Minutes City Council Work Session June 4th, 2024 6:30pm  GEORGIR  Baldwin. Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham. Avenue, Baldwin, GA, 30511 Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Council Member Erik Keith, Council Member Joseph Satterfield, Council Member Kerri Davis, Council Member Maarten Venter, and Council  Member Alice Venter were all in attendance.  Calll Meeting to Order Public. Hearing  Mayor Stephanie. Almagno called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.  FY2025 Budget budget at 6:32 pm.  Legal Counsel. Jack Samuels opened the public hearing. for Fiscal Year2025 Randy Lewallen of 400 Wilbanks Street shared concerns about the proposal to increase property taxes, especially: for seniors frequently having a singleincome. Lewallen suggested Council consider a 1-2% sales tax increase.  Council member Alice Venter responded, stating that she. had spoken with astatel legislator from another district about options they had pursued to freeze property values for seniors. Venter also stated regarding increasing sales tax (SPLOST), elected officials cannot advocate for SPLOST, but the funds are: invaluable for capital improvement projects. The County would have toj put SPLOST on a ballot, citizens would vote: in order fori it to pass, and then the cities would meet to discuss how the funds are divided. Debbie Satterfield of 153 Chandler Street also shared her concern about property Jo McLendon of 140 Banks Ridge Drive stated while she appreciates what the CAO has done for the City and that she may deserve a raise, she didn't understand thej justification for a 10% salary increase as well as a 2.5% COLA. Ms. McLendon said she would appreciate if Council were to reconsider the percentage  taxes: for seniors.  increase.  Mayor Almagno responded by stating that Council's ultimate goal is to create a budget that matches the actual costs to run: a city.. After bringing all public safety positions (fire, police, public works) on par with other cities inj pay, equipment, and training, the CAO position isi the final component tol bring the salary to market value. Almagno stated that she did not foresee further salaryincreases down the road, and that this increase will stilll bring the CAO: salary under the midline oft the wage  study.  Work Session Minutes  June 4th, 2024  Page I 1    While not relevant to the FY2025 budget hearing, Council heard a complaint from Micah Zack and Elizabeth Cansler of 196 Dilmus Court about Code Compliance. Zack and Cansler disagreed with Baldwin Code Compliance's appearance and methods of approaching them about their car parked in the road. Council member. Alice Venter stated that having cars parked on the street does present an issue ifj public safety vehicles are not ablet to: respond to calls. Mayor Almagno requested that Zack and Cansler provide their contact information and Woodmaster would follow up with them. Lewallen also requested clarification on the proposed increase in franchise fees. Woodmaster explained that franchise taxes are assessed to different utilities, and iti is not a fee that the City establishes. The increase is due to an expectation that Jack, Samuels opened the floor again for those to address the budget. No one  additional utility companies will be coming to Baldwin. cameforward. The public hearing was closed at 7:05pm.  Council opened thej floor for general public comment.  Jack Sharpshair of 1100 Chandler Heights Circle provided some history ofl his work with former MayorJoe Elam about resolving problems involving the Habersham County landfill. Sharpshair would like the City tol be involved in gathering people to meet and discuss either a program or ad campaign with local children to encourage residents toi make more effort ini recycling.  Old Business 1. CAO Contract  Mayor Almagno reviewed the updated CAO contract which had been provided to Council via email prior to the meeting. The contract eliminates last year's supplemental, eliminates PTO: as approved by Council at the May 13th council meeting, and includes the proposed 10% increase and 2.5% COLA. Mayor Almagno asked Council ift they had any additional comments regarding the Council member Maarten Venter apologized for having tol leave the meeting early due toj prior obligation but made the statement that ifthe CAO were to step away from the position, the City would not be able to fill the position ifc compensation is Venter also said that as he publicly stated before, he will not vote for another millage rate: increase. He thanked all residents who attended the meeting for their  contract.  below market value. participation.  Council member Maarten Venter left the meeting at 7:26 pm.  Work Session Minutes  June. 4th, 2024  Page : 2    New. Business  2. FY25 Appointed Positions  Woodmaster reviewed the positions for annual appointment by the Council as required by the City Charter and thej proposed appointments for FY2025: City Attorney - Dale "Bubba" Samuels, The Samuels Firm  City Auditor - Morris & Waters City Clerk - Erin Gathercoal City. Judge - Robert Sneed  City Engineer - Fletcher Holliday, Engineering Management, Inc. City Solicitor - Teresa DiPonzio, The Samuels Firm  Mayor Pro Tempore is also an appointed position but must be decided by Council. Woodmaster requested that Council discuss and bei ready to appoint the Council had no further questions and was in consensus to vote at Monday's  Mayor Pro' Tem on Monday.  meeting.  3. Banks County Hazard Mitigation Plan  Woodmaster explained that the Banks County Hazard Mitigation Plan had been approved by GEMA and FEMA, and that discussions began two years ago. The Hazard Mitigation Plan provides Banks County cities to access funding during crises and declared emergencies based on what is in the plan. For example, ifthe governor were to declare a state ofe emergency, funding becomes available but only for items included in thej plan. Now that the plan has been approved, each of thel Banks County cities, including Baldwin, will sign by resolution. Council had no further questions and was in consensus to vote at Monday's  meeting. Ammouncements  a. The Mayor's Reading Club] kickoff event willl be this Friday, from 11 am = 12:30 pm at the Baldwin Farmers' Market at 110 Airport Road. Wer will officially open our brand new Little Free Library, provide FREE Kona Ice and games to all children present, and welcome the Pop Up Rolling Library for their first of many visits every Friday this summer! We encourage all residents to check out or return books, or even get ai free b. The next reFRESH Market is this Saturday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at Baldwin City Hall. Shop fruits & veggies, honey, fresh eggs, and other goods from local farmers and vendors. Ifyou arei interested in a FREE space to sell your product, contact John at City Hall for more information or visit ww.cibotbaldwin.org for a vendor application.  PINES library card that day!  Work Session Minutes  June 4th, 2024  Page 13    C. The: 2nd Annual Baldwin Water Wari is on. June 15th from 2:30 - 4:30 pm at Mitchell Gailey Park! Bringyour water guns and at towel tol beat thel heat! Sign up today at City Hall, via the Facebook event, or email bbcsabahilian d. City Offices willl be closed June: 19th in observance ofJuneteenth.  e. Join usi for the next installment of Movies int the Market on June 28th at 8:30 p.m.. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets andj join us for al FREE: night of fun at the Farmers' Market located at 110 Airport Road. This month we willl bes showing The Goonies. Concessions are: available, with all proceeds going to Shop with a Hero. While "The Goonies" is considered a classic family movie by many, and maintains a rating of PG("Parental Guidance Suggested - Some material: may not be suitable for children'from the Motion. Picture Association, this movie contains content (including language) that may be considered moref fitting for a PG-13 rating per modern standards. The City ofi Baldwin encourages) parents to research) films to determine whether or not their own child should attend and view. Councill Member Joseph Satterfield announced his resignation from his Council post due tol his recent marriage and desire to move out of state to be with his wife. His final meeting willl be the. July: 29th council meeting and he encouraged citizens to qualify for  Post 2i in August. Adjournment  Action: A: motion was made by Erik Keith to adjourn the meeting with asecond by Joseph Satterfield. Motion Carried 4-0 at 7:38 pm.  PaEnrsi Stephanie Almagno, Mayor Erin Gathercoal, Clerk 1 A  6/10/2024 Date. Approved by Council  OF BA CITY DC SEAL IN, GA  2  Work Session Minutes  June 4h,2024  Page 14