0C  ORGI  APPROVED MINUTES Cochran City Council Tuesday, April 9,2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting @ 7:00PM  City Auditorium, 102 N Second Street, Cochran, GA 31014  Present: Mayor Billy Yeomans, Mayor Pro-Tem Carla Coley City Manager, Richard Newbern, Interim City Clerk, Julie Peche  Councilmembers: Keith Anderson, Gary Ates, Andrew Lemmon, Shane Savant, Lonnie Tedders  I. Call to Order by the Mayor II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Attendance V. Adopt Agenda VI. Approve Minutes VII. Agenda Items  I.  Call to order by Mayor Billy Yeomans @ 7:00PM Mayor Yeomans asked for a moment of silence to honor City Engineer, Skip Layton who passed on 4-7-2024. Next, he asked that wei remember Andy Lucas, IDA Director as he recovers from surgery.  II. The invocation was given by Councilmember Savant. III. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Lemmon. IV. The Mayor noted all council members were present.  V. Mayor asked for any corrections, additions, or deletions to the April 9, 2024, agenda. Councilmember Coley asked to add as Item #9, determination of Council's involvement in the interviews for City Clerk. Councimember Savant made a second with all council Councilmember Coley made a motion to add the discussion of approval of additional funds for the airport from the 23/24 budget as agenda item #10. Councilmember Tedders made a second with all councilmembers in favor. Motion passed unanimously 6/0. Councilmember Lemmon made the motion to accept the agenda with additions.  members in favor. Motion passed unanimously 6/0.  Councimember Tedders made a second. Motion passed 6/0.  VI. Mayor asked if additions or corrections were needed for the Tuesday, March 12, 2024, council meeting minutes. There were none and a motion was made to accept the minutes as presented for the Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Council meeting by Councilmember    Savant with a second by Councilmember Anderson. The vote was unanimous 6/0, motion  passed.  Mayor asked if additions or corrections were needed for the April 6-8, 2023, Retreat meeting minutes. Councilmembers Savant and Tedders must recuse themselves since they were not on the Council at that time. There were no corrections, and a motion was made to accept the minutes as presented for the 2023 Retreat by Councilmember Ates with a second by councilmember Lemmon. Mayor Yeomans stood and stated he would like to address those in attendance and listening on He apologized for any inconvenience or misunderstanding concerning the delinquent tax letters that were sent to City property owners. At the February 6, 2024, Council meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to contract with GTS, Governmental Tax Services Inc., to start the collection process for past due property taxes. Letters were sent to anyone showing a balance owed to the City for taxes. Some letters were sent to property owners that had already paid previous year's taxes. We appreciate those that have provided proofof payment to clear past due tax amounts. Next, he stated that he had spoken with the GBI to verify that the City is not under any investigation.  The vote was unanimous, motion passed 4/0 with 2 abstentions.  social media.  The unrecorded tax payments was caused by a glitch in the data base.  VII. Agenda Items  ITEM #1- Presented by Mayor, Billy Yeomans  Mayor Billy Yeomans read a proclamation recognizing April 21 to April 27, 2024, as Georgia Cities  Week in Cochran.  ITEM #2- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Mr. Newbern gave overview oft the Variance request petition for Chris Steeley to build a tiny home of 384 Sq. Ft. at 132 Rose St. in an R-2 zoned neighborhood with a required minimum house size of1,200 Mr. Steeley addressed the Council and stated that the lot is small and was originally platted in 1912. Wants to build this home for his personal use only, willl build with a certified house plan, and follow all fire codes. Several attendees made statements for and against the proposal for tiny homes in the R-2 Comments from Council included concern for setting a precedent for tiny homes in all neighborhoods. Variance requests were granted for hardships and this request was not seen as al hardship. The council asked for the Planning Commission to investigate options for allowing tiny homes in all zoning districts in Cochran. Mayor asked for the Council's: recommendation. Councilmember Anderson made a motion to deny the variance petition for 132 Rose St. Councilmember Ates made a second. The vote to deny  Sq. Ft. Mayor Yeomans called the Public Hearing to order at 7:23pm.  district. Mayor Yeomans closed the public hearing at 7:35pm.  was unanimous. 