Monday, May 5th, 2025
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Members Thomas Gary, Josh Burkhalter, and Mike Barfield. Library Manager Rhonda O., City Attorney Jody Campbell, and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper (Draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 5/6/2025).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on May 5th, 2025, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council member Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF MAY 5TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for May 5th, 2025, was approved, with Councilman 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 APRIL 14TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on April 14th, 2025, as presented; Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
MARCH 2025 FINANCIALS: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the March 2025 Financials as presented. Council member Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. Councilman Thomas Gary asked about expense item 52.1200 for $14,808.84 Professional Services, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that Finance Director Glenda Cantrell communicated that these expenses were $9,765.00 for Call Charlie for cameras at city hall and day care, and $4,461.00 for Call Charlie for cameras at rec center. The original check was voided, and a new check was issued in March 2025 due to mailing issues. Councilman Thomas Gary asked to amend the Financial Report and recommended moving these expenses to item 52.1300 – Professional Services (Technical Services). Councilman Mike Barfield made a substitution motion to table the original motion, Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this substitution motion. All were in favor. Motion was approved. March 2025 Financials were tabled.
- Selection of 2025 Scholarship Recipient
Mayor Nichols asked council members if they had selected a recipient for the 2025 Scholarship. Councilman Josh Burkhalter chose Alivia Weaver, Councilman Thomas Gary chose Jodi Bedgood, Councilman Lamar Watkins chose Randy Buchan, and Councilman Mike Barfield stated that he didn’t read any of the applications and was not prepared to select a recipient. After much discussion, it was mentioned that Alivia Weaver did not submit a recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor, or school administration, and that Randy Buchan lives inside Nicholson City Limits. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to select Jodi Bedgood as the recipient for the 2025 Scholarship; councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded, and there were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Selection of Bid for the Wilbanks House. Mayor Nichols mentioned that the city received two bids, one from Coleman Smith for $10,002.50 and another from Valerio Jesus Heredia for $11,000.00 to purchase the Wilbanks House at City Park. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to accept Jesus’s bid for $11,000.00 since it is the highest bid, and Councilman Thomas Gary seconded it. Councilman Mike Barfield mentioned that this afternoon, he received a call from Jackson County Habitat for Humanity, which was also interested in purchasing this house but was unaware of the sale. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins asked if this surplus sale was advertised, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied that it was advertised for two weeks in the Mainstreet Newspaper. There were no further comments or discussions. Councilman Mike Barfield opposed. 3-1. The motion passed.
- TSPLOST IGA. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the proposed Draft TPLOST IGA and authorize Mayor Steve Nichols to sign it. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded it. There were no comments or discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Garrett Paving – Proposal for Shoulder Building on Sanford Rd, Jim David Rd & Ditch Repair on Jim David Rd. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the proposal from Garrett Paving for the Shoulder Building on Sanford Rd, Jim David Rd, and the Ditch Repair on Jim David Rd. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no comments or discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
Councilman Thomas Gary asked why the work session agenda item, Purple Heart City Proclamation, is not on the agenda for this council meeting. City Clerk Irma Robles stated that it has been removed since the city could not contact the Purple Heart Organization chapter yet.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager
Daisy Festival: This event went well for the library. It was the first time the library attempted a parade float. They won first place! Nicholson Library plans on having a float and PuRL (rolling library) again.
Mrs. O’Keeffe wants to take this opportunity to thank her staff and volunteers for all the hard work they put in for the Daisy Festival. Now on to SRP!
This visit to SJES today was the last of the 24/25 school year. She saw 250 people today. The library already has dates scheduled for the 25/26 school year.
The following events are scheduled for May:
-Drop in Mother’s Day Craft Thursday, May 8 from 3-5 PM
-Friends of the Library Meeting Tuesday, May 13, 5:30 PM
-Summer Reading Kick Off Program, Thursday, May 29, 11:00 AM at the park
-Registration for summer reading starts Saturday, May 24th.
The painting of the library has started. They painted over the festival weekend. It is a good start.
Changing out their circulation desk and end panels should start in June 2025.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Nichols congratulated and thanked the staff for a fantastic Daisy Festival this past weekend, despite the storm on Friday night.
-Cemetery Sign Incident: Mayor Nichols told the city council about a burgundy firebird or Trans Am car hitting the City Cemetery sign, which will cost the city around $6,000.00. He mentioned that City Clerk Irma Robles is checking with the city’s insurance company for a claim.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to adjourn the May 5th, 2025, Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – May 22nd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– June 2nd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles