City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting March 15, 2021 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. In attendance for the meeting in person was Mayor Eric Wilson, Councilmembers Greg Goolsby, Mike Dodd, and Chris Hewett. In attendance for the meeting via zoom was Councilmembers John Howard, Melvin Lawrence, and Julius Stroud. Also, in attendance for the meeting in person was City Manager, Janice Hall; City Clerk, Regina Ivie; and City Attorney, Bobby Melton. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried with five votes (Goolsby, Howard, Lawrence, Dodd, and Hewett). Mr. Stroud joined the meeting at 6:03 p.m. All members of council were present therefore all unanimous votes will be six votes (Goolsby, Stroud, Howard, Hewett, Dodd, and Lawrence). Approval of the Minutes from the March 1, 2021 Council Meeting Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Goolsby; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of resolution adopting the Joint Comprehensive Amendment for Monroe County & the City of Forsyth. Mr. Dean Nelson with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission stated the resolution is to amend the 2017 Joint Comprehensive Plan; to enable the City to have specific information in the community work plan; and would enable us to apply for various grants. The amendments are for 2021 and 2022 are to replace metal water lines throughout neighborhoods in the City, improve water system in Sunset Terrace and Brookwood Drive neighborhoods, and to improve water system in historic neighborhoods throughout the City. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the resolution adopting the Joint Comprehensive Amendment for Monroe County & City of Forsyth. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing for Community Development Block Grant Mr. Dean Nelson with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission stated the City is considering applying for funding to replace water lines in the Sunset Terrace and Brookwood Drive neighborhoods. The City will be requesting up to $750,000 funding for this project and the City would be contributing up to $250,000. The maximum timeline for the project is two years. These funds must be used to primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The activities for which these funds may be used are in the areas of housing, public facilities, and economic development. Mayor Wilson opened the floor for the public hearing. There being no comments from the public Mayor Wilson closed the floor for the public hearing.  Page |2 Award bid for Forsyth Golf Club Improvements Ms. Hall reviewed the evaluation of the received golf course renovation proposals; recommended approval to award bid to Raven Golf from Nashville, TN at a proposed cost of $105,900. Mr. Dodd offered a motion to award bid to Raven Golf for the Forsyth Golf Club improvements. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of street closure request by Chamber of Commerce for Forsythia Festival Ms. Chrissy Donovan stated the Chamber of Commerce has set a tentative date for the Forsythia Festival of May 22nd & May 23rd. She reviewed all the measures being taken to ensure the health and well being of the vendors, and attendees of the festival. After some discussion Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the street closure request for the Forsythia Festival on May 22nd and May 23rd as presented. Seconded by Mr. Goolsby; the motion carried with 4 votes (Goolsby, Lawrence, Hewett, and Dodd). Mr. Howard and Mr. Stroud voted against the motion. Approval of street closure request for a People Helping People Forsyth Food Drive Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the street closure request as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried with five votes (Goolsby, Howard, Lawrence, Hewett, and Dodd). Mr. Stroud abstained from voting. Approval of change order request #6 for Pellicano Construction Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the change order request as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of purchase of leased vehicle from Public Finance Strategies Ms. Hall stated Public Finance Strategies is no longer leasing vehicles; request is to purchase a currently leased vehicle, 2017 Ford Explorer at a cost of $14,000. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the purchase of the 2017 Ford Explorer for $14,000. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of waiver of irrigation tap fee request by Monroe County Board of Commissioners Ms. Hall stated the request is for a memorial for Officer Michael Norris at the District Attorney’s new officer. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the waiver of the irrigation tap fee request by Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. 2020 Review by Department Heads Administration, Fire, Police, Electric and Water department heads reviewed their department’s accomplishments for 2020. Approval of Requisitions Greater than $5,000 City of Dublin - $5,214.30 Georgia Hydrant Service - $6,500.00 Davis Plumbing - $10,893.00 Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the requisitions as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Forsyth City Council – March 15, 2021  Page |3 City Manager’s Report Ms. Hall provided the following report: • Working with several businesses on pouring/package alcohol license applications; all are pending submission of application and required paperwork. • Received correspondence last week from GDOT concerning the railroad crossings at Lee and Tift College; the information included drawings with a concrete median at the Lee Street crossing; I have contacted GDOT to remind them that we turned down their proposal for the concrete wall and median; they are reviewing the information as all those we dealt with several years ago have moved on to other positions. • Schneider is scheduled to return to council meeting in April, probably 2 nd meeting, for council to decide whether to move forward with an agreement to determine projects or not pursue at this time. • Submitted SAFER Grant with assistance of Regional Commission for 2 additional firefighters: grant request for $265,000 for salary & benefits for 3 years. • Main Street and CVB working together to spotlight the downtown local restaurants during Ag Week, March 22-26 by advertising a Georgia Grown product on their menus. • Regina and I visited the showrooms of the furniture companies that submitted bids; hope to have that finalized this week. Public Hearings for April 5 • Sidewalk variance request for Juliette Crossings to require sidewalk on one side of street only. • Rezone and Conditional Use request for multifamily housing complex at the corner of Industrial Park Drive and Harold G Clarke Parkway; rezone from Manufacturing/Industrial to Highway Business with Conditional Use for multifamily dwellings for 24 months. • Internally luminated sign variance for Public Service Data at 35 S Lee Street • Panhandling Ordinance adoption: request submitted by police department. • Alcohol license application for beer, wine and pouring for new owners of Grits Café. City Attorney Report Mr. Melton had no further business to report. Mayor’s Report Mayor Wilson had no further business to report. Additional Business No additional business was mentioned. Public Comments No one came forward for public comments. Executive Session No executive session was held. Adjourn There being no further business to discuss Mr. Hewett offered a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Forsyth City Council – March 15, 2021