MINUTES  WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION PLANNING & INFORMATION SESSION  MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 16, 2024, 5:001 P.M. WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS AITPENDLETONSTREE: WAYCROSS, GA)  CALLTOORDER:  The Planning and Information Session of the City of Waycross was called to order on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 5:00 pm by Mayor James. The meeting was held in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Present were Commissioners Diane Hopkins, Katrena Felder, Sheinita  Bennett and Mayor Pro Temp, Alvin Nelson.  A. Invocation: B. Pledge of Allegiance II. GUESTS:  City Manager, Ulysess Rayford  Christine Taylor, 513 Eliabeth Street, Waycross Ga. 31501- spoke on the safety for the Downtown Residents. She stated that she and the other Residents are concerned with how often theyl have noticed citizens running the stop signs downtown. She was hoping that more police presence or more caution  signs can be put into place.  III. TRAVEL/TRAINING SCHEDULE AND REQUESTS IV. PLANNING & INFORMATION SESSION  A. Bids:  1. Request for Approval of Offer on City Blvd-Lot3 yes District 4-yes and District 5-yes.  There was a consensus to place on Tuesday agenda for approval. District 2-yes, District 3-  B. Discussion Items: ***PLEASE SEE. ATTACHED DISCUSSION NOTES*** 1. Roger Collins, Tax Commissioner- House Bill 808 and House Bill 581  2. Transportation Transit County/City 3. Thomas Nagel-Animal Shelter Partnership 4. Richard Lee- Ryland 5. Transportation plan update Atlas Technical 6. ChiefCox Ware BOE MOA Approval & WPD Hiring  Page 1of3    7. Commissioner Felder FY25 Budget & Open Record Request Fees  8. Finance Update  1. City Credit Card and Line ofCredit Update 2. Budget Requested Information Update  9. Infrastructure Update 1. Alley Cut Schedule 2. Pavement & Parks Update 3. GDOTTruck Route 10. Ethics Board Stand-Up - Privilege Licenses Renewals: n/a D. Privilege Licenses: n/a E. Proposed Ordinances: n/a F. Proposed Resolutions:  1. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia to Approve New Ameris Bank Credit Card Contract with the City of Waycross, Georgia, and to Authorize Designated City Officials  As Users oft the New Credit Card; and for Other Purposes. There was a consensus to place on Tuesday agenda for approval.  2. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia to Authorize Mutual Aid by Waycross Police Department and Ware County Board of Education Police Department Pursuant to  the Georgia Mutual Aid Act; and for Other Purposes. There was a consensus to place on Tuesday agenda for approval.  3. AR Resolution ofthe City of Waycross, Georgia To Approve the Sale and' Transfer ofCertain Real Property Located on City Blvd Lot3, Consisting of1.96 Acres, Map & Parcel Number  WA1902 036; and for Other Purposes  There was a consensus to place on Tuesday agenda for approval.  Page 2 of3    G. City Attorney Report: H. City Managers Report: Last Call  J. Adjourn to Executive Session K. Adjournment  Ar motion was made by Mayor Pro Temp, Alvin Nelson to adjourn the meeting. Second by  Commissioner Bennett. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 pm  CITY OF WAYCROSS rlablgilana MICHAEL-ANGEEO JAMES, Mayor  BY:  ATTEST:  qualas Lhu JACQUALINE POWELL, City Clerk  Page 30 of3    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  City Attorney:  Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. mayor, commissioners, we have some additional business to take care of tonight by way of the Supreme Court of Georgia. And as you know, there is a case that is pending entitled Alvin Nelson versus Henry Strickland regarding the November 2023 election that is on appeal. And the Supreme Court of Georgia has issued a stay of the Superior Court order that was issued on May the 2nd, which vacated district five seat and called for a special election. And we, of course, um, passed a resolution where we would have a special election for district five. Uh, in addition to district one, in November, where that has now been canceled as a result of the Supreme Court order. And at this time, I'd like to read into the record the Supreme Court order that affects district five seat. And Mr. Nelson is here. And upon my reading this order, he would be able to take his seat again tonight pending the outcome of the Supreme Court decision. So, the Supreme Court decision reads as follows. Supreme Court ofGeorgia, case number S: 24. A1386 September 13th, 2024. The Honorable Supreme Court met pursuant to a joint adjournment. The following order was passed. Alvin Nelson versus Henry Strickland and others. Appellant Alvin Nelson appealed from two orders issued by the Superior Court of Ware County on May 2nd, 2024. One of those orders granted appellee Henry Strickland's petition challenging the results of the November 7th, 2023, election for district five City Commissioner for Waycross, Georgia, and schedule a new election for November 5th, 2024. The other order denied Nelson's motion to dismiss Strickland's petition for insufficient process and insufficient service of process. We docketed. Nelson's appeal of both orders on July 31st, 2024. Nelson has now moved for a stay of the Superior Court's orders, pending appeal. Upon consideration of the motion and the responses from the appellees, the motion is hereby granted and the orders on appeal are stayed until further notice from this court. All the all the justices concur except Chief Justice Boggs not participating. Supreme court of Georgia. Supreme court oft the State of Georgia. So, with that being read in the record at this time, IlI ask Mr. Nelson to come forward and to take his seat.  He doesn't have to be sworn in.  Let me remind youyou've already been sworn. Yes.  Mayor:  So, with that, thank you sO very much. And welcome back. Commissioner Nelson. Thank you. Mayor. Thank you. We are grateful to be here and move forward in our business for tonight. We look Yes, sir. We do. We have one we have with us tonight. We have Miss Christine Taylor. Miss Christine, if you will come to the podium here. Um, you will have three minutes if you state your name and address. Um, Miss Christine is talking about downtown safety for the residents. Hello? Hello. Um, I've been down here almost 11 months downtown. A lot of the tenants and I stayed at 513 Elizabeth Street, the main building apartments and the building tenants. And the hotel tenants have been complaining about, - Elizabeth and TiVo vehicles running through stop signs. It told them to start coming to the meetings, but no one will. No one will listen to me. So, another lady told me to just speak up for everyone to come. So that's what I'm doing. Um, if possible, please put a caution sign right there. And I'm speaking up for the others who walk across the street as well, because we can't control those. The police officer who was down there, he started, um, sitting on the corners and started, um, ticketing people who were running those stop signs. So, he was nice enough to doi it, but now he has moved out of the building. So that's what I'm speaking about. Thank you. The safety for  to Ouro city clerk. Do we have guests?  City Clerk:  Christine Taylor:  tenants and tenants. Yes. Other residents. Thank you. Mr. Mayor.  City Clerk: Mayor:  Uh, that is all fort tonight, Mr. Mayor.  Page 1of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  With that being said, we're now looking to our city manager, who will take the remainder of our Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, at this time, we have no training or traveling scheduled for this week. On the request, we'll go ahead and move on to the planning information session, and we'll start with bids Mr. mayor, Commissioners Jeff Hutchison has one item that actually is actually not. There are four properties that were listed with gateway. Uh, that approval to surplus, - surplus those properties and list them with gateway was done back in 2021. Uh, and of those properties, there was one particular property, - City Boulevard, lot three. It is approximately 1.96 acres. Uh, we actually received or should I say gateway received an offer for that property, - in the amount of $17,500. And we are asking that the commission consider this and approve or accept this offer sO that we can get this Commission. You have heard it would be to know whether or not we consent for this to be on our agenda for tomorrow. And I'll start if you have any questions. And then afterwards we'll see what your thoughts are regarding this being the item for tomorrow. So, PlI start with district two when it. Come to some questions. Let's look for consent, then. Do we have consent? District two. Yes, sir. Consent from district three. Yes. Consent from district four. Yes. And consent from district five. Yes, Next, we're moving to our discussion items, which we have ten, starting with the tax Commissioner, Mr. Roger Collins, who willl be discussing House Bill zero eight and House Bill 581. Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, commissioners, city manager and everybody else in the audience. Um, I'm here to talk to you about what's going to be on the ballot in November concerning taxes. Um, there's HB 808, and it is going to be listed as H.R. 608. It's going to increase. It's going to ask ifyou want to increase the personal property exemption from 7500 to 20,000. And, um, that's just that's one that's going to be this is going to be voted on. as can be voted in. But just tol let you all know that that's all boats. Um, personal property, motor, - machinery, fixtures, furniture, um, airplanes and stuff like that with businesses and with personal property, with individuals. The next thing that's going to be on itis HB 581, and that's H.R. 1022. Okay. Excuse me. My voice is not going. And that is a more comprehensive bill. Um, the thing is, is asking it's asking the people if, um, they want to vote to have the have the Homestead Act, but have it been, um, have the local governments opt out. And, um, I'm going to tell everybody here and tell you tell it that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that is that Bill needs to pass. So, and the reason why is our counties homestead is better than anybody else's. It's got to freeze. And with this this is this is going to pass and every other county and that's going to that's going to take a consumer price index. The Department of Revenue will take the consumer price index. And they're going to figure it out what, each year. And that is the assessed value that people can be taxed on is going to be is going to be stopped every year. That's going to be a percentage. Now that sounds good, But it's not. It doesn't sound good for Word County because our freeze is better, but people need to vote in it. Then I recommend the city. I've already. I've already recommended it to the county, and I got to go to the school board next. Is that that you opt out? Because all that is, is going to just it's not going to affect us. It's not going to affect the assessors and the values and what they're being taxed on. Because when you freeze it, it does not matter what percentage it goes up. You're frozen down here where you signed your homestead. That's not going to' increase with the with everybody else is theirs will increase. So, sO you got a house that's $100,000. It's been taxed on 40,000 and there's a 3% CPI. So,  schedule and go forward. City Manager:  by procurement officer. Miss. Jackson. Purchasing Director:  property sold and added to the tax roll.  Mayor:  sir. You have a consensus. City Manager: Roger Collins:  Page2of28    **DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  they'll be taxed on that the 40,000 plus 3%, that could be that could be that could be 44,000, and they just subtract the regular $2,000 homestead. We're in Weld County. Ifyou got it, it goes up. It doesn't matter ifi it goes up to 200,000. All that's exempt because you're frozen. Your values are frozen at what you sign up for your homestead. And that's going to be the reason why I'm coming to you guys is because it's going to affect you. The it's going to affect the city, the county and the school as far as the taxes, the way, the way they're calculated, it's also going to affect the assessors that if, say, say the county opts out, the school opts out and the city don't, they're going to have to keep track of three values instead of two. That's going to cause them extra work, which is going to be nonsense because it's not going to affect it's not going to help the citizens of our county. Were county. I have the best homestead, bar none in the state. So, um, that's one oft the issues with 581, with 1022, there's going to bes several things that, um, is going to come out of that 581 it's going to allow for the city and county tog get together and decide if they want to do another sales tax and split it. It's similar to lost. It's just for property rollback. And um, and if you agree to it, you got to put for referendum for the people to vote. So, Iwant to give you an example of what it would do. Right now, the preliminary numbers that Icame to you on before the preliminary numbers, the gross millage rate for the city was 16.23231 mills. The rollback rate was 8.237, and that included the 8.237 included: a7 7.89873 rollback. Do that at Penny. What y'all get as part oft the loss agreement. So that gives you) your prelim rollback of 8.237.If y'all can ifyou can vote the tax in sales tax in that comes off the bottom. That 7.993. Subtract it from 8.237. The millage rates the citizens of Wirt County will be paying is 0.0247, and y'all will get. You'll still get the same amount of money as you had the previous year. That's the actual numbers from this year. Ifi it gets voted in and that that fails, the people that's coming into Waycross and coming in to Ware County too, to help really pay for property tax and that that's a, that's a, that's a, a boost for the citizens to have to pay less money on their taxes. And um, it's, it's going to be voted for and it'll be on referendum. There's going to be another issue with which I'm going to have to do with assessors. It's going to take the estimated tax bill that's on the assessment notices. It's taken that away that because that causes nothing but confusion from everybody. You know, everybody received their assessments and I'm getting called. Why did I go on taxes? I don't have anything to do with the value, but they have to use the millage rate from the year before. So that goes completely away. Now I will have to give the assessors aj preliminary rollback rate for the city, the school and the county. And if you end up going with a millage rate that's higher, I'm going to have to put on big, bold letters on the tax bill. The city of Waycross, the rollback rate. The rollback rate was this X, but the city of Waycross decided to go with Y. That's going to be in big bold. And I have to do that for everything for the school and for the county. Whoever decides ify you decide not to go with the rollback rate. So, there's more things  that'si involved, but that is an all or nothing bill. It's the way it's worded.  IlI tell you exactly. Pll read it off ofit. I was just. Iwas just Going to ask you, would you read it.  Mayor: Roger Collins: Yeah, Ill readi it.  Its says, shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended sO as to authorize the General Assembly to provide, by general law for a statewide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any, any county, consolidated government, municipality or local school system may opt out upon completion of certain procedures. That's the way. That's just the way it's worded. But the opting out and it's a short time period that you'll be able to opt out. March Ist is the deadline, and you have to have three hearings, just as though you were having tax increases and all that, you have to advertise and hold three hearings to opt out. There's a third amendment on the ballot. hat has to do with taxes. And, they don't have nothing to do with property taxes, but it's just asking for a statewide Georgia tax court. I don't know that that's It think that's having to do with the  income tax. That has nothing to do with property taxes at all.  Mayor:  Page 3of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  So, we're looking at three bills, H.R. 608, H.R. 1022.And what isi it?  Roger Collins  It's, um, H.R. 598.1'11 read them all. Uh, the other two off too. So, H.R. 598, it says, shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended sO as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with judicial power of the state, to have venue and to have venue judges and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts. And the only thing can figure out that has something to do with income tax, but that has nothing to do with property tax whatsoever. And H.R. 508 Says, do you approve the act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible personal property from 7500 to 20,000? Okay. And we had a had an exchange Club meeting this past Thursday, and I got up and was talking to the strange club, and we actually had Carlos Nelson, but he did not know what that meant. And afterI explained it to him, he, he personally thanked me because he said he was telling everybody no, because he didn't know what they were. Butl told him what they were. They that needs to pass. 581 needs to needs help. Um, changing 7000 520,000 because that's going to pass. But that, um, 1022  needs to pass. Mayor: Roger Collins:  So, we're going to be able to show this beyond this conversation We're having.  Yes, sir. So, um, GMA and Act is putting together a training. Um, October Ist, second and third. October Ist is in Tifton. October 2nd is in Edenton. And Ican't remember where the third is. It's up.I believe it's in northwest Georgia. And y'all, each one of y'all should have been reached. Uh, received Just thinking Because I know the one in their region oft the coast and then. Tifton Mayor. Gina Smith. And I'm thinking of the other one in Bradenton. Yeah. Commissioner Hopkins had a question. Does  an email from GMA concerning that. I was.  Mayor that replace. Hopkins: Collins  That's trying to replace the bill that Mike Voss created. New representative?  No, ma'am. So, what that's doing, that's not replacing nothing for where county at all. It doesn't replace the box bill or the Hatfield's bill. It's doing it, it's providing a break for taxpayers in, in other counties because just like, you know, we went through a revamp this year. And so, ifwe didn't have the freeze and your house went up dramatically, it will stop that from what you're having to pay taxes on going up dramatically like that. So that's but it has no effect on where camps work. Like I say, where counties are the best homesteader is because you got the freezers, and as long as you signed up and you got the freezers, you're good. You can go up $500,000. You're going to get that exemption off  of$500,000. Mayor: Thank you. Collins: All right. You're welcome.  Thank You Mr. Collins. Mr. mayor, we move into the transportation, transit, County, city. Unfortunately, the representative from the Southern Region could not make it. You do have a brochure on your desk, and she will return at a later date to give you a thorough briefing on all the great things this transportation provides for our citizens. Um, I was not aware myself that they did reach out to us last week through Miss Taylor, sO you can make sure is there for all the information,  Page4of28    **DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  but you'll get an updated briefing at some point int time when she gets back. But what we want to talk about today is it is it is a transportation service. So, they can't get picked up. I think they serve - district 11. Um, the majority of the counties in district 11 have a fee for service type thing. They can't get picked up. Uh, it is for everyone, not just the elderly or disabled. It's for everyone. So, um, they did want us toj put this out. Ido think, um, right now, it's just for promotion to the Commission for the citizens. Um, but they are asking for some support of some type. I'm not sure what it is right now. Um, more than this, just making sure we get out to our citizens. Um, but she did want tol let you know, um, this service was available to everyone, and I.I I'I let you read ifyou have any questions about the Just commenting on It. I think it's a great idea, but we do need transit for our area. The only thing that we're looking at here is. The ten miles is going to be $3 and some people. Will not be without AC. There may be some kind of statement of some sort that can be created to assist, but I see that as an And we'll put this on our social media pages with a good summary behind it once we speak to the representatives. But she can make the date. But once we sit down and talk about it, we'll put this on social media for everybody to kind of take a look at. But I do see value in it, until we get a broader Commission, doy you have any questions for our city manager on this information? I know that further  package we havei ini front of.  Mayor:  improvement. City Manager:  plan for the city. I will pause there for any questions.  Mayor: information is given. City Manager Thomas Nagel. Sir. Thomas Nagel:  Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Next, Mr. Mayor will move into an animal shelter partnership with Mr. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Members of the board, city administration. I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss a strategy on a sustainable plan and partnership to provide a public service. My name is Thomas Nagel, and I'm a member of freedom. Freedom is a 501 C, three exempt nonprofit corporation founded right here in southeast Georgia with the mission to create sustainable solutions for both animals and our community through an innovative approach combining economic activity with social impact. The fourth sector model allows freedom as a nonprofit to engage in market activities to provide essential public services. Our unique approach bridges the gap between traditional nonprofit activities and sustainable economic practices. The expanding global pet care market has reached $110 billion, with sales climbing in the US, Europe and Asia, especially in regions where pet ownership is increasing. The US pet care market has been trending with almost $60 billion and over 130 million pets. The forecast calls for steady growth of the pet industry. Pet owners are seeking healthier alternatives for their pets. Demand for premium, nutrition dense pet products in the US is strong. Based on the market metrics, we have formulated a product strategy. A single ingredient, sustainably sourced, nutrition dense, single serve package revealing that al high value, low- cost pet care product would gain market traction with the retail giants. Our primary fundraiser is a bovine based pet food topper that offers a healthy and nutrition dense solution for pets. The product can be used as a treat or to enhance dry kibble, providing the much-needed vitamins and minerals for ap pet. While our pet food topper fundraiser is helping us generate the much-needed resources, it's equally important that we channel these efforts into improving the very heart of our mission the animal services, where we aim at enhancing care and experience for both the animals and our community. The shelter would continue to serve as the centralized access point for the public, where we'd be able toj provide a three-day hold and attempt to locate the owners and provide medical care as  Page5of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  needed for animals that cannot be reunited with their families. We would prepare them for sanctuary. Freedom's No Kill Sanctuary provides a safe and structured environment where animals can live out their lives with their peers while they await their forever homes, while closely monitoring packs and colonies, socializing and exercising. Allows the animals to further develop in a therapeutic environment. The sanctuary is not only a safe space, but al hands-on learning center for generations to come, and it presents potential tourism and educational opportunity. In conclusion, not only does this raise funds for a good cause, but also creates entry level and specialty employment opportunities right here in our community. And just imagine it would take less than 1% of pet owners to spend $1 a year to sustain our animal services. The market is demonstrating a strong demand for a product like this, and the community requires the service without the burden of incurring future costs. I want to emphasize the importance of this innovative, sustainable solution in achieving long term goals for both our animals and our community, and how exemplifies how to create and convert a perceived Thank you for your time and listening, I appreciate you. I hope you see the value in this partnership. Long term, it can be mutually beneficial to the animals and the community, and everyone involved.I appreciate your time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. If you have any questions, P'lI be around  challenge into a strategic solution.  after. City Manager  Thank you, Mr. Davis. Thank you. Next, we have Mr. Richard Lee from Ryland.  He's not here at this time, Mr. Mayor. We'll move on past that. Uh, next on the agenda is the transportation plan update from Atlas Tactical. Uh, last week, Iattended a county meeting. Um, on the transportation plan. I thought it was father. I thought it was father. Lonely. What it was. But we still have a few steps to take right now. This is actually the creation phase that we're in right now. Um, as far as getting things started. They have yet to talk to all the stakeholders. Um, the county, the city, the education board. that's int the future. So right now, they're trying to figure out what it looks like as far ast transportation plan. So, I'm going to make a series of meetings to represent the city with the county and the city board. And then once we get to aj point to brief the commission, we'll come back and brief the commission on what needs to be done. We will stand by that. We did commit that 101, $250,000 to the overall plan. And as you know, um, thei initial package you had, it was different payment plans for different services. Once we get with the county and the school board and figure out how that looks, we'll come back with the actual cost of the plan as far as what the city is responsible for, and I  pause there for any questions on this.  Mayor: Bennett: No, sir. Mayor District three. Felder No. Mayor District four. Hopkins No. Mayor: District five.  Commission. Any questions? We'll start with district two.  Page 6of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Nelson Nos sir City Manager: ChiefCox:  Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, next we have aj presentation by Chief Cox.  Good evening. The first thing that was on the agenda is, - an agreement with the Ware County Board of Education. Police department? Uh, pretty much. I know you have it, but basically what we're looking at, particularly with the schools just outside our city limits or actually even beyond, if you're looking at a per say, there's some sort of emergency or something like that, that Waycross Police Department can immediately respond to that area. And this, um, MoU actually gives us a little bit of legal protection or if they have something, um, pretty much even ift they need assistance in any sort of criminal matter, it kind of gives us the authority to do that. And if you have any questions about that, or and the second thing is I'm asking for permission. There's a police academy that starts on September the 30th, and what I'm asking for is the ability to hire one over our allotted positions. The reason why I'm asking for this is we've had several 51 to 6 applications that have been turned into a Port authority for some of our police officers. And, um, and sO we've lost three in about the last 18 months or SO. Um, that went through the Port Authority got I think it's five more that tured in their applications. I had one whose last day was scheduled to be the 17th of this month. So, in anticipation of that, we had two positions to fill, including one that was leaving on the 17th of this month. However, that person has rescinded his resignation. He has decided that he does not want to leave the city. Um. ET cetera. However, we had two people already in the process to send to the police academy in anticipation of him anticipation of him leaving. Um, and sO I'm asking ifI can hire one over in anticipation of the possibility of somebody leaving in the near future. And when it comes to the salary aspect, um, starting July Ist of this fiscal through September 30th, um, we will have saved, um, $52,000 al little bit over that in salary due to the, um, two employees who have been on extended military leave or on military orders. And sO worst case, or actually it would be a good case scenario if everybody that's applied has changed their mind and said, ah, I'm not going to the Port Authority. Well, that puts us in a bind. Or it could if wel hire one over, however, we've got the salary that we can go ahead and do that. Um, just like I said, first three months of the fiscal year, um, we will have saved, um, al little over $52,000 in salary to put a police officer on the street cost about $42,000 Day year. So, we're good as far as salary and the budget is concerned. The second aspect of that, I want to go ahead and get an additional person in the academy. The police academy lasts approximately ten weeks right now, starting January, that's going to be doubled in time. Um, right now, I think they still haven't come, um, to the final timeline of how long the Academy is going to be, but it's going to be at the minimum 18 weeks from 10 to 18. But it could be even more. And sO, if we can go ahead and hire an extra officer, that means he's already out working the street. You know, 3 or 4 months into 2025, if we have to wait, particularly with the Academy Dublin, it could be the first of 2026 before we actually get to use them on the street. And also, with the doubling of the academy right now we spend about 3000$504,000 per police academy. So, Police Academy Dublin would be spending 7 to $8000 to put somebody through come. January. And sO, with your permission, I'd like to hire one other. Thank you chief. It sounds like you are moving forward with this. The conversation you had, you said you! had 52 and there was 42 that you do normally per year. Do you have 52 already?  Mayor: Cox: Sorry. Say again sir. Mayor:  You: said 52,000. You would already have.  Page7of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Cox:  Yes, sir. If I'm just looking through July, the 1st to September 30th on the salary saved it's about 52,000. Like I said, we've got some that's out on unpaid medical leave right now is where that money's coming from. Um, it's from extended military orders. And matter of fact, I said through September to the 30th part of that figure. One of those is going to be on military orders. Um, at least until January of2 2025. So that one employee, that's where some oft that salary comes from also. This time, we'll go to the question, please. The commission this evening to Put this on the agenda tomorrow for approval is what he's requesting. And so, Ijust want to know what your thoughts are  Mayor:  starting with district two. Yes, sir. District three.  Yes. District four. Yes. And district five. Yes. And Commissioner Hopkins has a question.  Hopkins:  Um, the MoU with the Board of Education. I know we've had a lot of, um, school threats and shootings and things oft that nature. They have resource officers that are certified in the school already that we would come in in case of a catastrophe like that. Is that what you're saying? We have an Right? It could be anything. And, um. But if you don't ask what's on my mind? Active shooter is primarily what's on my mind right now. IfI didn't have this agreement and I knew something was going on outside the city limit, I'd send my people anyway, right? Okay. But this does give us al little  agreement to goi in and helpt them.  Cox:  bit ofl legal protection. Hopkins: Cox: Hopkins: City Manager  And so, we could go as far as Wadesboro, we: still havej jurisdiction? Yes. Correct.. Any, um, Board of Education property. We could respond to it. Sot that's my take on anything that's even out oft the county. Correct. Thank you chief.  Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And for context, Mr. Mayor. Um, we're going to look at our policy about how this is working out because in this situation would bring somebody back on. But in the future, as the workforce reaches out for other job opportunities, we. just can't hold aj job anymore. In the past, we've done that. But we. just can't do that anymore. So, this is not going to be the first time this comes up. Uh, definitely with the police force. Um, chief didn't mention it, but, you know, they're the Port Authority I think is paying double the salary. They're paying double the salary down there. So, of course, our police officers are going to look at that, you know, as a definite increase in pay. Um, buti if they try to figure this out, you know, we have got to keep going. So, I know they will. Ifs somebody does decide to leave, it might not come back to a job. So that's something we have got to start  considering as well. Isi it double? Yes.  Cox:  Page 8 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Some of them, I mean they're getting paid 30, 40, $50,000 more than what they're earning. So that's So, this is about the one hire. But like Isaid it might be a continued problem moving forward.  why. Yeah. City Manager City Manager: Felder:  There's no question that Mr. Mayor. And then we'll move on to a presentation by Commissioner Thank you, Mr. City Manager. Um, regarding the FY 25 budget. Um, when we had our last meeting, um, there was a request for a budget discussion with commissioner departments. I sent an email to you, and you stated that because. There was no quorum that we could not have that budget meeting with the department. And I look to you, city attorney, for direction. But ifIrecall correctly, um, you stated or implied that there would be no need for a quorum if we were just simply having a discussion. Ify you're not establishing any city policy, you're just meeting to have a discussion. You can do that without a quorum. Well, if youl have and ifyou have a quorum, you have to advertise it. You know, sO any in meetings that you have where you're going to have three or more commissioners, you have to  Felder on the budget and the open record request fees or a question.  City Attorney:  advertise those meetings. Felder: City Attorney: Felder: agree. Okay. City Attorney: some. Felder: City Attorney: information session. Felder:  Okay. But this is not a meeting. It will be a discussion.  Between how many commissioners.  Ibelieve in two. At that time, we had three sitting commissioners and two agreed and one did not Well, well, two can meet for the purpose of having a discussion, having a discussion. You can get  Clarification, right. Or concerns regarding the budget for each department.  You can do that, but you. just can't make any decisions. You can't give any instructions. It's just an Information session. Yes. And that's what I have requested several times with them. Ithink it's important that our department heads have an opportunity to speak with us as a condition so if there are things in the budget that we need to be aware of, that need to be taken into full Well, honestly, Commissioner, ifI can take a moment just to clarify that, and we got Commissioner Nelson back here, Ijust want to go over the budget timeline real fast. Um, just to put some context out there. Uh, when y'all when you read the request, I took it as, um, a meeting. That's why Ia asked all the  consideration. City Manager:  Page 9 of28    **DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  mayor and the commissioner once. They said they could not attend. I did offer individual meetings with the staff, sol I would not be there. Um, just so I don't present the, um, one side or this side with the commissioner. So that is still open in time that y'all would like to meet with the staff. I will not be there. And you can meet with the staff. I only ask that because we've had. And Pll go down this timeline real fast, that we respect that we have a lot going on right now. Um, and Ihit that right now. So, Id did make the opportunity for it to you in the email. So, ify you would like to meet with the staff on your own, that's fine. I'm sticking within the charter on my responsibility, my duties as the city manager. I'm going to stay there legally for my purposes and my protection. So, as you know, just for the city we started in February, you can all see the time chart there with the, um, the finance department doing the budget, budget forms and then me meeting with the city finance director on the budget forms. Um, and then we sent the forms to the directors, and then I started meeting in accordance with the charter, Is started meeting with each of the department heads to discuss the budget and their concerns. You said that started in March. Uh, the next time I met again. I met with each director. I met with the police chief on the 26th. Imet with the public works director on the 28th. I also met with human resources on the 28th. Um, Ir met with the fire department on the 26th. Community improvement in April