City of Donalsonville Council Meeting-anuary 2,2024 Official Minutes Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr. called the Council Meeting to order at 6:001 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After which Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr. gave the invocation, then all joinedi in the Pledge of Allegiance tot the United States of America. Councilmembers present for the meeting included, Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Edl Bond, CPI Mitch Blanks, CP Mitzy Moye, CP Travis Brooks, CP Lindsay Register, and CPI Flossie Smith. Staff present were City Manager Jeffrey Hatcher, City Clerk Christina Corvers, Police Chief Kem Pugh, Fire Chief Dean King, Public Works Superintendent Bert Adams and City Attorney Chip Stewart. Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr. thens swore in the newly elected officials from the recent election to include Councilmember Mitch Blanks and Councilmember Travis Brooks. Approval of the Agenda: City Manager Hatcher requested to amend the Agenda by adding the discussion of possible litigation in Executive Session. CP Blanks made ai motion to amend the Agenda by adding the discussion of possible litigation in Executive Session, with CP Smith seconding. Motion carried. CPI Blanks then made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended, with CP Smith seconding. Motion passed. Next, the approval of the minutes from the December 5,2023, Council Meeting. CPI Blanks made ar motion to approve the minutes from the December APPEARANCES: Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Tori Gravlee gave an annual report on the Board's key achievements for 2023 toi include the following: 5,2023, Council Meeting, with CP Moye seconding. Motion carried. Job Creation and Business Growth At total of251 new. jobs were created. The DDA proudly welcomed 5 new businesses downtown. being instrumental in 30% of this new growth. community engagement and cultural richness. At total of 20 other businesses opened in Donalsonville in 2023, with the DDA The DDA organized and supported la total of9s special events, enhancing The community has generously contributed over 2001 hours of volunteer service, demonstrating the spirit of collaboration and civic engagement. The DDAI has created a social media account through Facebook and has achieved areach of 100K and attracted 2.4K followers, significantly increasing our digital Special Events Volunteer. Participation Social Media Impact footprint and community interaction. Next, Bill Burke appeared before the Mayor and Council to discuss the new Rural Workforce Housing Initiative for Donalsonville. Mr. Burke spoke about the project for an initial 53 single- family homes tol be builti in Donalsonville. A grant application for the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative has been submitted and we should have a decision soon. He further stated that he was very appreciative of the work of thel Mayor, Council, and City Staffin assisting with this project. INTERNAL BUSINESS: The Financial Statements for November 2023 were presented and reviewed with comments made by City Manager Hatcher on the current status, along with INTERNAL BUSINESS discussion on the three-month analysis. OLD BUSINESS OLDI BUSINESS: City Manager Hatcher stated that corrected documents for the Lead Service Linel Replacement Grant had been received and recommended the Council approve the Resolution and Grant Application. Afters some discussion, CP Blanks made a motion to approve the GEFA Resolution and Grant Application for the Lead Service Line Replacement. CPI Brooks seconded; motion carried. Next, Councilmember Blanks made a motion tot table the discussion on eDonalsonville until the financial reports could be reviewed by the Council. CP Smith seconded; motion passed. NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS: City Manager Hatcher stated that it was time for the Downtown Development Authority to either re-appoint two oft their current members or appoint two new members tos serve on the Board. Thel DDA Board has requested to re-appoint Willie Williams and Shandora Hopkins. CP Smith made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Willie Williams and Shandora Hopkins to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Mayor Pro Tem Bond seconded. AYES: CP Smith, CP Bond, CP Brooks, CPI Register, and CP Blanks. ABSTAIN: CPN Moye. Motion carried. Under the newly approved appointment, the current DDA terms are as follows: Beverly Burke... .Current Term: 1/1/22-12/31/25. Term 10 expire 12/31/25 Kathleen Barineau... .Current Term: 1/1/22-12/31/25. Term t0 expire 12/31/25. Rachael Ward...Current Term: 1/1/23-12/31/26. Term to expire 12/31/26. Jamie Underwood... Current Term: 1/1/23-12/31/26. Term 10 expire 12/31/26. Shandora Hopkins...Current Term: 1/1/24-12/31/27. Term 10 expire 12/31/27. Willie Williams.. .Current Term: 1/1/24-12/31/27 Term 10 expire 12/31/27. Sarah Avery. Current Term: 1/1/22-12/31/25. Term 10 expire 12/31/25. Next, City Manager Hatcher presented the Micro-Purchase Threshold Certification for calendar year 2024. City Manager Hatcher stated that the certification authorizes the City Manager to develop purchasing procedures toi implement the requirements of state and federal law, regarding funding received by the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, State Fiscal Recovery Funds, supported by the U.S. Department oft the' Treasury as part oft the State of Georgia's s allocation of funds from the Coronavirus State andI Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) established within 42 U.S.C.A. $ 802 via the American Rescue Plan Act of2021. After some discussion, CP Smith made ar motion to approve the Micro-Purchase' Threshold Certification for calendar year 2024. City Manager Hatcher stated that it was time for the Council to appoint a City of Donalsonville representative and ai non-public representative to serve on the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Council. The Council can choose to either re-appoint the current representatives or find and appoint replacements. After some discussion, CP Smith made a motion to re-appoint Mitchell Blanks and' Tori Gravlee tot the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Council, with Mayor Pro' Tem Bond seconding. YES: CP Smith, CP Bond, CP Brooks, CP Moye, and CP Next, Mayor Johnson opened discussion ont the implementation ofa comparable pay/salary for the employees oft the City ofl Donalsonville. After some discussion, the Council agreed for City Manager Hatcher tor review the pay/salary across all departments and compare withs surrounding Mayor Johnson then opened discussion oni increasing the City of Donalsonville's utility rates, stating that the City ofI Donalsonville has not implemented ani increase in utility rates in almost 10years. Mayor Johnson stated that with the rising costs of operational expenses for Public Works, the City needs to consider ani increase. City Manager Hatcher stated that currently sewage, sanitation, and water were running in deficit due to increased utility costs and fuel costs. CPI Blanks noted that customers living outside oft the city limits were paying the same rate as City taxpayers and that this needed to factori into the increase as well. After some discussion, all were in favor of gradually increase the utility rates and asked City Manager Hatcher and Next, Mayor Johnson presented a sample ordinance regarding the adoption of a social media policy for Elected Officials and Staff. After some discussion, all agreed that everyone should be Mayor. Johnson then opened discussion ont the action items from the Mayor/Council Retreat that was held earlier int the year. After some discussion, CP Blanks requested City Manager Hatcher CPE Brooks seconded; motion passed. Register. CP Blanks abstained. Motion passed. cities and present it back tot the Council for consideration. Superintendent Adams toj present a rate proposal to the Council. mindful when posting onj personal social media outlets. No action taken. tol begin including a status update ont the actioni items from the Mayor/Council Retreat in the Next, Councilmember Blanks gave an update on the investigative committee regarding the current alleged Charter violation against Councilmember Moye, stating that all thei interviews had been completed andt the final report was given to the Mayor and Council for review. After some discussion regarding the Investigative Committee Resolution, the Mayor and Council did not wisht to take any further action on the matter. CP Blanks made a motion to attach the Investigative Committee Report tot the Minutes and take no action ont the report; CP Smith seconded the motion. AYES: CP Blanks, CP Smith, CP Brooks, CP Register, CPI Bond. City Manager Hatcher then gave an update on the Communications Department, with review of the eDonalsonville monthly report. City Manager Hatcher stated that the City was looking into applying for grant funds for the necessary repairs/upgrades to the citywide camera system. Lastly, City Manager Hatcher stated that duet to the upcoming construction of the new school system, the Seminole County School Board has decided to not move forward with the previously Next, Fire Chief King stated that the department was working on their 2023 yearly report and would weekly City Manager update. ABSTAIN: CP Moye. approved speed cameras in the designated school zones. have it ready toj present at the February Council Meeting. Police Chief Pugh thens stated that he had nothing new to report on at this time. Next, Public Works Superintendent Adams stated that he had nothing new tor report on at this time. City Manager Hatcher then gave an update on the following: (1) Olive Theatre Grant: The City of Donalsonville has issued al letter of support to the Development Authority fort the Olive Theatre grant. This grant will provide funds for the Development Authority tor restore the Olive Theatre. There are plans to use this facility along with the Woolfork Center as a place to provide cultural experiences tol Donalsonville. (2) Overtime: Department Heads are working on schedules to reduce overtime charges to the City of Donalsonville. Due tot the way scheduling works, some of these changes haver not been able to be implemented until this month. Expecting to see a major change in overtime (3) Evaluations: Will be working on staff evaluations, including the Department Heads, during January. This is going to be a regular occurrence every quarter. Department Heads have been asked toi include Performance Improvement Plans as part of this process. This will give a set of goals to each employee toi improve their job performance and give them a path to career advancement. The City is looking at options to reward those employees who perform above expectations inj providing service tot the citizens of Donalsonville. (4) Commercial Development: Hoping to be ablet to announce before the next meeting ar new business coming tol Donalsonville. This will be very good for ther residents of Donalsonville and for those in Seminole County. The developer has been working diligently to bring this toi fruition and has done a great job of selling Donalsonville to other investors. (5) Finance and Budgets: Will begin looking at the new budget soon. Expecting information to be sent tol Department Heads before the end of February. Also looking at the current budget and will begin the work necessary to present an amended budget. In the past, the City has approved al budget amendment att the end of the year. Planning tol have some information on (6) Bank RFP's:" The RFP's for banking services will go out within the next day or two; will At6 6:54 PM, CP Blanks made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss possible litigation. CP Register seconded. AYES: CP Blanks, CPI Register, CP Brooks, CP Smith, and CP Bond. ABSTAIN: and! have shared this expectation with all management staff. the current budget to you for the next meeting. present proposals at the February Council Meeting. CPMoye. Motion carried. At 6:54 PM, CPN Moye left the meeting and didi not attend Executive Session. At7:11, PM CPE Blanks made ar motion to come out ofe executive session, with CP Smith seconding. Mayor Pro Tem Bondt then made a motion to deny the claim filed by Shingler Law, LLC on behalfo of With there being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, at 7:12 PM, CP Smith made ar motion to adjourn, with Mayor Pro Tem Bond making a second; andt the motion carried. Motion passed. Councilmember Mitzy Moye. CP Smith seconded; motion carried. ADJOURNED City of Donalsonville WT Ron Johnson, Jr., Mayor Attest and Certification: I,C Christina Corvers, do here Attest and Certify that the above written is at true and correct representation oft the business and actions conducted during the. January 2, 2024 meeting oft the Mayor and Council oft the City of Donalsonville. Christina Corvers, City Clerk DE CITYOFI DONALSONVILLE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE HON. TRAVIS BROOKS, COUNCILMEMBEK HON. MITCHELL BLANKS, COUNCILMEMBER In Re: Mitzy Moye, Councilmember FINALREPORT TOTHE MAVORANDCITYCOINCI I. Moye Background City Manager Jeffrey Hatcher received a complaint from Councilmember (CM) there Mitzy to see about dogs barking behind the home ofLillian Harris. She asked him to go out CMI Moye that he would go back tol his office and work on it. The City Manager taken care of. ofPolice to talk to the owners of the dogs to make sure they had water and were Hatcher testified that he would later deal with the question regarding whether or not there to view the situation. Hatcher reported to what could be done. Hatcher went to Harris' back yard asked the Chief were too many dogs on the property. On. June 30, 2023, Kem Pugh, Chiefo ofPolice, delivered a written statement cadet. A to true Jeffrey and Hatcher, City Manager, that was signed by. Joseph Williams, Jr., then aj police and will be referred to as correct copy of this written statement is attached hereto as Exhibit"A" that Williams the "June 30th Statement". Among other things, the statement provided encountered Councilmember (CM) Mitzy Moye when he was in the area ofHollywood Boulevard checking to see if dogs were there barking aggressive towards Williams, scared him, directed him to issue excessively. It further said that Moye was a citation, said she was going to the into from her vehicle, and went onto the property of another to provoke dogs get ag gun barking. the Manager decided there may be grounds for an Based on this written statement, City is one of the supervisors of EOC complaint since Williams said he was scared of Moye. Moye with the City Attorney, Billy Grantham, the City Manager delivered a copy of the written statement to the City in the Williams by virtue of her being on the City Council.. After speaking Council violation of the City Charter based on the language because there could be a potential written statement. II. The Committee Donalsonville "all powers possible for a city to