July 2022 Council Meeting Minutes

city clerk Minutes

Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

6:30 P.M. Community Center

Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

Attending: Mayor Jan Webster -Council Members – Mike Barfield, Thomas Gary, Josh Burkhalter, Lamar Watkins, Interim City Clerk- Irma Robles, and Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe.  Not present: City Attorney Jody Campbell, and Mainstreet News (emailed Angie on 7/7/2022 with information)

Pledge of Allegiance – All

Minutes: Josh motioned to approve June 6, 2022, Council Meeting Minutes; Lamar seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

Financials: Mike motioned to approve June 2022 Financials; Thomas seconded. All were in favor.

The motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Appointment of Irma Robles for City Clerk Position – Mike made a motion to appoint Irma Robles as City Clerk for the City of Nicholson, Lamar seconded, and all were in favor; motion approved. 
  • Executive Session – to discuss employment – Josh made a motion to go into an Executive Session to discuss employment, and Lamar seconded, all in favor.

At 6:50 pm, Mike made a motion to come out from Executive Session, and Thomas seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.

Council Member Mike Barfield explained that the City of Nicholson adjourned into Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to employee hiring and firing in Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook. No votes were taken in Executive Session however a proposal was made which will be discussed openly.

  • Appointment of two members for the Planning Commission– Mike suggested Homer Bryson from Plantation Crossing and Scott Ethridge from Pace Dr as the new members of the Planning Commission. Lamar Watkins considered Michael Williams from Smith Overhead Bridge Rd but he does not live inside of the city limits. Josh suggested Michael Archer from Daisy Ln and Kyle Smith from Jefferson Dr. Thomas also suggested Michael Archer from Daisy Ln. This item will be discussed at the July work session.
  • SPLOST 7 Categories – Percentages Allocation – Mike asked if city parks are included in “Facilities upgrades and acquisitions”. Mayor stated that city parks are contemplated in this category. Thomas asked if these percentages allocation applies to SPLOST 6 as well and Mayor explained that these percentage allocations only apply to SPLOST 7. Mike made a motion to allocate 60% for Facilities upgrades and acquisitions and 40% for Roads, Streets, and Bridges. Josh agreed and seconded this motion, all were in favor; the motion was approved.
  • Roads to be paved: Lakeview Dr, Blackthorne Rd, and Hawks Ct – Josh mentioned that he would like Jim David Rd on Fox Chase subdivision to be considered also and Mayor Webster said Jim David Rd should possibly be paved next year itself. Thomas made a motion to approve the paving of Lakeview Dr, Blackthorne Rd, and Hawks Ct this year. Lamar seconded; all were in favor. Motion approved.
  • Cemetery fees and Maintenance – Ordinance to amend the City of Nicholson Cemetery Policy and Procedures Manual – Lamar confirmed that this only applies to the Nicholson City Cemetery. Josh made a motion to approve the Ordinance to amend the City of Nicholson Cemetery Policy and Procedures Manual; Mike seconded. All were in favor, motion approved
  • OLD BUSINESS: N/A
  • LIBRARIANS REPORT:

Summer has been very busy. Our lowest numbers for a program were 45. The highest number was in the 100’s. The good news is the patrons came for the program but also checked out books! Our last program is the Luau at the park Thursday July 14th.

We have also done some special programs with just Candy Castle Daycare. Our last program for them (arts and crafts) will be on Wednesday July 20th. Sherri will continue to read to the 3 and 4 groups of children at Candy Castle.

We will continue to accept points and give out prizes until July 30th, 2022. Our grand prizes will be drawn on August 1st, 2022.

The library requires the following (covered by SPLOST?):

Septic Tank cleaned (seven plus years since it has been done)

Our security cameras/system and fire alarm need to be updated.

The newspaper has been very good about printing our news release every week.

  • MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Webster mentioned the following for Mayor’s Report:

  • Independence Day Celebration festival was a great success. Mayor appreciates the hard work done by the City Staff and Dusty Durst with the sound system. The vendors were good and the food was wonderful. It was a super nice day with a great atmosphere.
  • The next meeting to plan the Veteran’s Day celebration will be in August 2022. Irma will send an email invitation to the Committee.
  • Rachel Miller from Alexander and Alman did an outstanding job delivering the 2021 Audit. It is a clear audit, with no findings this year. The city has had several clear audits. 
  • Lamar Watkins expressed his concern about a vendor selling boiled peanuts at a residence in Broad St on the same day as the Independence Day festival. 

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK – N/A

Adjournment: Lamar motioned to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded. All were in favor, motion approved; meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Announcements:

  • Next Work Session and Public Hearing – July 28th, 2022
  • Next City Council Meeting and Public Hearing – August 1st, 2022

______________________________________________________________________________Approved by City Clerk for Website.-

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