6/0.  ITEM #3- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Mr. Newbern presented a contract from' Tax Commissioner, Paige Baggs, for services to the City to bill and collect 2024 property taxes for a fee of$18,000 per year. Ms. Baggs addressed the Council and    listed services that would be provided under this contract. This contract would also apply for future years tax billing and collection. Councilmember Ates made a motion to approve the contract presented by the Bleckley County Tax Commissioner for tax collection services at a fee of$18,000 annually beginning in 2024. Councimember Lemmon made a second. All councilmembers were in favor. Motion  passed 6/0.  ITEM #4- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  The council is asked to amend the 23/24 budget to shift $1,791,927 in ARPA funds into the general fund as recommended by the city accountants from Symphona. ARPA funds must be spent by 12-31-2024. This will allow the city more time to spend the funds. ARPA funds will be spent on approved items and will be tracked on ai monthly spreadsheet. Councilmember Coley made a motion to move. ARPA funds to the general fund with accounting procedures as requested. Councilmember Anderson made a second.  All were in favor, motion passed 6/0.  ITEM #5 - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Mr. Newbern asked ift the Council would like to amend the FY 24/25 budget calendar or leave as approved at the. January 9, 2024, council meeting. Current calendar is: work session Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 6:30, work session, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:30, public hearing, Tuesday, ,June 4, 2024, at 6:30, with budget approval at the regular council meeting, Tuesday, June 11,2024 at 7.Councilmember Savant made a motion tol leave thel budget calendar as set at the 1-9-2024 council meeting. Councimember Anderson made a second. The vote was unanimous 6/0. ITEM #6- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  The Council was asked to consider aj policy for citizens or civic groups to follow to receive approval prior to use ofCity owned properties for public events. The council asked for more development ofa policy and supporting documents before their consideration. The council asked for this item to be  deferred. All council members concurred.  ITEM #7- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  The council has been asked to consider an amendment to the TSPLOST paving project for Mac Thompson Road. Consultation with GDOT has requested a review oft this request. The $350,000 for this project will not resurface the total length oft this project. The council is asked to select which segment to resurface. Councilmember Coley made a motion to resurface and mill the south segment ofMac Thompson Road from Colonial Road tol Faulk Rd and to use. ARPA funding if needed to complete this segment. Councimember Tedders made a second to this motion. The vote was unanimous 6/0. Council was asked to approve the bids for 2 new police vehicles which were approved for purchase at the March 12, 2024, council meeting. ChiefTrawick addressed Council and answered questions. Councilmember Lemmon made a motion to accept the bids from Brannen Ford for the purchase ofone F150, and one Ford Explorer/ Interceptor. Councimember Ates made a second and the vote was  ITEM #8- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  unanimous 6/0.  ITEM #9- (Added agenda item) Presented by Mayor Billy Yeomans  Mayor Yeomans stated that this item was previously discussed during the work session and council voted to add to the regular agenda. He asked what the Council would recommend. Councilmember Savant suggested that 1 councilmember from each district be allowed to observe the 2nd, round interviews for City Clerk and asked to have an application review by all councilmembers. Councilmember Coley agreed. Councilmembers Ates and Lemmon clarified that the recommendation to council would come from City Manager, Richard Newbern. Councilmember Coley made ai motion for 1    councilmember from each district to observe the 2nd round interviews and any councilmember could review all