Council adopts policy that allows mayor to have key to second floor of City Hall

After eight months of consideration, the Cairo City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a new office policy for the second floor of the Cairo City Hall and the Council chamber.
Since shortly after taking office in January, Cairo Mayor Booker Gainor has sought an office and after-hours access to City Hall. Cairo city manager Chris Addleton had offered the mayor office space on the second floor of the City Hall, but allowing access after normal work hours was a sticking point for not only the city manager but also members of the council.
At the Sept. 10 council meeting, though, the council asked Addleton to prepare and present a policy for the mayor and council’s consideration. The city manager’s recommended policy was presented Monday night.
The policy provides for office space on the second floor for the mayor, the University of Georgia Archway professional and the Cairo-Grady County Family Connections Professional. After regular business hours, access to these offices is limited to the external door on the south end of City Hall that accesses the stairwell to the second floor. No office holder will have access to the offices on the first floor of City Hall.
The policy also states that should an office holder lose his or her key, it will be the responsibility of the key holder to pay the cost of rekeying the lock.
The policy prohibits office holders from meeting with the general public on the second floor.
Under the two policies adopted Monday night, the mayor and council will have access to the council chamber to meet with the general public for city business after normal business hours. The policy requires members of the council or mayor to make reservations with the city manager’s administrative assistant and if the room is not already reserved the request will be granted and a key issued. Similarly, if the key to the council chamber is lost or not returned, it will be the responsibility of the mayor or councilman who had reserved the chamber to pay the cost of rekeying the locks.
After a brief discussion of the city manager’s recommendation, Councilman James H. (Jimmy) Douglas offered a motion to adopt the policies as presented and Councilman Lannis Thornton made the second and the motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Councilman Bobby Gwaltney was absent Monday night.
“I’m glad we’ve come up with a solution to the office for the mayor. I hate it took so long, but I’m glad we came up with a solution. For it to take eight months is ridiculous, but I’m glad we came to an agreement,” Councilman Demario Byrden commented Monday night.
Mayor Gainor also expressed his appreciation. None of the other councilmen commented on the matter.
Addleton presented the mayor with his key to the second floor of City Hall following Monday night’s meeting.