Guyton has finally established guidelines for renting city property and accepting streets. Alderman Jeff Lariscy presented both policies to the council at last week’s council meeting.

“I’ve done a lot of looking,” Lariscy said about researching how other cities accept streets.

In the amendment to the 1998 subdivision ordinance, streets must meet Georgia Department of Transportation standards in order to be accepted. Streets that have already been accepted by Effingham County and crossing parts of the city will be accepted.

Those streets that were built and used prior to the adoption of these guidelines must carry appropriate core tests showing that the streets meet DOT standards. Construction logs certified by the owner of the streets and showing that these standards are met will be accepted in lieu of core test results.

The costs incurred to perform the needed tests will be the responsibility of the developer or owner of the streets and rights-of-way.

Alderman Phillip King asked about the drainage ditch provisions. The new amendment allows for ditches parallel to the streets in the right-of-way to be accepted along with the streets. Inverted crowns will not be accepted unless in an alley.

Lariscy is concerned about the dangers, such as hydroplaning, inverted crowns present.

King said his preference is a curb and gutter design.

“That is the best design altogether,” Lariscy admitted.

The alderman will present a separate amendment on permitted drainage ditches at a later date.  

Prior to this amendment the city engaged in the practice of accepting streets once a subdivision was complete. However, developers of the Whitesville subdivision had requested some time ago that their streets be accepted. However, since the subdivision is still under construction and the city lacked a policy the streets could not be accepted.  This amendment puts a policy in place.

Lariscy also presented the council with a new city property rental agreement, which stipulates under which conditions the community rooms at the C.D. Dean Jr. complex and the Guyton Civic Center may be rented.

Activities sponsored by the city will have priority in all property usage.

Any other individuals interested in using the rooms must do so by reservation and complete an application. A refundable security/clean-up deposit of $100 and a key deposit of $15 will be charged to each renter. The fee for Guyton residents to use the civic center will be $50 instead of $100.

There are a number of rules for using the facilities including no smoking, no adjusting the thermostat, chaperones for minors and no gambling.

Activities involving little to no physical exercise like sewing clubs, lectures and group meetings do not require any insurance. Semi-physical activities such as dance, aerobics and golf require at least $250,000 general liability insurance. Those activities requiring a lot of physical exercise will need to have a minimum of $1,000,000 liability insurance.

Alderman Les Pevey questioned children’s safety at the C.D. Dean complex and the city’s liability considering that the police department is housed there.  

“I just want to make sure the city’s covered,” Pevey said.

Part of the agreement states that renters are not allowed in the restrictive areas such as the police station and fire department. Alderman Brenda Lovett proposed renters being notified at the time of renting any of the rooms about the restricted areas. Her suggestion was added to the agreement.

Lariscy said he had tried to develop a consistent policy on renting city property. In addition, he wanted to eliminate the need for the city council to be consulted every time someone wants to rent a room. City Clerk Debra Scrugg will handle the rental responsibilities.