Monday, December 2nd, 2024
6:30 PM. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary, Council Members Lamar Watkins, 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: Council Member Mike Barfield, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Planning Commission Chairman John Ring, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper (Draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 12/3/2024).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on December 2nd, 2024, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Josh Burkhalter led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 2ND, 2024, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for December 2nd, 2024, was approved, with Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioning for approval as presented and Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconding. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 2024, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes for November 4th, 2024, as presented; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
OCTOBER 2024 FINANCIALS: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the October 2024 Financials as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded this motion. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked about total expenses and net income, which significantly increased. Mayor Nichols replied that the city received the insurance premium tax check this month. All were in favor. The financial report was approved.
- Ordinance to Adopt “INDEMNITY AND DEFENSE OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS” Mayor Nichols mentioned that the city had not yet received a proposal from the Insurance Company to cover this indemnity.Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Ordinance as presented. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. There were no comments or discussions. All were in favor. The Ordinance was adopted.
- SPLOST Expenses:
- -Library: Replacement of Circulation Desk and Shelving Unit behind it. Quote 2393OTN. Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the quote as presented for $39,487.40. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- -Library: Replacement of Pink End Panels and Tops for Shelving Units Quote 2394OTN. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the quote as presented for $18,690.41. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The Motion was approved. Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked if there was any start date for this project, and the Library Manager replied there was no assigned date since she was waiting for approval.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
Daycare:
Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, reads to the Candy Castle Daycare twice a month.
Schools:
The library Manager goes out with the Piedmont Rolling Library (PuRL) to SJES once a month.
Sherri Stephens will attend the EJES Holiday Event with PuRL on Thursday, Dec 12.
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce:
The Library Manager will attend a Chamber event (breakfast) on Wednesday, December 4.
Holiday Event:
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the library on Tuesday, December 10, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Flyers for this event and the tree lighting went out to the elementary schools today.
Summer:
Nicholson Library has begun work on the 2025 Summer Reading Program.
The library did not receive the grant to upgrade our Veteran’s display. They will continue searching.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Renovation of Old Annex Basement: Architect drawings will be ready this week
-The sign at City Hall has been updated with the new two businesses in Benton Center, and it looks excellent.
-City Attorney Jody Campbell mentioned that he has drafted an amendment to the purchasing policy that will be added to next month’s agenda. This amendment would allow the city to use government databases and resources for purchasing (such as the library equipment the city just bought) and websites like gov deals that run through the state. All pricing and vendors have already gone through the bidding process and are subject to competitive bidding. Hence, we know we are getting the best price.
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked when the Christmas Tree Lighting event would start, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that it would begin at 5:30 p.m. She also mentioned the location of all the activities, the number of available vendor spots, and the fact that there is no charge to be a vendor for this event.
-Councilman Josh Burkhalter mentioned that the LED Stop Signs on Sanford Dr are working.
Also, he asked about the Nicholson City Limits signs, and Mayor Nichols replied that the city is currently working on this with the DOT since they will be put on 441.
-Councilman Lamar Watkins asked about the Mulberry St sign on 441, and Mayor Nichols replied that the city had requested GDOT to replace it.
-Mayor Nichols is meeting with the Engineers next Monday morning to review road paving issues.
-Mayor Steve also reminded the city council to suggest members for the Nicholson Planning Commission since one seat is available. This will be discussed at the next workshop.
-Mayor Steve Nichols and City Attorney Jody Campbell reminded the city council not to miss the following three council/work session meetings since the city has public hearings for HB581.
-Councilman Lamar Watkins asked for an update on Sanford Dr. Subdivision, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that the city would start having Pre-Construction meetings with them and the NWA this month.
Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary asked if the new owner of the Event Center on Cedar Station Dr. needs to apply for new permits. City Attorney Jody Campbell replied that what has already been approved has been approved, but if they need to make changes, they will need to come back to the city. City Clerk Irma Robles added that they must apply for a new business license.
-Councilman Lamar Watkins asked about a new subdivision being built at the end of Cedar Dr. City Clerk Irma Robles replied that it is not inside the Nicholson City Limits.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Lamar Watkins motioned to adjourn the December 2nd, 2024, Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Thoms Gary seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.-
Announcements:
*Next Work Session & Public Hearing – Thursday, December 19th, 2024, at 6:30 pm.
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, January 6th, 2025, at 6:30 pm.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles