City ofDonalsonville Council Meting-Sepember3,2024 Official Minutes  Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr. called the Council Meeting to order at 6:00 PMi in the Council Chambers at City Hall. After which Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr. gavet the invocation, then all joined in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. Councilmembers. present for the meeting included Mayor Ron. Johnson, Jr., Mayor Pro Tem Ed Bond, CP Mitch] Blanks, CP Mitzy Moye, CP Lindsay Register, CP Travis Brooks, and CPI Flossie Smith. Staff present were City Manager Jeffrey Hatcher, City Clerk Christina Corvers, Police Chief Kem Pugh, Fire Chiéfl Dean King, Approval oft the. Agenda: Mayor Pro Tem Bond made ai motion to approve the Agenda, with CP L Blanks seconding. Motion carried. Next was thes approval oft the minutes from the August 6,2024, Council Meeting. CP Smith made ar motion to approve the August 6, 2024, Council Meeting APPEARANCES: Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Tori Gravlee gave an update ont the Board's recent and upcoming activities toi include the following:  Public Works Superintendent Bert Adams and City Attorney Chip Stewart.  Minutes, with CP Register seconding. Motion passed.  The 2nd Annual 5K Walk/Run/Bike Event will bel held on September 14, 2024. The annual Trunk or Treat will be held on October 31, 2024, from 5:001 PM-6:301 PM. Continues tos support the monthly Farmers Market held downtown at Alf's Farm & Garden. Local business owners have reported that the Farmers Market has boosted The. Oasis, located at 103 South Wiley Avenue, isa a newly opened business offeringa  their Saturday sales.  range ofs services, including hair styling, massages, and more  Tori Gravlee theni introduced Anthony Brock, who shared with the Mayor and Council his plans top purchase the building located at 205 East Second Street and open a family-friendly sports bar. Mr. Brock requested that the Mayor and Council consider extending the recently approved downtown entertainment district to include the property hei is considering purchasing beforel he proceeds with the acquisition. After some discussion, the Mayor and Council unanimously supported Mr. Brock moving forward with the process to apply for a variance tot the Downtown Entertainment District Ordinance, allowing thei inclusion of the property at 2051 East Second Next, Chamber of Commerce President Kadie Matthews, gave an update on the Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday October 19, 2024, and requested East 2nd Street, Cherry Street, and Woolfork. Avenue be closed from 6:004 AMt to 6:001 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Bond made a motion to approve the street closure requests pending coordination with Police Chief Pugh. CP Moye Seminole County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Sarah Avery reported that shei is working on aj proposal for the Statel Farmers Market property, including various grants that could potentially fund the project. Director Avery highlighted that one of thei main issues in the community is the lack ofhousing, and this project could help address that need.  Street within the district boundaries.  seconded; motion carried.  INTERNAL BUSINESS  INTERNAL BUSINESS: The Financial Statements for. July 2024 were presented and reviewed with comments made by City Manager Hatcher on the current status, along with discussion on  the three-month analysis.  OLD BUSINESS  OLDBUSINESS: City Manager Hatcher gave an update on the jurisdictional transfer of Highway 91 Alternate, stating that all documents have been submitted to the GDOT Commissioner. The State Properties Commission willj process a deed for the land transfer once everything is complete.    Next, Mayor Johnson requested the discussion ont the Fairgrounds property and City Park be tabled until the November Council meeting. CP Blanks then made a motion to table the discussion on the Fairgrounds property and City Park be tabled until the November Council meeting, with CP Smith Mayor. Johnson then requested the discussion on selling City acquired property be tabled until the October Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Bond made a motion to table the discussion on selling City acquired property until the October Council meeting. CP Brooks seconded; motion Next, City Manager Hatcher informed the Mayor and Council that the State of Georgia had reassessed the State Farmers. Market site, setting a purchase price of$190,0001 to clear the title. He noted that additional costs would be required toj prepare the property for future use, althougha specific purpose for the property has not yet been determined, and iti is currently listed as blighted. City. Manager Hatcher sought guidance from the Mayor and Council onl how toj proceed, highlighting that noi funds have been designated in the current SPLOST or ARPA allocations. While previous SPLOST and original ARPA funds were designated for this] purpose, they have already been used for prior projects. After some discussion, CP Blanks made ai motion toi move forward with the purchase ofthe Statel Farmers Market in the amount of$190,000 in order tol havet the restrictions removed. CP City Manager Hatcher theni introduced Jeremiah Freeman from Georgial Power, who presented the findings from the recently completed Street Light Audit. Mr. Freeman reported that during the audit, hei identified thirteen lights that the City of Donalsonville had been paying for but didi not possess, as well ast twelve lights that the city had butl had not been billed for. He also explained that the corporation must ensure that streetlights do not illuminate private property, as streetlights are technically classified asi roadway lights, intended toi illuminate only the roadway. Lastly, Mr. Freeman thanked Councilmember Blanks for being proactive in requesting the audit, emphasizing that Georgia Power aims to ensure customers are not charged for services they aren't receiving. He confirmed that the City's account will be adjusted accordingly based on the findings oft the streetlight audit. NEW BUSINESS: City Manager Hatcher