ADRIAN MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021 AT 6:00PM

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

 

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

 

II. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: CM Hutchinson led the invocation. All in attendance stood for the pledge.  

 

III. Adoption of Agenda: CM Hutchinson made a motion to adopt the agenda. Motion seconded by CM Yawn. Motion carried by CM Love and CM Griffin. Motion passed.

 

IV. Announcements: None

 

V. Public Speakers: Mayor Smith allowed Ginger Green to speak: Ginger Green thanked the police department for all of their work. She stated that the city needs a police department and she hopes to see a 24 hour department in the future.

 

VI. Adoption of Minutes: CM Yawn made a motion to adopt the October 11th minutes and executive minutes and October 20th minutes. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Griffin and CM Hutchinson. Motion passed.

 

VII. Reconciliations: Mayor Smith stated that they are in the process of beginning training for the clerk. Once everything is caught up they will be able to move forward and have them ready on a monthly basis.

 

VIII. Unfinished Business:

1. First Responder, Firefighter, Police Grant- Mayor Smith stated that the process has been started. The application has been submitted and the next step of the process has been started. She hopes to get the grant for the departments soon.

2. Charter Update- Attorney Paul Calhoun could not attend the meeting. Mayor Smith stated that they hope to have the charter online for the public to view in the next few days.

3. Applications for maintenance, police- Mayor Smith reminded everyone that the City is still accepting applications for the Police Department and Maintenance Department.

4. American Rescue Plan Update- Mayor Smith stated that she had a virtual meeting that morning about the ARP. The final rules and guidelines have not been announced yet but there have been some areas that cities are approved to spend funds in. She mentioned that another city did have a rescue truck approved for the grant and hopefully Adrian would as well. If not she was informed of another grant they could apply for. The council discussed a part of the ARP that was for essential employees who worked during the pandemic.  Mayor Smith will get more information soon.

 

IX. New Business:

1. Deputy Clerk- Mayor Smith introduced the new deputy clerk, Jessica Wilkes.

2. Maintenance- Mayor Smith introduced the new maintenance worker, Ron Strickland

3. Department of Family and Children Service Water Agreement- Mayor Smith informed the council about an agreement with DFACS that will provide assistance for citizens paying their water bill. It will be similar to their energy assistance goal.

4. Rose Oxley-Drug Testing- Rose Oxley spoke to the council about the drug testing program. She introduced the company, Drug and Alcohol Testing of GA. She mentioned that the city had previously worked with them before. She explained that they treat all employees the same and the benefits to drug testing in the work place.  

5. Christmas Party- Mayor Smith stated that the city would be hosting their Christmas party on December 10th at 6:00pm. The event will be catered by the Farmhouse.

 

X. Recess Regular Meeting: CM Hutchinson made a motion to recess the meeting and go into executive session at 6:37pm. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Griffin and CM Yawn. Motion passed.

 

XI. Executive Session:  Needed- Litigation & Personnel (Litigation was not spoken about due to the attorney not being present)

 

XII. Call Regular Meeting to order: CM Hutchinson made a motion to go out of executive session and into regular session at 7:29pm. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Yawn and CM Griffin. Motion passed.

 

CM Yawn made a motion to terminate Douglas Baker. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Hutchinson and CM Griffin. Motion passed.

 

CM Yawn made a motion to raise the maintenance department starting pay to $12/hr. Motion seconded by Hutchinson. Motion carried by CM Love and CM Griffin. Motion passed. The council agreed that they would back pay the $2 to the new employee Ron Strickland.

 

Mayor Smith informed Ron Strickland that he could have Veterans Day off since he is a veteran and the council will reevaluate the holidays for next year.

 

Mayor Smith stated that the City would be giving the employees bonuses. Full time employees would receive 40hrs of pay, part time 20hrs, and the council and Mayor would receive 1 months’ pay. Admin, Police, and Council/Mayor would be paid out of the general account and Maint./Water paid out of the water account. CM Hutchinson made a motion to give out the Christmas bonuses as stated. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Yawn and CM Griffin.  Motion passed.

 

 

XIII. Reports:

Department Head Reports

1. Fire Department- Chief Yawn reported that things for the department have been decent.  His daughter Theda Yawn is now working for the Emanuel County Fire District. Mayor Smith stated that she appreciated the Fire Dept.

2. Street/Water Department- CM Yawn stated that the departments are still taking applications and that everything is going okay.

3. Police Department- Chief Strickland reported that October and the beginning of November has been busy for the department. He reminded everyone that the Back the Blue event will be on November 13th starting at 8:00am. Chief stated that the department is still taking applications. The Mayor and council asked for him to get together a proposal for the pay and benefits of the fulltime position. He stated that although the cameras are not active they have been helpful in several situations. They hope to be ticketing by the first of the year.

4. Safety Department- The department is still waiting for the results of the grant application.

5. Recreation Department- CM Love stated that the trophies for the car show have been ordered. They briefly spoke about concessions for the Back the Blue Event.

 

Council Members

1. Julie Griffin- stated that she wanted to say how good of a job she thought the police and maintenance department were doing.

2. Suzanne Hutchinson- stated that the flyers for the parade are done and the Christmas Parade will be on December 4th at 6:00pm.

3. Jesse Yawn- Nothing to report.

4. Michelle Love- Nothing to report.

 

Mayor Wynola Smith- stated that she appreciates everyone at the city and each and every part they play. She is happy to see things moving in a positive direction and she’s glad the council can work together as a team.

 

XIV. Adjournment: CM Yawn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00pm. Motion seconded by CM Love. Motion carried by CM Hutchinson and CM Griffin. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned.