Waycross Opportunity in every direction. MINUTES WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025 - 5:00 PM WAYCROSS CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER: The Waycross City Commission Meeting was called to order on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 5:00 pm by Mayor James. The meeting was held in the Commission Chambers of City Hall. Present were Commissioners Alvin Nelson, Katrena Felder, Shawn Roberts, and Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett. A. Invocation: Mayor Michael-Angelo James Invocation led by Mayor Michael-Angelo James B. Pledge of Allegiance C. City Clerk to Read Section 2-66 (a) - Decorum. Read by Mayor Michael-Angelo James D. Request Motion to Approve Agenda There was a motion made by Commissioner Nelson to approve, seconded by Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett All voted in favor and the motion passed. E. Coastal Pines Technical College Adult Literacy Mr. Eric, Mathis, spoke on behalf of Coastal Pines Adult Literacy Program. Giving valuable information on how to obtain your GED, free through the Adult Literacy Program. II. PUBLIC REMARKS ON OFFICIAL ACTIONS III. EXECUTIVE DUTIES: A. MOU for Waygreen and Bazemore Park IV. OFFICIAL REPORTS: A. City Manager's Report B. Mayor's Report (To Include Any Public Service Announcements). Section 6.00.02 -Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees when necessary to permit them to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Page 1 of 4 V. CONSIDERATION OF OFFICIAL ACTIONS: A. Consent Calendar: 1. Approval of Minutes: a. Waycross City Commission Planning & Information Session, Monday January 6, 2025, at 5:00pm. b. Waycross City Commission Meeting, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 5:00 pm. C. Waycross City Commission Planning & Information Session, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 3:00pm d. Waycross City Commission Meeting, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5:00pm e. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday February 5, 2025, at 6:00pm f. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday February 12, 2025, at 6:00pm g. Waycross City Commission Special Called Meeting, February 12, 2025, at 6:30pm h. Waycross City Commission Planning & Information Session, Monday February 17, 2025, at 5:00pm i. Waycross City Commission Meeting, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 5:00pm j. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday February 19, 2025, at 6:00pm 2. Ordinance Second Readings: n/a 3. Privilege License Renewals: n/a Motion to approve the consent calendar was made Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. All voted in favor and the motion passed B. Privilege Licenses: n/a C. Bids: 1. Bid # FY25-06 Alice Street Warehouse Renovation Motion to approve was made Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Roberts. All voted in favor and the motion passed. 2. WAYXL 24-05 Offer on Colley Street Property Motion to approve was made Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Roberts. All voted in favor and the motion passed Section 6.00.02 -Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees when necessary to permit them to perform the essential functions oftheir jobs. Page 2 of 4 3. Surplus Property-Lot 3 City Blvd D. Ordinançes: 1. An Ordinance To Amend The Code OfThe City OfWaycross, Georgia; To Amend Chapter 34-Taxation, Licenses and Business Regulation, Article IV,-Occupation Tax, Section 34- 88 Pertaining To When Occupation Tax Due and Payable and to Add Stricter Enforcement Provisions; Section 34-97 Pertaining To Subpoena and Arrest Powers; Section 34-103 Pertaining To Payment of Occupation Tax By Newly Established Businesses; To Repeal Conflicting Ordinances; To Provide For Severability; To Provide For An Effective Date; To Provide For Renumbering or Relettering; and For Other Purposes 1st Reading: Motion to approve made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Mayor Pro Temp, Bennett. All in favor and the motion passed. 2nd Reading: Motion to approve made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Mayor Pro Temp, Bennett. All in favor and the motion passed E. Resolutions: 1. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia To Award Contract For Renovations To Alice Street Warehouse To B. James Construction, LLC of Blackshear, Georgia and for Other Purposes. Motion to approve made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Mayor Pro Temp, Bennett. All in favor and the motion passed. 2. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia To Approve The Sale and Transfer of Certain Surplused Real Property Located at 1200 Colley Street Consisting of 9.09 Acres, Map & Parcel Number WS0710 076A; and for Other Purposes. Motion to approve made by Mayor Pro Temp, Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Roberts. All in favor and the motion passed. 3. A Resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia, To Amend the Policy Regarding Extension of Water and Sewer Services ofThe Present System; to Provide an Effective Date; and for Other Purposes. Motion to approve was made Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. All voted in favor and the motion passed. Section 6.00.02 -Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees when necessary to permit them to perform the essential functions oft their jobs. Page 3 of 4 VI. LAST CALL and/or ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Mayor Pro Temp, Sheinita Bennett. All voted in favor and the meeting adjourned at 6:04 pm CITY OF WAYCROSS BY: Muhaibln MICHAEL-ANGELO JAMES, Mayor ATTEST: sewwi Aou JACQUALINE POWELL, City Clerk - Osout Section 6.00.02 -Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified indivi iduals with a disability. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees when necessary to permit them to perform the essential functions oftheirj jobs. Page 4 of 4 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: It is now called to order. Now stand with the world. MAYOR: For some strange reason, my devotion keeps taking me back to reciprocity, which is the process of getting back what you SOW into a thing. And sO the book of Luke chapter six says, give, and it shall be given unto you. Good measure. Pressed down, shaken together, running over. Matthew chapter six, verses 14 and 15 talk about forgiveness. And in those two passages it says, ifyou do not forgive, you cannot be forgiven. And we do understand that forgiveness is the only way you can get into what we call heaven. And it says there that if you cannot forgive your brother, the father in heaven will not forgive you. And with those words being said, I will now lead us in our prayer. Father, we love you, praise you, and thank you for this opportunity to come together. We ask now that you would forgive us of our many sins and the wrongs that we've done in our lives, but we also say, we ask that you help us to forgive those who have trespassed against us. And we love you, father, we pray now that you would bless this meeting, that it will be as you desire it to be. We yield our thoughts and our will to your will. We pray that Your Word, your will, your way, will govern and guide us as we go forward in deliberation and decision making. We praise you and we thank you now in the precious and holy name of our Savior and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. MAYOR: At this time. We look to our city clerk for the reading of decorum and commission while the reading of the quorum is being had. That is to be reminded to look at our agenda. And if there is something that needs to be moved