This is an informal rundown of the regularly-scheduled city council meeting for the City of Statesboro on August 1, 2023. You can view the complete council meeting packet here.
Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar – Councilman John Riggs was absent
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr
Recognitions/Public Presentations
- Recognition of Statesboro Fire Department personnel for their life-saving actions during a house fire on June 2nd, 2023.
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
No one was present to address council on agenda items.
Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
- A) Approval of Minutes
- a) 07-18-2023 Council Minutes
- b) 07-18-2023 Executive Session Minutes
- B) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a Case tractor and a Massey Ferguson tractor in the Public Utilities Department
Approved 3-1 with Boyum dissenting.
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):
Red Claw
6581 Northside Dr East #117
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Restaurant
Approved unanimously 4-0
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-38: A Resolution reclassifying six Lieutenant (Fire) positions to Captain (Fire)
Current Classification Title – Fire Lieutenant
Pay Grade – 18
Minimum / Midpoint – $16.92 / $21.15
Recommended Classification Title – Fire Captain
Pay Grade – 20
Minimum / Midpoint – $18.67 / $23.34
Approved unanimously 4-0
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-39: A Resolution approving application for funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program for the Brannen Street Corridor Plan Study
The US Department of Transportation has announced the launch of the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, to provide grants to fund financial, technical, and legal assistance to states and rural and tribal communities. The intent of this Program is to advance transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities by supporting development-phase activities for projects reasonably expected to be eligible for certain USDOT credit and grant programs. This notice makes available a total of $3.4 million of funding for the first two years of the five-year Program. Individual awards are expected to range from $150,000 up to the program limit of $360,000 and do not require a local match. Eligible applications are awarded funds on a first-come, first-served basis following the opening of the application August 14th, 2023.
The city of Statesboro is proposing to seek grant funding under this program to prepare the Brannen Street Corridor Plan. This plan would cover the 2.11-mile corridor connecting S. College Street to Veterans Memorial Parkway. This corridor connects several existing community assets including community centers, residential neighborhoods, and several existing trail projects. The intent of the Corridor Plan is to document existing conditions and analyze the feasibility of roadway improvement projects, including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, signage, and lighting
Approved unanimously 4-0 with no discussion
Consideration of Development Agreement with Downtown Statesboro Development Authority to use $55,380 in TAD funds for installation of a signature BORO marker within the development commonly known as the Art Park located at the intersections of East Main and Railroad Streets within the South Main Tax Allocation District.
On July 25 2023, the TAD Advisory Committee recommended that $55,380 in TAD funding be approved by Mayor and Council as redevelopment agency for the South Main TAD.
Approved unanimously 4-0 with no discussion
Consideration of a motion to award the contract to Solid Waste Applied Technology (SWAT) for the purchase of a New Way Automated Residential Side Arm Refuse Collection body with a Peterbilt 520 CNG Cab and Chassis per Sourcewell contract in the amount of $449,000.00. This item will be purchased with Solid Waste Collection revenue funds.
The 31 Yd ASL CNG Refuse Collection Truck is to be utilized in the Solid Waste Collection Division of Public Works & Engineering Department. The Automated Side Arm (CNG) Refuse Collection Truck is funded in the amount of $449,000.00 in the FY2024 budget and is listed under CIP# SWC-8. This truck will be outfitted with other safety equipment and decals with available funds budgeted. The price of the equipment is in excess of the funds budgeted. This is due to current economic conditions across the United States, with suppliers experiencing supply chain shortages, as well as price increases. The balance will come from fund balance in solid waste collection fund, which has reserve funds to cover this expense.
The Sourcewell Contract # 091219-NWY, meets all requirements, specifications and warranty needed. This vendor, Solid Waste Applied Technologies, is a local Bulloch County vendor and the only authorized distributor for New Way refuse equipment in South Georgia. This machine is on a 5/10 year rotation (front line/backup machine) to minimize the downtime and maintain operational efficiency due to the continuous work load of the commercial division. It is anticipated that the current backup machine will be utilized in other operations within Public Works
Approved unanimously 4-0
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Yancey CAT in the amount of $158,969.00 for the purchase of a new Caterpillar 289D3 Skid Steer with attachments for the Streets Division in the Public Works & Engineering Department per Sourcewell contract. Funding is from 2018 TSPLOST.
Staff recommends and requests the Consideration of a Motion to purchase a new Caterpillar 289D3 High Flow Skid Steer with attachments for the Streets Division in the amount of $158,969.00 from Yancey Brothers Co. Caterpillar using Sourcewell Contract # 032119 CAT Discount with funds from 2018 TSPLOST Fund, 2024 CIP Budget item # STS-122. The delivering dealer is YANCEY CAT.
This will be a purchase of a new Caterpillar 289D3 High Flow Skid Steer and attachments to be utilized in the Streets and Parks Division at Public Works. This Skid steer will be used to clip roads, mulch trees and underbrush, dress shoulders of roadways, any and all work on City streets and right-of-way that require use of smaller machinery.
No impact on FY2024 operating budget. The purchase is within the budget appropriated.
Approved unanimously 4-0 with no discussion.
Other Business from City Council
Councilwoman Shari Barr reminded people that F1RST Friday events in downtown resume this coming Friday.
City Managers Comments
City Manager Charles Penny thanked all of the sponsors for the downtown concert series over the summer.
Public Comments (General)
Marshall Webster addressed council about their approval of a contract for a pay study made without a bidding process.
Yvonne Pryor addressed council about the increasing issue of homelessness in Statesboro and the available grants the city can seek to improve conditions and resources.
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)
Council entered into executive session to discuss personnel at 10:04 a.m.