on the first and the Business Integration Information Systems also on the first as well with the purchasing department and then finally with the finance department. Um, let's go to your budget. Um, during this time, the finance director sat with me during each of those meetings with each of the department heads as outlined in the charter about their concerns, their recommendations, their wants and desires. And we tried to put that into the budget, staying in line with the charter. Um, ify you look on the on the fifth, um, we announced in April, Ia actually went to May. Um, we approved the commission, um, budget dates. Um, we came through, - reviewed the budget again on the 10th. Um, Isent the budget books to the commission on the 14th of May. Uh, we advertised the meeting. Um, we had the working session where we did the budget again. Um, from that meeting, there was more information requested that I sent to Commissioner Felder. We advertised the budget hearing on the 9th of June. Had the public budget hearing. No questions there. I got another email from one of the commissioners, and Isent, um, 25, FY 25 and 24 budgets. Um, we established since the budget had passed, we established a hearing on June 15th for the budget approval meetings. Uh, and then, of course, on the 18th, the budget was not approved. We got down to the 28th of June. I sent the revised budget issues and requested items from two of the commissioners. I answered the questions again from Commissioner Felder. Um, we then put the budget out again in July for the 13th. Um, I didn't answer more questions on the 15th. For Commissioner Felder, um, we had a public hearing, but did not get approved. The budget hearing on the 20th budget was not approved on 23rd July. We did again advertise the budget hearings again on 27th and the budget public hearings for the eighth. Commissioner Hopkins requested some information. Is said he had requested information, picked upl her items. I gave her additional items. She requested more information. I sent her additional information on 26. I saw Commissioner Felder additional information in August on the third and asked some more questions in August on the fourth. Uh, we put the budget again for October Ist. Advertised the budget meeting we: set the public hearing is where we are today. Ifyous scroll down to the questions on there, Ianswer, can you put the question up, Mr. Simmons?: Ia answered all the questions here. There were 31 questions that I received in total, and it had been 12 packets of information, as you can see, provided the credit card statement for myself. Um, Ibroke down his salary at one particular personal workforce. We provide thel hotel motel tax information. I provided the actual financial report. I will provide the expenses for myself. I provided my credit cards for myself. I provided payroll records up until June 2024. I provided water and sewer revenue expenses upt to. June 2024. Ip provided the Lisa report up to. June 2024. Ij provided a copy of the handbook. I provided a detailed report with the detailed description of my budget requested. I restated the things and priorities um and following after those. On September 3rd answered some more questions about the budget. This is your question, Commissioner Felder. Isaid, called up, chief. I reached out to the commissioners for individual dates, which I'm waiting on right now. If you want to meet with the staff on your own. Um, Ip provide the updated FY: 20 budget books. Once again, clarify my staff and my spending and my credit card. Um, I provided al link to the audit as requested. It's also on the website for those who want to see it. Um, the one question I have not answered is the request for all the hand receipts, credit cards, bank statements and expense reports and  Page 10 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  invoices. Like Is say, for 2023 and 2024, it's going to take about a month to complete that task, orI need to probably bid that out for somebody else because while we're trying to update our software, also prepare for the next audit and a few other things. It's really time-consuming. Um, so we're still trying to get that information to you. Um, sO that was there. Uh, I was asked a question about raising the rates for some employees to $15 per hour. You see, my response currently I feel right now. Cause we don't have the revenue coming in. Which is what I briefed initially when I first presented the budget about the need for the city to take a strong look at generating new revenue to meet the demands ofa all these requirements that we have not done sO far, leading to this date. Um, Igave you an itemized breakdown of the city's salaries for FY 23, 24, and 25. Uh, I explained the increases in wages and salaries. Uh, no one was. No one was given a 10% over a 10% raise. All the raises were a combination of either getting merit pay, longevity promotion and things like that or Cola. Um, I was asked about our ten-year plan and the GMA. Id did follow our charter and GMA strict guidance as far as the budget. I presented the ten-year plan to you that we voted upon. Um, on my third month here I've been kind of executing my duties by also preventing the comp plan. to the commission. I was asked a question about overtime. I provided the handbook and the answer about how we do our overtime. Like I said, 23 is question 23 is in reference to all of the city's, um, receipts and card statements. I'm still trying to get that. Um, I was asked about, um, cutting, - a particular area. Uh, once again, I provided feedback on that. Um, we did agree upon to do all the alleyways in the month ofOctober, which we started in October, andIs saw that shortly. Um, we asked about the website. Idid make some corrections to the website as requested. Um, once again on offer, - Ig gave a report, but as youl know, the money is still being spent, so that that money is kind of fluid, but it still remains around 1.8 million. Um, we asked about traveling, training and traveling budgets for myself and one commissioner. I explained that that my office now is traveling for four people versus one for my expenses. Um, we asked about why the city manager, city executive, assistant city clerk and the executive city clerk were not listed last year. Um, the prior year, I was not here. Um, when they got moved over. Um, but now they need me. They are part of my budget. We talk about hourly and salaried hourly and salary rates. Um, we do have two employees. Um, that they are eligible for overtime even though their hourly rates are up again. Uh, and that was number 31. So, um, Ijust want to make sure that it's clear. And an update to commissioner coming on. I have answered every question that was asked upon me. I stuck to the guidelines. Um, of the city charter and of GMA's guidance. Um, like I said on your question, Commissioner Felder, anytime you want to sit down with the rest oft the staff, you can. I'm nots sure where the questions can be asked to them, but in my mind, if you're going tos sit down with them, I was trying to maximize that with everybody at the same time sO we could make a decision or if we're coming in to work again, like we've been doing with the staff so far, constantly asking the same questions over and over again, um, preferably aboutj just my, - Iguess, my spending. But I'm open to anything I want to do at this time, Mr. Mayor. Ijust want to get this passed and I want to answer any questions. Need to be, um, need to be answered. Yes, sir. And yes, Ireceived that response. And because of your response, this is where additional questions. Do come in with department heads and as well as you, because of the documentation that you provided to them. There are some things that I observed that are questionable. and SO, I need clarification on that. So, I have an understanding as to why certain charges were made. certain expenses were paid by taxpayers here in the city. So, this is why I would like to have a meeting with Because you asked them, I mean, for transparency purposes, Idon't know. We can ask them to meet right here on, you know, during the budget hearings. Just that way it's not, you know, like we're doing stuffi in the dark. Like Is said, Ijust want everybody to see what's being asked and what's being done. That's the purpose of the budget hearings and the budget meeting. So. But at this stage, like I said, I'm just making sure I've asked I've answered every question given to me, stating the line, Ihave nothing tol hide. We can do whatever. Ijust want to get it, get it done because iti is causing conflict. Now we do have reports we. have to do with our budget. We should have done by October. I didn't think we'd  Felder:  the Department of Transportation. Well.  City Manager:  Page 11 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  be this far in trying to improve the budget. So, this time, you know, we would like to do it all at the same time. So, we don't keep asking the same questions over and over and the same information that we canj just go ahead and get it done. So, Id don't know what additional questions need to be generated by whatI Ip provided. Because like Isaid, most oft these questions were just directed at me, you know, in my spending. So, I'm not sure what else we could ask, but like I say, I am open to doing whatever Ill come back to this with the comment that I made in our last meeting was that the budget hearings. Are similar to that of our public hearings. In a sense, the organizing public. And there's a space in there where the department heads have the right to stand up and actually make their presentation to ask questions, provide the commission. So, during that budget hearing, that could be a good place where the individuals can be asked any questions about that. They may have. But understanding that we've already had several meetings where we've not asked any questions. Now I'm looking to the commission to clarify, because it seems like each time you've been asked the question, it's used to turn around and ask you more questions, and that generates more and more and more questions. So, you'll be asked to answer your questions fast and simply. Buti ifyou continue in this vein. But what you need to doi is clarify what we want done and get it done. Its sounds like Commissioner Feldman has already asked the questions and she's got her answers, but she wants. Clarity from the department heads on particular things. And my question would be, what would those particular things be at this point for Commissioner? Commissioner Nelson, just chime in for a second. I'm going to come back to this Thank you, Mr. Mayor. When I came ini in January, the city manager gave us that budget in February. When I left this seat in April, there was, Ib believe, 6 or 7i interactions with that budget. Now, I'm no expert on budgets, but I can tell you I know how to read revenue and expenditures. We don't. There's no need for a city manager if wel have to try to go around him to the department heads. He's explained this several times, and I sat there for the last three months. I'm thinking to myself, what is going on here? It seems as ift there is a concerted effort to slow the budget passing down, and we're hurting our city. This doesn't make any sense. Every one of us up here has been through this budget process at least three times, and some about 20 times. So, what's the issue now, Mr. Mayor? I'm not understanding what's the issue is now. And at any point in time, any commission can sit down with the city manager one on one and dissect anything that needs to be dissected. But yet and still, we push the ball down the street further and further, knowing we need this money to run the city. We have dilapidated police cars now. Ib believe that are over a decade old. One broke down, as I believe, last month, several months ago. What is this? This is ridiculous. This doesn't make any sense, Mr. Mayor. Ithink it's a witch hunt personally, and it has to stop. Guys, this doesn't make any sense. We all know the code of conduct. We all have been through those classes in GMA. It doesn't make any sense. There's procedure and protocol with everything. And] Iapplaud the city attorney for going through and  needs to be done to get the budget passed.  