VIDALIA — The Vidalia Board of Aldermen discussed adding more red tape to customers outside the city limits hooking up to city utilities, but ultimately declined to pass the ordinance Tuesday in a split vote.

Alderwoman Sabrina Doré said she brought this idea up of allowing alderman to also be part of the approval process when she heard numerous complaints from residents about city streets being torn up to connect sewer lines.

Doré said when the streets are patched back together, while done to the city’s requirements, it still creates an interruption of the smooth flow of the city streets.

Traditionally, the decision to allow hook up for properties near the city line has been under the direction of the mayor and the Superintendent of Utilities Mark Morace.

Former alderman Ricky Knapp said during the public hearing he did not believe this ordinance was something the new board should pass. Knapp said one of the city’s main sources of income is from city-provided utilities, so why restrict people from contributing to that income?

Knapp also said he feared the decision would hinder development in the area — many of the areas hoping to eventually seek annexation into the city.

“Don’t let the first new ordinance of this board be one that hinders growth and revenue in the city,” he said.

Aldermen Jon Betts and Tron McCoy said they believed requiring alderman to approve utility hookup in the areas out of the city would be an unnecessary hindrance to developers and homeowners.

Betts said depending on when a request is put in, it could take up to 30 days for the alderman to have a meeting.

“When someone is building a building, 30 days can mean time and money,” Betts said. “It would not be advantageous for us to have that limitation on it.”

The motion to adopt the ordinance failed 3-2 with Betts, McCoy and Robert Gardner voting against it and Doré and Tommy Probst voting for it.

Signs and air dancers were also discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.

Approximately three air people are dancing away advertising businesses in Vidalia currently. Vidalia’s Master Plan, voted on during the previous administration, mandates the dancing wind people should not be allowed, said Betts.

Betts said they are considered as part of the “portable signs” ordinance, which only allows for 60 days of use.

Shannon Melton of C&M Crawfish, who employs an air dancer, said the unit is valuable in attracting business and they also can cost $500 to $1,000.

Melton said she wanted to comply with city law but wondered if a waiver could be acquired.

McCoy said Melton’s situation is unique because her business is further away from Carter Street than some other businesses in the area. He said some consideration ought to be given to the business.

Since the ordinance had not been amended since 1994, McCoy said the city needed to have a conversation on that.

Mayor Buz Craft said the city was going to have to start enforcing its ordinances going forward until addressed through potential amendments.

“I want to support our businesses in any way we can,” he said. “I think all of the businesses in town are deserving of the same consideration.”

Speaking of signs, Craft said while he is mayor, political signs will not be allowed on public property.

“During the last election, the city waived that ordinance and you saw what we got,” he said. “They were everywhere and practically on top of one another.”

Political signs are allowed on private property 60 days before the election and must be taken down 10 days after.

In other news:

4 A beer and liquor license was approved for DBA RK Foodmart at 605 Carter St.4 An occupational license was approved for Riverfront Urgent Care Center at 107 Front St. Dr. John “Rus” Fairbanks is the owner.

4 The city will investigate how properties on 2074 Eleanor St. and a lot on John Dale Drive were acquired by the city. Craft said he did not have information on the lot number on John Dale Drive. Craft said the lots create liability issues and he would like to sell them as surplus.