RUNDOWN: Statesboro City Council – 12/07/21

Councilman Phil Boyum was absent but joined remotely.

Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Phil Boyum
Public Comments (Agenda Item)
Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda

• Approval of Minutes
  • 11-16-2021 Work Session Minutes
  • 11-16-2021 Council Minutes
• Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 and a 2001 Ford F450 in the Public Works and Engineering Department.
  • The Streets Division 2001 Ford F450 and 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, referenced below, are trucks from other departments or divisions that are over 20 years old and have exceeded their useful life. Further, they have both been removed from service and replaced by newer units.

• Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with The City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
  • Statesboro Entertainment Concepts, LLC D/B/A Fifth Quarter Bar and Grill
    License type: Bar with Kitchen
    67 Gata Dr
    Statesboro, Ga 30458
    Owner: Jarrod Miller, Mitchell Jordan
  • Approved unanimously

• Consideration of a motion to approve the Reinstatement of the previously adopted Georgia Municipal Association 401(a) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
  • This is an annual IRS requirement.
  • Approved unanimously
• Consideration of a motion to enter into an Intergovernmental agreement between the City of Statesboro and the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services relating to the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
  • This agreement is for the provision of federal funds to be used as part of an overall emergency effort to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with public health focus of ensuring that eligible low-income households have access to drinking water and wastewater services
  • Up to $300 to assist them with the bills, per city manager.
  • City was approached by ACTION PAC, which already has 20 people who would like to take advantage of the funds, but city must approve first.
  • Approved unanimously

• Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2021-43: A Resolution requesting approval to apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the City of Statesboro, Georgia.
  • The primary goal of the AFG is to help local fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs, through the awarding of monetary funds to ascertain critically needed equipment protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, programs and other resources. The AFG is a competitive process and it is the Fire Department’s desire to submit an application for the three following projects in this grant period. The total for these three projects is $207,800.00.
  • The relevant stipulations of this grant would be a 10% cost share to be paid by the City. This would equate to $15,100.00 if the Fire Department were awarded all three projects at the total amount of funding requested. Fire Department Staff believe that this cost can be absorbed by the Fire Department’s annual budget which would require no additional allocation of funds.
  • This is an annual re-application.
  • Approved unanimously
• Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2021-44: A Resolution authorizing the Statesboro Police Department to apply for a grant through the State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
  • The police department currently uses a shooting simulator that was purchased approximately 6 years ago. This simulator allows officers and training instructors to work through scenario-based training modules that include decisional shooting simulations. Each sworn officer is trained approximately once each quarter in the simulator and it is also used for citizen groups (like the Citizen’s Academy, etc) to help explain decisional shooting situations. The operating system is rapidly getting out of date, and this grant application would allow us to purchase an updated version of the operating system. Our intention is to move the new shooting simulator to the upgraded range facility as part of the new Use of Force laboratory so that the simulator can more easily be accessed by our partner agencies (our current simulator is located on the police department grounds).
  • Approved unanimously
• Consideration of a Motion to award a contract to Insight Planning & Development, LLC in the Not to Exceed Amount of $550,000 to develop and administer a Housing Rehabilitation Program for the City of Statesboro.
  • ARPA funds from Congress were approved at the last meeting to spend on public housing rehab in the amount of $5 million, but the City doesn’t have Staff to handle the implementation, so the city put out an RFP.
  • Insight Planning & Development is based in North Carolina.
  • City Manager Charles Penny said it isn’t just about price, but experience and staff recommendations, too.
  • Councilman Boyum expressed concern about he price of the contract asking if it was merely for implementation or administration as well.
    • 35-40% for setting up program and remainder is for implementation of the program over several years. Staff expects it last 3-4 years, or as long as it takes to spend the remainder of the $5 million.
  • Approved unanimously

• Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Atlas Technical Consultants (Atlas) for Soil Remediation at the proposed City Art Park in the not to exceed amount of $29,950.00.
  • Approved unanimously
• Consideration of a motion to approve award of contract to Georgia Power Company in the amount of $144,746.00 and authorize the Mayor to execute contract documents for utility relocation associated with the South Main Street (Blue Mile) Streetscape Improvements project.
  • There is an opportunity to place lines underground on the east side of South Main, which is not covered by Georgia Power.
  • Approved unanimously
• Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Pioneer Lines/Georgia Southern Railroad in the not to exceed amount of $104,500 and authorize the Mayor to execute contract documents for railroad track rehabilitation associated with the Stillwell St./S. Zetterower Ave. Intersection Improvements project.
  • As previously noted, this project proposes to construct intersection radius improvements at Stillwell Street and Zetterower Avenue. This intersection is used heavily by large tractor trailer trucks in route to the Claude Howard lumber mill which creates safety issues for all motorists. This work will result in a new right turn lane from Zetterower onto Stillwell, improved storm water structures, and concrete curb and gutter. The new right turn lane requires the railroad to rehabilitate and extend the full track crossing for future turn lane. An agreement is being prepared for execution by the Mayor upon approval.
  • The fee submitted by Pioneer in the amount of $95,000.00 is due to rehabilitating the existing surface and the additional footage to cover the new construction of the turning lane ahead of the road improvements. The track crossing rehabilitation will precede work by the prime contractor performing any paving activities.
  • An additional contingency of 10% is being requested to cover any cost overruns by the railroad. This brings the total amount to $104,500 and within the budget amount of $460,000 for all work.
  • 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
  • No business proposed by Council.
  • Mayor said 10 people asked to be a part of the ad hoc committee on alcohol package sales. All who sought to be a part of it will be included.
    • First meeting will be Tuesday 12/14 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall

• City Managers Comments
  • 368 gift cards issued for COVID-19 vaccine today
    • 46 people vaccinated at most recent First Friday – 27 first/second time, 19 boosters
• Public Comments (General)
  • None.
• 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)
  • The purpose was Real Estate. Council entered into ES at 9:45 A.M.
• Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn