PA  120 North Essa Street, Lake Park, Georgia 31636  City Hall 229-559-7470 Fax 229-559-7499 City ofI Lake Park Regular Council Meeting Minutes October1, 4 2024 6:00 pm  Members present were Mayor Jena Sandlin, Council Member Oscar Griffith, Council Member Michelle Lane, Staff Present: City Clerk Lisa Johnson, Court Clerk Melissa Morey, Deputy Clerk Christian Crews, Fire Chief Matt Ryan, Police Chief Ed Yarbrough, Maintenance supervsor-mramning Kaleb Rogers  Council Member Busby Courson, and Council Member Carl Spano  Mayor Jena Sandlin called the meeting to order. Council Member Oscar Griffith led thei invocation. Mayor) Jena Sandlin led the pledge.  Agenda: Council Member Carl Spano made. al request andi motion to: strike Financial Reports and Preliminary Budget to be approved at the Meeting to adopt the Millage Rate. Michelle Lane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0.0 Council Member Carl Spanoi made ai motion tol move Agendal Item Hurricane Relieftoimmediately following the approval ofl Minutes. Council Member Oscar Griffith: seconded thei motion. Minutes: Mayor Sandlin called for the review and approval oft the Minutes of the September 3, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, the September 19, 2024 9:00 am Public Hearing Minutes, and the September 19, 6:30 pm Public Hearing Minutes. Council Member Michelle Lane made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September3,2024 Regular Meeting Minutes, with the correction of thet time to 6:30 pm fort the second Public Hearing. Council Member Carl Spano seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Contract for Disaster Debris Removal: Mayor Sandlin asked City Clerk Lisa Johnson to give this update. Mrs. Johnson stated that the County had run a request for proposals this year for cleanup in the event of anotherhurricane event, and the proposals and contract had been worded: ins such a way that the cities could contract with the same contractor under the same terms. The County included cities in the County in the review of proposals, and ultimately went with Ashbritt, who handled the County's cleanup last year and did an excellent job. The City has the option of contracting with the same contractor under the same terms. Mr. Tom Barr asked if FEMA would be assisting with the expense again. Council Member Griffith explained that Lowndes Countyl had been declared a disaster, and: so the Cityi is eligible for FEMA reimbursement; het further explained that FEMA will reimburse upt to 75%, and the City and the State will split the other 25% at: 12.5% each. City Clerk Lisa Johnson read into the record the text of the proposed agreement with AshBritt. She  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0.  1    explained that the agreement is simply to discuss a quote from AshBritt with the same terms as the County, but does not necessarily mean that the City is locked into contracting with them. Mrs. Julie Wilbers spoke and explained that DOThadl been able to come and assist with cleanupl last year, but was underr no obligation to do so, and may not be able to do sO again. Council Member Carl Spano made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with AshBritt. Council Member Oscar Griffith seconded the motion. The motion Mayor Sandlin called for Citizens who have concerns they would like to bring to the Council's attention.  carried, 4-0. CITIZENS CONCERNS:  Jimmy Street-3 307 N Lawrence St - stated that hel has at treei falleni in his yard thati is not his, and has Mimi Wetherington - 4204-HC Club Rd appealed to Council about the speed bumps on 4-H Club Rd, asking that they be removed, stated they are bone-jarring", way too high and not stopping the Jeffrey Craft - Business owner in the community, but does not live in the City of Lake Park wants to volunteer his services to help with cleanup; he has equipment and tools and will be happy to help. Council agreed that they would bel happy to help with fuel for his equipment ifl he is able to help. Mr. Amelia Beasley - 216 Harris' Trail - stated that people werel blocked inl by debris on Harris Trail, and that she agrees with Ms. Wetherington about the: speed bumps. She further. stated that she has been out oft town, but emailed her thoughts on the millage rate, and reiterates that shei is againstar raise in Danny Beasley - 216 Harris Trail - asked for clarification that Council is agreeing to look at the proposal with AshBritt, and asked whatt the timeline would be oncet the Cityl has spoken with AshBritt; it was explained that this answer would come from the discussion with the contractor. Sharon Galloway, Harris' Trail, asked to clarify thatt the question is whati is the City's plani ift they didn'tgowith the contract with AshBritt; Mr. Beasley stated that the millage rate doesn'tneed to go up andl he feels Tom Barr - 395 Back Forty Dr - asked when the vote for the millage rate would be, and was told the date had not yet been set, as the last one had to be cancelled due to the hurricane; asked for clarification regarding payment to AshBritt; it was explained that the City would pay the contractor John V Sansbury, Jr. -331) Jackson Circle - expressed appreciation: for police presence since this was brought to the Council's attention; stated that Lake Park did not pick up debris atj Jackson Circle last Gloria Luke - 201 4-H Clubl Rd - there is a tree blocking 4-H Club Rd which was pushed into one lane Susan Keckley - 315 4-H Club Rd - thanked Council Member Griffith for coming to look at the drainage issue she brought to Council during the Public. Hearings and for the meals provided. Stated that the trash from the last storm was never picked up, and neither was her neighbor's. She thanked City Clerk Lisa Johnson for answering her questions and helping her understand things. She then stated that the City needs al better Disaster Plan. She then stated that she loved the speed bumps on Arthur Keckley - 315 4-H Club Rd - expressed a concern with a tree on a neighboring lot which is leaning over his property. Mayor Sandlin asked ifhel had contacted his neighbor, and he replied that  debris from everywhere, including neighbors' properties  speeders.  Craft was asked to return on October 2 and: speak with Mr. Billy.  millage rate.  he gets nothing from the City.  after debris was picked up and be reimbursed as discussed earlier by FEMA.  year.  and volunteers from the neighborhood cleared the limbs.  4-H Club Rd and thanked the Cityl because they have been a help.  2    hel had. He then stated that he alsoi is appreciative oft the speed bumps; people were prone to speeding Julie Wilbers 360 Back Forty Dr - thanked Council for the opportunity to speak. Stated that in regards to DOT, they are responsible only for State Highways, and the help they gave Lake Park following Idalia was above and beyond their requirements. She stated that she loved the idea of triagingand! hearing people's concerns regarding whati isi in their yards; she noted thatshel knows the City has a Work Order system and wondered if the City could utilize that system fori identifying the most important areas to clean up first based on citizen response. Mayor Sandlin stated that the City is doing that now. Mrs. Wilbers acknowledged that the residents may have simply not known that. City Clerk Lisa Johnson responded to Mrs. Wilbers and explained that the maintenance crews had been working first to ensure that every street had at least onel lane passable, then going back toj push debris off to clear both lanes. She stated that crews had begun cutting up limbs and trees SO they could be moved, but had not yet begun pickup, but with the damage sustained it would take some time to get everything cleaned up. Mrs. Wilbers then acknowledged that the situation was the same int the County and the City of Valdosta. Mrs. Johnson reminded everyone that crews could notl be sent to cut anything where lines have not been confirmed as notl being hot", and that the cleanup would  upand down 4-H Club Rd and the: speed bumps have helped.  be aj process.  REPORISOFOPFICERS/DEPARIMENT HEADS: Fire Department: Matt Ryan  Presented a monthly call report  Reported that the Fire Station took some damage from the storm, stated that the staging crew had Reported that the cascade machine needed tol bei moved into the main station, as thel building iti isi in Stated that he needed to talk to the County about getting keys for fuel, rather than continuing with the Wex cards as ity was less expensive. City Clerk Lisa Johnson stated that thisi is already inj progress. Stated that he needed to see about getting a key to City Hall for storms, as he didn't feel like the firefighters could ride out another storm at the fire station. City Clerk Lisa Johnson clarified that the Chief is wanting to stage at City) Halli rather than the fire: station int the future, and the Chiefconfirmed, stating that they wouldn'tl be ablet to bring the fire truck as the wind would turn it over, which is why he has iti in his report to get a small car. He has understood that the Police Chief has spoken to the Sheriff about getting a retired car from them for a small cost and would like to do that, which would Asked for time to meet with Council after the meeting. The Mayor responded that there is an Council Member Oscar Griffith: askedi ifthere was still ani issue with thel Firel Department'sb bills getting paid, and the Chief responded that there was an issue with thei internet, resulting inl late fees thata are noti ini thel budget. City Clerk Lisa) Johnson stated that thei issue with thei internet wast thati invoices and payments were basically crisscrossing in the mail; the office has resolved this by paying the bill month ahead and sending the payments automatically without waiting for the invoice, and asked if therel had been aj problem lately, as she was unawareofone. Chief Ryan asked firefighter Joey Perkins ifhel had received anything lately, andl hei responded that he would get emails saying that thel bill was duei in 5 days, and it would bej paid on day 6. Mrs. Johnson stated that she would looki into that again,  watched the roof be lifted and then come back down.  isf falling apart  increase expense only for the insurance. Executive Session on the Agenda.  but as far as she was aware, there had been no problem for several months.  3    Asked to have IT come out and check his printer at the Fire Station as it was not working at all, and  they have problems with it every time thei internet goes out.  