COCAA  Sor G MINUTES Cochran City Council Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting @ 7:00PM  City Auditorium, 102N Second Street, Cochran, GA 31014  Present: Mayor Billy Yeomans, Mayor Pro Tem Carla Coley  Councilmembers: Keith Anderson, Gary Ates, Andrew Lemmon, Shane Savant, Lonnie Tedders  City Attorney: Jim Elliott  Call to order by Mayor Billy Yeomans @ 7:00PM The invocation was given by Mayor Yeomans The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Ates.  Mayor asked for any corrections, additions, or deletions to the February 6, 2024, agenda. Councilmember Ates made the motion to accept the agenda with a second by Councilmember Mayor stated the minutes would be approved at next month's council meeting due to additions and corrections needing to be made. City Clerk was in training and unable to correct the minutes prior to  Lemmon. Motion passed 6/0  the meeting. She will correct and distribute at the next meeting.  I. Call to Order by the Mayor II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Attendance V. Adopt Agenda VI. Agenda Items    VI. Agenda Items  ITEM #1- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Proclamation- Black History Month-Mayor Yeomans read the Black History Month Proclamation aloud accompanied by Councilmember Lemmon, Ates, and Anderson. Presentation by Jon Shaw ofNFP and consideration ofHealth Benefits approval for 2024.Jonathan Shaw with NFP presented a recommended renewal for health insurançe. He explained the increase of $14,386 in the annual premium to be absorbed by the city. Councilmember Coley made the motion to approve the! health benefits for 2024 with a second by Councilmember Anderson. Motion passed 6/0. Request from Fire Department to file a federal FEMA-AFG grant application for a mini-pumper to replace our 2008 Engine 12. Council was asked to submit a grant application to FEMA to finance 95% of the cost ofa new mini pumper. The City match could come from the fire department SPLOST funds. Chief Wilcher presented Councilmember Savant made the motion to file a FEMA - AFG grant application fora a mini pumper with a second by Councilmember Lemmon. Motion passed. 6/0 ITEM #4- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern Consider approving the contract with Government Tax Solutions, LLC, from Carrolton to assist the City with the collection of delinquent property taxes. The council was asked to approve a contract for a year with GTS to collect back taxes. City Manager, Richard Newbern, went over the terms of the contract and a timeline of the collection services. Councilmember Savant made the motion to approve a contract with GTS, LLC to collect delinquent City taxes with a second by Councilmember  ITEM #2- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  ITEM #3- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  information of the grant to the Council.  Ates. Motion passed. 6/0  ITEM #5. Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approving language and budgets for May 2024 SPLOST Referendum. The council was asked to approve the 35%/65% that was negotiated by the County and City. This will be on the May referendum. Councilmember Coley suggested lowering the percentage of Recreation Department, Increase Fire, and lowering Downtown Development. Councilmember Coley made a motion to approve the 35%/65% City/County SPLOST distribution with a second by Councilmember Anderson.  Motion passed. 6/0    ITEM #6-1 Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider adopting a Resolution for filing a 2024 CDBG Housing application by the Friday, April 5, 2024, grant application deadline. Application would require matching funds. The application will need to be filed by March 12. Councilmember Anderson made a motion to adopt the resolution for filling a 2024 CDBG housing application Motion passed 4/2. 4- YES - Anderson, Ates, Lemmon, Tedders. 2-NO- Coley,  with a second by Councilmember Ates.  Savant.  ITEM #7- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider setting a date for Cochran Clean-up Day and approval of filing a Ga. DNR Scrap Tire state grant application. Councilmember Coley made the motion to set the Cochran clean-up day for Saturday, April 20, 2024 and approving the filing ofa GA DNR Scrap Tire state grant application with a second by Councilmember Anderson.  Motion passed 6/0.  ITEM #8- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approving recommendations from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to fill upcoming vacancies on the DDA Board. DDA Board recommended Carla Thrower (Citizen representative spot) to take the place of Dinae Lester which term will expire March 4, 2024. Lorelei Roberts to take place of. James Hagler as a Citizen representative spot and Gwendoline Hutchinson will replace Vinson Howell as a Business representative. The terms become effective March 4, 2024. Councilmember Savant made the motion to approve the DDA recommendation to appoint three new members with a second by Councilmember Coley. Motion passed 6/0. ITEM #9- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider rescinding the motion made January 9, 2024, on Black History month activities behind Police Department. Councilmember Ates made the motion to rescind the motion made at the. January 9 council meeting concerning the Black History Month activities behind the Police Department with a second by Councilmember Anderson. Motion  passed. 6/0 City Manager-  Clean Up Day - April 20  Meeting with VC3 on cyber security with City Clerk and Richard Planning Commission - Zoning Admin Conference GAZA workshop.  Received Red Card - Local Issuing Authority Update on Budget Calendar progression.  City Attorney = Closed session is needed on a few items.    City Clerk - Absent Council Discussion Items: District1 Anderson-NA Ates NA District2  Coley -Consider contracting with al landscaping service. Sidewalks need al lot ofwork.  Need a plan to address repairs on our sidewalks.  Tedders -NA District3 Savant -NA Lemmon-NA Mayor Comments  Encouraged everyone to stay safe Possible Aviation Training Stay safe look out for each other  Public Comments (Please note that everyi individual who signs up to speak prior to the meeting  will be given a total of31 minutes to address thel Mayor and Council.) Caffienated Connections Royal Print @ the High School Caffeinated Connection at Alderman Hall Annual Banquet in March  Mellisa Barker- Chamber  Dueling Piano's All profits will be used to start scholarships for students  Councilmember Ates made ai motion to go into executive session with a second by Councilmember Anderson for potential litigation. Motion passed 6/0. @ 8:52pm. Councilmember Ates made the motion to go back into back to regular session with a Motion to adjourn by Councilmember Ates, with a second by Councilmember Anderson.  second by Councilmember Lemmon @ 9:31pm.  Motion passed. 6/0. Meeting adjourned at 9:34PM  &  City  EHA  SEAL OCHRAN.