City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting February 20, 2023 Call to Order Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation by Reverend David Blalock, and Roll Call Mayor Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend David Blalock gave the invocation. In attendance was Mayor Eric Wilson, Councilmembers Mike Dodd, Greg Goolsby, Melvin Lawrence, Chris Hewett. Also in attendance was City Manager, Janice Hall, and City Clerk, Regina Ivie. City Attorney, Bobby Melton and Councilmembers Julius Stroud and John Howard were not in attendance for the council meeting. There were four members of council in attendance for the council meeting therefore all unanimous votes will be four votes (Dodd, Goolsby, Lawrence, Hewett). Approval of Agenda Mayor Wilson requested to amend tonight’s agenda to add Otis Ingram after item #11. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the amended agenda as suggested. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the minutes from the work session held on February 6, 2023 Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Goolsby; the motion carried unanimously. Herbert Gantt, Winifred Berry, and Tammy Selman with Hubbard Alumni Herbert Gantt stated he and the Hubbard Alumni are working with the county to add a mural on a brick wall on the corner of Paul James and Kimball which is currently owned by Mr. Burleigh Singleton. The mural will highlight the achievements of African Americans in Monroe County. Tammy Selman, grant writer for Monroe County, is asking for permission from the City to move forward with the grant if the mural is in compliance. Ms. Hall advised working with Cody Ellis, Economic Development Director, on zoning compliance, knowing the size of the mural and if there is a possible easement. Approval of an application for the sale of alcoholic beverages at Old Mill Market (beer / malt pouring and wine pouring) Ms. Hall reviewed key points of notice. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the application as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of an application from Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce for the issuance of a temporary permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages at Monroe County Conference Center on February 25, 2023 Ms. Hall reviewed the request for a one-day temporary alcohol license on February 25, 2023.  Page |2 Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the one-day temporary permit for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Monroe County Conference Center on February 25, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of an application from Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce for the issuance of a temporary permit for the consumption only on the premises of beer, wine, or liquor on March 10, 2023 Ms. Hall reviewed request for a one-day temporary alcohol permit for March 10, 2023. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the one-day temporary permit for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on March 10, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of an agreement with the Department of Transportation Ms. Hall reviewed the 50-year agreement with Georgia Department of Transportation regarding the I-75 lighting, this agreement goes along with the commercial vehicle lane project . Lighting goes along the north and south bound lanes of the city limits. City does pay for the lighting which some of it is GA Power and Central Georgia EMC. This agreement will not begin until the project is complete and the lights are operational, until then we will be under the current contract. Georgia Department of Transportation will purchase and install lighting equipment and maintain ownership. The City will be responsible for energy maintenance, repair, and operation. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the agreement with the Department of Transportation as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of revisions to the dress code policy for administrative employees Ms. Hall presented revisions to the dress code policy for administrative employees. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the revisions to the dress code policy as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Walter Goodson Mr. Goodson could not make it to tonight’s meeting. He asked if he could be moved to March 6, 2023 Council Meeting. Otis Ingram Mr. Ingram gave the council a letter from Gary Kornegay, a structural engineer. Per the letter he states he has inspected the buildings of the Senior Center and stated the buildings are structurally sound. Mr. Ingram stated they have torn off the plywood on the roofs of the 2 duplexes and will hopefully have new shingles on by the end of March. Mr. Ingram stated he should receive a construction commitment letter from his bank by the end of March. He is asking Council for more time to receive the construction commitment letter. With the letter he hopes to start construction in June 2023. Ms. Hall asked Mr. Ingram before he comes to another Council Meeting to schedule with Cody Ellis a 1st Step meeting with all department heads and Kelci Fortner with Monroe County building department to see what additional work is needed. City of Forsyth February 20, 2023 Minutes submitted by Lisa Cannon (Exec. Admin. Asst.)  