Monday, September 3rd, 2025
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Members Thomas Gary and Mike Barfield. Library Manager Rhonda O., City Attorney Jody Campbell (by phone), Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Administrative Assistant Katie Monahan, and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council Member Josh Burkhalter, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper (Draft minutes emailed to Mr. Mike Buffington on 9/4/2025).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on September 3rd, 2025, to order at 6:36 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Mike Barfield led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Thomas Gary made a motion to approve the Agenda for September 3rd, 2025, as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 4TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield questioned the appropriateness of the sentence, where he requested Auditor Rachel Miller “to come to the podium so he could hear better.” City Attorney Jody Campbell replied that minutes don’t have to be verbatim, and whether leaving that sentence or not, either would be fine. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on August 4th, 2025, as presented; Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the July 2025 Financials as submitted. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. July 2025 Financials were approved.
- NEW BUSINESS:
- Nicholson Zoning Map Update: Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to approve the update of the Official Nicholson Zoning Map and authorized Mayor Nichols to sign it. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no discussions; all were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Land Release – end of Church St: Mayor Nichols provided a brief explanation of this agenda item and added that a resolution has been prepared and submitted for approval. Councilman Mike Barfield asked if it is safe for the school bus to turn around there, and Mayor Nichols confirmed that it is. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins questioned whether the city would continue to maintain the road, and Mayor Nichols affirmed that it would. Councilman Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the resolution as recommended by the City Attorney, with Councilman Thomas Gary seconding the motion. There were no further discussions; all members were in favor. The motion was approved.
- OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager.
The library had over 185 children in our Summer Reading Program. They are already planning for next year.
Library Manager Rhonda O. already visited SJES twice in August. One was a regular visit during school hours. The other was for Family Night. She will be attending SJES during their Literacy Night and their International Night 2026.
The library has its new circulation desk and end panels installed. The circulation desk is now in use. Their next project is to work on the Veterans Wall. They have the necessary materials. The library will also have some new furniture. Nicholson Library Halloween Program will be on Tuesday, October 21. Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) and PuRL should be at the East Jackson Fall Festival in October.
Councilman Thomas Gary asked why the library only visits South Jackson and not East Jackson, and Library Manager Rhonda responded that she had reached out to the media specialists at both schools. The South Jackson Media Specialist responded promptly to make those visits happen.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
-Mayor Nichols provided an update on the community center project, as they can see a massive improvement. He added that there was a termite issue and water problems.
-Mayor Steve met with KCI Engineers this morning and provided them with a list of roads to be paved this year, and drove around town to review the streets. They have all the necessary information and will begin compiling the bid package to have the estimates ready within a couple of weeks. Councilman Thomas Gary asked if the final decision for the roads would be based on his mileage or the amount of money that the city has for this project. Mayor Nichols replied that it would be based on what the paving company decides. Then, the city must determine what can be paved and what can’t be paved based on the amount of money designated for this project, keeping in mind that this year, when we vote on it, the funds would come out from the SPLOST 7 account, which is a considerable amount of money divided into two categories only. The road paving would fall under one category. Councilman Mike Barfield inquired whether they would be addressing issues such as the dangerous hump in front of the veterinary hospital, which needs to be removed. Mayor Nichols replied that anything deemed necessary would be taken care of during paving, just as with the numerous requests for speed humps on roads. Engineers recommended portable speed reducers, not asphalt, as they are easy to install and very durable. Councilman Thomas Gary added that the City of Goodhope has some of the 30-inch-wide polytexture speed humps that the city can use. Councilman Mike Barfield inquired whether these could be included with the road paving, and the mayor replied that they would be included with the road paving to cover the expense with SPLOST funds. The mayor added that the city will be looking into the road behind Dans Food Mart – along the railroad property- and will meet with them to obtain approval to install features such as curbs or gutters to prevent the soil from slipping off the road, as it is washing away underneath it. The engineers will also seek grants that pay 70% to replace most of our street signs. The 30% can be paid with SPLOST funds, too.
-Councilman Thomas Gary asked if the plaque for Margaret Ward’s dedication would be ready by September 19, and Mayor Nichols replied that it would not be prepared by that date. The ceremony will be held later this year, as he is obtaining different quotes for the purchase of the bronze plaque.
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – September 25th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– October 6th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Events Committee Meeting – September 4th, 2025, at 6:00pmADJOURNMENT: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the September 3rd, 2025, Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded the motion, and all were in favor.The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m