The City Charter in Section 1.12 grants shall be construed liberally ini favor oft the city". In have" and says that "[the powers of this city this Charter".Sec. 1.12(b)(42). Relevant to this matter, into execution all powers granted in fact, it further grants "all implied powers necessary to carry Section 2.15 states: Page 1 of9 "The mayor and council may make inquiries and investigations into the affairs of the city and conduct of any department, office, or agency of the city and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence. Any person who fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise ofthese powers by the mayor and council shall be punished as provided by ordinance." These powers may be exercised through committees. See Sec. 2.20(b). October 3, 2023, meeting oft thel Mayor and Council, CM: Flossie and CMI Mitchell Blanks to serve on an Accordingly, at the Smith made a motion to appoint CM Travis Brooks violation Investigative Committee regarding the potential Charter CMI Moye based on the against June 30th Statement. CMI Mitzy Moye seconded this motion to approve the Investigative Council. Committee and the motion carried, being approved by the Mayor and full City HI. The Process interviewing everyone The goal of the Investigative Committee has been to attempt to find the truth by oft the who has information regarding the alleged event. The members out their responsibilities in an Committee worked together to formulate procedures and carry orderly, unbiased, and transparent: manner. Committee issued 9 subpoenas andi interviewed 11 witnesses. Only two The Investigative CMI Mitzy Moye Ms. Lillian Harris. from the Committee. They are as follows: subpoenaed witnesses failed to answer any questions Those questioned by the Committee are as follows: Mr. Joseph Williams, Jr. Mr. Raymond Wilson Ms. Shandora Hopkins Mr. Jeffrey Hatcher Ms. Buleah Weaver Ms. Yvette McCray Mr. Calvin Jackson, III Chief Kem Pugh Asst. Chief Barbara Barber Captain Christopher Craft Lieutenant Shelby Gale All witnesses were administered an oath to give truthful testimony prior to answering questions from the Committee. Page 2 of9 IV. Witness Testimony Refusal to Answer Ouestions ofthe Committee The Investigative Committee first interviewed Joseph Williams, Jr. on November 22, 2023. He appeared at the interview with his attorney, Eric Gay. Williams was administered the oath for a witness to be truthful. Shortly after questioning began, Williams read aj prepared statement that said he did not write the June 30th Statement and that someone filed the complaint in his name and put his name in the newspaper, but he did not want to be part of any political He said that he was startled during the incident but was not scared. He also said that the lady process. that day was only asking for a citation toi issue but was not acting under any power. A true and correct copy of this prepared statement has now been obtained and is attached hereto as Exhibit "C". Williams said that he typed another statement about the incident.. A true and correct copy of this statement is attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and will be referred to as the "June 29th he Statement". He said he only signed the June 30th Statement for Chief Pugh because he thought had to since he was a cadet. Williams pointed out that he did not name CMI Moye in the. June 29th Statement. When asked ifh he could identify CMI Moye as the lady he talked to with the dog incident, he turned over his right shoulder, looked back at his attorney, and stated that he could not. CM Moye was standing behind Williams on his left side. Williams' attorney then stood up, accused the Committee of beginning to harass and badger his client, and left with Williams. Because of Williams' refusal to stay and answer the Committee's questions, the 2023.It Committee had to subpoena and question numerous other witnesses on December 4, would have been unnecessary to question most of the witnesses on December 4thifWilliams would have cooperated in a search for the truth. Both Williams and CM Moye were subpoenaed to appear before the Committee reschedule on until December 7,2023. Their attorneys, Eric Gay and William Shingler, Jr., asked to The Committee accommodated this change and Williams and CMI Moye December 13,2023. appeared with their attorneys on December 13th. However, immediately after Williams was administered his oath to give truthful testimony, Mr. Gay, under an obvious misreading oft the plain language of the City Charter, began to condescendingly berate the members of the Committee in a theatrically boisterous manner, sat on top oft the desk of the City Council, threw the papers in his hand across the room, and refused to allow Williams to answer any questions. Mr. Gay did allege that Williams was forced to sign the June 30th Statement. When Mr. Gay left the room, he directed Williams, William Shingler, Jr., and CM Moye tol leave and they all left the building together. CM Moye was given the opportunity to tell her