ppuoo 0on0o Est. 1870 Cilg of Mourlatre Bieeges CLEVELAND, GEORGIA Cleveland City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, December 2, 2024-6 6:30 P.M. Oak Springs Community Center/Police Department 342 Campbell Street, Cleveland, GA 1. Call to Order Mayor Turner called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Josh Turner, Council Members Nan Bowen, Annie Sutton, Jeremy McClure, and Also present were City Administrator Kevin Harris, City Attorney Keith Whitaker, and 2. Invocation -Pastor John Harrison, Nacoochee Presbyterian Church, and White C.J. McDonald (Mayor Pro Tem) City Clerk Lisa Ritchie County Ministerial Alliance 3. Pledge of Allegiance Pastor Harrison invited those who have lost a loved one to a special service on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. 4. Approve Agenda Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Bowen, and voted, unanimously, to adopt the agenda with an amendment to add Discussion regarding Pending Litigation" to Executive Session. PRESENTATION 5. Proclamation recognizing White County Commissioner Terry Goodger for 14 years of service to the citizens of Cleveland and White County in his role as a White County Commissioner Mayor Turner stated that the Proclamation was read earlier in the day at a reception Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member McDonald, and voted, unanimously, to approve the Proclamation recognizing Commissioner Terry Mayor Turner expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Goodger and stated that Commissioner Goodger expressed his appreciation to the Mayor and Council for their Council Member McDonald expressed his appreciation to Commissioner Goodger and The Mayor and Council Members presented the Proclamation to Commissioner in Commissioner Goodger's honor. Goodger. he had always been a willing partner fori the city. support. stated that he sets a great example of how to be an elected official. Goodger. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ms. Judy Lovell, Historic Society, discussed 1960s newspaper articles about Thanksgiving at Clear Lake Lodge, currently Woodland's Camp AH Housing Authority article regarding low rent housing PUBLIC HEARING 6. First Public Hearing - City of Cleveland Charter Mayor Turner opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Harris addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He stated that the current Charter was last revised in 2013. He said the goal is to modernize and simplify it, making it more consistent with other Charters. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Turner closed the Public Hearing. 7. Second Public Hearing and Consideration - Resolution 2024-25 - Amendment to the Hotel/Motel Tax Allocation/s Mayor Turner opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Harris addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He stated that the proposed amendments will not affect the current process with the Chamber of Commerce. He said it will allow the city to be more creative and consistent with other municipalities. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Turner closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Sutton, and voted, unanimously, to approve Resolution 2024-25 Amendment to the Hotel/Motel Tax Allocation/s. 8. Fourth Public Hearing and Consideration = Resolution 2024-20 - Authorize the Municipal Court of the City of Cleveland to charge a technology fee Mayor Turner opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Harris addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He stated that a court technology fee of up to $10 can be charged to help support technology fees of the Municipal Court. He said the fees would only be charged to those that are charged with a crime. There were no comments from the public. Mayor Turner closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Council Member McDonald, seconded by Council Member McClure, and voted,unanimousy, to adopt Resolution 2024-20. NEW BUSINESS 9. Request for sanitation services and road closures for Christmas Parade Chamber of Commerce President Beth Truelove addressed the Mayor and Council Members. She stated that festivities will start at noon on Saturday. Chief Shoemaker stated that a final briefing has been scheduled. Motion by Council Member Bowen, seconded by Council Member Sutton, and voted, unanimously, to approve the request for road closings and sanitation services. 10. Resolution 2024-28 - Budget Amendment John Solmon, Finance Director, addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He stated that the audit is almost complete, and an amendment is necessary to balance all funds. Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Bowen, and voted, unanimously, to approve the Resolution 2024-28 budget amendment. 