Demorest The Hear! ofHabersham Demorest City Council Regular Session Demorest Municipal Conference Center . 250 Alabama St Demorest, GA 30535 Tuesday, February 4, 2025 . 7:00 P.M. ATTENDEES: Shawn Allen, Councilman Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Megan Chastain, City Clerk Jerry Harkness, Mayor Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Jimmy Davis, Councilman Mark Musselwhite, City Manager The February 4, 2025, Regular Session was held in the Demorest Municipal Conference Center located at 250 Alabama Street. 1. INVOCATION Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer. 2. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Harkness called for a motion to accept the agenda as presented. The motion was made by Councilman Davis and was seconded by Councilman Davis. ACTION: The motion to approve the agenda as presented was unanimously approved (4-0). 4. APPEARANCE & PUBLIC COMMENT (please limit your comment to 2 minutes) Ronnie Tench asked about where fire consolidation conversations are and wanted an update on code enforcement for 493 Long Street. Marie Evans wanted an update on the Johnny Gunn property and asked when we would discuss HB581. Andrew Ferguson wants to do a yard sale in April and September. Jerry Harkness announced the planning and development meeting is February 11th at 5:30 p.m. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January Mayor Harkness called for a motion to accept the January 7 minutes as presented. A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Councilman Ferguson and was seconded by Councilman Davis. ACTION: The motion to accept the minutes as presented was unanimously approved (3-0). Councilman Allen stepped out oft the meeting. 1Page 6. CONSIDERATION OF GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE OPTIONS After the presentation during the Work Session, Mayor Harkness called for a motion to contract with Tokio Marine for liability coverage and Cowbell for cyber security. The motion was made by Councilman Ferguson and was seconded by Councilman Davis. ACTION: The motion to accept the minutes as presented was unanimously approved (3-0). Councilman Allen stepped out of the meeting. 7. CONSIDERATION OF HABERSHAM PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH INVOICE Mayor and Council will discuss this month if the invoice is available. 8. CONSIDERATION OF GMA PTSD PROGRAM After a brief discussion during the Work Session, Mayor and Council would like to move forward with the mandated coverage and limit and to allow Mr. Musselwhite to research this more and increase the limit if he sees fit. Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Davis to move forward with the mandated coverage and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to move, forward with the mandated coverage was unanimously approved (3-0). Councilman Allen stepped out of the meeting. 9. CONSIDERATION OF JULY 4 Mayor Harkness indicated that there were two firework proposals presented, Pyrotecnico in the amount of $27,500 and Sky-High Pyrotechnics in the amount of $20,625. Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Bennett to contract with Pyrotecnico and was seconded by Councilman Davis. ACTION: The motion to contract with Pyrotecnico was unanimously approved (3-0). Councilman Allen stepped out of the meeting. 10. CONSIDERATION OF CITY MANAGER CONTRACT Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion to offer Mr. Musselwhite the contract as written was made by Councilman Bennett and was seconded by Counilman Allen. ACTION: The motion to offer Mr. Musselwhite the contract as written was unanimously approved (3-1 Davis). 11.CONSIDERATION OF DDA RESIGNATION OF REBECCA GODWIN 2/Page Mayor Harkness called for a motion to accept the resignation of Rebecca Godwin (not legally accepted until replacement found). The motion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to accept the resignation of Rebecca Godwin was unanimously approved (4-0). BANK SIGNER CHANGES FOR DDA ACCOUNTS Mayor Harkness called for a motion to update the bank signers on accounts ending in 7799 and 6782 to Jim Welborn and Mark Musselwhite. The motion was made by Councilman Allen and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to update the bank signers on accounts ending in 7799 and 6782 to Jim Welborn and Mark Musselwhite was unanimously approved (4-0). 12.0 CONSIDERATION OF IGA FOR TRAINING FACILITY IN BALDWIN Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Davis to move forward with the IGA presented and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to move, forward with the IGA presented was unanimously approved (4-0). 13.CONSIDERATION OF MOA FOR AUTOMATIC AID WITH CITY OF CORNELIA FIRE DEPARTMENT Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Davis to move forward with the presented MOA for Automatic Aid with the City of Cornelia Fire Department and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to move, forward with the presented MOA, for Automatic Aid with the City of Cornelia Fire Department was unanimously approved (4-0). 14. CONSIDERATION OF FOOD 4 KIDS LEASE Mayor Harkness called for a motion. A motion was made by Councilman Bennett to move forward with the lease Mr. Musselwhite works out with Mr. Mitchell and was seconded by Councilman Ferguson. ACTION: The motion to move. forward with the presented MOA for Automatic Aid with the City of Cornelia Fire Department was unanimously approved (4-0). 15.MANAGER'S REPORT & REVIEW OF FINANCIALS The City of Toccoa is raising the rate from 3.21 to 3.30 per thousand gallons effective January 1, 2025 We are obtaining pavilion quotes for upgrades Post office update GEFA approved the grant for the lights trailer and backhoe The GALA is Thursday night at 5:15PM Review of monthly department head reports including grants 3]Page Review of December financials 16.APPEARANCE & PUBLIC COMMENT (please limit your comment to 2 minutes) Marie Evans asked what's going on with Hazel Creek Bridge. 17. CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed) There was no executive session. 18. MOTION TO ADJOURN A motion to adjournwas made by Councilman Ferguson and was seconded by Councilman Davis. The motionwas unanimously, approyed. The/ meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Mayor of Démorest SEAL Demorest City Clerk 4Page