City Council

Page 1 of 4 The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council room of West Point City Hall February 10, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Alanteo “Henry” Hutchinson Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Mayor Tramell called Rev. Warren Goss of Berean International Church for opening prayer. Mayor Tramell led the Pledge of allegiance. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order and welcomed everyone. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2020 regular meeting. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; the minutes were approved unanimously without change. FINANCIAL REPORT Councilmember Henry Hutchinson presented the January financial report with the February cash position and forecast and made a motion to accept the report; motion seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall and passed unanimously. 1 Page 2 of 4 AGENDA Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter and passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS  ELECTION BOARD APPOINTMENT Councilmember Henry Hutchinson made a motion to appoint Detrick Higgins to a 3-year term on the Troup County Board of Elections. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; during the discussion Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter stated both candidates, Diane Davidson and Detrick Higgins are excellent qualified and would represent the City well. He asked that they continue to volunteer on other boards if not appointed to the Election Board. The motion passed unanimously.  TROUP COUNTY RECREATION BOARD APPOINTMENT Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to appoint Alton Pitts to a 3-year term on the Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall seconded the motion; passed unanimously.  WATER & SEWER REFUNDING Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to refinance water and sewer debt totaling $16,876,728. The City will be in a position to lower the interest rate thereby creating approximately $1.6 million dollars in savings. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III seconded the motion; passed unanimously.  ROAD NAMING Mayor Steve Tramell stated all of the Council members wanted to make this motion so he was going to make it. He stated Donald Gilliam served the West Point Community as a City Council member for three terms. Donald worked tirelessly as a council member to create a better quality of life for all citizens. The City has a new road that will open soon. The road will be the only public roadway that connects Kia Parkway and Kia Boulevard and in an area of high growth potential. I believe Mr. Gilliam would be proud to have his name on the new road, therefore; I make the motion to name the new city roadway Donald Gilliam Street. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton. During the discussion, Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated all the things Mayor Tramell had just said was only a small piece of what Mr. Gilliam did for this community and he appreciated everything he did. Councilmember Sandra Thornton stated she was blessed to have worked with Mr. Gilliam. He would be so proud of the road naming. He meant so much to this community. Councilmember Deedee Williams stated she echoed 2 Page 3 of 4 the same sentiments. She highlighted the strong individual Mr. Gilliam was and stated this road naming is the beginning of ways the Council can honor Mr. Gilliam. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall stated Mr. Gilliam was the reason she is serving as a Councilmember. She stated Mr. Gilliam asked her to run for Council and she was reluctant to do so, then he told her she was going to run and she decided to do so. His inspiration and encouragement will always be appreciated. She also thanked Rev. W.T. Edmonson for his encouragement for the Council to honor Mr. Gilliam. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter stated Mr. Gilliam was always a striving force. He worked to better our community. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III stated he served with Mr. Gilliam the longest. Mr. Gilliam always cared about the city and our citizens. He thanked Mr. Gilliam’s son Thomas for bringing Mrs. Gilliam to the Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously.  TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to approve the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously.  THE RAY SOLAR IMPROVEMENTS Councilmember Sandra Thornton thanked the Ray C. Anderson Foundation for continuing this important work and she made a motion to approve the Cities participation in improvements to the solar infrastructure at the West Point Georgia Welcome Center. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously.  RESOLUTION TO AMEND 2019 BUDGET Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made a motion to amend the 2019 City of West Point Budget to reflect the actual total revenues and expenditures at the end of fiscal year 2019. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton asked everyone to attend the Black History Program on February 25, 2020 at the West Point Gym. She also asked everyone to attend the South West Senior Pageant at 2:30 March 28, 2020. Councilmember Thornton is a contestant. Councilmember Deedee Williams invited everyone to the Level 1 Racial Trust Building seminar taking place February 29th. ADJOURN 3 Page 4 of 4 Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor 4