Police Department: Chief Ed Yarbrough  Began by saying that the majority of the report was pertaining to the hurricane; the Police Department was out until the storm hit; as Council knows, the police do not patrol during these storms as: it's not safe, but the full department was at work: as: soon as they could get to Lake Parko on Friday morning. He continued by stating for thej public, respectfully, thatifthere was a problem that they were: aware ofl hei is an easy man to reach, all theyr need doi is call: andi ifity was something he could fix, he could promise he would fixi it. Ifit's someone that needed to be stopped on Harris Trail or 4-H Club, hel had an officer that would bel happy to write the ticket. The problem they have with 4-H Club Rdi is that therei is nowhere for an officer toj park other than someone's driveway. Hej promised thatif there was a problem and they called he would call them back; ifiti is something he can't handle, he would direct them to someone who could. Regarding thej public's frustrations, when the storm hit, he left his house, left his family at home with no) powerand! halfthel house gone to bei inl Lakel Parkserving Responded to a question from a resident that there was no law enforcement presence anywhere in Lowndes County at a stoplight, as everyone knows they are to be treated as a four-way stop. Reported that there was an issue with fuel, and Council Member Griffith obtained a key from the County barn; it has since been found that we can purchase fuel from the County at a reduced price,  the people.  Presented the monthly call report.  and they now have keys to the Countybarn for fuel. Maintenance/Public Works Department: Kaleb Rogers  Presented activity report. location to move: it to.  Reported that the department is currently working onj pushing debris out oft the road until wel havea Council Member Oscar Griffith asked if the speed bump signs had been put up on 4-H Club Rd, to  Reported that they are currently inventorying, replacing, and straightening signs.  which Mr. Rogers responded that they had. Administration: City Clerk Lisa Johnson Presented the Administration report  Reported that the City had received only one bid for the lead servicel line inventory project, for $130 per unit at total cost of $39,000, and clarified for the Mayor that this project is required by EPD. The bidder completed this project for Ray City, who was satisfied. This would be paid for from the GEFA grant for $17,000, but needs a match of $23,000. Council Member Spano asked why the City had received a quote only in the past week, when it was known about for over a year. Mrs. Johnson responded that the Engineer had only sent the specs a few weeks prior, and her office had solicited bids immediately. Council Member Spano asked the Mayor if she had not spoken with the Engineer inj July to stress the importance of the timeliness of this project, and she stated that she had, and thought that the Council needed to take this under consideration when they next decided on an Engineer. Mayor Sandlin called for a motion on the bid. Council Member Spano made a motion to accept the bid for $39,000 for the lead service line inventory. Council Member Lane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Council Member Spano made a motion to pay for the  4    Lead Line Service Inventory out of SPLOST - Water. Council Member Lane seconded the motion. The Mayor Sandlin presented the nexti item ont the Agenda as Executive. Sessioni to review thel Minutes oft thej prior Council Member Spano made a motion to amend the Executive Session for both Minutes Review and Personnel. Council Member Lane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. City Clerk asked Chief Ryan to clarify the reason that he wanted to speak with Council in Closed Session, as quorum of Council can enter closed session only under limited circumstances by law. Chief Ryan stated that Council Member Michelle Lane made a motion to enter Executive Session. Council Member Spano seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Council entered Executive Session at 7:18 pm. Council Member Carl Spano made a motion to reenter Open Session. Council Member Busby Courson seconded the motion. Thei motion passed unanimously, 4-0. Council reconvened Open Session at 8:03 pm. Council Member Carl Spano made ai motion to research the cost ofar radio fort the Chaplain tol be paid for from Council Member Oscar Griffith made a: motion to approve thel Executive Session Minutes from September 3, Council Member Carl Spano made a motion to approve hiring Vicki Jack for the open part-time position in Administration at $15.50 per hour unless an alternate rate was stated earlier. Council Member Busby Council Member Michelle Lane made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Busby Courson seconded the  motion passed unanimously, 4-0.  month's Executive Session.  hei needed to discuss aj personnel matter.  SPLOST. Council Member Lane: seconded the motion. The motion carried, 4-0. 2024, Council Member Carl Spano seconded the motion. Thei motion carried, 4-0.  Courson seconded the motion. Thei motion carried, 4-0. motion. Thei motion passed unanimously,4-0.  The next regular meetingwill be on November 5, 2024 at 6:00 pm.  ShiBOdlo Lisa Johnson, clyc Clerk SNoNmloA2D24  M-5-1024 Date Seal  I  Date  5