Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 6th, 2025
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Member Mike Barfield, and Josh Burkhalter. City Attorney Jody Campbell, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, City Clerk Irma Robles, and Mainstreet Newspaper (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen on 10/7/2025). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council Member Thomas Gary, Library Manager Rhonda O., Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Administrative Assistant Katie Monahan.
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on October 6th, 2025, 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 OCTOBER 6TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the Agenda for October 6th, 2025, as presented. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on September 3rd, 2025, as presented; Council member Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no 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:
- KCI Engineers Contract – approval of additional funds: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the additional funds of $9,910.00 for KCI Engineers. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion. Councilman Josh Burkhalter asked when the paving will start. Mayor Nichols responded that KCI is working on the bid package and hopes to have it ready by the end of this month. However, winter is approaching, and they can’t pave at certain temperatures. There were no further discussions; all were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Electrical & Rough-In Plumbing Quotes for Public Works Storage Facility: Mayor Nichols told the city council that Doyle Samples had already finished the rough-in Plumbing for the building. It has already passed inspection. Councilman Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the proposal from Walter Barnett Construction for the Electrical Work only, in the amount of $18,000.00, with Councilman Mike Barfield seconding the motion. There were no further discussions; all members were in favor. The motion was approved.
- OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Sent by email from Rhonda O’Keeffe, Library Manager, and read out loud by Mayor Steve.
Happenings at the NIC Library in Oct:
The Quilting Hearts of Nicholson meet every Tuesday in the Margaret Ward Building (upstairs). It starts at 10:00 AM.
Pillowcase Class (Quilting Hearts of Nicholson) Thursday, Oct 9 at 11 AM. It starts at 10:00 AM. Free to the public. We have 9 signed up.
Creepy Crawly Class (Smithgall Woods). It will be held in the library annex room on Tuesday, March 14 at 11:00 AM. Free to the public.
Hidden Gem Book Club (ages 16 and older) meets the third Thursday of the month. This month it is Oct 16 at 1:30. The club is reading Frankenstein.
Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) and Rhonda O’Keeffe (Library Manager) will be assisting with the city’s Movie in the Park on Saturday, October 18th. We have been advertising this event.
Rhonda O’Keeffe (Library Manager) will be with PuRL at SJES on Monday, October 20 starting at 8:00 AM.
The library’s annual Boo Fest will take place on Tuesday, October 21starting at 5:30 PM. We will have games, crafts, prizes and a magic show.
Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) will be with rolling library ( PuRL) on Thursday, October 23rd at the EJ Fall Festival. Patrons can check out books and pick up candy.
Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) and Rhonda O’Keeffe (Library Manager) will be taking some online courses this month. There is no cost for these classes.
The library will be closed on Monday, Oct 13th all day for PRLS Staff Day. All libraries in the system will be closed.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
-Mayor Nichols provided an update on the building behind the city shop. The foundation is complete; however, it did not pass the initial inspection before the slab was poured, as it required additional adjustments. It did pass the second time. The rough-in plumbing is in. He anticipates that the building will be installed before the end of this month.
-Mayor Steve told the city council about not having a date yet for the Margaret Ward plaque dedication ceremony, and City Clerk Irma Robles added that she is waiting to hear back from Pamela Ward. Councilman Josh Bukhalter suggested holding this ceremony in December.
-Public Works has looked at the dead tree on Crest Dr. It has been added to the list, and it will be removed soon.
-Limbs on the fence line of Mr. Lanier Poe’s property have been taken care of.
-City Cemetery prices. City Clerk Irma Robles added that the decrease in Nicholson Cemetery prices will be discussed at the next work session to make them comparable to those of nearby city cemeteries.
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Work Session & Budget Hearing – October 23rd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– November 3rd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to adjourn the October 6th, 2025, Council Meeting. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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Mayor Steve Nichols Date
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