o CITY OF BOWMAN Bowman City Hall Monthly meeting May 14th, 2025 MEMBER'S Present: Mayor, Scott Harpold Council Member, Mary Clark Council Member, Jeff Spratlin Council Member, Henrietta Williams Attorney, Simon Williams STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk, Tifany Verdell Assistant city clerk: Kendra Jones Media Present: WSGC Radio Mayor Scott Harpold called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. The mayor asked Councilwoman Williams to lead the prayer, which was followed by the pledge. Approval of minutes: Councilwoman Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 2025 meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Spratlin. The mayor called for a vote by I's. The I's have it the motion passed unanimously. Council member Spratlin made a motion to approve the called meeting minutes from April 25th, * 2025. Seconded by Councilwoman Williams. The mayor called for a vote by P's The I's have it. Motion passed unanimously. Zoning Request: A. 9 Public Square: the attorney went over the request and read the recommendation from Bureau Veritas. The attorney suggested the council table the request until the owner submits the plat and surveys required by the ordinances of Bowman. Councilwoman Clark asked would there be anything to hinder the citizen from getting the plats and survey needed for the city? Attorney Williams stated that this is an easy fix. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to table the variance request for 9 Public Square until proper documentation was submitted, 2nd by Councilwoman Williams. The mayor called for a vote by show of hands. Motion passed unanimously. B. 46 Herndon Circle: the attorney went over the request and read the recommendations from Bureau Veritas. The attorney agreed with the variance being denied due to the dwelling not meeting the requirements. Speaker for the variance: Daughter stated she needs the home to help take care of her aging parents and asked for different ways to get this approved. Councilwoman Clark asked Mayor Harpold what can we as a council do to help these citizens? Councilmember Spratlin answered by saying the citizens had 2 options. 1. Rezoning the property to R2 and building a 1000-foot home because they have city water and sewer or 2. Cut off more of the property and build a 1000 ft home. Attorney Williams explained for them to revise their application and include a 1000 ft or more home. Attorney Williams suggested tabling this until the owners can revise their application and move forward. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to table 46 Herndon Circle application, seconded by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show of hands. Motion passed unanimously. C. 267 West Hendricks Street: The attorney went over the request and read the recommendation from Bureau Veritas. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to approve the application for a fence at 267 West Hendricks, 2nd by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show of! hands. Motion passed unanimously. 1 OF 5 D. 25 Bowers Street: the attorney went over the request and read the recommendations from Bureau Veritas, Mr. Neese stated this process has been going on for 2 months. This application is to allow a mobile home on residential property. Attorney Williams suggested the council deny the application based on the zoning ordinance stating no mobile homes on residential property. Councilmember Spratlin asked ift the council could table the application SO Mr. Neese would not have to start the process over. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to table Mr. Neese's variance application until the mortarium is lifted or the zoning is changed. 2nd by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show of hands. Motion passed unanimously. E. Carey Street: the attorney went over the request and read the recommendations from Bureau Veritas. Bureau Veritas suggested tabling until the land is resurveyed. Due to the plat not showing what exactly is needing to be rezoned. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to table Mr. Carey's application until the plats can be redrawn and submitted, 2nd by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show ofhands. Motion passed unanimously. 2nd Reading of the Decorum Ordinance: The attorney went over the key points oft the Ordinance. The mayor asked for a motion to approve the 2nd reading ofthe Decorum Ordinance. Councilwoman Williams made a motion to adopt the 2nd reading of the Decorum Ordinance, 2nd by Councilmember Spratlin. Vote by show of hands. 2 approved (Williams, Spratlin) 1 opposed (Clark). Motion passed 2-1. Councilwoman Clark stated ordinances required 3 readings before an approval or lack thereof. Attorney Williams agreed that there must be 3 readings before final action is taken. Municipal Court: Mayor stated he is looking into making an intergovernmental agreement with Elbert County in place oft the court system. The reason is to cut the cost and still uphold our city's rules. Question from a citizens: Can the city hire someone to do code enforcement and keep the money in the city. The mayor stated that this could be an option for the council and himself to investigate. Election: Mayor Harpold encouraged everyone to come out and vote for the candidate of their choosing. There are 3 choices: Julie Williams, Betty Jo Maxwell, and Katie Revard. He stated early voting ends May 23rd at 5pm. Election Day is May 27th at the Community Center from 7am-7pm. Election of GMA Officers: The Mayor read the ballot for the officers to be elected for GMA. Councilwoman Clark made a motion to approve the choices suggested by GMA, seconded by Councilwoman Williams. Vote by show ofl hands. Motion passed unanimously. Zoning Ordinances: Mayor Harpold stated he just wanted to make everyone aware that there will be more called meetings and work sessions to get the zoning changes underway. Work in the Park: Mayor Harpold informed everyone that the donor for the new playground is currently out of town and upon their return the purchasing oft the playground equipment will begin. Councilmember Spratlin asked if a motion could be made for the removal oft the broken wooden playground. Councilwoman Williams made a motion to tear down the old wooden playground and make way for the new structure, seconded by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show of! hands. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Report: Mayor Harpold asked for suggestions for new committees for the city. He talked on his visit to UGA and his involvement in the pathway program. He expressed good ideas and plans in the works. Councilwoman Williams: expressed the good turnout they had at the senior luncheon this month. They are very excited about that. She went over the expenses report from January to May 2 2025 for the senior luncheon. For the Spring Festival she informed everyone that not all the figures are in yet to give an accurate report. Councilman Spratlin: Spoke about the road projects being completed. Councilwoman Clark: Spoke on the food pantry ministry. She informed everyone due to the Trump administration cutting the funding for the programs they cannot purchase as much food as before. Now the pantry has limited supplies. Last month the pantry served 68 families and 2151b of food. This month the pantry served 62 families. Mayor Harpold asked could the pantry accept donations. Councilwoman Clark answered yes donation are welcome and can be dropped off at City Hall. Councilwoman Clark also thanked the public works department and Mr. Ashmore (citizen) who helped put up the shadow box from the Elementary School. She passed out information from the listening session in Madison County regarding legislation and what cities need and how to get the support they need. Lastly, she informed us oft the employer breakfast being held at the rock gym in Elberton to thank the employers for hiring local employees. This is being hosted by the development authority of Elberton. Attorney Report: Nothing to report. Hospital Authority: Had a very successful duck derby. They have also opened a new Dr. office in Hart County. Executive Session: The mayor asked for a motion to go into an executive session. A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams to go into executive session, 2nd by Council woman Clark. The mayor asked for a vote by show ofhands. Motion passed unanimously. The mayor asked for a motion to return from the executive session. Motion made by Council Woman Williams to return from executive session, 2nd by Council member Spratlin. Mayor asked to vote by I's. I's have it. Mayor Harpold stated three litigation matters were discussed during the session. The Attorney asked for a motion authorizing the attorneys to move forward on the Bowman Auction House regarding his lease with the city. Councilmember Spratlin made a motion to authorize the attorneys to move forward on handling the lease the city has with Bowman Auction House, 2nd by Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show ofhands. Motion passed unanimously. Next the attorney asked for a motion authorizing the mayor to sign a check for whatever amount is necessary to avoid a case default. Motion from Councilwoman Willams, 2nd from Councilwoman Clark. Vote by show ofhands. Motion passed unanimously. The mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by Councilwoman Clark to adjourn the meeting, 2nd by Councilwoman Williams. The mayor called for a vote by show ofhands. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Adjourned Approved June 11th 2025 gany Pordel Mayoy Cityllerk 3