City of White Georgia City Council Meeting April 7th, 2025 Present at the council meeting were Mayor Curtis Powell, Councilmembers Gary Crisp, Stephanie Nichelson, Karissa Noland, and Jean Swank, City Clerk Robin Cochran, and City Attorney Brandon Bowen. Mayor Powell called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and led with the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember Nichelson followed with the invocation. Mayor Powell started with the review and approval of the agenda for the meeting and asked the council to add a resolution for the code enforcement officer and a quote for the box culvert at Richards Rd added to item B. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the additions. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to the approval of the March council meeting minutes and opened the floor for discussion. None was heard, Powell asked for a motion. Councilmember Noland made a motion to approve. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell opened the floor for public comments, there were none, he moved to announcements and reports. City Clerk, Robin Cochran addressed the council to give an update from the clerk's office. Cochran reminded everyone about the festival on April 26th asking for help getting the word out to family and friends. She reminded everyone that a portion of School St will be shut down from the city's shop to the park for pedestrian traffic first thing Saturday morning until the festival ends. She went over plans for parking for guests at the festival. Cochran informed the council that the Public Works Vehicle the 2007 GMC Canyon was sold to the highest bidder on GOVDEALS.COM at $1,725.00. Police Chief, Brad Loyd, addressed the council to give an update from his department: Three full time officers were hired, filling all vacancies open. Public Works Superintendent, Shawn Chastain approached the council to give an update from his department. Chastain stated that the trash truck needed a latch repair on the tailgate for a total of $1,500.00. Chastain informed the council that the city's sewer and water alert system will be obsolete in the coming year, and he needed to look at other monitoring systems. (currently using Mission communications) Chastain continued by informing the council that Pro Pump Solutions will be coming out to clean/service and to make recommendations for future pump needs, adding TOYO may be able to help with this cost as that's where the main issue with the pumps came from. There was more discussion on TOYO between the council and Mayor Powell stated he had already sent TOYO a letter about the damage caused by their employees. TOYO had added new signage and asked all employees to not flush items down the toilet besides toilet paper. Chastain told the council that the City of Cartersville did come and vacuumed it out free of charge. Mayor Powell moved to unfinished business and began with the zoning ordinance which was discussed in the work session. There were additional minor changes needed regarding the agricultural regulations. Those modifications need to be done before they vote on the Zoning Ordinance. Powell opened up the floor for council discussion. Councilmember Crisp made a motion to table the vote until next month's meeting. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to new business starting with the plan review fee schedule. Powell stated that the city was eating most of the fees in this regard. The Council and Mayor Powell discussed the plan review fee rates and the difference in the rates is due to some reviews taking longer. There was more chatter amongst the council. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to adopt the new plan and review fee schedule. Councilmember Crisp seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Shawn Chastain addressed the council again. Chastain stated that there were two leaks in the Whispering Pine Subdivision off the main line. Chastain noted that about 80% of the water meters in the subdivision were in odd places; by doorsteps, porches, even one that is a good 500ft off the road and one of these repairs is going to include digging up a citizen's driveway which was quoted at $4500.00, that did include patching the driveway up after the repairs have been made. Chastain mentioned two culverts, one on Old Tennessee Hwy and one on Richards Road that needed cleaned out with an excavator, a quote between $22,000-$25,000 (Old Tennessee Hwy) and $32,500.00 (Richards Rd) Chastain added that there was a high-pressure gas line running through the area and that Atlanta Gas said they were going to be on site during this repair. Chastain noted the tree in front of city hall that is split in half after getting struck by lightning and suggested getting some quotes to take it down or save it as it wasn't dead. Mayor Powell suggested getting someone to come out and save it as there were green leaves growing from the tree. Mayor Powell suggested utilizing the Water Enterprise Fund to pay for the leaks in Whispering Pine and reminded the council and Chastain that the 2014 SPLOST ($135,000.00) had drainage included and recommended approval from the council to use the funds. Councilmember Swank made a motion to utilize 2014 SPLOST funds to clean out the Wolfpen Branch on Old lennessee Hwy and the creek that runs under Richards Rd. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell continued with the leaks in the Whispering Pine Subdivision and there was discussion amongst the council and Chastain about removal of driveways and putting water meters in the right-of-way. Councilmember Nichelson made a motion to approve the water leak repairs in the Whispering Pine Subdivision with the condition that the demo to the driveways shall not exceed $7,000.00 before coming back to council for additional funds. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to discuss the Code Enforcement Officer resolution. Mayor Powell reminded the council that the City Ordinance ordains the Chief of Police as the Code Enforcement Official under the Unfit Property's Ordinance, unless voted on by the council. Powell read aloud a resolution naming Brian Waters the Code Enforcement Officer of the City and opened the floor for council discussion. There was some discussion amongst the council and city attorney, Brandon Bowen. Councilmember Swank made a motion to approve the resolution as is, naming Brian Waters the Code Enforcement Officer for the City of White. Councilmember Nichelson seconded the motion. The motion carried with a 5-0 vote. Mayor Powell moved to comments by Mayor and Council, beginning with the updated PFAS Compliance test stating one of the city's grants was released and the city could now use those funds but was unsure of the other grants being released due to the condition of the audits. Powell spoke with Jacqueline at the Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA) to see if there was any way to get back into compliance, to which he was told there is nothing that could be done until the 2024 audit was completed. Powell stated the city was considering drilling a new well but was unsure if one would be sufficient and voiced the possibility of needing to drill multiple wells. Powell stated that after talking with the city's engineer, John Sweitzer, he found that almost every university in the United States was doing research on this issue, SO he believed there would be some options readily available in the next year or sO to treat smaller systems. There was some discussion amongst the council regarding as to why well #5, on Richards Rd., had stopped being used to begin with Powell stated that after speaking with Jon Holland, from Southern Water Group, he believed the well could get back online and back in the cycle as the nitrate levels along with the other chemicals being tested have come back within range. There may be some things that need to be replaced the city would need to pay for but was unsure of the recharge rate. Powell stated the city would need to amend the permits for the wells as the city currently only has a permit for three. After speaking with Matt Stickney from the EPD, the city asked Jon Holland to see if he could figure out what the issue was with the well or if the city was going to have to cap it. Stickney was giving the city some grace to figure it out and Holland is confident he will be able to get it back in the cycle. There was some discussion amongst the council and citizens about nitrate levels and documentation from when well #5 went out of commission. Councilmember Swank suggested getting a sunshade at the park for citizens and children who are outside playing in the sun. Councilmember Crisp asked for a picture. Swank stated she'd get with Councilmember Noland on this and get back to everyone with a more concrete idea. Mayor Powell closed the Mayor and Council comments and asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Crisp made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Swank seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a 5-0 vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:50pm. Respectfully submitted, Rb Coehrar Robin, Cochran City Clerk Attest: a Bel Curtis Powell, Mayor