Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes

Monday – May 6, 2019

6:30 P.M. Community Center

Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

Attending:  Mayor Jan Webster, Council Members – Dusty Durst, Thomas Gary, Lamar Watkins, Mainstreet News – Charles Phelps, City Clerk – Debbie Fontaine, and Jody Campbell Mike Barfield was not present.

Pledge of Allegiance – All

Minutes: Dusty motioned to approve the April 1, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes; Thomas  seconded. All were in favor. Motion approved.

Financials: Thomas motioned to approve the April 2019 Financials; Lamar seconded. All were in favor. Motion approved.

NEW BUSINESS:   

• Winner of Nicholson Scholarship Award, Cody Whitlock. Jan welcomed Cody and his family to the meeting and praised him for his outstanding leadership skills. She told everyone that Cody would be attending the University of Georgia. She then told Cody it was with honor that she was able to award him the $1000 Nicholson Scholarship Award.
• Jerry Mills – Jan moved Mr. Jerry Mills and his travel ball team to move up on the Agenda in order to not hold them up longer while city business was being conducted. Mills requested to be at the council meeting to allow the young men who practice on the Nicholson/Benton Ball Fields to be able to say “thank you” for the opportunity to use the fields. He shared how grateful they are for the space and the opportunity to have somewhere to practice. They are currently ranked #1 in the state of Georgia for traveling teams. Jan told them how proud she was of them and proud to see them using the fields.

• GMEBS – Restated Master Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (RMDBRP)-Jan read the following information from Regina Shirley of GMA regarding the adoption of changes to the plan:

“There have been no substantive changes to the document except in its template form.  The IRS has updated the template for the Retirement Master Plan document and the Adoption Agreement to ensure that the plan is kept up to Compliance. No updates to any of the cities provisions were made and are affected by these changes.  There are sections in the Adoption Agreement that reference new IRS code updates (where applicable). For example, on page 3 of the Adoption Agreement under Item 6 Type of Adoption you’ll see bolded language (just above Item 7 Effective Date)  that references new code sections regarding amendments.  That’s about all the types of changes throughout.”

Dusty motioned to adopt the GMEBS-RMDBRP changes made by GMA, Thomas seconded.  All were in favor; Motion was approved.

• Library Computers and Equipment – Rhonda introduced George Tuttle/Piedmont Regional Library IT Director and explained that George would answer questions that council may have. George explained the process of the usage, and ordering, of library computers for participating libraries (in the Piedmont Regional Library System). Mr. Tuttle gave a description of components that are needed for “Deep Freeze” which locks down all of the computers.  He also explained, in some detail, the processes of the Library Computers as well as the components required to allow “time watcher” and other factors to work properly.   Dusty asked when the PRLS changes (in the future) will it pose a problem that Nicholson just purchased computers with Windows 7?  George gave a bit more explanation of the process and said that should not be an issue. Thomas asked “if we buy the package now there won’t be difficulties when you change to Windows 10?” George said – in IT terms – no it would not. Rhonda also told council members she needs 5 computers, and not 6 as she previously thought. Jan explained that these would be purchased with SPLOST Funds that are designated for the Library. She then asked if anyone wanted to make a motion to approve. Thomas let it be known that he did not want to be the one to hold up the process and cost the city more money, but also wished he had more time to consider the offer. Thomas made a motion to accept the computer quote given by George Tuttle and make the purchase for the Library Computers; Lamar seconded.  All were in favor. Motion was approved.

Thomas had one more question, “when they do change to windows 10 what will the city have to add or to do to get the system working”. George explained that they are not in a hurry to make changes to Windows 10. He then explained the process that would take place and also offered that if anyone had more questions to feel free to call him.

OLD BUSINESS:  

• Employee Health Insurance – Jan explained to council that the city would like to be competitive with employee benefits as well as pay. She reminded council of the plan that was being considered with the Insurance Agent and asked if there were any questions or discussions. Thomas mentioned that he would like to move forward with the proposal and look at it with a percentage from the city and employee. But also be able to make a final look once we know the final number of employees wanting the plan and make a decision on how to vote based on that information. Jody told council that they could not get an absolute definitive number until the plan is approved. Thomas made a motion that the city accepts the Blue Cross Open Access POS plan with the stipulation of a 75% city paid and 25% employees paid premium; Lamar seconded. All were in favor. Motion was approved. 

MAYORS REPORT:

• Jan told council members that the Daisy Festival was amazing.  She mentioned Thomas, Dusty, Irma, Mike and Lamar along with Doyle and David as working very hard to make it a success. She reminded everyone that a lot of hard work went into this year’s festival and the only thing that could get in the way is weather. She said Friday evening and Saturday morning the festival was packed.  Jan thanked everyone again for all the hard work.  The playground was packed and a great success as well.
• The audit is complete and there were no findings. She asked council members if they had any questions before the final draft was drawn up.  No questions were asked.
• Jan mentioned that the paving was complete and that she was very pleased with the work Garrett Paving did. She mentioned that Doyle knows what roads need to be done and he mentioned Lakeview Drive as potential for next paving.
• The bids on the dump truck were complete. The high bid on the truck was $751.79 and the high bid on the mower was $50.
• Thomas mentioned to John Ring that the Water Tower ran over on Friday night.

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT:   

• Summer reading schedule is set. Rhonda is still waiting on the Jackson County School System Summer Lunch Program to give a time when the lunch bus will be at the library. The starting date is Monday June 3^rd. She hopes to have a time of the day this week.  She handed out summer schedules.
• Passports are still going well. They did 28 passports in April.
• The corn-hole game for children at the Daisy Festival and Literature Trivia for adults went well. They will do it again next year. Thank you to Jan for allowing the library to use the left over candy for prizes for corn hole. Bandit (therapy dog) and his owner Kate came to the library booth at the festival so he could do a meet and greet.
• Bandit is still visiting the library once a month. He will also visit this summer.
• The staff is attending free workshops at Piedmont Headquarters this month. Everyone will get to attend one workshop.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK

Adjournment:  Thomas motioned to adjourn; Lamar seconded. Meeting Adjourned at 7:15pm.