Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 8th, 2026
6:30 P.M. Community Center
Attending: Mayor Steve T. Nichols, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield, Council Member Thomas Gary, Lamar Watkins, City Attorney Jody Campbell, Finance Director Glenda Cantrell, Library Manager Rhonda O., and City Clerk Irma Robles. For public assistance, refer to the attendance sheet. Not present: CouncilmanJosh Burkhalter, Public Works Director Doyle Samples, and Mainstreet Newspaper Representative (Draft minutes emailed to Angela Gary on 9/9/2026).
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Steve T. Nichols called the Council Meeting on September 8th, 2026, to order at 6:32 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilman Thomas Gary led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America flag.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA: Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to approve the Agenda for September 8th, 2026, as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded. There was no discussion, and all were in favor. The agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 3RD, 2026, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. Council Member Thomas Gary motioned to approve the Council Meeting Minutes on August 3rd, 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded. There was no discussion. All were in favor. The minutes were approved.
JULY 2026 FINANCIALS: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield moved to approve the July 2026 Financials as submitted. Councilman Thomas Gary seconded the motion. Councilman Thomas Gary asked about expenses item number 52.2200, Repairs & Maintenance, and what they were for. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell explained that it was for Smith Plumbing for sewage repair at the Benton Day Care facility and for Ascend Tree Services. Mayor Nichols added that Ascend Tree Services is for removal of a dead tree between the Benton building and tree removal on Lakeview Drive. Mayor Steve Nichols inquired about a negative amount of $60 dollars on item 34.4110 for Sanitation on the revenue side. Finance Director Glenda Cantrell responded that it is a customer deposit refund and shouldn’t be a problem if it comes from the income or expense side, since it is a deposit refund for a sanitation customer that stopped service. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. Motion was approved. July 2026 Financials were approved.
- NEW BUSINESS:
- NEW BUSINESS:
• GMEBS Life and Health 2027 Insurance Renewal: Mayor Nichols presented the GMEBS quote for the City’s 2027 life and health insurance renewal. He stated that insurance premiums had increased and that the City had explored options with other insurance companies. He noted that, because of the renewal timing, the city could not fully pursue other options this year but may be able to realize significant savings by exploring additional options next year.
Councilman Thomas Gary stated that he believed it was preferable for the City to remain with GMA rather than pursue coverage through private insurance companies.
Mayor Steve stated that the City delayed approval of the insurance renewal until close to the deadline and estimated the increase would be approximately $2,500.00. City Clerk Irma will provide the exact increase amount.
Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to renew the City’s life and health insurance with GMEBS. Councilmember Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. There were no further discussions. All were in favor. The motion was approved.
• Renovations to Library – not to exceed $35,000.00 – discussion and reconsideration of the awarded contractor. Mayor Nichols stated that on June 1, 2026, the city awarded the library renovation project to Corr Enterprises for an amount not to exceed $35,000.00. He noted that, as of the meeting date, Corr Enterprises had not begun the project. City Attorney Jody Campbell advised that the City could finalize the relationship with Corr Enterprises; Therefore, the City is seeking approval to accept the next-lowest bid from Walter Barnett Construction, Inc., in the amount of $25,460.00. Mayor Nichols mentioned that Walter Barnett Construction, Inc. would honor its original quoted price. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield asked whether Corr Enterprises had completed any work on the project. Mayor Steve stated that Corr Enterprises had only removed the carpet in one room and had not removed the resulting debris. Public Works Director Doyle Samples removed the debris. Councilman Thomas Gary asked whether the second-lowest bid was comparable to the scope of work the city previously approved. Mayor Nichols stated that the bids were comparable and included the same scope of work and specifications. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to re-award the library renovation project to the next-lowest bidder, Walter Barnett Construction, Inc., in the amount of $25,460.00. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded this motion. There were no further discussions; all were in favor. The motion was approved.
- OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Applicant and owner, Jeff Harris, 695 Cedar Drive, Nicholson, Georgia 30565, has submitted a variance request for an accessory building exceeding the square footage of the home at 695 Cedar Drive, also known as Map & Parcel # 014-005A. The property is +/- 4.647 acres and is located in the SR (Suburban Residential) District. Councilman Thomas moved to remove the agenda item from the table. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded the motion. There was no discussion. All were in favor. The motion was approved. Councilman Thomas Gary made a motion to approve the variance request submitted by Jeff Harris for 695 Cedar Drive, subject to the following conditions:
- The accessory building must meet all required setbacks and applicable SR District regulations.
- No commercial work shall be conducted on the property, and no more than five (5) vehicles shall be visible outside the structure.
- Any security lighting installed on the building must be directed downward and shall not illuminate beyond the property line.
- All applicable City of Nicholson construction and permitting requirements must be met.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Mr. Jeff Harris had no additional comments. All were in favor. The variance was approved with the stipulated conditions.
- LIBRARIAN REPORT: Library Manager Rhonda O’Keeffe:
Summer Reading Program:
Nicholson Library finished the summer reading program. It was a success. All prizes have been handed out. They are already planning next year!
Summer Lunches:
The library bought ready-to-eat food for breakfast and lunch. They also had the Backpack Kids program deliver breakfast and lunch. This program is a victory. The library plans on implementing this event every summer. They would like to thank JM Family Enterprises for sponsoring this program.
Fall Programs:
Nicholson Public Library has booked Parrot Productions for our autumn event during the school’s fall break. Along with a paid program, the Quilting Hearts of Nicholson will hold a free craft event over fall break. Sherri Stephens (Library Assistant) and Library Manager Rhonda O. will attend the city’s movie event. Sherri will be representing the Nicholson Library at the annual Fall Festival that East Jackson sponsors. The library’s usual adult programs will continue: Quilting, Cookbook Club, and Book Club. The Quilters are looking for more people to join them. They have added one Saturday a month to their schedule. They will meet this Saturday, Sept 12th from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Manager:
Piedmont’s manager meetings have resumed. The staff and Library Manager Rhonda O. are looking forward to the renovations.
Boo Fest: Councilman Thomas Gary asked about the date for the upcoming Boo Fest. Library Manager Rhonda confirmed that the event is scheduled for October 27, 2026. Councilman Thomas Gary also reminded Sherri to contact the company in charge for a potential grant opportunity for next year’s Daisy Festival. Mayor Nichols asked about the event time and activities. Library Manager Rhonda stated that Boo Fest will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thanks to the event sponsor, attendees will receive pizza, water, and lemonade.
- MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Steve T. Nichols
1. Movies at the Park Event: City Clerk Irma Robles provided an update regarding the upcoming Movies at the Park event.
2. Paving Update: Garrett moved the paving equipment to Nicholson, and paving is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield asked whether the paving crew would begin with Cedar Drive. Mayor Nichols stated that the equipment had been moved to Quail Ridge and that he would ask the paving crew the following day whether Cedar Drive could be paved first.
Councilmember Lamar Watkins brought up the humps on city roads and requested that they be addressed. It was stated that the humps on Quail Ridge would be repaired due to the issues experienced when entering and exiting the roadway.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield also asked about dead trees on Cedar Drive that needed to be removed prior to paving. Mayor Nichols stated that, to the city’s knowledge, all trees requiring attention on Cedar Drive had been addressed. Public Works Director Doyle Samples also has to finish some ditch cleaning.
Councilmember Lamar Watkins asked about the new tractor. Mayor Nichols responded that the tractor is expected to arrive on September 30, 2026.
Councilman Thomas Gary reminded everyone about the upcoming Veterans Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting.
3. Mayor Steve reminded everyone to attend the next events meeting scheduled for September 29, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
CITIZENS REQUESTING TO SPEAK: None.
Announcements:
*Next Work Session– Thursday, September 24th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
*Next Events Committee Meeting – Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, at 6:00 pm
*Next Council Meeting – Monday, October 5th, 2026, at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Pro Tem Mike Barfield moved to adjourn the September 8, 2026, City Council Meeting. Councilman Lamar Watkins seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Approved by Interim Clerk for website