Monday, June 2nd, 2025
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Council Members Thomas Gary and Josh Burkhalter. Library Manager Rhonda O. and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council member Mike Barfield, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper (Draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 6/3/2025).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on June 2nd, 2025, to order at 6:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council member Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 2ND, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: The Council Meeting Agenda for June 2nd, 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 MAY 5TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on May 5th, 2025, as presented; Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
APRIL 2025 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the April 2025 Financials as presented. Council member Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about expense item 52.1301 for $75.00 to Boydtek, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that she would check with Finance Director Glenda Cantrell the following business day and email the city council with more information. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. April 2025 Financials were approved.
Applicant and owner, Nicholas Zaslavsky. Request to rezone +/- 2.2 acres located at 4331 Highway 441 – Map & Parcel # 013-033 from the current RR (Rural Residential) District to HB (Highway Business) District. Mayor Nichols informed the city council that, due to discrepancies in the advertised acreage and parcel numbers, staff recommend tabling this agenda item until the next meeting to allow time to correct all these issues and re-advertise. Councilman Thomas Gary asked City Clerk Irma Robles if the city has time to re-advertise and still vote on this matter at the July council meeting. City Clerk Irma Robles replied that the city has to submit the amended legal notice by Wednesday, June 4th, to be able to vote on this matter in the July 2025 council meeting. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to table this agenda item until the next council meeting to correct the items that need to be corrected. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. Mayor Nichols asked City Clerk Irma Robles about the dates for this zoning request’s public hearing. There were no further comments or discussions. All were in favor. Motion was tabled.
- Meeting Room Columns Repair – Quotes: Mayor Nichols presented three quotes to repair the brick columns at the meeting room from Osiel Juarez for $10,750.00, Chase Crawford for $18,000.00, and Walter Barnett Construction for $14,000.00. Council member Josh Burkhalter inquired about one quote from Walter Barnett Construction, which states, “re-brick two columns to original height,” and Osiel’s states, “tear down until they get to solid brick.” Mayor Nichols responded that he met with the three bidders and inspected the meeting room with all of them, and this is what they are proposing. Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the quote from Osiel Juarez for $10,750.00, and Councilman Thomas Gary seconded this motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Proclamation of June 9-13 as Georgia Municipal Court Clerk Week. Mayor Nichols presented the proclamation signed by the Governor’s office and read the Proclamation of June 9-13 as Georgia Municipal Court Clerk Week in Nicholson, Georgia. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Proclamation, and Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager. The Summer Reading Program has begun:
Polynesian Dancer and Fire Performer were a big hit. The library had over 100 people at the park. Everyone had a great time. Nicholson Library was also able to give away three prize packs donated by the Dole Company of Hawaii.
This Tuesday, they will have the petting zoo on the front lawn at the library.
Thursday brings Touch a Truck to the parking lot. The following programs will be held in June:
Events: Crescent Circus and Laser Tag
Crafts: Paint & Take, Slime Bar, Thumbprint Stamp Art, and Butterfly Sun Catcher
Lunch giveaway started Tuesday, May 27. We have already given away 170 lunches. The Library Manager has ordered more food.
Friends of the Nicholson Library are meeting every month. They will assist us at the library booth at the Independence Day Festival.
The library has been painted. It looks good. The Library Manager Rhonda O. is still waiting on the new circulation desk and end panels. She hopes it will be at the end of June.
Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, won a grant from AARP. That money will allow us to buy the rest of the items necessary for the Veterans Program. The library needs a shelf, a scanner, a new inside flagpole, and a bench.
The Library Manager wants to commend Sherri Stephens, Library Assistant, who has been thinking outside of the box for reading prize donations for our Summer Reading Program.
The library continues to have a news article in the local paper each month with photos.
Mayor Nichols invited everyone to visit the library.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Nichols told the city council that the city will begin working on repairing the brick columns as soon as possible.
-Renovations are completed at the Old Annex Library Building. The basement renovations are complete; the tenant has moved in and is now operating from there.
-Mayor Steve invited everyone to the 2025 Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd and thanked staff for working hard on putting this event together.
-The monthly Mayor’s luncheon was today, and Nicholson hosted it. Jackson County Mayors discussed TSPLOST.
-Mayor Nichols is attending the District 5 Mayors Luncheon in Statham, GA, this Thursday.
-Council member Thomas Gary asked City Clerk Irma Robles if the fireworks company is ready with permits, and City Clerk Irma Robles confirmed it.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: Dean Christian asked about city facilities rental fees, specifically the Benton Hall, and City Clerk Irma Robles replied with the rental costs. She also offered the Cozy City Studio Room for small gatherings or classes, and will email rental applications to Mr. Christian the following day.
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to adjourn the June 2nd, 2025, Council Meeting. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – June 26th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– July 7th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles