THE CITY OF REIDSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Tuesday October 10, 2023 Reidsville City Hall 5:00 p.m. DRAFT COPY (NOT APPROVED UNTIL November 13th) The regularly scheduled meeting of the Reidsville City Council was held Tuesday October 10, 2023 at 5:00pm at the Reidsville City Hall Council Meeting Room. Members of Council present were: Curtis Colwell- Mayor Carolyn Blackshear-Mayor Pro Tem Lindsay Bennet-Councilwoman Donald Prestage-Counceiman Douglas Williams-Councilman-Absent Verdie Williams-Councilwoman Duann Davis, City Attorney, Nivea Jackson, City Clerk, were present. The Mayor is asking for a motion to approve the last month's meeting minutes. Councilman Prestage offers a motion to adopt the last month's minutes. Motion by: Donald Prestage 2nd by: C. Blackshear Motion: Carries unanimously The Mayor is asking for department updates. The Fire dept has stats for review. The Chief is not present. Donald Prestage read the statistics. Chief Trey Neesmith read the PD Statistics. The PD Chief is introducing a new employment packet to the Council. Captain Snell and Chief Neesmith are explaining the importance of the application and its uses. The department hopes to do a more thorough and strenuous hiring process. Captain Snell is introducing the "Coffee with a Cop" campaign to the Council. The PD wants to be approachable to the public for questions as well as complaints. Officers will pay for coffee out of their own pockets as a community service project. The first event will be at Huddle House on November 20th from 8a-10a. Snell states that they hope to do this event monthly on the 20th at area businesses. There is a Facebook page created meant to give transparency and information from the department. The page will be closely monitored by the Chief and the Assistant Chief. Citizens will be able to access the page for need-to-know information from the department. Councilman Prestage is asking if the Facebook page complies with the City's social media policy. Donald Prestage makes a motion to approve the department's "Coffee with a Cop" Motion by: Donald Prestage 2nd by: Doug Williams Motion: Carries Unanimously Councilwoman Blackshear makes an announcement to make a donation to coffee with a cop. Next, Rodney Deloach makes his monthly announcements. Brandon Parker has acquired land on E. Brazell/Hwy 280 east in front of Cannoochee. He is intent on building 3 bedroom, 2 bath single family homes on 12,000/ 1/4ac lots. Parker is requesting to cost share with the City to provide sewage for the 27 homes. Hand-outs were given to Council on the material and labor costs. R. Deloach would complete labor if Parker would supply the materials. The finance committee would look at the costs to fund the project. The project would increase the City's tax base. Councilwoman Bennett gave the stats for the Recreation Dept. Nivea Jackson gave updates for administration. The 2021 audit was complete. 2022 is nearing completion hopefully by Jan. Tax bills were being curated by QS1, the City's third party biller. Updating tax bills were in the works. Davis, City Attorney has been doing a lot to update the dilapidated lists. Citizens have been working on properties too. Nivea Jackson spoke to the Council about considering using a few rooms at the Burn's hotel. The hotel would have 2-3 rooms to use to address any issues the City may have with homelessness temporarily. City officers have encountered nomeless individuals who just need temporary assistance. A discussion on the City's homeless problem occurred with RPD officers. The Council agrees that the issue needs to be looked at. Atris Nail suggested that the City consult a firm in Savannah for homeless resources that offer homeless citizens to work for shelter. Jay Owens will contact the surveyor for the State Patrol barracks to get the easement surveyed. The Regional Commission has completed the County wide comprehensive plan. The Mayor is responsible for signing after Council reviews. Councilwoman Blackshear makes a motion to adopt the plan. Motion by: C. Blackshear 2nd by: V. Williams Motion: Carries Unanimously Wil Smith (Reidsville Airport) is announcing that Midco Aviation is considering opening a testing center using a hangar at the airport. This contract would make the airport sufficient. Everything is still new with the company; more to come. Duann gave the Council literature on vaping for consideration. Motion to adjourn @5:44pm