Mayor & Commission Meetings

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 9 Mayor and Commission session was remote. The meeting could be viewed live at www.accgov.com/videos, on YouTube at www.youtube.com/accgov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/accgov, and on ACTV Cable Channel 180 or the live ACTV stream at www.accgov.com/actvlive Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Mayor and Commission Special Called Session Thursday, July 9, 2020 5:30.p.m. City Hall/WebEx The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia met this date in a special called session. Present: Mayor Girtz; Commissioners Davenport, Parker, Link, Wright, Denson, Edwards, Thornton, and Hamby. Absent: Commissioner Herod. Then purpose of the meeting was to consider a resolution with reference to a special election; enter into executive session for an attorney/client conference to discuss threatened or pending litigation; and consider any other item in proper order. New business – consider under suspension of Rules A motion was made by Commissioner Link, seconded by Commissioner Parker, to suspend Rules of Commission for consideration of one item of new business. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Denson, to adopt the following resolution. The motion passed by unanimous vote. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSION OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA REQUESTING THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE BALANCE OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF OFFICE FOR DISTRICT SIX COMMISSIONER JERRY NESMITH; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, on June 7, 2020, Jerry NeSmith, District Six Commissioner for the Unified Government of Athens Clarke County, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly at his home with more than 180 days remaining in his term; and WHEREAS, Section 2-106 of the Charter of The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia provides as follows: (a) In the event that the office of a member of the commission shall become vacant by reason of death, resignation or any other cause, and the term shall expire in less than one hundred eighty (180) days, the vacant position shall be filled by appointment of the remaining members of the commission. Any individual so appointed must have the same qualifications required for election to the office. (b) If the term of the vacant commission position will continue for more than one hundred eighty (180) days, a special election shall be held as provided in this Charter and in general state law to elect a new member of the commission to serve for the remainder of the term; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia and it is hereby so resolved by the authority of the same, the Board of Elections and Registration of Athens-Clarke County is hereby requested to call a special election to fill the balance of the unexpired term of office for District Six Commissioner Jerry NeSmith, in accordance with the Charter and the election laws of the State of Georgia, including, without limitation, the election laws relating to special elections.  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Commission is hereby authorized and directed to deliver a copy of this Resolution to the Board of Elections and Registration of Athens-Clarke County, with a request that the Board of Elections and Registration of Athens-Clarke County hold a special called meeting to adopt a resolution calling said special election. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby declares that the foregoing preamble and whereas provisions set forth hereinabove constitute, and shall be considered to be, substantive provisions of this Resolution and are hereby incorporated by reference into this provision. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event scrivener’s errors shall be discovered in this Resolution after the adoption hereof, the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia hereby authorizes and directs that each such scrivener’s error shall be corrected in all multiple counterparts of this Resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia grants the proper officers and agents of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Georgia the authority to take any and all further actions as may be required in connection with carrying out the intents and purposes of this Resolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its approval by the Mayor or upon its adoption into law without such approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Parker, to enter into executive session for an attorney/client conference to discuss threatened or pending litigation. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. ___________________________________________ Clerk of Commission