The Statesboro City Council opened their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, May 16, 2023 with a presentation from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). Pam Helton, Director of Member Services for GMA, attended the meeting and presented Council Member Venus Mack with a Certificate of Recognition for municipal training. Helton then presented City Clerk Leah Harden with the Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate.
Read the story below for a full report on City business covered at the meeting.
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
Madelyn Ryan Smith the current disability caucus chair for the Democratic Party of Georgia calling on council to prioritize disability rights especially in polling places. She spoke in favor of moving the polling site to Luetta Moore Park building.
APPROVED: Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes a) 05-02-2023 Council Minutes
b) 05-02-2023 Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to set the date for a Public Hearing for the proposed City of Statesboro Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for June 06, 2023, during the regular scheduled Council Meeting.
Public Hearing - Zoning
WITHDREW: APPLICATION RZ 23-0304: Long Company Limited requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the CR (Commercial Retail) zoning district to the R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) zoning district on approximately 2.65 acres of property in order to construct approximately 7 triplexes at 310 Myrtle Crossing Drive.
New Business
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-18: A Resolution of the City of Statesboro Mayor and Council to permanently change the polling place for the Statesboro One voting precinct from William James Educational Complex to the Luetta Moore building.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-22: A Resolution approving application for the 2023 NOAA Planet Steward Grant.
This grant would allow Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB) and the Statesboro Stormwater Division to partner with the Ogeechee Riverkeeper to continue and expand the Don’t Litter Lotts Initiative. The Don’t Litter Lotts Initiative is a shared project that focuses on litter entrapment and data analysis of litter that is caught in Little Lotts Creek of Statesboro. Monthly water quality monitoring through the Georgia Adopt-a-Stream program is also a part of this project. If awarded, KSBB, the Stormwater Division, and the Ogeechee Riverkeeper would be able to use the funds to purchase needed supplies, maintain the litter traps, and facilitate educational programs and advertisements on the local initiative.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-23: A resolution approving application for the 2023 Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Sandra Webb Legacy Grant.
The Legacy Grant is sponsored by the KGBF. The purpose of the Sandra Web Legacy Grant is to reduce litter, enhance recycling efforts, and encourage beautification in cities across the state of Georgia. It's designed to prioritize assistance for communities with smaller populations that may not have the funds or staff to adequately address these certain programs and projects. If approved for the grant, KSBB will be able to apply and request funding up to $2,500 to make beautification enhancements to inner city parks.
Public Hearing
APPROVED: Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-04: An Ordinance amending Sections 2-81 and 2-83 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to expand Youth Commission membership to twelve members and to incorporate the mission and scope of authority of the Healthy Boro mayoral ad hoc committee. Expanded this to include merging the Youth Commission into Healthy Boro.
Additional Business
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long Range Transportation Plan.
On April 4, 2023 city council approved selection of consultant Goodwyn Mills Cawood to perform the LRTP update. Statesboro and Bulloch County seek to enter into this MOU to establish a cost-sharing and project management arrangement for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Long-Term Transportation Plan Update. The Consultant Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) has submitted a price for the base scope of work for the LRTP, included in a pricing proposal, of Three-Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($380,000.00) to which the County and City agree to each pay to the consultant one-half, or fifty-percent, of the price. As noted upon execution of the MOU, the City hereby authorizes the County to negotiate final terms and conditions of an agreement with the GMC for the base scope of work subject to final review and approval by each governing body and their legal staff.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to approve a Water/Sewer Agreement with North Point Real Estate, Inc. (Developer) in order to serve 350 acres at Hwy 301 and Rocky Road outside the City limits.
Extension of City water and wastewater infrastructure to serve the proposed Bulloch County Logistics Center was requested by Developer. City has advised Developer that there is capacity to serve as requested and reflected in attached contract. Developer would agree to 100% annexation upon contiguity with municipal limits.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Hussey, Gay, Bell Engineering, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $162,460.00 to provide design, bid, permit application and contract administration services for the construction of a new production well at the Bruce Yawn Commerce Park. To be paid for with 2013 SPLOST funds approved in CIP Project WWD #111.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $96,352.40 for two NC100S Dri-Prime Pump with funds approved in the 2023 CIP Budget item# WWD-37, using funds from operating revenues.
In order to provide adequate water capacity for the many new businesses locating in the Bruce Yawn Park and along the Hwy 301 corridor the City is making plans to design and build a new 10” production well to be located at Bruce Yawn Park. The new commercial customers locating in the area require large quantities of water for production purposes as well as fire suppression. With the addition of a new well at the park we will greatly increase our pumping capacity to the city as a whole and it will provide a redundant source of water to businesses in the Industrial Park. The engineering fees in this agreement are higher than the ten percent we typically budget on water sewer projects.
Other Business from City Council
Council Member Shari Barr shared three things with the council:
- A repair cafe to show you how to sew will be held at the Farmers Market Saturday
- Downtown Live Concert series begins on Thursday, June 1
- Borofest will be held on Saturday, June 3 in downtown
Council Member Phil Boyum shared that GMA is putting together a managing growth class and asked staff to participate when possible
City Managers Comments
City Manager Charles Penny shared that the Statesboro Transit system will officially start on Monday morning at 6 AM at the transfer station in the West Main Street Parking Lot.
Mr.Penny said the BORO lettering for the art park has been ordered. The cost is $55,000.
He also said that at the budget session there was a discussion regarding compensation for council. He wanted to know from council how they want them to move forward. The last increase was in January 2006, which set the Mayor's salary to $18,200, Mayor Pro Tem $9,250 and City Council was set at $7,500. The council made a motion to draft a report on increase in pay with comparisons to other similar sized cities. If the city council votes to increase pay it will not take effect until the new council is seated in January.
Public Comments (General)
Annie Dillenger spoke because she has a great concern about kids who are being sexually, mentally and physically abused. She feels churches are a big part of the problem because churches look at many of these acts as sins, but not crimes. We need to put focus on children who has been abused.
Mayor's Point of Privilege
The Mayor recognized Mrs. Carrie Howard who died last week at the age of 90. He said she was a huge advocate for the Whitesville community and the most vulnerable in this community. He encouraged the council to keep her family and close friends in mind. "She allowed her heart and spirit to be a huge advocate for this community." The Mayor ordered the City flags to be flown at half-mast in her honor and memory.
Executive Session
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel Matters” “Real Estate” and/or “Potential Litigation” in accordance with O.C.G.A 50-14-3(b).
The council entered into a brief executive session and returned with no action.