MINUTES OF THE WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Edward B. Pope Conference Center The mayor and City Council of the City of Washington, Georgia, held the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at the Edward B. Pope Conference Center. Councilmembers present were Anderson, Cullars, Fisher, Gunter, Hill, and Mahoney. Mayor Bailey presided. After the mayor called the meeting to order, Josh Owen led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Gunter moved to approve the October 14th regular meeting minutes, seconded by Councilman Fisher. Discussion: Councilman Anderson pointed out a correction to change November to October on the October minutes and make clarification under the Citizens Ethics Panel to read that compensation was discussed but is not a part of the motion. No further discussion. Call to vote: Fisher- Yes, Hill - Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Mahoney = Yes. Passed unanimously. Agenda Approval: Motion made by Councilman Mahoney with adjustments. Second by Councilman Hill. Adjustments: Move #3. City Personnel Policy under Councilman Mahoney discussion to Mayor discussion items, Add Gordon Street water/sewer hookup to Councilman Hill's action items, and Add GMA retirement program approval to Attorney's action item. Any further discussion: Fisher- Approved, Hill-Approved. Gunter - Approved, Cullars - Approved, Anderson, Mahoney = Approved. Passed unanimously. Citizens Comment: Mayor read The Rules Decorum Amethyst Wynn: Commented on Councilman Mahoney's statement that he read at the last meeting, Mayor, breaking tie for a new City Administrator, Administrator salary, bringing more businesses. and City West Cemetery. Doug Abramson: Commented on Board of Ethics process, openness, transparency, and public participation Angela Booker: Commented on action items listed before being listed for discussion and budget hearings. Debriah Lee: Asked the Mayor and Council to help sponsor the cheerleader's Southeast Regional Chair Competition in Orlando, Florida (POP Warner) Adrienne Ethridge: Requested information on why D-Snap was unavailable for Wilkes County citizens. Josh Owen: Armor of God Boxing for Parks and Recreation--l'd like to thank the Mayor, Council, Coach Owen, and his wife for allowing and bringing such a wonderful organization to this community. Committee/Boards/Authorities Reports: City Attorney Action Items: a. Charter Amendment Second Reading - Elected Officials Travel Policy Councilman Cullars made the motion, and Councilman Mahoney made the second. Discussion: The City Attorney told the council about the last reading. We can now write the policy and limit how much each councilman gets to spend per year on Travel. Vote by name: Fisher-Yes, Hill- Yes, Gunter-Yes, Cullars-Yes, Anderson-Yes, Mahoney-Yes. All Approved. b. GMA Retirement Program Document that requires the mayor's signature Councilman Mahoney made the motion, and Councilman Cullars made the second. Discussion: These documents usually get processed in January but are not. The mayor needs permission to sign these documents SO. that the employee's retirement plan will not be jeopardized. Call for a vote: Cullars - Yes, Hill - Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Mahoney Yes. All Approved. Mayor Discussion / Action Items: a. Introduction of City Administrator. b. Millage Rate Motion made by Councilman Anderson, Second by Councilman Mahoney. Discussion: None. Call for vote: Fisher - Yes, Hill = Yes, Anderson - Yes, Cullars = Yes, Mahoney - Yes, Gunter - Yes. All approved. C. Retreat Planning: The City Administrator will find a location to hold a retreat for the Mayor and council SO they can discuss pertinent city business before the next council meeting. d. DDA Appointments: Stasio Rusek to replace Ed Pope III Steve Albertson will replace Janet Parker. Councilman Gunter made the motion, and Anderson made the second. Call for a vote: Fisher - Yes, Hill = Yes, Anderson - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney - Yes, Gunter - Yes. All approved. e. Forensic Audit: The audit should be done before the next council meeting. The mayor will email the council's results as soon as he gets them and will set up a meeting with the Auditors and the council to discuss them. f. Georgia Public Web: The motion was made by Councilman Cullars, seconded by Councilman Mahoney, to allow Mayor Bailey to sign paperwork to receive the final payment from GPW. Call for Vote: Fisher - Yes, Hill - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahony - Yes, Gunter - yes. All Approved. g. Employees Christmas Party: Christmas Party December 13, 2024. Employee plus one. h. Section 7 Ordinance Violation i. City Personnel Policy Council Members Discussion: Councilman Cullars: Position put in place by former city Administrator - moved to executive session Hours for letter and inspection of housing authority - The City attorney could not locate documentation of requesting inspection of housing authority from the City and deducted the cost of $805.00 plus $87.50 from the City's October bill. Councilman Mahoney: Chip Housing Update 3 houses finalized; 4th house, all paperwork submitted City Administrator Item from October 14, 2024 - Hiring process City of Washington from a glance City Administrator contract and verbiage Councilman Anderson: Dr. Garga Land Donation = Words of Appreciation Councilman Fisher: Water Department Sanitary Survey Inspection - The main thing about this report is our water meets safe drinking state levels and state levels for safe drinking water. Council Members' Action Items: a. Councilman Anderson: 1. Paying taxes for donated land. Councilman Mahoney motioned that the city would pay taxes up to $5000.00, not to exceed $5,000.00, for the donated land. Second by Councilman Fisher. Call to vote: Fisher - Yes, Mahoney - Yes, Hill - No, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - No, Anderson- Yes. Approved 4-2 2. Letter to DOT for moving state route to bypass = Motion to ask City Attorney to draft a resolution, coordinate with District Representative to discuss verbiage in a previous conversation, and bring it back to council next month. Second, b. Councilman Cullars: 1. The mayor will reimburse the investigation. The attorney reimbursed the City $805.00 for the inspection of the housing authority and $87.50 for the open request letter. C. Councilman Hill: 1. Inspection of Gordon Street School regarding Sewer and water hookup. Discussion: The URA owns this building but wants the city to cover the inspection and water hookup SO that 4E can utilize the space. Councilman Hill made the motion, and Cullars made the second. Call for a vote: Fisher-Yes, Hill-Yes, Gunter-Yes, Cullars-Yes, Mahoney-No, Anderson-Yes. All Approved. d. Councilman Gunter: e. 1. Vac Trailer purchasing for Water and Sewer: Motion was made to purchase the Vac Trailer, and GEMA used funds to pay half of the cost of $140,000, and the City will cover the match. Second by Fisher: Discussion: Call for a vote: Fisher - Yes, Hill - Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney = Yes, Anderson = Yes. All Approved. Executive Session regarding personnel, litigation, or real estate matters if needed. 1. Motion to go into Executive Session by Mahoney, Second by Cullars. All Approved. Return to Regular Session at approximately 9:30 p.m. yooh . on Bruce A. Bailey, Mayor/ Yoshe T.Jenkins, City Clerk ATTEST se G E AFFIDAVIT STATE OF GEORGIA CITY OF WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES November 12, 2024 Washington, Georgia's mayor and city council went into executive session at 7:00 p.m. on November 12, 2024. The following members were present: Mayor Bruce Bailey, Newton Gunter, David Fisher, Jr., Larry Hill, Nathaniel Cullars, Sr., Maceo Mahoney, and Andy Anderson. Attorney Adam Nelson was also present. A quorum was present, and Mayor Bruce Bailey called the meeting to order and presided over it. The closed portion of the meeting was devoted to one (I) legal matter and one (1) personnel matter with no action taken, and the executive session ended at approximately 9:30 p.m. The open session was reconvened. 2450 Losh 2 Koh: Bruce A. Bailey, Mayor Yoshe T. Jenkins, City Clerk o G C