Centerville council OKs camera to broadcast from top of mall
City Council has approved two items to promote the city and its Center Park at Centerville: a weather camera to sit atop the Houston County Galleria mall and an ad with an article in a regional promotional magazine.
The council adopted an agreement between itself, the mall and Macon’s WMGT on Tuesday to mount the weather camera on a tower on the mall’s roof that will aim east at the city, particularly in the direction of Center Park at Centerville now under development.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations between the three parties, with Centerville represented by Kate Hogan, director of marketing and economic development for the community. Hogan said a monthly fee of $625 will be paid by the city for the camera. That is half the total monthly fee of $1,250. Houston County Galleria will pay the other half.
WMGT, which broadcasts as Channel 41, will provide equipment, installation, operation and be responsible for the equipment.
The station will show scenes of the community and park during broadcasts as well as mention location names.
The council approved a one-year contract renewable for a second year, backing off an original proposal for a five-year plan.
In doing so, Councilman Cameron Andrews said he was “more comfortable” starting out with two-years but said the city would likely agree to a longer-term plan in the next several years.
“This is a good thing and I’m excited about it,” Andrews said. “I know it may change and things may get bigger and better in the future, but I’m more comfortable starting out with the two year contract at this time.”
In past meetings, council members have discussed the possibility of moving the camera to sit high above the park itself in the future, probably fixed above an amphitheater which will be constructed in a near-final phases of the park’s development.
Also Tuesday, the council also agreed buy a one-third page ad in the next Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce’s area promotional magazine at a cost of $1,495.
Hogan told the council the ad will be on a page accompanied by a story about the city that will also likely highlight the park.
The council voted unanimously to approve the two expenditures.
Clean-up day
During the session, Councilman Randall Wright reminded other council members and those attending the meeting that Centerville will conduct a citywide clean-up day April 1.
He said on that day there will be an extra curbside trash pickup throughout the city and that there will be roll-off dumpsters available at the Centerville Recycling Center at 101 Industrial Way to receive items.
The center will also be open to collect recyclables and there will be activities there with hot dogs and hamburgers served.
Wright also made a plea for others in Centerville and beyond to join him as a volunteer at the center during regular days of operation. He said the facility was short of volunteers and under an added burden with some of its regulars being sick and others traveling in the months ahead.
He said volunteers may work as many or as few morning or afternoon shifts as they want during a month. He said volunteers work out of an air conditioned office and give guidance as needed to those bringing in items and “push buttons” to activate some of the various recycling collection machines.
The center is regularly open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturday.
Persons interested in volunteering may contact the city at 478-953-4734 or the recycling center at 478-975-0600 to fill out forms, receive instruction and be scheduled.
Tuesday’s regular council meeting was led by Mayor Pro Tem Micheal Evans in the absence of Mayor John Harley.
This story was originally published March 8, 2017 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Centerville council OKs camera to broadcast from top of mall."