Shari Barr, Statesboro City Council Mayor Pro Tem presided over the bi-monthly City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in Mayor McCollar's absence.
The first order of business was a presentation of a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day in the City of Statesboro and recognizing the 30th anniversary of the City's participation in the Tree City USA program.
Members of the Statesboro Tree Board accepted the proclamation.
Consent Agenda - APPROVED
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 01-17-2023 Work Session Minutes
b) 01-17-2023 Council Minutes
c) 01-17-2023 Executive Session Minutes
APPROVED - Second Reading and Consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-01: An Ordinance amending Section 2-85 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances regarding membership of the Statesboro Business Commission.
Public Hearing
APPROVED - Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve a Package Distilled Spirits Location Reservation:
GATA Package, LLC DBA GATA Package
Tormenta Way
Statesboro, Ga 30458
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-03: A Resolution pledging to practice and promote civility in the City of Statesboro.
This resolution is brought forward under the Georgia Municipal Association’s Embrace Civility initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to counteract the growing polarization and challenges caused by incivility in society by setting a positive example through the actions of elected officials at public meetings.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-04: A Resolution requesting approval to apply for Assistant to Firefighters Grant for the City of Statesboro, Georgia.
Background: 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 two following projects in this grant period. The
total for these two projects is $112,000.00.
1) Continuation of the Fire Department Physician Program.
• This program was awarded in the Department’s 2021 AFG Grant in the amount of
$35,000.
• $35,000.00 project request.
2) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Cascade System
• Includes Breathing Air Compressor and SCBA fill station.
• $77,000.00 project request.
Budget Impact: The relevant stipulations of this grant would be a 10% cost share to be paid by the City. This would equate to $11,200.00 if the Fire Department were awarded both projects at the total amount of funding requested. Fire Department Staff believe that this cost can be absorbed by the Fire Department’s annual budget which would require no additional allocation of funds.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-05: A resolution approving acceptance of proceeds of the 2023 Georgia Power Company volunteer group Citizens of Georgia Power chapter grant. The grant award is for $7,600 with a no match by the City.
The Georgia Power Company volunteer group Citizens of Georgia Power chapter Grant is a grant sponsored by the Georgia Power Company to help communities with various projects in their community to provide support for those in need. This grant would allow Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB), City of Statesboro, and City Staff to construct twelve additional raised planting beds in the garden. KSBB seeks volunteers to support and maintain the garden. The grant also provides for 300 hours of volunteers to construct the raised beds with assistance from the Public Works Department.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-06: A resolution approving acceptance of grants from the Georgia Department of Transportation for the Creek on the Blue Mile project.
Statesboro City Councilman, Phip Boyum expressed concerns about the economic viability of the Creek on the Blue Mile Project. The project initially was designed to create a water reservoir for the city, while removing a significant amount of land inside the city limits from the floodplain. Due to projected cost overruns in the initial project plan, city consultants are reworking the plan to reduce the cost. These reductions will impact the water reservoir and the floodplain. Boyum said he is not against the project, but wants to ensure the taxpayers in the City of Statesboro that this project make economic sense. After a bit of discussion, Boyum made the motion to accept this grant, but said he wanted to see the full public, private plan before committing the city to the project long term.
More about the grant:
Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget accepted applications for grant funding to support Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities by providing an opportunity for local governments to invest in neighborhood features, including parks, recreation facilities, sidewalks, and
healthy food access, that can work to improve physical and mental health outcomes. Allowing people access to nature, including parks, has been connected to decreased levels of mortality and illness and increased well-being. Grant awards may be made up to up to $ 2,000,000 per project. Development of or improvements/maintenance to parks or recreational facilities are eligible in Qualified Census Tracts (QCT)
in Georgia which a majority of the COTBM project is within the Statesboro QCT. The goal of the Project is the development of a linear park along the creek and tributary to provide pedestrian connectivity, create economic development opportunities, and promote recreation. This award is for construction funds only in the amount of $2,650,000 (80% federal: $2,120,000 & 20% local match: $530,000). Local match will be provided by the existing GEFA loan for the project.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-07: A Resolution establishing the Statesboro Youth Council.
