City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting March 16, 2020 Call to Order Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation and Roll Call Mayor Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Lawrence gave the invocation. Present for the meeting was Mayor Eric Wilson; Councilmembers Melvin Lawrence, John Howard, Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, Mike Dodd. Also present was City Attorney, Bobby Melton; City Manager, Janice Hall; and City Clerk, Regina Ivie. Councilmember Mr. Hewett was not in attendance for the meeting. Therefore; all unanimous votes will be five (5) votes (Dodd, Goolsby, Stroud, Howard, and Lawrence). Approval of the Agenda Mayor Wilson stated agenda item #9 Approval of Splash pad repairs should reflect $35,000. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the agenda with a revision as stated. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes from the March 2, 2020 Council Meeting Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2020 Council meeting as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of alcohol beverage license – George Emami for Fox City Brewing Company, LLC for 45 North Kimball St. Mr. Melton stated the license is for the sale of alcoholic beverages; for beer package, beer, wine and liquor pouring, and beer brewing and wholesale. Tax parcel F35 035. It was advertised in the Reporter on March 4, 2020 and March 11, 2020. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the license to Fox City Brewing Company, LLC at 45 North Kimball Street. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of financing documents of New City Hall Ms. Hall stated that Georgia Municipal Association offers financing options for the construction of the New City Hall Building. The brick and mortar program with Georgia Municipal Association has been in existence since 1991; have closed over 170 leases with transactions valued at over $770 million. Transactions are structured to permit municipalities in Georgia to finance essential real estate projects at a tax- exempt rate without a public referendum. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP will be handling the closing documents. Georgia Municipal Association will own the real estate and lease to the City. The City will issue the sale of the property. The amount we paid for the property will be included in the loan amount which can be used for other projects or soft costs of the building. Ms. Hall further stated Georgia Municipal Association will issue a request for financing proposal; typically two weeks is allowed for vendors to respond. Smith, Gambrell & Russell will assist with the entire process. Georgia Municipal Association is offering a 20 year term. USDA is a 40 year term. Interest rates with Georgia Municipal Association are less than USDA. Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the engagement with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP not to exceed $25,000, to approve the resolution and for advertisement for the sale of the property and to hold a public hearing on May 4, 2020 for multiyear financing. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of 2019 Departmental Budget Adjustments Ms. Hall stated that the General Fund must be balanced. Currently five departments are over budget. Elections is over due to the 2018 elections being held. Administration is over due to the architectural fees, and demolition of the New City Hall. Court is over slightly due to a data entry error. Recreation is over due to creation of an employee position. CVB is over due to the Vibrant Arts Grant. The adjustment to balance the budget will come from the police department. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the budget adjustments as recommended. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence ; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of requisitions greater than $5,000 Calibration Controls & Automation $5,483.31 – 2014 SPLOST expense Russellville Water Treatment Plan – Handrails on valve handles on Flocculator #3 & #4 Calibration Control & Automation $ 686 - 2014 SPLOST expense Install Flygt pump at Union Hill Lift Station Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. $35,434.90 – 2014 SPLOST expense FLYGT Submersible Flygt pump J & M Displays $5,000 Fireworks for July 3, 2020 Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the requisitions as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Splashpad repairs – Not to exceed $35,000 Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the repairs to the Splashpad not to exceed $35,000. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. City Manager review and notices • Public hearings being advertised for the April 6 council meeting: (These will be advertised further to hold the public hearings tentatively for the April 20, 2020 Council Meeting.) o Downtown Entertainment District expansion of district o Changes to Section 22 of Zoning Ordinance regarding parking space width o Variance request for Johnnie Brown for detail shop and automatic car wash in Residential Zoning District at 111 MLK Jr Dr. o Change of ownership request for beer & wine alcohol package license for 111 MLK o Change of ownership request for beer & wine alcohol package license for 270 N Lee • Cancelling work session for April 6 with Schneider • Preparations we have in place relating to COVID-19: o Section 23-120(b)(3) of the Utilities ordinance states: ▪ Arrangements for payments shall not be made except in special or extenuating circumstances and when approved by the City Manager, or his or her designee. Approval for any arrangement shall be documented in writing, notice of which shall be attached to the bill for which the arrangement is being made, and shall be effective for a definite limited period. Examples of special or extenuating circumstances shall include circumstances such as a catastrophic event in the City or to the customer or the customer’s premises, a medical emergency to the customer, or other similar type events or circumstances. ▪ We will not disconnect services as scheduled for March 18 or April 4; however, payments when possible, should still be made and we are encouraging citizens to make those payments by phone or web rather than coming in to the office to pay. We do have the drop box outside at the lobby door for payments to be dropped in. Working to see if we can utilize a drive through as well. o City Courts scheduled for March and 1st court in April have been postponed until further notice. Notices have been sent out to addresses in the court system for those with cases and notice is on city website. Questions regarding payments and rescheduling should be directed to Janet Eldridge at 478-  994-5649. We will have court personnel in place on the chance that someone does not receive notification, but we are making a concerted effort to reach everyone. o Department heads are meeting at 9:00 tomorrow for a strategy meeting. Recommend closing city offices/facilities to the public until further notice and have employees report as normal o Tree Board golf tournament has been postponed – no new date set as yet o Any facility rentals between now and end of April are being cancelled and fees/deposits paid are being returned to the renter. After further discussion concerning the events to date with the COVID 19 virus Mr. Howard offered a motion to cancel the April 6, 2020 Council Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Lawrence stated at the last meeting it was interrupted by the State Troopers requesting to speak with him; no citation was given. Mr. Lawrence further said speaking directly to the audience, which included two individuals affiliated with the local newspaper, Monroe County Reporter. “You all should get both sides of the story; you just go on and put what you want to put in the paper. I don’t appreciate that. I really don’t.” Adjourn There being no further business to discuss Mr. Dodd offered a motion to adjourn the Council Meeting. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.