CITV OF  Cleveland GEORGIA  Cleveland City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, July 11,2022 -6:30 P.M. Cleveland Community Center/Police Department 342 Campbell Street, Cleveland, GA  1. Call to Order  Mayor Turner called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  PRESENT:  Mayor Josh Turner, Council Members Nan Bowen, Rebecca Yardley, Jeremy McClure, Also present were City Administrator Kevin Harris, City Attorney Grant Keene, and City  and C.J. McDonald (Mayor Pro Tem)  Clerk Lisa Ritchie  2. Invocation - Newlin Vargas of Basan Ministries  3. Pledge of Allegiance  Pastor Vargas stated that Basan Ministries has been in the City of Cleveland for  approximately five years. 4. Approve Agenda  Motion by Council Member Yardley, seconded by Council Member McDonald and voted,unanimousy, to approve the agenda with an amendment to remove item  number 14 from the agenda. PUBLIC HEARING  5. November Referendum for the package sale of distilled spirits  Mayor Turner stated the following:  Mayor and Council Members will hold two (2) Public Hearings on the question of whether the issuance of licenses for the package sale of distilled spirits in the City of  Cleveland shall be permitted.    Monday, July 11, 2022 Meeting at 6:30 at the Cleveland Police Department Monday, July 25, 2022 Called Meeting at 6:30 at the Cleveland Police Ac copy of the proposed ballot question to be considered by the City Council is currently available for public inspection online as well as at Cleveland City Hall, Under Senate Bill 145, the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Kemp revised the law allowing cities and counties to call for a ballot question on liquor package sales by resolution or ordinance. Under the previous law, the petition threshold of 35% of registered voter signatures was required to initiate the process. Under the law passed in 2021, 20% of registered voter signatures or a majority vote of the Council would allow a referendum to be placed on a The City Council wants to hear from its citizens prior to any potential vote taking place. For that purpose, the Cleveland City Council will hold two (2) Public Hearings on the question of whether the issuance of licenses for the package sale of distilled spirits in the City of Cleveland shall be permitted. The hearings have been publicized and printed as required by all city and state At the end of the hearing on Monday, July 25, 2022, there will be ai time at the end to entertain motions on the topic from any member(s) of the city council. Ifan motion were made in order, and received a majority vote, a distilled spirits referendum could be placed on the November ballot for city residents. Ifthe referendum is approved in November, the city would begin the process of developing ordinances to create the regulations and application process. The city would then set a date to complete the ordinances and determine when Public Comments may be provided at the meetings scheduled for July 11 or July 25 or by e-mail at PubigComments@cholyoldlevelandgaor, After the 2nd Public Hearing portion of the meeting on July 25, action may be taken by the Council regarding the call for a special election.  Department  Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  ballot.  requirements.  distilled spirits sales could begin.  Mayor Turner asked that everyone abide by the Rules of Decorum that are in effect for this The following people addressed the Mayor and Council Members with their comments on  hearing and all Council meetings.  the item: Ini favor:  Charlie Pope, 160 Pine Hill Drive, Cleveland Ed Ward, 507 New Bridge Road, Cleveland  Inc opposition:  Terry Goodger, 138 Park' View Drive, Cleveland  The Public Hearing was closed as there were no others wishing to speak on the matter.  DEPARTMENT REPORTS    6. Finance Department - Finance Director Connie Tracas  June 2022 statistics  Mrs. Tracas addressed the Mayor and Council Members. She reported the following  June items:  Revenues are at 101% compared to 103% in June of 2021 Slight increase in alcohol tax compared to June 2021 Slight decrease in LOST compared to June 2021 Expenditures are at 99% compared to 92% in June 2021 due to needed upgrades in computer equipment and software Water/Sewer Revenues are at 80% compared to 95% in June 2021 - New, increased water rates will go into effect. July 15, 2022 - Mrs. Tracas recommended extending the rate increases  ( Getting ready for audit  7. Fire Department - Chief Ricky Pruitt  June 2022 statistics  Chief Pruitt addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He reported the following  June items:  Total of 80 Calls: 43 inside the city and 37 in the County White County Fire Department responded 4 times into the city  2p people were saved with Narcan  8. Police Department Chief Jeff Shoemaker  June 2022 statistics  Chief Shoemaker addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He reported the  following June items:  O Total occurrences - 2,074 Public assists - 317 Premise checks - 1,106 Field interviews - 8 Incident reports -5 55 Accident reports-1 15 Investigative/supplemental-95 Administrative duties-3 309 Citations Issued - 78 Warnings 75 Warrants - 15 Juvenile - 1 Citations    Misdemeanor, non-traffic- 4 DUI, Alcohol, & serious offenses 5 Driver's license, Registration, & Insurance - 11 Moving violations, traffic control, etc. - 60 Equipment, seatbelt, etc. -8  Drug arrests - 3  9. Public Works Department- Assistant Public Works