City Council

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The City of Jesup Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber. Mayor David Earl Keith called the meeting to order. Roll call was as follows: Mayor, David Earl Keith Present Commissioner, Shirlene Armstrong Present Commissioner, Don A. Darden Present Commissioner, Nick Harris Present Commissioner, Bill Harvey Present Commissioner, Ray House Present Commissioner, Stanley Todd Present City Attorney, Mike Conner Present City Manager, Mike Deal Present Police Chief, Mike Lane Present The Lord’s Prayer was led by City Attorney Conner. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Police Chief Mike Lane. Commissioner Armstrong made motion seconded by Commissioner Todd to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated September 4, 2018, and the special called meeting dated September 18, 2018. All Council voted yes. Public Hearing was held on Bernice and Terry Varnadore’s request to rezone 1300 South Palm Street from R-1 to R-4 to build up to 12 apartment buildings. Residents on Deborah Circle spoke against the rezoning. Commissioner Harvey recommended Council approve the rezoning request with certain conditions as follows: Property owners will never subsidize these apartments; 8’ tall privacy fence will be built; 35’ vegetation buffer will be left between apartments and existing houses. Commissioner Harvey made motion seconded by Commissioner Armstrong to approve Bernice and Terry Varnadore’s request to rezone 1300 South Palm from R-1 to R-4 to build up to 12 apartment buildings with certain conditions as specified. All Council voted yes. Charles Branch, with NextSite, showed a Power Point presentation. Mr. Branch explained his firm would complete an analysis and seek to attract new retail and restaurant businesses that make sense to Jesup. A three-year contract would be required at a cost of $15,500 per year. Council agreed to discuss Mr. Branch’s proposal and get back with him. Police Chief Lane stated he and City Attorney Conner have discussed the School Resource Officer agreement with the Wayne County School Board, and everything looks good. Commissioner Harvey stated he feels Wayne County should be responsible for providing a School Resource Officer, but will not vote against the agreement. Commissioner Harris made motion seconded by Commissioner Darden to enter into an agreement with the Wayne County School Board to provide a School Resource Officer. All Council voted yes. Council tabled discussion on Billy Smith’s request to officially close an unopened alley to allow for further research. Council tabled awarding bid on metal storage building until the next regular meeting. Water Department Supervisor Anthony Crawford recommended Council award low bid to Utility Service Company, Inc., on Third Street water storage tank renovation at $41,753.00. Commissioner House made motion seconded by Commissioner Darden to award low bid to Utility Service Company, Inc. on Third Street water storage tank renovation at $41,753.00. All Council voted yes. Bids were as follows: Southern Corrosion, Inc. $42,381.00 Tank Pro, Inc. $49,777.00 Utility Service Co., Inc. $41,753.00 Water Department Supervisor Crawford recommended Council award low bid to T. R. Long Engineering, P.C., on new #6 well design and permitting at $42,000. Commissioner Harris made motion seconded by Commissioner Todd to award low bid to T. R. Long Engineering, P.C., on new #6 well design and permitting at $42,000.00. All Council voted yes. Bids were as follows: Ingram & Associates Consulting Engineers, LLC $50,000.00 T. R. Long Engineering, P.C. $42,000.00 Hofstadter and Associates, Inc. $65,000.00 DDA Director Molly O’Hearon requested permission to close specified downtown streets on Saturday, October 27, for Arch Fest, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, November 8, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for First Fridays event. Commissioner Harris suggested anyone wishing to close a street for an event needs to complete an application for City Manager Deal to approve or deny. Council requested City Attorney Conner to create an event permit application and bring back to Council for approval. Commissioner House made motion seconded by Commissioner Armstrong to close specified downtown streets on Saturday, October 27, for Arch Fest, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, November 8, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for First Fridays event. All Council voted yes. DDA Director O’Hearon announced the City has been designated as a Rural Zone Community through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which allows job tax credits, reinvesting credits, and rehabilitation credits within the downtown area. City Attorney Conner explained the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant eligible projects, which would include the proposed renovation of the Cracker Williams Recreation Park swimming pool. DDA Director O’Hearon asked Council to approve the required LWCF Resolution to apply for a $100,000 grant to use towards the renovation of the swimming pool at Cracker Williams Recreation Park. She noted the City would be required to contribute 50% of the total project costs up to $100,000. Commissioner Harris made motion seconded by Commissioner Darden to approve a Resolution to authorize the submission of LWCF grant application related to the Cracker Williams Recreation Park and to participate and fulfill the project related to such application. All Council voted yes. City Attorney Conner explained the 2019 CDBG for up to $750,000 would be used on Water/Sewer improvements, and approval of a Resolution is needed. Commissioner House made motion seconded by Commissioner Harvey to approve a Resolution to apply for a 2019 CDBG for up to $750,000 for water/sewer improvements. All Council voted yes. Commissioner Harvey appointed Raymond Brown to the Planning & Zoning Board to replace Jon Simmons who passed away. Commissioner Harvey appointed Jeff Chandler to the DDA Board to replace Joe Ierardi who resigned. Commissioner Todd inquired about the status of McMillan Creek Greenway Boardwalk. City Manager Deal stated the City is waiting on the Prison Inmate Mobile Construction Crew. City Manager Deal stated repairs on boardwalk are about ½ complete, and a portion of it could be reopened to the public. Commissioner Harvey gave an update on Cracker Williams Recreation Park renovation. He stated he is pleased with the progress, and announced the Recreation Park Committee will hold a meeting this Thursday at 9 a.m. at the park. Commissioner Armstrong thanked DDA Director O’Hearon for inviting the A-Team to serve at the DDA Banquet last week. She also encouraged Council to go downtown and view the scarecrows on display. Commissioner Darden complained about dilapidated houses and furniture dumped on the side of roads. Commissioner Harris stated he has been contacted by several people about milling the City put down in front of businesses on Broad Street, and asked City Manager Deal to explain. City Manager Deal stated he received a call from the new car wash owner requesting the City fill some potholes in front of his business. Afterwards, another business called requesting the same. So he decided to put milling all along that side to make it look nice and enhance parking. Mayor Keith announced Trick-or-Treat will be held on Wednesday, October 31, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. He also stated Ballots and BBQ will be next Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Coastal Pines Technical College. Mayor Keith informed Council that Children First has requested Council’s support for ESPLOST. Commissioner House asked City Attorney Conner would Council have a problem endorsing ESPLOST. City Attorney Conner informed Council they couldn’t endorse ESPLOST as an elected Board, but could as individuals. Mayor Keith reminded Council of the Pinking of the Fountain this Friday at 12 noon at the Train Depot. Commissioner Harris made motion seconded by Commissioner House to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss land purchase. All Council voted yes. Upon returning, Commissioner House made motion seconded by Commissioner Darden to authorize City Manager Deal to complete the deal for purchase of land. Commissioners Harvey and Harris voted no. All remaining Council voted yes. Meeting Adjourned, ____________________________ Rose Marcus-Jackson City Clerk/Treasurer