City of Grovetown REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING April 8, 2024 6:30 p.m.  The regular meeting ofthe Grovetown City Council was held on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present were. Mayor Gary E.. Jones, Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Blair, Councilmember Sylvia Also present were City Administrator Elaine Matthews, Finance Director/Asst. City Administrator Bradley Smith, IT Manager David Nile, Planning and Community Development Director Ronnie Kurtz, Police Chief Jamey Kitchens, Utility Services Director Keith Lyons, Public Information Officer Jordan Johnson, City  Martin, Councilmember. A. Richard Bowman, and Councilmember Ceretta Smith.  Attorney Chris Dube and City Clerk Brian Henderson.  Council conducted a work session to review agenda items at 6:00 p.m.  1.  Call Meeting to Order/Ammouncement of Quorum  Mayor Jones called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and acknowledged a quorum.  2.  Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance  Councimember Bowman gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  3.  Approval of Agenda all in favor and the motion carried. Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  Councilmember Martin made a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Bowman seconded the motion,  4.  Approval of the March 11, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes Martin seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Blair made a motion to approve the March 11,2024 regular meeting minutes. Councilmember  Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  Page 1of7    5.  Committee Chair Reports  Public Safety  Councilmember Blair provided Council with the Firel Rescue Department call volume for the month of March. He also spoke on why the Fire Rescue Dept. is painting and placing the color-coded rings around the fire hydrants. The rings identify the number of gallons per minute for that particular hydrant. Councilmember Blair discussed Fire Rescue training for this month that includes search and rescue drills at Columbia County Fire and Rescue training facility. He congratulated firefighter/EMT Craig Knifer and firefighter/EMT Jacob Neville for passing all oftheir tests tol become fire instructor one. Councilmember Blair welcomed back Liam Hodges as a Councilmember Blair provided the Police Department call volume, arrest totals, citations issued and other information for the month ofMarch. He announced that the K-9 unit along with Capt. Powell did a safety presentation at Burke County High School. Councilmember Blair congratulated Investigator Ashmore and Lieutenant Cross as they received their field training officer certification. He also congratulated Officer Fleming on solving cases pertaining to the porch pirates, solving the burglary at the vape shop and helping with the case at the daycare. Councilmember Blair reported on the suicide that occurred on Saturday and then he also reported the double homicide from Monday where the person ofir interest has been arrested. He also announced that the Citizens Police Academy has concluded and all participants have graduated from thet ten-week course.  part-time firefighter/EMT.  Councilmember Blair welcomed new Dispatcher Terrance Johnson to the team.  Utility Billing and Utility Services  The report was deferred to City Administrator Elaine Matthews.  Planning and Development  Councilmember Bowman reported on the building inspections, certificates of occupancy, and new business licenses for the month of March. He also reported that building permits have shown a 68% increase from 29i in February to 49 in March. Councilmember Bowman reported Code Enforcement activities for the month of March. He reported that property maintenance is down 75%, parking violations are down 78%, and trash can violations are down 73% from the previous month. Councilmember Bowman reported that removal of signs from the right-of-way is up 67% from the previous month. Hei requested for those who had signs removed from the right-of-way to please come to the Planning and Zoning Department to collect them as they will be in the  office forai few weeks before being discarded.  General Services  Councilmember Martin reported that the Litter Crew from Streets and Sanitation collected 93 thirty-three-gallon bags oflitter. She also reported that Streets and Sanitation collected 100.46 tons ofyard and bulk waste and they issued 39: yard and bulk waste violation tags for the month. She finished the Streets and Sanitation report with their remaining stats for the month. Councilmember Martin reported on Leisure. and Recreation activities for the month of March, to include the use oft thel baseball fields and other areas. She also thanked Leisure and Recreation for thel hard work they did to prepare for the Spring Festival since it was moved from Saturday to Sunday. Councilmember Martin announced that on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 61 p.m. the City willl havea Downtown Jam at the Municipal Courthouse and on Saturday, April 27, 2024, there willl be al Mayors Community Clean-up day from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. She also reported that on Saturday, June 1, 2024, the City will host the Summer Jam from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and more information will be forthcoming at al later date. Councilmember Martin wanted to remind everyone that Liberty Park is closed due to renovations until further  notice.  Page 2 of7    Administration  The report was deferred to City Administrator Elaine Matthews.  Mayor. Jones extended his appreciation to Public Safety as a unit. He thanked the Police Department personnel and Fire Rescue personnel for handling the incident that occurred on) Newmantown Rd. this past week.  6.  Financial Statement  Councilmember Blair made ai motion to approve the financial statement. Councilmember Martin seconded the  motion, all ini favor and the motion carried. Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  7.  Service Awards  City Administrator Elaine Matthews presented. John Hardin (5yrs), James Glasscock (5yrs), and Mark Haynes (10yrs) with service pins and a certificate to celebrate their tenure with the City of Grovetown.  8.  Employee of the Month  City Administrator Elaine Matthews presented Sewer Light Equipment Operator. Joseph Bryant with the  employee ofthe month award for March 2024.  9.  Vietnam Veteran Remembrance (Joseph Daniel Goodale)  Councilmember A. Richard Bowman and City Administrator Elaine Matthews presented the relatives ofl late  Cpl. Danny Goodale with the first Vietnam Veterans Remembrance certificate.  10.  Discussion on Hosting a Mayor's Reading Program  Councilmember Ceretta Smith introduced ai reading program sponsored by GMA called the Mayor's Reading Club. The goal oft this new program ist to improve the literacy skills and overall success with early reading for children and youth in Georgia cities through encouragement, support, and leadership from city mayors. Mayor. Jones asked for this item to be placed on the May 13, 2024 Council meeting agenda fora a vote.  11.  