Page |3 Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to extend Mr. Ingram until the end of March to get the construction commitment letter. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. City Manager’s Report General - The Assistance to Firefighters Grant for turnout gear was submitted. - Plant Vogtle tour is this Thursday for those attending. - Police officers are currently going through the training required for the new tasers. - 6 fully equipped Explorers delivered last week to Police Department; will take picture of them tonight in front of City Hall. - Atlanta Gas Light has begun the repair work to Johnston/Tift College Drive road and sidewalks. The pipe along the sidewalk at DOC will go under the railroad once that has been bored. - Getting quotes for landfill work as the work Environmental Protection Department is requiring is above our capabilities for personnel and equipment. - Getting quotes for guardrail work on Hunter Street. We have repaired the culvert under the roadway, but the guardrail is above our capabilities for personnel and equipment. - Annexation project – submitted listing of all properties annexed in 2012 that were unincorporated islands for RC to review to ensure those properties are not still listed as outside city limits. Work session to review is scheduled for March 20 at 4:30. - Work on the 2022 audit has begun. I am working with department heads to have their accomplishments ready for the Transmittal Letter and hope to have each department head make presentation to council at some point during March and April. - Clean Up Day is Saturday March 4 - Free paper shredding day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15 beginning at 11:00 am in the parking lot at the Police Department. - Bicentennial celebration is scheduled for September 23 & 24. More to come on events and schedule as the committee finalizes those. - Registration for the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) annual meeting is open. Dates are July 10-12. Please let Lisa Cannon know if you would like to attend. - Council provided an extension until February 1, 2023 for Otis Ingram for the Senior Community project to resume construction. The presentation made by Mr. Ingram on August 15, 2022 requested this additional time to allow him to secure contractor and funding and to then begin construction on February 1, 2023. Forsythia Festival - Rebecca Stone is attending the weekly department head meetings to review plans/needs for the festival. o Council has approved the street closures needed beginning the morning of Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12. The stage will be delivered before noon on March 10 so Jackson between Main & Johnston will be closed that morning. For the concert Friday night, we will close Johnston between Lee & Jackson to allow more room for the crowd as the food vendors will already be setup Friday night. This is a new event for the festival and the bands are all from the central Georgia area. o Kids’ Corner will require Jackson between King and Morse to be closed Friday for their setup. o A determination has not been made yet as to whether they will close any streets for the 5K on March 4, but approval has been given if she determines that it is needed. City of Forsyth February 20, 2023 Minutes submitted by Lisa Cannon (Exec. Admin. Asst.)  Page |4 o Aldermen Hall will again be used as the Hospitality Suite and check-in location for vendors for the festival. o Full slate of food and arts/crafts vendors are set for the weekend festival. 1st Step Projects - Swint’s Candy manufacturing and retail store has resumed construction on their building in the Industrial Park. Plans are to be opened by Christmas this year. - George Emami, Trio Mill addition project, will go back before Design & Review next Monday. This project has been tabled twice by Design and Review. Mr. Emami is returning with revised plans for the exterior material of the building. March 6 Public Hearings - - Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 4-21 to reduce from 15,000 barrels per year to 10,000 barrels per year to match the State Code - Hotel Tax Code Section 22-25 from 5% to 7% tax City Attorney’s Report City attorney was not in attendance. Mayor’s Report Mayor Wilson had no further business to report. Additional Business Mr. Goolsby stated there was a Development Authority Meeting last week and stated there are a lot of activities planned for the Indian Springs Industrial Park. Mr. Dodd stated that Michael Glisson of the Tree Board is planning the Annual Golf Tournament which is a major fundraiser. He also stated that Mr. Gleason would like the board to nominate younger citizens to the board. Mr. Lawrence stated he is new on the CVB Board and he will be attending the Plant Vogtle tour on Thursday. Mr. Hewett stated the Hospital Board will be on Thursday and Dr. Ridley will be there to meet the community. 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 6:57 p.m. City of Forsyth February 20, 2023 Minutes submitted by Lisa Cannon (Exec. Admin. Asst.)