City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting December 5, 2022 Call to Order Mayor Pro-tem Dodd called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Eric Wilson was not in attendance for the council meeting due to attending an Electric Cities Conference. Mayor Pro-tem Dodd conducted the council meeting in the Mayor’s absence. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation by Pam Johnston, and Roll Call Mayor Pro-tem Dodd led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Pam Johnston gave the invocation. In attendance for the meeting was Mayor Pro-tem Mike Dodd, Councilmembers Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, Chris Hewett, and John Howard. Also, in attendance was City Manager, Janice Hall; City Attorney, Bobby Melton; and City Clerk, Regina Ivie. Councilmember Lawrence was not in attendance. Four members of council were in attendance for the meeting therefore all unanimous votes will be four votes (Goolsby, Stroud, Hewett, and Howard). Approval of the agenda Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the minutes from the council meeting held on November 21, 2022. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Donna Davis with Health Planning & Associations to review and for council’s approval health insurance changes. Mrs. Davis stated the increase in coverage with Anthem are a result of prior year’s claims. Anthem rates are 54.14% higher than the previous year. Cigna rates for comparable plans are 32.32% higher than current cost to the city. Ms. Davis also mentioned the city could return to Anthem with new business rates at a lower cost next year. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve to change the city’s health insurance carrier to Cigna. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Public hearing to consider a proposed ordinance to amend Article 14, to amend section 14.6, and to amend section 14.10. Mr. Melton reviewed the specific changes to the proposed ordinance. The notice was advertised in the Monroe Reporter on November 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. Cody Ellis, Economic Development Director stated the proposed changes were to provide clarity in the wording to each. Mayor Pro-tem Dodd opened the public hearing in favor of or opposition to the proposed ordinance changes. There being no comments in favor of or opposition to the proposed ordinance changes Mayor Pro-tem Dodd closed the public hearing. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the proposed ordinance changes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Public hearing for the proposed 2023 budget. Ms. Hall reviewed the proposed 2023 budget. General fund revenues for 2023 are budgeted at $4.2 million with combined utilities revenues at $15 million. Expenditures for general fund at $8.8 million and combined utilities expenditures at $10.6 million. Adoption of the proposed budget requires a $4.6 million transfer from combined utilities to the general fund for a balanced budget of $8,890,017. An increase to salaries from 2022 to 2023 is $457,477. Ms. Hall stated the proposed budget includes up to an eight percent increase for all employees; possibly providing at 2% cost of living increase for all employees with an up to 6% merit increase based on annual reviews. Furthermore Ms. Hall reviewed budgets for the police special revenue fund, SPLOST, and TSPLOST along with projects associated with SPLOST and TSPLOST. In closing Ms. Hall stated a second public hearing will be held on December 19th to adopt the 2023 budget.  Page |2 Appointment of Julius & Yvonne Stroud to the bicentennial committee. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to appoint Julius & Yvonne Stroud to the bicentennial committee. Seconded by Mr. Goolsby; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Requisitions Greater than $6,000 Core & Main $13,311.20 Reed & Shows Meter Repair $9,100.00 Foley Products Company $6,879.04 Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the requisitions as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. City Manager’s Report Ms. Hall provided the following report to council: - Working with Hofstadter & Associates to submit the 2023 LMIG streets for resurfacing. This will be as much of the area as possible where we just completed the Community Development Block Grant in the Blount Street area. - Also, working with Hofstadter & Associates to amend the 2022 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant streets submitted. We previously submitted Jenay Court and W. Adams Street. Since the bids were twice what was expected, the work on W. Adams Street has not been done so we do not want to resurface that area until the storm drain work is completed. We are working to amend from W. Adams to N. Frontage in the area on the north end of the street as you approach the intersection with Highway 42 North. As this area was previously an interstate ramp, the subsurface is concrete and will considerably increase the demolition cost. Jenay Court will remain on that list. - Great turnout for parade last Thursday. Thank you to all those responsible for making the parade a success. In addition to all the work the Chamber does to put on the parade, the city departments