OF COCK  EORGI MINUTES Cochran City Council July 13,2021 Regular Scheduled Meeting @ 7PM  City Auditorium, 102NSecond Street, Cochran, GA31014  Present: Mayor Billy Yeomans, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Ates Call to order by Mayor Billy Yeomans @ 7:00PM  Councilmembers: Carla Coley, Keith Anderson, Jimmy Jones, Andrew Lemmon, Rufus Veal  Thei invocation was given by Councilmember Carla Coley followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by  Councimember Anderson.  Mayor called for ai motion to approve the. June 8, 2021; agenda as presented. seconding the motion. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 6-0  Councilmember Lemmon made the motion to accept the agenda as presented with Councilmember Jones Mayor called for a motion to approve thei minutes from June 8, 2021. Mayor Pro Tem Ates made the motion  to accept 6/8/21 minutes with Councilmember Lemmon seconding the motion.  Motion passed with all voting in favor. 6-0  I. Call to Order by thel Mayor II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Attendance V. Adopt Agenda VI. Agenda Items    ITEM#1 1 - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern presented a certification along with a $100 check to Officer, Tyler Rewis. ITEM #2 - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Employee oft the Month. Employee of the month was presented by Police Chief,JeffTrawick. He  Ms. Victoria Freeney, LCSW, will present a community mental health initiative. Mrs. Freeney with the Response Intervention Team gave her presentation to the Council and her ideas of the program she  would like to see come to Cochran.  ITEM #3- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approving GDOT contract for CRRSA Act Funding associated with Cochran Airport in Cochran, Georgia Jim Washburn with the Cochran Airport. Councilmember Jones made the motion to approve the resolution for CRRSA Act Funding Associated with Cochran Airport with Mayor Pro Tem  Ates seconding the motion. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 6-0 ITEM #4- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern Tattoo Establishment as aj permitted use in DC, B1 and B2 Zoning Districts  Public Hearing and consideration of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to allow Body Arts Studio/  Mayor called Public Hearing to order at 7:11PM.  This hearing was called toj provide any interested parties with an opportunity to express their reviews or concerns in accordance with the appropriate section of the O.C.G.A. This Public Hearing is on the text amendment to Article 4 Section 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 oft the Zoning Ordinance to add Body Arts Studio/Tattoo establishment as a permitted use ini the DC- Downtown Commercial, B-1 neighborhood Business and B-2 community business district. Notice oft this hearing was placed on the city social  media page, web page and the Time Journal Post. Actions that the Council could take:  Mayor Yeomans read the rules that would apply for those wishing to speak.  1. DO: nothing and table voting on this item for a later time ifr more information is needed 3. Oro choose to approve the Planning Commission recommendation that Body Art Studio allowed as Mayor Yeomans called for anyone in attendance who had public input for or against adding the Text Amendment to Article 4 section 4.9, 4.10, and 4.11 oft the Zoning Ordinance to add Body Arts studiol Shawn Ratley, George Holland, Joanne Stallworth and' Tammy Elizalde all spoke in favor oft the Body  2. Approve a text amendment as a permitted use  conditional use.  tattoo establishment as aj permitted use. Art Studio/tattoo establishment. Public Hearing closed at @ 7:28PM.  Mayor asked Council if they had any questions for Owner Shawn Ratley. Veal asked Mr. Ratley out of the three options, which one would he want to be approved. Mr. Ratley responded, Permitted use. Mayor Pro Tem asked ift the location would be downtown, and he stated yes. Councilmember Lemmon asked about the legal age for tattoos, and iti is 18 years of age, Mr. Ratley stated.    Coley began with saying she spoke to other business downtown and they all stated they were excited about his business coming downtown and they were wanting him to be approved and not wait any Mayor Pro Tem stated he agreed that he didn't need to wait any longer and people should come and Mayor called for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem made the motion to approve the text amendment to article 4 for Sections 4.9,4.10,4.11 ofthe Zoning Ordinance to add Body Art Studio/Tattoo establishment as a permitted use in the DC- downtown commercial, B-1 Neighborhood Business and B-2 Community  longer.  