Monday, July 1st, 2024
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary, Council Members Lamar Watkins, Mike Barfield, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Attorney Jody Campbell, City Clerk Irma Robles and Mainstreet Newspaper representative. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Councilman Josh Burkhalter and Public Works Director Doyle Samples. (Draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 7/2/2024).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on [July 1st, 2024] to order at [6:30 p.m.].
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF JULY 1ST, 2024 COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for July 1st was approved, with Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioning for approval, councilman Mike Barfield seconding, there were discussions and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 3RD, 2024, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes for June 3rd, 2024; Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded. There were discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
JUNE 2024 FINANCIALS: Mayor Nichols mentioned that the amount reflected in the bottom of the report is for the city’s insurance, and Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary confirmed the amount being $27,710.00 Insurance other than EE Benefits Item number 52.3100. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if this amount was for the whole year, and Mayor Steve Nichols affirmed this statement. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the June 2024 Financials. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked what is item number 52.1200 Professional Services – Other for $5,016.00, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that this expense is for Call Charlie Inc. to install the new camera system at City Hall. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The financials were approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Variance request for a pole sign at 199 Memorial Drive, also known as Map & Parcel # 013-032. The property is located in the HB (Highway Business) District. Councilman Mike Barfield made a motion to approve this variance request with no special conditions. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The variance was approved.
- 2023 Budget Amendment: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the 2023 Budget Amendment as presented. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Community Center Kitchen Gas Stove quotes: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to accept the bid from Manning Brothers for the stove only and not to include the deep fryer. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary amended the previous motion by including the installation of the stainless-steel shelves off the sides. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded the amendment of the last motion. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if the 5-year warranty was a reasonable expenditure, and City Attorney Jody Campbell responded that the warranty was part of the bid. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Community Center Meeting Room – A/C System proposals: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve purchasing the new A/C, including the heating system from J.G Simmons Heating & Air, for $8,500.00. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Jackson Co Sheriff’s Office Housing – Booking Contract & MOU: Councilman Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the Jackson Co Sheriff’s Office Housing – Booking Contract & MOU as presented. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
PROGRAMS:
June was a great month.
-Served 350 lunches. This included lunches for the weekend from Backpack Kids. They deliver 25 lunches to the library every week to hand out on Fridays. Nicholson Library serves lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and its programs are on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. The library plans to continue in July. The library has learned what the children like and dislike, so they will have a plan in place for what to buy next summer.
Programs for June:
Touch a Truck 100
Chair Yoga 7
Hand Me Down Zoo 212
Paint and Take (craft) for Father’s Day 76
PuRL at SJES 18
Mobile Dairy 140
Bright Star Play 10
Safari Craft 10
Chair Yoga 6
Smokey Bear 85
Adult Book Club 5
Craft with Candy Castle 60
Binocular Craft 35
Mobile AG Classroom 100
Laser Tag 82 Big Hit
Passports 24 Made $720.60
July 2024:
Fourth of July Craft
Festival: The library will be selling Sand Art Bracelets
American Pest Control (bugs)
Chair Yoga
Compass Craft
Pendant Craft
PuRL at SJES
Adult Book Club
Wrap Up Foam and Water Party
Library Assistant Sherri Stephens and Manager Rhonda will attend the open houses on July 30 at EJES and SJES.
Nicholson Library staff is currently working on plans for the library for the fall and winter.
The library manager wants to commend her staff for their incredible job. They handle a large number of programs, plus our regular duties of passports and checking in and out books. This is with a staff of three at the library—a big shout-out to Sherri Stephens and Olivia Brewer.
Councilman Mike Barfield asked how the quilt raffle was going so far, and the Library Manager replied that it was going well.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Steve Nichols mentioned that several attended the GMA 2024 Annual Convention in Savannah last week, and it was very productive. They learned a lot at this conference.
-Mayor Nichols also told the city council that Finance Director Glenda Cantrell will give a month behind financial report starting next September 2024. During the September 2024 council meeting, the council will discuss the July 2024 financials.
-Mayor Steve invited everyone to the upcoming Independence Day Celebration this Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024.
-Mayor Nichols reminded everyone about the next work session on July 25th, 2024, and the next council meeting on August 5th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
-Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary also invited everyone to purchase gun and quilt raffle tickets since the drawings will be held right before the fireworks show starts.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the July 1st, 2024, Council Meeting. Council member Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.-
Announcements:
*Next Work Session– Thursday, July 25th, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, August 5th, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
___________________________________________________________________
Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles