ADRIAN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 AT 6:00PM

ADRIAN ANNEX, NORA BLVD., ADRIAN, GA. 31002

 

1. Call Meeting to Order: Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Invocation by CM Orweco Hutchinson, all in attendance stood for the pledge.

3. Adoption of Agenda: Mayor Smith asked the council to amend the agenda to include YOTM July/ YOTM prize, employee resignations, and bingo.  CM Love made a motion to adopt and amend the agenda to include the mentioned items. Motion seconded by CM SHutchinson. Motion carried by CM Yawn, CM Fountain, and CM OHutchinson. Motion passed.

4. Announcements: None

5. Public Speakers:

   1. Jason Bennett- City- Stated that he has been doing research on public speaking and the case laws. He asked about the bank building and the funds used to purchase the building. He suggested some things that could be done around the city like water line replacements and limb pickup.

   2. Nick Alfonso- Privileged people- Nick Alfonso stated that the 4th of July parade was excellent. He appreciated him and his wife being chosen as grand marshals and stated it was a once in a life time experience. He then showed the council a dumpster at Jet Food store, suggesting the city look into the situation.

   3. Judy Garman- Council/Rec. Dept.- Not in attendance.

6. Adoption of Minutes: CM SHutchinson made a motion to adopt the June 13th minutes and executive minutes. Motion seconded by CM OHutchinson. Motion carried by CM Fountain, CM Yawn, and CM Love. Motion passed.

7. Reconciliations: 2021 in progress

8. Unfinished Business:

   1. Charter Update- The council discussed the process of moving forward with the new charter. There will be a public reading and then a public hearing.

   2. Ordinances Update- Readings for ordinances will start next month.

   3. Leaks Hwy 15 and Old Adrian Homes- The leak on HWY 15/ Center St. has been repaired. Johnny Mills, the maintenance department, and Shannon Watkins worked on the repair. CM Fountain asked some questions about the leak and CM Yawn answered. While they were here they also repaired a leak near the old Adrian Homes.

   4. Land Surveys- Surveys have been completed and some grass on properties has been cut. They are waiting for some help and the weather to clear up and cool down before clearing any areas.

   5. Bids for Bank Building Roof- Mayor Smith read a bid from Olde South Construction for $40,900. The council discussed the previous bids and the current one. CM Yawn made a motion to accept the bid from DBM Roofing. Motion seconded by CM Fountain. Motion carried by CM Love, CM OHutchinson, and CM SHutchinson.

   6. Audit- CPA Keith Waters will be visiting on July 20th to complete the 2020 audit.

   7. July 4th Update- The event went wonderfully. More people attended than ever before. They thanked everyone for their help and support.

9. New Business:

   1. Personnel policy update- Mayor Smith read a resolution for temporary employees. All council members agreed in favor of the resolution.

   2. Convention Info- Mayor Smith shared some of the information she received from attending the GMA conference. She learned about multiple different types of grants available for the city. They spoke about the vitality of supporting the Police Departments. The council and citizens should both express their gratitude for the work they do. She shared some information about meeting procedures along with information for food banks that the city could look into in the future. Lastly she spoke of the importance of employees and treating the employees you have well. Everyone across the state is struggling with keeping employees and they shared some resources to try and help.

   3. SPLOST Emanuel County- Mayor Smith informed the council of the new SPLOST numbers for Emanuel County, 1.001%, and why they had changed.

   4. LOST- Emanuel and Johnson County- Mayor Smith informed the council she had attended LOST meetings for both counties. Johnson County negotiated a percentage of 2.21%. Emanuel County is still in the process of negotiating and there will be another meeting.

   5. Police Vehicle- spoken about later.

   6. Police Personnel- spoken about later/executive

   7. Business License- Removed from agenda

   8. 2020 Census- Mayor Smith informed the council of the new census numbers for the city, 552 citizens. Emanuel County with 230 and Johnson County with 322.

   9. YOTM- Yard of the month for July was presented to Johnny & Dee Dee Webb. Mayor Smith also informed the council that a $50 prize rewarded by Nick’s Carpet is given to a random YOTM winner. The first prize was given to Polly Fountain.

   10. Employee Resignations/Termination- Mayor Smith stated that two employee resignations have been turned in, Andreanna Michael’s and Taylor Hudson’s. CM Fountain made a motion to accept both resignations. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM OHutchinson, CM SHutchinson, and CM Yawn. Motion passed.  Mayor Smith then asked the council to approve of the termination of Bruce Tillmon Jr. CM Yawn made a motion to accept the termination of Bruce Tillmon Jr. Motion seconded by CM OHutchinson. Motion carried by CM Love, CM SHutchinson, and CM Fountain. Motion passed.

   11. Bingo- CM Love announced that bingo would be starting on August 4th at 6:00pm at the Community Center.

10. Recess Regular Meeting: CM SHutchinson made a motion to go out of regular session and into executive session at 7:05pm. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Yawn, CM Fountain, and CM OHutchinson.

11. Executive Session: Needed: Personnel

12. Call Regular Meeting to order: CM Yawn made a motion to go out of executive session and into regular session at 7:33pm. Motion seconded by CM OHutchinson. Motion carried by CM Love, CM Fountain, and CM SHutchinson. Motion passed.

CM Yawn made a motion to hire temporary employees Noel Wiggins and Keith Grant. Motion seconded by CM OHutchinson. Motion carried by CM SHutchinson, CM Love, and CM Fountain.

CM Yawn made a motion to start the process of sending Dylan Lowery to the police academy. CM Fountain seconded the motion. Motion carried by CM Love, CM OHutchinson, and CM SHutchinson. Motion passed.

13. Reports:

Department Head Reports

1. Fire Department- Chief Yawn reported that the 4th of July fireworks went well. They received a donation and were able to get some extra fireworks. The council and citizens thanked the department for the show. 

2. Street/Water Department- CM Yawn stated that the department is glad the leak is fixed. CM Yawn made a motion to allow the Mayor to hire someone for the open maint. postion immediately if a good application comes in. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM OHutchinson, CM SHutchinson, and CM Fountain. Lastly CM Yawn asked if anyone sees anything that needs to be done around the city to let the department know.

3. Police Department- Chief Strickland reported that there was an arrest of a wanted felon out of Augusta last Monday. He gave details on the incident. He thanked the two citizens, Justin Johnson and Mathew Ripperger. There have also been some other incidents such as a domestic, a dog problem, and a burglary which all items have been recovered from and the person identified. Chief Strickland then informed the council that the department is looking into grants for a new vehicle due to the issues with the current ones.

4. Safety Department- CM Hutchinson reported that there will be a meeting on Thursday at 2:30pm.

5. Recreation Department- CM Love reported that the department made a profit of almost $2,500 off of the event and are excited for future events.

Council Members

1. Suzanne Hutchinson- Nothing to report.

2. Jesse Yawn- Nothing to report.

3. Michelle Love- stated there will be a social gathering on Tuesday, July 12th at 11:00am to start planning for the Christmas parade.

4. Orweco Hutchinson- Nothing to report.

5. Robert Fountain Jr.- Nothing to report.

Mayor

 Wynola Smith- Nothing to report.

14. Adjournment: CM Yawn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58pm. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM SHutchinson, CM OHutchinson, and CM Fountain. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.