Statesboro City Council met for their regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2023. Mayor McCollar opened the meeting recognizing the heroic actions twelve firefighters with the Statesboro Fire Department.
Chief Tim Grams and Mayor McCollar presented the firefighters the Statesboro Fire Department Unit Citation for outstanding performance during the course of carrying out their duties which resulted in the successful rescue of Mr. John Oglesby from a house fire on June 2, 2023.
- Captain Rabon Hutchinson
- Lieutenant Spencer Rowe
- Lieutenant Jason Barrs
- FAO Spencer Johnson
- FAO Ben Adams
- FAO Casey Perkins
- FAO Ryan Marrow
- FAO Justin Eaton
- Firefighter Valiant Lyte
- Firefighter Bradley Scott
- Firefighter Hunter Swinford
- Firefighter Bradley Sapp
Chief Grams and Mayor McCollar also presented three firefighters with the Statesboro Fire Department Medal of Valor for their outstanding actions as well as their display of courage and selflessness in rescuing Mr. Oglesby.
- FAO Spencer Johnson
- FAO Ryan Marrow
- Firefighter Valiant Lyte
Mayor McCollar praised all of them for their, "hard work and courage. We are fortunate to have a team like all of you protecting our citizens. May God Bless each of you and keep you safe in all that you do for us."
The council then moved on to the remainder of city business on the agenda.
APPROVED - Consent Agenda
Approve minutes
In the approval of minutes Councilman Phil Boyum challenged the 2-1 vote that passed an ordinance in the last meeting that increased council pay. In the absence of Mayor McCollar, Shari Barr, Mayor Pro Tem presided over the meeting. It was the understanding that as Mayor Pro Tem she could still vote during the meeting as there were only three council members present. The Mayor only votes in a tie however Cain Smith, City Attorney clarified that it is his understanding that she can preside and vote. After some debate between Councilman Boyum and the City Attorney Cain Smith regarding the legitimacy of the vote to raise council pay, City Manager Charles Penny reminded the council that this is only an adoption of the approval of the minutes of the meeting. The minutes reflects the action as it occurred. He suggested that Councilman Boyum's should bring his concern regarding the Mayor Pro Tem's ability to vote at another time. The Mayor again called for again for a vote which passed 3 to 1 with Councilman Boyum voting nay to approve the minutes as written.
Council member Phil Boyum reached out to Grice Connect to request corrections to his objection. From Council Member Boyum, "Your story misstated my objection. The mayor pro tem can always vote. I had no beef with that. The charter says it takes three affirmative votes to pass a motion. I stated specific sections. You didn't even put those in the story. The council voted 2-1 on the raise, which is a failed motion. The minutes say it passed. That was my objection. It should say it failed because two votes is not "three affirmative votes". (Charles) Penny is also incorrect....... of course, the minutes can be amended to reflect inaccuracies...... This is exactly why minutes are read and passed at subsequent meetings...... To agree upon what happened at the previous meetings."
You can watch Boyums exchange with the City Attorney, Mayor and other Council members beginning at 17:23 in the live stream.
Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of a Case tractor and a Massey Ferguson tractor in the Public Utilities Department.
The staff in Public Utilities has determined the equipment listed above has exceeded its useful life.
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):
Red Claw
6581 Northside Dr East #117
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: 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.
New Business
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-38: A Resolution reclassifying six Lieutenant (Fire) positions to Captain (Fire).
Chief Tim Grams submitted a request during the budget process to eliminate the Fire Lieutenant classification from the Fire Department structure and reclassify the six existing positions to Fire Captain. Rationale to support the recommendation is as follows:
- Improve the department’s ability to further implement succession planning.
- Address staffing challenges.
- Improve span of control.
The request was reviewed and supported by Finance and Human Resources; however, there was an oversight during the budget process and the request was not reflected in the FY 2024 budget.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-39: A Resolution approving application for funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program for the Brannen Street Corridor Plan Study.
The US Department of Transportation has announced the launch of the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, to provide grants to fund financial, technical, and legal assistance to states and rural and tribal communities. The intent of this Program is to advance transportation infrastructure projects in rural and tribal communities by supporting development-phase activities for projects reasonably expected to be eligible for certain USDOT credit and grant programs. This notice makes available a total of $3.4 million of funding for the first two years of the five-year Program. Individual awards are expected to range from $150,000 up to the program limit of $360,000 and do not require a local match. Eligible applications are awarded funds on a first-come, first-served basis following the opening of the application August 14th, 2023.