Director Ricky Hunt  June 2022 statistics  Mr. Hunt addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He reported the following June  items:  o Service orders - 154 o Meters read - 2,206 O Meters re-read-36 Locates-1 145  10. Economic Development and Planning - Tom O'Bryant  June 2022 Report  Mr. O'Bryant addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He reported the following  June items:  O Occupational Licenses-8 O Building Permits -13 O Sign Permits-3 o Building Inspections-1 17 O Plan Reviews-2 and 3 expansions)  O Current Commercial Activity - 6 projects (3 new construction  Development Inquiries - 10 (3 have closed) line expansion for Woodland's Camp  Grant Applications - ARC Pre-application submittal for sewer  Mr. O'Bryant stated that he received an e-mail from Senator Warnock's Office Chief of Staff earlier in the day. They are sending their Chief of Staff on Friday, July 22nd to  meet with Cleveland staff.  Infrastructure = Phase 3 of the by-pass, GDOT redesigning infrastructure for the proposed bridge that will replace the collapsed culvert. Mr. O'Bryant stated that he is in discussions with the City Engineer on this item.    POLICE CHIEF JEFF SHOEMAKER  11. Request for the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer  Chief Shoemaker stated that the purchase would be funded by SPLOST. Motion by Council Member McDonald, seconded by Council Member Yardley and voted, unanimously, to approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer from SPLOST  funds.  CITY ADMINISTRATOR KEVIN HARRIS Mr. Harris reported the following items:  Staff is working on metrics to make sure that the Mayor and Council have all the information they need to make decisions Staff is waiting for information from the Tax Commissioner for the Commendations to Public Works for working in the heat The personnel code was last updated in 1994. Staff will work on a comprehensive update, working on sections at a time. Itshould be  scheduling of millage hearings  complete by this time next year.  CITY ATTORNEY GRANT KEENE  Mr. Keene addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He announced his withdrawal as City Attorney at the end of the year. He expressed his appreciation for being allowed to serve for 33.5 years. He stated that the resignation is effective at the end of the year. He also offered to serve in an amended capacity through the end of the On behalf of the City Council and City Councils' past, Mayor Turner expressed appreciation for Mr. Keene's service and counsel to the City of Cleveland. Mayor Turner stated that they recognize his professional abilities and his courteous and  year.  professional behavior.  Mr. Keene received a standing ovation.  NEW BUSINESS  12. Engagement of Professional Services  Mayor Turner stated that Mr. Keene has been communicating his plans to resign at the end of the year. He said the Mayor and Council have been interviewing candidates to fill Mr. Keene's position. He said it was a difficult task with Mr. Keene  serving for 33.5 years.    Motion by Council Member Yardley, seconded by Council Member McClure and voted, unanimously, to approve the engagement of professional services with KeithJ. Mr. Whitaker addressed the Mayor and Council members. He said he is a lifelong resident of Cleveland and looks forward to working with the Mayor and Council and  Whitaker and Smith Gilliam Williams and Miles.  with Mr. Keene.  13. Approve July 5, 2022 Called Meeting Minutes  Motion by Council Member Bowen, seconded by Council Member McDonald and voted, unanimously, to approve the July 5, 2022 Called Meeting Minutes.  14. Approve July 5, 2022 Executive Session Minutes (removed from the agenda  during the adoption of the agenda)  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  There was no unfinished business to discuss.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  Judy Lovell, 341 W. Kytle Street, addressed the Mayor and Council Members and shared a piece of Cleveland's history. She said in the late 40s and early 50s Cleveland had one police officer, James Newton Byron "Big. Jim", who was 7'2" tall and weighed 320 pounds. He had 11 brothers and sisters who were all over 6' tall. He was well  respected in Cleveland. He served for 9 years.  ANNOUNCEMENTS  15. Millage Hearing/s information is available. EXECUTIVE SESSION  Mr. Harris stated that the Millage Hearing/s will be announced as soon as the  Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Bowen and voted,  unanimously, to enter an Executive Session at 7:07 p.m.  16. Discussion regarding real estate and personnel matters  Motion by Council Member Yardley, seconded by Council Member McClure and voted, unanimously, to adjourn the Executive Session and return to the City Council Meeting  at 8:39 p.m.    Council Member McDonald opened the door to allow citizens to return to the regular The Mayor and Council Member signed the Lamar "Pinky" Black Old Water Tank agreement for the purpose of Ms. Ritchie being able to witness/attest the document.  meeting. There were no citizens waiting to return to the meeting.  ADJOURN  Motion by Council Member Yardley, seconded by Council Member Bowen and voted, unanimously, to adjourn the City Council Meeting of July 11, 2022 at 8:46 p.m.  Jesh hr  Josh Turner  Mayor  Council Member Ward3  AIN  Aawbavl Nan Bowen  AIM CJ.McDonald  Council Member Ward 1  Council Member Ward4  Tem Clerk City  Raullu  Rebecca Yardley  Council Member Ward2  LisaA. Ritchie  Sp