Cityof Thomson McDuffie County, Georgia CITY OF THOMSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 9, 2024  6:00PM Present:  Thomson-McDuffie Government Center  Also Present: Chief Dan Carrier, TPD McDuffie Progress 32 Attendees Not Present:  Benji Cranford, Mayor Alton Belton, Councilmember Keryl Corley, Councilmember Elaine Johnson, Councilmember John Smalley, Councilmember Scott Whittle, Councilmember John Waller, City Administrator Lucretia Ferguson, City Clerk  Jimmy Plunkett, City Attorney  At 6:04pm, Mayor Cranford called the regularly scheduled City Council meeting to order and Councilmember Belton gave the invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag. Jackie Morgan spoke with displeasure on a recent traffic stop on April 20 by three Thomson Police Officers. Mayor Cranford thanked herf for her concern. John. Jump returned to lodge his complaint concerning speeders on Ellington Avenue and Whiteoak Street endangering children at White Oak Park. He would also like to have the speed limit lowered to 25 MPH on his end of Ellington Avenue instead of the current 30 MPH. Mayor Cranford thanked him for coming before the Council. Jarvis McNair asked that a pothole at the intersection of Main Street and West Street be repaired. His next request concerned information on City indebtedness. He asked for number and amounts of loans, what the funds were used for, the balance of each loan and how much was used fori infrastructure. Mayor Cranford told him that an open records request would be the best way to obtain the information that he seeks and CA Waller added that he had all that information in his head if Mr. McNair would like to see him after the meeting. Waldo Massey addressed the Council with his dissatisfaction in business permits, indebtedness of the City and the difference of answers when he asks about bringing in a new grocery store. CA Waller asked to address the loan questions, GEFA'srolei in our low interest loans and ARPA money receivedi in 2021. The money is being used for Water Treatment and Waste Water  CITIZEN INPUT:  Treatment infrastructure improvements.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  The motion was made by Councilmember Smalley and seconded by Councilmember Whittle to approve the agenda as written. A vote of  5-0i in favor was taken to approve.  1    APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Council Meeting, April 11, 2024: A motion was made by Councilmember Whittle and seconded by Councilmember Smalley to approve the minutes. A  vote of 5-0i in favor was taken to approve.  BUSINESS:  a. Popular Springs Baptist Church Request to Use Elections Parking Lot on 5/19/2024: A motion was made by Councilmember Corley and seconded by Councilmember Smalley to approve the use of the parking lot on May 19th with the provision that a Special Event permit be filled out and submitted. A b. CDBG 2023 Adoption of Updated Policies and Procedures: CA Waller explained that all government recipients are periodically required to update the home improvement portion of Community Development Block Grant agreements. This is the document sent to the City fora adoption. A motionto adopt the document by Councilmember Corley and seconded by  vote of 5-0 was taken ini favor oft the motion.  Councilmember Johnson passed with a! 5-0 vote in favor.  DISCUSSION ITEMS:  Council Report: Councilmember Smalley spoke on the community requirements that businesses want to have met before they locate in a newa area. Councilmember Belton brought information on a large pothole at Old Washington Road and  Highway 150.  City Administrator Report: Nothing. to speak up with their concerns. EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Mayor Report: Mayor Cranford thanked all in attendance and encouraged citizens  Having no other public business, the motion was made at 6:33pm by Councilmember Whittle and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to go into Executive Session for the purpose of Personnel. A5-0 vote passed the motion. After the discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember. Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Corley to return to regular session at 7:19pm. An affirmative 5- A motion to adjourn was tendered by Councilmember Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Smalley. A vote of 5-0 ended the meeting at 7:20pm.  Ovote was taken.  Respetulysubmitted,  -  Chufdaugaon Lucretia W. Ferguson, City Clerk  Benjamin C. Cranford,Jr., Mayor  2  DU