Monday, January 6th 2025
6:30 PM. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Members Thomas Gary and Lamar Watkins, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Attorney Jody Campbell, City Clerk Irma Robles and Administrative Assistant Jennifer Vilchis. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council Members Mike Barfield and Josh Burkhalter. 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 1/7/2025).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on January 6th, 2025, to order at 6:33 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 6TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for January 6th, 2025, was approved, with Councilman Thomas Gary motioning for approval as presented and Councilman Lamar Watkins seconding. There were no discussions, and all were in favor.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 2ND, 2024, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Council member Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes for December 2nd, 2024, as presented; Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
NOVEMBER 2024 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the November 2024 Financials as presented. Council member Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. All were in favor. The financial report was approved.
- Ordinance Adopting Purchasing Policy Amendment. Councilman Thomas Gary asked if changes to the Purchasing Policy are on item number two, and City Attorney Jody Campbell affirmed his question.Councilman Thomas Gary also asked about getting three bids for this kind of purchase, and Mayor Nichols clarified that adopting this ordinance would allow the approval of purchases from state contractors without having to get three bids.Mayor Nichols added that these purchases would also require council approval.Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Ordinance as presented. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no further comments or discussions. All were in favor. The Ordinance was adopted.
- Regions Matured Investment Account. Councilman Thomas Gary asked if the 97K is enough to cover the expenses to remodel the Old Annex Building. Mayor Nichols responded that the city doesn’t know for sure since he is waiting for the bids to be submitted. Still, it is around that amount, and if it needs extra money, the city can use SPLOST funds. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve moving the funds of 100K that were put back into the General Fund to the Georgia Fund One Investment Account and use the remaining funds to remodel and renovate the Old Annex Building. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- City Hall Printer & Plotter – Proposals. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve Duplicating Products’ proposal for $99 per month on a 60-month lease for the printer and $149 per month on a 60-month lease for the Scanner Plotter. Council member Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no comments or discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Nicholson Planning Commission: Appointment of New Member Michael Archer. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the nomination of Michael Archer to the Nicholson Planning Commission. Council member Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no comments or discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Appointment & Swear In of 2025 Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Nichols appointed Council Member Lamar Watkins as the 2025 Mayor Pro Tem. City Attorney Jody Campbell clarified what the charter says about serving two consecutive terms and that this position does not have to be sworn in. There were no further questions or discussions. Councilman Lamar Watkins is the 2025 Nicholson Mayor Pro Tem.
- Set Qualifying Dates and Fees for the 2025 Election. Fees are set at 3% of the total year’s pay: $108 for Council Members and $216 for Mayors. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve a qualifying fee of $108 for two council seats at the 2025 Elections on the following qualifying dates: August 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. There were no questions or comments regarding this agenda item. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Set Retreat Date and Location. City Clerk Irma Robles reminded the city council about the 2025 Retreat Meeting and asked for available dates, locations, and times. She suggested holding this meeting in the same place as in previous years. City Attorney Jody Campbell will email available dates.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
December 2024:
Nicholson Library had a great turnout for Santa. They had over 300 people. That was great considering the awful weather.
There was a great turnout for the EJES Holiday Event (PuRL) and our SJES event with (PuRL).
January 2025:
The Library will be having a drop-in craft on January 9, 2025, 3-5 PM. The children will be creating snowmen.
The Adult Book Club will be held on Thursday January 16th at 1:30 PM. They will be discussing the book Helter Skelter.
The library will be closed for the Federal Holiday of Martin Luther King on Monday, January 20th.
The Friends of the Harold S. Swindle Public Library will be meeting on Tuesday January 28th at 6:30 PM. Election of officers will be held.
A new program will begin on Thursday, January 30 from 11 AM – 1 PM. The Homeschoolers Adventure Club. The Library is inviting local Homeschoolers to meet in our annex (a library staff person will be present) bring a brown bag lunch and play games. Nicholson Library will provide some games and children can bring their own.
PuRL and Manager Rhonda will be visiting SJES on Monday, Jan 27, 2025
Nicholson Library will be having a traveling exhibit from Kennesaw State starting on Jan 27th thru Feb 3. This exhibit is titled: Words, Music, Memory Representing Voices of the Holocaust. The exhibit is free.
Councilman Thomas Gary asked for an update on the Library Renovations, and the Library Manager, Rhonda O., responded that they were going well and that contractors would come over to give her quotes for painting. She will be receiving some new tables soon. There is no date yet for the delivery of the shelving and desks.
- MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Renovation of Old Annex Building Update: Mayor Nichols updated the public on this project, mentioning that the architect’s drawings are ready, and the staff is working on the bidding package. Once this is ready, it will be sent to City Attorney Jody Campbel for review.
-Councilman Thomas Gary asked if a date was set for the 2025 Spring Clean Up event, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that she is working on this. It will probably be discussed at the Retreat Meeting along with the Independence Day Fireworks Show date.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to adjourn the January 6th, 2025, Council Meeting. Councilman Thoms Gary seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.-
Announcements:
*Next Public Hearing on Special Called Meeting – January 9th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Work Session & Public Hearing – January 23rd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Public Hearing & Council Meeting– February 3rd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles