall Annex, and Mathis Auditorium.
Consistent with guidance on limiting the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing, we ask you to please communicate with our staff over the telephone and online. Visit the City’s website at valdostacity.com for information on services, forms, or other items you need. Staff email addresses are also available online to conduct business via email.
The lobby of the Customer Service Department is closed. We ask citizens to pay at the drive-through, over the phone, at the dropbox in the Customer Service parking lot, or through the website. Customer Service has placed signs on their doors asking customers to use the drive-thru. We also have a walk-up window located on the Northside of the building for assistance with new sign-ups for utility services and business and liquor licenses. Customer Service can be reached by phone at 229-259-3510 or email [email protected].
Sign-ups and Disconnects are also being handled through the walk-up window on the Northside of the building or can be sent to our email utilitybill@
There are two drive-thru lanes available for payments only. We are taking credit cards and not requiring the bill for payments.
You can keep up to date with the City of Valdosta by following us on social media via Facebook, Nextdoor, Twitte
Greater Lowndes Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, February 22, 2021
5:30 pm
Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Parks & Recreation
(1901 N Forrest St.)
The mission of the Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) is to look beyond short-term solutions in planning for the future of the Greater Lowndes community; to improve the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare; and to provide for the social, economic, and physical development of communities on a sound and orderly basis, within a governmental framework and economic environment which fosters constructive growth and efficient administration. The Commission assists local governments in updating, amending, and implementing county-wide comprehensive plans and developing land use ordinances and policies to ensure compatibility with regional and local plans, goals, objectives and recommend appropriate action to the elected officials.
The Greater Lowndes Planning Commission meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the South Health District Administrative Office, Conference Room, located at 325 West Savannah Avenue. View the 2020 meeting schedule.
The Work Sessions are held the second to last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the South Health District Office Conference Room at 325 W. Savannah Avenue. These meetings are open to the public.
For more information, please contact Teresa Bolden, City Clerk, at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail or contact Matt Martin, Planning & Zoning Administrator, at (229) 259-3563 or E-mail.
FREE COVID-19 Testing
Self-registration for FREE COVID-19 testing through public health is now available in all 10 of our counties. Click below to complete the questionnaire and register for testing: https://covid19.dph.
Valdosta-Lowndes Co. Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
8:00 am
Rainwater Conference Center
( 1 Meeting Pl.)
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority's primary purpose is to provide direction and leadership towards the achievement of the Authority's mission, goals, and objectives.
Responsibilities of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority are as follows: (1) to provide general continuity for the Authority, (2) to elect Authority Officers and to monitor their performance, (3) attend monthly and called meetings of the Authority Board of Directors as stated per the Board Attendance Policy, (4) upon recommendation of the Board, the Chairman will appoint, define the powers of, and dissolve Committees of the Board, (5) upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Authority Board will hire and establish compensation for the Executive Director/COO, (6) evaluate the performance of the President/COO, (7) develop and oversee the fiscal budget for the Authority which includes operational funding for the CVB, Conference Center, Sports Commission, The Crescent, Historical Society, and Hahira and Lake Park tourism-related promotions and special events, (8) review and approve capital expenditures in the amount of $10,000.00 or more, (9) review and approve all Authority policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, (10) represent the Authority at special events and meetings on the local and State level, (11) review and approve contracts and agreements entered into on behalf of the Authority (12) to ensure, through continuous review, that the Directors and Officers of the Authority act in accordance with established ethical and professional standards, (13) to increase the effectiveness of management by rendering advice and guidance to the Authority Board Chairman and other principal Officers, (14) to advise the Authority Board Chairman in regard to major decisions affecting the Authority's capitalization structure, resource allocations, and other major financial matters, and (15) to act in accordance with Federal and State laws. All appointees must review and acknowledge receipt of the Authority's Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest Policy, and Board-Staff Contact Policy.
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in the Executive Board Room at the Rainwater Conference Center located at #1 Meeting Place. View the 2020 Conference Center & Tourism Authority Meeting Schedule.
For more information, please contact City Clerk Teresa Bolden at (229) 259-3503 or E-mail, or contact President and CEO Chris Hamilton at the Rainwater Conference Center at (229) 245-0513 or visit Rainwater
Valdosta City Council Meeting
Thursday, February 25, 2021
5:30 pm
Council Chambers
As a reminder, all city buildings are still closed to the public. However, the City Council Meeting will be available to view via Livestream on the City of Valdosta’s Facebook Page and website.
For more information, please contact Teresa S. Bolden, City Clerk, at 259-3503 or E-mail - [email protected].
Mayor's Paddle on the Withlacoochee River
Saturday, February 27, 2021
9:00am to 4:00pm
Join the Mayor of Valdosta and a hundred of his closest friends for a leisurely paddle on the Withlacoochee River. Mayor Scott James says, “Over a year removed from a terrible spill into our area waterways, and right at a year of massive improvements to our infrastructure since our last ‘Mayors Paddle,’ I am again looking forward to fellowship on the river February 6.”
All elected officials present will have three minutes to speak. And you can paddle up to them and ask questions.
WWALS President Tom H. Johnson Jr. said, “This stretch of the river extends from the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin past some suburbs and many rural woods. It is important for all the upstream city, and county wastewater treatment plants to keep a grip on their sewage because many people depend on the Withlacoochee River for swimming, fishing, and boating, plus water wells nearby may be affected by anything that goes into the river. It’s a joy that publicly elected officials are involved in this activity and that the Mayor is helping organize it.”
It was fun last year, so let’s do it again! There is plenty of room to stay six feet apart, at Troupville Boat Ramp, the lunch stop, and at Spook Bridge, and of course on the water. We are still working out how the shuttle will work.
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said, “Thanks again to The Langdale Company for riverside access at the mid-way lunch stop and the Spook Bridge takeout.”
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, February 6, 2021
Put-In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602: on GA 133 off I-75 exit 18. in Lowndes County.
GPS: 30.851842, -83.346536
Take Out: Spook Bridge, west from Valdosta on US 84, left onto Ousley Road, right onto Old Quitman Highway, stop at the gate.
Thanks to The Langdale Company for access through their private property to Spook Bridge for this outing and water quality testing.
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also, trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay the $10 at the outing or online:
https://wwals.net/donations/#
