Nicholson Council Meeting Minutes
APRIL 4, 2016
7:00 P.M. Community Center
Call to Order – Meeting was called to order by Mayor Jan Webster. In attendance were, Mayor Jan Webster, Lamar Watkins, Judy Kesler, Max Whitlock, City Clerk Debra Fontaine and City Attorney Jody Campbell via phone. The Press was not present for this meeting.
Pledge of Allegiance
A motion was made by Judy to approve the April 4, 2016 Agenda; Max seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.
A motion was made by Max to approve March 7, 2016 Council Meeting Minutes; Lamar Watkins seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.
A motion was made by Judy to approve the March Financials; Max seconded, all were in favor. Motion approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
GA Red Clay for Daisy Festival – The City Attorney amended and approved the contract offered by GRC. Lamar motioned that the city accept the contract for Georgia Red Clay to provide entertainment for the Daisy Festival, Judy seconded. All were in favor, vote was unanimous. Motion approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chipper: Andrew, the Vermeer Representative came to the council meeting, making himself available to answer questions. He spoke to council of the safety features Vermeer chippers offer, adding that its greatest features are safety and reliability. He explained to Mayor and Council that Vermeer has a bottom feed bar that shuts down the equipment if someone were to lose balance and fall over while chipping, shutting the machine off instantly. Council Members asked several questions before approving the purchase, including whether or not this was an approved SPLOST expense. After confirming that this was an approved SPLOST expense, Judy motioned that the city move forward in adopting the Vermeer Chipper; Lamar seconded. The vote was unanimous to purchase the chipper for Nicholson Maintenance Dept. Motion was approved. Chipper will be delivered first thing in the morning April 5, 2016.
Demolition Bids: Council members were given copies of all bids submitted for the demolition of 348 Mulberry Street during the work session on March 31st and asked to consider each bid carefully. Jan asked council members for a motion to accept one of the bids. Judy motioned that the city choose Walter Barnett Construction; Max seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Motion approved.
Judy also explained that her reasons for choosing Walter Barnett Construction was that he is a local contractor who she can communicate with if she sees any issues while work is being done. Max also mentioned past demolition work Mr. Barnett has done for the city.
Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement – Jan reminded council that this vote is a required formality. Judy motioned to adopt the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement, Max seconded. All were in favor, Motion approved.
Stakeholders for Comprehensive Plan – Jan reminded council members that she, Mike Barfield and Lamar Watkins, along with the Planning Commission Board Members, will be on the Steering Committee and that several community members are still needed. These individuals need to be community members able to make a couple meetings to work on the Nicholson Comprehensive Plan. Lamar mentioned Dusty Durst as an option; Jan asked Mary Jane Hilley if she would be in the committee, she reluctantly agreed. Lastly Judy said to put her husband, Doug Kesler on the list.
Pay Increase for Doyle Samples – Jan told council members that after the last Council Meeting Executive Session, the opportunity for the vote to give the Maintenance Supervisor a pay increase was missed and that she wanted to open this back up for discussion. Lamar made a motion that Doyle Samples get a pay increase of $2 per hour; Max seconded. A unanimous vote was taken. Motion was approved.
Librarian Report – Rhonda reported that numbers from February are very good. She mentioned that the Library had an Easter Egg Hunt with Benton Elementary kindergarten class in March; a Birthday Celebration for Dr. Seuss, a local Author will be coming to the Library in April, a Monarch Butterfly talk with seeds to give away. Adult coloring is continuing at the library as they continue planning for the Summer Reading Program.
With no citizens requesting to speak, Max motioned to adjourn the meeting, Lamar seconded. Motion was approved.