January 8th, 2024 Council Meeting MINUTES

Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 8th, 2024

6:30 P.M. Community Center

Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Members Josh Burkhalter, Mike Barfield, Lamar Watkins, and Thomas Gary. City Clerk Irma Robles, Library Assistant Sherri Stephens, and City Attorney Jody Campbell. 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 1/9/2024).

SWEAR IN MAYOR: City Attorney Jody Campbell swore in Steve T. Nichols to serve as Mayor of the City of Nicholson for a four-year term.

SWEAR IN ELECTED OFFICIALS: City Attorney Jody Campbell swore in Elected Officials Lamar Watkins and Mike Barfield to serve as Council Members of the City of Nicholson for the next four years.

CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the January 8th, 2024, Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Pro Tempore Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 8TH, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the amended January 8th, 2024 Council Meeting Agenda. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no discussions; all were in favor. The agenda was approved.

APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4TH, 2023 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: Council member Thomas Gary motioned to approve the December 4th, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes; Councilman Mike Barfield seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 8TH, 2023 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES: Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the December 8th, 2023 Special Called Meeting Minutes; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. Councilman Mike Barfield asked about not being on the minutes that Councilman Josh Burkhalter attended this meeting by phone. City Attorney Jody Campbell explained that it doesn’t have to but can be added. Councilman Mike Barfield stated he had no problems with this but wanted to verify. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Minutes approved.

DECEMBER 2023 FINANCIALS: Council member Mike Barfield motioned to approve the December 2023 Financial report; Councilman Thomas Gary seconded; Councilman Thomas Gary asked for a 2023 Budget Year End Report, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that she would ask Finance Director Glenda Cantrell to prepare it and inform city council about if a 2023 Budget amendment is needed. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Financials were approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore: Mayor Steve Nichols appointed Councilman Thomas Gary as the 2024 Mayor Pro Tem.

OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

•PPR-2023-01 Preliminary Plat Review for Sanford Drive Subdivision. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to Approve the Application for Preliminary Plat approval submitted by Randy Matheney for the property located at 573 Sanford Road, Nicholson, Georgia, with the following conditions, which shall be added as Notes on the Final Plat prior to approval of the same:

1)   No property within the subdivision shall be used as a rental property.

2)   A mandatory homeowners’ association shall be established and responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all common areas and stormwater facilities.

3)  All homes constructed on any lot shall be a minimum of 2,000 heated square feet.

      Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion; there were no discussions, and all were in favor. Motion approved.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant

2023 was a good year for the library, and 2024 will be even better.

A Piedmont Regional Hospital System registered dietician will present a free Diabetes Basic Program on Tuesday, January 23rd.

Nicholson Library will host a free Drop-in Craft Program on Tuesday, January 30th, from 3-5 pm.

Passport appointments have doubled this month. Processing is now 2-3 weeks for expedited and 5-7 weeks for routine.

The library is working on the Daisy Festival and the Summer Reading Program.

Sherri Stephens presented the library report. 

MAYOR’S REPORT

-Mayor Steve Nichols reminded the city council to decide on our 2024 Independence Day Celebration date to contact Pyrotecnico and get an early discount.

-Mayor Nichols mentioned that the city needs to schedule the 2024 Clean Up Day. He also noted that in previous years, the city has done it on the second Saturday of April.

-He invited everyone to the next Daisy Festival Planning Meeting on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:30 p.m.

-Mayor Steve asked the city council to be ready for the 2024 Retreat meeting and mentioned two dates that the City Attorney is available: Monday, January 29th, and Tuesday, January 30th. City Clerk Irma Robles will email everyone about this meeting.

-He mentioned that he and Councilman Thomas Gary will attend an informational meeting with Senator Frank Ginn about an upcoming multi-city/county water project on January 19th at 10 am.

-Mayor Nichols reminded everyone about the January Work Session on January 25th at 6:30 pm.

-Mayor Steve thanked the Public Works Department for excellently picking up limbs in town and keeping the city clean and beautiful.

ADJOURNMENT

  • Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the January 8th, 2024 Council Meeting; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.-

Announcements: 

*Next Work Session– Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 6:30 pm.

*Next Council Meeting – Monday, February 5th, 2024 at 6:30 pm.

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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles for website

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