City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, December 9, 2024 @ 5:30 PM West Point Council Chambers The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council Chambers December 9, 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 November 11, 2024, Business meeting. Councilmember Joel B. Finlay made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria Marshall; The motion passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Mayor Tramell stated the October 2024 financial report for approval is in the Council packet. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the October 2024 Financial report. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patick; The motion passed unanimously. MONTHLY REPORTS Utilities Director Sammy Inman, Interim City Clerk Kristin Lester, Economic Development Director Meghan Richardson. Human Resource Director LaSheika Ward, and Finance Director Ranisha Patrick went over the monthly reports that were in the Page 2 of 5 October Mayor and Council packet and asked if they had any questions. There were no questions. City Manager Report City Manager Ed Moon stated there is a correction from the last meeting on HB 851. The FLOST associated with the Homestead Exemption was described as only applying certain sales taxes on specific items. The FLOST will in fact collect sales from the same items as the SPLOST and the LOST. Mr. Moon mentioned the Exit 2 roundabouts completion will be delayed until March of 2025. The Kia Parkway paving project held a pre-construction meeting last week and is expected to start in April 2025. The contractor will be CW Matthews, and the project schedule is 90 days for completion. HB - 451 Resolution was added to the agenda for council consideration. The resolution is to Add Membership in a Fund of Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency for the Georgia Municipal Association Georgia First Responder PTSD Program. In 2024 the State passed an unfunded mandate, HB 451, ordering public entities that have employed, or volunteer first responders provide lump-sum and income replacement (long-term disability) PTSD benefits effective January 1, 2025. The cost of the benefits is estimated to cost $6,068.00 in 2025. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joel B. Finlay; The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 2025 City Budget Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to adopt the 2025 Proposed City Budget. The total proposed budget including all funds is $29,810,014.06. Operation Budgets Electric $11.5 million, General Government $9 million, Water/Sewer $4 million, Gas $1 million, Sanitation $.5 million, and SPLOST $2.9 million. There is a 4% cost of living adjustment (COLA) also included. The electric includes Meter Replacement and Remote Reading Technology, Increased contractor cost for maintenance, purchase vacuum trailer. Water & Sewer includes Meter Replacement and Remote Reding Technology, Increased material cost. Gas includes Meter Replacement and Remote Reading Technology, and increased material cost. General Fund/SPLOST VI General 2 Page 3 of 5 Government Hire part time or contract maintenance, Fill Youth Services Director Position, Purchase Admin Fleet vehicle. Police Building Improvements, Speed Detection Trailer. Fire/EMS Purchase Ambulance (SPLOST VI) Public Works Increase paving & equipment (SPLOST VI) also included in the budget is a Proposed Rate Adjustment dues to increases in cost across all goods and services Water and Sewer Rate Increase 6% Garbage Rate increase 2.9% Curbside Trash Collection $1.00 per month increase. Residential Water Bill $10.45 x 6%= $.63 increase per CCF $3.43 x 6% = $.20 increase 2024 5 CCF = $27.60 2025 %CCF = $29.15 (12.55) AMWASTE $12.12 x 2.o% = $12.47 ($.35) Curbside Trash $6.50 + $1.00 + $7.50 Total for average residential customer $2.90 per month. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick; The motion passed unanimously. Annexation Ordinance at 523 Warner Road City Attorney Alex Dixon read the ordinance to the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve an Ordinance to Annex 523 Warner Road. To annex to the city contiguous real property owned by Safe Truck Parking Solutions, LLC and located on Warner Road consisting of approximately 25.59 acres. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; The motion passed unanimously. Rezoning Ordinance at 523 Warner Road City Attorney Alex Dixon read the ordinance to the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve an Ordinance to Rezone Property at 523 Warner Road. To Amend the Zoning Map to reclassify the use zone from general commercial to MXD-1 (Mixed use development) currently owned by Safe Truck Parking Solutions, LLC and located on Warner Road, consisting of approximately 25.59 acres. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick; The motion passed unanimously. West Point Development Authority Appointment Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Carter Brown to a five-year term on the West Point Development Authority. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall; The motion passed unanimously. 3 Page 4 of 5 Resolution for American Resue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Allocation of American Resue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds, Amending the City Budget. The city will use $1,395,532 funds for revenue replacement for government services salaries in public safety and the city budget be amended for 2023 and 2024 to account for the change of funding. Councilmember Joel B. Finlay made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; The motion passed unanimously. City Clerk Appointment Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to appoint Kristin Lester as West Point City Clerk. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; The motion passed unanimously. Georgia Municipal Association Georgia First Responder PTSD Program Mayor Steve Tramell asked for a motion to approve a resolution to Add Membership in a Fund of Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency for the Georgia Municipal Association Georgia First Responder PTSD Program. In 2024 the State passed an unfunded mandate, HB 451, ordering public entities that have employed, or volunteer first responders provide lump-sum and income replacement (long-term disability) PTSD benefits effective January 1, 2025. The cost of the benefits is estimated to cost $6,068.00 in 2025. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; The motion passed unanimously. OTHER Mayor Steve Tramell wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Mayor Steve Tramell is thankful for the fish fry the Active Life Center graciously hosted this past Wednesday. Councilmember Sandra Thornton thanked the Lambda Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha for the donation to West Point Youth Center. Chattahoochee Hospice is providing grief counseling at the West Point Depot December 11th at 12:30 PM. It is free to attend. 4 Page 5 of 5 The Mayor and City Council send their condolences for the passing of Ulysses McLemore, Jr. He was the owner of McLemore Photography when it was in downtown West Point. ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Kevin M. Patrick; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ______________________ ______________________ City Clerk Steven M. Tramell, Mayor 5