SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 Council Meeting MINUTES

city clerk Minutes

Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 12th, 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, City Attorney Jody Campbell, City Clerk- Irma Robles, Finance Director Marci Webster, and Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe.  For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Mainstreet News (emailed draft minutes to Angie on 9/14/22)

Pledge of Allegiance – All

Minutes: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the August 1st, 2022, Council Meeting Minutes; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

Financials: CouncilmanThomas Gary asked about an increase in the custodian’s category reflected on the financial report. Marci replied that this amount included a deep cleaning of John Deer Hall and the Library. CouncilmanThomas Gary motioned to approve August 2022 Financials; CouncilmanMikeBarfield seconded. All were in favor. Financials approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Ordinance Providing Constructive Resignation for Planning Commission. CouncilmanThomas Gary motioned to adopt the Ordinance Providing Constructive Resignation for Planning Commission. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
  • NWA Agreement – Old City Shop. CouncilmanMike Barfield mentioned he would like a better use for the old city shop. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to adopt the agreement with the NWA for the old city shop. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded; Councilman Barfield opposed. The motion was approved.
  • IGA Elections. Councilman ThomasGary asked about the length of this agreement, and the city attorney Jody Campbell stated this agreement is for only eight years, not ten years, as the SDS agreement. He explained that elections are one of the municipal-governmental services that have to be negotiated through SDS. Since the prior SDS agreement expired two years ago, the elections agreement will only last for eight years until December 31, 2030.- Councilman Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the IGA for Elections, and Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
  • Service Delivery Strategy – Agreement. Mayor Webster informed the SDS Ceremonial Signing will be on Sept 26th, 2022, at the Historic Courthouse– Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to approve the SDS Agreement, and Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
  • Selection of Bids for 2022 Roads. Mayor Webster mentioned that the city had received two bids from Garrette and ASA Paving companies.  Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to table the bids selection since he had not had time to look into those carefully. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. Motion to table the selection of bids for 2022 Roads passed. Councilman Mike Barfield mentioned he would like to add Cedar Dr to 2022 roads since this item is being tabled. City Attorney stated the legal ad needs to be re-advertised. Mayor Webster said that they have already discussed 2022 roads in previous meetings.
  • Lease Agreement – ProBuild. Mayor Webster mentioned that ProBuild LLC would like to rent three rooms at the John Deer Hall of Benton for $700 per month. They also would like to make some renovations to it. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to approve the Lease Agreement with ProBuild LLC.  Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded; all were in favor. Motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

  • Conditional Use Permit Application from Ignite Wireless as Agent for Georgia Transmission Corporation – Parcel #014-002B – C-22-01. CouncilmanThomas Gary mentioned that after many meetings and discussions, he would like to make a motion to approve the Conditional Use Application from Ignite Wireless. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded; all were in favor. The motion was approved.

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT:

  1. Library Manager is researching products for the “renovation” in case it goes the ok from the SPLOST committee.
  2. The daycare 3-4-year-olds visited the library. Library employees gave a tour, Ms. Lexie from Farm Bureau read a book and did an experiment, and they received goodie bags.
  3. Library Manager has an inspection from the U. S. Department of State that she is preparing for. It is tomorrow. Passports. The library gets calls for passports every day.
  4. Harold Swindle Nicholson Public Library is preparing for the first craft day next Tuesday. It will be a drop-in event 3:00-5:15 PM. It will be a rock painting. Rhonda O’Keeffe will give flyers to the schools to advertise it tomorrow.
  5. The Adult Book Club will meet this Thursday at 1:30 PM.
  6. Nicholson Library is gearing up for our Halloween fest in October.

Council Member Thomas Gary and Mayor Webster congratulated Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe for the newspaper article about her on Labor Day.

MAYORS REPORT:

Mayor Webster mentioned the following for Mayor’s Report:

-Nicholson hosted September Mayor’s lunch, and all mayors signed the SDS agreement today.

-David’s Update – seen by the doctor on August 25th, 2022.

-2-Day Fall training is coming up for Marci, Mike, Josh, and Thomas – Young Harris, GA

-Update on Planning Commission interviews by John Ring. He will give more details later.

-Foam Park Party event this coming Sunday, September 18th, has been canceled and can not be postponed later this year since the weather is getting cooler.

-Update of the Health and Wellbeing Grant – Marci and Irma are attending a Health Promotion Training on September 27, 2022, in Gainesville, GA. The city has received $250.00.

-Do not miss the Fall District 5 GMA meeting on October 19 at 6 pm in Monroe, GA. These meetings are very important. GMA team is there to answer any questions.

-Next Events Committee meeting is on October 11th at 6:30 pm. The next event is Movies at the Park on October 22, 2022, and the movie will be Hocus Pocus.

-Next Work Session and Public Hearing are on September 29th, 6:30 pm.

-Councilman Thomas Gary mentioned that the city is planning a Veteran’s Day Celebration, and this will be a wonderful event to celebrate our veterans.

-Councilman Mike Barfield would like to discuss Business License Fees in the next meeting. Mayor Webster confirmed that Business License Fees will be added to the next Work Session agenda.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK – N/A

Announcements:

  • Next Work Session– September 29th, 2022, 6:30 pm
  • Next City Council Meeting – October 3rd, 2022, 6:30 pm

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