work on this as well. Huge thank you to the electric department for coming in early to finish the Christmas decorations that were 2 weeks late being ready for pickup. They were out at 4:30 am hanging decorations to make sure everything looked good for the parade. Public Works worked long hours getting the decorations around the square up as well. Huge thank you to everyone. - Shop Small Saturday the day after black Friday was another huge success. Thank you to the Main Street Board for stepping up in the absence of a Coordinator and making that event happen. - Next event will be the New Year’s Eve Forsythia Ball Drop on 12/31. Main Street announced the band last week as the Rescue Dogs which is a new band Joey Pitman and Steve Walker have put together. Everyone make plans to come out on New Year’s Eve and enjoy the fun. - LOST Agreement and Certificate of Distribution have been signed by both cities and the county. The Agreement was presented at the last council meeting and voted on for approval. Small correction changes were made to the final document before it was signed. - Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing will be held on December 7 at 12:00 pm here in council chambers. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the approved activities of the city’s CDBG. - Monroe County has requested the name of the person the city wants appointed to the Hospital Board before their meeting on January 3. Mr. Goolsby has been approved as our appointment to the Monroe County Development Authority. - Registration system was down for Cities United until last week. Lisa Cannon was able to get everyone registered for training classes. - Status Report for the railroad crossings was submitted by Mr. Melton last week. The letting for the project has changed to December 15, 2023 but completion of all projects remains 15 months after let date. - Six of the blighted properties were suspended for 90 days and will return on December 19 for a determination to either closeout, provide additional time, or proceed with court proceedings. - Steve Jones has submitted his retirement paperwork. Steve has been a faithful employee of the City of Forsyth for 37 years and will be greatly missed. We will hold a retirement reception for Steve prior to the December 19 Council meeting at 5:00 pm. - Woodrow Blue has been offered the position of Chief of Police and his first day on the job will be December 19. We will have a meet and greet for the public to come by and meet him prior to the December 19 Council meeting at 4:00 pm. Thank you to Jackson Police Chief Morgan, Forsyth PD Sgt Terrance Thomas, and Consultant Kenny Smith for serving on the interview panel Forsyth City Council – December 5, 2022  Page |3 for the police chief position. Chief Blue brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him to Forsyth, and we look forward to the things he will do for our police department. - Reminder of upcoming office closings for the holidays – city hall will close from noon-2:00 on 12/16 for city hall employee luncheon; all admin offices will close on 12/23-12/26 for the Christmas holiday. - Just as a reminder, the City Charter states that the Organizational Meeting of Forsyth City Council will be held on the first Tuesday of January. The first meeting in January 2023 will be January 3 rd. - We will also need to change the second meeting in January as that meeting always falls on MLK Day. Planning & Zoning - Rick Cantrell variance request for setback requirements for 533 Cabiness Road is being advertised and should come before council at the first meeting in January. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to appoint Chris Hewett to the Hospital Board. Seconded by Mr. Howard; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hewett stated considering his appointment to the Hospital Board he will resign from the Housing Authority and the Tree Board. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to appoint Julius Stroud to the Housing Authority. After some discussion and clarification from Ms. Hall regarding the appointments being done in January 2023. Mr. Hewett withdrew his motion. City Attorney Report Mr. Melton stated an application for the sale of alcoholic beverages (retail package-beer and retail package-wine) for Circle K will come before council on December 19, 2022. Mr. Melton provided an update on the current railroad crossing case; the proposed consent order has not been received yet from Judge Schroeder. Mr. Melton also discussed preparing a resolution to change the day of council meetings in January each year. And stated the variance request for Rick Cantrell will come before council at the January 3, 2023 meeting. Mayor’s Report Mayor Pro-Tem stated a pending charter amendment is still outstanding. After some discussion he requested that the amendment come before council for consideration at the December 19, 2022 council meeting. Council Board Reports No council board reports were provided. Additional Business Mr. Goolsby inquired if leaves in yards should be bagged. Ms. Hall provided information on the ordinance regarding proper handling of leaves. 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 6:58 p.m. Forsyth City Council – December 5, 2022