Here’s what happened at Tuesday’s Statesboro City Council 04/05/22 meeting held at 9:00 a.m. at city hall.
Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr
Public Comments (Agenda Item): No one present for public comments on agenda items
Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes
a) 03-15-2022 Council Minutes
b) 03-15-2022 Executive Session Minutes - Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a 2005 New Holland Tractor and a 2009 Ford F-150 in the Public Works and Engineering Department.
The Streets Division’s 2005 New Holland Tractor and a 2009 Ford F-150, referenced below, are truck and tractor that have exceeded their useful life. A request was made for interest by other departments or divisions within the City with no response of interest. Further, they have both been removed from service and replaced by newer units.
Approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve an emergency purchase by the Statesboro Fire Department for a natural gas HVAC system from Middle Georgia Mechanical Heating and Air to replace the current system at Station 1 in the amount of $41,250.00.
The current HVAC system at Station 1 was installed in 2013 as part of the renovations to the building. This system utilizes natural gas which reduces the amount of electricity normally associated with HVAC systems. Recently, the unit stop working completely and it was determined that the system needed to be replaced. Middle Georgia Mechanical Heating and Air (Dublin GA.) installed the current unit, has remained the service provider since that time and is the recommended vendor to replace the unit.
Budget Impact: This purchase will utilize funds from the Statesboro Fire Service Fund
Approved unanimously.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2022-02: An Ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances establishing the Greener Boro Commission.
Mayor and Council voted to move this measure forward to First Reading at the March 15, 2022 work session.
Public Hearing: City Attorney Cain Smith briefed council on his draft, which includes 9 members of staggered terms and the commission would be charged with making recommendations to the council.
No one was present to speak for or against the ordinance.
No action was taken because it was only the first reading. The council will consider it for a vote at the second April meeting.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-13: A Resolution amending the job position classification and compensation plan; updating the pay grade of the Communications Supervisor and reclassifying the Communications Officer to an Assistant Communications Supervisor in the in the Statesboro Police Department.
On November 16, 2021, the Council approved the expansion of the Police Communications Center to provide response to Fire Department calls. Chief Mike Broadhead requested a review of the supervisory structure due to the increased responsibilities and staff.
Condrey & Associates reviewed the classification details of the Communications Supervisor and recommended updating the pay grade from 17 to 19. Also, Condrey & Associates reviewed the classification details of the Assistant Communications Supervisor and recommended it be assigned to pay grade 16. Specifics are as follows:
Classification Title – Communications Supervisor
Pay Grade – 17
Minimum / Midpoint – $42,952 / $53,684
Recommended Pay Grade – 19
Minimum / Midpoint – $47,403 / $59,259
Current Classification Title – Communications Officer
Pay Grade – 12
Minimum / Midpoint – $33,550 / $41,932
Recommended Classification – Assistant Communications Supervisor
Pay Grade – 16
Minimum / Midpoint – $40,872 / $51,084
Approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-14: A resolution to adopt an amendment to the Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2022 – Fiscal Year 2027
This creates an emergency operations center for the City of Statesboro at the Municipal Court building. Generators, window reinforcements, and additional furniture needs to be installed prior to use of the building. This would allow for the acquisition of all the things needed, but there are no specific details available yet and council did not ask any questions.
Approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-15: A Resolution to waive Section 62-2(j)(6) of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances to allow for a maximum of 20% rental occupancy for the development of Fernhill Farms Subdivision by L&S Acquisitions, LLC (Tax Parcels # MS57000004 000 & MS57000006 000) under the Subdivision Incentive Program.
Approved 4-1 with Councilman Phil Boyum dissenting. Full story below.
(Article continues below as well)
Boyum, McCollar, Penny Battle Over Parameters for $800K Developer Incentive
Consideration of a motion to approve a development agreement between the City of Statesboro and L&S Acquisitions, LLC for installation of public infrastructure for the development of Fernhill Farms Subdivision by L&S Acquisitions, LLC (Tax Parcels # MS57000004 000 & MS57000006 000) under the Subdivision Incentive Program.
Staff recommends approval of a Development Agreement with L&S Acquisitions, LLC in the not to exceed amount of $800,000 for installation of public infrastructure associated with the development of an 80 lot subdivision, Fernhill Farms Subdivision, on the referenced parcels on Lakeview Road.