Mayor:  report at this time. Nelson:  explaining this issue. But this has to stop. That'si its Mr. Mayor  Mayor: Commissioner Felder Felder:  Thank you, mayor. Um, the reason why I continued to have questions is because when this process with the budget first Iasked, but I specifically asked for a meeting with the city manager, and maybe itwas due to frustration. I don't know, but his response to me was that his preference was to receive the questions regarding the body armor, and he refused to meet with them. So, this is why I continue to send questions to him in writing regarding the budget, which to me is fruitless. I prefer to have an in-person conversation so that my questions can be addressed, as opposed to going back and forth in emails. And my experience I. Have never had to address a budget in an email communication. It was always a meeting where there was open transparency and that ifany questions or concerns that I had  Page 12of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  related to the budget department head or any expenditures, they were thoroughly clarified, which put Mr. City Manager, Iwould respectfully ask that you meet with her one on one and Ill meet with you guys together because I'm not going to have this badgering. We're all grownups. It doesn't make any We've had ten meetings. AIII Is said was, I'd like tol have the questions in the meeting. That's all Isaid. Initially, Ididn't want to meet one on one. Idon't like the way that appears. Like I'm not trying to go inside or anything like that. Ijust say, T'd like tol have. We had eight meetings with no questions. Iwas getting frustrated. You know, at that point, because we would come back after the meeting and just fort the transparency that we all want, you know, for the citizens to see, that's the that's the critical part of having the budget hearings here. Out loud for everybody else. And so, I did request to just ask a question to be in the meeting, you know, so and not one on one with any particular commissioner, because If felt like that would create an appearance of something else, because you want to get it all out at one time and then not that don't have the time. But, you know, if we could just doi it one time and all these other ten meetings that we had have just passed all that out, then I feel like we would have been done by now. You know, like Is said in my daughter questions. Like I said, it's just been, youl know, it's not been about the budget. Imean, it's been about other stuff. And whenIwas at the get go, Is stressed. We talked about things I stressed the importance of we do need additional revenue creation. We do need to look at the CPI. You heard the commissioner talk about the CPI and the matching with that. So um, like Isaid, um, I don't know. I mean I do not prefer to meet with anybody one on one only because of myself and what's going on here right now. So, I would prefer to do iti in an open forum if we could. But everybody at the same time, just to cut the workload on the, on the workforce, youl know, because theyl have to pull away for days at a time, get that information over and over and over. And if one commissioner puts ini for it, you know, I can't, you know, and then this commission comes in the next day and similar stuff but not the same stuff. It it's kicking our butts down, to be honest with you. Like I said, it's not budget based stuff. It's kind of like other stuff. So,  my concerns to rest. City Manager: sense. City Manager:  um, Idon't know. Imean.  Mayor:  So back to my statement again, and it sounds like I was myselfj just as much as you can be yours. And that is when you have the budget here. We could do this then. These questions and answers Can be done during that time period. And then any other things that need clarity or. Clarification, we can go back and ask those questions and you would have had the opportunity along with those who department heads are, if they need to respond. But from what I've received this hearing and been in every one of the meetings, even when everybody else might actually be heard. So, here's the other side ofit. You have these meetings and no one's asking any questions. But after the meeting their questions arise. Those questions are responded to, and more questions come from them. Now we're saying that we need to continue in that same continuous movement. And I think that if we go ahead just do as they say and do as we say, then we could get this house. And, you know. Each one ofthe department heads. Have stood up for us with their presentation, and you've given them opportunities. There were four factors that they talked about. There were four quadrants that they were dealt. They dealt with dealing with strengths, weaknesses, future thoughts as well as any anticipated growth. So, we have heard this before. The question I have now is what about what about the budget? We're talking it's almost like we're going back because the actuals versus the forecast are going to be two different things. You can look at what we have presently, and then you can go forward and say, well, we can project to go to as ar result of where we're going. Plus, you mentioned inflation and the various other things that might have a bearing on the budget. The budget is over budget. And What we're hearing nowi is more like trying to find out what you've done in the past. Well, that can be dealt with.  Page 13of28    **DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  And if there's something, as Isaid before, ifthere's something we want to get rid of or we don't want to have in the budget, it is just as good to say, let's take that out. Let's scratch that. Let's move forward. And it's done. But the long windedness that sometimes we have to go through each time. And so, I'm hearing what you're hearing, but I'm thinking we're going to have to be very mindful of that when we get up for people. They need to know specifically what we're talking about and not sound as if we're trying to make it sound like you're doing something evil or malevolent, when in reality it's just you're doing your job. And that is hearing the department heads. They make their presentations. Youo come back and give them a summation to us, and we hear what they said, and then we make a decision based upon that. Now that's not what we're going to be doing. I understand we're dealing with two things. We're dealing with history, which is what we've done in the past versus what's in the chart. This thing right here in itself! has a few things that need to be dealt with. It needs to be looked at because there's some several abilities that are in here that after you have voted on it, it should cancel a passed amendment or pass statement. But we still try our best to keep it going. So, it's au unique piece here that we're dealing with. So, Ijust in my own suggestion that we. just do the budget hearings and now if the commissioners have the right to do whatever they choose, they can ask to come in and see the department heads, just as was stated. And our city manager, the city manager has done that before, I believe you brought them in, and they made presentations. The city attorney has said that ifthey want to do that, it'sj just an information session similar to what we're having right here. Then they can be done. So, but you can't have more than three. Otherwise, it would then in turi into a  call meeting or some kind of meeting where all of us have to be.  City Attorney: More than two. More than. Mayor:  So, it seems likei it shouldn't be a major issue one way or the other, but we're making it there. Idon't know if the department heads want to say anything today, but they talked through you. Mainly you talked. You are their chief. You are in charge. That's right. You're the administrator. That's  correct. Nelson: Bennett Mr. mayor.  Well said, Mr. Mayor. We just do policy.  Ifthey meet with the department heads, how will we know if they're going to comply with the rules and the charter? Can it be recorded? Not so much as, um. Well, it could bet televised on Facebook. But how? We need to know that they're going to just do what they supposed to ask the questions and not make it a hostile situation, or demand that these department heads change just to do that. So how can we make sure that the city manager is not going to be there, that that meeting will be governed by the So, the only thing I can think of, and Ia and I don't know if that could make any sense for you to say this out loud, but then at the same time, I guess Ican, but we could have our city attorney assume one  charter? Mayor:  city. He might help me out to do it, but.  City Attorney Bennett:  Or another commissioner for another commissioner  I'm. I'm thinking one on one. But, you know, you can't have three. That's right.  Page 14of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Well, I thank you, Commissioner, because I stated before, they've been here. They presented everything, all the questions. And like the mayor said, ifit's that big of an issue, it should be presented now, not behind closed doors. Let the people hear what you have to say, that the people hear the  questions that you, Mr. Mayor. Mayor: Mr. City Manager, City Manager:  Mr. mayor, I trust the directors. We talked about this numerous times already. That's why, you know, Ido feel like if I'm not doing my job, I'm not doing my job, you know, by this different route or mechanism of getting questions answered. Um, I just don't want any appearance that we got any favoritism with anybody. That's what I think it gives off. You know, I don't want to be in any other meetings with without all the commissioners like that. That was my mistake. Probably getting here, you know. So, I understand a lot better now. So, the director sits down with me. Ididn't change much from their budgets. Like I said, there wasn't much that could be changed because of the things that need to be changed. I've said this, you know, this revenue increasing the rates, increasing the taxes and all this stuff that you know, we're not we can't do right now. Just understand that, you know, um, sO it wasn't like a lot of wiggle room to change anything in the budget anyway, you know, but for future growth, at some point we do need to have that strong conversation, sO our citizens truly understand, you know, um, is everybody complains about what's not going on in the city. You know, we got to us got to make some hard choices to get stuff moving forward, you know, and hopefully maybe next budget, we can do that on this budget. Ijust try to stay in the constraints of, you know, what the directors really needed. And Ithink we've talked about that many times before, um, and what they needed. But I will set up a, I will have the, - Miss Robbins sent out some requests. And like anybody who wants to meet, um, with the directors, Ijust say be mindful. They are directors. Wel have al lot going on, and hopefully we cannot turn into hours when they have staff to manage, you know? Is the one question. Do they have to meet with them? And if they don't, they will not be okay. Any  So that was my only question.  Bennett: Nelson: Mayor:  penalties? Okay. They have to. Okay. Mr. Mayor, is that in the charter?  That's not in the charter, it's not. I apologize. No, sir. It's not. It's the. This is a request of the commission to hear the department heads, in a sense, offline, as opposed to in presence of the media. So, it's just kind of like. I want to hear what you want. I want to know what you desire. If you want another fire truck or another ladder truck, or if you need some equipment or you need uniforms or whatever you need. We want to know that, and we want to hear you say it so that we can. When we sit before thei in the budget hearing, we are able to respond and say we're for this because we heard Chief Cox or Chief Evans or Director Smart or someone have spoken concerning various things, as opposed toj just having heard the responses from the city. So that's what it sounds like to me. So, in reality, he's opened the door for it. He said if they would like to, he's fine with it. And if that's what he said, then  let's do it because he's, our administrator. And that's his role.  And so, you're at your next pace. City Manager: Felder:  We still had a comment on open records request fees as well. Mr. mayor.  Page 15 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Thank you. Mayor. Um, Mr. City Manager, you stated not long ago, leading up to today, that there has been, - a citizen or citizens with several open records requests. And right now, I do believe that  for an open record. Request. Is. $0.25 Per page. Correct?  City Clerk: No. It's $0.10. Felder:  It's $0.10 per page. Um, that really needs to be increased. Yes. When you think about the amount of time it takes to fulfill those open records requests. Paper, ink. And also, that the city clerk or whomever holds those records for those individuals. Um, that needs to really change. Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Felder, I feel you what you're saying. I feel your pain. Um, $0.10 per page is not enough. $0.25 per page is not enough. But unfortunately, we are bound by state law. Uh, we have to. We have to follow the state law until the legislature changes, - the Open Records Act and increases those fees. We can'tincrease them. So, state law says that we can charge, um, $0.10 per copy. We can also charge the actual cost of production. Ify you use something like a CD or a video. Um, you know, we can't go to another level depending upon how many CDs or videos or recordings you have to go with your actual cost, whatever it costs you to produce it, that's what you can charge. And no more. You can't have a windfall whatsoever. You can also charge, um, based on the salary oft the lowest paid employee who is capable of responding to the request, whatever their hourly rate is, minus the first 15 minutes. So, um, you know, it takes time to assemble documents together. Um, sO they're on the clock when they're doing that. It takes time to run the copies. They're on the clock when they're doing that. Itt takes time to put them in some sort of binder. It takes time to do that. So, all of that time can be compensated for except for the first 15 minutes, but we can only charge $0.10 per page as per state law. And the actual cost of production. Ifit's through some other means, such as a CD ora video. Mr. mayor Commissioner The lowest paying, the lowest paid employee. Is that a clerical employee or  City Attorney:  Hopkins:  the lowest paid on payroll? City Attorney: Hopkins:  Well, the lowest paid employee whoi is capable of responding to the request.  So, they saw a clerical position and that was wherever it was, the lowest paid clerical person within  City Hall who was assigned to dot that.  City Attorney: Hopkins: City Attorney: Mayor: City Clerk  Right. You know, within them, within theirj job description orj job duties to do SO. Do we. just charge them thel hourly rate that they get? And after thej job? No. It's the hourly rate that they get during the workday. Minus the first 151 minutes.  Madame Clerk. Did you want to say something.  Mr. Mayor? I just wanted to say that these fees are statewide. They're not any different from Waycross as opposed to any other city. These fees because it's allegedly. Is this the same fee? The  Page 16 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  same process? The state of Georgia. So, and we do charge for everything redaction, our time and redaction and any kind of, um, equipment. Thumb drives, anything that we use to put anything on, we  charge them. City Attorney Your actual cost? City Clerk My actual cost. City Manager  And just like I said this last, these last 90 days, we've been putting together a lot of stuff, like extra requests. Um, it's been, you know, - stress on the finance department. Um, because they are doing other things as well, trying to get the software changed over. So, um, go back to the budget thing, just if we can just get the questions if there's any more like math questions or documents, because we're trying to get these open records requests in a timely manner to the citizens. That's a state law, too, as well. And we are behind a little bit on that. And I've reached out to the citizens to explain why. Because we're all getting in every day. We're pulling something, you know, and we're also, like Isay, Ikeep saying the software up there because it takes a lot for the finance department to pull that data, too, at the same time when they're trying to do all this. So, um, but in regard to the fees and I mentioned this before, um, you know,) you know, in our charter, um, all our fees need to be updated.I would just say that now, um, most of them are about 15 years old. So, um, we do have recommendations on those increased fees, and we'll present them at some point in the future. Mr. Mr. Spearman, if I were one of our representatives, proposed that he could get it passed in the legislature come January. Am I correct? If he got the votes to do sO and in his position? Is that  mayor. Hopkins correct? Spearman: That is correct. Hopkins: Spearman: Hopkins:  He would Present a resolution to him of what we want, what we that we would ask for, and then go  from there. Is that correct? That is. Correct. And it would benefit the whole state.  I'm not sure that we have to pay a lease fee for those copiers, and there's only so many copies, It think. So, you know, that restricts you from, you know, clerical help getting the copy sometimes that they  need, or they have to go over that, Ofthat. How dolallocate my credits?  Spearman: Yes,yes. Bennett: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.  Just keep in mind that we commissioners, we always ask for the staff to go above and beyond also. And we ask them to do a lot of research. So, it's not just the citizens, it's also the commissioners. So,  let's keep that in mind also. Thank You. mayor.  Page 17of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  City Manager:  Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Next, we move on to the finance update and the finance director. We will start with the city credit card and line of credit update. Thank you, Mr. Smith. Thank you.  Finance Director  Good evening, mayor. Mr. Mayor and commissioners. Uh, what the city manager just stated. I'm here to talk about a proposal to have rebates for credit card purchases that the city makes. And I've just got twol PowerPoint slides. The first one is more ofa history. Ifyou look at the very top,youl know, it says finance department cash management. That's one area of finance is cash management. And it involves all the, the three areas of the finance department. Uh, those things start with purchasing. And then we, you know, we pay the bills through with purchasing and also accounting and then utility billing. They're involved because our people in accounting are cross trained in utility billing. So, if we're taking people away from utility billing it you know, affects them. But we work together to get things done. Uh, the cash management steps, - the first one had the biggest return on investment. We, the commission, the commissioners approved, you know, the investment policy. A while back and that's been going well. It's like I said, it's the biggest return on investment. We increased the interest we're getting on our deposits that we have to keep in hand a substantial amount. The next one is to negotiate higher interest rates on city bank account balances. And I've done that with the bankers. The bankers have been real cooperative. And - you know, they understand that we want the best interest rate we can get. And, you know, one example is, is the Arpa fund. You know, we've got enough interest income to, to, - we're looking at the city manager's looking at, -, doing repairs on the building here at City Hall with the interest, - money we've earned. And then the third one is what I'm here to ask  about today is,- -, isgetting a rebate on our credit card purchases. So,you! have. A need for us to get a consensus on the.  Mayor: Finance Director  Yes, there's a contract. There's a contract. Uh, so you know what's involved? We're currently using a bank for credit card purchases. We're going to stay with the Maersk bank. So, you know, we're not changing banks and, - and then, - the new contract will allow the city to receive rebates, you know, on, on people's personal credit cards. There are different plans. Some of you can get travel points or cash rebates. Uh, but this is similar to that. We'll get a cash rebate that'll help us on our on our budget. And we're not the third step up there or the third point. You know, we're not changing the way we use credit cards. They all go through the ladder, as we call it. They all have to go through the approval and review, um, procedures and the auditors, you know, look at look at that process too. So, as Isaid, um, as the mayor said, you know, what I'm asking is, as for the commissioners to approve the contract that wel have with the proposed contract we have with the bank. Are there any questions or comments?  Mayor: Commissioner Hopkins: Hopkins:  What credit card fees are we paying to use the credit cards? I'm sorry. What fees are we paying? Like the new like I have a customer needs a credit card. I get charged a fee. Yeah. So, what fee? Are we? We don't. We're not charged anything to purchase things with our credit card. But you're asking, like, upfront when somebody comes and pays a water bill. Yeah. I don't have that with me. So, I mean, isit  What percentage are we being charged? We're not.  Finance Director:  Page 18 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  3%, 4% or do you know. So do we have a what would they call a merchant account that they charge Right. And some oft the fees, you know, if you if you pay your water bill online, it's you the customer Same way with me. IfI take a credit card in person, I have to pay the fee or pass it on to the customer at once. And a lot of people know, if you go to a restaurant, you'll see where they add that to you to your bill. Right. If you go to use your credit cards, are you paying cash or credit card? So, I just wondered what percentage it's costing us to use credit cards, and then what percentage will we get Uh, what we'll get is almost 0.7% and 0.7, right? And I mean, you know, I was trying to get 1%, but that's still, you know, that's enough money to, as you said, you know, pay for a copier for the year. A Big copier. For the year. The rebate that will get. Itsapproximately 2500 a year, and that's about how much al big copier here costs. So that's so that will definitely help our budget to get that that rebate. Well, I was just trying to see how we could offset the percentage that we're charged for using that credit card versus what we will be receiving back. Right. It was going to bounce, but it won't bounce because the interest rates can be a lot lower than 3 or 4%. You don't have a clue right now how much I've looked at it before and it wasn't anything outrageous that got my attention. But we are going to look at the whole process. When we get the new software and the new software, there's going to be some cost savings there because the new company can do some things that we're paying for now that that, you know, we won't be paying For, With them, Any other questions or comments? Soj just tol Find out what your thoughts are, would you consent to this credit card presentation and then the presentation? And this is to go for the consensus and also for our recorded documents. Iwill start  us sO much ar month and sO much for. interest per transaction.  Finance Director: Hopkins:  pays the fee, right. But ifyou come here, we will pay the fee, right.  rebates on these? The percentage oft the cash back.  Finance Director:  Hopkins:  that is, right? Finance Director:  Mayor: off with district 2. Bennett: YesSir Mayor: District three. Felder: Yes. Mayor District four. Hopkins: Yes. Mayor: And district 5?  Page 19 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  Nelson: Yes Sir Hopkins: Finance Director: Hopkins Finance Director:  Iknow that thing. I have to ask, how long does this contract for?  It's open. It's an open contract. It's not for. I don't think it's for any period of time. So, you can ifi interest rates go up and they can go up to 1% like You said.  Right. And we all and I mean, I've talked to maybe purchasing we at some point we'll look at other credit card companies to what we like about Ameris they have good customer service. And if we have questions and or, you know, they're great at helping us. So that's one reason besides that we got them to go up more than their initial offer. That's another reason we like them too. But that that is what Mamie and I talked about is looking at other another bank, you know, if they can get us a better interest rate or not or not interest rebate rate, we'll certainly want to go with them. Thank you.  