Regular Monthly Meeting

Town of Thunderbolt Council Meeting March 12, 2025 Mayor Williams opened the public comment at 6:00PM. Public has five minutes per person to ask questions or comment on any agenda item. Beth Goette approached Mayor and Council and asked for clarification of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Medical Director. Mayor Williams stated the MOU for the Medical Director and the Thunderbolt Fire Department will provide a medical director and enhance the provision of emergency medical care for the residents of Thunderbolt. Nany Hiers approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Hiers asked the Mayor and Council to deny Mr. Goodwin’s subdivision request. Stella Lavin approached the Mayor and Council. Ms. Lavin asked the Mayor and Council to deny Mr. Goodwin’s subdivision request. Mayor Williams closed the public comment at 6:30PM. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:30PM, March 12, 2025. Those in attendance were Bethany Skipper-Greer, Lawrence Ward, Dr. Edward Drohan, James Lavin and Brooks Barbaree. Also in attendance were Charles Barrow, Town Attorney; Matthew Walker, Town Administrator; and Jan LeViner, Town Clerk. Council Member David Crenshaw, was excused. Pastor Williams approached Mayor and Council to deliver the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Meeting Agenda. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve as amended. Council Member Skipper-Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve the minutes from:  Public Hearing, February 12, 2025  Regular Council Meeting, February 12, 2025  Public Hearing, February 19, 2025  Special Meeting, February 19, 2025 Council Member Skipper-Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Presentations  Recognition of the 4 Thunderbolt Businesses o Waterline Up  o Finches Sandwiches and Sundries o Johnson Construction Company o Your Gal Friday  “The Weeping Times” Proclamation  Women’s History Month Proclamation Thunderbolt Museum. Anna Maria Thomas gave an update on the Museum’s fundraiser, Cars and Coffee. Ms. Thomas reported the fundraiser will continue as it is successful. Mayor Williams encouraged everyone to attend in the future. Finance Report. Ms. Brett approached Mayor and Council to give a financial summary through February 2025 and stated revenues and expenditures are in line year to date. Ms. Brett also gave an update on Georgia Fund 1 and transfer of bank accounts. Ms. Brett reported the bank accounts have been opened, and the Town will be transitioning and the target for completion is mid-April. She also reported the Town received the Certificate of Excellence for the 2023 audit. Consideration of Consent Agenda:  Resolution: Board of Elections, Chatham County  Medical Director Memorandum of Understanding  Resolution to amend Georgia Fund 1 authorized users  Chatham County Emergency Operations Plan, January 2025  Sole Source HVAC Estimate for Evidence Room  Approval: Occupation Business License, Ashley Goodrich, Planning Consultant Council Member Ward made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Skipper-Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous approved, 5-0. Discussion Agenda Consideration of Planning and Zoning Members:  Jim Kerns  Leslie Lumney  Nicholas Patrick Council Member Lavin made a motion to approve. Council Member Skipper- Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Department Reports:  Police/Municipal Court/Neighborhood Watch – Chief Sean Clayton  Fire – Chief Andrew Bateman  DPW – Oscar Crosby  Town Administrator – Matthew Walker Legal Report First Reading, 2025-02, Section 4-404, Installation, maintenance and repair of main sewer lines. Mr. Barrow stated this ordinance is to clarify exactly where the point is, that the town is responsible for maintenance and repairs of sewer lines and where the property owner becomes responsible. This will be before Mayor and Council on April 9, 2025 City Council Meeting for approval. Mayor Williams stated, for clarification, his wife works for South State Bank and not Bank South. Dr. Drohan raised the issue of looking at long term financing in terms of considering the broader requirements of the Town, not just over the next year but over the next 20 – 30 years. There are some substantial infrastructure requirements, and the Town needs to be prepared. He made reference to the State of Georgia’s budget as they rely on federal funds which may not be forthcoming. Dr. Drohan then addressed possible issues with FEMA. He feels it is important to prepare for possible storms and not depend on FEMA for assistance and asked Mr. Walker to put this on his radar. Dr. Drohan then discussed issues in moving forward with STR’s. Council Member Skipper-Greer stated she feels the registration fee is too high and needs to be reviewed. Payment of Planning and Zoning. Council Member Crenshaw asked this to be on the agenda to discuss increasing the compensation for the members. This will be added to the April 9, 2025, agenda for discussion. Council Member Lavin made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Personnel, Real Estate and Litigation. Council Member Skipper-Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Council Member Lavin made a motion to return to regular session. Council Member Drohan seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Mayor Williams called the regular session to order. Council Member Ward made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Drohan seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:30PM, ______________________ Dana Williams, Mayor _______________________ Jan LeViner, Clerk