Minutes

REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NASHVILLE COUNTY OF BERRIEN Monday, April 13, 2026 6:00 P.M. INVOCATION: Rev. Daniel Dean 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, Brandon Rice, Amanda Thacker, Lee Goodman, Denise Skinner, Ashley Smith, John Reynolds, Michael Spells, Micah Myers, Police Chief Ronald Knowles, City Attorney Tim Tanner. ADOPTION OF FORMAL AGENDA: John Clayton made a motion to approve the agenda as presented with Rodrick Smith seconding. Motion carried 6-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: February 23, 2026 regular meeting – Eric Gaither made a motion to approve the minutes with a second from Dustin Rathel. Motion carried 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1- Ripple Award: City Manager Hayden Hancock The Ripple Award for the month of March was presented to Randy Nash, city limb truck operator. City Manager Hayden Hancock read a list of Nash’s qualities including going the extra mile, paying attention to detail, being a steady presence, and others. Mayor Travis Brown presented Nash with a certificate of recognition. 2- Swearing in of Ed Yarbrough as Assistant Police Chief: Mayor Travis Brown and City Clerk Amanda Thacker Ed Yarbrough was sworn in as Assistant Police Chief by City Clerk Amanda Thacker with assistance from Mayor Travis Brown 3- Public Works – Retreat Follow-up: City Manager Hayden Hancock City Manager Hayden Hancock pointed out that at the Mayor and Council retreat the possibility had been brought forward of moving the Public Works Department to the City’s Laurel Street property. The relocation would include the need for renovations to the building along with installation of fencing. Assistant City Manager and Public Works  Director Brandon Rice had received three quotes from Dennis Higgins in regards to the fencing. An option of all galvanized fencing would cost $41,000; all coated fencing would cost $53,000; and an option with coated fencing along the front and galvanized everywhere else would run $43,000. An estimate of $4,750 for painting and other repairs was received from Robert Trowell. Plumbing repairs and changing of door locks was also discussed. Rice added that a quote had been received for an electric gate opener at $8,250 but that was not an item that is really needed at this time. After further discussion of readying the property for occupation by the Public Works Department, Eric Gaither made a motion to allocate $52,000 of ARPA funds with a 10% contingency to allow the project to move forward. This would include the $43,000 fence option and $4,750 for painting. Rodrick Smith seconded the motion with it passing 6-0. 4- Animal Control Building: City Manager Hayden Hancock City Manager Hayden Hancock stated the consensus at the Mayor and Council retreat was to leave animal control operations at their current site. Hancock pointed out needs for the building, the access road, fencing, and the sewer connection. Mayor Travis Brown reminded everyone that it had been previously discussed that funding could come from proceeds from the sale of the City’s Vickers Road property. Derek Joiner made a motion to move forward with providing for the needs of Animal Control. Amy Garner seconded and motion carried 6-0. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Tim Tanner None CITY MANAGER REPORT: Hayden Hancock City Manager Hayden Hancock gave updates on the following: - The recent Mayor and Council retreat was successful. Hancock thanked Georgia Municipal Association, Emily Davenport, and Darlla Trevino of the Southern Bell for their contributions. - Georgia Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes recently visited Nashville and toured Chaparral Boats, the Nashville Farmer’s Market, and the Chamber of Commerce. A video by the Department of Labor focusing on Nashville and Chaparral will be forthcoming. - Work on Penny’s Park is moving along with paving scheduled for completion on Tuesday. The hope is to have the park open ahead of schedule in May. - Nashville’s Spring Cleanup Week will be held next week in conjunction with Georgia Cities Week. Public Works Department employees are already making rounds and picking up items they see by the street. - Nashville Police Department’s Fishing Rodeo will be held at Tygart Park on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18. It will include a bouncy house, food, and cane poles provided to those fishing. - The D.A.D.S. group will hold their autism awareness walk on Saturday morning, and it, too, will conclude at Tygart Park. - Bid opening for the Virginia Street resurfacing project will be held on April 30 at 11 AM. - City of Nashville participated in Berrien Primary School’s Career Day last week. - Conversion to Springbook modules is ongoing. - The new website for the City should go live next week. - Councilman Dustin Rathel inquired about the status of acquiring a ladder truck for Nashville Fire Department. Hancock stated that we should have after Tuesday night a decision from the community where the truck is currently located. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Code Enforcement – Micah Myers stated his department had been addressing splitting of lots, the fencing ordinance, Cypresswood Apartments pond cleanup, properties of Lawton White on East Washington and Bryan Street, and the South Georgia Soil and Water Commission. Human Resources – Denise Skinner said she had handled the open enrollment period two weeks prior for employee benefits, had attended some training the week before, and that Georgia Cities Week would be celebrated next week with various activities to involve school children, City employees, and the public in general. Main Street – Ashley Smith said most of Main Street’s activities had already been covered in the City Manager report, but she added that new plants had been placed in the planters on the square. Gas Department – Michael Spells reported that his department continues to do routine maintenance. PSC inspection was recently conducted. Water Department – John Reynolds said his department is conducting routine operations and that a visit from EPD is expected soon. Police Department – Chief Ronald Knowles pointed out the upcoming Fishing Rodeo and gave a report on recent activity by NPD that included 846 calls, 121 citations, 72 warnings, 21 arrests, 29 warrants, and 72 incident reports. Finance – Lee Goodman said that the long-awaited utility billing conversion to Springbrook would be taking place at the end of May. He reminded Mayor and Council that customers have been requested to pay their May bills by May 14 if at all possible and that during the period of May 15 – June 1 the City will only be able to accept cash or check payments. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None offered. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Travis Brown shared that Dennis Thacker, husband of City Clerk Amanda Thacker, had received a good medical report. He offered condolences on the loss of Ronnie Joiner, and he praised the public for their support at the meeting. ADJOURNMENT: At 6:33 PM, John Clayton made a motion to adjourn with a second from Dustin Rathel. Motion carried 6-0. April 13, 2026 __________________________ Mayor Travis Brown ATTEST: ___________________________ Amanda Thacker, City Clerk