City of Santa Claus, Georgia Regular Monthly Council Meeting May 20, 2025 The regular meeting of the Santa Claus City Council was held May 20, 2025. Those present were Mayor Donita Bowen, Councilmembers Renee Wright, Monte Powell, Matt Lynn, and Brenda Sells, Secretary Sue Grisham, and Eddie and Elaine Wright. The meeting began with the group reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Minutes of May 20, 2025, meeting were read. Renee made a motion second by Monte to accept the minutes. Council agreed unanimously to accept the minutes as read. Old Business: The financial reports were reviewed by the Council and discussed. The Gardens: The fan at the gazebo needs to be repaired or replaced. Donita will ask WADE to check it. Park: Darel Corley's crew have installed the signs at the Park. Asked Sue to mail out letters to inform all residents of the rules about fines on anyone driving motorized vehicles in the Park or on the Reindeer Trail. There are cameras to show the areas. Community Center: No issues. Roads: No new issues. Donita stated she has contacted Cliff Duerfeldt learning that he plans to move back to his house in Santa Claus. She added that WADE will install electrical outilets at the flagpole. The certificate of Matt's completing the "Newly Elected Official" classes at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center on March 19-21, 2025 has arrived & placed in the meeting room with other certificates. Zac Moore of Parlor has received acceptance from the FCC to continue to install data for the residents notification by text or email. The mayor has received from I.R.S. a PIN # and information on the electronic payments for the city for the Dept. of Labor and Dept. of Revenue. Donita has completed another course for Safety Advisor for the city to be eligible to obtain funds for safety projects. Reimbursement checks have been received for all items covered by Helene damages with Donita sending in a conformation of 100% completion. She is working with FEMA/GEMA on other items. All of these were explained to the council. FEMA has sent a letter confirming our Partcpation/avalabilny for any residents needing to apply for National Flood Insurance Program. NEW BUSINESS: Donita stated she has received notice that the city did not meet the deadline for the Homestead Exemption (HB 581) and will have to wait until 2026 to opt out. Sikes Civil LLC has completed the topsoil and grass seeding at the Park and repaved the walkway at the Gift Shop. He also widened the creek area at Salem ST & Reindeer ST and will continue to work in that area to help alleviate erosion on Salem ST. According to GDOT, the additional work should be covered by a Local Road Assistance (LRA) Grant that we qualify for this year in the amount of $5,428.74. The mayor reminded Larry Sikes that he still needs to paint the divider lines on the streets and install the speed bumps in the original locations. May 20, 2025 -page 2- Donita informed the Council that she closed out the ARPA and LMIG grants last month. Universal Concepts received the CGI digital artwork for the banners to go on the lamp posts on December DR and is in the process of making them. There will be two designs with 5 banners each. Council will decide on the designs to be placed on the lamp posts. Sue will also use one of the designs to order a new T-shirt for sale at the Gift Shop. Donita is checking into the repair of a bench damaged by Hurricane Helene. Donita thanked Matt and his son, Kelton, for their assistance placing items into the new fenced area. She suggested that Clarence Pittman repaint the area and the woodwork at the Gift Shop. She added that she contacted Luis Nino requesting that he remove the trash and debris from the areas. Donita suggested that the right-of-way of Salem be cut and sprayed for weeds and have all city buildings including storage units sprayed for spiders, bugs, etc. Brenda made a motion second by Renee to do these projects with all agreeing. The mayor has gotten keys made for various areas in the city. She tried to contact Greg Goff concerning the replacement oft the fence around the generator unsuccessfully. She will continue to work on getting it replaced. Council discussed possibly installing a small lift station at the Kathy Joyner residence on Dancer ST as there are frequent problems concerning the sewage there. Sue will contact T.J. Sager to come out for the annual service of all city air conditioner units. Donita informed the Council that she has been contacted by Juliet Axon of Jones & Juliet Casting concerning a possible interview about the city. She asked ifthe Council their opinion on a calendar and/or other items unique for the city to sell in the Gift Shop. This was discussed asking for suggestions. Sue asked the Council if they would be interested in a donation of a good useable piano to be plaçed in the Community Center. The donation would be from Hugh Brantley and Family, Sue's nephew. Renee made a motion and Matt second the motion to accept the donation of the piano with all agreeing. Sue was asked to include a letter in the water bill envelope for all residents stating the warning about playing in the creek and ditch on Salem ST adding that a $50.00 fine will be imposed on violators. Also added to the letter, notification that the report from Tindall on the annual clear drinking water inspection is available on line or at the office. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Sue Grisham Donita Bowen, Mayor Reske byuen