Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 1st, 2025
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins, Council Member Mike Barfield, Thomas Gary, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Clerk Irma Robles, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative Betsy Allen (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen on 12/2/2025). For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Council Member Josh Burkhalter, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Administrative Assistant Katie Monahan.
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on December 1st, 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 DECEMBER 1ST, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the Agenda for December 1st, 2025, as presented. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on November 3rd, 2025, as presented; Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
OCTOBER 2025 FINANCIALS: Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about what is included in the expense item number 52.2200, Repairs & Maintenance, for $40,800.00. City Clerk Irma Robles responded that she would forward the question to Finance Director Glenda Cantrell and would email everyone the explanation for this financial report item. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the October 2025 Financials as submitted. Councilman Mike Barfield seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. October 2025 Financials were approved.
NEW BUSINESS: N/A
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nicholson Water Authority Board Member Appointment – 5-Year Term. Mayor Nichols allowed attendant candidates Walter Barnett, Dusty Durst, and Larry Turner to introduce themselves, and he also opened the floor to questions from the city council. After several questions to candidates, Councilman Thomas Gary asked if a candidate had to attend the meeting tonight to be considered for the NWA Board appointment, and Mayor Steve Nichols replied that attendance at this meeting was highly recommended but not mandatory. Councilman Mike Barfield inquired about any conflict-of-interest issues related to a member of the NWA Board being related to a member of this body (the city council) and City Attorney Jody Campbell clarified that there is no issue since these two are separate bodies, however, if someone is nominated that is related to a member of this government body, he suggest that the related person has to accused himself from voting on that particular candidate. He added that this person is not disqualified from serving on the NWA Board, and his suggestion applies only to close relations, such as brother, sister, son, or daughter, not, for example, second cousins. Councilman Mike Barfield also inquired about Dusty Durst, who currently does cleaning/janitorial work for the city and volunteers for city events. Barfield asked whether that is also a conflict of interest, and Dusty replied that he doesn’t think it is and that his volunteering will not change. City Attorney agreed with Dusty Durst. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to nominate Roger Brock (incumbent) as a board member for the NWA Board for the next 5-year term. Motion died for lack of a second. Council Member Mike Barfield made a motion to nominate Larry Turner for the NWA Board, citing a conflict of interest with Dusty Durst, but the motion failed for a second. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins motioned to nominate Walter Barnett for the NWA Board, and the motion also died for the lack of a second motion. City Attorney Jody Campbell explained that if there is no further motion, the matter will fail, and the position will remain open. Incumbent Roger Brock will stay on the NWA Board until the city council fills the position. He also added that the city can bring this agenda item back up next month or whenever the council takes action. Mayor Nichols asked again for any motions, and none were heard.
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe
Library Manager Rhonda asked Mayor and Council to agree on a date and time next week to take a photo of them for the AARP-funded Veterans Wall at the Library.
Nicholson Library is ready for Santa’s visit and the city event tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec 2nd.
The Quilters will continue to meet every Tuesday beginning at 10:00 AM.
The Library Managerwill be at SJES on Monday, Dec 15. The Friends will meet at 5:00 PM on Monday, Dec 15.
The book club will meet on Thursday, Dec 18th, at 1:00 PM.
The library will be closed on Wednesday, Dec 24, and Thursday, Dec 25, as well as Thursday, Jan 1, for the holidays.
The library has a big program planned for January.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
-Mayor Nichols attended the December Mayors Luncheon today in Braselton and shared news about TSPLOST, which should start in April of next year. He will be attending a training lunch with City Clerk Irma Robles on December 17th to learn more about these funds.
-Mayor Steve gave an update on the new building for the Public Works Department. He mentioned that the building is up, and the fans were delivered today. It will be ready by Christmas.
-Mayor Steve reminded everyone to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting event tomorrow at 5:30 pm and thanked city staff for all the hard work putting this event together.
-Councilman Thomas Gary mentioned that the Employee Christmas Lunch is on December 18th.
-Library Manager Rhonda asked when the following events committee meeting is, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that the next meeting will be in January 2026.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: N/A
Announcements:
*Next Work Session – December 22nd, 2025, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– January 5th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to adjourn the December 1st, 2025, Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Watkins seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07p.m.
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Approved by City Clerk Irma Robles