or changed, please let me know before the motion. Right. Mr. Clerk? CITY CLERK: Yes, sir. Just one moment, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Mr. Clerk, would you like me to? I can read it. CITY CLERK: You can proceed, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Persons who wish to address the city commission at a regular or called meeting of the City Commission under the Public Remarks on official actions. Agenda item must register or sign up or express their desire for the City Clerk no later than the beginning of the meeting, and shall state the resolution, ordinance, or agenda item on which the speaker wishes to speak. Because time is a limited resource, and in an effort to conduct public remarks or comments on matters which official action is to be taken by the Commission in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Persons who wish to speak in support or in opposition of said official action being considered shall be allowed as follows. The first person who registers to speak in support, or of, or in opposition to, shall each be entitled to speak for five minutes as to why the official action should or should not be approved by the Commission, with any other person desiring to speak either in opposition or in support, shall have two minutes each. If more than one person registers to speak in opposition or in support, they can decide who speaks first. But ifthey cannot agree, the first person who registers with the clerk is allowed five minutes. Failure to follow the procedure outlined herein may result in an individual not being eligible to address the Commission until he or she agrees to the mayor's satisfaction to abide by the rules as stated Here in the following rules shall apply. One. The speaker must begin the remarks by stating his or her name, address, and organization represented, if any. Number two. The speaker must address all remarks to the mayor and not to any individuals. Number three. The speaker's comments must be pertinent to the resolution, ordinance, or agenda item for which the speaker has signed up. Number four. The speaker shall follow the rules of decorum as set out in section 266 and must avoid repetition. Number five. After the City Commission begins discussion and consideration of a resolution, an ordinance, or an official action, only the mayor, the commissioners and the persons requested to speak by the mayor or a city commissioner after receiving permission from the mayor, Page 1 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 will be allowed to speak. Number six, except for unusual circumstances, and only after a vote by a majority of the city commissioners present at such meetings will a person who has not signed up in advance of the meeting be allowed to speak. The City Commission, by a majority vote of the members present, may suspend all or any of these rules. Eight any person who violates any of these rules may be removed from the meeting. Nine any speaker or proposed speaker who violates these rules after first being warned by the mayor or the mayor pro temp in the absence of the mayor or the city commission, either or both, to see such violation shall, upon conviction in the municipal court, be guilty of an offense and punished as set forth in section 1-9. The persons who wish to address the City Commission at work session shall have the right to address or speak to the City commissioners or official actions or other topics relating to the business or interest oft the city. The Commission will not hear from persons, and persons will not be permitted to speak on matters or issues which are not related to the official city, business matters, or issues not under the jurisdiction or control of the Commission. Matters or issues published on an agenda, as a public hearing agenda item, or on matters or issues which are traditionally reserved for executive session, such as personnel matters and matters which are the subject of or pertain to pending or current litigation. Because time is a limited resource and, in an effort, to hear from the public in the most efficient and effective manner possible, a total of four persons will be permitted to speak at each work session, with a maximum of three minutes allotted to each speaker. Speaker shall sign up on a first come, first serve basis. Failure to follow the procedures outlined herein may result in an individual not being eligible to address the Commission until he or she agrees to the mayor's satisfaction. To abide by the rules stated herein and now cease reading there. And the decorum is found in section 2.66, which this particular point of public comment applies to this particular outline due to the fact that this is our official meeting. And at this time, I'll look to the commission for a motion on the agenda. MAYOR: Is there a motion to receive the agenda as presented? ROBERTS: Mr. mayor? Yes. Excuse me. Um, the resolution number two. MAYOR: Number two. ROBERTS: Yes, sir. MAYOR: Number two, Colley street properly. Yes, sir. ROBERTS: Yes, sir. With all due respect to Commissioner Bennett, because that's a district where the district does butt against district one, and we don't have a problem with the sale, but we. just want to make sure too, that it's housing and not wrecking apartments. So as long as it's residential, straight up housing, we are good with that. But, uh, and like I said, with respect to Mr. Gideon, I would like to have housing because it's not understood. MAYOR: So in this resolution, what we can do, are you going to do you want it to remain on the agenda or do you want it to be removed? ROBERTS: Well, we can go along with it. Okay. As long as there's houses. Okay. You don't have to fight later on. Okay. MAYOR: So we can have that discussion when the resolution comes up. Yes, sir. Very good. Thank you. All right. FELDER: I have a question. MAYOR: Yes. Page 2 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 FELDER: Um, regarding the resolutions. Um, it was my understanding that there would be a resolution to add ESG. And Mr. Bill, I can't think of his last name for the utility rate water study to be added to our retreat. MAYOR: Okay. And that that wouldn't be a resolution. The resolution would not be for the retreat, but the resolution would be for allowing, if I'm not mistaken, for us to allow for the water rate to be changed. Do we have a resolution for that? Okay. 3%. FELDER: Right. Okay. In addition to that. MAYOR: Okay. CITY MANAGER: So, I think adding a speaker to the retreat is simply a concession. What y'all did, and I will add him. I don't think we need a resolution for that. MAYOR: So. No resolution for that. CITY MANAGER: Okay. I pulled the resolution before if we want to discuss it now while I was pulled, um, for the rate increase because we had the resolution already. Do I need to go into that now or once, y'all. We can. MAYOR: We can do it when we get into a meeting ifthey have approved the agenda. There's more to this than I can see. And I know that you want to reveal to the commission what has been hidden in plain sight in a sense. Yes, ma'am. All right. So, with that, those couple of items that have been mentioned, what is the pleasure of the commission? NELSON: Move for Approval. MAYOR: We have a motion for approval of the agenda and to move forward. Is there a second? BENNETT: Second. MAYOR: We have a second. We'll do a voice vote, district one. Yes, sir. district two. Yes, sir. district three, Yes, And district five, Yes, sir. All right. At this point, we move forward with the agenda for tonight. Do we have. According to this, we have, uh, Coastal Pines Technical College, adult literacy. CITY MANAGER: Yes, sir. GUEST