Demorest City Council Regular Session Tuesday, February 6, 2024 . 7:00P.M.  Demorest Municipal Conference Center . 250 Alabama St Demorest, GA 30535  Shawn Allen, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Councilman  Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Megan Chastain, City Clerk Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Mark Musselwhite, City Manager  The February 6, 2024 Regular Session was held in the Demorest Municipal Conference Center located  at 250 Alabama Street. 1. INVOCATION  Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer.  2. CALLTOORDER  Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m.  3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  Mayor Harkness requested to modify the agenda adding Robin Krockum as new number 6, LMIG as new number 13, and Amendment to Alcohol Ordinance - Piedmont University as new number 14. A motion was made by Councilman Bennett to accept the agenda as amended and was seconded by ACTION: The motion to approve the agenda as amended was unanimously approved (4-0). 4. APPEARANCE & PUBLIC COMMENT (please limit your comment to 2 minutes) Councilman Ferguson announced that there would be four community yard sales this year.  Councilman Allen.  5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 2 &. January 10 presented and was seconded by Councilman Bennett.  Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Allen to accept the minutes as ACTION: The motion to approve the minutes as presented was unanimously approved (4-0).  6. ROBIN KROCKUM  Mr. Musselwhite announced Chief Krockum's retirement/resgnation to qualify for sheriff of Habersham County. Mayor Harkness called for a motion to accept Chief Robin Krockum's retirement letter. The motion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. Mr. Musselwhite made the recommendation to hire Casey Chastain as Police Chief effective March 1, 2024 at 12:01 AM. The motion was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman  Ferguson.  1/Page    ACTION: The motion to accept Chief Robin Krockum's retirement letter was unanimously approved (4- ACTION: The motion to accept hire Casey Chastain as Police Chiefe effective March 1, 2024at12:01AM  0).  was unanimously approved (4-0).  7. UTILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRESENTATION (Georgia Rural Water Association)  Mark Vandiver from GRWA recognized the Demorest Wastewater Treatment Plant Staff for their legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding public service given to the Demorest community yin  the area of Energy Conservation.  8. CONSIDERATION OF LIABILITY AND UMBRELLA PROPOSALS  During the Work: Session, Mayor and Council discussed may different proposals. Mr. Musselwhite is recommending that the city move forward with the HCC proposal in the amount of $154,161 annually. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Allen to accept the HCC proposal ini the amount of $154,161 in premiums and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to accept the HCC proposal in the amount of $154,161 in premiums was  unanimously approved (4-0).  9. CONSIDERATION OF ANIMAL CONTROL IGA  After the discussion during the Work: Session, Mayor Harkness reiterated that the animal control cost came down from what it was last year. The costi is $13,327.16 in addition to what the city already pays. Harkness called for any further comment. Mayor Harkness called for a motion to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the county for them to provide our animal control and to pay them an additional $13,327.16. The motion was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by ACTION: The motion to accept enter into an intergovernmenta agreement with the county, for them to provide our animal control and to pay them an additional $13,327.16 was approved (3-1 Davis).  Councilman Ferguson.  10.CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN  Mr. Musselwhite presented the resolution to adopt the comprehensive plan. The comp plan can be found on the City'swebsite. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Davis to accept the resolution and adopt the comprehensive plan and was seconded by Councilman ACTION: The motion to accept the resolution and adopt the comprehensive plan was unanimously  Ferguson. approved (4-0).  2Page    11.DISCUSSION OF TOCCOA RATE INCREASE  Mayor Harkness presented al letter from the City of Toccoa that states their water rate is going up to $3.21 per thousand gallons effective July 1, 2024. The current price is $3.11 per thousand gallons. Mayor Harkness indicated that we would need to look at passing the increase along.  12.FOURTH OF. JULY DISCUSSION  A. Fireworks  Mr. Musselwhite requested Mayor and Council approve the contract with Pyrotecnico. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Allen to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract with Pyrotecnico Fireworks, Inc for $27,800 and was seconded by ACTION: The motion to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract with Pyrotecnico Fireworks,  Councilman Ferguson.  Incj for$27,800 was unanimously approved (4-0).  B. Music 13.LMIG  No further discussion was made.  Mr. Musselwhite stated the letter present and approved last month needed a few minor changes. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Allen to modify the ACTION: The motion to modify the application for the LMIG project was unanimously approved (4-0).  application for the LMIG project and was seconded by Councilman Davis. 14.AMENDMENT OF ALCOHOL ORDINANCE - PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY  Currently, the city is limited to whom can provide alcohol services to events sO Piedmont is requesting a modification to the city's alcohol ordinance to include sales from vendors with alcohol licenses from other GA cities and counties. Mr. Mitchell recommend council wave the first reading to amend section 6-20(A)(1), Off-Premises Pouring Permit, by deleting the text thereof andi inserting in lieu thereoft the (1) An off-premises pouring permit may only be issued tol licensees who hold in good standing a retail consumption dealer license issued by the City. For a period ending March 31, 2025, ifi it certified to the City Manager that there is no City licensee that can provide the service at the event, an off- premises pouring permit may bei issued to one who holds al license from Habersham County ora a city in Habersham County. No such licensee shall be permitted to pour any alcoholic beverage off- Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion to wave first reading was made by Councilman Allen and  following:  premises which cannot be lawfully poured on the licensee's premises.  was seconded by Councilman Ferguson.  ACTION: The motion to wave. first reading was unanimously approved (4-0).  3Page    15.MANAGER'S REPORT & REVIEW OF FINANCIALS  Hand rail on the wall has started and will be complete in 7-10 business days  Post Office update  Bryan and crew installed four goals in gym Announced vandalism at the park bathroom  Old City Hall update Cemetery update Federal Grant received for radios  Ivy Street will be repaved Friday subject to weather Areview ofi the December financials  The monthly' Water Department, WWTP and Police Department report  16.APPEARANCE & PUBLIC COMMENT (please limit your comment to 2 minutes)  Issac Weeks off of West Central Avenue complained about damaging storm water due to negligence and non-existing storm drains. Mr. Musselwhite will discuss with Bryan and Thomas to see what the  city can do.  17.CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)  A motion was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Davis to adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of personnel and real-estate. This portion  ofthe Work Session adjourned at 8:14 p.m.  Ar motion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Bennett to come out of Executive Session and reconvene in Regular Session. The motion was unanimously carried, and the  Work Session reconvened at 8:53 p.m.  18.MOTION TO ADJOURN  A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Davis and was seconded by Councilman Allen. The  motion was upmimoragproved. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.    Mayor of Der  4Page    Demorest City  do  SEAL)  5Page