spend money in Cochran instead ofother places.  Business districts with Veal seconding the motion. Motion passed 4-2.  4 Yes (Veal, Coley, Anderson, Ates) 2No (Lemmon, Jones)  ITEM # 5- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider award ofLMIG bid for road segment resurfacing. This award will be for resurfacing several City Road segments with the 2021 LMIG funds. The LMIG formula grant received from the state is $79,175.30. .84 miles will be resurfaced for $100,000. Dykes Grassing was the sole bidder for the resurfacing project. Councilmember Jones made the motion to award the LMIG resurfacing to Dykes Grassing in the amount of $100,000 with Councilmember Anderson seconding the motion. Motion  passed with all voting in favor. 6-0  ITEM #6- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approval of Communication Policy for Council. Council. A revised Communication policy was presented to Council, that was discussed at the June gth meeting. Councilmember Anderson made the motion to approve the communication policy with Councilmember Jones seconding the motion. 5-  Yes (Coley, Anderson, Ates, Jones, Lemmon) and 1-No (Veal). ITEM #7 7- Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approving speed bumps for W. Lewis Street and for Dinah Street. Council was asked to consider a speed bump ini two different districts. District one and District two. Councilmember Veal asked Council to approve speed bump to be placed on Lewis and Councilmember Anderson asked for two to be placed at Dinah. Mayor Pro Tem made the motion to allow the speed bumps to be placed at the designated locations. Mary Pitts spoke up and asked could a speed bump be placed on Palm Street as well. Mayor Pro Tem withdrew his motion and made a different motion to approve the speed bumps at the locations requested with Councilmember Anderson seconding the motion. Motion passed with all  voting in favor. 6-0  Councilmember Jimmy Jones had to leave meeting. ITEM #8 - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider a Resolution to file a 2021 Rural Zone Tax Credit application to benefit the Downtown Business District. This is another application for the city for the rural tax credit sO the businesses can take advantage of tax credits for payroll and to add jobs and other upgrades or updates to their business. Councilmember Coley made the motion to approve the: resolution to file a 2021Rural Tax Credit Application with Mayor Pro Tem seconding the motion. Motion passed with all coting in favor.5 5-0    ITEM #9. - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider approving project documentation for the City's 2021 federal CHIP Housing Grant from Georgia DCA. Council was asked to approve the grant consultant contract amendment, the Resolution and documentation related to the City's new $400,000 CHIP housing rehabilitation grant. The documents are needed to move ahead with this process. The city is wrapping up the $300,000 CHIP project. Councilmember Coley inquired about the completion ofthe house and update on what has been done to the houses and when will they be completed. Mr. Newbern explained four oft the houses have been completed, two remaining to be complete and still needs to close out. More internal rehabilitation on the other two house were required. Willie Farrow listed everything that was done to each house item by item. Most everything the building inspector noted was replaced sO the house was brought to code. Councilmember Veal asked ifb before and after pictures were taken. Willie stated yes and he will provide them at the next Council meeting. Mr. Farrow also gave all addresses for each house that has been rehabilitated. Mayor Pro Tem Ates made the motion to approve documentation for the City's2021 federal CHIP Housing Grant from GA DCA with Councilmemberl Lemmon seconding the motion.  Motion passed with all voting in favor 5-0.  ITEM #10 - Presented by City Manager, Richard Newbern  Consider designating two Planning Commissioners as serving four-year terms, and three as serving two- year terms. Council is asked to vote on the terms of the five planning Commissioners. The May Council meeting, the Council voted to stagger the terms oft the Planning Commissioners, sO the members will serve. Three members will serve the two-year terms and two members will serve four-year terms. Lane Purser and Russell Odom volunteered tol be the members to serve the four-year terms and Ray Knighton, Debra Turner and Enda Allen will remain as two-year terms. Councilmember Anderson made the motion to approve 2 Planning Commissioners as serving four-year terms and the remaining three to serve two-year terms with Mayor Pro Tem Ates. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 5-0  City Manager Updates: American Relief Act update II Council Discussion Items:  District 1 (Anderson- 1.Thanked the community and the Police Dept, Sherriff's Dept, and all the volunteers that helped find the young lady and bring her home safe. 2. Attended Public Works Safety meeting, thanked Willie and his team, has been 365 since an accident. 3. Flag sales have He spoke about mental health and the individuals who presented information to Council. Mentioned the Public Works for no accident in 365 and suggested a bonus. Spoke on the shootings not only in our area, but all over and surrounding counties. Give an answer to the City Clerk  increased, and it continues to grow. 400 plus flags in Cochran.  Ates- Thanked all the people who looked for the young lady and brought her home safe.  about the Christmas Parade. Take care of our workers of the city.  District 2( (Veal/Coley)-Coley 1. Very impressed how the community came together tol help fine the young lady and how the surrounding agencies worked so well together. 2. BCHS Beta Show Choir received third in the nation. 3. Would like to see more sidewalk maintenance downtown and keep the weeds out of the sidewalks. She would like a regular schedule for maintenance for downtown.  Veal-None  District3 (Jones None = Left Early)  Lemmon-None )-.    Mayor reminded everyone about the change of the meeting for August. The meeting day has been moved to August 17 (third Tuesday oft the month) due to Council being out oft town for GMA Mayor stated for everyone to stay safe. Mayor spoke on the shootings in town. He asked ifa anyone Be kind and check on neighbors. Thanked all City employees, and the Councilmembers for all their hard work and dedication to the City of Cochran. Facebook-I Ifyou can'ts say anything good about something don'ts say anything. Mayor was told about some: negative comments posted about the young lady missing  Convention. Work Session is @ 5:30PM. Regular Session @ 7PM.  knows anything, tell someone. It will be confidential.  on Facebook. Public Comments:  Edwin Peacock: 244 Crest Drive- Thank the City for Crest Drive Paving. The flags are amazing. Wish there was a way tol keep the name plates facing forward SO they can be read. The great job that is done at  Cedar Hill Cemetery. It looks SO good. Mary Pitts: 110 Palm Street  Stated Richard was supposed to get back ini touch withl her about a location ofa park. She wanted the Council to tell her what their thoughts were about aj public park coming into the city. Councilmember Anderson stated aj park would be a great idea, but there are al lot of different things as far as funding goes. He attended a meeting a couple of weeks' ago. There has to be a certain amount of people living ini the city tol be able to qualify for a grant. He stated again it would be a great thing for everyone of all ages to have something to do. He will do more research on the idea. Mrs. Pitts stated she appreciated him for making an initiative to look into a park. Some people she said does not want a park for various reasons. She asked Councilmember Lemmon about aj park coming to Cochran. He stated he will give his thoughts on that at a later time. She asked Councilmember Coley what her thoughts were. She stated she felt the same as she did before about aj park. Councilmember stated she wished a landowner would donate aj piece of property to get started. Mrs. Pitts stated she was not going to give up. She is fed up with all the excuses of why aj park is not created. Richard stated he contacted the Regional Commission, and they are going tol help with the funding sources and what the requirements are with regards to aj park and location and what is needed to get the funding from the state and the federal  government. She thanked Richard for his work.  Josset Scott: North Second  Why isn' t the City Attorney not at the meetings? Last year a committee was chosen for downtown. So why are the business owners downtown not cleaned up. Don'tunderstand why Cochran does not want to change. She stated there should be grants to get parks in Cochran. She stated a busted pipe has been broken for years. Finish one thing before you start another. She would like tol be given an answer when Mayor Pro Tem Ates made the motion to adjourn with Councilmember Apderesgtonfingt the motion.  she asks a question. There is nothing here to draw in businesses and families.  Motion passed with all voting in favor. 5-0 8:46pm DmyaOnnaw  Tracy BJ Jones City Clerk  CHRAN,  )