Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday – December 6, 2021 6:30 P.M. Community Center

Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

Attending: Mayor Jan Webster -Council Members – Thomas Gary, Dusty Durst, Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, Debbie Fontaine-City Clerk, Sherry Lewis – Mainstreet News, Library Manager-Rhonda O’Keeffe, not present – City Attorney-Jody Campbell (due to short agenda)

Pledge of Allegiance – All

Minutes: Thomas motioned to approve November 1, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes; Dusty seconded. All present were in favor, Minutes approved.

Financials: Dusty motioned to approve November 2021 Financials; Mike seconded. All present were in favor. Motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Comp Plan – Resolution to Adopt the Nicholson Comp Plan – Mike motioned to adopt the Resolution approving the previously approved Comprehensive Plan, Dusty seconded. A vote was taken, all present were in favor. Motion was approved.
Correction in Code of Ordinance (Section Number for salaries of Mayor and City Councilmembers) – Thomas motioned to approve the correction (noted by Jody) of a numbering error with previously approved amendment to Code regarding Mayor and Councilmembers pay; Mike seconded. A vote was taken, all were in favor. Motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Amendment to Zoning Ordinance – The amendments to Zoning Ordinance includes:
To amend article IV of Zoning Districts -Dimensional Requirements
To add a new paragraph for specific use provisions “fences & walls” requiring permit
To add a new paragraph granting authority to issue administrative variances in accordance with Section 34-380.
To repeal ordinances or parts of ordinances that conflict with newly adopted amendments.
A motion was made by Thomas Gary for to approve Zoning Ordinance Amendments; Mike seconded. All were in favor, Motion was approved.
See Ordinance #R-2103 for amendments.

MAYORS REPORT:

We will swear in Josh Burkhalter and Thomas Gary at the first Council Meeting on January 3^rd.
GDOT response to Mulberry Street sign that goes over 441. He stated that the span wires do not have enough slack to hold up the sign if changes were made to location of the sign. He said in order to fix they are going to have to upgrade the whole traffic light, which is a bigger deal than just adjusting a sign. The guy I spoke with was very nice and helpful. He lives in this area and sees the road every day so he has a constant reminder that it needs to be done. He said it is on a list for upgrades but when other emergency work comes up, they take priority.

o Speed limit on Jefferson Road, he said they have done a speed limit study on that road, the speed 85% of the drivers are driving is factored with the speed limit manual (it is called MUTCD-manual for uniform traffic control), the speed limit that is set right now was set with these standards.

We have submitted 7 street lights that are out, a couple in our parking lot, to Jackson EMC. The order to fix is submitted.
USDA drafted the 58,000-loan portion of our USDA loan on December 3^rd as an auto draft. There was a 70.92 interest fee included in the draft. The total amount drafted was 58,070.92.
Jan reminded everyone that the Christmas tree lighting will be tomorrow from 6:00 – 8:00pm.
Rhonda added a big thank you to Dusty for his help at the Library to find and fix a leak.

LIBRARIANS REPORT: Per Library Manager

Getting ready for Santa and Mrs. Claus visit.
Sherri will be reading the Polar Express at SJES for Literacy Night Thursday Dec 9. Outreach/Community Engagement
Still selling tickets for the baby doll.
Working on a program for the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book in February.
Sherri is reading to the “Pre-K” students at Candy Castle.
Sherri and I both had training on “PuRL”. That is the PRLS book mobile.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK –

Adjournment: Thomas motioned to adjourn; Lamar seconded. All were in favor, motion approved and meeting adjourned.

Meeting adjourned at 6:44PM.

Announcements:

Next Work Session – TBD
Next City Council Meeting in January 3, 2022

Approved for Website by City Clerk