After staff approval NeSmith Properties entered into a sales agreement with L&S Acquisitions, LLC. Staff has since working with L&S Acquisitions LLC partners, Lisa Hodges and Stephen Sauers, in preparing the development agreement to receive incentives. The Fernhill Farms Subdivision plans, incentive application, and attached development agreement are in conformance with the Program. If approved, City staff will oversee development of infrastructure in accordance with City policies and standards and payment will not be made until infrastructure is complete, either in whole or development phases. As stated in the Program and Development Agreement payment will be made for public infrastructure in an amount equivalent to $10,000 per lot but not to exceed actual cost of construction as competitively bid. This subdivision will be the fourth subdivision to receive incentives since the program began in 2001 (Pepperidge, Myrtle Crossing, and Moss Creek)
Total of $800,000 in funding from TSPLOST (roadway construction) and Water and Sewer revenues (water and sewer infrastructure); plus up to $320,000 from Natural Gas revenues (as necessary)
Approved 4-1 with Boyum dissenting.
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Sikes Brothers Inc. in the amount of $1,088,424.05 for the annual resurfacing project and approval to spend up to the budgeted amount of $1,099,747.10 for additional work based on unit prices in the contractor’s bid. This project is paid by GDOT LMIG funds and 2018 TSPLOST funds
The low bidder, Sikes Brothers Inc., meets the requirements of the bid package and submitted an acceptable bid bond. Staff recommends awarding this contract to Sikes Brothers Inc. in the amount of $1,088,424.05 and requests approval to spend up to the budgeted amount of $1,099,747.10 for additional work to be based on contractor’s unit bid prices.
The work in this contract includes, but is not limited to, asphalt resurfacing of approximately 5.18 miles of city streets, 19,705 square yards of asphalt milling, as well as permanent grassing, shoulder dressing, and the reinstallation of thermoplastic roadway striping.
The low bid submitted by Sikes Brothers Inc. has been negotiated to be below the budgeted amount of $1,099,747.10. The project is to be paid for by 2022 LMIG funds in the amount of $324,747.10 and 2018 TSPLOST funds in the amount of $775,000.
Approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve Change Order 2 with Y-Delta, Inc. in the amount of $33,714.79 for Stillwell Street and Zetterower Ave. Intersection improvements project and authorize the Mayor to execute contract document amendments.
Staff recommends approval of Potential Change Order (PCO) No. 2 listed below to the contract with YDelta, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $33,714.79 and authorize the Mayor to execute contract document amendment to proceed with construction of services listed in the change order for the Stillwell Street and Zetterower Ave. Intersection Improvements project:
PCO # 2 – Labor, material, and equipment for Roadway Asphalt Concrete Changes: • Additional asphalt removal, grading and install GAB $18,912.04 • Additional new asphalt per specs for railroad excessive excavation and raising of tracks for an area of 1320 sq. feet $14,802.75 TOTAL: $33,714.79
During the railroad track rehabilitation, the railroad contractor removed more of the existing asphalt than anticipated and was agreed upon. This required Y-Delta to place additional new asphalt to accommodate the new grade crossing. Further, additional work by Y-Delta will be required for new paving and asphalt leveling to improve drainage and ensure a smooth transition for vehicle traffic from Zetterower Ave. onto Stillwell Street due to a higher rail profile of the new rail than previously existed
The project is to be paid from the 2018 TSPLOST fund. The estimated amount for this work, utility relocation and construction remains within the budget amount of $460,000.00 allocated for the project.
Approved unanimously.
Other Business from City Council
Councilwoman Shari Barr – Congratulated Downtown Statesboro Development Authority on successful First Friday event, she reminded people about the re-opening of the Statesboro Farmer’s Market, and spoke about local efforts to assist with the crisis in Ukraine.
Councilwoman Paulette Chavers – Asked a question of City Manager Penny, going back to the agenda items on rentals and the whether or not the city can hold property owners accountable for the rentals in the developments. She said she recently drove around and noticed some subdivisions and apartment complexes ‘under pay, way subpar.’
“Doors are off of the apartment buildings people are living inside. The parking areas just, holes in the road. It’s just, my heart was broken that this was inside the City of Statesboro and individuals are living there and it’s OK. Is there something in place to hold them accountable? The area is despicable. I was almost in tears,” she said.
Penny replied that the best took the city’s best tool is code enforcement and he will have the officer go to those properties and cite the issues. “The good thing about code enforcement is that the court will order improvements and so that’s the best mechanism that we have in place.”
Chavers said she just had a comment to property owners allowing people to lie in the conditions, “You have no remorse, shame on you. Shame on you because like I said, when I was over there, I was almost in tears, knowing, living inside our wonderful city of Statesboro, they’re living like this. Something has to stop.”
City Managers Comments
Public Comments (General)
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel Matters” “Real Estate” and/or “Potential Litigation” in accordance with O.C.G.A 50-14-3(b) Approximately 10:15 a.m.
Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
The complete agenda packet is available here.