City Manager Thank you, Mr. Smith,  Next. Mr. mayor, we had scheduled for the budget request information update. I provided it already, showing all the commissioners had the same awareness of the questions. And each commissioner has those additional documents and the questions and answers that we just went over just now. Next, we're moving to the infrastructure update. I'm going to start with the alley the alleyway cut schedule. Itl has been posted, as you know, a few months ago at your last year, we were putting the alleys during the winter months, October through February. I'm briefing today because we did make some changes toai few things. Idid talk to Georgia Powell, um, about working with them. So, when we do clearance and we're still working with alleys, these are for any alleys that they have, um, right away to we're going to try to work with them to clear up some of the cables, um, when it's on private property. And so, um, we met with Georgia Power, we met with me, and Mr. Simms met with him and Mark, Ithink it's good to meet with them a few weeks ago. Um, they're getting their schedule together. So, like I said, the plan is, once we start cutting the alleys in October, um, we'll come help us when they can and try to get rid ofs some of these wires that are hanging down. Um, the only caveat to that is, likeIsaid, um, if the wire goes into um, or the tree is in the citizen's personal property, we won't be doing anything with that. But I want toj just let everybody know that we got the schedule posted, - up there starting in October. It's on the website and as well as Facebook. And I pause me. Any questions on the  electric company? Felder  Thank you, Mr. City Manager, for providing the schedule, because I've had several citizens in district three reach out to them, including the one. I previously reached out to. You about, and I believe also last week on Wall Street. Iremember when that alley was first planned, and that was back in April of last year, and it had not been cut since then. And that was my reason for reaching out to you regarding cutting that alleyway. Not to deviate you or any city employee from this family, but to update you on like we're trying to get on schedule and stay on schedule. Um, as you all know, we don't have the capacity to cut the alleys like every month like that anyway. Just don't have the personnel. It think I want to say it takes two teams. Mr. smart to cut the alleyway. Um, as you know, we have 4 to 5 teams  what has and has not been done regarding that would be a good time too.  City Manager:  Page 20of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  right now currently cutting the other vegetation, right of ways, things of that nature. So, we'll be pulling two oft those teams away. Um, thankfully, the grass won't grow as much over the next 3 or 4 months. And those two teams are focused on the alleyways. I forgot to mention. So, in such a situation, I'm working with the city attorney on this. Um, as a caveat out too. We are looking to close some of the other ways. Those smaller ones that we could close, perhaps, and give that return, that that tax property back to the citizens and kind of lessen our workload on other ways and then focus on the ones you mentioned that had the trees there, because that's the it's quite difficult to get through there with those, you know, 40, 50 year old trees trying to get through those alleyways. So, It think if we reduce some of our, - requirements, like closing them down, like I said, thankfully, um, Georgia Power's going to help us out al little bit to when they can. That'll help us out too, as far as capacity. So, um, but like I said, we're trying to stay on schedule, and I thank the commission for hiring that additional grass cutting team, because it's really going tol help us out this year as we move forward, - to managing the, the at least. In addition, at the next meeting, I will present to y'all the other lawnmower that we requested. We're getting their bids in right now. Ithink we had two bids in. Um, once we get through with that, we'll present that again too. And that will help us out as well, because ito can got through there and cut. So, we have two lawn mowers um, going through those as well. So,I dos see us moving much faster on the schedules on the allies than we did last year, perhaps. Iwant to overpromise, but maybe we do get an extra cut in there. Um, because we got more capacity at this  pointi in time. Mayor: City Manager  Thel lawn mower is coming sometime soon.  Well, PI bringi it to, -, the commission next month. And, um,, just for the purchase, Ithink we end upl want to say it was $200,000 this year. $200,000 that would come from that was already programed into the equipment portion oft the offer. Andl I got toj just find a couple more dollars to add to it, which you have in the general fund. Um, that was kind of a mid-range price. Um, - luckily, we do have a couple ofr new mechanics down there with our seasoned mechanics that, - y'all met the mechanic, um, employee of the month. So y'all know, um, and we'll do a better job of maintaining this equipment. And the good thing, too, by having two of them. Um, we'll be able to rotate them as well after the cutting season. So, when we come back next year for grass cutting season, we probably can rotate them and make sure they aren't just cutting the whole time. You know, burn themselves out. As far as  the equipment. Hopkins  So that is that is the one with the arm. Youl have had two oft those. Yes, we have two ofyall.  City Manager:  We will have twoi if you: all vote to buy it. Next, we move onto the pavement and parks. Update. Uh,I did send some correspondence to the commission about a few things. I'm going to let Miss Jackson speak al little bit on this ifyou're still here, but unfortunately, we only had, um, in some cases, one bid for some of the design work. Um, kind of discouraging, but I think the one bid is, um, they've done the work before, so it shouldn't be a problem. Um, we did have, um, a lot of questions asked about some of the projects, sO hence we got to come back. It think we answered the questions. Um, we answered the questions, and then we'll come back and do the bid process again because it's going to be on the 19th. WhatI did do. I'm going to turn this over to Miss Jackson here in a second. I did ask for, um, a timeline for the commission to kind of talk to their citizens about. So, if everything goes well after these next set of bids, - on the 19th, - we'll bring it to the commission, - in October, meeting hopefully to vote on it. And then pre-construction can start hopefully in mid-October. Andi in some cases, as far as the parks are concerned, they're predicting that without any seasonal weather changes they should be done with everything by March. So, itt takes about 4 or 5 minutes. Same thing with the paving projects. Those It think were seven streets. If they can start in October mid-October,  Page 21 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  they're looking at maybe getting construction complete by April. And then with the dirt roads same thing. They can start me in October. They're looking at um, probably getting done in August, but we Yeah, they're kind of long. So maybe one been doing that. So that's going to take a little bit longer than the rest of the streets we're looking at maybe - late early August finish those. But the good thing ist they all start hopefully somewhere around October. Um, sO we have a lot of construction going on at the same time. Um, we just have to figure out how to manage that schedule for the citizens, sO they don't get kind of turned around in the road work. I'm going to let Miss Jackson kind of talk about those bid process, because like I said, unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of bids to come in. Miss Miss. Mayor. Commissioners, there are three bids currently out there. Two are paid for our road projects. One is the 2024 project, which is being spearheaded by ESG. Uh, its original date was to close last week. Um, um, and because I'm not specifically heading that I'm coordinating with ESG. They are once the bid went out, there were several questions, um, that potential bidders had, um, as far as they needed clarification. Um, the questions were answered, - last week, and the bid was actually extended to the ninth. The bid close date was extended to the 19th. There was something like 67 pages worth of clarifications and answers, um, from all potential bidders. And you have to give, um, once there are questions asked and those questions are answered, you have to give those biddersa certain amount of time to adjust, um, to read those questions to, to, to renegotiate their bids or redo their bids or adjust it based on those answers. So that's why that had to be extended. The park's bid,I don't Ido not know how many bids they have gotten, but they also extended that one, -, to September the 19th. Both of those are closing on the same date as of right now. Idon't know if there'll be another extension on that closing the road. Dirt. The dirt paving bid actually closed last week. Um, because of when it closed. Um, our process for getting things into our city clerk to get it in, in time to get it into your workbook. It was past that deadline. That's why it was. It's going to be on next month's agenda. But that bid actually did close. We do have, um, we only had one response to that bid. And I will present all of that at the next meeting. Um, there were that I know of four potential bidders that showed interest int this bid, but only one actually responded and turned in a bid packet.  got more dirt roads as well required because of that one contract.  Jackson. Purchasing Director:  City Manager: Hopkins: Purchasing Director: Hopkins: Purchasing Director: Hopkins: Mayor  Do you have any questions to Miss. Jackson? Mr. mayor, Commissioner. On the parks, is that the grant that, um, he got for me? ESG got the grant for all the. Yes, ma'am. That's the Arpa. That will be the Arpa, - parks project. Okay.  And the parks that will participate in what? have that on top ofmy head right now. Doy you remember, Mr. Mayor?  Ido not have that ini front of me. I know there are three, and I cannot recall. Ido apologize, but Id don't  Ithink it was Elizabeth, Garlington, and Bailey  Page 22of28    **DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  City Manager:  Thank you, Miss Jackson. And with the parks. Mr. mayor, we do have-, two updates. We are still waiting for feedback. I know there was a request made in, - from a company to do the pickleball court and district four. So, we're waiting, I think waiting for the last vote on that. Is that correct? Waiting for the last vote on that. And once that vote is completed, um, they should start working on that pickleball court and in district five. Um, I think Miss Southern Miss put in for a grant for gazebo out there. They're going to put that gazebo out there over the next few months, It think, and then we'll do a grand opening for that as well. Um, we did replace some of the stuffi in, - while district five and district one didn't have commissions. We did replace some things in their parks with their park's money. And I discussed that with the commissioner. Um, sometime this week to let them know we did spend some money on the dog fence and the fence that broke out there. That was within his city  park budget. Mayor: Commissioner Hopkins Hopkins:  next. Mr. mayor, ift there are no questions.  Yes, the pickleball courts. Um, that was, um, Jonathan with compass 360, and, um, he's, um, the board ofr realtors here, but they. joined with Golden Isles. So that's where that boat has to come from. Those two boards have joined together. So that's where the boat has to be finalized. So that's at that'sa vote that hasn't been finalized am my correct on that. Do you know when they will meet again? Uh, we're not sure at this time. We'll verify it tomorrow and we'll let youl know. Okay. Last thing, Mr. Mayor, on the infrastructure update. The gDot truck route. I know this is a slightly sore subject in some circles, but the county manager for both, um, the county here and Pierce County reached out to me. Uh, they have been talking to gDot about possibly, um, reestablishing the truck route. Ia am not sure at this time on the actual route itself. Um, but they did request that I bring it to the commission that, um, were we in favor of that?. And could we give a support letter if we were in favor of that? Uh, as you remember on that tier list, the county did have some money allotted to the perimeter road at the time they called it. Um, I'm not sure. ifit's a money commitment, I don't think it'sa a money commit for us, but some of them, um. Idon't know whose property is going through. I know last time there were some property disputes. Ithink this time it is clear. as far as the property., like Is say, there were three proposed routes initially. Um, Ithink Is sent you all that, but Id can't be: sure what the proposed route is now. I'm waiting for feedback from the county manager to let me know what the exact route is. and once we get the exact route, Ican come back to the commission. But right now, I'm just informing you. I'd say the county, both counties Ware and Pierce are on board with it already. So, um, and it's simply asking us for support as far as gDot and I apologize for questions on  City Manager:  that. Hopkins: City Manager:  Mr. Mayor, He said the proposed routes.  