City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting December 20, 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. Dodd gave the invocation. In attendance for the meeting was Mayor Eric Wilson; Councilmembers John Howard, Melvin Lawrence, Chris Hewett, Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, and Mike Dodd. Also in attendance for the meeting was City Attorney, Bobby Melton and City Clerk, Regina Ivie. All members of council were in attendance for the meeting therefore all unanimous votes will be 6 votes (Howard, Lawrence, Hewett, Goolsby, Stroud, and Dodd). Approval of the Agenda Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes from the December 6, 2021, Council Meeting. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of engagement letter with Davenport Public Finance. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the engagement letter with Davenport Public Finance as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Board Appointments for 2022 Mr. Howard offered a motion to appoint Shayla Barron on the Downtown Development Authority Board; to replace Stan Hickman. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to appoint Glenn Watson on the Downtown Development Authority Board; to replace Cason Ogletree. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried with five votes (Dodd, Goolsby, Lawrence, Howard, and Hewett). Mr. Stroud voted against the motion. Mr. Howard offered a motion to appoint Mrs. Amy Knight on the Downtown Development Authority Board; to replace Denise Buff. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried with five votes (Goolsby, Stroud, Howard, Hewett, and Lawrence). Mr. Dodd voted against the motion. Mr. Howard offered a motion to reappoint Mr. Sunny Patel and Ms. Alondra Ochoa to the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to reappoint Mr. John Howard to the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to reappoint Dr. Ralph Bass to the Library Board. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Dodd offered a motion to reappoint Mr. Chris Hewett to the Monroe County Health Board. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to reappoint Mr. Greg Goolsby to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried with five votes (Dodd, Stroud, Lawrence, Hewett, and Howard). Mr. Goolsby abstained.  P age |2 Review and approval to advertise Downtown Development Authority ordinances Mr. Melton reviewed the proposed changes to the ordinance for the Downtown Development Authority; qualifications of directors; District 1 Monroe County Commissioner should be a delegate or representative to the Board. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve to advertise the proposed ordinance change relating to the qualifications of directors; District 1, should be a delegate or representative to the Board. After further discussion the motion was seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried with five votes (Goolsby, Stroud, Howard, Hewett, and Lawrence). Mr. Dodd voted against the motion. Mr. Melton reviewed the proposed changes to the ordinance for the Downtown Development Area; to amend Section 2-122 of the Code of the City of Forsyth (“What Constitutes Downtown Development Area”), strike such section and to add a new and revised Section 2-122, to designate the Downtown Development Area and the “Central Business District” of the city; definition of the area, including reference to a City map. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve to advertise the proposed ordinance change relating to amending Section 2-122; to designate the Downtown Development Area and the “Central Business District” of the City. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval to change the address of City Hall. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to change the address for City Hall to 23 E. Main Street. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Public hearing on the City’s 2022 budget and approval by a resolution adopting the 2022 operating budget. Mr. Melton stated the public hearing as been ran in the Monroe Reporter; a public hearing is required to formally adopt the 2022 operating budget. Mayor Wilson opened the floor for the public hearing for comments relating to the operating budget for 2022. Mr. Walter Goodson stated he’s concerned about Hunter Street; he referenced challenges driving or walking on that street. There being no further comments Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve by resolution adoption of the 2022 operating budget. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Requisitions Greater than $5,000 Davis Plumbing $7,054.00 GoForth Williamson $30,975.00 Davis Plumbing $15,522.00 Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the requisitions as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. City Manager’s Report Ms. Hall was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, no report was provided. City Attorney Report Mr. Melton had no further business to report. Mayor’s Report Mayor Wilson stated he attended the Electric Cities annual conference recently. A key take-away from the conference is the city experienced a 9.6% electric load growth for 2021 compared to 2020; outpaced several Cities. It indicates a strong economic growth in commercial businesses and housing in the city for the last year. Mayor Wilson also mentioned a speaker’s electrical accident; due to being distracted while handling electricity the employee was electrocuted which resulted in him losing his arms below the elbow. He was an inspirational speaker who was grateful for what he had and stressed the importance of safety in the workplace. Mayor Wilson further mentioned that safety starts with the elected officials; it starts with leadership within the organization to make sure we fund, and we support, and we encourage safety Forsyth City Council – December 20, 2021  P age |3 to our employees to take the necessary precautions to remain safe in the workplace. Mayor Wilson also stated that during the conference generational equity was mentioned, and how the generations interface with the workforce. Mayor Wilson encouraged all to attend the New Year’s ball drop; the American Flyers will be on stage for the event. Mayor Wilson also encouraged all to get vaccinated against the Covid virus. Additional Business Mr. Howard stated he had received complaints about the lack of Christmas decorations on MLK Drive. Mr. Lawrence stated he also received complaints about the decorations on MLK Drive. He inquired about the event for the Dexter King plaque for the north plaza of City Hall. Mr. Howard requested a barricade on Hunter Street be placed at the areas of concerns. Mr. Stroud stated he’s looking forward to working with the parks and recreation committee. They met recently; a lot of good ideas came out of the meeting. The next meeting will be early January. Public Comments Frank Wilder stated he recently spoke with Ms. Shayla Barron. She stated her schedule would not allow her to serve on the Downtown Development Authority Board. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to revisit the appointment of Shayla Barron to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. After some discussion Mr. Hewett offered a motion to remove Shayla Barron; to appoint Denise Buff to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Seconded by Mr. Goolsby; the motion carried unanimously. Executive Session No executive session was held. Adjourn There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Forsyth City Council – December 20, 2021