City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, March 8, 2020 @ 5:30 PM Via teleconference The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held by Teleconference March 8, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Alanteo “Henry” Hutchinson Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter gave the opening prayer. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2021 Regular Business Meeting. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Mayor Tramell stated the financial report for approval is in the Council packet. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the February Financial report. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall passed unanimously. • MUNICIPAL PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to re-appoint Bill Gladden to a 4-year term on the Municipal Planning Board. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. Page 2 of 3 • CITY AUDITOR Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve Mauldin and Jenkins CPAs and Advisors for auditing services for the City of West Point. Mauldin and Jenkins provide services to over 500 state and local governments across the southeast, 126 are city governments. They are ranked in the top 100 of the largest certified public accounting firms in the country. Staff recommends contracting Mauldin and Jenkins CPAs and Advisors for auditing services for the City of West Point. The maximum price for 2020-2025 is $39,000. Councilmember Deedee Williams made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously. • RESOLUTION FOR LEGAL SERVICES Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve the resolution authorizing legal action to resolve a dispute regarding the review and revision of the service delivery strategy for Troup County by retaining and authorizing Smith Welch Webb and White LLC and authorizing the City Attorney Alex Dixon to take all actions necessary toward seeking mandatory mediation, judicial resolution, or both, based on the dispute resolution process provided for in the Service Delivery Strategy Act. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; During the discussion, Councilmember Deedee Williams stated she had some concerns about several things concerning the resolution, such as What are the Council authorizing the firm to do? The potential conflict with the firm representing the City of West Point and the City of Hogansville, the track record of the firm and was the firm past clients court decision favorable toward them. City Attorney Alex Dixon stated the attorneys that work at Smith Welch Webb and White LLC are some of the best in the state and he could not think of any others that are better with Service Delivery Strategy than they are. Councilmember Williams also stated she has spoken with representatives of Lagrange and Troup County and she thinks the City should put forth more effort to resolve the issues with the County before going to mediation. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III asked if Councilmember Williams had some information that the Mayor and Council are not aware of, if so, would she share it with the Council. Mayor Tramell stated he has made it very clear what the City was asking for. He stated the citizens of West Point have been double taxed with library services, garbage collection, fire services and other services and that is why he wants Troup County to create a special tax district that would set the millage rate according to the services the citizens are receiving from the County. There were no further discussion and the resolution passed on a 5-0 vote. Councilmember Deedee Williams abstained. OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton thanked the Villagers for distributing 1100 boxes of food on Saturday, March 6, 2021. She also stated Miss Southwest Pageant will be May 21st and 22nd at the New Horizon Theater. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated he was on the Georgia Municipal Youth Advisor board and they will be sending out a survey to get information about our youth 2 Page 3 of 3 and their interest. He also stated if the City of West Point wanted to help sponsor the event, it would be greatly appreciated. ADJOURN 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 3