Mayor Jonathan McCollar called the Tuesday evening March 19, 2024 meeting to order at 5:30 P.M., followed by a prayer and the pledge of allegiance led by council member Ginny Hendley.
A much anticipated downtown improvement project saw movement at the meeting. The council awarded a contract for professional design services for the West Main Streetscape improvement project.
This project was first identified as a priority in the early 2000’s when the E. Main Street streetscape project was performed. However, due to funding constraints the project was tabled. This scope of this work is envisioned to complement the character of E. Main St. There will be multiple public input meetings for W. Main St. businesses and the general public, as well as council work session updates, during this study and design process.
Continue reading for all business covered by the Council at Tuesday's meeting.
APPROVED - Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 03-05-2024 Council Minutes
Public Hearing
5. TABLED - Second reading and consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-01: An Ordinance amending Section 6-7(e) of the City of Statesboro Code of Ordinances removing proximity requirements for on-premises consumption alcohol licenses in a delineated section of downtown.
This item was tabled until the April 2, 2024 meeting to allow for a public informational session about the proximity waivers which is scheduled for March 26 at 5 P.M. at City Hall.
6. APPROVED - Public hearing and consideration of a motion to approve: APPLICATION RZ 24-02-01: Simcoe Investment Group, LLC requests a Zoning Map Amendment to an existing PUD (Planned Unit Development) on approximately 65.43 acres of property in order develop a mixed multi-family and single-family detached subdivision on Cawana Road (Tax Parcel # 092 000012 001).
Kathy Fields, Director of Planning & Development, explained that the applicant was seeking to amend the PUD, to reflect alterations in the development plans including reducing the number of planned townhomes by 32 units for a total of 178, realigning the private street network and adjusting the footprint of amenity offices.
Cody Rogers of EMC Engineering Services Inc spoke in favor of the amendment, stating that the Simcoe investment group purchased the property after the development was approved. Rogers said that changes to the PUD would create a reduction in density of the townhomes and would not decrease the number of single-family homes or change the utility infrastructure.
7. APPROVED - Public hearing and consideration of a motion to approve: APPLICATION SE 24-02-03: Kristie Hendrix requests a Special Exception from Article 2.3.2 (Comprehensive Principal Use Permissions) of the Unified Development Code on a 0.52 acre property in order to expand the existing auto detailing business into a used auto sale business at 121- A E. Main Street (Tax Parcel # S39 000012 000).
Kristie Hendrix, the business owner, spoke in favor of the approval of the Special Exemption that would help her expand her business into auto sales.
Nick Propps, president of Statesboro Properties, did not speak against the project but requested that the council address certain noise concerns in their approval of the exemption.
Council member Ginny Hendley suggested that the expansion of Hendrix’s sales business would help improve the noise problem.
8. APPROVED NO DISCUSSION - 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):
Parkers #112
17259 Hwy 67
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Package Sales – Beer and Wine only
9. APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2024-06: A Resolution to adopt the second amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget for each fund of the City of Statesboro, Georgia, appropriating the amounts shown in each budget as expenditures/expenses, adopting the several items of revenue anticipations and prohibiting expenditures or expenses from exceeding the actual funding appropriated.
City Manager Charles Penny explained that there were a myriad of funds that have already been discussed and informally approved, but the council needs to give the resolution legal approval.
Funds include: ARPA Fund, Fines in the Opioid Settlement Fund, Several Grants in the Multiple Grant Fund, FEMA Reimbursement in the Fire Service Fund, Interest in the South Main TAD and 2013 SPLOST Funds, LMIC Grant and TSPLOST Revenues in the 2018 TSPLOST Fund. Interest Income and Intergovernmental Revenues in the 2019 SPLOST Fund, GDOT Grant Revenue for Akins Blvd Fund and 319(h) Gant Stream Revenue in the Stormwater Fund.
10. APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve the guidelines and application for the Tree Rebate Program.
Mr. Penny said that assistant to the City Manager, Olympia Gaines, presented this program at the last meeting.
Council member Shari Barr says she appreciates Gaines’ work on this project, stating that these funds can help offset expenses for homeowners to put trees in their yards. Barr recommended changing the verbiage to reflect the fact that purchasers could invest in multiple trees, not just a singular tree.
The council amended the verbiage.
This program is open to property owners of single-family residences receiving utility services within the municipal limits. The objective of this program is to encourage the growth and expansion of the City’s tree canopy within the community.
11. APPROVED Consideration of a motion to award a contract to C&H Pipeline Inc., in the amount of $141,303.00, for the installation of natural gas facilities to serve Eco Plastics Company located on Hwy 301South. To be paid for with funds in the Natural Gas CIP budget item # NGD-11 and carry over funds.
City Manager Penny says this is a major supplier of the Hyundai plant and that staff recommended approval.
12. APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award the sole source purchase of Natural Gas meters and regulators to Natural Gas Trade.com in the amount of $48,022.55. To be purchased with funds approved in the 2024 CIP Budget item # NGD-11 funded with system revenues.
City Manager Penny says staff recommends approval of the purchase
13. APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award a contract in the not to exceed amount of $181,360.00 with Cranston for professional design services for the West Main Streetscape improvement project. This project will be paid by 2018 TSPLOST funds.
This project was first identified as a priority in the early 2000’s when the E. Main Street streetscape project was performed. However, due to funding constraints the project was tabled. This scope of this work is envisioned to complement the character of E. Main St. There will be multiple public input meetings for W. Main St businesses and the general public, as well as council work session updates, during this study and design process.
City Manager Penny says W. Main St. needs streetscape and sidewalk improvements and the approval of this funding would be a step toward the completion of work that has been done along E Main St.
Council member Paulette Chavers expressed her personal gratitude for the continuation of the project.
14. Other Business from City Council
Barr thanked the council and staff for their work in implementing the tree rebate program. She says while the growth and construction in our town is wonderful, it is sad to see the tree go. Barr says the rebate program is a move in the right direction.
Barr mentioned the Village Builders Family Resource Fair that will be held from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. this Saturday at Pinewood Manor (66 Packinghouse Rd). Families can get access to free resource and support organizations and there will be free food and bouncy houses.
15. City Managers Comments
City Manager Penny thanked the council for the dedication of their time last Friday and Saturday for a council work retreat stating, “It was one of the best retreats I think we’ve had.”
“The staff did an amazing job putting it together,” said Mayor McCollar, “I do appreciate all of the effort you guys do to stay informed.” McCollar thanked the council and staff for their dedication to monthly work sessions and retreats.
16. Public Comments (General) NONE
17. DID NOT ENTER 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 meeting was adjourned at 6 P.M.
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Livestream of the March 19, 2024 Statesboro City Council Meeting:
