GEORGI CITY OF BROOKLET 104 CHURCH ST. BROOKLET, GA: 30415 PHONE (912) 842-2137 FAX (912)842-5877 L.W. (Nicky) Gwinnett, Jr. Mayor Carter Crawford, City Manager Hubert Keith Roughton, Mayor Pro-Tem Lori Phillips, City Clerk Bradley Anderson, Councilman Melissa Pevey, Assistant Clerk Rebecca Kelly, Councilwoman Ben Perkins, City Attorney James Harrison, Councilman Sheila Wentz, Councilwoman March 20, 2025 City Council Meeting 7:00 PM Minutes Present were Mayor L.W. (Nicky) Gwinnett, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem Hubert K. Roughton, and Councilmembers Bradley Anderson, Rebecca Kelly, and James Harrison. Also present were City Manager Carter Crawford, City Clerk Lori Phillips, City Attorney Ben Perkins, and Chief of Police Michelle Reolegio. Absent were Councilmember Sheila Wentz and Assistant City Clerk Melissa Pevey. 1. Call to order: and welcome - Mayor Gwinnett Invocation Pledge of Allegiance 2. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Agenda Motion to Approve MOTION: Rebecca Kelly SECOND: Brad Anderson AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton. NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 3. Swearing-in Ceremony - Mayor Gwinnett a. Chief Michelle Reolegio b. Officer Hadrian Wolff Mayor Nicky Gwinnett swore in Michelle Reolegio as the city's new Police Chief and Hadrian Wolff as a full-time officer with the Brooklet Police Department. 1IPage Both appointments represent a significant step in enhancing the city's public safety presence as residents continue to express concerns about speeding and neighborhood safety. 4. Recognition of Guest(s) who have Signed Up to Speak None 5. Recognition of Guest(s) Requested to be on the agenda: a. City Auditor Patricia Hunter, Reddick, Riggs, Hunter & Colson, P.C - Audit Report FY2024 (No Show) b. Paul Collins, Assured Partners - Employee Health Insurance Renewal for 04/01/2025 Paul Collins of Assured Partners presented the proposed renewal for the City of Brooklet's employee health insurance plan, which goes into effect April 1, 2025. He noted that the city had received an updated packet showing a slight decrease in premium compared to earlier versions, which replaced the original packet. Collins explained that the original renewal quote reflected a 13.5% increase. However, after reviewing options and meeting with City Manager Carter Crawford, they were able to find a solution that significantly reduced the increase. The plan moving forward includes: Reducing the deductible from $4,000 to $3,500. Maintaining the gap coverage plan (APL), which offsets the deductible entirely, ensuring employees effectively have a $0 deductible. A revised premium increase of only 3.89%. A$ $3 per month per employee reduction on the gap plan premium, leading to overall cost savings. He emphasized that this maintains coverage essentially the same for employees, still under United Healthcare, with only slight adjustments to the numbers. "We go out to market each year to make sure we're finding the best deal for the city," Collins said, adding that although they attempted to explore other options this year, none were more advantageous than the current renewal. C. Ed DiNello at 200 South Cromley Rd. - Speed Bumps on South Cromley Road Ed DiNello asked the Council to address excessive speeding on South Cromley Road, which he compared to a launch pad" due to its long, open stretch. He suggested installing speed bumps- possibly smaller ones, like those on Spence Drive-to slow traffic and improve safety for children and retirees in the area. DiNello emphasized that the issue has worsened over the years and said enforcement alone could generate enough revenue to offset the city's costs. He urged the Council to consider a solution before a serious accident occurs. 2/Page d. Wayne Cox at 203 South Cromley Rd. - Residents who live on South Cromley between West Lee and Brooklet-Leefield Rd./South Parker Rd. are concerned citizens regarding the dangers to families and pets caused by excessive speeding 24/7/365 days a year. Wayne Cox echoed concerns about speeding on South Cromley, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. As someone who works from home, he said the constant noise and speed of cars are both distracting and dangerous. He shared an emotional story about his dog being killed by a speeding vehicle and warned that young children in the neighborhood could be following. He urged the city to consider solutions like speed bumps or more visible signage before a tragedy occurs. 6. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Minutes as revised with the City Attorney for the following Meetings: a. June 5, 2024, FY25 Proposed Budget Public Hearing b. June 6, 2024, Called Meeting C. June 13, 2024, Called Meeting & Public Hearing d. July 18, 2024, City Council Meeting e. December 12, 2024, Work Session f. January 16, 2025, City Council Meeting g. February 13, 2025, Work Session Motion to Approve MOTION: Rebecca Kelly SECOND: Brad Anderson AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 7. Consideration of a Motion to approve the February Financial Reports as presented. Motion to Approve MOTION: James Harrison SECOND: Brad Anderson AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 8. Report from the City Manager Carter Crawford City Manager Carter Crawford noted that the FY2026 budget process has begun. He proposed holding a budget workshop with the Mayor and Council. He also briefly discussed the recent planning retreat, calling it productive and noting that it resulted in a work program with several items added to the city's five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Updates to the city's financial 3Page and budget policies have already been completed. Other items, such as the zoning update and transportation study, will be put off until the comprehensive plan is updated. 9. Reports from Committee Members a. Councilwoman Sheila Wentz (Absent) b. Councilman Anderson emphasized the need for a dedicated work session to plan for the sewer rollout, giving credit to Councilman Roughton for bringing the issue to their attention. He suggested discussing how to make connection fees more manageable for residents. While acknowledging the importance of the budget and its statutory timeline, he stressed that sewer planning should be handled separately, possibly through a Saturday session. He agreed with Councilwoman Kelly that there should be two distinct workshops: one for the budget and one focused solely on sewer planning C. Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Roughton provided an update on the $290,000 allocated to recreation from the 2020 SPLOST, which remains unused. He suggested partnering with the Bulloch County Recreation Department to make improvements at the Brooklet Recreation Complex, a city-owned facility managed by the county through a memorandum of understanding. Preliminary discussions have taken place with Recreation Director Dee Crosby and Tony Morgan to plan upgrades to the pavilion, restrooms, and concession areas. Roughton said this would be a good investment for the community and a productive use of the SPLOST funds. d. Councilman James Harrison (No Report) e. Councilwoman Rebecca Kelly (No Report) 10. Report from the City Clerk City Clerk Lori Phillips reported that she and City Manager Carter Crawford attended an in-person meeting with Morris Bank to discuss offering ACH payments for utility bills and property taxes in response to customer requests. They also held a Zoom meeting with Utility Management Services and have received tax refunds from Georgia Power. Phillips noted that late fees have been applied to 2024 property taxes, and notices have been sent. She and Crawford met twice with FEMA and with an insurance adjuster, who conducted walkthroughs of City Hall and the Police Department. An insurance estimate for damages has been submitted to FEMA. Additional updates included: 31 inspections scheduled 35 dig order requests responded to 4IPage 11. Report by Planning and Zoning Administrator Melissa Pevey (Absent) 12. Report from Interim Police Chief Michelle Reolegio Chief Reolegio reported 43 calls for service in February, an increase from 26 in January. The department made two arrests, issued 27 citations, and collected $9,700 in fines. 13. Report from the City Engineer Wesley Parker, Parker Engineering, LLC. (Absent) 14. Discussion Item(s): 14.1. Discussion & Consideration of a motion to approve the Employee Health Insurance Renewal for 04/01/2025, as presented by Paul Collins. Motion to Approve MOTION: Brad Anderson SECOND: Rebecca Kelly AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 14.2. Discussion & Consideration of a motion to approve an Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Statesboro to allow for an increase in sewer treatment services with the City of Brooklet. Motion to Approve MOTION: Brad Anderson SECOND: Keith Roughton AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 14.3. Discussion & Consideration of a motion to approve a Municipal Court Judge. Motion to Approve the hiring of Johnny Vines as the Municipal Court Judge. MOTION: Rebecca Kelly SECOND: Brad Anderson AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 14.4. Discussion & Consideration of a motion to approve a Public Defender for Municipal Court. (The motion did not carry.) 5Page 14.5. Consideration of a motion to approve and designate the week of April 20-26, 2025, as Garden Week in Georgia Proclamation. Motion to Approve MOTION: Rebecca Kelly SECOND: Brad Anderson AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 14.6. Consideration of a motion to approve Preliminary Plat as presented by the Planning & Zoning Commission for Storage-R-Us, Inc., John Lavender. Motion to Approve MOTION: Rebecca Kelly SECOND: James Harrison AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 14.7. Second reading and motion to approve ordinance no. 2025-02-10 An ordinance by the mayor and city council for the city of Brooklet to amend chapter 38 of the code of ordinances to provide permitting requirements for the burning of lawn trash, leaves, pine straw, and rubbish; to provide for penalties; to provide for notice; to provide for severability; to provide an effective date; to repeal all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and for other purposes. Motion to Approve MOTION: Brad Anderson SECOND: Rebecca Kelly AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 15. Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn Motion to Approve MOTION: Brad Anderson SECOND: Rebecca Kelly AYES: Rebecca Kelly, Brad Anderson, James Harrison, and Keith Roughton NAYES: None The motion carried 4-0 6IPage Approved this day of Ros Opil - - J/ W. A - w Wo / Lw. (Nicky) Gwinnett, Jr., Mayor Lori Phillips, City Clerk SEAL 7/Page