MINUTES OF THE WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. EDWARD B. POPE CONFERENCE CENTER 48B Lexington Avenue, Washington, GA 30673 The Mayor and City Council of the City of Washington, Georgia, held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Edward B. Pope Conference Center. Councilmembers present were Anderson, Fisher, Gunter, Hill, Mahoney, and Cullars. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting began with an invocation led by Councilman Hill, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance conducted by Councilman Fisher. Approval of January 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approval of February 5, 2025, Council Retreat Approval of February 10, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approval of February 19, 2025, Called Meeting Minutes The motion was made to approve all four of the above meeting minutes, with an addition to the January 13, 2025, meeting minutes stating that non-profits can be funded if they provide a benefit to the city under contract, as proposed by Councilman Cullars, seconded by Councilman Anderson. The motion was approved unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-Y, Fisher-Y, Gunter-Y, Mahoney-Y. Approval of Meeting Minutes The motion was made by Councilman Cullars, seconded by Councilman Anderson, to approve the meeting minutes with a change to present the proclamation to the Lady Tigers Basketball Team first. The motion was approved unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-Y, Fisher-Y, Gunter-Y, Mahoney-Y. Proclamation for Lady Tigers Basketball Team = Mayor's Items A proclamation was made to honor the Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School Lady Tigers Basketball team for their achievements in the state championship. March 11, 2025, was recognized as Lady Tiger Basketball Day. Citizens' Comments: Limit to 3 minutes Several citizens expressed concerns and opinions on various topics, including city funding for organizations, the URA budget, and the need for community meetings. CommitelBoardAutlionty Reports Items: Report from Fire Department - Noted City Attorney Discussion Items: City Administrator Discussion/Action Items Rusher Street fence - moved to executive session Water System Issues - The city experiences significant water loss, resulting in annual costs of approximately $500,000. Efforts are underway to locate leaks and improve billing accuracy. Building Maintenance Issues - The City Administrator highlighted maintenance issues at the Pope Center and other city buildings, estimating the costs of repairs to be between $600,000 and $800,000. He emphasized the importance of quality repairs over temporary fixes. Parks & Rec, Ashley Park ball fields, -dugouts? The council suggested that the Parks & Recreation board, City Administrator, and Parks & Recreation Director meet to discuss the Ashley Park ball fields and dugouts. Mayor's Discussion Items/Action Items: The mayor clarified that he is not a voting member unless there is a tie and encouraged citizens to engage with their council members to ask questions and express concerns. He expressed interest in increasing community meetings and online engagement. Council Members Discussion: 1. Councilman Cullars: a. Name City Hall "Willie Edward Burns Municipal Building" Discussion: Renaming City Hall to Willie Edward Burns Municipal Building. Opinions varied on naming buildings after living individuals, with some supporting the change to honor Mayor Burns and others suggesting alternative ways to honor him. b. My name for the Board of Ethics is Barbara Bacon. Noted C. To provide URA with $75,000 in seed money for the next three years to develop the old Gordon Street Property. Discussion: Proposal to allocate $75,000 annually to the URA for three years to develop the Gordon Street property, with conditions for progress and property ownership. Concerns were raised about the feasibility and cleanup costs. 2. Councilman Hill: a. Discussion: Stopping the survey for Gordon Street School 3. Council Fisher: a. Discussion: Uniform clothing allowance Council Members' Action Items: 1. Councilman Cullars: a. Motion made by Councilman Cullars to name City Hall "Willie Edward Burns Municipal Building. Seconded by Hill. Cullars - Y, Hill-Y, Mahoney-Y, Fisher-N, Gunter-N, Anderson-N. Motion failed. 3-Y, 3-N. The mayor did not break the tie. Motion made by Councilman Cullars to transfer the city's 27 acres of Gordon Street Property to the URA for the next three years to develop with City support. If no progress is made, the property will be returned to the City in good faith. Motion Failed 2-Y, 4-N. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Mahoney- N, Fisher-N, Gunter-N, Anderson-N. Councilman Hill: a. A motion was made by Councilman Hill, seconded by Cullars, to halt the survey until a proper discussion between the city and the URA takes place. Motion failed 2-Y, 4-N. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-N, Fisher-N, Gunter-N, Mahoney-N. Councilman Fisher: b. A motion was made by Councilman Fisher, seconded by Gunter, to amend the policy. The amendment specifies that the clothing allowance should be used solely for approved outerwear. The motion passed unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-Y, Fisher-Y, Gunter-Y, Mahoney-Y. Executive Session A motion was made by Councilman Fisher, seconded by Councilman Gunter, to go into executive session. The motion passed unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-Y, Fisher-Y, Gunter-Y, Mahoney-Y. Return to the Regular Session and proceed to cast any necessary votes. Attorney Nelson: 2 litigation, 3 real estate, 1 Personnel. No. action was taken. Adjournment Councilman Fisher moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Cullars. The motion passed unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson- Y, Fisher-Y, Gunter-Y, Mahoney-y. - 4 Vanh 2. Gik Bruce A. Bailey, Maybr Yoshe T. Jenkins, City Clerk ATE : do - a GE E AFFIDAVIT STATE OF GEORGIA CITY OF WASHINGTON EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES MARCH 10, 2025 Washington, Georgia's mayor, and City Council went into executive session on March 10, 2025. The following members were present: Mayor Bruce Bailey, Newton Gunter, David Fisher, Jr., Larry Hill, Maceo Mahoney, Andy Anderson, and Nathaniel Cullars, Sr. Attorney Adam Nelson was also present. A quorum was present, and Mayor Bruce Bailey called the meeting to order, presiding over it. Executive Session Summary During the executive session, the council discussed two litigation cases, three real estate matters, and one personnel matter. No action was taken. 1. Theopen session was reconvened at 8:45 Voski 3 Linh. Bruce R Bailey, Mayor Yoshe T. Jenkins," 'Clerk CITY A: GEO MINUTES OF THE WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL CALLED MEETING April 25, 2025, AT 3:00 P.M. City Council Chamber, City Hall 102 East Liberty Street, Washington, GA 30673 The mayor and City Council of the City of Washington, Georgia, held a called meeting on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, City Hall. Councilmembers present were Cullars, Fisher, Gunter, Hill, and Anderson. Honoring Maceo Mahoney The meeting began with a moment of silence in honor of former Councilman Maceo Mahoney, followed by an invocation led by Councilman Hill and the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Agenda Councilman Cullars moved to approve the meeting agenda, seconded by Councilman Hill, with no discussion. The motion passed unanimously. Cullars-Y, Hill-Y, Anderson-Y, Gunter-Y, Fisher-Y. Council Discussion/Action Items: This document summarizes the proceedings of a special city council meeting held to address the process, timing, and funding for a special election to fill the vacant council seat left by the passing of Councilman Maceo Mahoney. The discussion covers legal requirements, election logistics, budget considerations, council dynamics, and community concerns. Key debates centered on the timing of the special election (June, September, or November), the associated costs, and the importance of district representation. The document also details motions, voting outcomes, and the need for transparency and legal compliance. Action items have been consolidated and grouped at the end for clarity. , Motion for Special Election Date: Councilman Cullars moved to set June 17th as the special election date, noting it is the third Tuesday in June, seconded by Councilman Hill. Motion Failed. Hill-Yes, Cullars-Yes, Fisher- No, Anderson-No, Gunter-No. Motion for Special Election in November: Councilman Gunter moved to hold the special election in November instead of an earlier date, which Councilman Fisher seconded. Motion Passed. Hill-N, Cullars-N, Fisher-Yes, Gunter-Yes, Anderson-Yes. Adjournment o Councilman, Cullarfs/moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Hill. The motion passed Ananimously. ook Bruce A. Bailey, Mayor Yos he T. Jenkins, City Clerk