Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 5th, 2022
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.
Attending: Mayor Jan Webster, Council Members: Mike Barfield, Thomas Gary, Lamar Watkins, Josh Burkhalter. City Attorney Jody Campbell (by phone), City Clerk Irma Robles, and Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Public Works Director Doyle Samples and Mainstreet News (emailed draft minutes to Angie on 12/6/22)
Pledge of Allegiance – All
Minutes: Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the November 7th, 2022, Council Meeting Minutes; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.
Financials: No financial report was given to Mayor and Council.
- LOST Proposal: Councilman Mike motioned to authorize Mayor Webster to sign the LOST Certificate of Distribution as proposed with the two-year and cero-year phases out. Councilman Gary seconded; all were in favor. Motion approved.
- Conditional Use Permit Application from Debra and William Minish to live in their manufactured home while their new single-family dwelling is under construction. Councilman Barfield asked when applicants expect to start building. Applicant Minish said they would like to start building in the summer of next year. Councilman Mike asked if they were able to get a new drawing of the proposed 1,400 sq ft structure. Applicants responded that they did not have a new drawing. City Attorney stated that Council could vote on the conditional use permit application with a variance to allow the building to be 1,350 square feet, vote to approve and require that the building meet the 1,400 square feet requirement, or table the request to allow the applicants time to submit revised drawings. Councilman Barfield motioned to approve the Conditional Use application with the following conditions: 1. Increase the square footage of the new home from 1,350.00 sq. ft to 1,400.00 sq. ft and 2. The home’s construction must be completed within one year as of today. Councilman Barfield further added that the conditional use approval would be valid only as long as they operate under an open building permit. Councilman Gary added that applicants could request an extension of the building permit if needed. Attorney mentioned that building permits are valid for six months, and applicants can request an extension to city hall. Councilman Gary seconded the motion with the three conditions. All were in favor. Motion approved.
- Reappointment of Planning Commission Members: Kyle Smith and Scott Ethridge: Councilman Barfield made a motion to reappointment Kyle Smith and Scott Ethridge for the next three-year term for the Nicholson Planning Commission. Councilman Josh seconded, and all were in favor. Motion approved.
- Pavilion Restrooms – Stalls Quotes. Councilman Barfield motioned to approve the One Point Partitions company quote for $4,665.00 with a three-year warranty; Councilman Gary seconded; all were in favor. Motion approved.
- Selection of Bids for Painting City Hall offices: Councilman Barfield motioned to disapprove and not accept both bids from Bowman and Professional Painting LLC; Councilman Lamar seconded, and Councilman Gary opposed. Motion approved.
- NWA SPLOST Project: Council Member Mike Barfield made a motion to approve as submitted; Councilman Lamar seconded, and all were in favor. Motion approved. Councilman Gary asked about the total amount, and Mayor responded that the NWA would receive a total balance of $5,056.00 from “Various water and sewer projects” from the SPLOST VI category after SPLOST Committee approval.
- OLD BUSINESS:
- Business License Fees: Councilman Mike motioned to add a twenty-five dollars application fee to business license applications effective January 1st, 2023. Councilman Gary seconded; Councilman Josh opposed. Motion approved.
- LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Nicholson Library is set for Santa’s visit on Dec 8th. Everything is in order. Manager Rhonda is not expecting as many people as last year. EJES is having its holiday event on the same evening.
The library will be having a Krafty Creations drop-in event on December 20th. The project that the children will be making is wreaths.
There will be an Adult Book meeting this month on Dec 15th.
Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) and Rhonda O. (Library Manager) are studying to become recertified agents for passports. Manager O’Keeffe is also doing the paperwork to redo the certification to be a passport facility.
Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) continues reading to Candy Castle Daycare every Monday morning.
The library will start working on 2024 Summer Reading Program.
-Krafty Craft project for Jan and other items.
- MAYOR’S REPORT:
- Christmas Tree Lighting event is on Thursday, December 8th, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Different churches are coming to sing Christmas carols, and the city is planning to receive around 150 attendees.
- Christmas Luncheon on Friday December 16th, 2022 at noon.
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK – Janet Adams – GED/CLCP Update
Mrs. Adams provided an update on GED/CLCP adult programs in the county and invited all to be part of them.
- ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Lamar motioned to adjourn the December Council Meeting; Councilman Burkhalter seconded, and all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm.-
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – December 22nd, 2022
*Next Council Meeting – TBD January 9th, 2023
______________________________________________________________________________Approved by City Clerk for website