The city of Statesboro is proposing to seek grant funding under this program to prepare the Brannen Street Corridor Plan. This plan would cover the 2.11-mile corridor connecting S. College Street to Veterans Memorial Parkway. This corridor connects several existing community assets including community centers, residential neighborhoods, and several existing trail projects. The intent of the Corridor Plan is to document existing conditions and analyze the feasibility of roadway improvement projects, including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, signage, and lighting.
APPROVED - Consideration of Development Agreement with Downtown Statesboro Development Authority to use $55,380 in TAD funds for installation of a signature BORO marker within the development commonly known as the Art Park located at the intersections of East Main and Railroad Streets within the South Main Tax Allocation District.
On July 25 2023, the TAD Advisory Committee recommended that $55,380 in TAD funding be approved by Mayor and Council as redevelopment agency for the South Main TAD.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award the contract to Solid Waste Applied Technology (SWAT) for the purchase of a New Way Automated Residential Side Arm Refuse Collection body with a Peterbilt 520 CNG Cab and Chassis per Sourcewell contract in the amount of $449,000.00. This item will be purchased with Solid Waste Collection revenue funds.
The 31 Yd ASL CNG Refuse Collection Truck is to be utilized in the Solid Waste Collection Division of Public Works & Engineering Department. The Automated Side Arm (CNG) Refuse Collection Truck is funded in the amount of $449,000.00 in the FY2024 budget and is listed under CIP# SWC-8. This truck will be outfitted with other safety equipment and decals with available funds budgeted. The price of the equipment is in excess of the funds budgeted. This is due to current economic conditions across the United States, with suppliers experiencing supply chain shortages, as well as price increases. The balance will come from fund balance in solid waste collection fund, which has reserve funds to cover this expense.
The Sourcewell Contract # 091219-NWY, meets all requirements, specifications and warranty needed. This vendor, Solid Waste Applied Technologies, is a local Bulloch County vendor and the only authorized distributor for New Way refuse equipment in South Georgia. This machine is on a 5/10 year rotation (front line/backup machine) to minimize the downtime and maintain operational efficiency due to the continuous work load of the commercial division. It is anticipated that the current backup machine will be utilized in other operations within Public Works.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Yancey CAT in the amount of $158,969.00 for the purchase of a new Caterpillar 289D3 Skid Steer with attachments for the Streets Division in the Public Works & Engineering Department per Sourcewell contract. Funding is from 2018 TSPLOST.
This will be a purchase of a new Caterpillar 289D3 High Flow Skid Steer and attachments to be utilized in the Streets and Parks Division at Public Works. This Skid steer will be used to clip roads, mulch trees and underbrush, dress shoulders of roadways, any and all work on City streets and right-of-way that require use of smaller machinery.
Other Business from City Council
Council member Shari Barr reminded members of the council that First Fridays will continue on Friday night with Downtown Pep rally and encouraged everyone to attend.
City Managers Comments
Charles Penny, City Manager thanked Council for their support of the Downtown Live concert series along with their partners including Visit Statesboro and DSDA and sponsors. He offered special thanks to John Scott and Bulloch Solutions for their lead sponsorship. He also recognized Olympia Gaines for taking the lead on this project. They hope to expand it next year beginning earlier in the year.
Mr. Penny updated the council on the Elk's Lodge regarding processing an alcohol application. At this time they are still not able to take the process forward due to a proximity issue with a church. The Lodge had an alcohol license in the past, but the building burned and was closed for renovations which took some time. He needs more time to review and consider options.
Public Comments (General)
Marshall Webster addressed the council regarding some concerns he has involving contracts and city expenditures and reminded council that citizens are watching all of their actions.
Evon Pryor, Executive Director of the Inner city night shelter in Savannah addressed the Council regarding the homeless issue in Statesboro. She has been speaking with Pineland as well about this issue. Ms. Webster made the council aware about her work in developing an Inner City non congregant shelter in downtown Statesboro. They have started the process and have put together a team to submit the application for funding available for this project. Ms. Webster wanted Mayor and Council to know they have identified a location for a single room occupancy facility in Statesboro. Inner City has around for 40 years and is looking forward to partnering with the City on this project. They will come back to the City requesting a formal letter of support. Phase one grant application submission is due next month. Mr. Penny asked Council to allow him to enter conversation with Inner City and review her plans and possible other options before the City commitments to support.
Executive Session
City Council entered into an Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter. No action was taken.
CLICK HERE to view the agenda and supporting documents
Live stream of meeting
