A the bi-monthly meeting of the Stateboro City Council, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Mayor Jonathan McCollar opened the meeting with a city council proclamation that effectively named April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In part, the proclamation states that:
"Children are critical to Georgia’s future success, prosperity, and quality of life. While children are our most valuable resource, they are also our most vulnerable. Children have a right to be safe and an opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow in an environment that fosters healthy development."
Recognitions/Public Presentations
Pictured below is the presentation of a Proclamation recognizing April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mayor McCollar is pictured with Lora Cooper, Executive Director for PCA Bulloch. Following the presentation of the proclamation, Cooper's comments were that "it takes our full community support to strengthen local families, and that is one of the most important ways that we can prevent child abuse."
Consent Agenda - ALL APPROVED
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 03-21-2023 Council Minutes
b) 03-21-2023 Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a 2006 Chevrolet Impala in the Planning & Development Department.
Public Hearing
APPROVED - Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
Blue Mile Wine & Spirits
12 Brannen Street
License Type: Package Sales Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits
APPROVED - Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
A) AMC Statesboro 12
991 Lovett Road
License Type: Restaurant
B) Blue Mile Pizza
408 South Main Street
License Type: Restaurant
New Business
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion execute a Professional Services Agreement with Hussy, Gay, Bell Engineering Inc. in the amount not to exceed $40,320.00 to provide design, bid, grant application and contract administration services for the extension of sanitary sewer service inside of Bruce Yawn Commerce Park to serve Aspen Aerogels. To be paid for with Grant Proceeds and System Revenues.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Hussy, Gay, Bell Engineering, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $93,870.00 to provide design, bid, easement acquisition services and contract administration services for the extension of sanitary sewer service to the Ramble Road Subdivision. To be paid for with ARPA funds approved in CIP Project #32-E.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve selection of Goodwin Mills Cawood and authorize the city manager to negotiate a contract with Bulloch County for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long Range Transportation Plan to be paid with TSPLOST funds. Final contract to be approved by city council at a later date.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of a 2023 Ford Explorer for the Statesboro Fire Department, for an amount not to exceed $55,000.00
Other Business from City Council
-Council Member Shari Barr congratulated Council Member Paulette Chavers on winning the Ferst Readers of Bulloch County Storybook Contest. Barr's elation was expressed by stating to the council that "we collectively raised money and awareness about literacy in Bulloch County". Barr also congratulated Chavers on being nominated to serve as 3rd Vice President for the GMH 12th District as part of the State of Georgia. Barr esteemed Chavers by stating that "she is moving on up in district leadership."
-Council Member Phil Boyum stated that he participated in the City of Statesboro's Gym Tour, that was part of the healthcare benefit that the City HR department set up. Boyum stated that "it is important to keep our city workers healthy. With budget season coming up, I ask the council to consider offering allotted gym time to Public Works Employees. I ask that we consider 2-4 hours per month as an allotted allowance for Public Works public gym time. It would be a positive benefit for our employees that would promote their physical health and mental health." City Manager Charles Penny positively responded to Boyum's request. Penny expressed that various factors would have to be looked at before a moving forward on Boyum's request.
-Council Member Shari Barr stated that the Statesboro Fire Department is looking for 19 more firefighters to join the fire department. She stated that any individuals who are full-bodied and interested are invited to apply. On April 12th, the fire department will be holding open interviews and the opportunity to go through a physical agility test for the potential to earn conditional employment. Minimum requirements are being 18 years old, having a clean background, having a high school diploma, and being able-bodied. City manager, Penny, relayed that this evening the City of Statesboro will be doing open interviews from 4p-7p at the Nessmith-Lane building on Georgia Southern Campus for multiple departments. The address of the Nessmith-Lane building is: 847 Plant Dr, Statesboro, GA 30458.
-Council Member Shari Barr also relayed that the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority will be holding an "Earth Day Celebration" from April 17th-April 21st (Monday-Friday). The festivities will take place from 2p-4p each day this week. To participate, simply show up to the DSDA office during these times and they will point you towards various locations to which you can volunteer. Each day will present different opportunities for community clean-up and improvement, so it looks to be an exciting week.
Executive Session
After council exited executive session, Andrew "Drew" Long was appointed to the Statesboro Tree Board.
Additionally, City Council had the opportunity to preview one of the city's new Statesboro Area Transit buses. The council hopes to have the transit system running in the next few weeks.
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Live stream of the meeting