Minutes

REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NASHVILLE COUNTY OF BERRIEN Monday, March 9, 2026 6:00 P.M. Nashville Community Center INVOCATION: Rev. Clarence Luke PLEDGE: Mayor Travis Brown WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Travis Brown ROLL CALL: Members of the City Council present included Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Garner and Councilmen John Clayton, Eric Gaither, Derek Joiner, Dustin Rathel, and Rodrick Smith. STAFF PRESENT: Hayden Hancock, Amanda Thacker, Brandon Rice, Lee Goodman, Denise Skinner, Ashley Smith, John Reynolds, Michael Spells, Micah Myers, Police Chief Ronald Knowles, Fire Chief Clay Davis, City Attorney Tim Tanner. ADOPTION OF FORMAL AGENDA: John Clayton made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Amy Garner, with the motion carrying 6-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: none PUBLIC HEARING: Water/Sewer Rates Eric Gaither made a motion to enter public hearing. This was seconded by John Clayton and carried 6-0. Bill Powell of Georgia Rural Water made a presentation to the audience, giving reasons why an increase in the rates is needed at this time. Powell told those present that nothing had been done in over a decade and that if the City had implemented periodic rate increases along and along, the current public hearing would not have been necessary. He added that the City has not in the past budgeted for any reserve funds for the water and sewer accounts, explaining that a portion of the increase is to begin adding money to a rainy day fund for when major repairs occur. Nashville is still paying for the water treatment plant, but Powell cautioned those in attendance that major upgrades are needed about every 20 years for that type facility. Given that the current treatment plant opened in January 2013, that would place Nashville at only seven years away from needing to do some sort of renovations to remain within operating codes. Powell reiterated what he had said in prior meetings regarding Nashville’s current rates, emphasizing that the City was in jeopardy of losing grants if they could not prove to USDA or GEFA that they could pay back any loans associated with infrastructure projects. The public hearing portion of the meeting lasted just short of an hour and a half with some expressing understanding about the need for the increase and others being either totally against it or expressing aggravation that previous City Councils had done nothing to address rising costs over the past decade. Questions were brought up about lead pipes, the senior citizen garbage fee exemption, city sewer availability at the Berrien County Recreation Department, condition of the City’s two current wells, water testing, commercial rates vs residential rates, and rates for customers inside the city limits vs rates for those receiving city services outside the city limits. Some senior citizens expressed irritation that as discussions about the rate increase had evolved, the increase had been changed from incrementally over the next five years to being done all in one fell swoop. At one point in the meeting it was brought up by City officials that when Nashville’s garbage collection fee was increased from $13.50 per month to $16 per month in October 2024, Council also voted an exemption to certain senior citizens. The exemption is not automatic, and those who qualify must apply at Nashville City Hall. The senior citizen exemption – saving the customer $16 per month – is available to home owners who are 65 or older for one can at their primary residence. It was pointed out that this exemption costs the City approximately $40,000 in lost revenue each year. Dustin Rathel made a motion to exit public hearing and return to regular meeting. Eric Gaither seconded, the motion carrying 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1- Water/Sewer Rate: Mayor Travis Brown Mayor Travis Brown asked Council if they were prepared to take a vote on the water/sewer rate issue. Amy Garner made a motion to implement effective August 1 the rate increase presented at the hearing. Derek Joiner seconded the motion, and it carried 5- 1. Eric Gaither voted against the motion, stating that it was too much increase at one time. As a point of clarification, while the rate increase begins August 1, customers will not see the increase until their September billing. 2- Planning Commission Appointment: Mayor Travis Brown With the Berrien County Planning Commission having a vacancy in one of its City of Nashville seats, Eric Gaither nominated Alonso Martinez to fill the seat. The nomination was approved 6-0 by Council. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Tim Tanner None CITY MANAGER REPORT: Hayden Hancock City Manager Hayden Hancock gave updates on the following: - Nashville hosted a Georgia Trails meeting on February 27 and had the opportunity to promote the Farmer’s Market, Azalea Sprinter, etc. This will result in increased tourism exposure for the town on the Explore Georgia website. - Hancock and Lee Goodman began holding department budget reviews this morning. - DuPont Pine contract discussion meeting will be held Tuesday, March 10. - Georgia Commissioner of Labor Barbara Rivera Holmes will visit Nashville on March 26. - Both the Vickers Road and Laurel Street properties are currently up for bids from interested parties. - Packets for the East Washington Avenue redevelopment project are due to the DDA on March 24. - Bids for resurfacing Virginia Street are due April 7. - City Council retreat, March 27-28. - Dogwood Fishing Rodeo, April 17-18. - City Cleanup Week, which coincides with Georgia Cities Week, April 20-24. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Public Works – Brandon Rice reminded the audience that when the project is completed, new street signs would be placed for all streets in the city limits. Finance – Lee Goodman said that budget meetings have begun and the GFOA spring training is coming up. Police Department – Chief Ronald Knowles gave a report for the month of February, which included 971 calls for service, 28 warrants issued, 25 arrests, 61 reports made, 140 citations issued, and 120 warnings. Department also has GOHS meeting on March 19. Code Enforcement – Micah Myers has attended GACE training and gained some ideas from it to implement locally. Human Resources – Denise Skinner reported that work continues behind the scenes to prepare for the switchover to Springbrook for payroll services. A parallel payroll is to be computed this week using the current and future systems to verify accuracy. Skinner, Brandon Rice, and members of NPD and NFD participated in the career fair at Berrien High School. Sinner and Hayden Hancock are working with the City’s insurance broker to prepare for the upcoming renewal. Georgia Cities Week is coming up in April and several activities are planned to give the public an opportunity to participate. Main Street – Ashley Smith reminded everyone that the monthly Family Bingo Night would be on Thursday and gave dates for the Easter Eggstravaganza (March 28) and the Dogwood Fishing Rodeo (April 17-18). Fire Department – Chief Clay Davis gave a report on calls answered in 2025, which included 206 total, 143 of which were in the City. Davis also stated that dry conditions had resulted in 116 calls just since January 1 of this year, with 58 in the City. Davis urged everyone not to do any burning until we get substantial rainfall. Water Department – John Reynolds said Water Department crews have constantly been fixing leaks in recent days. He also hosted Berrien Ready students at the sewer treatment plant recently. The students also visited the Fire Department and Farmer’s Market. Gas Department – Michael Spells reported that a gas line integrity inspection will be conducted on March 28-29. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Judy Parker offered her perspective to the audience about how lucky we have it in America after spending nine days in Cuba on a mission trip last fall. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor and Council in general offered their thanks to the public for participating in the meeting. They also expressed appreciation to the dedicated City employees. Derek Joiner added that it is difficult to not kick the can down the road when it comes to tough decisions and that a lot of good things are going on in Nashville. Rodrick Smith invited the public to come to more meetings and stay informed and involved. Amy Garner gave specific mention to several City employees for the positive things they have done recently. Mayor Travis Brown thanked the Council for stepping up, adding that no one likes/wants a rate increase but it is the right/responsible thing to do. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:03 PM, Dustin Rathel made a motion to adjourn with a second from John Clayton. Motion carried 6-0. March 9, 2026 __________________________ Mayor Travis Brown ATTEST: ___________________________ Amanda Thacker, City Clerk