The Statsboro City Council met Tuesday morning February 6, 2024 for their regular bi-monthly meeting. Shari Barr, Mayor Pro Tem presided over the meeting due to the absence of Mayor Jonothan McCollar. Mayor McCollar was invited to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris in Savannah on Tuesday.
Council member Paulette Chavers is representing the City at a Habitat for Humanity conference. Council member John Riggs was out sick.
Mayor Pro Tem Barr opened the meeting presenting a Proclamation recognizing February 16, 2024 as Arbor Day in the City of Statesboro and recognition of the City’s participation in the Tree City USA program.
Paul Kitchens, Chief Ranger for the Bulloch County area for the Georgia Forestry Commission along with Ranger Garrett Anderson presented the Tree City USA flag to the City Council. This is the 31st year Statesboro has received this designation.
The City Council also recognized retiring Tree Board member Henry Clay. He has served on the tree board over 40 years. Richard Smiley, Superintendent of Streets and Parks for the City presented a plaque to Mr. Clay honoring him for his service to the Tree Board. Mr. Smiley said Mr. Clay has been instrumental in the tree inventory which started in 1988. He is also a certified aborist.
City Council approved alcohol licenses for two new establishments in Downtown. The Pour House and Oak.
Continue reading for all City business covered at the meeting.
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
No public comments
APPROVED - Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
a) 01-16-2024 Work Session Minutes
b) 01-16-2024 Council Minutes
c) 01-16-2024 Executive Session Minutes
6. 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):
APPROVED - a) Orchid - Fair Road - License Type: Restaurant
APPROVED - b) Oak - 45 East Main Street - License Type: Bar
No Action - 7. Consideration of a motion to approve a proximity waiver pursuant to the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-5 (o) in order to consider the issuance of a pub license to The Pour House located at 25 West Main Street.
There was a church in proximity of this establishment. The council was notified that this church is no longer at that location, which made this waver unnecessary.
The mayor and city council, following application for a distance waiver permit for a Pub, notice and hearing, may in its discretion grant a distance waiver permit for Pub authorizing the issuance of a license to a licensee of a Pub notwithstanding the distance requirements in subsection 6-7(e) from school buildings, alcohol treatment centers, educational buildings on college campus, churches and/or property lines of a private dwelling located in single-family residential zoning district for locations that sell alcohol for consumption on the premises only. The application for a distance waiver permit shall be obtained as provided in the rules and regulations of the administration of this chapter.
8. 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):
APPROVED - a) The Pour House - 25 West Main - Street License Type: Pub
APPROVED - 9. Consideration of a motion to approve the award of a Department owned firearm to retiring Deputy Chief Rob Bryan.
Historically, the police department has awarded a firearm to those members who have retired in good standing with more than 25 years of service. This practice is specifically authorized by Georgia Statute 35-1- 20. Deputy Chief Rob Bryan has announced his retirement from the police department after 25 years of exemplary service to the citizens of our community. The pistol to be awarded to him is a Glock Model 17 with Serial Number #BERR254, and we would like to award him this pistol along with his retired credentials.
APPROVED - 10. Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of a new 2023 or newer Ford F-350 4x2 Crew Cab with a landscape body in an amount, not to exceed, $75,000.00. If approved, this will be purchased using funds from the GMA Lease Pool under CIP# PRK-4.
The Purchasing Division has made several attempts for written quotes concerning heavy duty trucks the last two (2) fiscal years. Commercial dealerships and state contractors have participated in our process, but are unable to assist us because of the lack of availability or they are unable to place the vehicle on hold for an extended period. The cost for procuring work trucks have increased significantly. These super duty trucks have specific requirements based on their use. The high demand for these types of trucks in other parts of the country make it difficult to stock them in the southeast region. Typically, they are not equipped with a service body
The three percent (3%) local and in-county vendor advantage will applied for local vendors and the apparent lowest written quote that meet the department’s requirements will be accepted. The trucks and service body may be purchased separately.
APPROVED - 11. Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of a new 2023 or newer Ford F-350 4x2 Crew Cab with a service body in an amount, not to exceed,$75,000.00. If approved, this will be purchased using funds from the GMA Lease Pool under CIP# STS-74.
The Purchasing Division has made several attempts for written quotes concerning heavy duty trucks the last two (2) fiscal years. Commercial dealerships and state contractors have participated in our process, but are unable to assist us because of the lack of availability or they are unable to place the vehicle on hold for an extended period. The cost for procuring work trucks have increased significantly. These super duty trucks have specific requirements based on their use. The high demand for these types of trucks in other parts of the country make it difficult to stock them in the southeast region. Typically, they are not equipped with a service body
The three percent (3%) local and in-county vendor advantage will applied for local vendors and the apparent lowest written quote that meet the department’s requirements will be accepted. The trucks and service body may be purchased separately.
APPROVED - 12. Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of a new 2023 or newer Ford F-350 4x4 Crew Cab with a service body, not to exceed, $67,000.00. If approved, this will be purchased using funds from the GMA Lease Pool under CIP# STS-80.
The Purchasing Division has made several attempts for written quotes concerning heavy duty trucks the last two (2) fiscal years. Commercial dealerships and state contractors have participated in our process, but are unable to assist us because of the lack of availability or they are unable to place the vehicle on hold for an extended period. The cost for procuring work trucks have increased significantly. These super duty trucks have specific requirements based on their use. The high demand for these types of trucks in other parts of the country make it difficult to stock them in the southeast region. Typically, they are not equipped with a service body
The three percent (3%) local and in-county vendor advantage will applied for local vendors and the apparent lowest written quote that meet the department’s requirements will be accepted. The trucks and service body may be purchased separately.
APPROVED - 13. Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Deere & Company for the purchase of a John Deere 317G Compact Track Loader per Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract in the amount of $71,864.06. This item to be purchased with funds approved in the 2023 CIP Budget, item #WTP-23, funded by water/sewer system revenues.
We are proposing to replace the existing 1993 Skid Steer Loader (31 years old) with a new unit, utilizing the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract. The existing loader is well past it useful life and is no longer reliable for daily use. The Loader will be purchased through Deere & Company and will be sold and serviced through our local distributor, Blanchard Equipment. The budget estimate was $80,000.00 however the unit came in significantly lower at $71,864.06.
Other Business from City Council
The final Comprehensive plan hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 4 pm at First United Methodist Church. This is the third and final public hearing.
Village Builders will host another family resource day on Saturday, February 24th from 10 to 3 pm at Visit Statesboro.
The Tree Board will host an Arbor Day ceremony on Arbor Day, Friday, February 16, 2024 at 4 pm at Renaissance Park at the corner of West Jones Avenue and Parker Street.
City Managers Comments
Congratulations to the Mayor and Council, youth commission and City staff. They were awarded by the GMA as a Visionary City for the implementation of the Village Builders initiative.
Mayor McCollar has been appointed as Chair of the University Community Council by the Natoinal Legue of Mayors.
Council member Paulette Chavers was elected First Vice President for District 12 for GMA.
Public Comments (General)
Eric Peoples spoke on behalf of his business which has been open for 8 months, Universal Safety Solutions of Statesboro. The sell and install safety equipment on emergency vehicles. They are small local owned business in the city and would like to be considered in future contracts.
