Monday, June 3rd, 2024
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary, Council Members Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, Josh Burkhalter, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Attorney Jody Campbell, and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Public Works Director Doyle Samples and Mainstreet News (draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 6/5/2024).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on [June 3rd, 2024] to order at [6:31 p.m.].
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilman Josh Burkhalter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 3RD, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for June 3rd, 2024 was approved, with Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioning for approval, councilman Lamar Watkins seconding, and all in favor.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 5TH, 2024 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Special Council Meeting Minutes for April 5th, 2024; Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
APPROVAL OF MAY 6TH, 2024, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes for May 6th, 2024; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked if the library repairs stated in the Mayor’s Report were finalized, and Library Manager Rhonda O. responded that all the repairs were completed. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
MAY 2024 FINANCIALS: Mayor Nichols mentioned that Finance Director Glenda Cantrell included the LOST revenue in this monthly report. Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the May 2024 Financials. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The financials were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
- SPLOST 6 NWA Funds Request: Mayor Nichols told the city council that the Jackson County SPLOST Committee approved this request this morning.He also mentioned that the total amount requested is more than NWA has in the SPLOST 6 Water category. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell will write a check for $89,069.71 from the SPLOST 6 account.Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the NWA Funds request with the approval of the Jackson County SPLOST Committee to pay out the amount of $89,069.71 to Nicholson Water Authority, and Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Motion Approved.
- Adult Literacy Jackson Contract for Services: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to authorize Mayor Nichols to sign the Adult Literacy Jackson Contract for Services and write a check for $904.00. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Motion Approved.
- Second Amendment of ProBuild Commercial Lease Agreement: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to authorize Mayor Nichols to signthe Second Amendment of ProBuild Commercial Lease Agreement for $515 monthly rent for two rooms instead of three. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Motion Approved.
- 2024 GIRMA Renewal: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to authorize Mayor Nichols to sign the 2024 GIRMA Renewal for $27,710.00. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no discussions. The motion was approved.
- Quote for Installation of 16ch recorder and ten additional cameras at the City Hall complex on the Daycare side: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the cameras quote from Call Charlie Inc. for $5,016.00. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. Councilman Mike Barfield asked for a drawing of the camera’s location, which was sent to them, but he also got a copy during the meeting. He also wondered if this is the city’s responsibility, and City Attorney Jody Campbell responded that per the agreement, the city is responsible for the exterior maintenance of the premises. All were in favor, and there were no further discussions. The motion was approved. Councilman Josh Burkhalter asked if the daycare has special door locks, and City Attorney Jody Campbell responded that they should be up to code since the State has inspected them.
- Residential Agreement for Wilbanks House (Marcus Gifford): Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to table this agenda item. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded the motion.Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked why this agenda item was being tabled, and Councilman Watkins stated he needed more information about the uses of this house and how many guests are allowed to live there. City Attorney Jody Campbell told the city council to read Paragraph 6 of the Residential Agreement and mentioned that this house is for residential use only. Two guests are allowed, and extra guests are permitted for no longer than five days. The City Attorney noted that Marcus could use the Community Center parking lot, but no recreational vehicles can be parked. The primary motivation for this agreement was that Marcus would monitor the city park, alert the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office of any vandalism act, and not engage any trespasser. Councilman Josh Burkhalter asked if Marcus would always have camera access and alerts, and Mayor Nichols confirmed this. Councilman Josh Burkhalter and Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary opposed this motion. 2 to 2. Mayor Nichols opposed it and broke the tie. 3-2. The motion to table this agenda item was not approved. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to authorize Mayor Nichols to sign the Wilbanks House Residential Agreement for city employee Marcus Gifford. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. There were no further discussions. Councilman Mike Barfield opposed. Motion carries.
- TSPLOST IGA—Categories and Project Breakdown: Mayor Nichols reminded the city council not to promote or speak in favor ofor against it. Only talk about the facts and no personal opinions until the referendum is set. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the TSPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement and authorize Mayor Nichols to sign it. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. All were in favor. There were no discussions. The motion was approved. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked what would happen if this were approved in November’s elections. City Attorney Jody Campbellusually takes effect in the next calendar year, and the money is collected through the state, the state sends it to the County, and the County distributes it to the cities. As far as spending the money, the city clocks don’t start until the money is in the city’s account.
- Selection of Bid: 2024 Roads Paving: Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to approve Garretts Paving’s bid for $735,439.31 to pave 2024 roads. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary and Councilman Lamar Watkins asked about the timeframe for paving the streets. Mayor Nichols replied that these would be paved before November or December of this year. All were in favor. There were no further discussions. The motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
May 2024:
Passports – 19
The Library Manager visited SJES Career Day and spoke to the Kindergarten Classes.
Registration for the Summer Reading Program began May 24, 2024
June 2024:
Nicholson Library programs for the SRP begin.
-Touch A Truck Tuesday, June 4, parking lot (Nicholson Fire and Rescue, City of Nicholson Public Works, Jackson County Sheriff Dept. and PuRL (PRLS rolling library)
-Hand Me Down Zoo June 6 front yard library
-Mobile Dairy (Milking cows) June 13 (city hall sidewalk)
-Bright Star Theatre (Aesop’s Fables) June 17
-Smokey Bear June 20
-Mobile AG Classrooms June 26 all-day parking lot
-Laser Tag June 27
The library also has craft programs. Please refer to the June 2024 library calendar that Library Manager Rhonda emailed to everyone.
Adults:
The library has chair yoga twice a month. Book Club once a month.
Lunches:
Nicholson Library received the $1000 donation for lunches from SF Family Enterprises. The staff bought the shelf-ready food from Sam’s, and they are serving lunch and breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays (11:30 AM—12:30 PM) during June. They will add to that if we have the money.
All bags obtain the following:
Cookies, Utensils, and Napkin
Food (Pick One):
Mini Muffins or Nutrigrain Bars
Kraft Mac and Cheese (microwaveable)
Chef Boyardee’s microwaveable pasta
Starkist Tuna Pouch
Dole Cherry Fruit Mix
Dole Mixed Fruit
Cheez-its
Fruit Snacks
Water or Capri Sun
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked about Water Day, and Library Manager Rhonda replied that the event will be held on July 20th, 2024.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
Mayor Nichols, City Clerk Irma Robles, and the NWA representatives met with the Jackson County SPLOST Committee this morning. The SPLOST Committee approved the purchase of the land and the Neatoware Computer Software and Hardware system. They tabled some requests (additional seating area at the park and road signs and poles), but these will be added to the new land and road paving projects.
-Mayor Steve attended the Maysville Mayor’s Luncheon today, which was very productive. County Manager Kevin Poe and County Manager Assistant Gina Roy discussed TSPLOST updates and marketing ideas by Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jim Shaw. Nicholson is hosting the next mayor’s lunch in the first week of August, and Mayor Nichols invited the city council to it.
-Mayor Steve Nichols told the city council about a massive road cleanup on Cedar Dr. that he attended with Public Works Director Doyle Samples and prisoner inmates last Thursday. He also mentioned that Bobby Crawford passed away; he will be missed since he was a council member for years and did much for this community. Mayor Nichols sent condolences to the family on behalf of the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked City Clerk Irma Robles to send flowers.
-Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked Mayor Nichols if the city has a land development plan for the recently purchased land on Lakeview Dr. Mayor Nichols responded that he is currently working on this. He asked the city council to develop ideas for the new land, like walking trails and a new playground. Once the city has a plan, he will ask the SPLOST Committee to approve funds. Councilman Lamar Watkins wondered if there still was a lake on this land, and Mayor Nichols answered that the lake was still there.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
ADJOURNMENT:Council Lamar Watkins motioned to adjourn the June 3rd, 2024, Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.-
Announcements:
*Next Work Session & Public Hearing– Thursday, June 27th, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, July 1st, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles for website.-