Demorest The Heart ofHabersham City of Demorest City Council Work Session Work Session Minutes Demorest Municipal. Building Tuesday, May 2, 2023,6:00P.M.  ATTENDEES  Shawn Allen, Councilman John Hendrix, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor  Donnie Bennett, Councilman Mark Musselwhite, City Manager Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Megan Chastain, City Clerk  Andrew Ferguson, Councilman (via zoom)  The May 2, 2023, Demorest Work Session was held int the Demorest Municipal Building located at 125  Ivy Street.  AGENDA ITEM: 1: INVOCATION AGENDA ITEM 2: CALLTOC ORDER  Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer. Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 3: CONSIDERATION OF GDOT NO COST LETTER  Mr. Musselwhite presented a no cost letter from GDOT for CR: 225 Tugaloo Short Cut Road at Panther Creek Utility Relocation. This letter states that the City of Demorest agrees to relocate our existing water lines located within Georgia Department of Transportation right-of-way which arei in conflict with a DOT  Project.  AGENDA ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF HABERSHAM PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH Mayor Harkness said our dues for Habersham Partnership: for Growth are $5000.00 a year and they are upi for renewal. Habersham Partnership for Growth works to bring a partnership between all the municipalities in the County as well as attract businesses and growth for the County. AGENDA ITEM! 5: CONSIDERATION OF TALLULAH FALLS WATER RATE INCREASE  Mayor Harkness stated that the city is losing money: selling to Tallulah Falls SO council has to consider going up on water rates to cover the cities operating cost. Mayor and Council reiterated that the city will not be making any money off of this rate change. Mr. Musselwhite will be communicating this change with Tallulah Falls. Mayor Harkness announced that this rate change will be effective. July 1, 2023. Mr.  Musselwhite confirmed that the city will start billing the new rate on. July 1, 2023.  1/Page    AGENDA ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION OF WEAPON UPGRADE  Chief Krockum presented a request to surplus 14 older weapons and allow the officers to buy-back their weapons which could also be put towards the purchase of new weapons and optics. They currently have $17,506 in seizure funds, which they were going to use toward purchasing another vehicle fort the PD but nowt that the officer who was stationed at the hospital is now working with the DWD, they do not need the vehicle att this time. The total is $10,000 whichi includes seven Glock 9mm Model 17 primary weapons at $450 each, seven Glock 9mm Model 43 backup weapons @ $350 each, seven Reflex optic sights at $350 each, seven gun mounted flashlights at $150 each and seven duty holstersi for Reflex optics at $150 each. Ifthe officers buy! back the primary weapons at $250 each and the seven backup weapons at $250 each, that will allow $3,500 to be put back into the seizure account. AGENDAI ITEM 7: CONSIDERATION OF EXPENDITURE OF OPIOID FUNDS  Chief Knight presented a request to use the Opioid funds ($6,642.50) to replace two sets oft turnout gear whichi includes a protective coat and pants. The total for the two sets of turnout gear is $7,964. Knight would like to use 6,600 of the opioid funds and payt the remaining $1,346 out of his small equipment budget. The two sets would replace one set that expires this year and another set that is damaged and  almost out of date.  AGENDAI ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING. JUNETEENTH  After al lengthy discussion, council discussed adopting all federal holidays plus the holidays already adopted in the past which include Good Friday, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. Chief Krockum mentioned the handbook holiday issue that they experience. Mayor and Council recommend Chief give his suggestion to Mr. Musselwhite to include in the update to the handbook and continue as AGENDA ITEM 9: CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO LAND USE ORDINANCE (1st reading) Mr. Mitchell presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 30' "The Land Use Ordinance" oft the code of ordinances of the City of Demorest: to change "Conditional Use" to "Special Use"." The biggest change is that the terms conditional use has been changed to special use. Iti is necessary to make these changes to  we have been doing.  bringi iti into compliance with state law.  AGENDA ITEM 10: DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION  According to state law, if we have a Historic District than we have to have al Historic Preservation Commission. According to the City Charter (Sec. 30-453), the committee shall consist of at least three members. The appointments of these members: should be made by the mayor and ratified by the council. Mayor Harkness asked that council assist him with deciding on the appointments and that we  put this back ont the agenda next month.  AGENDAI ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION OF BANK ACCOUNT SIGNERS  Mrs. Chastain requested that Mr. Musselwhite be listed as an authorized signer on all accounts like all prior City Managers. Mrs. Chastain also asked that she be authorized as the Account Administrator ofa all of the Accounts at UCB to be able to create new online accounts as well as be able to get dormant accounts back active. Mayor Harkness stated that it was part of our loan commitment to switcha all of  our accounts to Rabun County Bank.  2/Page    AGENDAIFEM11: CONSIDERATION OFMOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION  Theré was not an executives sessiony  SEAL)    Demorest City Clerk  3Page