City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 14, 2024 @ 5:30 PM West Point Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers October 14, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Councilmember Joel B. Finlay Mayor Pro-Tempore Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter 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 September 9, 2024, Business meeting. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick; passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Mayor Tramell stated the September 2024 financial report for approval is in the Council packet. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the September 2024 Financial report. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; passed unanimously. MONTHLY REPORTS City Clerk Richard McCoy, Economic Development Director Meghan Richardson. Human Resource Director LaSheika Ward, and Finance Director Ranisha Patrick went over the monthly reports that were in the August Mayor and Council packet and asked if they had any questions. There were no questions. Page 2 of 3 City Manager Report City Manager Ed Moon stated there are several components to HB 581, the Floating Homestead Exemption. • Procedural changes to property tax assessment and appeals (County Only) • New statewide homestead exemption on residential owned property, optional for local government • Creates a new local option sales tax for property tax relief • The property tax relief will be discussed in detail at the next work session in detail HB 461 Regulatory Fees • New law applies standards to regulatory fees • No local government is authorized to use regulatory fees as a means of raising revenue for general purposes. Fees shall be approximately the reasonable cost of the actual regulatory activity performed by the local government and proceeds received from fees used to fund regulatory activities • New calculation for fees • Disputes with contractors Signal at E 8th Street and 2nd Avenue- Kia Parkway-GDOT • GDOT request an ICE Evaluation (Intersection Control Evaluation) • Discussed a partnership to improve pedestrian crossing at 8 th and 2nd • Discussed improvements to signals at Kia Parkway and Webb Bartley Road, signage and speed detection. Mr. Moon also informed the Mayor and Council that Kristin Lester and LaSheika Ward both received their Georgia Clerk Certification. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter and passed unanimously. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENT Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Marshal Sapp to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion, seconded by Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. 2 Page 3 of 3 AGREEMENT BETWEEN WEST POINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF WEST POINT FOR PROJECT SITE DEVELOPMENT Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve an agreement between West Point Development Authority and the City of West Point for Project Site Development. The Development Authority and the City desire to work collaboratively to develop a portion of property to make the site ready for future construction. The property is located south of East 10th Street near the intersection of East 10th Street and Kia Parkway. The estimated cost associated with the development of Phase 1. Shall not exceed the sum of $1,270,000. Both parties agree to share the cost of the initial development. The City will pay the invoices, and the Authority shall reimburse one-half of the cost. The Authority shall procure and administer the development/contracts associated with the work performed at the site such as identifying contractors/construction personnel/firms’ development, construction and engineering. All work/contracts/operations performed at the site shall be let by competitive bids. The City shall inspect all work during and after completion to assure quality and completion. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; The motion passed unanimously. WEST POINT CHRISTMAS ON THE HOOCH SPONSORSHIP Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve a $5,000 sponsorship for the Christmas on the Hooch community event scheduled for December 7, 2024. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion seconded by Kevin Patrick; passed unanimously. OTHER Mayor Tramell stated there will be a work session on Tuesday, October 29th at 5:30 p.m. and the next Business meeting on Monday, November 11th at 5:30 p.m. ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter 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