Atlanta Town Council approves paving payout, garage HVAC and library remodel; clarifies utility hookup fees

The Atlanta Town Council on Monday moved forward on a series of maintenance and building projects and clarified how it will treat utility hookups for a long‑unused property on County Line Road.

The council voted to release retainage to the paving contractor after staff and the contractor reported that a surface blemish on East Hopkins has largely "dissipated" and that the contractor would stand behind a one‑year warranty. Chair (speaker 2) said the contractor and aggregate supplier told staff "they're saying that it's no big deal." Councilmember (speaker 4) moved to approve payment from the project's retainage; the motion carried.

Staff also told the council both the furnace and air‑conditioning unit at the town street garage are very old and recommended replacing both at once to avoid repeated labor. "All of them are saying the furnace is, very old. It is a very good idea to replace them both at the same time," said the staff member (speaker 3). The council approved Perky's Heating and Cooling's quote for $13,757 to replace the furnace and air conditioning.

On equipment, council members approved renting a skid steer with a forestry/drum attachment for a one‑day clearing operation along the east side of the sewer plant, after weighing quotes and staff's assessment of the work area and potential costs for delivery, pickup and insurance. Council also approved a $3,062 quote to rehab four crumbling storm drains in the downtown area, including one in front of town hall.

The council awarded the library remodel contract to Mayheim Construction and Restoration after reviewing two bids and discussing scope items such as ceiling repairs, removing and reinstalling bookcases, paint and interior doors. "I believe that we proceed with Mayheim Construction and Restoration for the library remodel," said Councilmember (speaker 1), and the motion passed. Members asked staff to provide lighting and flooring samples and to confirm a move schedule that avoids the upcoming festival.

The council spent substantial time on a request to provide water and sewer service to a County Line Road property that appears not to have been an active customer for many years. Staff said there is little evidence of recent water service and no clear sewer connection; members discussed tap fees, availability fees and the practical difficulty and cost of installing or replacing aging service lines. One councilmember proposed waiving the water availability fee while charging tap fees for the physical connection and requiring the property owner to pay for any new sewer connection and the sewer availability fee because there was likely never a sewer tie. Staff was directed to investigate the location and condition of any existing lines and to communicate charges to the property owner before any work begins.

The meeting also covered sidewalk survey orders and three sidewalk segments for pricing, discussions of flooring and door finishes for the library to preserve a period look, and a planning commission notice and fence application that will need the commission's 10‑day notice before the hearing.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve final paving payment to contractor (retainage ~$44,000): motion passed (council vote in favor).
- Approve Perky's Heating and Cooling quote, $13,757, for furnace and AC at street garage: motion passed.
- Authorize rental of skid steer and forestry attachment (one day, est. $2,600 after adjustments): motion passed.
- Approve storm‑drain rehab (four drains), $3,062: motion passed.
- Award library remodel contract to Mayheim Construction and Restoration: motion passed.

The council adjourned after wrapping up the listed business; staff will follow up on contractor coordination, fee notices for the County Line Road hookup, sidewalk pricing and library finish samples.