recommended accepting the bid award to Cal-Mart, Inc. dba CMI in the amount of$2,433,115.801 for the construction oft the Westbrooke Subdivision Section 1. After some discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Bond made ai motion to accept the bid award to Cal-Mart, Inc. dba CMI in the amount of$2,433,115.80: for the construction ofthe Westbrooke Subdivision Section 1. CP Register seconded; motion carried. Next, City Manager Hatcher recommended approval oft the provided' Construction Easement for the Westbrooke Subdivision which is required in' order to work onj private property. After some discussion, CP Blanks made a motion to approve the Construction Easement for the Westbrooke Subdivision granting permission to work on] private property. CP Smith seconded; motion passed. City Manager Hatcher then recommended approving the setback variance request fort the Westbrooke Subdivision. He explained that the variance would permit homes to be constructed with a 10-foot setback on either side. After consulting with Fire Chief King, he confirmed that this setback is adequate given the building materials being used for the structures. CPI Blanks then made a motion to approve the variance request for the Westbrooke Subdivision, with Mayor Pro Tem Bond seconding. Next, City Manager Hatcher gave the first reading of Ordinance 10-01-24, designating Truck Routes Natalie Crawford with Georgia First discussed closing the health insurance coverage gap for Georgia residents and the potential benefits for Georgians. Following this, she presented Resolution 09-03-24 for consideration by Mayor. Johnson and the Council. The resolution requests thatt the General Assembly and Governor Kemp accept federal funding and fully implement the expansion of health insurance coverage under the. Affordable Care Act. After  seconding. Motion passed.  carried.  Smith seconded; motion passed.  NEW BUSINESS  Motion carried.  within the City Limits of Donalsonville. No action taken.  some discussion, no action was taken.    Next, Councilmember Blanks initiated a discussion on amending Charter Section 5.16(b), which addresses thei removal of officers. Following some deliberation, CPI Blanks moved to authorize City Manager Hatcher and City Attorney Stewart tol begin the process of removing Section 5.16(b) from the City ofl Donalsonville Charter and replacing ity withl language based on State Law. CP Smith seconded.. AYES: CP Blanks, CP Smith, and CP) Register. NAYS: CPN Moye.A ABSTAIN: CP Bond and City Manager Hatcher then gave an update on the Communications Department, with ar review of the eDonalsonville monthly report. City Manager Hatcher reported that he continues to work witht the USDA and that they are progressing with the project to extend service into the County. He also noted that additional units ordered for the new system havel been received and will be Next, Fire Chief King provided an update ont the Firel Department, including preparations for the upcoming recertification in driver training, which the department is required to complete annually. Fire Chief King also mentioned that the Fire Department has been preparing for next month's Fire  CPJ Brooks. Motion carried.  utilized once the project is operational  Prevention Monthi in October.  Police Chief Pugh then stated thatl hel had nothing new to report on at this time. Next, Public Works Superintendent Adams stated that he had nothing new to report on at this  time.  At7:13 PM, CP Smith left the meeting.  City Manager Hatcher then gave an update on the following:  House Bill 581: City Manager Hatcher discussed House Bill 581, which will appear on the ballot this year and could change how property taxes are calculated and collected, pending voter approval. He mentioned that meetings with GMA/ACCG are scheduled for October to review updates and help prepare the City for potential changes. City Manager Hatcher also noted that hel had beeni in contact with the County to discuss the impact on both the City and GMA District 101 Meeting: The Georgia Municipal Association willl host their Fall District 10 Meeting on October 22, 2024, from 11:00 AMt to 1:001 PM in Camilla. City Manager Hatcher requested thel Mayor and Council notify City Clerk Corvers ift they would like to attend the Zoning & Planning Committee: Efforts are inj progress to finalize details with the. Judge. The Planning and Zoning Commission has ai meeting scheduled later this month to discuss training One Seminole: One Seminole held their first public meeting atl Lake Seminole. The group received good feedback on what Lake Seminole residents would like to see from their government officials. One Seminole willl hold al Donalsonville Townhall Meeting for Donalsonville and Iron City at the Lion's Hall on September 12,2024, at 6:00 PM. Thej public isencouraged to attend as residents willl have a chance to discuss issues with local officials. Tax] Digest: The 2024' Tax Digest and rollback rates have been distributed. The City of Donalsonville will nowi need to establish al Millage Rate. Ifthe City adopts the rollback rate, no public hearings willl be required. This option will generate an additional $100,000 ini revenue, which willl help cover the rising costs ofs services that the City provides. City Manager Hatcher noted that botht taxable sales and thet tax digest! havei increased this year, reflecting the economic growth in the City ofl Donalsonville. There was additional discussion about the rollback rate With there being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council, at 7:25 PM, Mayor Pro Tem Bond made ai motion to adjourn, with CP Moye making a second; and the motion carried.  County.  meeting. Lunch willl be provided for all participants.  options  and the determination oft the mileage rate. No action taken.  ADJOURNED    City ofDonalsonville RonJ ET Johnson,Jr, Mayor  Attest and Certification:  I,Christina Corvers, do here Attest and Certify that the above written is a true and correct representation oft the business and actions conducted during the September3,2 2024 meeting oft the Mayor and Council of the City of Donalsonville.  Christina Corvers, IEA