Discussion on the City of Grovetown Youth Council  Councilmember Ceretta Smith addressed Mayor and Council about the Youth Council that was voted on back in September 13, 2021. She wanted tol know how everyone felt about moving forward with the Youth Council Mayor. Jones asked for this item to be placed on the May 13, 2024 Council meeting agenda foray vote.  since it never really got offt the ground.  Page 3of7    12.  Briefing from Rough Trash Ad Hoc Committee Meeting  Councilmember Sylvia Martin addressed the Mayor and Council with updates from the Rough Trash Ad Hoc Committee meeting. She told Mayor and Council that an additional committee meeting is scheduled for May  and that she will present more information at the May 13, 2024 Council meeting.  13.  Discussion to Develop a Volunteer Coordinator Position  Councilmember Sylvia Martin addressed Mayor and Council about developing a Volunteer Coordinator position to help the Event Planner and Public Information Officer with organizing events and other activities. MayorJones felt that an ad hoc committee should be formed to study the need for this position. Mayor. Jones appointed Councilmember Sylvia Martin, City Administrator Elaine Matthews and General Services Director  David Carlin to the ad hoc committee. Discussion on Decorative Clocks for City Parks  14.  City Administrator Elaine Matthews addressed Mayor and Council about adding decorative clocks to a few of the City's parks. She talked about adding them to either the Wildflower Garden or Veterans Park/and orb both.  She will have the cost and other information for Council to review at a later date.  15.  Citizens Comments what the City could do.  Jan Bednar addressed Mayor and Council about pine trees in her neighbors back yard and she wanted to know  Mayor. Jones informed Ms. Bednar that the City would have someone look into it.  16. 17. 17A.  General Business: Old (None) General Business: New  Recommend Approval of] Municipal Court Associate Judge Service Contract.  Councilmember Blair made ai motion to approve the Municipal Court. Associate Judge Service Contract with Rodney Quesenberry. Councilmember Martin seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  Page 4 of7    17B.  Appointment ofa Public Defender for Municipal Court  Councilmember Blair made ai motion to appoint Marnique Williams Oliver as the Public Defender for the Municipal Court. Councilmember Bowman seconded the motion, all ini favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  17C.  Recommend Appointment of Ad Hoc Committee to Study Medical Insurance Proposals Mayor Jones appointed Councilmember Bowman, City Administrator Elaine Matthews and Human Resources Director David Toulson as members oft the ad hoc committee to study medical insurance proposals. Recommend Adoption of Ordinance 2024-04-01, Ordinance to Establish Compensation for Elected Councilmember Martin made ai motion to accept the first reading ofOrdinance 2024-04-01, Ordinance to establish compensation for Elected Officials. Councilmember Bowman seconded the motion, all in favor and  17D.  Officials, First Reading the motion carried.  Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  17E.  Recommend Adoption of Ordinance 2024-04-02, Ordinance to Amend and Restate Adoption Agreement and Basic Plan Document for GMEBS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, First Reading Councilmember Blair made a motion to accept the first reading ofOrdinance 2024-04-02, Ordinance to amend and restate Adoption Agreement and Basic Plan Document for GMEBS defined benefit retirement plan. Councilmember Martin seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  17F.  Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-04-03, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property Councilmember Bowman: made a motion to adopt Resolution 2024-04-03, Resolution to declare items as surplus property and conveying to the City of Wrens, Ga. Councilmember Blair seconded the motion, alli in  favora and the motion carried. Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  Page 5 of7    17G.  Recommend Adoption ofl Resolution 2024-04-04, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property Councilmember Bowman made ai motion to adopt Resolution 2024-04-04, Resolution to declare items as surplus property and conveying to. Jefferson County, Ga. Councilmember Blair seconded the motion, all in  favor and the motion carried. Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  17H.  Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-04-05, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property Councilmember Blair made ai motion to adopt Resolution 2024-04-05, Resolution to declare items as surplus property and conveying to the Town of Bartow, Ga. Councilmember Martin seconded the motion, all in favor  and the motion carried. Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councimember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  171.  Recommend Approval ofal Future Purchase ofa 2 Person Bucket truck Not to Exceed $250,000.00 Councilmember Martin made ai motion to approve the future purchase ofa 2-person Bucket truck not to exceed $250,000.00. Councilmember Blair seconded the motion, all ini favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  17J.  Recommend Approval to Enter Into: a Contract with Superior Fence and Railing to build Fencing around Councilmember Bowman made ai motion to approve the City entering into a contract with Superior Fence and Railing to build fencing around Grovetown Park and Ride in the amount of $55,745.82. Councilmember Martin  Grovetown Park and Ride in the amount of $55,745.82 seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.  Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes  Page 6 of7    17K.  Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-04-06, Resolution oft the City of Grovetown Recognizing Councilmember Martin made a motion to adopt. Resolution 2024-04-06, Resolution of the City ofGrovetown recognizing Georgia Cities Week, April 21-27, 2024. Councilmember Blair seconded the motion, all ini favor  Georgia Cities Week, April 21-27,2024  and the motion carried. Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember Smith- voted yes Director's Reports Departments. Adjourn  18.  City Administrator Elaine Matthews and Directors briefed Council on recent activities oft their respective  19.  Councilmember Blair made ai motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Councilmember Martin seconded the  motion, all in favor and the motion carried. Councilmember Blair- voted yes Councilmember Martin- voted yes Councilmember Bowman- voted yes Councilmember, Smith-) ybted yes  WR Eric Blair, Mayor Pro-Tem Abrunh  Gary,  Siviyartin, Councilmember Cll h Ceretta Smith, Coyncilmember 7  A.J Richard Bowman, Councilmember    City Clerk  Page 7 of7