SPEAKER ERIC MATHIS: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. And to the board. And I'd like to also address my boss, Miss Katrina Felder. She's the executive director at Coastal Technical College, which saw fit to hire me as an adult ed instructor. And I've been here now about three years. And I became acquainted with Mr. Locke. Okay. And I don't know. FELDER: point of clarification. Mr. Mayor MAYOR: Okay. We just wanted your name and where you stayed. GUEST SPEAKER ERIC MATHIS: Okay. Um, my name is,Eric Mathis, and I'm the adult ed instructor at Coastal Pines Technical College. And, um, just like to tell you a little bit about our program. We have had an extraordinary year last year. Whereas, um, we, uh, was given, uh. About, uh, 1100. Well, this year they increased it to 1110 students for us to serve. Last year, we served 868 students, uh, which was by like a 23% increase. Um, currently we have about 827 students on roll now, SO we should, uh, knock, uh, those goals down and set some new ones. Um, we have also about Page 3 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 95 ESL students enrolled in the program, uh, which is an English as a second. learner language. Um, we've achieved about 185 GED diplomas for the state of Georgia. Last year, we exceeded that number. Um, it was only set at 157. Um, we've also, uh, had about 39, uh, students completing their IEP, uh, certification, whether it was SERV safe or whether it was a forklift. Um, and very few of them did a nursing. But we are proud of those type of numbers. And we do look forward to, uh, having those numbers increase before the end of the fiscal school year, which ends in at the end of June. Um. Coastline Technical College program has classes designed to help students to prepare and take the GED. Our program offers no cost, uh, instructions. Uh, they have free assessments, uh, sO that we can determine the skill level. Also, create lesson plans to meet the students where they are. Um, academic counseling and advisement is also available. We have special needs instructions as well. Uh, computerized instructions, uh, in the classroom. And we also offer day and evening classes. Our motto is get assessed, get placed, get learning. Uh, everyone entering into our program. Uh, must be assessed. Students will be evaluated at these free. Orientation and assessments. We take the worry off all the students. Because they don't have to worry about cost. They don't have to. Struggle with any type of money, cost or anything like that. We take that totally on ourselves. We are. We have the high school equivalency grant, and also, we have the Coastal Pines Technical College Scholarship to assist the students. And thirdly, if they don't want to go through that, they can pay. That's an option for the students, but we don't want them to use that because we got these other programs available, and we want to utilize those resources so they can continue to assist us to serve students. Also, we have the education program. Excuse me. For some reason, I'm getting dry mouth or whatever. But, um, um, we assist the students, uh, free of charge through a variety of programs. Uh, we have basic skills improvement. We have ESL. We also have GED classes. And we have the IEP program, which is the integrated educational training. Like I said, that's, uh, give our students a real world, uh, learning environment and increase the availability to their employer. Um, and we're proud of those numbers where, um, we see students not only graduate with their GED, but they also come out with a certification as well. And then when they go to job interviews and present their certifications, uh, certainly you can tell that they're more likely to get higher than someone without those certifications. Um, the last year or SO, we have broadened our range of, um, learning. We are now going into the jails. I have also been selected as the instructor at the jail site. And uh, since we've been there, we have about ten graduates that come out of the, the, um, the, uh, Coastal Technical College graduation program. Our, uh, adult education program has helped many of them. Um, I highlight one student that we had. His name was Andre Johnson. Um, he was in our program, and he got incarcerated. Somehow or another, he was at the same jail I was teaching at. This young man, uh, went into the program within two months. He had graduated. On the day he graduated, he was sitting in court, and he was getting ready to pronounce a sentence on it when the news of his diploma reached the judge. Instead of giving him a sentence, a community sent him home with probation. And SO this speaks volumes that we use. We like to tell this story to, um, the other incarcerated population, because if the judge will see fit for one student, what do you think will do for the others? Because it's a sign of them trying to improve themselves and better their environment. So we are going into the jails. We're doing that. And just recently we are embarked upon a free to go program where students can come in and do an assessment. We got it fast tracked where they can take the practice test under the math and science poetry, which is the two difficult areas. They do well on that, and we put them in the three-day program. The third day we'll give them a test, not a practice, but the actual GED test in conjunction with Pearson Vue Test Center. We give them the actual test and they pass that they graduated within three days. It's a pilot program, but this program is successful. That's something that we want to implement more often. We also have on the direction of um with um. Our ESL instructor. Eugenia. Yeah. I'm sorry, Miss Eugenia Evans. She is our English second learner instructor. She has done great work in getting some of those to become citizens. And also, she also is instrumental in, uh, allowing the very low-level learners teaching them English and to the point where they can take enter into our regular classrooms and understand the instructions and take the training and eventually graduate. We have a few of those that have come to that great feat, and our testing are all computerized. Um, we work in conjunction with um, Pearson Vue Labs. Uh, we tested four different areas. Uh, there are math, science, social studies, and language arts. Uh, each test costs about 4 to $6. That's about a $6 increase from the previous year due to inflation, but the total cost wouid be like $184. And to take that Page 4 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 steam away from the students, we provide a. Scholarship or the HSC grant. And let me tell you a little bit about myself. I've been here about three years and um, I've been teaching about, um, close to 15 years. They kept me in the math department, which is really out of my field. Um, but I have strong math skills and everything like that, SO they kept me around the math. Everywhere I went to teach, whether it was in Valdosta or in Lake City. Um, they want to throw me in the air, and I get here. And Miss Katrina failed to hire me as one of the instructors. When they found out that I had strong math skills, that was it. And I will tell you that there were times when I wanted to pack up because I didn't realize how fast paced and how demanding. Being an instructor at the adult education school would be. And one thing about Miss Felder, she was very demanding and wanted everything done with excellence. I didn't mind doing that, but they didn't tell me about this, had to be learned and that had to be learned. And this. So I almost left. The thing of it is, is that I like to tell people sometimes you can give up too soon, and ifI would have