Demorest The Heart ofHabersham City of Demorest City Council Regular Session Regular Session Minutes Demorest. Municipal Building Thursday, February 7,2023, 7:00P.M. ATTENDEES Shawn Allen, Councilman John Hendrix, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Mark Musselwhite, Interim City Manager Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Megan Chastain, Interim City Clerk The February7,2023, Demorest Work Session was held ini the Demorest Municipal Building located at 125 Ivy Street. AGENDA ITEM: 1: INVOCATION Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer. AGENDA ITEM2 2: CALL TOORDER Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. AGENDA ITEM3: APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Harkness requested to strike CONSIDERATION OF EARTHCARE PROPOSAL FORI NEW CITY HALL, INVOICES FOR FRANKLIN DESIGNS, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION, & SANTANDER BANK (ENGINE 5) and requested that we add CONSIDERATION OF PRISON VAN as agenda item 19, add DISTRIBUTION under WATER SYSTEM DISTRIBUTION, and add CAMERA FORI LONG HALLWAY to agenda item 8. Mayor Harkness called for a motion to approve the agenda as amended. A motion to approve the agenda as amended was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to approve the agenda as amended (striking: CONSIDERATION OF EARTHCARE PROPOSAL FORNEW CITYHALL, INVOICES FOR FRANKLIN, DESIGNS, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION, & SANTANDER BANK (ENGINE 5) and adding: CONSIDERATION OF PRISON VAN as agenda item 19, add DISTRIBUTION under WATERS SYSTEM DISTRIBUTION, and add CAMERA FOR LONG HALLW/AY to agenda item 8) was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM 4: APPEARANCE AND PUBLIC COMMENT Ms. Davenport announce that Habersham Historical Society is celebrating 50 years. Shei invited the City of Demorest to participate in the display booth from 11:00-4 4:00 on March11 at The Commons at Piedmont College. 1Page AGENDAI ITEM! 5: ANNOUNCEMENT: CITY OFETHICS Councilman Hendrix explained that council committed to integrity, honesty and truthfulness. Mayor Harkness thanked Councilman Hendrix for accepting the award in Atlanta at the Cities United Summit. Mr. Mitchell announced that both Piedmont and the City of Demorest agreed on a settlement. Mayor Harkness asked fora a motion to accept the settlement terms that were: set forth. A motion was made by ACTION: A motion to accept the CONSIDERATION OF PEDMONTSETTIEMENT was unanimously AGENDAI ITEM7: CONSIDERATION OF ACG SECURITY/FIRE QUOTE FOR NEW CITY HALL Mayor Harkness said to save time, he would like to see council give the authorization to spend the $24,000 (see quotes) but give the authority to the city manager to negotiate the options. Councilman Allen made a motion to approve the security alarm system contract provided at $6,349.71 and was seconded by Councilman Hendrix. Councilman Bennett said to be timely het thinks we should give the city manager the authorization to try to work out al better deal ift there isal better deal but ift there is not al better deal to allow the city manager to approve the $24,235 fire quote. Councilman Hendrix AGENDA ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION OF PIEDMONT SETTLEMENT Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. approved (4-0). seconded Councilman Bennett. ACTION: A motion to approve the security alarm system contract provided at; $6,349.71 and a motion to give the city manager the authorization to try to work out a better deal ift there is a better deal buti if there is not a better deal to allow the city manager to approve the $24,235 fire quote was unanimously AGENDAI ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION OF ACG GYM/WATER DEPARTMENT CAMERA QUOTES Mayor Harkness presented the quotes totals of $3,462 for the two gym cameras, $7,968 for1 the Water Department shop and $787 for long hallway going to the restrooms from the new City Hall. AI motion to accept all the quotes was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Allen. approved (4-0). ACTION: A motion to accept all the quotes was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM9: CONSIDERATION OF PARKING LOT UPGRADE. AT NEW CITY HALL Mayor Harkness presented two bid prices at $4100 and the second $5400 with the work being very comprable. A motion was made to approve the Brown's Asphalt Maintenance for $4100 and was ACTION: A motion to accept Brown's Asphalt Maintenance was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM 10: CONSIDERATION OF LANIER ALUMINUM PRODUCTS AWNING PROPOSAL Mayor Harkness presented thet two awning proposals. A motion to accept the metal awning proposal of $2540 in bronze with Lanier Aluminum Products and was seconded by Councilman Bennett. seconded by Councilman Hendrix. 2Page ACTION: A motion to accept the metal awning proposal of $2540 in bronze with Lanier Aluminum AGENDA ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WATER TOWERS After the discussion int the work session, a motion to table this item was made by Councilman Allen and ACTION: A motion to table CONSIDERATION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WATER TOWERS was Products was unanimously approved (4-0). was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAITEM1 12: CONSIDERATION OF PRINTER PROPOSAL Mr. Musselwhite presented the two proposals provided from Duplicating Products Inc and Metro Office Technologies. A motion to accept Metro Office Technologies when the current lease expires and was ACTION: A motion to accept Metro Office Technologies when the current lease expires was unanimously seconded by Councilman Ferguson. approved (4-0). AGENDAITEM: 13: CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS OF WATER SYSTEM ASSESSMENT Mayor Harkness reiterated what was stated int the work: session. AI motion to accept EMIs proposal was made by Council Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. Mayor Harkness reiterated what was stated in the work session regarding distribution. A motion to adopt this proposal with at fee ACTION: A motion to accept EMIs proposal andi to adopt this proposal with aj fee structure was AGENDA ITEM: 14: CONSIDERATION OF UNITED ROOFING WARRANTY AND PAYMENT After the discussion made in the Work Session, Mayor Harkness called for a motion to approve payment. A motion to approve payment to United Contracting and Roofing in the total of$ $188,013.36 was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: A motion to approve, payment to United Contracting and Roofing in the total of $188,013.36 structure and was seconded by Councilman Bennett. unanimously approved (4-0). was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM 15: CONSIDERATION OF ENGAGEMENT LETTER FOR AUDIT After the discussion made in the Work Session, Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Allen to continue our services with Bates Carter as our Auditor and was seconded by ACTION: A motion to continue our services with Bates Carter as our Auditor was unanimously approved Councilman Bennett. (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM 16: CONSIDERATION OF LUCAS AGREEMENT Chief Knight stated that the lucas device is a mechanical CPR device which is essentially an extra set of hands-on scene doing chest compressions. The county will provide it at no cost to us. Mayor Harkness 3Page called for a motion to accept the lucas agreement with the language approved by our attorney. A motion was made by Councilman Allen and was Seconded by Councilman Hendrix. ACTION: A motion to accept the lucas agreement with the language approved by our attorney was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM: 17: CONSIDERATION OF DISPOSITION OF OLD FIRE TRUCK Chief Knight said keeping the truck did not help our ISO rating and currently we do not have anywhere to store it. He is recommending that we sell the truck through gov deals. Mayor Harkness asked that council allow Chief Knight to dispose of the old fire truck with the authorization to dispose ofi fitata minimum cap of $25,000 since hei is using the funds in house. Ar motion was made by Councilman ACTION: A motion to allow Chief Knight to dispose of the oldj fire truck with the authorization to dispose Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Allen. ofi it at a minimum cap of $25,000 was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM: 18: CONSIDERATION OF INVOICES seconded by Councilman Ferguson. Mayor Harkness present the FY2023 Animal Care & Control Fees for $16,432.32 and called for a motion. Ar motion to approve the FY2023 Animal Care & Control Fees was made by Councilman Allen and was ACTION: A motion to approve the FY2023. Animal Care & Control Fees was unanimously approved (4-0). Mayor Harkness stated that the prison is potentially closing and Bryan has been told that we would not be getting the prison detail back. Bryan has a new work truck on order that he can trade the prison van for. Mayor Harkness called for a motion to authorize Bryan toi trade the prison vani for the new truck he ordered. A motion to allow Bryan to trade ini the prison van at fair market value on the vehicle he has ACTION: A motion to allow Bryan to trade ini the prison van atj fair market value on the vehicle he has AGENDA ITEM 19: CONSIDERATION OF DISPOSAL OF PRISON VAN already ordered and was seconded by Councilman Bennett. already ordered was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM: 20: CONSIDERATION OF AED GRANT Mayor Harkness! stated a grant int the amount of $12,761 was already received but we need to vote to accept it. A motion to accept the AED Grant was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by councilman Ferguson. ACTION: A motion to accept the AED Grant was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM2 21: CONSIDERATION OFI IMPLEMENTATION OF BODY CAMS & DISPOSITION OF SPARE CAR After the discussion made in work session, a motion is needed to dispose oft the old cara and allow them to purchase a new used car upi to $33,000. A motion to sell the old car was made by Councilman Allen for at least $12,000 and was seconded by Councilman Bennett. A motion was made by Councilman Bennett to allow the Police Department to use the trade in and: seizure funds to purchase a vehicle upt to $33,000 and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. 4Page ACTION: A motion to: sell the old carj for at least $12,000 and a motion to allow the Police Department to use the trade in and seizure funds to purchase a vehicle up to $33,000 was unanimously approved (4-0). Mayor Harkness challenged council to actively talk about this via email to make a decision. AGENDA ITEM 23: CONSIDERATION OF A-1 GUTTERS INC PROPOSAL FOR PD REPAIRS After the discussion made in the work session, Mayor Harkness called for a motion to accept the $3500 proposal from A-1 Gutters. A motion to approve the proposal was made by Councilman Bennett and was AGENDA ITEM: 22: FOURTH OF JULY ENTERTAINMENT seconded by Councilman Hendrix. ACTION: A motion to approve the proposal was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM: 24: EMBRACE CIVILITY- GMA INITIATIVE Councilman. Allen presented Embrace Civility Pledge and recommend that the city become a City of Civility. AI motion to approve the resolution for the pledge to practice and promote civility in the City of Demorest was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: A motion to resolution, for the pledge to practice and promote civility in the Cityo of Demorest was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM 25: CONSIDERATION OF VHB PROPOSAL The proposal fort the water quality monitoring is up for renewal. Mayor Harkness called for amotion to except the proposal of $16,066 with approval of Mr. Mitchell's changes to the contract. AI motion to approve the VHB proposal for $16,066 with our lawyersamendments to the language of the contract ACTION: A motion to approve the VHB proposal for $16,066 with our lawyer's amendments toi the wasn made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Hendrix. language oft the contract was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM 26: CONSIDERATION OF PARKI BUDGET Mayor Harkness stated the park committee has approved and set forth the park renovation budget which includes al lot of the work being done in house which saves al lot of money. These items add up to al little over $207,000 and the council's approval is needed. The initial total if the project were bided out was $750,000.. AI motion to accept the $208,000 bid and move forward with thel bathroom was made by ACTION: A motion to accept the. $208,000 bid and move forward with the bathroom was unanimously Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Hendrix. approved (4-0). AGENDA ITEM 27: CONSIDERATION OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS Mr. Mitchell presented documents to be approved by council which were similar to the last one's council approved. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion to approve the Opioid Settlement documents was made by Councilman. Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION:AI motion to approve the Opioid. Settlement documents was unanimously approved (4-0). 5Page AGENDA ITEM 28: CONSIDERATION OF RELOCATION OF HAZEL CREEK UTILITIES Mr. Musselwhite presented a no cost letter from GDOT that states we are moving the utilities at the expense oft the city and GDOT is not paying any oft those fees. AGENDA ITEM 29: MANAGER'S REPORT & REVIEW OFI FINANCIALS Mr. Musselwhite made a report to Mayor and Council thati included the following: The Police Department, Fire Department and Public' Worksn monthly report. Areview of the December financials AGENDAI ITEM 30: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: JANUARY3, 2023 Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Hendrix. Mayor Harkness called for a motion to approve the minutes as presented. A motion was made by ACTION: A motion to approve the minutes as presented was unanimously approved (4-0). AGENDAI ITEM 31: CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed) Ar motion was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson to adjourn and reƧonvene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of personnel and the acquisition of real estate. This portion of Regular Session adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Ar motion was made by Councilman Ferguson and was seconded by Councilman Allen to come out of Executive Session and reconvene in Regular Session. The motion was unanimously carried, and Regular Session reconvened at 9:07 p.m. An motion to adjourhwasmade! Bennett.1 The Hendrixa and the motion was seconded by Councilman meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. - ycumhran Demerest City Clerk 5e 6IPage