version ofthe events, but she did not Attorney of the Committee after being issued a subpoena by the Committee she answer any questions voted to create. Page 30 of9 Two Written Statements ChiefKem Pugh and Capt. Chris Craft testified that Joseph Williams, Jr. started talking about the incident with the "white council lady" when he arrived back at the police station. Chief Pugh says he told Wiliams tol hold on and write out a statement about what happened. Williams then typed the. June 29th Statement and delivered it to Capt. Craft. According to Capt. Craft, he believed the grammar, spelling and sentence structure oft the June 29th Statement were terrible. He did not think that Williams could correct the grammar on merit. his own Capt. Craft told Chief Pugh that they couldn'trelease the June 29th Statement because "it would make him [Williams] look stupid". Lt. Shelby Gale is the training officer for the Donalsonville Police Department. She of saw the the. June 29th Statement and says she would not have allowedit out to the public because 30th and spelling. She edited the. June 29th Statement and typed out the. June poor grammar she made were to the grammar and inserting the Statement. Lt. Gale swore the only changes name ofCMI Moye where Williams had written lady. "white council lady" and CM Moye ist the only white lady on made more sense to type in the name ofCM Moye. Williams told Lt. Gale that the lady was the the Council, sO she believed it Jeffrey Hatcher spoke with Williams several times about this event and 30th that the June 29th Statement existed or that he believed City Manager the. June Statement. Williams said that he was just telling the truth. He what was written in never mentioned to the City Manager there was anything wrong with the. June 30th Statement. Joseph Williams, Jr. signed both the. June 29th Statement and the June 30th Statement. for the Both statements are attached hereto as Exhibit "A"and Exhibit "B" and are similar except ofCM and sentence structure used in the June 30th Statement and the insertion better grammar Moye's name. The Identification of CM Mitzy Moye him up in her car and took him to the Raymond Wilson testified that CM Moye picked when the place where the dogs were. He did not know where they were going. He was present cadet, Joseph Williams, Jr., walked up and had an encounter with CM Moye. Chief Pugh and Capt. Craft talked with Williams when he arrived back at the police the encounter. Williams told them that he had an encounter with the white council station after Gale recalled that Williams referred to the lady as the white council lady when they lady. Lt. Williams also referred to the! lady as the white council woman when he talked to. Asst. talked. ChiefBarbara Barber about the event. Shandora Hopkins referred to the white council lady. Hopkins testified that Williams discussed this matter with her. She said he asked Williams which white council lady he was talking about. Williams stated that it wasn't Christina, it was Moye. Page 4 of9 The June 29th Statement says that the lady present told him "she's the one who signed on the policy and made a vote". The June 30th Statements signed by Williams states that the lady said "she voted and signed the ordinance into effect". The June 30th Statement says the lady was "a white female, lateri identified as Eric Gay, the attorney for Williams, has since conceded that the lady his client Councilwoman Mitzy Moye". encountered was Moye. standing just a feet away CM The evidence is clear that CMI Moye was the lady that Williams Williams was unable toi identify CM Moye Committee was blocked from obtaining a encountered and that he refers toi in his statements. The when she was sworn explanation few regarding why from him in the same room on November 22nd. Whether Joseph Williams. Jr. was Forced to Sign the June 30th Statement On November 22"d, Williams testified that he only signed the June 30th Statement it or because he was a cadet and thought he had to. He never said anyone told him he had stated to sign that that he did not sign it voluntarily. However, on December 13th Williams' attorney Williams was forced to sign the. June 30th Statement. ChiefPugh presented sworn testimony that he obtained the more grammatically correct 30th Statement and handed it to Williams. He said that Williams took the paper, sat down, June it. Chief Pugh said that he did not coerce Williams to sign the statement read it, and then signed and did not threaten to fire Williams ifl he did not sign it. Williams talked about the June 30th Statement with City Manager Hatcher several times. testified that Williams never told him there was another typed statement or that he Hatcher believed there was anything wrong with the June 30th Statement. months Williams voiced no objection or raised any question about the June 30th He never stated to anyone that he was forced to sign anything. He For five provided testimony to the regarding Williams being forced to sign statement by Williams' attorney. Statement that