given up and left, I would not have Experience now, but I've been selected as recently. I was selected as the teacher of the year for Coastal Pines Technical College, and I've gone to Atlanta, and we had a convention, not a convention, but a conference there. And then the other night I was invited to a donor's dinner, and they wanted me to speak there. And then I thought it was over. And my brother said, Uh-Uh, you got to come back and speak one more time. So, uh, I'm Mr. Mathis, I appreciate y'all taking the time to listen to me, and anybody would love to, uh, donate to us or help us out in any capacity. We would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. MAYOR: Thank you! Are there any public remarks on official actions? CITY CLERK: No, sir. MAYOR: We move into our executive duties, and we need to have a conversation about the MOU. CITY MANAGER: Oh yes, Mr. Mayor. Um, it's outlined in the charter yourself. Um, myself and MOU, yesterday's presentation was meant to educate the entire commission body on the initiative. And, uh, Commissioner, Nelson's, park area. And they already have information that they only want to extend the visitation area. Um, unfortunately, because linked to the brief, they didn't get to the actual request, um, to have that MOU signed sO they can live through, the commission's, um, SO I'm requesting tonight we create an MOU. Unfortunately, uh, the city clerk had a family emergency. She had to take off. Um, and hopefully everything is okay, SO we didn't get a chance to finish with you. Um, but it's simply going to stay. They can use, uh, additional portions of the park, uh, for their visitation program. The debrief yesterday, and I can sign now, you can sign it, Mr. Mayor. And we want to bring it back before the commission would make sure everybody knew what was going on. I paused on that. MAYOR: I don't think there's any question regarding this. Commissioner Nelson does not speak to it, but I think he has the intelligence on this. So, he wants to share something that he knows that we don't know that. NELSON: They just wanted to know before they move forward with all those grants, they received that we as a city wouldn't come back and change our minds on them. So by doing this, this would guarantee them that we would not do that, and they could move forward on the things that they want to do for the community. And one of the things that I asked them was that, um, in all this growth of this, uh, fruits and vegetables, will that be accessible to the community around here? Not outside Waycross, around here, and they guarantee that throughout the course of the year or sometime in the near future, that that will be available on site, where people can come out and buy from them on the spot with vouchers and stuff. So other than that, that's it, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. MAYOR: And I know that they've been doing this way. We've been doing this quite some time now through our Okefenokee Heritage Center. So I'm willing to sign off. NELSON: Great. Page 5 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: Just need to speak to that. Okay. City manager's report. CITY MANAGER: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have no visual for my city manager's report today. I want to cover a few topics ifl can, Mr. Mayor, I can cover while we pull that one resolution during my report for the commission. But I'll start off with this just to say that, um, we're requesting everybody utilize the Facebook page for the daily update. However, if you're not on Facebook or social media and you want to get that daily update, um,, just signifying where we are in the community as far as our operations and updates on roads, maps, parks, streets, all those things. You can subscribe to the email. It should be. The email should be getting posted in the comment section right now. And once again, ifyou aren't Facebook, you can't see that. But for those that might be watching right now, please come up to see the events, integrations and Information Systems director, Mr. Simmons. And you can sign up for that email and you'll get an email with that data report every day. Um, there's only two ways you're going to get it, either through social media or through the email correspondence. So, um, those, like I said, are not on social media. You need to come up here and sign up, um, on our distribution list for that report. It is also on the website if you want to go to our website as well. And there you can just hit that link to the email and sign up and sign up to. So but again, those that might not have access to computers or might find our website challenging to be on Facebook, just please come up to City Hall and Mr. Simmons team will get you signed up for that email distribution list outlining all the daily operations of the city of Waycross. Uh, next. Mr. mayor, this is just an informational update. Uh, we had a lot of inquiries about our tree maintenance, in particular, uh, the crape myrtles, um, throughout downtown, um, Midtown and a few other areas. Uh, sO we do we have been cutting those crape myrtles for some years in the same capacity. Um, SO they always go right back. Uh, we are looking at, uh, ifyou saw today, we started removing, uh, the grass and the rocks at the base of these locations. Uh, the goal is to get more consistent, um, consistency with all of the great murderers and all the trees. Uh, we're still trying to figure out what that looks like, ifi it's going to be pavers or anything like that. Um, it's kind of difficult based on the base of the trees, but we know we get a lot of comments about the crape myrtle, uh, maintenance. So I just want to let the public know that we have people that are trained to trying to cut the cut. Cut murders. Um, they were doing it for years. They always grow back. And we're all looking at other ways to make the appearance, at least at the base level, more esthetic to the community. Um, moving forward, uh, next, Mr. mayor, um, I would like to talk about the canal maintenance. Um, as you know, we have some flooding concerns, um, throughout the city of Waycross, throughout the history of' Waycross. And we haven't taken a lot of steps to, um, fix the canals. But the canal is only one part of the process about the drainage. Um, for those who might not be aware, they when a storm passes through the city of Waycross is going from east north, sO ended up going up the coast. Uh, that water then is that water enters the river Arbor River and makes its way south. Uh, once the river is at a certain height, any water here is sitting in Waycross is not going to be able to enter that water stream service. So it's not about the canals not being cleaned or cleaned or grass. Um, it is about level water. It's the only thing we can do at that time is let the water disperse, which will take time. And once it goes down, it will pass into the river. Um, with that being said, those areas that need cleaning, um, an assessment of some of our citizens, we can't necessarily go in and clean it because we don't have easements yet. Uh, we're currently working to get the easements. I will ask citizens to understand, uh, that process. Um, and if you are one of those owners that owns the, the land surrounding the canal, if you could help us out. Um, uh, and answer some of the requests to get the evening started. It will help out the city of Waycross. Uh, in some cases, we have found out that the person, uh, with the house on the land is not the owner, and we have to contact the actual owner. That also takes time, but it's also part of the process. About us, uh, getting the canals clean. We need to get access to the canals to