1  CITYOFWHIGHAM COUNCIL MEETING MAY14,2024  The Whigham City Council meti in regular session on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Whigham City Hall with MayorTrey Gainous presiding. Gainous called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. and Robert Porter opened the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge to the Flag. Those present were: Mayor Trey Gainous, Mayor Pro Tem. Jim Sellers, Jimmie Laing, Joel Singletary, Robert Porter, Officer. John. Jackson, Utility' worker Israel Kirkland, Assistant City ClerkTaylor Lambert. Members of the public present: Mr. Alan & Mrs. Lynn Rogers, Ms. Molly McLain, Mr. Wallace Chason, Ms. Margie Eubanks, Ms. Carol Booth, Mrs. Carol & Mr.. John Padgett, Ms. Annie  Harrell, Mr. Jerry Pionessa. Jr., Ms. Debra Jordan, &Mr. Dexter Edenfield.  Agenda Adoption  An motion was made by Jim Sellers to adopt the agenda. Joel Singletary seconded the motion.  All members present voted int favor of the motion. Motion carried.  Minutes Adoption  Amotion was made by Jimmie Laing to adopt the minutes from the Aprilmeeting. Jim Sellers seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried.  Public Hearing  Rezoning Hearing: Zoie Bernard-Map/Parce. 22-30-3  Zoie Bernard's engineer Mr. Jerry Pionessa. Jr. with JMJ Group of Thomasville began the hearing by giving an opening statement explaining Mrs. Bernard's! plan concerning the detached quadraplex homes. After Mr. Pionessa was done Mayor Gainous expressed to the public that this hearingy was strictly for discussion about rezoning the property from R-11 tol R-PUD and nothing else. Mayor Gainous then read the charter to everyone who was present at the meeting. He explained that each member of the public hadi five minutes to give their opinions ont the situation. Mrs. Carol Padgett was the first person to express her concerns at the podium. She mentioned multiple concerns of hers such as rental vs buying the new houses, property value decrease, increase of crime, and the city not having enough people to maintain the neighborhood. Ms. Debbie. Jordan the mother ofZoie Bernard came to the podium to ask the members ofi the public toj just give her daughter a chance. She expressed that Zoie wouidn't do anythingt tol hurt this community, shej just sees potential for this projectto grow Whigham. Mrs. Carol Booth came tot the podium with a couple of questions for the Mayor and Council. Her main question was" What will make people want to come to' Whigham and live int these new quadraplex homes?". Mayor Gainous told Mrs. Booth that the city was working on making improvements to downtown. Ms. Molly McLain tookl her spot at the podium and expressed hert feelings concerning people renting these quadraplexes. She says people take more pride int their properties when they! buyt them, not rent them. She also mentioned that this project woutd increase crime. Mr. Alan Rogers came toi the podium to mention his concerns about the project such as the properties! being rented out and not bought, increase of crime, and the city would need to increase the amount of police officers. After Mr. Alan Rogers stepped away fromt the  City of Whigham Council Meetings May 14, 2024    2  podium Ms. Margie Eubanks stepped up. She feels as ift this project would be good for Whigham. Shei toldi ther members of the public that this project would bring more police presence to that side of at towni in ag good way, it would increase the amount of tax dollars the city received which is used to update things around the city, it would bringr more people into Whigham who would potentially bei interested in opening! business's, it could bring potential road repairs, and stop signs. Mr. Wallace Chason came in requesting to know why a second hearing was being held and Mayor Gainous told him the second hearing was being held duei to the signage not being placed on1 the side of ther road. He also expressed his concerns about the properties being rental properties. He stated that he would like to speak to Zoie about selling the properties instead of renting them. Zoie's grandaddy Mr. Dexter Edenfield then spoke up and said he would give Mr. Chason her phone number. After every member of1 the public got theirf five minutes to speak Mr. Pionessa Jr. took his spot at the podium to give at final statement. His main point was to let everyone know thatt there would only bet four homes built to begin with. Lastly, the public hearing was closed at 6:59 p.m. and Mayor Gainous then asked the council ifs someone would entertain a motion to1 table the decision of rezoning to next month. Robert Porter made ar motion to table the approval of the application for rezoning, contingent on a wooded buffer of 30 feet ont the exterior boundaries oft the property. Jim Sellers seconded the motion. All members present voted int favor of the motion.  Motion carried. All members of the public exited the meeting.  Reports  Utilities: Mayor Gainous gave a short report for Utilities Director. Josh Ausburn since he was out of town doing storm work. While Utility Director. Josh Ausburn was out of town working his bucket truck was struck from behind by a vehicle roughly going about sixty miles per hour. Mayor Gainous stated that the bucket truck was hit so hard it pushed the bucket truck into. Josh's actual work truck causing damage to it as well. Josh then borrowed al bucket truck from the City of Brinson, so he was City Hall: Assistant City Clerk Taylor Lambert stated that all renovations inside of the new City Hall weret finished except for ai few minor things and we were waiting fori the outside renovations tol be  able to1 finish assisting Tallahassee FL with storm restorations. completed before we open the drive through to the public.  Council Matters of Interest  Mr.. Jimmie Laing stated he has reçeived at few calls concerning the grass cutting in the cemetery on 84. Mayor Gainous told himi that would get addressed. Mr. Robert Porter stated that he noticed the towert fort the bell had been puti in and was wonderingy when ity would bet finished. Mayor Gainous With no other matters to tend to, a motion to adjourn was made by. Jimmje Laing. Robert Porter seconded the motion. All members present voted int favor. Motiorcarried. Meeting  said. Josh hopes to have iti installed by the end of May.  adjourned at7:20 PM.  Approved  City of Whigham Council Meetings May 14, 2024