Minutes of Regular Meeting Mayor and Council City of Fitzgerald, Georgia February 10th, 2025 6:00 p.m. Mayor and Council met on Monday, February 10th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chamber, located at 302 East Central Avenue, with Mayor Jason L. Holt presiding and with Council members Brown, Clemons, D.J Jefferson, S. Jefferson, J. Johnson, K. Johnson, Peavey, Roberts, and Webb being present. The invocation was led by Councilman Tommy Roberts and Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Jason L. Holt. Minutes of previous meetings, January 13th, 2025 Regular Meeting, January 13th, 2025 Organizational Meeting, January 30th, 2025 12 noon Public Hearing, January 30th, 2025 5 p.m. Public Hearing and February 4th, 2025 6 p.m. Public Hearing were presented. Mayor Holt entertained a motion for approval. Council member Tommy Roberts made a motion to approve minutes with amendment to minutes of January 13th, 2025 Regular Meeting under HB 581 to state that it is our understanding that BHC School and Ben Hill County intend to opt out of the homestead exemption under this bill, seconded by Council member Leslie Clemons. With there being no further additions or corrections, Mayor Holt called for a Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, 0 No. All in favor, motion approved. Mayor Holt welcomed all guests present and advised we had several recognitions to make. Mayor Holt shared details of a recent house fire on Evergreen Way which led to two firefighters finding an individual in the house and carried him out to EMS for medical treatment. The individual was transported to the Augusta Burn Center and as of the meeting was still in the hospital. The shift on duty during this fire and those responding were Captain Art Hardeman, Engineer Ricky Edwards, Engineer Jared Seaver, Engineer Brandon McBryant, Chief Russell Seaver, Firefighters Tyler Hogan, Justin McElory and Stephen Rogers. The Lieutenant for the shift was Chris Ivey, who was not on duty at the time of the fire. All firefighters were given a standing ovation. Mayor Holt called Firefighters Justin McElroy and Stephen Rogers and presented a Certificate of Valor for finding and removing the individual from the house fire. Holt also pinned McElroy and Rogers with the pin of valor. A standing ovation was provided by all present. Police Chief William Smallwood and Major James Reynolds presented a new Officer to those present. Smallwood introduced Office Eric Hair who recently joined the Police Department. Hair comes to the department already certified and has four (4) years of experience. Mayor Holt welcomed Dr. Lamond Hall to the podium. Mr. Hall stated that he wanted to speak regarding the cooperation agreement between the Housing Authority and the City of Fitzgerald. Hall shared an incident which took place during the storm where yard debris was not removed from Housing Authority property. Hall noted that he originally had conversation with the Public Works Director, David Walker and recently had been communicating back and forth with City Administrator, Kathy Young. Hall continued to note that he was working to clean up the Housing Authority properties and would like the support of the City of Fitzgerald. Mr. Hall provided a copy of the Cooperation Agreement dated from 2012 to City Attorney Kyle Cook and some members of the Council. There was no communications and no petitions. Under reports of city officers, Mayor Holt called attention to the Administrative Report, sharing some highlights from each department. Reports of standing committees were given by their respective chairpersons. Chairperson Leslie Clemons made a motion to approve an Alcohol Beverage License to Peach Express for retail consumption of beer and wine off premises, seconded by Barry Peavey. With there being no questions or discussion, Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, ONo. Allinfavor, motion approved. City Attorney Kyle Cook presented Ordinance # 25-1630, an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance specifically Subsection 9-1 "Home Occupations". Council member Tommy Roberts made a motion to dispense with the full reading, seconded by Council member Earl Brown. Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, 0 No. All in favor, motion approved. Council member Albert Webb made motion to approve Ordinance # 25-1630, seconded by Council member Jimmy Johnson. With there being no discussion, Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, 0 No. All in favor, motion approved. City Attorney Kyle Cook presented Resolution R25-003, a resolution of the City of Fitzgerald to opt out ofthe Homestead exemption pursuant to O.C.G.A. $ 48-5-44.2. Council member Tommy Roberts made a motion to dispense with the full reading, seconded by Council member Leslie Clemons. With there being no discussion, Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, 0 No. All in favor, motion approved. Council member Tommy Roberts made a motion to approve Resolution R25-003, seconded by Council member Albert Webb. With there being no discussion, Roll Call Vote: 9 Yes, ONo. All in favor, motion approved. There was no old business. Under new business, Council member Shiela Jefferson stated there was a hole in the alley of the 800 Block of East Cypress Street and Orange Street. Mayor Holt advised everyone that the Family Connection Director, John Graham, has rescheduled the Open House and ribbon cutting for the new Family Connection Office for Thursday, February 13th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Third Ward Building. Holt encouraged those present to attend and welcomed them to the 4:00 p.m. Collaborative meeting at the Family Connection office as well. Mayor Holt extended prayers for Council member Albert Webb and family during the recent loss of his brother. Safe travels were also extended as the family will leave tomorrow for services out of town. Council member Kevin Johnson asked for an update from City Administrator Young about the parking issue at Lee Street and Central Avenue created by church parking. Mayor Holt stated that there are "no parking" signs on the last parking spaces and when we do more striping, we will also mark those parking spaces. Council member Kevin Johnson questioned the leveling of the right-of-way shoulders from the recent paving. Mayor Holt stated that it was on the Public Works list, but they have still been removing stumps from the storm and would be getting that completed soon. With there being no further business, this meeting was adjourned. ARPROVED o 4 AL SEAL 1896 MAYOR ATTEST: Listina ham