get them clean. Something that we're working on. We have about eight locations, I think, right now we're trying to get some easements or zone to get in there and better clean those canals. Um, in those cases as well, it might be a situation where, uh, the owners not wanting to come on the canal to clean it. And in those cases, we won't, um, unless the commission wants to, we can look at other means, but more than likely, we won't keep going on with that because we've, uh. So far, we've not really gotten anywhere this past year with those scenarios. There's only been two cases like that where the wants come on their Page 6 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 property. So I. just want to make sure everybody understands these processes because it does take some time. Everything is connected. And um, as we work on our overall drainage program, this is just a small part ofit. Um, that we're trying to make better. So when it does rain here, uh, the rain will sit for a certain amount of time based on how much rain falls. Uh, because we don't have the green space, meaning free grass to suck up the rain. Um, and also, ifthe if the storm is pushing the water from up north until that river goes down, it's going to push our water back some. So just hoping everybody understands that. this last thing Mr. mayor. I did, um, move the, uh, remove the resolution, um, to update or to increase the water rates. Uh, upon, um, researching the resolution, we found that we had other resolutions already in place. You have a copy in your desk? Yes. Um, they kind of outline the exact same thing. I was not sure at the time. Um, could we not use the current regulations? I'm. I'm talking to the city attorney about this. The only problem with this, with this, um, resolution, when it was and it was passed on one on your desk right now, it should reflect 2017. Uh, I know many ofyou were not there during that time frame. Um, and it's a 1.5%. So, um, we're going to research this because they also use a, um, a management group to get their information on, on how to make the raises. But the key thing with this current resolution is it talks about the CPI model index, giving us the ability to go down to Page three. Page three. It says be it further resolved that the above rates may be adjusted each July Ist by the Commission of the City of Waycross, by adoption of the resolution for said purpose for the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in all items categories, as published by the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics in the CPI detailed report for December of the preceding calendar year, but the annual increase limited to 5%. So with this statement, Mr. Mayor, ifI believe we've already had a resolution that adopted the CPI and I've mentioned the CPI a few times before, sO I'm going to get with the city attorney and the city clerk, hopefully, if everything all right with which it comes back and try to find that resolution, because that's probably going to be if it's already there, you know, like I said, we mentioned before about adopting that CPI model. I want to make sure ifi it's their first elected commission, that it's there and we probably should be following it. Or at the same time, if the current commission does not want to follow it, then we got I think we got to do retro resolutions to get rid of all this stuff and kind of start over. So what I ended up doing was just pulling everything. Like I say, a lot of times, unfortunately, um, we don't know what other resolutions are out there until we go looking for said topic. And this just happened yesterday when we're trying to research, uh, the best way to write the resolution for the water, um, usage increase. So that's where we are right now. Um, hopefully tomorrow I'll have a better understanding of why, um, this 2017, uh, resolution was not acted upon. Um, it's also my understanding we had another 1 in 2022 right behind this. So I'm trying to just figure out what happened during those, those time frames. And once I figured it out, I will bring this back to the resolution. Uh, at the next meeting, we have coming up with those, uh, with those answers and also the CPI, and then request again that we do the race based off of the new information that I've discovered. And I know it's a lot, Mr. Mayor, sO I'll stop there. MAYOR: No, it's not a lot, actually. It's just it's good that this was. Found. CITY MANAGER: Okay. MAYOR: The other side of that is that the 2022 one was with I was here. Correct. So the understanding here I know we sat on the floor down there talking about it several times. So there are various things that we've already gone through. The ESG came in and taught us through Trey, Mr. Trey Gavin, who did a presentation back at that time, and I believe a couple of commissioners that are here now were on that particular group. So I believe that we've heard this before, but just for clarity, and I understand what you're trying to do is make sure we're keeping with what we've already stated sO that we won't Later on, we find ourselves against ourselves with the same thing. Uh, did the attorney want to say anything to. CITY MANAGER: Us before I pass the attorney? Mr. mayor, I just want to state that the 2022 is more likely. Just follow up on this because it's probably like an annual view. I haven't seen any of their looking for right now. They had to stop for the reason I mentioned earlier. Um, sO I don't think Page 7 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 it's a new resolution. I think it's just they must have just updated the annual on this and kind of pass it for that. So, um, I'm not that resolution is a big deal as this resolution. So ift that if that makes sense. MAYOR: Well, this is the feeder. CITY MANAGER: Yes. MAYOR: This is the actual starting point. This is where all the others are derived from if I'm not mistaken. Uh, during this particular time under uh, number 62, there was a. Well, I know when he signed off on this, it was not enacted after it was signed. So, the follow through is the thing that I'm concerned about. CITY MANAGER: As well as I am, Mr. aware, and we're trying to figure that out. MAYOR: Because you can make a resolution, but if you don't have the follow through thereafter, it's really not on the board. HUEY SPEARMAN: Yeah, we were trying to get the resolution done. And then. We discovered. This. And sO that's why we're at the point where we are now. just trying to figure out what happened since 2016, what happened in 2022. And SO, we were not able to get it done for tonight until we get the answers to those questions. MAYOR: That's why I was fooled. I understand that. CITY MANAGER: And that concludes my report, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: And thank you. I wanted to in my report, I believe it's my time to just talk a little bit about what's been happening on my side of the table. And one thing that I wanted to commend our. Majority whip for the state of Georgia, who happens to be Representative James Birkhead. He called me in to come to the state Capitol for the purpose of serving as the chaplain of the day. So, I went in. And great, great hospitality given by Speaker Burns and also by the entire House of Representatives. So I was very excited about being able to represent the city of Waycross there. The other side of this is that I was given the opportunity just the other day to help celebrate Mrs. Velma Harrington, and today is declared Miss Velma Harrington Day. And sO, all day today, they've been having some great events and activities for her. We had a great meeting on this last weekend, which was Saturday. So, we do want to say