This is an informal rundown of what happened at the Tuesday, Augsust 15 city council meeting. Read the full agenda packet here.
Call to Order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Phil Boyum
Recognitions/Public Presentations
-Presentation of a retirement award to Debra Wiese (Administrative Assistant) who retired effective August 1, 2023 after 11 years of service.
Public Comments – No one from the public was present to speak on agenda items.
Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 08-01-2023 Council Minutes
b) 08-01-2023Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to approve the surplus of four (4) 2014 Dodge Chargers in the Statesboro Police Department that are past their service life. [See page 10]
Approved unanimously 5-0.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION SE 23-06- 01: Encore Capital Management LLC, request a special exception from the R-3 (Medium Density Residential) zoning district in order to allow for a real estate property office on approximately 4.399 acres of property located at 1301 Fair Road
[See pages 11-22] This issue was tabled at the July 17 council meeting to speak with adjoining property owners, but the city has obtained no new information/exhibits on the project. The number of houses still remains unknown. Future land use map projects it as a residential with zoning at R3 for medium density multi-family. The issue is an acre and a half on the front of the property for a real estate property office.
- Staff recommended approval.
- IN FAVOR:
- Attorney Steve Rushing was present to speak on behalf of the Applicant – Lisa Hodges of Encore Capital Mangement. He said Hodges already owns the property and has no plans to sell it. He said she plans to erect a Palmetto-style building to blend in with the residence look in the area. Hodges has also hired an arborist to assist with what can be preserved, foliage wise. A maximum of 12 employees are expected, but traffic is expected to remain low as much of the business is conducted virtually.
- Paul Newman, a Woodlawn neighborhood resident, spoke in favor of the application, saying he supports the use of the property is in the best interest of the neighborhood.
- Verdrie Kennedy, also a Woodlaw neighborhood resident, spoke in favor of the application, saying the residents were happy with the proposal over previous attempts to develop the property.
- AGAINST: No one was present to speak against the project
Councilwoman Shari Barr asked for clarification about the entrances, if any, onto Fair Road.
Councilwoman Paulette Chavers wanted to know if Hodges owned any other property in the city limits, to which Hodges replied she did not – that most of her property was in the county.
A motion was made by Riggs, seconded by Mack. Council approved the application 5-0.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to approve APPLICATION V 23-07-01: Jarrett Walden requests a variance from Article XVI; Section 1601, in order to allow a parking facility without observing the three foot setback requirement for the expansion to the Walden Dental Facility located at 703 East Grady Street.
[See pages 23-34] The property is currently a single-family home to be converted to office use and the zoning to do so was already approved. The request by council is to accommodate parking. Without approval, the parking spaces would not be regulation size.
- IN FAVOR: Evan Bennett of Hussey Gay Bell was present to speak on behalf of the applicant.
- AGAINST: No one was present to speak against the application
- There was no council discussion.
- Chavers made a motion to approve, seconded by Mack. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-07: An Ordinance amending Appendix A Zoning of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to implement Article XXXII creating security requirements for apartment complexes, namely camera systems and controlled vehicular access
Every complex with more than 50 units would be required to have either gated access OR a license plate tag reader at the entry point.
- No one was present to speak in favor or against the initative.
- There was no council discussion.
Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-08: An Ordinance amending Chapter 18 Businesses of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to implement Article XI creating licensing and operational requirements for event spaces
[See pages 37-38] This item was tabled based on discussion in the work session two hours earlier.
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)
[See pages 40-52] There was no one present to speak in favor or against the measure. There was no council discussion.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-39: A Resolution to impose a six month moratorium on processing and consideration of sign variance requests pursuant to Article XV of Appendix A of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances
[See pages 53-55] This is an extension of an existing moratorium set to be put in place until the Unified Code of Development is finished. Once that happens, this will be lifted.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve a waiver of conflict to allow Jarrard and Davis to represent the City in the conveyance of City owned real property owned located at 3100 Northside Drive West to be conveyed to the Food Bank, Inc.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of eight (8) new patrol vehicles for the Statesboro Police Department in the amount of $370,000.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve an award of purchase of a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport to Woody Folsom Ford in the amount of $36,530.00 for the Statesboro Fire Department. Funding is provided from 2013 and 2019 SPLOST funds.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve award of purchase of two (2) 2023 Ford F-150 trucks to J.C. Lewis Ford in the amount of $67,596.00 for the Public Utilities Department. If approved these will be funded out of FY 2013 CIP funds.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute purchase agreements for right-of-way acquisition on West Main Street for the West Main Street Sidewalk Project. Funding is provided from 2018 TSPLOST.
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Southern Civil LLC, in the amount of $1,993,705.00, for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Room. To be paid for with a combination of Operating and ATC funds approved in the FY2023 CIP Budget, item # WTP-24
Approved unanimously by council 5-0.
Other Business from City Council
City Managers Comments
a) Street renaming – West Grady Street Ext.
Public Comments (General)
Annie Bellinger - spoke to council about the disrespect by city employees and their inability to be professional when she raises concerns.
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 closed executive session at 6:43 pm.
