Canton Mayor and Board of Aldermen/Alderwoman hold regular meeting

By Courtney Warren

The City of Canton’s Mayor and Board of Aldermen/Alderwoman held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Canton City Hall. Mayor Tim C. Taylor called the meeting to order, followed by an invocation from Pastor John Woodard. Roll call was then taken for the mayor and board members: Alderman Rodriguez Brown, Alderwoman Dr. Shannon Whitehead, Alderman Les Penn, Alderwoman Cynthia Allen, Alderwoman Janice Diamond, Alderwoman Monica Gilkey and Alderman Lafayette E. Wales were present.

The board welcomed presenters Jeff Goodwin and G.A. Carmichael before moving into official business. Among the items considered were the approval of claims, the minutes from the July 15 meeting, and a payment of $27,893.75 to Pinnacle Construction Group from modernization funds for the South Madison Street Project. 

The board also discussed policies and purchases related to a Fleet 3rd Eye Camera System, approving the acquisition of new equipment for garbage and boom trucks. In addition, members considered a usage agreement between the City of Canton and The Girl in the River, reviewed an amended fireworks ordinance, and looked at a proposal for grass cutting and beautification. Other matters included an appointment for CMU’s election commissioner and authorizing changes to the Unified Development Codes for Canton.

Several significant payments and authorizations were approved. The board approved a $223,252.14 payment to R&C Services for Canton Drainage Improvement Phase A, covering work completed between April 1 and June 30, to be paid with MCWI funds. They also approved a reimbursement of $85.56 to Melon Garrett for an emergency landfill purchase. Proposals from Franklin Engineers and Consultants were authorized to provide both ongoing engineering services for 2025–2026 and air compliance assistance for the landfill in 2025. 

The City also accepted project closeout documents for several major infrastructure efforts, including the Parker Street and Barfield Street Improvements, Soldiers Colony Road Improvements, South Madison Street Drainage Improvements, and Canton Drainage Improvements. Additionally, Waggoner Engineering was authorized to draft a task order for repairs on Cisne Avenue and Katherine Drive, while Canton Paving, LLC received approval to lower speed bumps on Martin Luther King and Singleton Street at a cost of $5,400.

The consent agenda involved the transfer of several funds. These included $41,394.03 from general funds to sinking funds, $852,365 from sinking funds to general funds, and $26,200 from sinking funds to general funds. The board also approved transferring $273,415.19 from general funds to modernization and passed a resolution regarding the transfer of Modernization Act Funds.

The meeting concluded with an executive session covering matters related to supervision and finance, parks and recreation, litigation, and land transactions. Six matters were discussed under supervision and finance, including cases of extraordinary emergency and issues involving security planning. The Parks and Recreation/Public Works Department addressed three personnel-related matters, while seven litigation issues and two matters concerning the sale and lease of lands were also considered.

The next regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen/Alderwoman will take place at Canton City Hall.