The Blakely City Council met Nov. 3 at the City Annex to address a short agenda.

Among the business before the council was the first reading of a resolution for de-annexation of a portion of the Knight property which stretches from Highway 62 east of the city to Highway 27 north of town. The property was included erroneously in an annexation of the airport and industrial park properties.

The council set Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. as the time for a public hearing for the city’s 2010 budget. The proposed budget is $17 million compared to last year’s $15.4 million budget. The proposed budget includes $2.6 million in CDBG grants and GEFA loans for city projects.

The city’s actual operating budget is decreasing by approximately $1 million from $15.4 million to $14.4 million and includes a three percent cost of living raise for the city’s 64 employees.

In other business the council adopted an updated erosion and sedimentation ordinance and heard from Jennifer Edwards of the Census Bureau who gave a short presentation on next year’s federal census.

The council heard an update on sewer and water projects in the city which includes the final part of the South Blvd. CDBG project scheduled to begin. This project will help eliminate storm water back up on Jesse Johnson Street. Both the wastewater treatment plant upgrade and city hall renovation are ahead of schedule.

The council discussed investigating recycling for citizens who wished to voluntarily participate and councilmen Smith and Hutchins are to research what might be available.