City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting October 3, 2022 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. Goolsby gave the invocation. In attendance for the meeting was Mayor Eric Wilson, Councilmembers John Howard, Chris Hewett, Melvin Lawrence, Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, and Mike Dodd. Also in attendance was City Manager, Janice Hall; 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 six votes. (Howard, Hewett, Lawrence, Goolsby, Stroud, and Dodd). Approval of the Agenda Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the minutes from the council meeting on September 13, 2022. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of a memorandum of agreement with Middle GA Regional Commission and a resolution for technical services related to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) Grant. Mr. David Lane with Middle Georgia Regional Commission reviewed the memorandum of agreement and resolution for technical services related to the American Rescue Plan Act. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement and the resolution related to as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of a resolution adopting the joint comprehensive plan update. Mr. David Lane reviewed the resolution regarding the joint comprehensive plan update. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of a master agreement with LensLock, Inc. Ms. Hall reviewed that previously Corporal Barnett had reviewed needed in car video equipment for the new vehicles. Currently we are in a 5-year agreement with LensLock for body worn cameras, in fourth year at this time. LensLock has agreed to terminate the previous contract, the new agreement will be for the body worn cameras and the in-car video services. Ms. Hall further stated LensLock is including 5 body worn cameras and 2 in car video services at no charge as part of the agreement; yearly cost to the city is $31,174. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the agreement as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of a street closure request by Carla Niblett for a community fall festival on October 31, 2022 Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the street closure request as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Walter Goodson – Bias Crime Report Mr. Goodson was not in attendance for the meeting. Ms. Hall reviewed the background related to Mr. Goodson’s request for a bias crime report.  Page |2 Local option sales tax negotiations discussion Ms. Hall reviewed the recent discussions, and negotiations related to the local option sales tax negotiations. Ms. Hall reviewed the changes in revenue that would be received at the different percentages. Mr. Dodd offered a motion to table the item. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence. After some discussion Mr. Dodd rescinded his motion. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the counteroffer from Monroe County for the local option sales tax; distribution for Monroe County would be 77.1%, Forsyth 20.5%, Culloden 2.4%; City will appoint a member to the Monroe County Hospital Authority and the Monroe County Development Authority; the City will sell water to Monroe County via a master meter for the north system/customers at a rate of $3.00 per 1000 gallons; and City would provide water and sewer services to any development in the area annexed into the city by H&H Timberlands. After a lengthy discussion Mayor Wilson called for a vote on the original motion; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of travel expense for Mayor Wilson for the I75 corridor coalition Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the travel expense for Mayor Wilson as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Requisitions Greater than $6,000 Davis Plumbing $6,535. 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 provided the following report to council: • Some storm damage occurred on Thursday due to the high winds – couple of broken poles and trees down. Due to the high volume of emergency locates, we had to wait longer than normal for utilities to be located before we could replace poles. • With the incident of the stolen pickup truck, we are researching the possibility of installing GPS tracking in our vehicles. Will get that pricing together and present when we have all the information needed. • Fence has been installed around Bramblett Lift Station and is completely secure now. Drew will work to clean up the existing part of the fence so that there isn’t such a stark difference in the color of the wood. • Work on Benson Ham Lift Station is scheduled for November 2 due to high demand of the contractor and the materials needed. • Craig is working with Joyce at the MCDA on the hydrants and manholes in the Industrial Park and Indian Springs Business Park. Appears several have been hit by the mowers and damaged. • Consoles for Filters 5 & 6 should be installed tomorrow which will complete that project. • Unbelievable lead times continue for our supplies especially meters and transformers. Mike continues to work to acquire as many as he can from vendors. • Schnabel Engineering is scheduled to begin their testing this week to determine the location for the dredging from the reservoir. • Highway 41 sewer line replacement is out for bids. Bid opening will be November 1 • Corporal Barnett is working with LensLock to get quotes for cameras for the parks that would sync to the laptops in the officers’ computers. Will provide additional information when complete. • Hard copies of the preliminary 2023 budget and a budget comparison were provided to each of you tonight. This is not a balanced budget as is my usual initial report that is provided. This budget does not have any salary increases in it yet; does include a $2 million increase to MEAG but Mike Leverett is working with them on the forecast, he and I have a meeting tomorrow to review several outstanding items. Regina and Mike are working with all departments on fee schedules to increase for the 2023 budget. • Corporal Barnett is working with radar sign company to resolve issue with one of the radar signs. If they cannot resolve remotely, will have to take the sign to their location to correct. • Chad Hofstadter has provided cost estimates to resurface and to widen and resurface Montpelier Road. He does not recommend widening due to that potentially having edge of drive pavement dropping off into the ditch within the narrow 50’ ROW in that area. We will continue to work on this and bring a recommendation back to council for review. Main Street Events • Scarecrow Contest setup will be around the courthouse lawn. Thank you to the County Commissioners for approving that so that more can participate than just those with storefronts downtown. Forsyth City Council – October 3, 2022  Page |3 • Trick-or-Treat on the square will be held on 10/31 • Cancelled the community yard sale that was scheduled for this past Saturday due to the potential for bad weather and the high winds. Will reschedule later. Blighted Properties • Court proceedings held on September 15 for the burned house at 503 Stroud Street; order presented to Judge Peters; homeowner has contacted me several times stating that he is taking care of the issue Planning & Zoning • Preliminary Plat for Manor at Montpelier Phase 3 was approved by P&Z. This will be advertised and presented to council for approval. • Variance request from James Freeman for a garage behind the funeral home was approved and will be advertised to come before council for approval. GDOT has confirmed that there is sufficient clearance at the Lee Street/Patrol Road intersection to accommodate the new signals without replacing the arms. If this had not been the case, GDOT had asked if we wanted them to furnish the regular steel arms or if we would purchase the black powder coated mast arms. This is not an issue now, but we will need to make that decision with the signal at I75/Hwy 83 when that time comes. I have requested a cost estimate. City Attorney Report Mr. Melton stated the two zoning matters are currently being advertised. Mr. Melton further stated he has received a verbal order from Judge Peters regarding 503 Stroud Street; no written order has been received. He stated he has not been contacted by Mr. Rawlins, or anyone representing him. Mr. Rawlins didn’t respond to any notices regarding court and did not attend court. Mayor’s Report Mayor Wilson scheduled a council retreat after some discussion with council on October 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mayor Wilson stated Blount Street needs resurfacing; research for possible LMIG projects. Mayor inquired with Bobby Melton about the issues of the railroad tracks at Tift College. Mr. Melton stated some drawings have been received; the judge placed a deadline on the repairs. Mayor Wilson referenced an email from MEAG regarding cost overruns. Mayor Wilson further stated the Georgia Municipal Association’s District 6 meeting will be October 6, 2022, at 11:30 at the Sports Hall of Fame. The spring meeting will be hosted at Forsyth City Hall, date to be determined. The Georgia Association of Regional Commission’s annual meeting will be November 2nd to the 4th at St. Simon’s Island. Council Board Reports No council board reports were provided. Additional Business No additional business was brought forward. Public Comments No one came forward for public comments. Executive Session No executive session was held. Adjourn There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Forsyth City Council – October 3, 2022