Regular Monthly Meeting

Town of Thunderbolt Council Meeting July 9, 2025 Mayor Williams opened the public comment at 6:00PM. Stella Lavin approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Lavin expressed her concerns with the variance request before the Board of Zoning Appeals this evening and the lack of parking for the proposed Pickle Ball Courts. John Goette approached Mayor and Council. Mr. Goette shared his concerns regarding the width of the driveway and available parking for the proposed Pickleball Courts. He discussed the recent procedures for the removal of asbestos and demolition of the building on Leonard. Mr. Barrow is to research potential ordinance regarding asbestos and hazardous materials ordinance. Mayor Williams closed the public comment at 6:30PM. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:30PM, July 9, 2025. Those in attendance were Council Members Bethany Skipper-Greer, David Crenshaw, Lawrence Ward, Dr. Edward Drohan, James Lavin and Brooks Barbaree. Also in attendance were Charlie 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 Ward made a motion to amend the agenda as presented with the following changes:  Removal of item 5a  Removal of item 14b  Addition of new 5a, Stephanie Kaple, Executive Director, Interagency Council for Homelessness for Chatham County. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve the minutes from June 11, 2025, Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous 6-0 to approve. Stephanie Kaple, Executive Director, Interagency Council for Homelessness approached Mayor and Council. Ms. Kaple presented a five-year strategic plan to address homelessness in Chatham County, highlighting six goals including improving data quality, engaging individuals on the streets and increasing affordable housing opportunities. Ms. Kaple asked the town of Thunderbolt for a formal Resolution to support and adopt the Interagency Council on Homelessness Strategic Plan. Mayor Williams recognized the following business and encouraged everyone to shop local:  River Supply, Inc.  Dogtopia of Thunderbolt  Matt Herrington Tree Service  Safe Harbor – Bahia Bleu Mayor Williams asked Dr. Drohan to come forward. Mayor Williams recognized Dr. Drohan as being an advocate for the recycling program on Thunderbolt. He then presented Dr. Drohan with a banner, naming the Sustainability Corner after him. Dr. Drohan thanked everyone for working with him on this project. Anna Marie Thomas approached Mayor and Council to give an update on the Thunderbolt Museum. She reminded everyone of the Cars and Coffee on Saturday. Ms. Thomas stated their plans for an Oyster Roast in the fall and hopes everyone will attend as it is one of their major fund raisers. Shannon Britt approached the Mayor and Council to give a financial report. Ms. Britt stated there were no findings with the audit. In terms of the banking transition, there’s still steps that need to be taken and things should be completed within two weeks. Consideration of Consent Agenda:  Approval: PowerDMS by NEOGOV, Power Policy Professional, Subscription: Recurring Contract, $6,973.29 (Thunderbolt Police Department)  Extended Lease Agreement: A Store & Lock, Inc. Councilman Ward made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilman Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve, 6-0. Discussion Agenda:  Subdivision Request: Combination of Lots, 3109 Victory Drive, RRW Investments, LLC. Rickey Greer approached Mayor and Council. Mr. Greer explained his request to build five pickleball courts, concession and playground area. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve.  Victory Drive Development Request: New use, Site Plan Approval, 31209 Victory Drive, RRW Investments, LLC. Councilman Crenshaw made a motion to approve. Council Member Skipper-Greer seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve. Public Hearing: First Reading of Proposed Millage  Proposed Millage Rate. Councilman Ward made a motion to approve the millage rate of 5.379. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve. Department Head Reports Matthew Walker, Town Administrator, gave an update on the search for a Court Clerk. Mr. Walker stated they are in final interviews with candidates and hope to have someone in place by the first week of August. He continued, Staff have begun transitioning to the new software company along with the IT representative. Playground equipment will be delivered soon, and the basketball goals will be put up this week as well as at Honey Park. Jan LeViner, Town Clerk, gave an update on the Archive Room and Repository. Ms. LeViner brought to Mayor and Council’s attention the updated Robert’s Rule of Order which is included in the packet. She also reminded everyone that campaign signs are not allowed in the right-of- way and will be removed if found there. Legal Reports  Mr. Barrow reported that 14(b) has been removed and items 14 (a) and 14 (c) are first readings so there is no action. These are both new ordinances and he stated briefly that what is called Outdoor Events Ordinance is an attempt to describe what an outdoor event is and under that circumstance’s security is requested. 14 (c), Short Term Rental, is  another ordinance he is working on. There are two new provisions to take into consideration. The first one is an effort to make people who have vacant lots who applied for a STR either do something or lose their permit. The second is an effort to measure that STR’s are really operating more or less fulltime. The last item does require Mayor and Council’s action with is the Intergovernmental Agreement for distribution of the next SPLOST which is coming soon. Council Member Ward made a motion to approve the IGA for the next SPLOST. Council Member Crenshaw seconded. Motion was unanimous to approve. Mayor and Council  Dr. Drohan: STR Discussion. Dr. Drohan expressed his concerns regarding budget appropriation for hotel/motel tax revenue. He is asking Staff to ensure that whatever is spent from SPLOST is relieving the general budget.  Council Member Ward detailed his experience with loud music recently with Tubby’s. He is recommending Staff review the Noise Ordinance for compliance. Council Member Crenshaw made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, litigation, and real estate. Council Member Ward seconded. Motion to approve was unanimous. Council Member Ward made a motion to return to regular session. Council Member Drohan seconded. The motion to approve was unanimous. Council Member Barbaree made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Ward seconded. Vote was unanimous to approve. Meeting was adjourned at 8:00PM. ______________________ Dana Williams, Mayor Town of Thunderbolt _______________________ Jan LeViner, MMC Town Clerk