City Council

Page 1 of 3 Special Called meeting of the Mayor and Council was held by Teleconference March 21, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Participated: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Alanteo “Henry” Hutchinson Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Special Call Meeting Mayor Steve Tramell begin with a role call of the council and called the meeting to order. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter led the Mayor and Council in prayer. Mayor Tramell stated the purpose of the meeting was to consider updating the date of 10th Street Redevelopment Plan, adopt the Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement and to adopt COVID-19 Coronavirus Emergency Ordinance. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; role call vote passed unanimously. Update the 10th Street Redevelopment Plan Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to Update the date to the 10th Street Redevelopment Plan. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson made said motion. The motion on was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall. During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked Attorney Jeff Todd if he had received the email, she sent asking his opinion on the legalities of the Council updating the date of the Redevelopment Plan without reviewing and updating the plan. She also stated, in her opinion it would be unethical to update the plan date just so developers could get a higher rating on the tax credit application. Attorney Jeff Todd stated he was not aware of anything that would prevent the Mayor and Council from updating the plan. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated the Council are not changing anything to the 1 Page 2 of 3 original plan. The potential project will cost an estimated 45 to 50 million dollars. The application deadline May 21, 2020. The City of West Point 10th Street Redevelopment Plan is on the City of West Point Web-site for review. The role call vote passed 5-1 vote Councilmember Deedee Williams voted no. Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to enter into a Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement between participating political subdivisions, which approve and execute this Agreement and the City of West Point called “Participating Parties” and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). To provide the framework to support mutual assistance in managing an emergency or disaster occurring within any political subdivision that is a participating party. whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, human caused disaster, civil emergency, community disorders, insurgency, enemy attack, acts of terrorism, other significant events or homeland security activity and to identify who are authorized to act on behalf of the Participating party. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion. Councilmember Sandra Thornton seconded the motion; roll call vote passed unanimously. COVID-19 State of Emergency Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adopt an emergency ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of West Point. Mayor Tramell read the ordinance which included, to amend the code of the city; to declare a state of emergency in the city; to prohibit gatherings on public property owned or controlled by the city; to temporarily close City Hall to the general public; to authorize the City Manager to enter contracts on behalf of the city for said purpose; to encourage all citizens and businesses to follow the latest guidance from the centers for disease control and prevention and Georgia Department of Public Health; to repeal conflicting ordinances; to fix effective date; and for other purposes. Attorney Jeffrey Todd stated several minor items needed to be adjusted in the ordinance the Mayor read. Councilmember Deedee Williams made said motion. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall seconded the motion; during the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked about the ordinance addressing businesses restaurants specifically. Mayor Tramell directed the Council to section 7 of the ordinance and recommended following the CDC, the State of Georgia, and the Department of Public Health guide lines. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated the purpose of the ordinance is to try to get Citizens to take measures to protect each other, no more business as usual. Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to amend the motion to change Section 2 from unless sooner rescinded by the Mayor to add Mayor and Council, Section 3 to change multiple persons at a specific location to not more than 10 and to change Section 7 other sections when referring to City Manager, from ‘she’ to ‘he’. The amended motion was seconded by Henry Hutchinson; passed on roll call vote unanimously. The original motion with the amendments passed unanimously on a roll call vote. 2 Page 3 of 3 Other Mayor Tramell stated he and the City Manager Ed Moon have been meeting and monitoring events concerning the Coronavirus. He encouraged everyone to stay in unless it is necessary to go out and call to check on the elderly. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated he encourage business to lead the way with safety concerning the Coronavirus and pray for our community. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter stated he has spent the last 14 days traveling between home and the Medical Center. Councilmember Ledbetter mother in in the hospital. He stated the Hospital administration restricting visitors should be a wake-up call. We should practice social distances, use common sense and continue in prayer. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall stated the Council will continue doing everything they can to keep our community safe. She asked that we keep children in the house and off the streets so they can’t transport the virus or gems from one home to another. She also asked everyone to continue praying for each other. Councilmember Sandra Thornton asked everyone to protect ourselves, stay home, and do not expose our seniors, our elderly, and our first responders of increase possibilities of contacting the virus. She also asked everyone to continue praying. Councilmember Deedee Williams acknowledged the power of prayer. She stated it is better to over react than not act. She commended Johnny Pizza for encouraging social distancing and encourage other business to pattern their actions. She also thanked the City employees and staff for all they have done during this pandemic. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III stated a number of people are anxious and or depress. He asked citizens to stay in contact with each other by telephone or other safe measures. ADJOURN Mayor Steve M. Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. _____________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor 3