Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 2nd, 2023
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Jan Webster, Council Members Josh Burkhalter, Mike Barfield, and Thomas Gary. City Clerk Irma Robles, Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and gWorks Representative Steve Mosteller (virtually). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council member Lamar Watkins and Mainstreet News (emailed draft minutes to Mrs. Angela Gary on 10/3/2023)
CALL TO ORDER – 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 2nd, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the October 2nd, 2023 Council Meeting Agenda. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded; all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the September 5th, 2023, Council Meeting Minutes; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved.
SEPTEMBER 2023 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary asked about the September 2023 P&L; what this amount was for: Expenses 53.1100 General Supplies and Materials for $3,674.07. City Clerk Irma Robles will forward this question to the Finance Department the next business day and will answer the mayor and city council by email.Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the September 2023 Financial report; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded; Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. Motion passed. Financials approved.
New Business:
- Sanitation Billing Software Proposals: gWorks & Ampstun. Councilman Mike Barfield asked how much is the annual increase to switch from Softline Data to gWorks, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that there would be an increase from $700 (Softline Data) to $2,090 per year with gWorks. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to authorize Mayor Webster to sign the contract proposed by gWorks; Councilman Mike Barfield seconded, and all were in favor. Motion approved.
- Selection of Bids for 2023 Roads: Garrett Paving & ASA Paving. Councilman Mike Barfield asked about the paving inches on both bids, and Public Works Director Doyle Samples stated that it is two inches compacted in 1 1/5. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to accept the bid submitted by ASA Paving Company for 2023 Roads. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded, and all were in favor. Motion approved.
- UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: Laarni Robinson from the City of Commerce Gas Department shared information about the Commerce Gas Department and updated state laws about gas leaks. He also mentioned upcoming projects in the Nicholson area.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT: Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
-Nicholson Library has scheduled a Free Play Fun Time for Thursday, Oct 5, from 10:00 AM to noon. Parents/guardians can visit the library to play and read books. The library does have a Children’s Free Play Area in our children’s section.
-Nicholson Library will be closed on Monday, October 9, for the annual Piedmont Regional Library System Staff Training Day.
-The library has an Animal Encounter program scheduled for Thursday, Oct 12, at 1:00 PM. Sandy Creek is presenting the program. This is during Fall Break for the Jackson County School System.
-Nicholson Library Annual Halloween Program, ‘Boo Fest”, will be held Thursday, October 19th from 6-7:30 PM.
-Library Assistant Sherri Stephens assisted Art in the Park on Saturday, September 16th, and represented the library and Nicholson at Partners in Education on September 26th.
-Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, and Library Manager Rhonda O. will attend the city’s Health Class on Wednesday, Oct 4, in the morning.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
-Mayor Jan Webster reminded city council and staff about the following events committee meeting on Thursday, October 12th, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Library Annex.
-She invited everyone to attend the Movies at the Park event on Saturday, October 14th, at 6:00 pm
-Mayor Webster told the city council about a meeting with Michael Viers from WastePro for an upcoming amendment to the WastePro Contract. The amendment is for a 3% increase in every customer’s account. She mentioned that the last increase was in 2021 due to COVID-19, and this increase did not affect the sanitation customers at that time.
-She also reminded everyone that at our next work session, we will discuss our 2024 Budget, which is October 26th, 2023, at 6:30 pm.
-Jan invited the public to the 2023 Veteran’s Day Celebration on Sunday, November 5th at 3 p.m.
-The mayor mentioned that the next Council Meeting is November 6th, 2023, at 6:30 pm.
-She congratulated Councilmen Lamar Watkins and Mike Barfield for four more years at the Nicholson council seat since their only opponent, Dusty Durst, withdrew from the upcoming elections. She reminded everyone of the forthcoming City Elections on November 7th, 2023.
- ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the October 2, 2023 Council Meeting; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.-
Announcements:
*Next Work Session & Budget Hearing– Thursday, October 26th, 2023 at 6:30 pm.
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, November 6th, 2023, at 6:30pm.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles for website.-