Regular Monthly Meeting

Town of Thunderbolt Council Meeting May 14, 2025 Mayor Williams opened the public comment at 6:00PM. Mayor Williams recognized Katina Spaulding for eighteen years of dedicated service to the Town of Thunderbolt. He thanked her for her professionalism and especially for everything she did last year as it was a trying time. Public has five minutes per person to ask questions or comment on any agenda item. Craig Maggioni approached Mayor and Council to thank Staff for everything they do to ensure the Town is well maintained. He also thanked the Mayor and Council for bringing back the Blessing of the Fleet. Sue DeRosa approached Mayor and Council. Ms. DeRosa stated for clarification, Live Oaks are suitable for the Town of Thunderbolt. She then touched on the topic of Ferrel Cats and the racoon population. She recommended, if you feed the cats, to only leave the food out for a short period of time and then take it up so as not to attract other animals. Geneva Golden approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Golden shared her concerns with the hanging tree and the one that had fallen near her property. Mr. Crosby stated the neighbor whose tree it is, refused to sign a consent form for the Town to go in and remove the leaning tree. Mayor Williams asked Mr. Walker to reach out to the owner of the tree to see if they would reconsider. Catherine Clements approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Clements expressed her concerns over the restriping of Shell Road, Roland Avenue and Sunset. Mr. Crosby will reach out to GDOT. Mayor Williams closed the public comment at 6:30PM. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:45PM, May 14, 2025. Those in attendance were Council Members David Crenshaw, 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. Mayor Williams delivered the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Meeting Agenda. Council Member Crenshaw made a motion to approve. Council Member Ward 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 April 9, 2025 and April 23, 2025. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous 5-0 to approve. Presentations Chris Smith, Honorary Consul, Kingdom of Denmark, approached Mayor and Council. Mayor Williams formally introduced Attorney Chris Smith, Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark. Attorney Smith gave a brief presentation of the City of Torshavn and the Faroe Islands and presented the official Seal of Torshavn to the Town of Thunderbolt. Mayor Williams thanked Mr. Smith for the relationship between their City and the Town of Thunderbolt and presented Mr. Smith with a Key to the City and the official Seal plaque. Recognition of the 4 Thunderbolt Businesses o Anchor Medical o Marine Max o Ology Gallery o Eight Automotive, Inc Thunderbolt Museum. Ms. Thomas stated the Museum now has shirts and hats for sale and encouraged everyone to attend the Cars and Coffee fund raiser on the second Saturday of each month. They will be displaying local art that can also be purchased. Ms. Thomas stated in September or October they are planning to have an oyster roast which will benefit the museum. Mayor Williams thanked Ms. Thomas for her hard work and dedication to the museum. Mayor Williams then read the following proclamations:  Earth Day, April 22, 2025  Boating Safety Week, April 18 – 24, 2025  Arbor Day, April 25, 2025 Finance Report. Ms. Brett approached Mayor and Council to give a financial summary through April 2025. She stated everything is in line with respect to budget revenues and there are two budget amendments before them tonight for consideration and an additional one will be forthcoming for the June agenda. Currently there is $5.9M in Georgia Fund One, a little over $4M in United Community Bank and $1M in Bank South. These numbers will shift as the Town moves away from United Community Bank. Consideration of Consent Agenda:  Purchase software, Laserfiche, to create a repository, $9,020.  Financial Software Proposals for Approval:  Springbrook  Edmunds  BS&A  Budget Adoption: Fund 275: Hotel Motel/STR Tax Fund  Budget Amendment: Fund 100, General Fund Budget  Approval: MAPA Recreation: Playground Equipment, Honey Park, $16,111  Contract Renewal for Annual Disaster Debris Removal, Reduction and Disposal Services Matt Walker stated Staff’s recommendation is Springbrook. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous approved, 5-0. Department Reports:  Police/Municipal Court/Neighborhood Watch – Captain Runyon  Fire – Interim Chief Otis Boyles. Interim Chief Boyles introduced himself and gave his background. He stated he was the Fire Chief for almost 28 years in another county and has been with Thunderbolt for a little over two years. He went on to give his monthly report.  DPW – Oscar Crosby. Mayor Williams thanked staff and Ms. DeRosa for the hard work in recently planting Live Oaks around town.  Town Administrator – Matthew Walker Legal Report No Report Dr. Drohan stated he would like to start a discussion regarding setting aside surplus funds and how that is focused upon a specific components of the Town’s expenditures. Dr. Drohan spoke to transparency for the Town. He recommended there be more information on the agenda as to the agenda item. In this way, if residents have questions they might pose, they would have a greater level of insight as to what is going on with the Town. Ms. LeViner responded she will ensure here is more detail on the agenda/staff report. Council Member Lavin made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Personnel, Real Estate and Litigation. Council Member Crenshaw 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