11. Resolution 2024-30 - Mayor and Council Compensation Mr. Harris discussed a proposal and the process to increase the Mayor and Council Members compensation. He proposed $400 per month for each Council Member, $600 per month for the Mayor, and $150 per meeting (not to exceed 5 meetings) per month. He stated that the increases, ifa approved, will not go into effect until January 2026. He said the Mayor and Council Members will vote on this item at their. January 12. Annual Renewal of Workers Compensation Insurance coverage for 2025- 6, 2025 Meeting. Apex/Key Risk Worker's Comp Ms. Ritchie stated that the Norton Insurance Agency is waiting for quotes to come in. She stated that the current insurance expires on December 31 and asked to ensure no lapse in coverage, for a motion to allow the City Administrator to authorize renewal Motion by Council Member McDonald, seconded by Council Member Bowen, and voted, unanimously, to authorize the City Administrator to approve the quote ifit is subject to the quote being within the current budget. within the current budget. 13. PTSD Insurance Quotes (House Bill 451 (HB 451) Requirement to begin January Ms. Ritchie stated that this is an unfunded mandate by the State. She stated that she had received a quote from Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and is awaiting a Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member McDonald, and 1,2025) quote from Norton. voted, unanimously, to approve the quote from GMA. 14. House Bill 581 (HB581) Update John Solmon, Finance Director, addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He discussed HB 581 and the effects that it will have if the County and Cities do nothing and let HB 581 take effect. He stated the County and Cities can opt-out. 15. Stoney Creek Drive Road Acceptance - Joe Kemp Construction Economic Development and Planning Director Tom O'Bryant addressed the Mayor and Council Members. He said the City received a request from Joe Kemp Construction for the acceptance of Stoney Creek Drive. Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Sutton, and voted, unanimously, to accept Stoney Creek Drive and authorize the Mayor to the acceptance deeds after review of the City Attorney. 16. Approve Called Meeting/Meeting Minutes November 12, 2024 Called Meeting Minutes Motion by Council Member McDonald, seconded by Council Member Bowen, and voted, unanimously, to approve the Minutes of the November 12, 2024 Called Meeting. 17. Approve Executive Session Minutes November 12, 2024 Executive Session Minutes Motion by Council Member Sutton, seconded by Council Member McDonald, and voted, unanimously, to approve the Minutes of the November 12, 2024 Executive Session. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 18. Downtown Economic District Mr. O'Bryant stated that the proposed amendment will amend the alcohol ordinance under the consumption portion. He stated his plans to bring the amendment before the Mayor and Council Members for adoption in. January. CITY ADMINISTRATOR KEVIN HARRIS Mr. Harris stated that there is a need for a work ession/publicworkshop before the next Council Meeting. CITY ATTORNEY KEITH WHITAKER Mr. Whitaker did not have any items to report. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Ritchie. gave the announcements. 19. Upcoming calendar items: City Council Meeting - Monday, December 9, 2024, has been Cancelled White County Water Authority Meeting - Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. at the White County Water Authority City of Cleveland Offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and December 25, 2025, in observance of the Christmas Planning & Zoning Meeting- Thursday, December 26, 2024, has been City of Cleveland Offices will be closed on Wednesday,lanuary 1, 2025, in The next City Council Meeting - Monday, January 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Holiday cancelled observance of the New Year's Holiday the Oak Springs Community Center/Police Department Ms. Ritchie also announce holiday gatherings that the Mayor and Council Members plan to attend (a quorum will be present) as follows: Parade- - Saturday, December 7, 2024 between noon and 7:30 p.m. Georgia Mountains Regional Commission - Friday, December 6, 2024 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Boat House in Gainesville Fire Department Christmas Party - Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 6:00 Employee Appreciation Lunch - Friday, December 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. p.m. at the Methodist Church at. Javi's Mexican Restaurant EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Bowen and voted, to enter an Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. Executive Session regarding Pending Litigation (added during the adoption of the agenda. Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Sutton and voted, unanimously, to adjourn the Executive Session and return to the Meeting at 7:58 p.m. Council Member McDonald opened the door to allow citizens to return to the regular meeting. There were no citizens waiting to return to the meeting. ADJOURN Motion by Council Member McClure, seconded by Council Member Sutton and voted, unanimously, to adjourn the Meeting of December 12, 2024, at 7:59 p.m. Approved this Laye of umanynzogs Josh si Turner Mayor éremy IA Council Member Ward3 Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Ward4 Ma hucu y C.J. McDorald CAPEST Lisa A. Nan Bowen Council Member Ward1 4724h Annie Sutton Council Member Ward 2 Ritchie Qusuks City Clerk