What had been described as a town hall meeting on fire protection for Midway is now called a roundtable and Midway City Council has scheduled the session for Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.
Midway Mayor Levern Clancy Jr. said Monday the council will meet with County Administrator Joey Brown, public safety chief Mike Hodges and county Fire Chief Brian Darby to discuss fire protection for Midway under the county’s fire protection plan.
Brown told the Courier that in 2013 the county commissioners decided to address Midway City Council to gauge its willingness to participate the fire plan before taking the matter up with residents.
“We wrestled with that for a period of 12 months where we appeared before the city of Midway, where we appeared before city-council meetings and did things several, several times and explained things and answered their questions,” Brown said. “And then we finally got a letter back in December 2013 when we set a timeline on it, for them to say ‘No, we’re not interested.’”
In other business the council approved preliminary moves to allow for construction of a Burger King at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Interstate 95. Because of its location the restaurant needs approval from the Midway council, the Liberty County Planning Commission and the Gateway Design Review Board. The council voted in favor of the project.
Alan Seifert of the LCPC and engineer Trent Long told the council of changes in the preliminary plan the review board wanted. The board turned down the large billboard type sign intended to be visible from I-95. A lighter color grout was also requested along with “softer, more earth tone” colors instead of Burger King’s usual bright red. The board also called for more, higher buffers.
The council allowed an exception to the requirement for downcast exterior lighting for Burger King’s 140-foot flagpole. Long explained that lighting pointing upwards was necessary to properly illuminate the flag. More lighting and connection of nearby sidewalks are also being added to the plan.
Several officials questioned the plan for the new Burger King to share the existing driveway used by the Parkers station and store. Mayor Clancy said the council would look at Georgia Department of Transportation’s recommendations for traffic safety.
Eifert told the council that Midway’s city hall multi-complex was well under way with site clearing completed and earthwork in process. Seifert said that by this time next month work should begin on the structure itself.
A new flood ordinance for Midway was given its first reading Tuesday. Final approval is expected next month.
In an unusual move the council tabled approval of the minutes of its Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 meetings. Approval of minutes is usually routine.
After reconvening from a closed-door session the Midway council agreed unanimously to terminate an employee, Michael Nobles, for continued violation of city policies.
Parker can be contacted by email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.