Monday February 7, 2022 6:30 P.M. Community Center

Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

Attending: Mayor Jan Webster -Council Members – Thomas Gary, Josh Burkhalter, Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, City Clerk- Debbie Fontaine, Admin Assistant- Irma Robles, Library Manager-Rhonda O’Keeffe. City Attorney-Jody Campbell (Jody attended by phone), Not present: Sherry Lewis – Mainstreet News (was called on 2/8/2022 with information)

Pledge of Allegiance – All

Minutes: Mike motioned to approve January 3, 2022 Council Meeting Minutes; Josh seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

Financials: Mike motioned to approve January 2022 Financials; Lamar seconded. All were in favor. Motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Rezone – Scherry Jackson – Mike motioned to approve rezone of Jackson Property located off Brockton Road, M&P – 026 004G, from AG to SR; Lamar seconded. All were in favor; motion approved.
Free Covid Testing Atlanta, LLC – Free Covid Testing ATL requested to do free COVID tests in the Benton facility parking area. Mike motioned to approve the service and contracted agreement drawn up by city attorney; Thomas seconded. All were in favor; motion was approved.
Daycare – To maintain same rental fees for the duration of 2022. Lamar motioned to maintain the same rental fee until 2023, at which time the fee will go to $2,000; Thomas seconded. A vote was taken and council members Thomas, Josh and Lamar approved; Mike opposed. Motion was approved by majority vote.
Bid for Old City Hall – the winning bid for the old Nicholson City Hall was $8,400 from Mr. Jerry Dellinger. Thomas motioned to accept the bid for old city hall at $8,400, Mike seconded. A vote was taken and Mike, Lamar and Thomas were in favor; Joshua was opposed. Motion was approved by majority vote.

OLD BUSINESS: NA

LIBRARIANS REPORT: (per library manager)

Sherri continues to visit Candy Castle for story time.
Continuing to plan our summer programs. Candy Castle will be attending many of our programs.
Passports are still going strong.
Hotspots are continually being checked out.
Harry Potter program is coming along Feb 22^nd 3-5 PM.
Plan to have our Summer Meal program. Have sent email to person in charge.
Planning a program for spring break.
Piedmont Library System is planning a Vision Meeting on Feb 26. Sherri will be attending. The Mayor, City Clerk and Court Clerk have been invited to attend.

MAYORS REPORT:

Jan mentioned the following for Mayors Report:

The L.O.S.T. training at city hall on February 2^nd went very well.
Nicholson Water Authority was approved for $76,530 in “WATER” SPLOST Revenues by the Jackson County SPLOST Committee on February 1^st. The total will be used for an NWA Truck to be used by the Water Authority, and a hydrant to be put on Peach Street.
USDA contacted Nicholson City Hall in regards to “showcasing” the current Benton Hall Sprinkler System Project, which was completed in 2021. Since the notice came so late (less than 2 weeks before an event would need to be put together), the city did not have sufficient time to plan an event. USDA will be contacting Jan and Debbie for a story to put in their publication. Jan let them know we were so thankful and appreciative for the funding of this project.
Toilets are being replaced at the Benton facility in the public restroom area. Men’s and women’s restrooms will be done separately as time allows for the work to be done in-house by the city Maintenance Dept.
Reminder that sealing and striping the parking area in front of Benton Facility will be bid out once Debbie places the ad in Mainstreet News – (after specs are received). Thomas agreed to help Debbie with getting specs to include in the ad.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK –

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

Meeting adjourned at 6:52PM.

Announcements:

Next Work Session – February 24, 2022
Next City Council Meeting – March 7, 2022

Approved by City Clerk for Website