August 7th 2023 Council Meeting MINUTES

Monday, August 7th, 2023

6:30 P.M. Community Center

Attending: Mayor Jan Webster, Council Members Josh Burkhalter, Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, and Thomas Gary. City Clerk Irma Robles, Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe, and City Attorney Jody Campbell (available by phone). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Public Works Director Doyle Samples and Mainstreet News (emailed draft minutes to Mrs. Angela Gary on 8/8/2023)

CALL TO ORDER – 6:30 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – All.

APPROVAL OF AUGUST 7^TH, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the August 7^th, 2023 Council Meeting Agenda. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded; all were in favor. The agenda was approved.

JULY 3^rd, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: Council member Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the July 3rd, 2023, Council Meeting Minutes; Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

JULY 2023 FINANCIALS: Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the July 2023 Financial report; Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. All were in favor. Financials approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Property owners and applicants Larry & Nancy Farmer from 765 Cabin Creek Dr (3.69 acres) zoned SR – to rebuild a 4-unit apartment building destroyed by fire. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if the proposed use is for the entire property, the 3.69 acres. City Attorney Jody Campbell (by phone) replied that the conditional use application is for the entire property. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the conditional use application from Nancy and Larry Farmer. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The motion was approved. Applicant Nancy Farmer requested written approval from the city.
Property owner Charlie A. Smith and applicant Terry Chancey from 5412 Highway 441 (2.19 acres) zoned TC – for a small engine repair business. Council member Lamar Watkins made a motion to approve the Conditional Use application from Mr. Terry Chancey with no conditions; the motion died for lack of a second motion. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to grant the conditional use application with the following conditions: screen-in or fence must be installed where the small engine repair business will be performed, and a ten-year time limit for this use; after ten years, the applicant would have to reapply for a conditional use to the city council. Motion died for lack of a second motion. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to grant the conditional use application with the following conditions: screen-in or fence must be installed where the small engine repair business will be performed, and a two-year time limit for this use; after two years, the applicant would have to reapply for a conditional use to the city council. Motion died for lack of a second motion. Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to table this agenda item since he has more questions about the fence location for the Bureau Veritas team in the next meeting. Council member Lamar Watkins seconded; Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. Motion carries. The conditional use application from Mr. Terry Chancey will be voted on in the next council meeting.
Council member Thomas Gary motioned to approve the 2022 & 2023 America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Budgets; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. 2022 & 2023 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Budgets were approved.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK:

Terry Chancey and Kevin Dean asked Mayor and Council about the fence location as one of the conditions mentioned on the conditional use application at 5412 Highway 441 for the small engine repair business. Mr. Dean would like to see drawings of the proposed fence.

LIBRARIANS REPORT

Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager

Nicholson Library ended the Summer Reading on a high note with a Foam Party. The library had over 100 patrons show up, and everyone loved it. Library Manager emailed Mayor and Council a list of the grand prize winners. As part of the library news release to the local paper, the library included the list of winners. For those attending public schools, the library sent the grand prize winners and everyone who participated. The list was sent to the media specialists.

It was a successful summer. Nicholson Library had around 100 participants in the children’s program. The library had 30 participants in the Adult Summer Reading Program.

Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, attended the EJES Open House on Tuesday, August 1st. The Library Manager attended the SJES Open House on the same day. Nicholson Library informed parents and students of what the library has to offer. The library had a drawing of books and goodies at each school. Shiloh Rich (Kindergarten) won at SJES and Jaxon Goodine (3^rd) at EJES.

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day was Friday, August 4^th—the library celebrated by handing out chocolate chip cookies to children. Thanks to Webster Catering. Nicholson Library had out books about cookies and baking. The library also had the three and four-year-old classes from Candy Castle come to visit. Ms. Sherri read a book to them (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie). The staff explained how the library works, and they left with a small goodie bag that included a chocolate chip cookie.

Nicholson Library will have a “How to Get the Most Out of Your Phone” for seniors. This class is for users of iPhones and Android users—on August 25^th at 11:00 AM.

Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, will start reading to the Candy Castle Children this Wednesday, August 9.

Nicholson Library staff is using this month to organize and clean the library after a busy Summer.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Nicholson Water War event feedback. Mayor Webster thanked Marty Clark for donating hot dogs and chips from Dairy Queen and Robert Akin from the Hardigree Team for donating water and kids’ juices.
Jackson Co. Picnic Roundtable is at the AG Center on August 9th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
GMA Small Cities Training in Dublin, GA, is August 17^th and 18^th
Qualifying Period starts on August 21^st through August 23^rd from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at city hall.
Next Work Session is August 24^th at 6:30 pm
Next Council Meeting is TBD – September 4^th (Labor Day). September Council Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 5^th, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to adjourn the August 7th, 2023 Council Meeting; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.-

Announcements:

*Next Work Session – Thursday, August 24th, 2023 at 6:30 pm

*Next Council Meeting – Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, at 6:30pm

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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles for website.-