he signed. Committee that he thought he had to sign it. The only allegation the June 30th Statement arose in an unsworn verbal The Committee was blocked from obtaining any sworn explanation regarding Williams' reliable thoughts about whether or not anyone forced him to sign anything. Thus, the only own witnesses to the Committee is that the June 30th Statement was evidence presented by swor voluntarily signed by Williams. Whether Joseph Williams. Jr. was Scared The June 29th Statement and the. June 30th Statement, both signed by Williams, Hatcher say that that he Williams was scared due to CM Moye's! behavior. Williams told City Manager because ofthe way was scared during the encounter and thought his job might be in jeopardy CMI Moye was acting. Page 5of9 and Craft at the police station immediately aftert the Williams talked to Chief] Pugh Capt. Craft that stuff was going to hit incident and told Chief] Pugh that he was scared. He told Capt. and looked like a deeri in the fan. Capt. Craft recalled that Williams seemed real nervous like a leaf. Later, when Williams headlights. Chief Pugh remembered that Williams was shaking talked tol Lt. Gale she says he appeared scared. he encountered CMI Moye. He said that he was going the event.. Asst. Chief Barber says that Williams now wears a body Chief Barber about the incident and told her he was scared when Williams talked to. Asst. to start wearing a body camera because of camera. 22nd Williams testified that he was startled but not scared. The Committee On November five months after the incident. regarding why Williams changed his wording was blocked from obtaining any sworn explanation Whether CM Moye Acted Aggressive and Hostile Toward Joseph Williams.Jr. the June 29th Statement. Therein, Williams says Williams admits that he typed and signed and that the "lady [CM Moye] first came off aggressive upset also said that "she became less hostile". The June 30th Statement, Williams told her that Moye was hysterical. and scared me al little". He later signed by Williams, uses the testified that identical language that "Moye came offfl aggressive and upset". Shandora Hopkins evidence to the committee is that CMI Moye did act aggressive The Committee was blocked from obtaining The only sworn presented and hostile towards Williams during their encounter. clarification about this from Williams or CM Moye. Whether Joseph Williams.Jr. was Directed to Issue a Citation ticket". Williams' signed June 30th Statement says "Moye discussing the. June 30th Statement, Williams told City Manager any June 29th Statement says that CM Moye "stated Ir needed to write them a Williams' signed demanded Iissue a citation". In Hatcher that he was just trying to and Asst. Chief Barbara tell the truth. This is consistent with the testimony of Shandora Hopkins a citation on the people recalled that Williams said CM Moye told him to write Barber. Hopkins at thel house where the dogs were.. Asst. him to write a ticket. Chief Barber testified that Williams said CM Moye told at the encounter but wasn't close enough to Raymond Wilson testified that he was present direct Williams to write a citation. hear every word that was said. He did not hear CM Moye Williams orally testified that CM Moye was only months after the incident and after consultation with his attorney, Onl November 22nd, five asking for a citation and was not acting under clarification from Williams clarification from CM any power. The Committee was blocked from obtaining any sworn about this change in his language. It was also blocked from obtaining any Moye about this allegation. Page 6of9 Whether CM Moye Stated She Would Get Her Gun Out ofHer Car statements provide evidence that CM Moye asked for a gun and said she would Both June 29th Statement says "she asked me dolg gota a then asked me ifIl had a gun and I advised her no so she obtain one from her vehicle. Williams' signed signed June 30th Statement says "Moye returned to her vehicle where she had a gun". back tol her car". Williams' andItold her no. She stated she had one in her car and was going gun Wilson testified that he was present at the encounter but wasn'tclose enough to Raymond word. However, he didn'tsee CM Moye go to the car to get her gun. hear every testified that Williams said CM Moye was hysterical and wanted him Shandora Hopkins Williams told her that CM Moye became upset According tol Hopkins, Williams was told to put the dog to sleep because it was barking. when he said he wasn'tg going to put the dog to sleep. by CMI Moye to shoot the dog and got mad when he would not. wanted him to shoot the dog and went tol her car to get a gun. from Yvette McCray, Williams told her that CM Moye According to sworn testimony told her she couldn'tshoot the dog. desire to retrieve the gun from her car. The Committee was blocked CM Moye got mad when Williams The testimony of Hopkins and McCray is consistent and would explain CMI Moye's from obtaining any clarification about this from Williams or CMI Moye. Dogs Buleah Weaver's Property