The City of Reidsville City Council Meeting Thursday May 13, 2021 5:00 p.m. Draft Copy- Not approved by Council until June 14, 2021 The regular monthly meeting oft the Reidsville City Council was held on Thursday May 13, 2021, at 5:00 pm. Members of Council present: Carolyn Crume-Blackshear Bruce Conner Lindsay Bennett Verdie Williams Absent - Doug Williams City Attorney Duane Cowart-Davis was present. Nivea Jackson, City Clerk was present. The meeting was preceded at 4:48 p.m. with the opening of the Sprayfield bids by the City Attorney- Mrs. Duane Davis. Davis noted that all bids werestill sealed. Davis read the bids aloud. The bids were turned over to City Clerk, Nivea Jackson. It was announced by Carolyn Blackshear, Acting Mayor at the recommendation ofthe City Attornèy, that the final decision would be made later when the Council has had time to consult and discuss the bids with each other. At 4:55 pm Councilman Bruce Conner led the Council and attendees in an opening prayer. Next, the Pledge of Allegiance was done in unison. Mrs. Blackshear called the meeting to order and explained that the meeting date and time had to be changed because of a lack of a quorum on its regular day and time. She also explained that the format of the meeting was being changed to expedite the meeting as well. Mrs. Blackshear asked that if the Council had reviewed the previous months meeting minutes andif no corrections were needed, she would entertain a motion to accept the meeting minutes. Councilwoman Bennett stated that the date on the last month's minutes was wrong. The correct date for acceptance should be May 13, 2021, and not the 14th. Mrs. Blackshear instructed City Clerk, Jackson to make the necessary correction. Motion By: Bruce Conner 2nd By: Lindsay Bennett Vote: Motion carried unanimously Councilwoman Bennett asked City Attorney, Davis, if she could have the floor. Bennett read a letter aloud before the Council and audience. The letter was to inform the citizen and Council that she understood as a Councilmember that she was entitled to ensure that the citizen's best interests were looked after. She informed the citizens that she had requested financial documents and was refused information and was asked to get with the finance committee to review these documents at City Hall. Her statement ended that "she will not be directed to a committee, and she would not answer to a committee about information that was her right to see. 29 Mayor Blackshear answered Mrs. Bennett by first ensuring her she had not been denied any information but did not want financial statements copied and taken from City Hall. Mayor Blackshear stated that the finance committee does meet weekly and are opened to any of the Councilmembers. City Clerk, Nivea Jackson, interjected by asking City Attorney Davis to confirm if Bennett would have to comply to the rules established by the Council before her. Davis agreed she did. Jackson also informed the meeting attendees that Bennett had requested the financial information by text message. Jackson expressed there was a formal and better way to request the information. She was not asked to answer to the committee, but encouraged to come and ask openly and be answered openly in an established format. The finance committee had been established under the previous, Mayor Sydney Clifton'st tenure and had remained since that time to oversee finances closely especially during the pandemic period. Bennett was once again invited to attend the finance meeting to have her questions answered. Councilwoman Williams interjected that she and Bruce Conner "lived at City Hall" to have their questions and concerns answered. Nivea Jackson also commented that Mrs. Bennett was the least visible Council member. Bennett answered that she is a parent and could not "live" at City Hall. Mayor Blackshear closed the discussion by again encouraging Bennett to come to a finance meeting for clarity. Bennett asked, "so no one has borrowed any money in the last three months without Council approval?" She was answered unanimously "no" by the other Councilmembers and the City Clerk. Bennett was given the date and time of the next finance meeting, which is normally on Tuesdays, if there is no conflict in scheduling. The meeting proceeded to discuss Mike Eason Drive. Mrs. Blackshear noted that the zoning board had completed their due diligence in rezoning. There had been two public hearings conducted with no opposition. Mrs. Vickie Nail was present to comment that the zoning board was not met with any concerns or opposition during their hearing. Mrs. Blackshear announced she would entertain a motion to rezone. Council woman Lindsay Bennett was noted for abstaining to vote because she and her husband were the previous owners of the property being rezoned. Councilman Bruce Conner made a motion to rezone the 8 acres from residential to commercial sO the State could proceed with the construction oft the State Patrol Post her in the City of Reidsville. Motion by: Bruce Conner 2nd by: Verdie Williams Vote: Motion carried unanimously The next item on the agenda was explained by Mrs. Blackshear. The Federal Government has issued stipulations on the receipt of the American Rescue Fund Act monies. As a requirement, the City has to open a standalone account, separate from all other City monies that can be audited and ready to receive funds immediately. Another program stipulation, is for there to be a designee to sign and receive the funds. This person would be an authorized signer on the account. The account will be opened at South Georgia Bank. This has to be set up by June 4, 2021 and turned in to the Department of Treasury. The official name for the account will be "The City of Reidsville American Rescue Fund". Bruce Conner offered a motion to open an account at the South Georgia Bank for the receipt and use of the American Rescue Funds and have Mayor Carolyn Blackshear be the administrator for the funds. Motion by: Bruce Conner 2nd by: Verdie Williams Vote: Motion carried unanimously The next item discussed was the need for an authorized signer for the CDBG monies to be drawn down for the City. The current CDBG Project is 99% completed. Upon completion, when funds are to be drawn down for final payment, a designee from the City, who does not live in the affected area, needs to be able to sign for the drawdown to pay contractors. Councilman Bruce Conner does not live in the affected area and is currently serving on the appointed finance committee. Mrs. Blackshear suggested that since Councilman Conner serves on the finance committee, he be appointed for that duty. Councilwoman Verdie Williams offered a motion that Councilman Bruce Conner be an authorized signer for the last CDBG drawdown. Motion by: Verdie Williams 2nd by: Lindsay Bennett Vote: Motion carried unanimously The City of Reidsville has a current dog ordinance. There have been citizens' complaints about the dogs and their owners in violation of several ofthe ordinances. The City Attorney has drafted letters and sent them out to several owners and will post an article in the upcoming newspaper reminding citizens what the dog ordinances are. Mrs. Blackshear asked that the City Police Chief, Officer Stacey Wilds enforce these ordinances. She also stressed about the safety of citizens to walk and bike around the city without fear of a nuisance dog. Another complaint is dog barking disturbing neighbors within the City. Chief Wilds agreed his department would enforce the policy. Lastly, each respective department head gave their individual reports for the month May 2021. With no further business to discuss, Mayor Blackshear called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion by: Bruce Conner 2nd by: Verdie Williams Vote: Motion carried unanimously Meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Minutes were/ approved on: Cune a Mzal * Blackshear Canctnu ladolobambnt OFFICIAL m Ad Lindsey Bennett SEAL Bruce Conner * Doug Williams d. Verdie Williams Recorded by: Nivga Jackson, City Clerk Aocpcgon