City of Coolidge Council Meeting Official Minutes  January 16, 2024 6:30PM 6:30 PM.  The City of Coolidge regularly scheduled Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Diane H. Causey at  The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by City Manager Don Cole.  Approve December 5, 2023, Workshop Minutes:  Motion-M. Johnson; Second-Braswell; F.J Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Leger-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimously approved.  Approve December 12, 2023, Council Meeting Minutes:  Motion-Leger; Second-Braswell; F.J Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; M.. Johnson-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimously: approved.  Approve December 14, 2023, Called Meeting Minutes:  Motion-Leger; Second-M.. Johnson; F.J Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswelaye;Smithaye  Unanimously approved.  Speaker Appearance: James (Jimbo) Coleman  Mr. James Coleman had requested to speak to Council, sO his name was added to the Agenda tonight. However, Mr. Coleman decided to come speak to Council at the Workshop preceding the Council  meeting instead.  Incumbent Councilmembers Todd Braswell and Melissa Harper. Johnson and new Councilmember Tonia Gentry  took the Oath of Office and were sworn in by Asst. City Clerk Stephanie Mock.  Appoint Mayor Pro Tem:  Councilmember M.. Johnson nominated Councilmember Elizabeth Leger.  Mayor Causey asked ift there were any other nominations. There were no other nominations. Motion to appoint Councilmember Elizabeth Leger as Mayor Pro Tem-M.Johnson;: Second-Braswell,  F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Smith-aye; Leger-abstained  Motion carries.  Approve Order of Agenda with addition of Appoint City Attorney, Approve List of Recognized Holidays in the Personnel: Policy with the addition oft the. Juneteenth Holiday, and Resolution, for Council to inquire and Motion-M. Johnson; Second-Leger; F.J Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; Smith-aye  investigate the actions of a Coolidge Police Officer involving two Response calls:  Unanimously approved.    Page 2  Approve Bills to be paid:  Motion-Leger; Second-Braswell F.J Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; M.. Johnson-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimously approved.  Administrative Department  City Manager Report - Copy provided in Council folders  Finance Department  Approve Letter of Engagement for Valenti, Rackley &. Associates - 2023 Audit:  Motion-M.. Johnson; Second-Leger;! F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimously: approved.  Approve list of Recognized Paid Holidays with addition of the. Juneteenth Holiday:  Motion-Smith; Second-Leger; F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; M.. Johnson-aye  Unanimously approved  Appoint City Attorney:  Motion to appoint Kyle Swan as City Attorney-M..ohnson; Second-Leger  Before calling for "All in Favor", Mayor Causey wanted to read a letter to Council addressed to her from Drew, Ecki, & Farnham, the Law Firm of City of Coolidge Attorney, Tommy Coleman. The letter was the formal Resignation of Tommy Coleman, current City Attorney, effective immediately.  Accept Tommy Coleman's Resignation as City Attorney:  Motion-M.. Johnson; Second-Leger; F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswelaye,Smthnaye  Unanimously approved  Appoint Kyle Swan as City Attorney:  Motion-M.Johnson; Second-Leger; F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimousyapproved  Councilmember Freddie. Johnson stated hei feels we should send al letter of appreciation or a card or do something to recognize and show our appreciation to Mr. Coleman for over 25 years ofs service as City  Attorney for the City of Coolidge. Other Council members agreed.  Police Department  Chief's Report - Copy provided in Council folders  Public Works Department  Public Works Report- - Copy provided in Council folders  Street Department No business to discuss    Page 3  Recreation Department  City Manager Don Cole will check on when the Christmas lights will be taken down.  Ballfield Improvement: New Business No new business to discuss. Old Business  Council discussed at the Workshop preceding the meeting.  Workshop for Personnel Policy Review scheduled for. January 23"d, 5:30 PM.  Public Comment  Linda Smith discussed the acoustics in the Council room. She said the rugs that were purchased to reduce the echo in the Council room have helped, but she thinks iti is still hard to hear what is being said and asked about  checking into getting a microphone/sound system to help with the sound problem.  Executive Session - Personnel Motion to Enter Executive Session:  Motion-M.. Johnson; seondlegpk.ohnonye: Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; Smith-aye  unanimously approved.  0.CG.A.550-14-41b) provides as follows:  When any meeting of an agencyi is closed to the public pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, the person presiding over such meeting or, ift the agency's policy so provides, each member of the governing body of the agency attending such meeting, shall execute and file with the official minutes of the meeting a notarized affidavit stating under oathi that the subject matter of the meeting, ort the closed portion thereof, was devoted to matters within the The subject matter of said meeting, or the closed portion thereof, was devoted to matters within exceptions to public disciosure provided by law. Those specific relevant exceptions are identified as follows. The only matter(s) considered (F.) Meeting to discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating ofa public officer or employee as provided in Georgia Code section 50-14-  exception byl law and identifying the specific relevant exception.  or discussed during the closed portion ore executive session of the meeting is/are:  3(b)(2).  Council addressed and discussed the relevant subject matter.  Motion to Exit Executive Session:  Motion-Smith; Seçond-F.. Johnson; Gentry-aye; Braswell-aye; Leger-aye; M.J Johnson-aye  Unanimously: approved.  Council will not vote on the Police Inquiry Resolution at this meeting.    Page 4  Adjourn Motion to adjourn:  Motion-M. Johnson; Second-Braswell; F.Johnson-aye; Gentry-aye; Leger-aye; Smith-aye  Unanimously approved.  Wiaue A. Cause Mayor, Diane H. Causey  Gliphani Mck Asst. Ckty Clerk, Stephanie Mock  Present  Absent  Councilmember Freddie. Johnson Councilmember Tonia Gentry Councilmember Todd Braswell Councilmember Elizabeth Leger Councilmember Melissa Johnson Councilmember W.C. Smith