applications submitted for City Clerk with the final recommendation to council presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern. Councilmember Savant made a second to that motion. All ITEM # 10- (Added agenda item) Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern This item was requested by the council tol be added to the regular agenda. This is a discussion of providing additional funding from the FY 23/24 budget for the. Airport Authority. Mr. Newbern stated that the request made by Bill Coody on behalfoft the Airport Authority is to cover the cost ofa portable building to be purchased for use by thel MGSU's School of Aviation. This facility would be used for scheduling student flights arriving and departing from the airport. Councilmember Coley made ai motion to amend the FY 23/24 budget to provide funding of $25,000 to the Airport Authority for the purchase oft the building to be used for the MGSU's School of Aviation. Councilmember Tedders made a second  councilmembers were in favor, motion passed 6/0.  to that motion. All councilmembers were in favor. Motion passed 6/0.  City Manager-  Clean Up Day - 4-20-24. GMA Convention June 21-25, 2024.  Planned work session on Strategic Planning with Dr. Carrie Hamilton Saturday, May 18, 2024. Ossoff Grant awarded for over $700,000 in sewer system upgrades. Match funds were approved David Arnold has finished thel Fire Station Plat which needs review by the Fire Chief. Land and Water Conservation grant for Willie Basby Park made it tot the final review. GICH conference is April 16-18, 2024. 41 team members will be attending.  from the. ARPA funds.  CDBG Grant 2024 was filed on April 5, 2024, for $920,000.  City Attorney - N/A City Clerk - No Comment  Mayor - Be safe, call for help when needed.  Remember our next Council meeting on May 14, 2024, work session at 6pm and regular meeting 7pm.  Work session for the FY 24/25 budget is Tuesday, 16, 2024 at 6:30 pm.  Council Discussion Items:  District 1  Anderson - Please remember Skip Layton' 's family in our prayers. Control to patrol District 1 for stray cats and dogs.  Ates- Spoke ofhow the City Council had a great retreat. Asked Police ChiefTrawick to have. Animal  District2 Tedders -NA District3  Coley - Remember Skip's family as they approach the funeral on' Thursday.    Savant- Great retreat. Thank you, Julie, and staff, for the GMA registration. Requested update on tax  collection. Lemmon - NA  Public Comments (Please note that every individual who signs up to speak prior to the meeting will be givena Mike' Ware ofl Deep South Construction wanted to introduce himself and let everyone know he bought the old gas station across the street (from the auditorium). He has bid on several CHIP and CDBG rehab projects here. Wonderful programs. Complimented Willie, Richard, Julie. The city staffi is great to work with. Stated no other town has anyone like Willie. Will not be bidding on grant projects in the future but would like to continue to work with the city. Councilmember Coley asked why he would not bid on grant projects. Mike responded that it Rufus Veal, city resident, discussed water billing issues, cut-offs, fees charged, asbestos testing for demos. Melissa Barker, President of the Chamber of Commerce, reminded everyone oft the upcoming Chamber events. Thursday, 4-11-24 at 6:30 pm in the auditorium, meet the candidates a Q&A for County Commissioner, Magistrate Judge, SPLOST. Thursday 4-18-24 from 4:30 to 6:30 Small business expo. Saturday, 4-20-24 from 9 Councilmember Savant wanted to thank Connie Dupree for her 19 years of service to the citizens of Cochran,  total of31 minutes to address the Mayor and Council.)  requires heavy investment and does not want to assume the risk.  tor noon, Cochran Clean Up Day. Lastly, Friday, 5-3-24 the Golfers Classic.  This ended public comments.  Mayor asked if Council needed to go into Executive session. Councilmember Ates stated yes for aj personnel 8:53pm, Councilmember Ates made a motion to go into executive session with a second by  issue.  Councilmember Anderson. Motion passed 6/0. Councilmember Lemmon. Motion passed 6/0.  9:34pm, Councilmember Ates made the motion to go back into back to regular session with a second by 9:35pm, Motion to adjourn by Councilmember Ates, with a second by Councilmember Anderson.  Motion passed. 6/0. Meeting adjourned at 9:36 pm  COCHRAY )  (SEAL) DRR Julie D. Peche, Interim City Clerk  C  COCHRAN