Demorest City Council Special Called Work Session  Demorest Municipal Conference Center . 250. Alabama. St Demorest, GA. 30535  Tuesday, December 12, 2023 . 6:00P.M.  Shawn Allen, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor John Hendrix, Councilman  Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Megan Chastain, City Clerk Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Mark Musselwhite, City Manager  The December 12, 2023, Demorest Work Session was held ini the Demorest Municipal  Conference Center located at 250 Alabama Street.  1. INVOCATION  Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer.  2. CALLTO ORDER  Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 3. CONSIDERATION OF GARBAGE TRUCK QUOTES  Mr. Musselwhite presented three garbage truck quotes from Sansom Equipment Company. Mayor asked that we table this item until Mr. Musselwhite obtains bids from other companies. 4. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION FOR S.R. 365 SEWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Musselwhite presented the three bids received on November 14, 2023. Turnipseed Engineers indicated that the lowest bidder, UWS, Inc, appears to have adequate experience, technical ability and financial capability to complete the job and they recommend the bid be awarded to UWS, Inci int the amount of $535,335. Mr. Musselwhite explained that there is $829,000 in Water/Sewer SPLOST and $441,000 in ARPA money and those funds can pay for this project as well as the Hazel Creek project. Musselwhite reiterated that this bid is specifically for the bore and some of the line and that it does not cover running the line toi the pump.  1/Page    5. - CONSIDERATION OF AUDIT CONTRACTS  Mr. Musselwhite presented a proposal from Bates, Carter and Company and Rushton. Mr. Musselwhite recommended we move forward with Bates, Carter and Company because not  only ist the price lower but he is familiar with their work. 6. CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASE OF TAG READERS  Chief Krockum presented a proposal to purchase four tag readers as they are currently having a buy one get one free offer. The two tag readers they have are over 10 years old and can no longer be repaired. Chief's recommendation ist to purchase four with the 4-year annual  payment which is option 2 on the proposal.  7. CONSIDERATION OF ALTO PROBATION CONTRACT  Chief Krockum presented the probation services intergovernmental agreement by and between the Town of Alto and the City of Demorest. Krockum explained that it is the same contract as  last year but it just expires at the end of the year.  8. CONSIDERATION OF USE OF GRANT FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO PURCHASE Assistant Chief Palmer presented the progression of moving forward with the radio purchase 2. Select and approve vendor (Palmer recommends product Harris Radios Company and 3. Notify CI and immediately Receive Pro-Forma initial invoice from CI (Total $90,565.76) 4. Wire City Funds (prior to December 31, 2023) in the amount of $ 9369.57 toCI 5. Promptly receive adjusted Pro-forma invoice from CI (showing City has paid their part and 7. JMCM will contact and coordinate receiving grant funds from FEMA until Invoice is Paid in 8. Take delivery at same time all others in Habersham take it. Warranty does not start until  which is as follows:  1. Pay grant writers fee ASAP (5% of grant total which is $4059.81)  vendor Communications International)  overages)  6. Forward PF Invoice to. JMCM (Grant writers) full to CI (Grant Total $81196.19)  then.  The expenses are as follows:  Up front Grant Services fee: $600 fawarded 5% Grant writer Final Fee: $4059.81 Local Match of Federal Grant 5%: $4059.81 Local funds for overage: $5309.76 Total Expenses: $14,029.38 Total Grant funds: $81,196.19  2Page    Mr. Musselwhite explained that we have to pre-pay: 14,029.38 and that there is $79,000 in the  2023 budget fori this item.  9. ADOPTION OF INCREASED WATER/SEWER RATE STRUCTURE came up: sO he is requesting that council table this item.  Mr. Musselwhite explained that he and Fletcher met today regarding this item and at few things  10.CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed) Amotion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson to adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of litigation, personnel and acquisition of real estate. This portion oft the Work Session adjourned at 6:36 p.m.  Amotion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Hendrix to come out of Executive Session and reconvene in Work Session. The motion was unanimously carried,  and the Work Session reconvened at 7:00 p.m.  11.ADJOURN  The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.  DEMORE SEAL)  Mayor of Démorest  a  Demorest  dA Citylclerk  3/Page