City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, May 13, 2024 @ 5:30 PM West Point Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers May 13, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Joel B. Finlay Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick Councilmember Sandra Thornton Rev. Charles Trammell Pastor St. John Baptist Church gave the opening prayer. Mayor Steve Tramell led the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the April 8, 2024, meetings. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; 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 April 2024 Financial report. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. • Proclamation for Older Americans Month & Recognize citizens • Resolution for the Department of Natural Resources Trail • Mayor and Council Agenda Policy • Board and Committee Appointments • Executive Session for Pending Legal Litigation Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter and passed unanimously. Page 2 of 3 PROCLAMATION FOR OLDER AMERICANS MONTH & RECOGNIZE CITIZENS Mayor Tramell read a proclamation and presented it to Steve Davis, West Point Active Life Site Manager and Dan Wooten, Troup County Aging Services Manager. Mayor Tramell recognized West Point citizens which included, Minnie Clyde Murphy 99, Francis Pal Reaves 97, Jo Francis House 97, Helen Hurst 95, Rev. Walter Darden 89, Mary Francis Pittman 95, Tommy Gilliam 94, Joe Gilliam, Dorthy Allen 102, Margaret Bartlett 92, Billy Lane 90+, Harold Gamble 92, Viola Hudmon 100, Gussie Wilson 92+, Dorothy Pittman 89. Bessie L. Wright 96, A. R. Ransom 100. The flowers presented were donated by Ms. Carolyn Bailey. NEW BUSINESS • RESOLUTION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRAIL Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve a resolution for Georgia Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Grant Program. Downtown West Point Development Authority submitted a pre-application for a $200,000 grant with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that will assist with constructing a 0.3-mile ADA Accessible concrete trail connecting to the existing 0.2 mile trail in the Downtown River Park. The Downtown West Point Development Authority agrees to match 25% to complete this project. This resolution is to authorize the filing of a formal application that was submitted. Councilmember Joel B. Finlay made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. • MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGENDA POLICY Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the updated Mayor and Council Agenda Policy to include the council should coordinate all business items to be on the agenda with the Mayor and City Manager in advance of the Work Session. Time sensitive or emergency items may be added to the agenda after the work session by the Mayor, City Manager, or City Council. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick; passed unanimously. • BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Greg Penzer, Norma Williams, and Elizebeth Bober to serve a three-year term on the Board of Adjustments. Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. 2 Page 3 of 3 Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to re-appoint Elizebeth Lester to serve a four-year term on the Hawkes Library Board. Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; passed unanimously. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Arron Lewis to serve a four-year term on the Municipal Planning Board. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Josh Dunn to serve a three-year unexpired term on the Municipal Planning Board. Councilmember Joel B. Finlay made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to go into an executive session for pending legal litigation. Councilmember Joel B. Finlay made said motion. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; passed unanimously. OTHER 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 City Clerk Mayor 3