City of Reidsville City Council Meeting Monday August 10, 2020  Draft Copy- Not approved by Council until September 14, 2020  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Reidsville City Council was held on Monday, August  10th, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Members of Council present:  Verdie Williams Carolyn Crume- Blackshear Bruce Conner Donald Prestage Jim Waters  City Attorney DuAnn Cowart-Davis was present. Mr. Curtis Colwell was present as well.  The meeting was brought to order by Mayor Sydney Clifton at 5:07 pm. Thej prayer was given by The Mayor advised the meeting minutes from last month's meeting were provided to the Council for review. Ifthere are no questions.corections a motion is needed to accept as written. Council Member, Verdie Williams, did advise of one correction. Amotion was made to accept the  Council Member Bruce Conner, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  minutes as written.  Motion made by: Jim Waters  2ndb by: Vote:  Carolyn Crume- Blackshear Approved 1- Unanimous  Each Department Supervisor turned in their monthly reports to the Clerk. The Rec. Dept. is closed and does not have anything to report. At this time, Mayor Clifton shared the Fire, Water- Sewer, and Street and Lane, Police Departments monthly reports. There was discussion by Council Member, Donald Prestage, regarding investigation cases. Council Member, Jim Waters, advised the Council oftwo police officer resignations. The Reidsville Police Department currently has four police officers and is fully staffed with nine officers. A motion was made to  accept the monthly reports as written:  Motion made by: Carolyn Crume - Blackshear  2nd by: Vote:  Jim Waters Approved - Unanimous    Under Old Business, the first three-line items on the agenda regarding expenditures were tabled The dilapidated buildings were the next item on the agenda. Attorney DuAnn Cowart-Davis sent three letters out today for the properties on Small Street that Council Member, Verdie Williams, sent to Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis advised that October 1st, was the deadline for these owners to make arrangements in getting these properties up to code, cleaned up, etc. Council Member Jim Waters asked that the Council investigate the property located across from the Housing Authority as it dangerous and needs to be boarded up for safety. Council Member Carolyn Crume-Blackshear stated that she believes the property is owned by a gentleman from Savannah, but, that Mr. Roy Summerset knows the owner and she would ask him to: reach out to the owner fori information. Ms. Blackshear also has aj property that she will forward to the City Attorney. Council Member Verdie Williams stated that she has two more properties of concern on Williams Street and John E. Clark. City Attorney, DuAnn-Cowar-Davis did recommend the name, address and a photograph when sending her al blighted property soi it was easier for her to see what the violations are. Council Member, Bruce Conner, asked for an update on the Burns property. Council Member, Donald Prestage, questioned the Charter violations regarding the Burns property. City Attorney, DuAnn Cowart-Davis, advised that the violations stem from the roofbeing off the building which allows water inside. Thel blighted property also is a rat trap, attracts children, and decrease the property value of surrounding parcels, etc. Further updates  until November 2020.  will be addressed next month.  Under New Business, a motion was made to leave the millage at' 71 mils. There was no further  discussion.  Motion made by: Jim Waters  2nd by: Vote:  Bruce Conner Approved-Unanimous  The Mayor advised that he made two appointments to the Reidsville Development Authority. Mayor Clifton wanted the Council to be aware that he appointed Mike Caldwell and David  Wilson.  AF Resolution was read, passed, and signed regarding the paving project (LMIG) of Glenview Drive, Anderson Street, Blount Street, Church Street abd Chandler Avenue. Council Member, Donald Prestage, did excuse. himself, as he lives on. Anderson Street which is a conflict of interest. There was discussion that Glenview Drive needed repair and resurfacing due to the water that flows under the road. Council Member, Bruce Conner, made a recommendation to have Lee Street resurfaced. Council Member, Verdie Williams, commented with regards to    Alliance Street that she like to see that road paved. Amotion was: made to adopt the Resolution  for the project ofs said streets.  Motion made by: Carolyn Crume- Blackshear  2nd by: Vote:  Verdie Williams  Approved -( (Conner, Waters, Blackshear, Williams)  *Councilman Prestage did not vote and removed himself.  Council Member, Bruce Conner, addressed the Council regarding equipment that is needed in the Public Works (Streets, Roads and Lanes) Dept. The quote on two pieces of equipment was $4394.00. A motion was made to purchase only the. Jumping Jack dirt packer from Georgia Equipment Sales in Statesboro, Georgia for $2495.00.  Motion made by: 2nd by: Vote:  Bruce Conner Donald Prestage Approved - Unanimous  1  Next, a discussion was. had regarding whether the Mayor and Council would have a Planning Session or only the Council Meeting as we. have been doing, regarding COVID-19 and the increase of numbers in our area. A motion was made to only have the Council Meetings (no  Planning Session) until Governor Kemp rescinds on the Executive Order.  Motion made by: Jim Waters  I  2ndby: Vote:  Verdie Williams Approved - Unanimous  At this time, there was discussion among the Mayor and Council regarding the signing ofthe Spray field Lease. The Sprayfeild is leased by Danny Jones and Jerome Lynn. There were questions by a few Council Members regarding the Mayor drafting the contract. The City Attorney had not viewed the contract was unaware that the contract has been signed. The Mayor stated that he did not receive a contact back from the City Attorney for Mr. Jones and Mr. Lynn to sign. Council Members, Jim Waters and Bruce Conner, questioned the dates on the contact, as ita appeared to be a contract for 6; years. The contract should bei for 2019-2024, not 2020-2025. Mr. Curtis Colwell advised that the contract is supposed to be signed within 10 days or it reverts    to the City for re bidding. AI motion was made for City Attorney, DuAnn Cowart- Davis to  review and examine the validity of the spray field contract.  Motion made by: 2nd by: Vote:  Bruce Conner Verdie Williams Approved - Unanimous  I  Council Member, Jim Waters, addressed briefly regarding the rental of the pump. The other pump was leaking oil. Mr. Waters will discuss in the September meeting about the possibility of  purchasing aj pump. Currently, the City rents aj pump.  Council Member, Carolyn Crume-Blackshear asked that the City and Police Dept. inquire in about a motorcycle club having al business license, along with selling BBQ. Ms. Blackshear expressed concerns about people gathering due to COVID-19 restrictions. Citizens have complained to her about the increase inj people and cars in that area. Mrs. Blackshear advised that the City ofReidsville did need a Facebook page SO citizens would be able to view the meetings. City Attorney, Duann Cowart-Davis will help to get the Facebook page up and  running.  Council Member, Verdie Williams, addressed Surrency Park and asked ift the Council and Recreation Board could produce a budget for new equipment and the removal oft the old equipment. Council Member, Jim Waters and Public Works Director, Rodney DeLoach did go and get equipment removed. Council Member, Donald Prestage, did contact ALGA regarding a grant for Surrency Park. Jim Waters also addressed maybe speaking with the schools to see if they would be interesting in donating playground equipment since the new: school is being built. They could possibly have equipment at the old schools they could donate. Mrs. Williams also wanted to inquire ifa conclusion was made between the City and Board ofEducation regarding the ditch, drainage issue and standing water at the Johnson and Jones property on Chandler Avenue. The Mayor did report that there have been no problems lately with the amount ofheavy  rains in the Reidsville area.  The Mayor advised that he was told by Sheriff Sapp that the deputies would assist the City of Reidsville Police Dept. should we: need help since we are down to 4 officers. The City of Reidsville will continue to accept applications for Police Officers, the. Assistant Public Works  Director position, and the City Clerk position.  With no further items to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 6:19 pm.    Motion made by: Jim Waters  2nd by: Vote:  Verdie Williams Approved-Unanimous  No Executive Session