to the family of Miss Harrington, she's a great educator. She actually graduated from Central High School in 1948 and from the Albany State University in 1952. So, we really want to thank her and her family for the great hospitality. This last weekend as we celebrate her. I did have a photo and it should be on our website. Today with this 95-year-old who's getting around better than some 40-year-olds. So, thought it was a great, great event. Along with that, just wanted to thank the commission for being present for these last few weeks. We've actually been seeing great things getting done, and I'm appreciative to each of you for coming in. And that's one oft the things that leads us into our workforce. I believe we have a source or workforce meeting coming up in April. That will be taking place at our city's auditorium, and we look forward to seeing many of our youth and young people and talent being trained. One of the concerns in the classroom now is why do people not want to stay in the city? It's not that they don't have the ability to stay. It's just that they don't see what can be done here. And the goal of this workforce is to see what is available, have the opportunity to be trained for it. And when businesses come into our community, which several of them have been traveling through and touring today, this gives us an opportunity to showcase our people and the gifts that we have in our city. So, with that, I'll move to our next matter of concern and that will be our consent calendar. And I look to our city's clerk, Mr. Nixon. CITY CLERK: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Consideration of official actions. Consent calendar. We have our approval of minutes. Um. Waycross City Commission Planning and Information Session Monday, Page 8 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 January 6th, 2025, at 5 p.m. Waycross City Commission Meeting Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, at 5 p.m. Waycross City Commission and Planning and Information Session Tuesday, January 21st, 2025 at 3 p.m. We have Waycross City Commission Meeting Tuesday, January 21st, 5:00 pm. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, at 6 p.m. Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, at 6 p.m. We also have Waycross City Commission Special Call Meeting February 12th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Waycross City Commission Planning Information Session Monday, February 17th, 2025, at 5 p.m. Waycross City Commission Meeting Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, at 5:00 pm. And finally, Waycross City Commission Public Hearing Wednesday, February 19th at 6 p.m. MAYOR: Having heard the consent calendar, what is your pleasure? Have a motion for approval from our commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? NELSON: Second. MAYOR: We have a second from our commissioner. Nelson. MAYOR: We're moving to voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. Consent. Calendar passes. At this time, we look to our city's procurement department and Mr. Jackson. MAMIE: Mr. mayor. Commissioners. Purchasing has two items before you today. The first one is for the Alice Street warehouse renovation. The warehouse was flooded on November the 7th from a heavy rainstorm. As a result, there was over 14in of water. Um, that was stagnant in the warehouse after it flooded. There was a lot of mold and bacteria. Uh, we have since had that remediated and cleaned, and with the Commission's permission, we put out a bid to renovate the warehouse. We received two bids, one from James Construction of Blackshear, Georgia, a 45,001 from Tyco, Construction of 143,700. We are with our recommendation and after reviewing our recommendation is to award the bid to James B James. I'm sorry. Construction of Blackshear, Georgia for $45,000. MAYOR: Commission. We have heard the bid proposed by the procurement officer, Mrs. Jackson, what is your pleasure? We have a motion for approval from Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. We have a second from Commissioner Roberts. Alli in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. No. FELDER: I Have a question? MAYOR: Okay. We have moved into voting. And now let's see. Hold on. We had a and we need your help here. HUEY SPEARMAN: All right, well, you've already called for the question. And sO, um, there was no unreadiness stated I think, at that point. So you're already calling for the votes. So you have to finish the voting. MAYOR: Exactly. So the vote has been called right now. I'1l have to do a voice vote because we had a break in. So district one. Yes, sir. District two. Yes, sir. District three I'll pass. District. Okay. In district five. Yes, sir. MAYOR: Okay. Motion carries been approved. MAMIE: Uh, the next item before the commission is the sale of 1200 College Street. That property Was surplused for 20. I'm sorry for two of 24 of. We have received an offer. The commission tentatively accepted the offer on the condition that the buyer. Mitigate the asbestos in the building within one year of closing. The buyer has agreed to that condition. And we are coming back before the commission to ask if they will accept the offer with the condition added. I'm sorry. The offer is $175,000. Thank you. Page 9 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: Having heard the offer proposed and given to us by Mr. Jackson, what is your pleasure, Commissioner? I would just put it this way. You can send it last night. So either you with what you said or you've changed your mind tonight? Yes, sir. ROBERTS: So, I'm not allowed to ask the question. MAYOR: You're allowed to ask a question. ROBERTS: Okay, sir. Um, with the change of the resolution and like we were saying about, uh, making sure that departments, whether we want departments in. So, I mean, we just wanted the single-family housing. As long as it's single-family housing, we're disabled, you know. MAYOR: And you can. And my question to the city attorney. CITY MANAGER: You. Can. MAYOR: We cannot determine what they do on the property once. HUEY SPEARMAN: We that is that is correct. You can't really dictate to people what they do with the property once you declare it surplus and sell it. Now it is currently zoned for C-1. So, it's, you know, it's commercial property at this point. And I think that point came out last night too, that, um, if he wanted to put some sort of multifamily housing, he'd have to apply for a zoning rezoning request for that, and you could control it at that point. MAYOR: We can control it in the sense that we can say no to that because he had to change it. You have to come back to this. Yes, sir. ROBERTS: I understand. I just didn't want nobody to throw your money out there. Then you know what I'm saying? MAYOR: I got you; I understand exactly. So, with that being said, I still leave the floor open for a motion to all this, this particular presentation. So, what is your pleasure? Now, you know you got power after this. So, just want to know where you are. ROBERTS: Its commissioner Bennett district. So. BENNETT: For us to go ahead with it okay. MAYOR: So she's giving us a motion. Is there a second? ROBERTS: I'Il second. MAYOR: Thank you, sir. So we have a motion from our Commissioner Bennett and a second from our Commissioner Roberts. All in favor? Aye. MAYOR: Discussion. Oh, you want to discuss? We'll have pause discussion. You did have some discussion beforehand, but not. You had a question. NELSON: He has the motion. He has the motion. First, he put the motion on the floor. MAYOR: And motion second. And discussion. NELSON: Time For discussion. Page 10 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: That's correct. HUEY SPEARMAN: It's time for discussion. MAYOR: It's time for discussion now. He asked the question to her regarding what's going to happen, but it was not discussion. NELSON: Robert's rules of. Order. Yes. Correct. Yeah. Um, if they're concerned, I believe, was the fact that we're going to turn this over to him and he's going to probably do something that's not appealing to the community. My thinking is that if we were to pass it, we can come back and zone it. Single residential. Is that a possibility? MAYOR: But you have to do that through your planning and zoning commission, and then they will bring it to us. Right. And then just as we did a public hearing earlier today, then you can determine Then you have the power in that, right. They either say yes or no. NELSON: Yes. Ijust want to say some clarity on that. MAYOR: I got you. Okay. NELSON: Okay. That's it. MAYOR: All right. And that just goes along with what the question was earlier. Just to re-emphasize. Okay. FELDER: I have a question. MAYOR: And there's a question on the floor. FELDER: So, you stated yesterday that the buyer is William Gross. Yes. Is that Mr. Bill gross? MAMIE: Bill gross. Yes, ma'am. FELDER: Okay. And he has a history of developing in this community. MAMIE: Yes. FELDER: Um, SO my question is if he has a history of developing more than one, um, project in this community for housing, and it's been successful as far as I'm aware. Um, I don't understand the reservation. MAYOR: It's just a question and just clarity. I think if it's in an area and individuals want to know something, they can ask that question. And because one of us knows a thing does not mean all of us know that thing. And because we need clarity due to the fact that not everybody knows it, then that's where the questions come. You know, I can see if I may know someone, and you don't know them. And they're coming on my property and they're working for me. But then you come to me and ask me questions about it. I understand your question because you don't know them, and I do. So, unless we have a presentation before saying something about the fire, we did not know until you told us the name after a question was made. It was not that was not a part of the presentation initially. Correct. So therefore, questions do arise when we don't know who the people are. And you use two different names here. We used one name, although I know ifI, if my name was Robert, you can call me Bob. And my name is William. You can call me Bill. But the point that I'm making is that depending upon the person, when they hear that, it could change how they hear a thing. So back to my point. If we're Page 11 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 going to, we can make the vote and then we can also come back after this vote. And when the if, for instance, there is a change of the zoning and there is a request of us as a commission, you have control in that area. MAYOR: Is that clear? Okay. All right. So, we'll move into voting. I'll just do it by district. District one. Yes, sir. District two. Yes, sir. District three. Yes. And district five. Yes. Motion approved. T'lI deal with the surplus property of lot three, City Boulevard. Did we take that off the chart today? CITY MANAGER: Yes, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Okay. Thank you. And we now go to ordinances. CITY CLERK: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have an ordinance to amend the code of the City of Waycross, Georgia, to amend chapter 34 taxation, Licenses and Business Regulations. Article four. Occupation tax. Section 34 Dash 88 pertaining to wind. Occupation tax due and payable to add stricter enforcement provisions. Section 34 Dash 97 pertaining to subpoena and arrest powers. Section 30 4-1033 pertaining to payment of occupation. Occupation tax by newly established businesses. To repeal conflicting ordinances. To provide for severability. To declare an emergency. To provide for an effective date. To provide for renumbering or Relettering and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will amend the city code relating to business license fees or occupation tax to provide for increases in fees as set forth in the ordinance, the due date for said fees, and adding strict enforcement penalties for failure to pay the occupation tax when due, including authorizing the Waycross Police Department to close the business until fees, taxes, penalties, and interest are paid in full. Should the business continue to operate after the tax becomes delinquent and the business is closed, the owner will also be subject to criminal prosecution in city court. The City Commission will also declare an emergency, since the occupation tax is due April Ist, SO that the proposed ordinance can be read twice at the same meeting and adopted without delay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Commissioner, you have heard the ordinance read by our city's clerk. What is your pleasure? NELSON: Move for approval. MAYOR: We have a motion for approval by our commissioner Nelson. Is there a second? Second. We have a second by Commissioner Bennett. Any discussion on this ordinance? NELSON: Yes, sir. Mr. mayor. MAYOR: Commissioner Nelson. NELSON: just want to say this is long overdue. This is like a hole in the boat. We've been losing constant revenue for the longest. And thank you, Mr. Manager, for bringing this to our attention. So, Mr. Mayor, thank you. MAYOR: Any further discussions from the commission or questions? Hearing none, we'll move into voting district one. Yes, sir. District two. Yes, sir. District three yes and district five. Yes, sir. We have a vote and ordinance passes at this time. We go to our resolutions, Mr. Clerk HUEY SPEARMAN: Yes. He has to read it a second time. CITY CLERK: Yes, sir. Page 12 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: And by the way, let me say something here. Uh, there was a funny space here. This happened. The discussion online already, right? Was this a discussion or a question that was online? Most recently with our city's clerk? With Patrick? CITY MANAGER: Yes, sir. Mayor. MAYOR: Okay. So, let's hear that read one more time. I'll give you time to breathe. CITY CLERK: Thank you. And ordinance to amend the code of the City of Waycross, Georgia. To amend chapter 34, taxation Licenses and Business Regulations. Article four occupation tax. Section 34, Dash 88 pertaining to win occupation tax due and Payable and to add stricter enforcement provisions. Section 30 4-97 pertaining to subpoena and arrest powers. Section 34 Dash 103 pertaining to payment of occupation tax by newly established businesses. To repeal conflicting ordinances. To provide for severability. To declare an emergency. To provide for an effective date. To provide for renumbering or Relettering, and for other purposes. By adopting this ordinance, the City Commission will amend the city code relating to business license fees or occupation tax to provide for increases in fees as set forth in the ordinance. The due date for said fees and adding stricter enforcement penalties for failure to pay the occupation tax when due, including authorizing the Waycross Police Department to close business until fees, taxes, penalties and interest are paid in full. Should a business continue to operate after tax becomes delinquent and the business is closed, the owner will also be subject to criminal prosecution in city court. The city Commission will also declare an emergency, since the occupation tax is due April Ist, SO that the proposed ordinance can be read twice at the same meeting and adopted without delay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. Clerk, Commissioner, you have heard the ordinance read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? Approval of a motion for approval by Commissioner Nelson. Is there a second? Second? A second by Commissioner Bennett. Any discussion on this ordinance? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. Ordinance passes. Mr. quick. CITY CLERK: We have our resolutions. Um, a resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to award contract for renovations to Alice Street warehouse to B James Construction, LLC of Blackshear, Georgia, and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the city Commission will award a contract to B James Construction LLC of Blackshear, Georgia, to make repairs and improvements to Alice Street warehouse that was flooded with over 14in of water during the November 7th, 2024, rainstorm, resulting in major damages to the building equipment and AC units for a contract price of $45,000 to be paid for from Arpa funds. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. President. Commissioner, you have heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? Before we have a motion for approval by our Commissioner Nelson. Second by Commissioner Bennett. Any discussion or questions about this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move in together. All in favor? Aye. Aye. MAYOR: Okay, I'1l do it again. District one. Yes. District two. District three yes and district five. Yes, sir. All right. Got it done. All right. CITY CLERK: Our second resolution, a resolution of the city of Waycross, Georgia, to approve the sale and transfer of certain surplus real property located at 1200 College Street, consisting of 9.09 acres, map, and parcel number 07100768, and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve the sale of 1200 College Street as surplus property to the highest and best bidder, who was W.H. gross. Construction for the sale price of $175,000, with the agreed upon condition that the buyer abate the asbestos inside the building within one year of closing. Sale. As reflected in the real estate commercial purchase and sale agreement. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. Page 13 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Commissioner. You heard the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? We have a motion for approval by our commissioner Bennett, Is there a second? We have a second by Commissioner Roberts. Any discussion on this resolution? Hearing none. We'll move into voting. All in favor I. Aye. All opposed? No. Motion carries. Resolution passes. Mr. clerk. CITY CLERK: Final resolution. A resolution of the City of Waycross, Georgia, to amend the policy regarding extension of water and sewer services ofthe present system to provide an effective date and for other purposes. By adopting this resolution, the City Commission will approve an amendment to the policy extension of water and sewer of the present system to provide that any individual, partnership or firm, hereinafter called participant, desiring water and sewer service inside the city, which can be served from existing city mains, will pay increased participant costs from 75% to 100% of the cost of the completed installation of water or sewer service design, including all necessary expenditures to the system. Effective July Ist, 2025. Or upon adoption of the FY 2026 budget, whichever occurs first. Back to you, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Commissioners you've heard, the resolution read by our city clerk. What is your pleasure? A motion for approval by Commissioner Bennett. Is there a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Nelson. Any discussion concerning this resolution? Yes, Commissioner Felder has a discussion. FELDER: Mr. City Manager, could you provide clarification on this resolution for the citizens? CITY MANAGER: Um. Yes, Commissioner. So currently, we're on two water and sewer tap lines, depending on the size, scale and scope can cost up to, you know, as much as $10,000, depending on the amount of water you're going to use. In the past, well, up until this point right now, we've been paying a 25% cost of that which comes out of our water and sewer fund, um, which has been leading us pretty dry, um, over the last few years. We can no longer eat that cost at this time because it's like it's depleting all our funds to go to that. And, um, most companies coming in here on new sewer lines, um, every other city, that's 100%. They always pay that on their own. Um, we're one of the few cities that do that cost share. And like I say, it is depleting our funds in water and sewer. We need our water and sewer funds, uh, to go strictly to our water and sewer infrastructure as much as possible. Uh, this is just another, um, previous decision where it might have been, um, in the past years ago, where it benefited and it made sense, uh, as a business practice. Now it no longer makes sense, and we can move on from it and, um, modernize this process and like I say, have more monies available in our water and sewer funds to take care of our customers and their infrastructure versus what we've been doing in the past. MAYOR: Any further questions? FELDER: Yes. Um, you stated that this was a business practice at one point in time. That made sense. CITY MANAGER: I wasn't here, Commissioner. FELDER: Yes, I understand. I wasn't ither. My question is, um, do you know how long we've been practicing this culture as a city? CITY MANAGER: So at least 14 years. I know that I can't say anything before that. So at least 14 years that I know of. I know we've been doing that. FELDER: Okay. NELSON: Any further questions, Commissioner? Page 14 of 15 ***DISCUSSION NOTES*** CM 03182025 FELDER: Thank you. MAYOR: Hearing none, we'll move into voting district one. Yes, sir. District two. Yes. District three. Yes. District five. Yes, sir. We have unanimous vote resolution passes. At this time, we move to our last point, starting with our district one. ROBERTS: I'd like to tell everyone, have a good night and be safe and thanks. MAYOR: You're welcome. district two BENNETT: Thank you, everyone for coming out. Have a great week and weekend. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. FELDER: I appreciate everyone for coming out tonight. Also, I don't recall that we had the opportunity to thank CSX railroad for repairing our railroad crossings throughout the city and multiple districts. It was desperately needed. So, I really thank them for answering the call to repairing the infrastructure regarding the railroads here in the city. Also, I'd like to share with the citizens in our community that if you or someone you know does not have a high school equivalency diploma, or you have an opportunity to complete your GED in three days with Coastal Pines Technical Colleges Adult Education program This opportunity is free to anyone 18 years of age and older. And if you would like more information, you're welcome to call (912) 287-6580. Thank you, mayor. Back to you. MAYOR: Thank you. District five. NELSON: Nothing, Mr. Mayor. MAYOR: Well, having heard everyone speak tonight. Thank you sO very much. Again, congratulations to this celebrate Miss Velma Harrington on her day at 95 years old. And we look forward to seeing you in the city. To all who are present tonight, thank you SO very much for being here. And we ask that you consider being safe in the city. With that being said, I offer a motion for I'll open the floor for a motion for adjournment. So the motion for adjournment. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor, say aye. All opposed. Motion carries. This means adjourn. Page 15 of 15