Everside Health was awarded a contract with the City of Statesboro to provide a health clinic for city employees and their dependents. The decision was reached by unanimous vote at the Statesboro City Council's regular meeting on Tuesday.
City Manager Charles Penny said the Everside Health clinic will be available three days per week and offers innovative smartphone apps and virtual services to eligible employees. The City's current provider, Premise Health on Brampton Avenue, submitted a proposal but was not selected as a finalist.
Penny stated that several City employees have raised concerns regarding the proposed location of the clinic. Previous plans were discussed to retrofit Joe Brannen Hall, a city-owned building adjacent to City Hall, for use by Everside Health. However, some employees feel that the proximity to their workplace will create a privacy issue.
Prior to voting, Councilman John Riggs--who participated in the meeting remotely--asked whether the contract stipulated a physical location. According to Penny, it does not. "We're willing to look at other options," he said. "By no means are we taking these concerns lightly."
Watch the full meeting VIDEO here:
Winskey honored for 25 years of service
Prior to Tuesday's meeting, retiring Senior Detective James L. Winskey was honored for his 25 years of service to the City of Statesboro. Mayor Jonathan McCollar and Statesboro Police Chief Mike Broadhead presented Winskey with a plaque and thanked him for his dedication to serving the community. Later in the evening, Council unanimously approved a motion to award Winskey a Department-owned firearm in commemoration of his service.
Council approved three zoning-related applications
- A request from Roberta Benique for a Special Exception from Article XXVII, Section 2704 of the Statesboro Zoning Ordinance to allow for the placement of a daycare center at 1015 East Inman Street
- A request from HRK Properties for a variance from Article VII, Section 1213 of the Statesboro Zoning Ordinance to reduce the setback requirement and construct a building addition at 450 Mathews Road
- A request from CFN Rentals for a Zoning Map Amendment in order to amend a PUD (Planned Unit Development) and build an additional 5 residential duplexes (10 units) at Grove Circle/Stockyard Road
TSPLOST-funded infrastructure projects
Council voted to approve four sidewalk improvement projects using funds obtained through the 2018 Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax - or TSPLOST. Parker Engineering won the contract of $57,000 for engineering design and improvements along East Jones Avenue. Kentucky-based American Engineers, Inc., was awarded two contracts for improvements to sidewalks on East Main and West Main Streets, totaling $97,000. The contract for improvements along Brannen Street was awarded to EMC Engineering Services in the amount of $20,050.
Councilman Phil Boyum thanked voters for approving the TSPLOST referendum in 2018. "That one penny makes a difference," he said.
Greener Boro Commission
Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr entered a motion to establish the Greener Boro Commission. The group, she said, will consist of nine members with staggered two-year terms and will provide studies, reports, strategies, and programs centered around environmental sustainability. "We've talked about it, but I would love for us to establish a commission and invite people who know more about this to advise us," Barr said. By unanimous vote, the motion passed.
Other business
- Approved a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-11, approving an application to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs 2022 Community Development Block Grant Program
- Approved a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-12, setting the license fee for retail package stores at $5,000
- Approved a motion to enter into an agreement with InVeris for the upgrade of the City's Decisional Shooting Simulator in the amount of $113,510.71 with funds received from a Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grant
- Approved a motion to adopt the seventh lease amendment with New Cingular Wireless PCS (AT&T) regarding the Malecki Drive water tower
- Approved a motion to adopt an amendment of the contract with TSW to perform engineering and development related to ordinance amendments
- Approved a motion to award a contract for engineering design for the Lydia Street/Hart Street culvert improvements project to EXP US Services, Inc., in the amount of $41,500 (project paid for using Stormwater Operating Income finds)
