City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, April 12, 2020 @ 5:30 PM Via teleconference The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held by Teleconference April 12, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Mayor Pro-Tempore Gloria R. Marshall 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 March 8, 2021 Regular Business Meeting. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III 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 March Financial report. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. • MUNICIPAL PUBLIC DEFENDER Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Brian Joel Aplin as the City Municipal Public Defender. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. Page 2 of 3 • BOARD & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to re-appoint Marshall Sapp to the Hawkes Library Board. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. • CITY SURPLUS Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to surplus a list of city vehicles and place them on GovDeals.com to be sold. The list included: 2006 GMC 3500 Utility Vehicle, Vin# 1GDJC33D16F240817, 2008 Ford F-150, Utility Vehicle Vin# 1FTRX14W48FB35966, 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, Police Vehicle Vin#2FAFP71V48X136269, 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, Police Vehicle Vin#2FAHP71V19X115180, 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, Police Vehicle Vin#2FAHP71V19X115183, 2010 Ford Crown Victoria, Police Vehicle Vin# 2FABP7BVXAX138899, 2013 Dodge Charger, Police Vehicle Vin# 2C3DXAT2DH633169, 2013 Dodge Charger, Police Vehicle Vin# 2C3DXAT9DH633170, and 2006 Chevy Tahoe, Police Vehicle, VIN# 1GNEC13Z26R136932. The vehicles have been replaced over time through regular turn overs. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. • RECREATION IMPROVEMENTS Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the Recreation Improvements recommendation for the 6th Ave Park included 6-foot concrete sidewalk and walking path, asphalt parking lot with 24 spaces, and playground sections for children 2-5 years old and section for children 5-12 years old with seating for those who are responsible for the children. The parking lot will also serve as parking for the Fort Tyler/West View Cemetery during funerals. The other park improvements include 6-foot sidewalk and walking path to connect existing paths and sidewalks through the park, pedestrian bridge across the unnamed stream, pedestrian crossing at several street crossing locations. These improvements will encourage pedestrian traffic to use paths and sidewalks and not the streets, sidewalks, or walking on the grass. The projects will be funded by SPLOST. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. • JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to make Juneteenth (June 19th) a City holiday. Juneteenth is celebrated for marking the end of slavery. Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1864 freeing slaves in the United States, the news did not reach Galveston Texas until June 19, 1865 which was the impetus for the first celebration marking the freedom of all slaves in the U. S. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. 2 Page 3 of 3 OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton thanked the Villagers and volunteers for distributing 1100 boxes of food on Saturday, April 10, 2021. she also stated Miss Southwest Pageant will be May 21st and 22nd at the New Horizon Theater. Mayor Tramell stated the next council meeting work session will be on April 27, 2021. He also stated the Governor has eliminated any restrictions on gatherings or distance requirements in the State of Georgia. Mayor Tramell emphasized that everyone should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID. He stated he feel that as a public body the Mayor and Council should meet in person beginning the next work session. He also emphasized that he is committed to making the Council meeting safe for the council, staff, and the public in every regard. He asked the Council to let him know their thoughts or concerns over the next two weeks concerning in-person meetings. 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