RUNDOWN: Statesboro City Council – 06/21/22

View the full council packet

Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollarCouncilmembers Shari Barr, Jim Riggs, and Venus Mack were not present. Barr & Mack participated remotely.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr
Public Comments (Agenda Item) – No one present to speak on agenda items

Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda – voted on as a slate, approved unanimously

  • Approval of Minutes
    • a) 06-07-2022 Council Minutes
    • b) 06-07-2022 Executive Session Minutes
  • B) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a 2005 Sullivan Palatek 10BP Air Compressor in the Public Works Fleet Division.
  • C) Consideration of approval of Resolution 2022-21: A Resolution adopting the maximum tariff rates by towing and storage operators engaged in Non-Consensual Towing. [view the terms]
  • D) Consideration of grant of utilities easement to Georgia Power to provide an electrical service line for the community garden located at 130 Parker Street.
  • E) Consideration of a motion to approve a second amendment to the water tower lease agreement with Verizon Wireless, location A.J. Riggs Road (JIMPS) Water Tower.
    • Verizon Wireless has leased space on Jimps water tower since at least 2016. Purpose of lease amendment is to allow for upgrade of their cellular infrastructure on the tower. $300 monthly rent increase.
  • F) Consideration of grant of license for the package sale of distilled spirits, beer, and wine to Bootliquors located at 2823 Northside Drive West in accordance with City Ordinance 6-23(h).
    • Location reservation was granted on April 19, 2022. Certificate of occupancy and occupational tax certificate have been issued for subject property. Mayor and Council may approve final grant of license by consent agenda without need for public hearing.
    • Planning & Development, Fire Department, Police Department, and Legal recommended approval [paperwork]

Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve Application RZ 22-05-
02: Horizon Home Builders requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the CR/R-4 (Commercial Retail/High-Density Residential) to the PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning district for the development of 172 unit townhome development on 17.78 acres at 7130 Veterans Memorial Parkway. [View the paperwork]

This item was sent back to the Planning & Zoning committee as the council considers a townhome ordinance. It is expected that the council will have the ordinance approved in the next 60 days in order to consider this line item. City Manager Charles Penny called the issue a ‘deficiency in the zoning ordinances.’

Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve Application SE 22-05-
03: Quaiesha Oglesby requests special exception from Article XXVII, Section 2704, in
order to establish a group daycare hosting 15 children on 0.57 acres at 102 Lee Street.

Approved unanimously.

Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve Application RZ 22-05- 04: W&L Developers, LLC request a zoning map amendment from the R10(Single Family Residential) zoning district to the PUD (Planned Unit Development) zoning district in order to construct a 48 unit townhome development on 14.05 acres at S&S Railroad Bed Road

Approved unanimously.

Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-22: A
Resolution exempting certain vehicles from marking requirement for one year.

No discussion. Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-23: A Resolution to adopt the
second amendment to the fiscal year 2022 budget for each fund of the City of Statesboro, Georgia, appropriating the amounts shown in each budget as expenditures/expenses, adopting the several items of revenue anticipations, and prohibiting expenditures or expenses from exceeding the actual funding appropriated.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a Motion to approve Resolution 2022-24: A Resolution to adopt the
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget for each fund of the City of Statesboro, Georgia, appropriating the amount shown in each budget as expenditures/expenses, adopting the several items of revenue anticipations, and prohibiting expenditures or expenses from exceeding the actual funding available for appropriations.

Approved 4-0.

Consideration of a Motion to Approve Resolution 2022-25: A Resolution adopting the Statesboro Schedule of Rates, Fees and Fines.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022 – 26: A resolution establishing the policies and procedures for the Community Garden.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2022-27: A Resolution approving application to the Transportation Alternatives (TA) set-aside Program for the Creek on the Blue Mile project.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a Motion to Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract for services with the Statesboro Arts Council, Inc. to market downtown Statesboro by operating and managing the Averitt Center for the Arts, using proceeds from the Hotel/Motel Tax.

Averitt Center for the Arts will receive 25.1% of the Hotel-Motel excise taxes collected pursuant to City Ordinances 74-32 et seq. to fund the general operating budget. The percentage remains the same as Fiscal Year 2022. [View the contract]

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a Motion to Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract for services with the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority/Main Street to market downtown Statesboro, using proceeds from the Hotel/Motel Tax.

Downtown Statesboro Development Authority (DSDA) will receive 19.9 % of the
Hotel-Motel excise taxes collected pursuant to City Ordinances 74-32 et seq. The
percentage remains the same as Fiscal Year 2022. [View the contract]

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a Motion to Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract for services with the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. to market Statesboro and Bulloch County, using proceeds from the Hotel/Motel Tax.

Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) will receive 50.0 % of the HotelMotel excise taxes collected pursuant to City Ordinances 74-32 et seq. The
percentage remains the same as Fiscal Year 2022. [View the contract]

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve the Statesboro Police Department Towing Rotation and Wrecker Agreement for FY 2023.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of Intergovernmental Contract between City and Bulloch County regarding commitment of matching ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds in the cumulative amount of one million dollars to assist with property acquisition and construction relating to new Food Bank facility. City share is $500,000.

Approved unanimously.

Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between City, Bulloch County, and
Food Bank
regarding provision of real property and construction funding to assist Food Bank with obtaining a new food pantry facility.

Food Bank is currently operating at former Julia P Bryant elementary school. This site is not appropriate for installation of a permanent food pantry facility due to physical constraints and likelihood of conversion of real property to residential use

Approved unanimously

Consideration of a motion to award a contract extension to Assured Partners (Glenn Davis and Assoc.) for General Liability and Workers Comp brokerage services.

Their contract is set to end August 14, 2022, but this will extended contract through end of December in 2023 to coincide with broker of health insurance. This would allow both this item and next item to expire at the same time.
No discussion by council, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to award and contract extension to NFP for health services brokerage services. If approved, this extension would terminate on December 31, 2023.
Their contract is set to end August 14, 2022, but this will extended contract through end of December in 2023 to coincide with broker of health insurance. This would allow both this item and next item to expire at the same time.
No discussion by council, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to award a purchase contract for bus stop shelters to Hasley Recreation in the amount of $31,400.00. The project will be paid from 2018 TSPLOST funds.

As part of the City of Statesboro transit system implementation plan, due to the number of anticipated bus riders at the following locations, staff identified three locations for installation of a bus stop shelter. The locations are the transit transfer station, the Bulloch County Vital Records/Wellness Center, and Cambridge Apartments. The shelters are also from the same vendor the bus shelter on the Blue Mile Streetscape Improvements.
No discussion by council, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to award a contract for engineering design of the East Grady Street Sidewalk Improvements project to T. R. Long Engineering PC in the amount of $31,400.00. The project will be paid from 2018 TSPLOST funds.

T.R. Long Engineering was the sole bidder for this project, which will consist of the
construction of a 5′ sidewalk along East Grady Street from South Main Street to Mulberry Street. This project will include any drainage infrastructures, easements and property acquisitions needed to install the sidewalk. Furthermore, this will increase sidewalk connectivity throughout the City by connecting South Main Street to McTell Trail and South Zetterower Avenue. The project’s budget was $50,000.
No discussion by council, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of three (3) complete sets of TNT Hydraulic Extraction tools in the amount of $24,000.00 ($8,000.00 per set) from Ten 8 Fire & Safety LLC. Funding source is 2013 SPLOST.

City manager Charles Penny said this equipment is used to help people trapped in vehicles. Currently, the city has two different types of equipment and no warranties are exist. This purchase would provide warrantied equipment for a fraction of the cost. No council discussion, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to approve a contract with SAFEbuilt in the not to exceed
amount of $100,000 for building inspection, plan review, and permitting services.

The Planning and Development Department is responsible for coordinating plan reviews as well as providing building inspection and building code interpretation services to its applicants. This function has been served by two employees. Both of these positions have been vacated, although one employee has continued in his role as building inspector, but has technically moved to another department.

The City has advertised extensively to fill these positions. However, due to the heavy activity within the construction industry, it has become difficult to find qualified candidates with the required certifications. The city explored contracting with an outside consultant to provide these services on an as-need basis; as well as to require that all employees provided by said consultant possess all state building inspection certifications.

The company provides similar services to the following cities: Auburn, Danielsville, Garden City, Grovetown, Lilburn, Sandy Springs, as well as Macon-Bibb and Twiggs counties.

Staff asked for this line item to be tabled until a later date – July 19th city council meeting.

Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Sapp Engineering Inc. in the amount of $36,000.00 for professional engineering services and project management for installation of natural gas main and regulator station to serve the Aspen Aerogels facility with funds proposed in the 2023 CIP Budget, Item # NGD-99.

Charles Penny said he had no commentary to add. No council discussion, approved unanimously.

Consideration of a motion to award the Akins Boulevard Phase 3B construction contract to Mill Creek Construction up to the amount of $5,300,000.00. The project will be paid from GDOT HB 170 funds.

No discussion, approved unanimously by council.

Consideration of a motion to approve Change Order 2 with McLendon Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $89,501.22 for the Blue Mile Streetscape Improvements Project.

Charles Penny said this project has run into some things they missed initially. There was no council discussion. Approved unanimously.

Other Business from City Council

Councilwoman Shari Barr asked people to remember Covid-19 is still out there as she is home recovering from it currently. She asked people to wear their masks and get vaccinated.

City Managers Comments

Public Comments (General)

Kevin Wilkes of Southern City Lounge addressed council about being targeted by the police department.

Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
Council adjourned regular meeting at 6:48 p.m.

Jessica Szilagyi

Jessica Szilagyi is Publisher of TGV News. She focuses primarily on state and local politics as well as issues in law enforcement and corrections. She has a background in Political Science with a focus in local government and has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia.

Jessica is a "Like It Or Not" contributor for Fox5 in Atlanta and co-creator of the Peabody Award-nominated podcast 'Prison Town.'

Sign up for her weekly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzYAZT

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