CITY OF THOMASTON MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MARCH 4, 2025 - 7:00 P.M. CITY-COUNTY MEETING ROOM - MAIN FLOOR THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX Minutes A meeting of the Thomaston Mayor and City Council was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 7:00 pm on the main floor in the City-County meeting room in the Thomaston-Upson Government Complex. This meeting was advertised and open to the public. Attendance: Mayor - John David "J.D. ? Stallings Mayor Pro Tem / Councilmember - Doug Head (At Large) Councilmember - Jeff Middlebrooks (District 2) Councilmember = Ryan Tucker (District 3) Councilmember - Don Greathouse (District 4) City Manager - Russell Thompson City Attorney DeAnn Wheeler Human Resources Director - Danielle Jefferson Fire Chief- Jeremy Walker Fire Captain - Damian Leonard Police Chief - Mike Richardson Police Major - Sidney Corley Fun 101.1 Radio - Mickey Trasher Public Commenter Eugene Allison Executive Assistant - Taylor White 5 0 Councilmember - Lakeitha Reeves (District 1) - Not Present A. Call Meeting to Order / Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor Stallings opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and asked Mayor Pro Tem Head to lead the prayer and the pledge of allegiance. B. Approval of Minutes for February 18, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting and February 18, 2025, Public Hearings #1 and #2 Minutes Result: The meeting minutes were approved as presented. First Motion: Councilmember Greathouse (District 4) Second Motion: Councilmember Tucker (District 3) Vote: Unanimous C. Adoption of Agenda Result: The agenda was amended to add item H2. Presentation on Domestic Violence Statistics by the Police Department and H3. Report on Southview Cemetery. First Motion: Councilmember Greathouse (District 4) Second Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Vote: Unanimous D. Fire Department Promotion Acknowledgement of Captain Damien Leonard Result: Chief Walker presented Captain Leonard with his Captain's helmet and shield. E. Public Comment - Mr. Eugene Allison Result: Mr. Allison spoke about the seriousness of domestic violence crimes and gave a series of statistics. He spoke ofseveral specific occasions on which the Thomaston Police Department responded to domestic violence calls. He asked the council to consider a committee or commission to focus on the issue. F. City Attorney's Report Nothing at this time. G. City Clerk's Report Nothing at this time. wome H. City Manager's Report 1. Various Project Updates Result: Mr. Thompson gave updates on various projects to include the CDBG projects on 12th Avenue and the gravity sewer project, the Farmer's Market and Multi-Use Facility, improvements at Greatest Generation Memorial Park, the gravity sewer project in Silvertown, the backwash tank at the water plant funded by GEFA, the next street paving schedule, Town Branch sewer upgrade, Bell Creek, and the meeting with the towing companies. He also gave an update on the golf cart ordinance and House Bill 581. 2. Presentation on Domestic Violence Statistics by the Police Department Result: Major Corley reported on some ofthe instances Mr. Eugene Allison alluded to previously. He gave statistics on responses by the Police Department to domestic violence calls. He also gave clarification on state and departmental policy and assured the council that the department takes domestic violence cases seriously. 3. Report on Southview Cemetery Result: Mr. Thompson presented to the council a series of photographs showing instances on noncompliance with local ordinance at Southview Cemetery. Some of the photographs showed noncompliant headstones and other decorative items that are not allowed in accordance with the city's cemetery ordinance. Mr. Thompson stated that anyone out of compliance would be given 30 days after notification to get their gravesites in compliance, before city staff will remove and clean up the area. He assured the council that citizens are given verbal notice ofthe rules and a copy ofthe ordinance at the time the plots are purchased. I. Other Business Golf Cart Town Hall - March 18, 2025, at 6:00 pm J. Executive Session and Discussion for Potential Litigation, Personnel, and Real Estate Result: A motion was made to go into executive session at 7:30 pm. First Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Second Motion: Councilmember Tucker (District 3) Vote: Unanimous 5 5 H Result: A motion was made to exit executive session at 7:39 pm. First Motion: Councilmember Tucker (District 3) Second Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Vote: Unanimous Result: The agenda was amended to add item J1. Confirmation of City Clerk First Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Second Motion: Councilmember Middlebrooks (District 2) Vote: Unanimous 1. Confirmation of City Clerk Result: A motion was made to appoint Taylor White as the City Clerk. First Motion: Councilmember Tucker (District 3) Second Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Vote: Unanimous K. Adjournment Result: A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 pm. First Motion: Councilmember Head (At Large) Second Motion: Councilmember Middlebrooks (District 2) Vote: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Official - - Seal Georgie Ve Depar . , - Taylor White, City Clerk Approved as presented, X 54 J.D. Stallings, Mayor - . . THOMASTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF JEREMY WALKER March 3, 2025 Presenting Captain Damien Leonard His career began with the Thomaston Fire Department on August 8, 2018. He graduated from Rookie School on November 16, 2018. He was promoted to Lieutenant on May 5, 2023. Next Mehng : Marcin 4. 22025 Deadline : 2/27/26 E. CI2Pm RESOLUTION PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COUNCIL MEETINGS POLICY Meetings of the City of Thomaston Mayor and City Council are structured to allow the Council to conduct its public business. Meetings of the Council are open to the public, but are not to be confused with public forums. When time permits, the City Council as a matter of general operating procedure offers an opportunity for citizens to address the Council in Public Comment session. The following rules shall be adhered to: 1, To be placed on the agenda, individuals must request in writing at least by noon Thursday prior to the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Council, that they be allowed to address the Council. The request must state clearly the topic or issue to be addressed. 2. Each person whose name is placed on the agenda will be given 5 minutes, to make their comments, but the total time allotted to citizen participation will be limited to 30 minutes. 3. Where several citizens wish to address the same topic or issue, the Council reserves the right to further limit discussions should they become repetitive. 4. While citizens may use their allotted time to take serious issue with Council decisions, the Council will not permit anyone to become personally abusive of individual board members or city employees. 5. When issues arise that stimulate high community interest, the Mayor and Council may schedule special meetings specifically to invite public comment. In those circumstances, the Mayor and Council will establish special guidelines for participation. 6. The Council will not respond to comments or questions posed by citizens in their presentations, but will take those comments and questions under advisement. 7. The Council reserves the right to determine the number of times it will re-visit any given issue. The City Council, by majority vote, may extend or further limit the time allotted for citizen participation. When citizens address the Council with specific requests or concerns, the Council will reply with a written response to the person or group: involved. Approved this 194a day of : 2015. Hays Arnold, Mayor Councilmember Gary. Atwater ourbimember Don Greathouse Mayor Pro Tem Doug Head Hahy eiduo BQ84 Councilmembey Patsy Perdue Councilmember. J. D. Stallings Attest 2-17-2025 enu Iruitt Dennis Truitt, City Clerk e Ene ailoo PAPINME asis 70 Ko/e GEORGIA à ai CITY OF THOMASTON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COUNCIL MEETINGS POLICY Public Participation Policy - Individuals wishing to be placed on the City Council agenda must request in writing at least by noon Thursday prior to the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Council that they be allowed to address Council. The request must state clearly the topic or issue to be addressed. Date:o 2-/ 1n-20023 Time: /o30 Any Date of Council Meeting: MAIch 47 2025 - Name of Individual: Susene ailsn /oT 17 Physical Address: 241 GAe/shawAD (Do not list post office box) Phone Number no Phone my.Emel EAVENNO. Smailcem Topic or Issue to be Addressed: (describe in detail). Ima pomesTic V'olence Aduacale my GAhend 15 R Domeszc Uiclen Ce Victim I WANT Toschess The ZACK OF_ARKeST BLe TA omA57ow Police depAfme in her CAS5 lKe mAny oTher CASSRe Abusers didet STA1erT many vilims Domeszic V'olen ce ARE ChDIen d Fok IAW Enforceme Re KsAl 16 AuesT Vese Peple PeT Lrves ATRSR Fiom Belng 12lel Eya aa -eysencasen 202465 hay Cony Golf Cart Town - Hall - Interested in driving your golf cart in your neighborhood? - Have an opinion on what rules and - regulations should be in place? 841.1825 Have your voice heard! IHIS 15 WDTIE 106 B Lee Street City-County Mecting Room Tuesday, March 18, 2025 6:00 pm