Yes. I don't have the routes right now. Commissioner, I will get them. I know I have the three proposed some years ago, but I can't. I want to say though, it's probably not applicable right now because some of that land has been sold and moved. So, Iwant to say whatever decision they made, they moved the route out farther, um, to come back in. I'm not sure where it's connected on our side. Um, but I know, um, I don't want to overstate, but I think in that tier for the for the county, they did get five miles of road approved. Um, as far as their tier projects. So, I'm not sure where Pierce County is as far as, um, what kind of money they puti into. But Id do know, talking to gDot, um, like Isaid last meeting, they do want support letters for everything moving forward with any projects right now. So, um, I did present our support letter for our common techniques last week. Um, hopefully we'll get  Page 23 of28    *DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  some feedback on that. Iknow that, um, you see al lot oft testing on corridors, so they are still testing. I didn't realize they were still testing out there. I don't have as stop date for that test. We're going to find out this week how long it should go on. Uh, it has been a few months, sol I apologize if there are any On that proposal? I guess Pierce County is talking about connecting to the county property to get the truck route or whatever established. Ist that correct? Correct. So, it won't go across city land? Well, limagine it has to come back in and connect to one of the highways. Idon't know ift that's on the other side. I'm not sure how they're going to do it. Um, but I think that's the only reason they would be coming to us. Because eventually we'll have to connect back in. I don't, um, I'm not sure where that's going tol be yet, so. But oncel Ifind that out, TII bring it back to the commission. But likel say, it can't be the route Y'all will disapprove ofa few years ago because that that property owner has,  questions on this gDot that truck route proposal.  Hopkins:  City Manager:  Ithink, sold the land to somebody else. Andl It think Pierce met with them last week.  Mayor: Nelson:  That's the one. Or is the one that came off of us one and looped around all the way around, and it landed back into Playing Avenue all the way out? That's the one we had an issue with several years That I don't think of that route, Commissioner. Okay. I think It think Idon't think that route. Ithink it's further out because like I said, once I found out for sure. Okay. Ijust wanted to know. We probably will prep al letter afterIask y'all consensus. Doy y'all want to support it or not? I know y'all,Iknowi it's hard to support it right now as far as not knowing the route. And SO, PI have to come back for the letter once we figure out what the route is. Okay. Mr. mayor, that concludes the infrastructure update. Uh, next we move onto the ethics board. Stand up. I'm going to turn this over to the city attomey. As you know, we had an ethics complaint come in last week. And for transparency, we're going to try to Ithink the complaint came in on September the 3rd, I believe. And we have 15 days to constitute an ethics board from the date that the complaint came in to the to the city clerk's office. And so, what we need to do tonight is go to the pool of people from which an ethics board will be reconstituted. And Commissioner Nelson has just come back on board. He's given two names that will go into the pool. So, we now have a total of ten people in the pool. However, two of those ten will have to be disqualified for the following reasons. the ethics complaint involves the same allegations against the same respondent as the previous complaint, and that calls Reverend Malone to have a conflict, so he was not able to be selected as a, um, as a board, a hearing board member before. So that that is still the case. Now, in order to protect any issues regarding impartiality or bias or anything of that sort, we can't have the appearance of any impropriety. Uh, the other person who would be disqualified is Miss Jene Walker because she's running for a commission seat, and this process takes about 60 days to complete, and we willl have an election before the 60 days are up. And we don't knowi ifshe's goingt to get elected or not, buti if she does get elected, then, you know, that is a conflict because she can't siti in judgment of another commissioner. So, we don't want to have her selected and then have her disqualified if she. And then have to replace her so her name won't goi into the to the pool. At this, at this time. So, we've got eight names and the first five names of the pool. Will be the ethics board. And then the two more names will be pool, they will be the two alternates. And that will leave one person out. And so that's what we need to do at this time. Ifv we proceed, we'll have the clerk. The clerk has  ago when I was on the commission.  City Manager:  address the ethics complaint with the ethics board.  City Attorney:  Page 24 of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  put the names in this cup, and we'll have her pull the names one at a time, and we'll write down the names on the sheet that we have here. And the first five names will actually be the board. So, you  want to start. City Clerk City Attorney: City Clerk Felecia Brown and' Tim Peacock City Attorney:  Earl Martin, Lorene Regulus, Shawn Taylor, Albert Bussey, Martin Gray. That's five. So that constitutes the board. The hearing board and two alternates now.  And the next step, Mr. Mayor, is that we'll have board training, one day next week. And the board has 30 days to conduct itsi initial investigation into this complaint, - to determine whether it: should go any further. If it does decide to take it further, then it has 30 a second 30-day period in which it will conduct al hearing. So, it's a total of60 days from today. From today? Uh, when al hearing would have One question. Attorney. If, for instance, the individuals who the allegations or the charges will be made against if their person is in that pool, would that person be also a part of the choosing of the No. Uh, just because they nominated someone who got chosen, that alone does not presentaconfict.  to be held. Mayor:  pool, or would they be extracted from that pool? Ofr names?  City Attorney: Felder: City Manager: Not at this time. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor. Hopkins: ever had ai meeting, have they? City Attorney: moot. Hopkins: City Attorney  Regarding this ethics complaint. Is the citizen that filed a complaint present today?  Ihave one question. So the previous we did this before in the previous board. I don't think they've That is correct. Because the complainant withdrew the complaint. Okay. And that made everything  So? So that board was just discarded.  Well, they still remained in the pool, but the hearing board was no longer active. So that's why we  start over again. They remained in the pool for up to two years.  Hopkins:  Page 25of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  Gotcha And whenever a complaint comes in, next Time, if we have another complaint, the next time  another board will bes submitted. City Attorney: Mayor: City Attorney: City Manager: the city attorney to read. City Attorney:  That's correct. Among the same pool members. Thankyou.  Ithink you did such a great Job last time. Explaining. It's kind ofl like ajury being selected.  That'sright. We have a different jury this time.  Thank you, Mr. Mayor. At this time, we have no proof of license renewals. We have no proof of licenses, no proposed ordinances. We have three resolutions for consideration. And Tl turn it over to Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, resolution number one is the resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to approve numerous bank credit card contract with the city of Waycross, Georgia, and to authorize designated city officials as users of the new credit card and for other purposes. And this is what the finance director spoke about tonight. Uh, the second resolution is a resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to authorize mutual aid by Waycross Police Department and Ware County Board ofl Education Police Department pursuant to the Georgia mutual Aid Act and for other purposes. This is what Chief Cox talked about tonight in terms of having mutual aid, by way ofa a memorandum of understanding between the Waycross Police Department and the Ware County Board of Education, Police Department, where each will, at the request ofthe other, - provide assistance in the event ofan emergency or some criminal act, um, such as a school shooting. And the third resolution is a resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to approve the sale and transfer of certain real property located on City Boulevard, lot three, consisting of 1.96 acres, map and parcel number W,a 1902036. And for other purposes. And this is the property that the purchasing director, Miss Mamie Jackson, talked about and it has been moved to the agenda for approval tomorrow for consideration. So those  are the three resolutions that we have.  Thank you. Hopkins: Purchasing Director: Residential. City Manager:  Ihave one question. I didn't ask, but that City Boulevard, lot three, how is it zoned?  Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. At this time, Mr. Mayor, Imove to my report. My report to you. You see reports and the city report. Um, I'm going back and look at it. We did put links in there to those House bills. Um, but I think maybe we got the wrong House bill there from the site. So, I'm going to go back and check that. So, Imight as well send y'all a revised version of the report. We'll verify the correct House bill. Links are in there. Um, prior to posting as well. Um, at the time, Mr. Mayor, we do  have a request for an executive session today. Yes, sir. Okay. And we're asking for personnel, property, or finance.  Mayor:  Page 26 of 28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16, 2024 WS  City Manager Mayor: City Attorney: Mayor: City Manager Felder: My questions have been answered. City Manager: Mayor: Felder: Hopkins: going on. So, thank you all. Mayor: Bennett: Mayor. Nelson Mayor:  just a request for executive session.  So, Ihave to move in on the on a particular type. Oh, yeah.  Someone has to make the motion for the for the session and the type. Correct.  So,you need to know the type. Meaning the type first. Oh, Commissioner Felder made the request. I'm not sure.  So, Iguess there is no need for executive session at this time.  That takes us to the last call. And ll start with. District three  Thank you, mayor.lappreciate everyone for coming out tonight.  Id like to welcome all our guests tonight. It's always nice to have people come out and see what's  Mayor pro team, it's the last one to do SO. We're happy too.  Ijust want to thank everybody for coming out. And I just want to just, like, just give a standing ovation for Commissioner Nelson for coming back. Welcome back. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Well, I don't have anything other than say, welcome, Mother Hall. That's Thank you, everyone, for being present tonight. And as we go forward, we do have events and activities going on in our community. Do want to remind you that we will have a fall job fair that will take place on September 26th. It will be at our city auditorium from Ito 4. And please, please, please remember we crossed Veterans Day will be yes, November 7th, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will have aj job and resource fair, and it's open to all veterans and job seekers. And this is produced by the Georgia proud partner of the American Job Center Network. And we. Thank you again and look  my second mother right there. Ilove you, love you, love you. That'sit.  forward to seeing you next season. With that I entertain a motion.  Page 27of28    ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** September 16,2024 WS  Okay. Thank you. No opposing motion carries.  Page 28 of 28