City of] Reidsville City Council Meeting Monday March 8, 2021 Draft Copy- Not approved by Council until April 12. 2021 The regularly scheduled meeting oft the Reidsville City Council was held on Monday March 8th, 2021 at 5:00 pm. Members of Council present: Carolyn Crume- Blackshear- Mayor Pro-Tem Bruce Conner Verdie Williams Lindsay Bennett Doug Williams City Attorney DuAnn Cowart-Davis and City Clerk was present. Duann Davis, City Attorney, made an announcement in the absence of Mayor Jim Waters. The announcement was read in front ofthe Council and citizen audience that Mr. James Waters would be resigning as Mayor effective immediately due to on-going health issues. Carolyn Blackshear will fill the seat according to the terms of] her role as Mayor Pro-Tem. The Attorney advised the Council she would draw up Resolution to hold a special election to fill the new vacancy. The meeting was brought to order by Carolyn Crume Blackshear at 5:12 pm. The prayer was given by Council Member Bruce Conner, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. It was asked from the Citizen audience ifthe City could use the chipper purchased with tax payer's dollars to chip limbs picked up by the limb truck instead of charging citizens after the second load to pick up. The Mayor Pro-Tem assured the public that they were looking into several cost-effective ways to dispose of collected limbs. Under old business the first topic discussed was Surrency park. The citizen audience was full to capacity with members wanting to voice their opinion on updating and outfitting Surrency Park. Several citizens were allowed to speak about how important the Park is to the neighborhood and what its intended purpose should be. Curtis Colwell spoke up that he was directly involved in the process of the City acquiring Surrency Park. Kiwanis member Dan Bennett announced publicly the website. Cazares stated that it would be managed by City Hall staff but built by Spot On. Extra charges only occur if a site-built change needed to be made. Bruce Conner made a motion to begin services with Spot On. Verdie Williams 2nd the motion. The Motion carried unanimously. The Zoning and Planning Commission was the next topic of discussion. Steven Richardson, Chairman was present to announce that the County was amending the application to include more acreage of the property on Mike Eason Dr. The Georgia State Patrol has future plans to construct a new State Patrol Post. Richardson states that the Board was following exact protocol and measures with the process. They were awaiting the County to move forward with the process and the City inspector was involved in the process as well. Lindsay Bennett advised that she would abstain from the vote because her involvement with the property. Doug Williams offered a motion to have the Zoning and Planning committee to move forward with their process once a new application with updated acreage. Verdie Williams 2nd the motion. The motion carried unanimously, with Councilwoman Bennett abstained from voting. It was discussed that the fire hydrants would begin to be replaced in the next coming week by Bruce Conner and that three bids were obtained and the replacements would be Supervised by Rodney Deloach with minimal affect to the citizens water supply. It was announced that the City had hired two new office personnel for City Hall. Lori Thompson would be the new utility clerk beginning work March 24th to replace Britney Fountain. Teresa Sikes, who was a part oft the audience, was introduced to the Council and was hired as support office administration. Michael Jackson, from Glenn, Davis, and Associates was present to discuss the City's healthcare plan. The City currently covers the cost to insure each full time City employee. He announced the rates oft three different plans, Aetna, United Health Care and Blue Cross. The City currently uses United Healthcare. Itis still the least expensive option but would increase 9% over last years rates. Lindsay Bennett asked if the Council had shopped around for coverage. Michael Jackson's firm, had been employed for several years with the City. Dan Bennett added that the firm's costs may be what is driving the increase in costs. Mr. Jackson added that all providers had increased their costs most likely due to COVID-19. Lindsay Bennett voiced that she did not agree with using this firm until other quotes could be obtained. Bruce Conner expressed that the coverage would expire April 1, 2021 and did not want to risk the employees benefit to healthcare to obtain other quotes when three had been provided, and the firm and the City had traditionally had a positive productive relationship in the past. Bruce Conner raised a motion that the City keep using the firm and United Healthcare which was the lowest quote with the 9% increase. Verdie Williams 2nd the motion, Lindsay Bennett opposed. The motion carried. Mrs. Blackshear announced that the 2022 budget planning would occur soon. A meeting with the CPA firm to confirm audit, ledgering, and reconciliations would occur soon to move forward.