MINUTES OF THE WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Edward B. Pope Conference Center The mayor and City Council ofthe City ofWashington, Georgia, held the regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at the Edward B. Pope Conference Center. Mayor Bruce Bailey presided. Mayor Bailey and Councilmembers Anderson (by Phone), Cullars, Fisher, Gunter, Hill, and Mahoney, and Attorney Adam Nelson were present. Councilman Fisher led the invocation, followed by Mayor Bailey, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Cullars moved to approve the November 12th regular meeting minutes, seconded by Councilman Fisher. Discussion: None. Call for vote: Fisher - Yes, Hill = Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars = Yes, Anderson = Yes, Mahoney = Yes. Passed unanimously. Agenda Approval: Motion made by Councilman Cullars with adjustments. Second by Councilman Mahoney. Mayor Bailey added an action item for a housing authority appointment. Attorney Adam Nelson added an action item regarding the application for the EIP grant. Councilman Cullars asked that the Mayor's Discussion / Action Items be changed to Mayor's Discussion and City Administrator Action Items and to add personnel matters for the executive session. Anu further discussion: None. Call for vote: Fisher- Approved, Hill-Approved. Gunter - Approved, Cullars Approved, Anderson, Mahoney Approved. Passed unanimously. Citizens Comment: Mayor read The Rules Decorum Dr. Latasha Johnson: Asked for clarity on what went on, how all this unfolded, what's the funding source, and how are the residents, property owners, and patrons in that area going to be notified and be reassured that in the haste to relocate the Fire Department Burned Building that safety has not been compromised. Dr. Johnson also gave an open records request to the City Administrator concerning these requests for clarity. Adrienne Williams: Speaking on behalf ofthe United Community Awareness Program. Celebrating their 26th Annual MLK event and invited the City Administrator, Mayor, & Council to the event. Also, asked for funds for the URA. Committee/Boards/Authorities Reports: E911 Fire Department Community Development WCCP City Attorney Action Items: 1. GIRMA First Responder PTSD Policy insured by MetLife provides a Lump Sum Benefit and a Disability (income Replacement) Benefit & Resolution that must be given to firefighters as a requirement of the Ashley Wilson Act, effective January 1, 2025, requires the mayor's signature. Councilman Hill motioned to authorize the mayor to sign the documents and follow up with the council on the cost and the number of first responders. Second by Councilman Gunter. Any further discussion: None. Call for vote: Fisher-Yes, Hill-Yes, Anderson-Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney - Yes. All Approved. 2. Resolution to Authorize Application for up to $500,000 CHIP grant requires the mayor's signature. Councilman Mahoney made a motion for the mayor to sign a resolution to allow Community Development Personnel to apply for a CHIP Grant at a fee of$500. Second by Councilman Hill. Any further discussion? None. Call for vote: Fisher-Yes, Hill-Yes, Anderson-Yes, Gunter = Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney - Yes. All Approved. 3. Item added to the agenda: Resolution to Authorize the mayor to sign a resolution for an EIP GRANT through DCA. Attorney Nelson: This grant came upi in aj previous meeting, and there were questions raised that have been addressed. Now, we are at the point where this body must move forward with the grant because of the deadline. There will be a public hearing on December 18, 2024, and we will receive public comments at that public hearing. That information will have to be included with the submission to DCA. This request to allow the mayor to sign the resolution at this meeting will eliminate having to call another meeting after that public hearing. The application can be submitted by January 2, 2025, at the deadline. Councilman Cullars made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the EIP resolution upon the public hearing. Second by Councilman Fisher. Discussion: The grant is for a lift station that would supply a sewer line expansion in the property with the wood processing facility. The EIP component was provided because it will create jobs. Also discussed were electric possibilities. Any further discussion: None. Call for vote: Fisher-Yes, Hill-Yes, Anderson-Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney - Yes. All Approved. Mayor Discussion: 1. Item added to the agenda: Housing Authority Appointment: Malinda Miller resigned from the Housing Authority board, and Lisa Fisher was appointed. I spoke to her, and she is interested in it. She has extensive construction development and project development training in education. 2. Discuss the travel policy and approve the plan for continuing education and budget. Working with the attorneys now to work up the travel policy and plan for continuing education and the budget. As soon as the policy is developed, the mayor will email it to the council SO they can review it and get approved by the first part of the year. 3. Contract Carter & Slope WWTP for upgrades. The mayor signed a services contract with Carter & Slope Consulting Engineers for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements C&S file No.: W5175.046 4. Obligation of remaining ARPA funds: The balance of the ARPA funds will be obligated to Carter & Slope for infrastructure. Get the total amount in the account. 5. Forensic Audit Corrected term, an agreed-upon procedure with management to identify policies and procedures and determine whether they suit users' needs. Plan to incorporate the findings by updating the policy manuals and code accordingly. 6. Taxes for donated land: County-S1022.33 City- $286.64. The total is $1,308.97. The Taxes will be paid this month. Supply a map showing where the district property is located. 7. WCCP - Council meeting packet from Dec. 11, 2023 & Jan. 8, 2024. Tina Bailey was appointed to the Family Connection Board. 8. GEFA Loans pay off = confirmed. Council Members Discussion: Councilman Cullars: 1. Harmony Park Outdoor Music Instruments or Outdoor Gym Equipment. Grants and Grant Programs - Collaborating with the Housing Authority to place gym equipment in the Parks. 2. Community Development Director - Executive Session 3. Economic Development and Mainstreet Manager (7.9 square miles) - Executive Session 4. The Contract with the City Administrator needs to be Renegotiated with Council Approval - moved to Executive Session Councilman Mahoney: 1. Emergency Management contract with the County. Do we have a contract to clean up debris, assess damage, and hire monitors? What was the total cost of damage to Washington, and is it 100% refundable? Tabled to gather information. 2. Reasonable amount of time when requesting copies of documents. The council needs a copy of the document signed by the mayor for the DCA extension repayment of $500K. Included in Packet. Council Members' Action Items: a. Councilman Cullars: 1. Councilman Cullars motioned to put Marion Tutt on the WCCP Board. Second by Councilman Hill.: Call for a vote: Fisher - No, Hill - Yes, Gunter - No, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney Yes, Anderson - No. 3-Yes, 3-No. The mayor did not break the tie. Motion Stalled. 2. The Contract with the City Administrator needs to be Renegotiated with Council Approval - moved to Executive Session b. Councilman Gunter: 1. Jerry's total compensation options moved to executive session Executive Session regarding personnel, litigation, or real estate matters if needed. 1. Motion to go into Executive Session by Hill, Second by Mahoney. All Approved. Return to the Regular Session at approximately 8:45 p.m. and proceed to make any votes that may be needed from the executive session. 1. Attorney Nelson: 3 Personnel Matters and 1 Legal Matter. No action was taken. Adjournment: Motion made by Councilman Mahoney. Second by Fisher. Call for vote: Fisher-Yes, Hill-Yes, Anderson-Yes, Gunter - Yes, Cullars - Yes, Mahoney - Yes. All Approved. brk - uoohe 5 brh Bruce A. Bailey, Mayor Ydshe T.Jenkins, City Clerk ATTEST TY OF - C a AFFIDAVIT STATE OF GEORGIA CITY OF WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES December 9, 2024 Washington, Georgia's mayor and city council went into executive session at 7:00 p.m. on December 9, 2024. The following members were present: Mayor Bruce Bailey, Newton Gunter, David Fisher, Jr., Larry Hill, Nathaniel Cullars, Sr., Maceo Mahoney, and Andy Anderson (by phone). 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 ofthe meeting was devoted to one (I) legal matter and one (3) personnel matter, but no action was taken, and the executive session ended at approximately 8:45 p.m. The open session was reconvened. 2 Sa. ! 6Hb4 Vook Bruce A. Bailey, Mayor? Yoshe T. Jenkins, City Clerk a a & A