Here’s an informal rundown of what happened at the May 16 Statesboro City Council meeting.
Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr
Recognitions/Public Presentations
- Presentation of a Certificate of Recognition from the Georgia Municipal Association to Councilmember Venus Mack
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
- Madeline Ryan spoke on Agenda items regarding disability accessibility at polling locations.
Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
- a) 05-02-2023 Council Minutes
- b) 05-02-2023 Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to set the date for a Public Hearing for the proposed City of Statesboro Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for June 06, 2023, during the regular scheduled Council Meeting.
This item was approved unanimously.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION RZ 23-03-04: Long Company Limited requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the CR (Commercial Retail) zoning district to the R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) zoning district on approximately 2.65 acres of property in order to construct approximately 7 triplexes at 310 Myrtle Crossing Drive.
This item was removed from the agenda as the applicant formally withdrew the application.
Long Company Limited requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the CR (Commercial Retail) zoning district to the R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) zoning district on approximately 2.65 acres of property in order to construct approximately 7 triplexes at 310 Myrtle Crossing Drive (Tax Parcel # MS48000011 053).
- Staff recommends Denial of RZ 23-03-04 as it is staff’s position that the proposed use is inconsistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
- At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on Tuesday April 4, 2023, the Commission recommended denial of Application RZ 23-03-04 with a 4-0 vote.
- At the regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council on April 18, 2023, City Council tabled the request until the May 16, 2023 meeting for additional discussion with the affected neighborhood
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-18: A Resolution of the City of Statesboro Mayor and Council to permanently change the polling place for the Statesboro One voting precinct from William James Educational Complex to the Luetta Moore building.
This item is being brought back for consideration as it was tabled at the April 18, 2023 Council Meeting until the May 16, 2023 Council Meeting.
The current polling place for the Statesboro One voting precinct is the William James Education Complex and is no longer available for the use of municipal elections. The Luetta Moore Building is in close proximity to William James and is available for municipal elections. The Luetta Moore Building will provide more space to adequately accommodate poll workers, election equipment, and voters.
The Board of Elections has also voted to approve and advertise this new polling location, according to City Manager Charles Penny.
This item was approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-22: A Resolution approving application for the 2023 NOAA Planet Steward Grant
Staff request approval to submit an application for the NOAA Planet Stewards Grant. The grant award is eligible for up to $5,000 with no additional match needed.
The NOAA Planet Stewards Grant is a grant sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help educators bring knowledge and awareness to the public through stewardship projects that encourage hands-on experiences for elementary to college-aged individuals, as well as the general public. This grant would allow Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB) and the Statesboro Stormwater Division to partner with the Ogeechee Riverkeeper to continue and expand the Don’t Litter Lotts Initiative. The Don’t Litter Lotts Initiative is a shared project that focuses on litter entrapment and data analysis of litter that is caught in Little Lotts Creek of Statesboro. Monthly water quality monitoring through the Georgia Adopt-a-Stream program is also a part of this project. If awarded, KSBB, the Stormwater Division, and the Ogeechee Riverkeeper would be able to use the funds to purchase needed supplies, maintain the litter traps, and facilitate educational programs and advertisements on the local initiative.
This item was approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-23: A resolution approving application for the 2023 Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Sandra Webb Legacy Grant.
Staff request approval to submit an application for the KGBF Planet Stewards Grant. The grant award is eligible for up to $2,500 with no additional match needed.
The Legacy Grant is sponsored by the KGBF. The purpose of the Sandra Web Legacy Grant is to reduce litter, enhance recycling efforts, and encourage beautification in cities across the state of Georgia. It’s designed to prioritize assistance for communities with smaller populations that may not have the funds or staff to adequately address these certain programs and projects. If approved for the grant, KSBB will be able to apply and request funding up to $2,500 to make beautification enhancements to inner city parks.
This item was approved unanimously.
Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-04: An Ordinance amending Sections 2-81 and 2-83 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to expand Youth Commission membership to twelve members and to incorporate the mission and scope of authority of the Healthy Boro mayoral ad hoc committee.
Youth Commission was established in September of 2018 primarily to advise Mayor and Council on matters affecting the City’s youth. Mayor McCollar established the Healthy Boro ad hoc committee in 2022 to address health concerns and initiatives affecting all City residents.
Council voted 4-1 to direct the city attorney to draft the commission with 16 members. Boyum was the dissenting vote.
Consideration of a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long Range Transportation Plan.
Staff recommends approval of and execution of a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement (MOU) by the Mayor for a collaborative Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update.
On April 4, 2023 city council approved selection of consultant Goodwyn Mills Cawood to perform the LRTP update. Statesboro and Bulloch County seek to enter into this MOU to establish a cost-sharing and project management arrangement for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long-Term Transportation Plan Update. The Consultant Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) has submitted a price for the base scope of work for the LRTP, included in a pricing proposal, of Three-Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($380,000.00) to which the County and City agree to each pay to the consultant one-half, or fifty-percent, of the price.
As noted upon execution of the MOU, the City hereby authorizes the County to negotiate final terms and conditions of an agreement with the GMC for the base scope of work subject to final review and approval by each governing body and their legal staff.
BUDGET REQUIREMENT: 50% matching funds pledged by the City of Statesboro from TSPLOST fund
This item was approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to approve a Water/Sewer Agreement with North Point Real Estate, Inc. (Developer) in order to serve 350 acres at Hwy 301 and Rocky Road outside the City limits.
Extension of City water and wastewater infrastructure to serve the proposed Bulloch County Logistics Center was requested by Developer. City has advised Developer that there is capacity to serve as requested and reflected in attached contract. Developer would agree to 100% annexation upon contiguity with municipal limits.
Budget Impact: Unknown revenue, cost of project to be borne exclusively by Developer.
This item was approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Hussey, Gay, Bell Engineering, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $162,460.00 to provide design, bid, permit application and contract administration services for the construction of a new production well at the Bruce Yawn Commerce Park. To be paid for with 2013 SPLOST funds approved in CIP Project WWD #111.
In order to provide adequate water capacity for the many new businesses locating in the Bruce Yawn Park and along the Hwy 301 corridor the City is making plans to design and build a new 10” production well to be located at Bruce Yawn Park. The new commercial customers locating in the area require large quantities of water for production purposes as well as fire suppression. With the addition of a new well at the park we will greatly increase our pumping capacity to the city as a whole and it will provide a redundant source of water to businesses in the Industrial Park.
The engineering fees in this agreement are higher than the ten percent we typically budget on water sewer projects.
However the budget for this project will most likely come in above our estimate of $1,200,000.00 due to the fact that engineering and permitting on a well site is more complex than the typical project. The numbers in the contract are worst case, not to exceed. We think we will be able to hold some of the line items costs below estimates. This should result in a final cost for engineering that is in line with original budget estimates.
Budget Impact: This project was approved to be paid for with 2013 SPLOST funds, in CIP Project WWD #111
This item was approved unanimously.
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $96,352.40 for two NC100S Dri-Prime Pump with funds approved in the 2023 CIP Budget item# WWD-37, using funds from operating revenues.
As part of our long range plan to provide backup power or pumping to all lift stations we have budgeted funds each year for installing backup pumps and generators. This year we are proposing to install pumps at the East Main Street lift station and the Beasley Road lift Station. These two station serves a large number of residential customers and it is important to have a source of backup pumping capacity at these locations.
We are proposing to purchase these units using the. Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract FSA20-EQU18.0, #272.d governmental procurement process. The Purchasing Department has reviewed and approved this procurement method and has verified that there are no local vendors for this item.
Budget Impact: Approved CIP Funds item #WWD-37
This item was approved unanimously.
Other Business from City Council
City Managers Comments
Public Comments (General)
Mrs. Annie Dellinger – addressed physical, sexual, and mental abuse taking place in the community and in other places.
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 adjourned to go into session at 6:18 for discussion of potential litigation.
Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
Council adjourned to go into session at 6:18 for discussion of potential litigation.
