City of White Georgia City Council Meeting October 7th, 2024  Present at the council meeting were Mayor Curtis Powell, Councimembers Gary Crisp, Stephanie Nichelson, Jean Swank, and Karissa Noland, City Clerk Robin Cochran, and City  Attorney Brandon Bowen.  Mayor Powell called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and led with the pledge of allegiance.  Councilmember Nichelson followed with the invocation.  Mayor Powel began with the review and approval of the agenda for the October 7th meeting. Powell asked for comments. There were none and Mayor Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve, and councilmember Crisp seconded the  motion. The motion was carried with a 5-0 vote.  Mayor Powell moved to the approval of the September 3rd meeting minutes and opened the floor for discussion. There were none and Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Crisp made the motion to approve. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion  was carried with a 4-1 vote as Councilmember Swank abstained.  Mayor Powell moved to public comments. There were none and Mayor Powell moved to announcements and reports. City Clerk, Robin Cochran began by reminding everyone of the deadline to register to vote in the Presidential election, the deadline to request an absentee ballot, and the dates, time, and locations for early voting. Cochran continued by asking the council what they would like to do with the CD's that were maturing from Century Bank. There was some chatter amongst the council. Mayor Powell stated his recommendation and asked for any discussion. There was none and Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to take the $78k to pay for city's audits ($56,000) and to roll the remainder into a7-month CD 4.5% at Southern States Bank. Councilmember Swankseconded the motion. The  motion was carried with a 5-0 vote.  Assistant Police Chief Brad Loyd addressed the council. Loyd stated that they wanted to obtain some police vehicles and surplus two Crown Vics. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to surplus the blue and white, and black Crown Vics. Councilmember Swank seconded the  motion. The motion was carried with a 5-0 vote.  Mayor Powell moved to unfinished business and began with the second reading of the amended zoning ordinance and opened the floor for discussion. Citizen, Dalton Smith who lives at 517 Old Tennessee Hwy, addressed the council and voiced his concerns about a letter he got in the mail regarding water quality and asked why the city got a Code Enforcement Officer    when there are water quality issues and there are tractor trailers on prohibited streets. Mayor Powell stated the EPA gave municipalities until 2027 to do initial sampling and to be within compliance by 2029, the city has already started the sampling and is working on the proposal to tie into Bartow County water if that's what the city needs to do. Powell gave a second option of hiring a geologist to look at some of the areas the city could potentially drill for a new well, and gave a third option of building a water treatment plant but stated the other two options would more than likely be one of the solutions. Smith asked if the city was doing anything about the trucks on prohibited roads. Powell stated the Police patrol the roads and write citations where they can, but they do have to cover the whole city, not just one road. Powell stated the city has already ordered low clearance signs to put on both sides of the tracks and a no truck right turn sign off Old Tennessee Hwy. to Richards Rd. have been ordered and will be installed soon. Councilmember Swank stated that she thinks more signs is a great idea, but unfortunately, it doesn't deter most drivers as they use their GPS. Citizen, DJ Bennett, 499 Old Tenn Hwy, addressed the council to ask about Code Enforcement rules against running a business out of your home. Mayor Powell gave him clarification. Bennett asked about the Code Enforcement yard conditions and livestock stating if his neighbors don't have an issue with the way his yard looks, why would the city and pointed out there are multiple citizens with chickens, and it doesn't bother anyone, yet it's against the city's ordinance. Mayor Powell stated that everything in the Code Enforcement brochure was already in the ordinances, nothing had changed. There was a lot of chatter amongst the council and Mr. Bennett. Citizen William Watkins explained that as a truck driver, they use the GPS as a tool, same for the ordinance, it's used as a tool. Attorney Brandon Bowen spoke on the ordinance. There was more chatter amongst the council, citizens, and Mr. Bowen on the required pitch of the roof. Councilmember Nichelson motioned to table until November's council meeting. Mr. Watkins asked if the citizens get an opportunity to read over it before it's talked aboutin November's meeting. Mayor Powell stated that ifa anyone wanted to look it over, they could receive an email, it'll be posted on the city's website, or you can go to city hall during normal business hours to request a copy. There was chatter amongst the council. Mayor Powell stated there will be a public hearing in November and asked for a motion. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to table the zoning ordinance until November meeting. Councilmember Swank  seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a 5-Ovote.  Mayor Powell moved to new business, starting with the 2020 SPLOST funds to pay off remainder of the USDA loan for the garbage truck, the water truck, and the police department cars. Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Swank made a motion to approve. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a! 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the preliminary plat S Nelson Properties stating that the city's engineer, John Sweitzer, said that he recommended the approval and opened the floor for discussion. There was none and Mayor Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Swank made a motion and councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a  5-0 vote.    Mayor Powell moved to Mayor and Council comments and opened the floor for discussion. Councilmember Swank gave an update on the bench being made from the tree was that cut down stating she was hopeful it would be done in time for the festival in April of 2025. Mayor Powell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Crisp made the motion to adjourn, Councilmember Noland seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a 5-0 vote  and the meeting adjourned at 7:48pm.  Respertfulysubmited,  Cohan  Ae Robin Cochran City Clerk  Attes  abhel  Curtis Powell, Mayor