Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 2nd, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield, Council Member Lamar Watkins, Thomas Gary, and Josh Burkhalter, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Library Manager Rhonda O., City Clerk Irma Robles, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative Betsy Allen. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: Finance Director Glenda Cantrell and Public Works Director Doyle Samples. (Draft minutes emailed to Betsy Allen and Angela Gary on 3/3/2026).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on March 2nd, 2026, 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 MARCH 2ND, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Council Member Josh Burkhalter made a motion to approve the Agenda for March 2nd, 2026, as presented. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded. There were no discussions, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2ND, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on February 2nd, 2026, with the amendment to the date on the second line to February 2nd, 2026; Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
JANUARY 2026 FINANCIALS: Councilman Mike Barfield motioned to approve the January 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded the motion. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired about expense item 52.1200 for $3,300.00, asking whether it is a one-time payment, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that it is a one-time payment to the NEGRC for assisting with our Comprehensive Plan 2026 update. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. January 2026 Financials were approved.
- PUBLIC HEARING: 2026 Comprehensive Plan update: CouncilmanJosh Burkhalter made a motion to come into Public Hearing; Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded this motion. All were in favor. Motion was approved. City Attorney Jody Campbell opened the Public Hearing and explained the rules. Mrs. Beck Pirkle from the NEGRC provided a presentation about the Nicholson Comprehensive Plan 2026 update process. She mentioned that it’s a long-term planning tool for the city, updated every 5 years. She also shared the benefits of updating the plan and the plan elements for Nicholson, which include vision and goals, needs and opportunities, broadband services, land use (including the Future Development Map), and the Community Work Program (a short-term list of projects over the next five years). Mrs. Beck also discussed the roles and responsibilities of the NEGRC, the Steering Committee, the Public (who will contribute comments at the Public Hearing today and at the final Public Hearing), the Local Government (the city council will adopt the Plan), and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The Schedule overview outlines the dates by which this process will be handled, starting today with the initial Public Hearing and ending with the official adoption by October 31st, 2026. Mrs. Pirkle also made the QR Code for the Public Survey available. City Attorney Jody Campbell opened the floor for comments and questions. Mr. Roger Brock from 812 Old Kings Bridge Rd, Nicholson, GA, asked how these meetings are advertised to the public, and City Clerk Irma Robles responded that the city uses its website and the newspaper, but this can also be shared on our Facebook account. Councilman Thomas Gary added that our agendas are also posted on the city hall bulletin board in the lobby. There were no further comments or questions from the public.
At 6:48 pm, Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- NEW BUSINESS:
- Pyrotecnico Agreement: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield motioned to approve the Pyrotecnico agreement for $15,000.00. Councilman Josh B. seconded. There were no discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved.
- Termite Proposals: Councilman Thomas Gary motioned to approve the termite proposal from Team Pest USA for an initial treatment plus a 4-year renewal on the Community Center and Library, excluding the city hall building, for a total amount of $7,860.00. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion carried.
- Proposals for Mini Splits at John Deer Hall: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield made a motion to approve the proposal from JG Simmons Heating & Air to install two mini splits at John Deer Hall for $9,900.00. Councilman Josh Burkhalter seconded this motion. There were no comments or discussions about this agenda item. All were in favor, and the motion was approved.
- KCI Bid Packet: City Attorney is still reviewing it. Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to approve the bid packet, subject to the city attorney’s approval. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded this motion. Councilman Josh Burkhalter inquired about the estimated amount in the bid packet, whether it is an estimate or an actual bid, and Mayor Nichols explained that this is only an estimate from the engineering company, not an actual bid. Councilman Thomas Gary inquired whether this proposal includes repairing the bank behind Dan’s gas station. There were no further questions or comments. All were in favor. The KCI Bid Packet was approved.
- OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS: N/A
- LIBRARIAN REPORT
Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe
March Programs at the Library: Nicholson Library would love to see members of the City Council, Mayor, and City Clerk at any of our events!
-Cookbook Club was today at 1:30 PM. Irish dishes were shared.
-Saturday, March 14, 11-1 KPOP event. The characters will have sing-alongs, photo opportunities, and swag and crafts (while available).
-PuRL visit to SJES on Monday, March 16th.
-EJES Art Club service project with the Jackson County Animal Shelter. The library will display the students’ art of animals at the shelter, the animal shelter will have information, and we will supply the space and appetizers. Tuesday, March 17th, 3:30- 5:00 PM.
-Book Club meets Thursday, March 19th at 1:30 PM. Everyone is reading a different novel centered around a female for Women’s History Month.
-Saturday, March 21st, 11-1 Easter Bunny visits the library. Photo opportunities and crafts. The Bunny will have a small prize to give to participants (while supplies last).
-Quilted Hearts of Nicholson meets every Tuesday starting at 10:00 AM. The quilters created two quilts to auction off for the library. Both patriotic for the 250th anniversary of the USA.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
-Marcus has no longer been with the city of Nicholson since the beginning of this year. His position will be advertised soon. Councilman Thomas Gary added that all applicants should check with the City Clerk’s office about qualifications for this position, as it requires working with inmates.
-Mayor Steve attended the Hoschton Mayor’s Lunch and shared some discussions about the House Bill that will remove property taxes.
- CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: Roger Brock from 812 Old Kings Bridge Rd shared a positive experience with the city’s limb pick-up service. He also asked who owns the cemetery on Cedar Dr., since it needs some cleaning and maintenance, and he has a volunteer group that would help. Mayor Nichols responded that there is a controversial issue there. He believes Mr. Wilbanks owns it and does not allow the city to clean it, but the city would like to do so. The mayor invited everyone who knows Mr. Wilbanks to talk to him to change his mind.
Announcements:
*Next Events Committee Meeting – March 5th, 2026, at 6:00pm
*Next Work Session – March 26th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Council Meeting– April 6th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Nicholson Spring Clean Up Day – April 11th, 2026, at 8:00am.
ADJOURNMENT: Councilman Josh Burkhalter motioned to adjourn the March 2nd, 2026, Council Meeting. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion, and all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.