Waycros Opportunity in every direction. MINUTES WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY,JANUARY 21, 2025 - 5:00 PM WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER: The Waycross City Commission Meeting was called to order on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5:00 pm by Mayor James. The meeting was held in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Present were Commissioners Katrena Felder, Shawn Roberts, Alvin Nelson, and Sheinita Bennett A. Invocation: City Manager Invocation was led by the City Manager, Ulysses Rayford B. Pledge of Allegiance C. City Clerk to Read Section 2-66 (a) - Decorum Read by Jacqualine Powell, City Clerk D. Request Motion to Approve Agenda A motion to approve the agenda was made by, Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. All voted in favor and the motion passed. II. PUBLIC REMARKS ON OFFICIAL ACTIONS III. EXECUTIVE DUTIES: A. Employee ofthe Year-WFD Scott Raulerson Lieutenant Blackburn, presented Scott Raulerson with the employee of the year IV. OFFICIAL REPORTS: A. City Manager's Report B. Mayor's Report (To Include Any Public Service Announcements). Page 1 of 4 V. CONSIDERATION OF OFFICIAL ACTIONS: A. Consent Calendar: 1. Approval of Minutes: a. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 4:30pm b. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 4:45pm 2. Ordinance Second Readings: n/a 3. Privilege License Renewals: a. Two Guys Beverage and Tobacco, Y. Patel, 2100 Memorial Drive, Waycross GA.31501, Beer, Wine, and Liquor, Package Sales Only b. Johnny's Food Store, M. Nadeem, 819 Glenmore Ave, Waycross Ga. 31501, Beer and Wine, Package Sales Only. C. La Jalisiense LLC, A. Valdez, 508 Alice Street, Waycross Ga. 31501Beer Only, Consumption on premises. d. Ist Stop Foods, R. Patel, 709 Nichols Street, Waycross, Ga. 31501, Beer and Wine Package Sales Only e. OM Food Mart, A. Patel, 935 Tebeau Street, Waycross, Ga. 31501, Beer and Wine Package Sales Only. Motion to approve the consent calendar was made by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Roberts. All voted in favor and the motion passed. B.. Privilege Licenses: n/a C. Bids: 1. WAYX 25-03 Surplus of 12 Fire Hoses Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 2. Bid #FY25-04 Financing for Police Vehicles Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Felder, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 3. Bid #FY25-05 Police Vehicle Equipment Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. All voted in favor and the motion passed. D. Ordinances: n/a Page 2 of 4 E. Resolutions 1. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia To Approve Amendments to The 2019 Waycross Employee Handbook; To Provide Clarification and Updates to Multiple Sections in Order to Comply With The City Charter and State Law; and for Other Purposes Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. Vote Taken District One, Shawn Robert-yes, District two, Sheinita Bennett-yes, District three, Katrena Felder-No, and District Five, Alvin Nelson-Yes. Motion passed with 3-yes and 1-no. 2. A Resolution ofthe City ofWaycross, Georgia to Approve Loan Financing ofSix (6) Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicles For The Waycross Police Department Through Leasing Specialist LLC of Peyton Colorado; and for Other Purposes Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Roberts. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 3. A Resolution oft the City of Waycross, Georgia to Approve Purchase of Police Equipment for Six (6) Dodge Durango Pursuit Vehicles For The Waycross Police Department From Mobile Communications America of Waycross, Georgia; and for Other Purposes Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 4. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia, To Declare 12 Fire Hoses to be Surplused Property; To Provide For Sale On GOVDEALS.COM; and for Other Purposes. Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 5. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia, To Approve The Entry of An Employment Agreement For the City Manager Upon The Terms and Conditions Attached Hereto, The Same Setting Salary And All Other Terms Of Employment; and for Other Purposes. Motion to accept was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. Vote Taken District One, Shawn Robert-yes, District two, Sheinita Bennett-yes, District three, Katrena Felder-No, and District Five, Alvin Nelson-Yes. Motion passed with 3-yes and 1-no. VI. LAST CALL and/or ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Felder, seconded by Commissioner Bennett. All voted in favor and the motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 5:22 pm Page 3 of 4 CITY OF WAYCROSS BY: tuhallayk MICHAEL-ANGELO JAMES, Mayor ATTEST: hnali u JACQJALINE POWELL, City Clerk Page 4 of 4 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM MAYOR: Our city commission meeting is now called to order, asking all of our commissioners, tournament microphones and all other parties. Ifyou turn on your microphones SO that we can move forward in our meeting at this time, we're going to call for our invocation to our city manager and our Pledge of Allegiance. Following that, we will have our quorum read by our city clerk. CITY MANAGER: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Let us stand and bow our heads. Dear God, thank you today for allowing us to come and have this meeting today. We're asking for your continued blessings and our safety over the next few days as we mitigate this storm. We ask you to keep us all safe and keep us all warm. Keep us all prayed up. Ifany one ofyour any one ofyour assistances, your body needs any assistance, please let them know they have your assistance. Dear God, we praise you that we ask that you give us unity moving forward. Uh, we know the city has a lot, a lot going on. So much going on that requires we all stand together and make things better for one purpose. One teamwork is to dedicate it to the city of Waycross. in your name we pray. Amen. ALL: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. MAYOR: At this time, we will hear our city clerk read the decorum. Following that, we will need a motion to receive the agenda. CITY CLERK: Section two Dash 66 decorum. The mayor, commissioners, staff, and persons in attendance shall conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner except when expressly authorized by the mayor. All remarks, comments and questions shall be directed to the mayor and not to individual commissioners, staff, or persons in attendance. A Commissioner staff a person in attendance, shall not speak at a meeting until the Commissioner or staff. A person in attendance has been recognized by the mayor and granted permission to speak or ask a question. All comments, remarks or questions made by commissioners, staff or persons in attendance shall address the item or motion that is being discussed or be pertinent to the resolution, ordinance, or agenda item before the Commission. No one shall make or use inappropriate, insulting, vulgar, obscene and or profane language or make any offensive remarks or comments while speaking. Nor shall anyone accuse any other person of being immoral, violating any law, rule, or regulation, or committing any ethical violation. Further, no one shall use this opportunity for public comment to speak about any activity undertaken for political reasons or ends, such as campaigning for votes before an election, campaigning for any other person, making speeches, attempting to raise funds, etc. or otherwise promoting oneself or one's private position. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, we ask that the commission look at the agenda and we will take a motion regarding this agenda. Is there a motion to approve? Do you have a motion to approve from our commissioner Nelson? Is there a second? Second. We have a second from our Commissioner Bennett. Any comments, questions, deletions, or additions? Hearing none, we'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. The agenda is approved at this time. We look to our city clerk. Do we have any public remarks on official actions? CITY CLERK: No, sir, we do not. MAYOR: At this time, we come to our executive duties, and we call for the employee of the year. LT. BLACKBURN: Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Commissioners, it is my privilege tonight to introduce to you the 2024 City of Waycross Employee of the year and driver engineer Scott Robinson of the fire Department. Scott began his career at the fire department in July of2019, and he quickly proved himself to be an outstanding firefighter. Whether he was on an actual call training or whatever he was doing, Scott was often found in the middle ofi it, trying to take in and soak up all the information he could. In May ofOf2021, having worked hard to meet all the requirements for promotion, Scott. Was promoted Page 1 of 6 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM to his present position of driver engineer. Scott has continued to work hard in this position and has become a proficient. Operator of all the fire apparatus at the fire department. One of the things that to me I've always observed about Scott that sets him apart is when Scott clocks in in the morning. Scott immediately goes out to his apparatus that he's assigned. He checks it out. He knows it works. He knows all the equipment operates. And I've also noticed that he not only in the mornings does he does. Ifhe relieves somebody in the middle ofthe day, he continues that practice and makes sure all his equipment works. So that's just something that makes me proud to know that he does that and takes pride in his job to make sure everything works. So Scott often is. Right now, we have a recruit class going on. Scott has trained the recruits; he works with the recruits and all the equipment on the apparatus. Scott has also become a life safety educator. Scott teaches fire safety classes for us and has that kind of stuff up. He does an outstanding job doing that. He's taken on a self-challenge, and I didn't know about until recently. In the last year, Scott has taken on a full load of online college classes to further his education. So, he seems to be a very busy on and offduty young man. So, we are very proud that Scott can represent the City of Waycross as the employee of the year and coming from the fire department. So, driver engineer Scott Robertson. MAYOR: On behalf of the City of Waycross, Scott Robertson, we want to award you the employee of the year in honor of your outstanding performance. Thank you. MAYOR: At this time, we call for our city manager's report. CITY MANAGER: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. mayor, I don't have an official report at this time. I just want to let you know I will not be traveling this this week with the storm. I'm going to stay back here. We have some meetings. This came up with the Corps of Engineers and a few other people that I want to make sure that we conduct. I think everything is still a goal right now. We should know something by tomorrow at noontime. As far as everyone else's travel. That's all I have at this time, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Very good. Thank you. At this time, the only thing that I have is the mayor's ball is coming up in the month of month of February and we will be looking at the 13th. If anything changes, you'll know it changed. But at this point, it's February the 13th and it's I love my city and that's the theme of the event. And ofcourse, it's right around Valentine's Day, sO we're going to show some love. With that being said, we now look to our cities for our consideration of the consent calendar. CITY CLERK: Consent calendar. Approval of minutes Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Tuesday, December the 17th, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Tuesday, December the 17th, 2024 at 4:45 p.m. There are no ordinances. Second readings. Um, our privilege license renewals. We have two guys. Beverage and Tobacco y patio, 2100 Memorial Drive, Waycross, Georgia 31 501. Beer, wine, and liquor package sales only. Johnny's Food Store M Nadine, 819 19 Glenmore Avenue, Waycross, Georgia 31501 beer and wine Package Sales Only, LLC, a Valdez, 508 Alice Street, Waycross, Georgia 31 501 beer only. Consumption on premises. First Stop Foods are potatoes, 709 Nichols Street, Waycross, Georgia 31 501 beer and wine package sales only on Food Mart, a patio, 935 Tebo Street, Waycross, Georgia 31 501. Beer and wine package sales only. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner, you have heard the consent calendar. What is your pleasure? I have a motion for approval. Commissioner Bennett, is there a second? Second. We have a second from our Commissioner Roberts. We're moving to voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No motion carries. Consent calendar passes. Madam clerk. CITY CLERK: We move on to bids. Miss Mamie. MAYOR: Okay. At this time, we have bids from Miss Jackson. Page 2of6 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM MAMIIE: Mr. mayor, commissioners practice items before you. The first is the request to surplus 12 fire hoses from the fire department. They were. They failed the tests that were needed in order to be used for our, uh, for our fire department. We're asking that they be surplus so that we can sell them on gov deals. MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. Jackson. At this time, Commissioner,youive heard the surplus request from our officer. What is your pleasure? Move for approval? Commissioner Nelson gives motion for approval. Second. We have a second from Commissioner Bennett. Any discussion or questions regarding this request? NELSON: Yes, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Commissioner Nelson. NELSON: I would like to know what city is going to bid for those hoses since they are not operative. MAMIE: Um, they probably, uh, a city probably wouldn't. They'll be Surplused on gov deals. And a lot of times there are. We have been approached in the past by, um, I wouldn't call it a missionary per se, but it was a ministry, um, that does work overseas in, in, uh, South America. And they a lot of times are, are looking for that kind of equipment to help with things down there that not necessarily will be up to the grade for a fire department, but they can do them for using for other things like irrigation. NELSON: Yeah, that's good to know. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you. Any further questions? Comments? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye, aye. All opposed? No motion carries. The surplus is passed. Miss Jackson. MAMIE: The next item we have before the commission of the commission approved for the police department to Department to purchase six Dodge Durango pursuit vehicles to add to the patrol division. They also approved that these purchases be financed. We did send a bid out for the financing. We received two bids, I'm sorry, three bids with the lowest and best bid coming from Leasing Specialist LLC out of Peyton, Colorado. Their bid was a annual percentage rate of 4.95%. That would be a payment of $5,090 per month for all six vehicles together. We are asking that the Commission approve this sO that we can get these vehicles financed. MAYOR: Thank you, Miss Jackson. Commissioner, you have heard the bid proposal for financing for the police vehicles. What is your pleasure? You have a motion for approval, Commissioner Felder. Is there a second? Second. We have a second from Commissioners Nelson. Any questions or comments regarding this bid? Hearing none, we'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries it approved, miss Jackson. MAMIE: The last item before the commission is the request for police vehicle equipment. Those six Dodge Durango pursuits that were purchased need to be equipped in order to be used for patrol. Wej put out a bid for that. We received two bids, with the lowest and best bid being from Interceptor Public Safety Products out of Forsyth, Georgia. And their bid was $48,219, and that would be for installation for all six vehicles. MAYOR: Thank you, Miss Jackson. Having heard this bid, Commissioner, what is your pleasure? Do you have a have a motion for approval by our Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. We have a second from our Commissioner Nelson. Any questions or comments regarding the police vehicle equipment bid? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. Alli in favor? Aye.. Aye. All opposed?1 No. Motion carries it approved. Thank you, Miss Jackson. We now look to our city's clerk. Page 3 of6 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM CITY CLERK: A resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to approve amendments to 2019. Waycross Employee Handbook to provide clarification and updates to multiple sections in order to comply with the city charter and state law and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve amendments to the Employee Handbook that will provide for clarifications ofs some provisions and updates for other provisions to bring the handbook in compliance with the city charter and state law. The amendments are reflected in exhibit A attached to the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, Commissioner, you have heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? We have a motion for approval by Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. We have a second by Commissioner Nelson. Any discussion concerning this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All opposed? No. FELDER: Nay. MAYOR: Wel have a motion. A second and 3 to 1. The resolution passes. MAYOR: At this time, we'll go to our next resolution. Madam clerk. CITY CLERK: A resolution of the city ofWaycross, Georgia, to approve loan financing ofsix Dodge Durango pursuit vehicles for the for the Waycross Police Department through Leasing Specialists, LLC of Peyton, Colorado, and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve loan financing for the purchase of six police pursuit vehicles and award a award a contract to Leasing Specialist LLC of Peyton, Colorado as the lowest and best bidder to finance the purchase price of$271,164 at an Apr of4.95%, with monthly payments of $5,090 payable over a period of 60 months. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner, you have heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? We have a motion for approval by our Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. You have a second from our Commissioner Roberts. Any discussion or questions concerning this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor?. Aye. Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. This bid. Excuse me. This resolution is approved, and we look back to our city clerk. CITY CLERK: A resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to approve purchase of police vehicle equipment for six Dodge Durango pursuit vehicles for the Waycross Police Department, from Mobile Communications America of Waycross, Georgia, and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve the purchase of police vehicle equipment for sixj pursuit vehicles and award a contract to Mobile Communications America of Waycross, Georgia for $48,219 to be paid for from the Police Department Equipment Fund. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner, you've heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? Move! Approval. We have a motion for approval from our commissioner Nelson. Is there a second? Second. Wel have a second from our Commissioner Bennett. Any comments, questions or any statements concerning this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. This resolution passes. MAYOR: Madam clerk. CITY CLERK: A resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to declare 12 fire hoses to be surplus property to provide for sale on gov deals.com and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will declare as surplus 12 fire hoses from the Waycross Fire Department that are no longer needed for its operations because the useful life of said equipment has been expended. The said fire hoses will be sold on gov deals.com to the highest bidder. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. Page 4 of 6 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner, you've heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your Pleasure? Wehave a motion for approval by our Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. Have a second by Commissioner Nelson. Any comments or questions regarding this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. Resolution passes. MAYOR: Madam Clerk. CITY CLERK: A resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia, to approve the entry ofan employment agreement for City Manager upon the terms and conditions attached hereto, the same setting, salary, and all other terms of employment and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve a new contract for the City Manager effective February the 7th, 2025, at an annual salary of$110,000 for a period of three years and other terms of employment. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Madam Clerk. Commissioner, you have heard the resolution read by our city clerk. what Is your pleasure. Approved? We have a motion for approval from Commissioner Nelson. A second from Commissioner Bennett. Any questions or comments concerning this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. FELDER: Nay. MAYOR: By voice vote. District one. ROBERTS: Yes, sir. MAYOR: District two. BENNETT: Yes. MAYOR: District three. FELDER: Nay MAYOR: And district five. NELSON: Yes. MAYOR: Motion carries. Resolution passes. At this time, we'll move to our last call, and we will start with. SPEAKER 3: District one, Commissioner Roberts. SPEAKER 5: I don't have any, sir. Thank you. SPEAKER 3: And then you go to district three. Commissioner Silva. FELDER: Thank you. Mayor. I'd just like to announce that the community meeting for those in the apartments in district three will be hosted to discuss the upcoming apartments development in the district. This important meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project and ask questions, as well as share your thoughts. The meeting will take place Wednesday, January 22nd at 6 p.m. located at the Okefenokee Lions Mobilized on 711 Columbus Street in Waycross, Georgia. The guest speaker will include Representatives Ethan Jackson Investments LLC and True Page 5 of 6 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** 01212025 CM North Way, LLC. The community is invited and encouraged to attend. Your input is valued as we work together to shape the future of our neighborhoods. Thank you. MAYOR: Thank you. Commissioner. MAYOR: District five. NELSON: Mr. mayor, I want to make sure everyone stays warm and turn your water on in your pipes. And please be safe. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you. Commissioner. And Mayor Pro temp. BENNETT: Thank you. Mayor. Ifyou want to be safe, congratulations to Mr. Robinson, employee of the year. And, um, let's not forget about those fur babies. Those fur babies as well. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you. Commissioner. To each of you, of you. We want to thank you for your time, your attention as we do the business of our city. And certainly, we're looking forward to seeing things grow and become the best they can be in the city of Waycross. Do send out our condolences to those families that have lost loved ones in the last week, and we just ask them to be safe as we travel on the highways and byways, especially now that there is a potential set of ice events going to take place in our communities. So, we pray that you stay safe and sound, and we look forward to having a better time with them. Looking forward to seeing you in the city. This has been not only with the mayor, but this has been a commission meeting, and we look forward to seeing the city. Have a great day. We now entertain a motion for adjournment. Do you have a motion from our commissioner? Second from Commissioner Bennett. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All opposed? Motion carries and. Page 6 of 6