RUNDOWN: Statesboro City Council Meeting – 07-06-21

The Statesboro City Council met for the first regular council meeting in
July on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. The following agenda items were discussed:

You can find supporting documents for the agenda items here.

Call to Order
Councilman Phil Boyum was absent.
Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance

Presentations & Recognitions
A) Recognition of the Youth Connect Participants

Public Comment on Agenda Items

There were no public comments on agenda items.

Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
–06-15-2021 Work Session Minutes
–06-15-2021 Council Minutes
Councilman John Riggs asked that his reason for voting NO on the package sales ordinance being placed on the ballot be included in the minutes — which was that he believed them atter was being rushed.
B) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a wheel loader
and refuse truck in the Public Works and Engineering Department.

–The equipment listed below has exceeded their useful life or met average run-time and needs to be declared surplus and approved for disposition:

  • 1997 John Deere 444H Loader (to be replaced by a loader that will be transferred to Streets from the landfill.)
  • 1994 Ford L8000 chassis equipped with a rear load garbage body (The rear load garbage truck is outdated and is no longer used in our residential collection operation. The city has adopted more efficient CNG powered automated collection equipment, which saves on labor, fuel cost and potential hazards from employees riding on the outside rear of the L8000 rear loader.)

Consent agenda approved 4-0.

Consideration of a Motion to approve Resolution 2021-28: A Resolution requesting
approval to apply for a Grant from the US Department of Justice, Office of Community
Oriented Policing

City Manager Charles Penny told council that this grant will help fund 8 additional police officers in the city. This is a $1 million grant application in which the city will be responsible for a 25% match. (Must match salary and benefits for three years for a full amount of $585,441. The grant does not cover uniforms, equipment, or vehicles). The city would have 5 years to fill the positions. Penny said that once the funds run out, the city would be committed to keeping those police officers employed for at least one year.

This was approved 4-0.

https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/grant-proposal-community-oriented-policing.pdf

Other Business from City Council

Councilwoman Paulette Chavers said this Saturday at 10:00 am, there will be a discussion on a forthcoming community garden, with the location to be determined.

Councilwoman Shari Barr said a vaccine pop-up clinic will be at the “big” Walmart on Northside Drive or the Food Lion on Northside Drive, both from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. this coming Saturday, July 10th.

Mayor Jonathan McCollar brought up the weekend incident which left three Bulloch County residents. “Even though this incident didn’t happen inside the city limits of Statesboro, if it’s in Bulloch County, it’s family. We are our neighbor’s keepers. It’s on all of us to keep our communities safe. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who died.”

City Managers Comments

Penny publicly thanked Demetrius Bonds for his work in the YouthConnect program as well as the interns who assisted. He also said the Luetta Moore Park improvements have been delayed because of supply chain issues and the weather over the last few weeks, but the contractor continues to work to complete the project as quickly as possible.

Public Comments (General)

Matt Halwell appeared before council to discuss his positive experience with a number of city employees.

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)

There was no need for executive session.

Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn

Council adjourned at 9:37 a.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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