TIFTON — At Tuesday’s workshop, the Tifton City Council discussed a citizen’s request to place signs coming into Tifton recognizing local National Football League star Larry Dean.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Jamie Cater, local woman Jadonna Johnson wrote, “We, residents of Tifton, have a hometown hero that has performed great deeds in the city of Tifton.”

The letter continued, stating Dean has continuously given back to his community since entering the NFL, with activities such as the Stop the Violence basketball tournament, four back-to-school rallies and providing the largest site for the summer feeding program, as well as sponsoring lupus awareness events, Tift County fireworks, Tift County High School cheerleading, TCHS basketball and Tift County seventh and eighth grade basketball.

“These events would not have been a huge success without his contribution and furthermore, may not have taken place,” Johnson wrote in the letter. “Please do him the honor he deserves by showing a small token of appreciation.”

Her recommendation was that the sign(s) could be placed on major routes, such as Highway 319, 82 and/or 41, “so that citizens coming and going may see the great humanitarian he (Dean) is in addition to his athletic abilities.”

Johnson noted that other cities, like Albany, wholeheartedly support their hometown heroes. “Therefore, it is imperative that we begin to do the same,” she said.

City Manager Larry Riner informed the council they first must submit a letter to the Georgia Department of Transportation, requesting approval for the signs to be placed on the requested state routes.

Council member Julie Smith asked Riner who pays for the signage, to which Riner replied the applicant does. Council member Wes Ehlers noted in their agenda that it stated the city of Tifton does not currently have any policy in place for placement of these type of signs. Riner clarified the city does have a sign policy for street naming. He said since the request asks for signs to be placed on DOT right of ways, it has to go to the DOT for approval. City Clerk Rona Martin noted no specific locations have been selected yet for signage.

“I love the idea of recognizing our hometown heroes. I think it’s really important,” Smith said, noting they have recognized others. However, she asked, “Shouldn’t we have some kind of policy in place?” She suggested they consider doing something similar to what is done with civic clubs.

Ehlers noted the Tourism Board promoted another local individual. He asked about how this process started and if there was approval from the city for these signs. Smith said she believes the signs were placed just outside the city limits. Last year, the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association sponsored eight signs coming into the city that proclaim Tifton as the hometown of country music artist Kip Moore. The signs were placed on Highways 41, 125, 319 and 82. They state, “Welcome to Tifton, Hometown of Country Music Artist Kip Moore.”

Commending Dean, Smith added they should look at some type of structure for where the signs go and what size is needed.

Vice Mayor Johnny Terrell, who led the meeting in Cater’s absence, recommended they send the request to the DOT and look at their guidelines, to which the council agreed.

Additionally, Jessica Jones, executive assistant to the city manager and mayor, went over the resolution for a new policy and procedures for the Community Home Investment Program (CHIP), developed by DCA. The city was awarded a $306,000 grant this year, and Tift County Community Development will administer the project. CHIP is a grant used to assist low income families in Tifton with purchasing a home. The CHIP funding received is used for down payment assistance on the purchase of a home.

Also, during a called meeting following the workshop, the council approved the 2015-16 millage rate at 9.759, same as the previous year, and the resolution issuing a notice of election.

For the Nov. 3 election, the mayor (currently held by Cater) and Districts 2 (currently held by Chris Parrott) and 4 (currently held by Smith) seats are up for re-election. Qualifying begins at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 31 and will end at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4.