Statesboro City Council met for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. They opened the meeting with a presentation by Statesboro Police Chief Mike Broadhead who gave a lifesaving award to Statesboro Police Officer Levi Teel for his life saving actions.
Chief Broadhead read the events of the incident on the evening of February 3, 2024 which is the reason for this award.
At approximately 7:20 pm, Statesboro Police Officer Levi Teel responded to a residence in reference to an emergency medical situation.
Upon arrival he discovered a female with an arterial cut to her upper arm, caused by putting her arm through a sheet of glass.
Officer Teel immediately recognized the extent of the injury and the need to act quickly. He began applying first aid and administered a tourniquet to the affected arm. The scene was hectic, the victim was combative and there was a considerable amount of blood.
Throughout the incident, Officer Teel managed to calm the victim and keep her stable until the arrival of EMS.
Once at EGRMC's Emergency Department, the doctor evaluated the injury and left officer Teel's tourniquet in place as they transported her by medical helicopter to Savannah. The female victim underwent at least two surgeries to repair the damage to her arm.
The Emergency Department staff confirmed that the lady's life was in danger and that Officer Teel's efforts saved her life. Officer Teel is to be commended for his professionalism and first aid skills, which saved her life.
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4) Public Comments:
No public comments
APPROVED - 5) Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
a) 02-20-2024 Work Session Minutes
b) 02-20-2024 Council Minutes c) 02-20-2024 Executive Session Minutes
Public Hearings
APPROVED - 6. Public Hearing and first reading of Ordinance 2024-01: An Ordinance amending Chapter 6 section 6-7(f) of the City of Statesboro Code of Ordinances removing proximity requirements for on-premises consumption alcohol licenses in a delineated section of downtown.
Amendment was moved forward to First Reading at the February 20, 2024 Work Session.
APPROVED - 7. Public hearing and 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) This is Pizza! LLC dba Holiday Pizza
406 Fair Rd. Suite 10
License type: Low Volume (Restaurant)
b) Sully's Steamers
1098 Bermuda Run
License type: Low volume (Restaurant)
No new alcoholic beverage license to sell, dispense, pour or offer to sell, dispense or pour any distilled spirits, alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, or malt beverages within the corporate limits of the City of Statesboro shall be issued to a new owner or new location until the application has been approved by the mayor and city council after a public hearing.
APPROVED - 8. Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2024-05: A Resolution requesting approval to apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the City of Statesboro, Georgia.
Each year the Federal Government invites fire departments from around the country to submit an application to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The primary goal of the AFG is to help local fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs, through the awarding of monetary funds to ascertain critically needed equipment protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, programs and other resources. The AFG is a competitive process and it is the Fire Department’s desire to submit an application for the following project in this grant period. The total for this project is $45,000.00.
1) Continuation of the Fire Department Physician Program.
- this program was awarded in the Department’s 2022 AFG Grant in the amount of $35,000.
- $45,000.00 project request. The additional funding request is based on additional firefighting positions added over the past two years.
APPROVED - 9. Consideration of a motion to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and the Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration to allow the County to use the Jones-Love Building at Luetta Moore Park to train poll workers and conduct elections.
APPROVED - 10. Consideration of a motion to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with Bulloch County Board of Commissioners to allow Magistrate Court of Bulloch County to provide municipal court services for animal control violations within the City limits.
Current SDS was executed in 2019 with the County providing animal control services. City recently updated our animal control ordinances to mirror the County’s and streamline the process of Magistrate Court hearing all such citations in the County and its municipalities.
APPROVED - 11. Consideration of a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a three (3) year contract with FUSUS locking in pricing for a three year period.
The Police Department is currently working with FUSUS to provide video sharing capabilities at multiple locations across the City. Our current agreement expires during the next Fiscal year and FUSUS has extended us an offer. The new agreement would lock in the pricing at $80,000 the first year, (which is consistent with our current agreement), $90,000 in year 2, and $99,000 in year 3. The current full rate is $125,000 per year (we have been receiving a significant annual discount due to our early relationship with this company). FUSUS was recently sold to Axon Corporation, and they are expecting to have a new pricing strategy in the next year.
"I really appreciate the work you are doing to help us with these enhancements. I know it is really expensive but it really keeps us trying to be on the front foot with fighting crime and I really appreciate the financial commitment the City Council has made. Thank you," said Chief Mike Broadhead.
APPROVED - 12. Consideration of a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a Request for Traffic Signal Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at pedestrian crosswalks on State Route 73, North Main Street at Courtland Street and South Main Street East/West Vine Street.
GDOT proposes to perform a study to consider installing flashing beacons at existing crosswalks on North/South Main Street (SR 67/73) at Courtland Street and West/East Vine Street. Pedestrian crossings at the subject locations are not marked with proper pedestrian warning signals.
GDOT will allow crosswalk flashing beacons installed provided the local government agrees to participate in the costs to purchase and install the signal. The level of participation will be determined after the study has been completed. The full and entire costs of the electric and phone service used to operate the signal shall be at the expense of the City without any cost to GDOT. Also, the understanding that GDOT may ask for participation on the cost for purchase, installation and maintenance of the signal if approved.
The City proposes to request to GDOT for input on the fixture style of the flashing equipment be black coated pedestrian signal poles and bases that conform to the pedestrian poles already installed along this corridor. GDOT typically provides standard aluminum finish poles and bases unless the local government agrees to be responsible for supplying replacement poles and bases as needed due for repair or replacement.
APPROVED - 13. Consideration of a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute purchase agreements for right-of-way acquisition on Gentilly Road for the sidewalk Project. Funding is provided from 2018 TSPLOST.
The Gentilly Road Sidewalk project is proposing to install sidewalk along alternating sides of the Gentilly Road corridor from Brannen Street to Savannah Avenue. Right-of-Way Acquisition is needed to facilitate this work and to allow construction where an insufficient width of ROW currently exists for such improvements. The following is the parcel with agreement: 623 East Grady Street Tax Parcel ID S52/000032 $21,400.00
14) Other Business from City Council
Council member Shari Barr recognized Lillie Mae Lundy who recently retired from East Georgia Regional Medical Center with over 52 years.
15) City Managers Comments
City Manager Charles Penney shared that the City will hold their annual retreat on March 15th and 16th in Augusta. The focus of this retreat will be growth and development. They will schedule a work session on March 19th after the retreat. The Council will tour the progress at City Campus and the Statesboro Food Bank.
Mr. Penny discussed a video that has been circulating on social media that the person who posted it made it seem as though SPD officers just randomly showed up at her home. However, they were actually responding to a 911 call where the caller said she was being held in the house against her will. In the video the person at the door was initially cooperative but when they asked to enter the home to check on the welfare of the caller the person become mad. He said this is a reminder that there is always two sides to every story. "We don't always get it right, but this time the officers were doing their job. It was not just a random visit as the video portrays," said Charles Penny.
16) Public Comments (General)
No public comments.
17) Executive Session
No Executive Session needed.
