City Council Meeting

CITY COUNCIL: CITY OFFICIALS: MAYOR ZINDA MCDANIEL CITY MANAGER JAMES LAWRENCE MAYOR PRO TEM LULA SMART INTERIM CITY CLERK HEIDI GARDNER COUNCIL MEMBER KECHIA HARRISON ATTORNEY KARLA WALKER COUNCIL MEMBER ROBBY CHRISTIAN CHIEF OF POLICE LAWRENCE MCGEE COUNCIL MEMBER CHRISTOPHER COLE FIRE CHIEF ANTHONY GUARINO QUITMAN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 3, 2026 6:30 PM 1. OPENING CEREMONIES A. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zinda McDaniel at 6:30 PM. Members present were Kechia Harrison, Robbie Christian, Lula Smart, City Manager James Lawrence, and City Attorney Karla Walker. Absent: Christopher Cole. B. Invocation Invocation provided by Pastor Gerald. C. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Zinda McDaniel. D. Adoption of Agenda Upon motion by Lula Smart and seconded by Robbie Christian, the agenda was adopted as presented. Voting yes: Smart, Christian, Harrison. E. Approval of Minutes Minutes for the following meetings were presented for approval: November 18, 2025; December 3, 2025; January 6, 2026; January 8, 2026 Work Session; January 8, 2026 Emergency Called Meeting; January 15, 2026 Work Session; and January 29, 2026 Work Session. Upon motion by Lula Smart and seconded by Robbie Christian, the minutes were approved. Voting yes: Smart, Christian, Harrison. 2. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD A citizen from 505 N. Court Street raised concerns regarding an oak tree damaged by lightning approximately three years ago and requested assistance to assess whether the tree can be saved or should be removed to prevent damage to the home. A citizen from 401 S. Laurel Street thanked Council for follow-up on a ditch cleanup work order and raised concerns regarding requested traffic signage in residential areas. The citizen also inquired about the Walker Street School insurance proceeds, Highway 84 median contracts, and expressed concerns regarding the City’s organizational chart and potential cost reductions. A citizen from 105 Camilla Drive raised concerns regarding road conditions following infrastructure projects, specifically areas left unpaved and filled with lime rock. The City Manager stated the issue would be addressed when weather conditions allow and staff will assess the roads to determine the appropriate course of action. A citizen of an unstated address commended the current City Council. 3. OATH OF OFFICE – CITY MANAGER The oath of office was administered to City Manager James Lawrence by Mayor Zinda McDaniel. 4. OATH OF OFFICE – POLICE CHIEF The oath of office was administered to Police Chief Lawrence McGee by Mayor Zinda McDaniel. 5. ADOPTION OF CITY CALENDAR Upon motion by Robbie Christian and seconded by Kechia Harrison, the 2026 City Calendar was adopted. Voting yes: Smart, Christian, Harrison. 6. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS CARRIED FROM JANUARY 29 WORK SESSION A. Automatic Aid Agreement (Fire Department) Upon motion by Kechia Harrison and seconded by Robbie Christian, Council approved the Automatic Aid Agreement between the Brooks County Fire Department and the City of Quitman Fire Department. Voting yes: Smart, Harrison, Christian. B. Southern Georgia Regional Commission Representative Upon motion by Lula Smart and seconded by Kechia Harrison, Council approved the appointment of Mayor Zinda McDaniel as the City’s representative to the Southern Georgia Regional Commission. C. Purchasing Policy Resolution 26-001 Upon motion by Robbie Christian and seconded by Kechia Harrison, Council approved Purchasing Policy Resolution 26-001. Voting yes: Harrison, Christian, Smart. D. 2027 Electric Rates Upon motion by Robbie Christian and seconded by Kechia Harrison, Council voted to suspend the 2027 electric rate increases until further notice. Voting yes: Harrison, Christian, Smart. 7. POLICE CHIEF REPORT Chief Lawrence McGee presented a report covering January 1–31, 2026, including arrest activity, staffing updates, academy progress, and department initiatives. No action was taken. 8. FIRE CHIEF REPORT Fire Chief Anthony Guarino presented a report outlining training progress, ISO preparation efforts, fire inspection improvements, and strategic planning initiatives. No action was taken. 9. NEW ACTION ITEMS A. Municipal Competitive Trust (MCT) Upon motion by Kechia Harrison and seconded by Robbie Christian, Council approved the MCT Signature Resolution and authorized signatories and incumbency documents. Voting yes: Harrison, Christian, Smart. B. Plains States Commodities (AgriDime) Upon motion by Robbie Christian and seconded by Lula Smart, Council approved utility allocation, permitting, and related approvals for Plains States Commodities (AgriDime). Voting yes: Smart, Harrison, Christian. 10. CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE The City Manager presented a written report outlining operational updates across Water and Sewer, Gas, Public Works, Animal Control, Code Enforcement, and Administration. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:12 PM, a motion was made by Councilmember Lula Smart and seconded by Councilmember Robbie Christian to enter executive session pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1 et seq. for the purpose of discussing the potential sale of City-owned property. The motion passed with Councilmembers Smart, Christian, and Harrison voting yes. Council returned to open session at 7:57 PM. Upon returning to open session, Councilmember Robbie Christian made a motion to decline the sale of the City-owned property due to its proximity to City utility infrastructure. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Kechia Harrison and passed with Councilmembers Harrison, Christian, and Smart voting yes. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS None. 13. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Lula Smart and seconded by Kechia Harrison, Council voted to adjourn. Voting yes: Harrison, Smart, Christian. Mayor Zinda McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM. ____________________________ Mayor Zinda McDaniel Mayor, City of Quitman Date Approved: _______________