Without Permission to Agitate the Whether CM Move Went on Williams' June 29th Statement says: "she stepped over to the other side of the private property trying to provoke the dog's to run up to her. Mainly the one that was on the chain that she pointed out but really she just pissed off the rottweiler in the cage...". Williams' June 30th Statement says: "Moye stepped behind the fence onto the adjacent property, where the dogs are located, trying to provoke the dogs to run up on her. It appeared the one she was attempting toj provoke was the one she pointed out to me specifically who was on a chain... Moye ultimately made the rottweiler in a cage mad." " Wilson testified that he did not see CM Moye go into the neighbor's.yard or Raymond provoke the dogs. Page 7 of9 Williams' statements are consistent with the testimony of Capt. Craft. He swore that Williams said CMI Moye went into the neighbor'syard and was kicking the dog cages to try to make the dogs bark. or Williams. clarification about this from CM Moye The Committee was blocked from obtaining any V. Interview With the City Manager When. Joseph Williams, Jr., through his attorney, refused to answer any questions from the Investigative Committee on December 13, 2023, his attorney, Eric Gay, agreed that City Manager Hatcher could separately question Williams. Williams, Gay, Hatcher and City Attorney, Charles "Chip" Stewart, Jr., met on December 15, 2023, where Williams was allowed to answer. He not was placed as follows: under oath to provide truthful statements. The results of that meeting are any Williams affirmed that he stands by the June 29th Statement and that is what happened. His only issues were that the June 30th Statement named CM Moye and he did not specifically in his June 29th Statement; and that the newspaper said he brought a complaint name CMI Moye that he did not know at the time who the lady was against CM Moye when he did not. He alleges when Williams described he encountered that day. Later, Chief Pugh told him it was CM Moye the lady and the black convertible she was driving. Although Williams and his attorney for sure that it that the lady was CM Moye, Williams says that he cannot say one hundred percent used the term "white was CM Moye because she looks different now. Williams says that he never council lady" when talking to any ofhis fellow officers or anyone else. He also cannot identify minutes. the white man that was there because it was sO long ago, andl he only saw him for a few Williams says he was called out to the home ofLillian Harris because ofa complaint He about the dogs barking constantly. The lady scared! him only because she came off aggressive. CM was startled. He believes that she was just asking him to write a citation. He is sure that He does Moye crossed the fence line and went onto the neighbor's property provoking the dogs. admit not remember her kicking the dog'scage. Williams know who Yvette McCray is. that he has not talked to Shandora Hopkins about any oft this and does not says Attorney Gay admitted that the June 29th Statement and the June 30th Statement are similar. He said there were actually three statements. There was a statement drafted in between and Capt. Craft were talking and they that the drafts were being taken to City Manager Hatcher allegations have never been made before in the 6 months since the initial statement was Manager Hatcher. Hatcher stated that he was not part of that process, had not seenany attached. that Williams believes these drafts came about because Chief Pugh the two Gay alleges said needed to get the draft good enough to do what they Craft that the drafts were not good enough. No wanted. Gay says the understanding is and Hatcher would tell Chief Pugh and Capt. oft these and these swom testimony has been presented to the Committee about any allegations; delivered toC City Page 8 of9 statement to the signed statement being filed, and gave no instructions to drafts of any prior anyone to make any draft ofany statement. Williams said that he did not get to read the. June 30th Statement before signing it. because He says told him to sign it and! he signed it only because he felt he had no choice that Chief Pugh he was a cadet. reasons given Since Williams refused to answer the questions of the Committee, there has been no for the discrepancy in his. June 29th Statement and! his verbal statements and those for his direct contradiction of the sworn ofhis attorney. There also has been no explanation given and consistent testimony of four of! his fellow officers, the city manager, and other witnesses. VI. Conclusion CMI regarding Moye Any recommendation to the Mayor made by proper resolution. The Investigative Committee has now properly and thoroughly investigated the Council. allegation in accordance with the directions given by the Mayor and City and Council regarding how to act on this Finall Report will be Submitted this of Dicenber,2023. 35 HON.TRAVIS BROOKS, Councilmember ZAtKISEK HON. MITCHELLBLANKS, Councilmember Page 9 of9