Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 3rd, 2025
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Member Mike Barfield, Thomas Gary, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Clerk Irma Robles, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative Betsy Allen (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen on 11/4/2025). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council Member Josh Burkhalter, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Administrative Assistant Katie Monahan.
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on November 3rd, 2025, to order at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the Agenda for November 3rd, 2025, as presented. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 6TH, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on October 6th, 2025, as presented; Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
SEPTEMBER 2025 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about item number 52.6500, Library Expenses – Other, for $5,116.72. Glenda Cantrell responded that these expenses were for new furniture at the Library from School Outfitters and have been reimbursed with a Piedmont Regional Library check of $8,169.99. City Clerk Irma Robles added that she is keeping a spreadsheet with those expenses and will email it to the mayor and council the next business day. Councilman Thomas Gary also inquired about item number 57.300, Other Costs, and Finance Director Glenda Cantrell added that these are expenses for city tree services from “Integrity Tree Services”, specifically for some trees that were taken down on Cedar Drive, Sanford Drive, Benton Center, and Day Care. Additionally, the expense for the Margaret Ward plaque is included at $1,600.00. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the September 2025 Financials as submitted. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. September 2025 Financials were approved.
- Applicant, Anthony Gaddis, Nicholson, Georgia 30565, and owner, Dharampal Investment, LLC, Buford, Georgia 30565, have submitted a conditional use request for an open-air business at the corner of US Highway 441 S and Broad Street, also known as Map & Parcel # 014 015A. The property is +/-0.93 acres and is currently zoned TC, Town Center District. Councilman Mike Barfield made a motion to approve Gaddis’s Conditional Use application since the city needs businesses. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. Motion carries. Mayor Nichols opened the floor for any discussions, and Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about any conditions imposed on the approval. Councilman Mike Barfield moved to amend his original motion previously adopted to approve the conditional use application submitted by Anthony Gaddis with the following conditions: 1. Planting evergreen trees across the front of the property (Hwy 441 side), accompanied by a split-rail or cross rail fence in front of the evergreen trees to enhance the property’s appearance. 2. 14ft driveway off Broad St. 3. Stone or gravel used on driveway at the entrance point. 4. The culvert pipe underneath the driveway needs to be replaced with proper water distribution to the ditch to meet the city’s requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. 2-1. Motion carries. There were no further discussions. The Conditional Use application from Mr. Gaddis has been approved.
- 2026 Proposed General Fund Budget Ordinance: Mayor Nichols read the Ordinance, opened the floor for any discussion, but none were heard. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the 2026 Proposed General Fund Budget Ordinance, including Exhibit A, with Councilman Mike Barfield seconding the motion. There were no discussions; all members were in favor. The motion was approved.
- Nicholson Water Authority Board Member Appointment – 5-Year Term. Mayor Nichols read the names of candidates. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to table this agenda item, as he is unfamiliar with some of the candidates. Additionally, this would allow Councilman Josh Burkhalter (not present) to review the options and be prepared to vote at the following December’s council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded this motion. Councilman Thomas Gary opposed. There were no discussions. 2-1. Motion carries. The agenda item was tabled.
- Nicholson City Cemetery Lots – Price Adjustments. Councilman Thomas Gary motion to lower the City of Nicholson Cemetery lots from $2,500.00 to $1,500.00 each lot to city residents and $2,500.00 each lot for non-city residents.Councilman Mike Barfield seconded this motion.Mayor Nichols opened the floor for discussion, and Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins inquired about the number of lots available for sale at the Nicholson City Cemetery. City Clerk Irma Robles replied that there are currently 230 lots available in Phase Three of the Nicholson Cemetery. Councilman Mike Barfield asked when this would be effective, and Mayor Nichols replied that if it is approved, it will be effective from today’s date. Councilman Mike Barfield wondered whether the city could refund the difference to those who had already purchased cemetery lots. Mayor Nichols replied that the city could do so by adding it to the motion. However, Councilman Thomas Gary did not want it to be added to his original motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe
October: Nicholson Library Boo Fest was a success. They had over two hundred people enjoy games, magic and more.
Library Assistant Sherri Stephens and Olivia Brewer enjoyed handing candy out to the daycare on Halloween.
PRLS Staff Day was a huge success. Nicholson Library Staff brought back valuable information to use.
November: They started the month with the bi-monthly meeting of the Cookbook Club. This month they concentrated on holiday cooking. They had a guest speaker, Jemima from Jemina’s British Bakes (Commerce, GA.)
The Quilters meet every Tuesday starting at 10:00 AM. The Quilters are planning on participating in the City of Nicholson’s/Nicholson Library Christmas Event on Tuesday, Dec 2. They will have ornaments for the children to make.
The Friends of the Nicholson Public Library will be meeting on Monday Nov 17 at 5:00 PM.
PuRL and Library Manager Rhonda O. will be out at SJES on Monday, November 17.
Hidden Gems Adult Book Club will meet on Thursday, Nov 20 at 1:30 PM. This month’s book is Code Talker by Chester Nez (original Navajo code talker WWII).
They will be holding a children’s Fall craft on Tuesday, November 25th at 11:00 AM.
Nicholson Library is extremely busy getting ready for our annual visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Manager Rhonda O. has arranged for their Christmas tree to be delivered early. Volunteers are set to transform the library into a beautiful Christmas space.
Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins inquired about the Veterans Display in the Library, and Manager Rhonda O. replied that the library is working diligently on it.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Steve gave an update on the city’s engineers for this year’s road paving, and hopefully, the bid package will be ready by late November or early December.
-The new building for the Public Works Department will be delivered on November 13th.
-Councilman Thomas Gary reminded everyone to join us for the Veterans Day Celebration on November 9th, 3:00 pm at Benton Hall. Also, he reminded everyone to vote tomorrow, and the TSPLOST is on the ballot.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: Ward Black from Commerce, GA, introduced himself to Mayor and City Council as a business owner (landscaping supply business) and stated that he is running for State House 120 to replace Representative Houston Gaines. He mentioned that he would like to represent Jackson County in the House of Representatives, as he currently resides in the county.
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – November 20th, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– December 1st, 2025, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to adjourn the November 3rd, 2025, Council Meeting. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles