City Council Regular Meeting

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Council Chambers 7:00 PM 70 S. Clayton St, GA 30046 Call to Order PRESENT Mayor David Still Council Member Bruce Johnson Council Member Victoria Jones Council Member Austin Thompson Mayor Pro-Tem Marlene Taylor-Crawford Prayer Sr. Master Sergeant Wanda Joell was present to provide the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Still led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Additions / Deletions Chuck Warbington, City Manager tabled item #11 SUP2024-00086; Juanita Wade; 3130 Sugarloaf Parkway to Work Session Agenda, June 05, 2024. Motion to accept agenda as amended made by Council Member Thompson, Seconded by Council Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford Recognitions 1. Central Gwinnett SOTA Literary 7A State Champion - Denise Keeton Mayor Still recognized Denise Keeton as SOTA Literary 7A State Champion for Central Gwinnett. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes Motion to approve minutes made by Council Member Thompson, Seconded by Council Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 2. April 29, 2024, Special Call and Regular Meeting 3. May 8, 2024, Special Call and Work Session Proclamations 4. Building Safety Month May 2024 as Building Safety Month - Mayor Still recognized and presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Lawrenceville to Helen Balch, Todd Hargrave, and Tony Weber for their due diligence in making sure of the safety throughout the City of Lawrenceville. Announcements Mayor Still recognized each Council Member who individually made announcements about events and recognitions throughout the community. He then read from the slides for upcoming City Events. Public Comment To participate in the Public Comment part of the Agenda, you must register with the City Clerk prior to the beginning of the meeting. Presentations will be limited to 2 minutes per person and Council will not respond to the comment. No public comments Consent Agenda These are items on which the Mayor and Council are in agreement to approve and are placed on the agenda to be approved in one vote. Lee Thompson, City Attorney read the consent agenda items into record. Motion to accept consent agenda items as read into record by Lee Thompson, City Attorney made by Council Member Jones, Seconded by Council Member Thompson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 5. Purchase of Electrical Lights and Materials 6. Timeclock Software 3 Year Renewal 7. Broad-Based Geographic Information Systems Services on an Annual Contract 8. Design Services for Raised Intersections 9. Ceremonial Documents Policy Public Hearing New Business Discussion will be limited to 7 minutes per side including rebuttal. Discussions on Zoning issues will be limited to 10 minutes per side including rebuttal. Questions and answers from Council Members will not infringe on the time limit. 10. RZC2024-00053; Cam-Thuy Truong; 513 Scenic Highway Todd Hargrave, Director, Planning and Development presented this item and answered questions from Council. Mayor Still opened the public hearing, hearing, or seeing no one for or against, closed the public hearing. Motion to Approve with Conditions presented RZC2024-00053; Cam-Thuy Truong; 513 Scenic Highway made by Council Member Jones, Seconded by Council Member Thompson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 11. SUP2024-00086; Juanita Wade; 3130 Sugarloaf Parkway Tabled to Work Session Agenda, June 05, 2024. 12. SUP2024-00088; Jason Mundy; 562 John Connor Court Todd Hargrave, Director of Planning and Development presented this item and answered questions from Council. Mayor Still opened the public hearing, hearing, or seeing no one for or against, closed the public hearing. Motion to Approve with Conditions as access expending from the right of way of John Connor Court shall be gated, except for the ingress/egress, the southern gates shall be closed, suggested to Council, SUP2024-00088; Jason Mundy; 562 John Connor Court to allow for an Automobile, Truck or Vehicle Storage Lot made by Mayor Still, Seconded by Council Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 13. Ordinance to Amend Article 8 General Regulations of the City of Lawrenceville Zoning Ordinance 2020 Todd Hargrave, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item and answered questions from Council. Mayor Still opened the public hearing, hearing, or seeing no one for or against, closed the public hearing. Motion to Approve Amendment for Ordinance Article 8 General Regulations of the City of Lawrenceville Zoning Ordinance 2020 made by Council Member Jones, Seconded by Council Member Thompson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 14. Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget  Keith Lee, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item and answered questions from Council. Mayor Still opened the public hearing, speaker against raising of property taxes, Tracy Britt, 261 A Culver St. Lawrenceville, GA 30046 for discussion on the Fiscal Yr. 2025 Proposed Budget, after Ms. Britt spoke, hearing or seeing no one else, Mayor Still closed the public hearing. 3rd Public Hearing for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget will be on June 05, 2024 Work Session, voting on Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget will be June 26, 2024, Regular Meeting. Council Business Old Business There is no public comment during this section of the agenda unless formally requested by the Mayor and the Council. 15. Amendment to Chapter 38 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville to increase the application fee and to establish an administrative fee for billing Keith Lee, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item and answered questions from Council. Motion to Adopt Ordinance to Amend Chapter 38 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville to increase the application fee and to establish an administrative fee for billing made by Mayor Still, Seconded by Council Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Abstaining from Vote: Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 16. Amend Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia related to Elections to update provisions related to Notice of Candidacy and Campaign Financing Disclosure Michael Fischer, Assistant City Manager of Operations, presented this item and answered questions from Council. Motion to Adopt Amendment to Chapter 16 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia related to Elections to update provisions related to Notice of Candidacy and Campaign Financing Disclosure made by Council Member Jones, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor- Crawford. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 17. Amendment to Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville to update provisions related to Administration Michael Fischer, Assistant City Manager of Operations, presented this item and answered questions from Council. Motion to Adopt Amendment to Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia related to Administration to update provisions related to the administration of the City and other purposes made by Council Member Johnson, Seconded by Council Member Thompson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford Council Business New Business There is no public comment during this section of the agenda unless formally requested by the Mayor and the Council. 18. Lawrenceville Highway Sidewalks Project Eranildo Lustosa, City Engineer II presented this item and answered questions from Council. Motion to approve Lawrenceville Highway Sidewalks Project made by Council Member Jones, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford 19. APPL2023-00008; United Rentals c/o Ben Baker; 255 Equipment Court Todd Hargrave, Director of Planning and Development presented this item and answered questions from Council. Ben Baker, Appeal Attorney with Baker & Summy, PC requested to reduce tree size at United Rental along SR316. Ben Baker, Attorney will be submitting extra documents next week. Mayor Still requested item #19 be tabled to June 25, 2024. 20. DDA Item Vote: IGA between DDA and City of Lawrenceville, Train Depot Renovations. Barry Mock, Assistant City Manager presented this item and answered questions from Council. Motion to approve IGA between the DDA and the City of Lawrenceville, for renovations in the amount of $275,000 to be transferred to the DDA, made by Mayor Still, Seconded by Council Member Thompson Executive Session – Personnel, Litigation, Real Estate Motion to enter executive session made by Council Member Thompson, Seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford Motion to adjourn out of executive session made by Council Member Thompson, Seconded by Council Member Jones. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford Report of items discussed in Executive Session: 3 Real Estate 6 Litigation No Votes Taken Final Adjournment Motion to adjourn regular meeting made by Council Member Thompson, Seconded by Council Member Johnson. Voting Yea: Mayor Still, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Jones, Council Member Thompson, Mayor Pro-Tem Taylor-Crawford Minutes Signatures ________________________ David R. Still, Mayor ________________________ Karen Pierce, City Clerk  ORDINANCE ORD-2024-8 ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA RELATED TO ADMINISTRATION TO UPDATE VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES The City Council of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia hereby ordains that the Code of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia shall be amended as follows: Section 1: That of Sec. 2-1, related to exercise of governmental authority, is hereby amended by deleting Sec. 2-1 in its entirety and replacing the language to read as follows: Sec. 2-1. Exercise of governmental authority. The corporation governmental powers of the City shall be exercised by the Council in the manner provided by the Charter and by the provisions of this chapter. Section 2: That subsection (a)(l)d. of Sec. 2-2, related to code of ethics for city employees, is hereby amended by deleting (a){l)d. and replacing the language to read as follows: Sec. 2-2. Code of Ethics. (a) Code of Ethics for City employees. (1) Prohibited conduct. d. Accepting gifts with a value equal to or more than $100.00, whether in the form of money, things, favors, loans, or promises, that would not be offered or given to them if they were not an employee. A gift of $50.00 or less is exempt from reporting. A gift of $50.01 to $99.99 is only exempt if the gift is reported in writing to the City Clerk within 30 days of receipt. The Clerk shall disclose all such gifts in a consent agenda report published on a quarterly basis. Section 3: That subsection (a)(2) of Sec. 2-2, related to hearings and determinations, is hereby amended by deleting (a)(2) and replacing the language to read as follow: Page 1 of 24 Sec. 2-2. Code of Ethics. (a) Code of Ethics for City employees. (2) Hearings and determinations. If an employee is found guilty of an ethics violation, a name clearing hearing may be held as described in the City of Lawrenceville Personnel Policy. Section 4: That subsection (b) Sec. 2-2, related to code of ethics for city officials, is hereby amended by deleting (b) in its entirety and replacing the language to read as follows: Sec. 2-2. Code of Ethics. (b) Code of Ethics for City Officials. (1) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed to them below (unless otherwise required by context): a. Benefit means anything of monetary value that a reasonably prudent person would recognize as being likely to be intended to influence a City of Lawrenceville Official in the performance or non-performance of an official action. b. Confidential information means information which has been obtained in the course of holding public office, employment, an independent contract or otherwise acting as a public servant, and which information is not available to members of the public under the Georgia Open Records Act or other law or regulation and which the public servant is not authorized to disclose, including: 1. Any written information that could lawfully be exempted from disclosure pursuant to state law, unless the public servant disclosing it is authorized to do so by state law, or pursuant to some other pertinent law, policy, or procedure; 2. Any non-written information which, if it were written, could be excepted from disclosure under state law, unless the public servant disclosing it is authorized to do so by the state law, or pursuant to some other pertinent law, policy or procedure; and 3. Information which was obtained in the course of or by means of a record or oral report of a lawful executive or closed session, whether or not the disclosure of the information would violate state law, unless the public servant disclosing it is authorized by Page 2 of 24  state law to do so, or unless the public servant disclosing it has been properly authorized to disclose it pursuant to an applicable law, policy or procedure; however, when such information is also available through channels which are open to the public, this provision does not prohibit public servants from disclosing the availability of those channels. c. Entity means a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, firm, corporation, professional corporation, holding company, joint stock company, receivership, trust or any other entity recognized by law through which business may be conducted. d. Immediate family means the spouse, mother, father, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter of any City of Lawrenceville Official related by blood, adoption, or marriage. The relationship by marriage shall include in-laws. e. City of Lawrenceville Official means the members of the City Council, Municipal Court Judges (including substitute judges), City Manager, Assistant City Manager(s), Public Works Director, Police Chief, Chief Communications Officer, City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk, City Attorney, Chief Financial Officer, and all other persons holding positions designated by the City Charter. The term City Official also includes all individuals appointed by the City Council to all City authorities, boards, commissions, committees, task forces, or other bodies unless specifically exempted from this article by the City Council. f. Interest means any personal pecuniary benefit accruing to a public servant or the public servant's partner in interest, whether in the public servant's own name or the name of any person or business from which the public servant is entitled to receive any personal benefit, as a result of a matter which is or which is expected to become the subject of an official action by or with the City. g. Incidental interest means an interest in a person, entity or property which is not a substantial interest as defined herein and which has insignificant value. h. Partner in interest means, when used in this article in connection with a public servant, as in the phrase "a public servant or a partner in interest," any and all of the following: 1. A member of the public servant's immediate family; 2. A business with which the public servant or a member of the public servant's immediate family is associated; Page 3 of 24  3. Any other person with whom the public servant or a member of their immediate family is in business, or is negotiating or has an agreement concerning future employment or the future conferring of any personal benefit, whether in the public servant's own name or the name of any business or person from whom the public servant is entitled, or expects to become entitled, to receive any personal benefit, as a result of a contract or transaction which is, or which is expected to become, the subject of an official action by or with the City. The term "partner in interest" does not imply or require any form of legal partnership or formal agreement; or 4. When used in the phrase "a public servant or partner in interest," the term "partner in interest" refers only to a partner in interest of the public servant to whom reference is being made, and not to any other person's partner in interest. i. Remote interest means an interest of a person or entity, including a City Official, which would be affected in the same way as the general public. For example, the interest of an official in the property tax rate, general City fees, City utility charges, comprehensive zoning ordinance, or similar matters is deemed remote to the extent that the official would be affected in common with the general public. j. Substantial interest means an interest, either directly or through a member of the immediate family, in another person or entity, where: 1. The interest is as follows: (a} Ownership of five percent or more of the voting stock, shares or equity of the entity; or (b} Ownership of $5,000.00 or more of the equity or market value of the entity. 2. The funds received by the person from the other person or entity during the previous 12 months either equal or exceed: (a} $5,000.00 in salary, bonuses, commissions, or professional fees, or $5,000.00 in payment for goods, products or services, or ten percent of the recipient's gross income during that period, whichever is less; (b} The person serves as a corporate officer or member of the board of directors or other governing board of a for-profit entity other than a corporate entity owned or created by the City Council; or which entity receives an amount of $5,000.00 or more; or Page 4 of 24  ( c) The person is a creditor, debtor, or guarantor of the other person or entity in an amount of $5,000.00 or more. (2) Principal policies. The public trust requires public servants to fulfill their duties faithfully and honestly and to subordinate any personal interest, which conflicts with the public interest. A public servant is a trustee of the people and should strive to further the general welfare of the public and not use his/her public office or position to unethically improve their own private standing. The principal policies that form the foundation of this Code of Ethics are as follows: a. The trust of citizens in their government is cultivated when individual public servants act with integrity and when the public is aware that its servants act with integrity. b. The constitutions, laws and regulations of the United States and the State of Georgia and ordinances of the City of Lawrenceville should be upheld as a minimum standard of conduct. c. The most effective way to eradicate unethical practices is to consistently act with the highest moral principles and react appropriately to the ethical decisions of others. d. City of Lawrenceville Officials should exercise sound judgment and apply ethical principles in making decisions that in any manner reflect upon their elected office. e. All citizens should be treated with courtesy, impartiality, and equality. (3) Intent. It is the intent of this Code of Ethics that City of Lawrenceville officials shall not knowingly engage in any activity that is incompatible with the proper discharge of their official duties or which would tend to impair their judgment or actions in the performance of their official duties. Furthermore, City of Lawrenceville Officials should avoid any action that might result in or create the appearance of: a. Using public office or position in an unethical manner for private gain; b. Impeding City of Lawrenceville efficiency or economy; or c. Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of those who conduct the affairs and business of the City of Lawrenceville. (4) Conduct. 1. Expected a. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall treat all citizens with courtesy, impartiality, fairness, and equality under the law, and; Page 5 of 24  b. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall avoid both actual and potential conflicts between their private self-interest and the public interest. c. Disclosure. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall disclose the nature of any substantial interest they have in a matter at the time such matter is presented to the City Council for discussion and/or action. Such disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and become part of the public record. d. Duty to leave meeting. To avoid the appearance of impropriety, after any member of the City Council or Council appointed Board or Committee member is determined to have a substantial interest or a potential substantial interest in any matter, they shall leave their regular seat as a member of the City Council or Council appointed Board or Committee and not return to it until deliberation and action on the matter is completed. Provided, however, that such official shall not be precluded from addressing an appointed Council Board or Committee or the City Council during the discussion of any agenda item or any official act or action in the same manner as a member of the general public. 2. Prohibited a. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not have a substantial interest that conflicts with their responsibilities and duties as trustees of the public good; or b. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not directly or indirectly engage in financial transactions as a result of, or primarily rely upon, confidential information obtained in the course of their office or received due to their position. c. Acceptance of gifts. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any benefit or payment from any person, corporation or group that has, or is seeking to obtain, a contractual or other business or financial relationship with the City of Lawrenceville. 1. The above prohibitions shall not apply in the case of: (a) Occasional nonmonetary gift(s) of insignificance or trinkets or gifts, such as a calendar, memento, or pen, received in the normal course of business with a value of/or less than $100.00. A gift of $50.00 or less is exempt from reporting. A gift of $50.01 to $99.99 is only exempt if the gift is reported in writing to the City Clerk within 30 days of receipt. Page 6 of 24  The Clerk shall disclose all such gifts in a consent agenda report published on a quarterly basis. (b) Award publicly presented in recognition of public service; (c) Transaction authorized by and performed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 16-10-6 as now or hereafter amended; (d) A commercially reasonable loan or other financial transaction made in the ordinary course of business by an institution or individual authorized by the laws of the State of Georgia to engage in the making of such loan or financial transaction; (e) Campaign contributions made and reported in accordance with State of Georgia laws; (f) Items listed under O.C.G.A. § 16-10-2 that are specifically itemized as "a thing of value shall not include" as now or hereafter amended; (g) Promotional items generally distributed to the general public or to public officials; or (h) Food, beverage, admission or expenses afforded City Officials, members of their immediate families, or others that are associated with normal and customary business or social functions, activities, or events. d. Use of public property. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not use City of Lawrenceville property of any kind for other than officially approved activities, nor shall they direct a City of Lawrenceville employee to use such property for other than official purposes. e. Use of confidential information. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not directly make use of, or permit others to make use of, for the purpose of furthering a private interest, City of Lawrenceville information not made available to the general public. f. Coercion. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not use their position in any way to coerce, or give the appearance of coercing: 1. Another person to provide any benefits to themselves or to their immediate family as defined herein; 2. A City of Lawrenceville employee, an appointed official of the City of Lawrenceville, or a contract employee to Page 7 of 24  provide any benefit to themselves or to their immediate family as defined herein; or 3. Any judge in the outcome of matters before the court. g. Purchases. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not order any goods or services for the City of Lawrenceville or on behalf of the City of Lawrenceville without proper authorization in compliance with the City of Lawrenceville Code. h. Conflicts of interest. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not represent private interests, other than their own, in any action or proceeding against the City of Lawrenceville or any portion of its government; or vote or otherwise actively participate in the negotiation or the making of any contract between the City of Lawrenceville government and any business or entity in which they have a substantial interest. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not enter into any contract with, or have any interest in, either directly or indirectly, the City except as authorized by state law. 1. This prohibition shall not be applicable to the professional activities of the City Attorney in their work as an independent contractor and legal advisor on behalf of the City. 2. This prohibition shall not be applicable to an otherwise valid employment contract between the City and a City Official who is not elected (such as, by way of example, a City Manager). 3. Any official who has a proprietary interest in an entity doing business with the City shall make that interest known in writing to the City Council and the City Clerk. i. City of Lawrenceville employees. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not use a City of Lawrenceville employee for personal or private business during regular business hours or during the employee's scheduled shift. j. Travel expenses. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not draw per diem or expense money from the City of Lawrenceville to attend a seminar, convention, conference, or similar meeting and then fail to attend the seminar, conference, convention, or similar meeting without promptly reimbursing the City thereafter. k. Commitments. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not act or create the appearance of acting on behalf of the City of Page 8 of 24  Lawrenceville by promising to authorize or prevent any future official action of any nature, without proper authorization. I. False statements. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not make an intentionally false or materially misleading statement or in any manner commit fraud in relation to any City of Lawrenceville or public business. m. Deliberation and vote prohibited. City of Lawrenceville Officials shall not participate in a City of Lawrenceville Council appointed Board, Committee or Council meeting during the discussion, debate, deliberation or vote, or otherwise take part in the decision-making process on any agenda item, or any official act or action in which he or she has a substantial interest. Provided, however, that such officials shall not be precluded from addressing a Council appointed Board, Committee, or the City Council during the discussion of any agenda item or any official act or action in the same manner as a member of the general public. Where the interest of a City Official in the subject matter of a vote or decision is remote or incidental, the City Official may participate in the vote or decision and need not disclose the interest. (5) Ethics Hearings a. Ethics hearing officer. The Chief Judge of Municipal Court, or, in their absence, their designee who shall be another municipal court judge, or if no municipal court judge is available, the City of Lawrenceville Attorney, is hereby designated as the Ethics Hearing Officer. The Ethics Hearing Officer shall serve without compensation and may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the City of Lawrenceville Council. If the hearing officer is removed for cause, the next most senior Municipal Court Judge or the City of Lawrenceville Attorney shall serve as hearing officer. b. Receipt of complaints. All complaints against a City of Lawrenceville Official shall be filed in writing with the City Clerk to be referred to the Ethics Hearing Officer in such form as may be prescribed by the Ethics Hearing Officer. All complaints shall be submitted and signed under oath, shall be legibly drawn, and shall clearly address matters within the scope of this ordinance. Upon receipt of a complaint in proper form, the City Clerk will deliver a copy of the complaint to the Ethics Hearing Officer, who shall: 1. Review it to determine whether the complaint is unjustified, frivolous, patently unfounded or fails to state facts sufficient to Page 9 of 24  invoke disciplinary action or is to be considered for further investigation. 2. Be empowered to dismiss those complaints that are unjustified, frivolous, patently unfounded or that fail to state facts sufficient to constitute a violation of this article; provided, however, that a rejection of such complaint by the Ethics Hearing Officer shall not deprive the complaining party of any action he or she might otherwise have at law or in equity against the City of Lawrenceville Official. 3. Notify the City of Lawrenceville Official charged in the complaint as soon as practicable but in no event later than seven calendar days after receipt of a verified complaint. 4. Be empowered to collect evidence and information concerning any complaint and to add to the findings and results of its investigation to the file containing such complaint. 5. Be empowered to conduct probable cause investigations, to take evidence and hold hearings. The Ethics Hearing Officer shall give the City of Lawrenceville Official notice and an opportunity for a hearing. 6. Be empowered to recommend to the City of Lawrenceville Council that any City of Lawrenceville Official found to have violated any provision of this article receive a reprimand, censure or be requested to resign from their office. 7. Be empowered to refer a complaint to the appropriate law enforcement agent or agency for investigation and possible prosecution. 8. Take action within 60 days of receipt of the complaint. The decision by the Ethics Hearing Officer shall be reduced to writing and served upon all parties of interest within five days of reaching a decision. 9. The Ethics Hearing Officer shall appear in a public hearing before the City of Lawrenceville Council to present argument and evidence to justify the recommendation contained in paragraph (6) above and make a recommendation of the proper penalty to be imposed. The City of Lawrenceville Council shall have the final authority to act on or reject the recommendation within 30 days of the presentation by the Hearing Officer. c. City of Lawrenceville Council action. Within 30 days following the presentation of the findings of the Ethics Hearing Officer, the City of Page 10 of 24