On November 28, 2022, LaSara Mitchell was hired in the Program Coordinator position for the Village Builders Program. LaSara has connected with youth advocates and organizations serving youth to gain an understanding of current resources in our community. As she moves forward to plan and implement youth programming, it is vital for the voices of local youth to be heard. Youth councils are an excellent way for local governments to partner with future residents while empowering youth to advocate for issues they believe are important. Youth councils have been successfully implemented in cities such as Dublin, Hinesville, Savannah, and Valdosta. Also, youth councils are recommended and supported by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA).
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of eleven (11) vehicles to J.C. Lewis Ford of Statesboro, GA at a total not to exceed price of $463,878.00 with approval to purchase from alternate vendor(s) based on J.C. Lewis Ford unit pricing in the event J.C. Lewis Ford cannot fill all of these vehicle purchases due to lack of available inventory.
- 2022 Ford Explorer $39,793.00
- 2022 Ford Explorer $38,998.00
- 2022 Ford F150 $50,183.00
- 2022 Ford F-150 $50,038.00
- 2023 Ford F-150 $48,348.00
- 2022 Ford F-150 $49,223.00
- 2022 Ford F-150 $35,013.00
- 2022 Ford F-150 $34,713.00
- 2022 Ford F-150 $34,713.00
- 2022 Ford F-250 $41,573.00
- 2022 Ford F-250 $41,283.00
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to award a contract to D. Lance Souther, Inc. in the amount of $297,651.65 for the installation of 8000’ of 4” and 2” gas main on North Main St. (Lakeview Road) to serve Fernhill Farms Subdivision. To be paid for with Natural Gas Fund Operating Revenue funds.
As part of the City’s Subdivision Incentive Program the city agreed to install
natural gas infrastructure to serve the new Fernhill Farms development on Lakeview Road. The project was properly advertised and bid, but only one proposal was submitted. It was decided and approved in advance to accept one bid if that was all that was received. We were concerned that would be the case due to the heavy demand for contractors. The price received was $47,651.65, approximately 15% over our original budget estimate. However, most of our recently bid projects have come in fifteen to twenty percent over estimates. Staff has reviewed the bid and we have determined that the price is justified given the current economic conditions. Our consultants at Sapp Engineering have also reviewed the bid and have provided a written recommendation to award the contract to D. Lance Souther, Inc.
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve a contract in the amount of $906,898.70 with McLendon Enterprises for West Main Street stormwater drainage improvements. This project will be paid by 2018 TSPLOST funds.
The City of Statesboro issued requests for proposals for construction services for the subject project for the replacement and upgrade of the stormwater system on West Main Street from South College Street to Johnson Street. This project proposes to replace and existing undersized pipe with a larger pipe that has been designed to accommodate for growth and higher volumes of stormwater. This project was
properly advertised and staff contacted several qualified contractors serving our region. However, only one sealed bid was received as shown above. The proposals response was evaluated and based on the criteria of cost, experience of staff, and experience of firm and project approach.
Public Comments
Bulloch County resident, Susan Riley, addressed the council regarding the city council's January 17th annexation of 49 acres of Beasley Road property in the Bel Air subdivision. She continues to make requests to the media and to the council for this annexation decision to be recanted. Even though she is not an attorney, Mrs. Riley feels she has found several legal reasons for voiding this vote. She also requested that the Council review all future growth and annexation in the city. Members of the Council did not respond to Mrs. Riley's comments nor did they take any further action regarding the annexation of 49 acres into the City of Statesboro.
Blake Robinson and Ciara Childs with GS Eagle Advocates addressed the council. They are working to bring this organization back to campus. The goal of their organization is to educate students on their rights and laws that impact them.
Executive Session
City Council entered into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel Matters” “Real Estate” and/or “Potential Litigation” in accordance with O.C.G.A 50-14-3(b)
After council exited the executive session, the following member was appointed to the Statesboro Planning Commission: Catherine "Cathy" Dixon. Mrs. Dixon will replace Russell Rosengart, whose term was complete.
