The Statesboro City Council met for their regular bi-monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4th. The council approved two Downtown Tax Allocation District (TAD) projects.
One will help fund construction of a bridge over a drainage ditch and boardwalk which will connect the Visit Statesboro/Farmers Market building to the Willie McTell Trail.
The second includes infrastructure improvements for a the new Fox Hall event facility being constructed in the West District. More information and details on these new homes are included in the story below.
We begin with the first order of business, which is the approval of the consent agenda and then move through all of the business covered by council.
Consent Agenda
APPROVED: Approval of Minutes
- a) 09-20-2022 Work Session Minutes
- b) 09-20-2022 Council Minutes
- c) 09-20-2022 Executive Session Minutes
APPROVED: Public Hearing and a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with The City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
Statesboro Entertainment Concepts LLC
DBA Fifth Quarter Bar & Grill
67 Gata Dr
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Bar with Kitchen
Jarod Miller spoke on behalf of Statesboro Entertainment Concepts.
Attorney Jefferson Allen who represents the group who have entered an agreement to purchase the property from Turtle Properties and plan to own and run the properties. At the point the new ownership is complete they plan to not continue the lease to Oconee and now Statesboro Entertainment Concepts. For this reason they spoke against the approval of the alcohol license. However, there is ongoing litigation regarding the sale of the property.
Attorney Wes Taulbee who represents Turtle Properties, which currently owns the property, spoke to confirm the agreement to sell the property. Oconee Properties is the operator of the property whose lease expired in June but continued on month to month basis.
City Council agreed to approve the alcohol licence understanding that if the property litigation is resolved in favor of allowing the change of ownership that would impact the alcohol licensee ability to operate in that location.
APPROVED: Motion to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with Bulloch County Board of Commissioners for Geographic Information System (GIS) operation and maintenance.
The City of Statesboro enter into an agreement with Bulloch County to share expenses for aerial imagery services provided by the Pictometry International Corporation. This agreement, if approved, will be for two (2) aerial imagery flights that will take place three (3) years apart and paid over a six (6) year time period. The cost of these two (2) flights will be broken down into the following payment stages:
These aerial imagery flights enable the City and the County to fully utilize our Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This GIS software takes the aerial imagery and breaks it down into layers for use in tracking property boundaries & development, utility placements, growth projections, flood plains etc. The financial amounts listed above are mathematically representative of the percentage of total square miles that comprise both Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro. By sharing the expense of these aerial services.
APPROVED: Motion to approve the award of a Department owned firearm to retiring Advanced Patrol Officer Justin Gawthrop.
Background: Historically, the police department has awarded a firearm to those members who have retired in good standing with more than 25 years of service. This practice is specifically authorized by Georgia Statute 35-1. APO Gawthrop has announced his retirement from the police department after 26 years of exemplary service to the citizens of our community. The pistol he carries daily is a Glock Model 17, and we would like to award him this pistol along with his retired credentials.
APPROVED: Motion to approve a Development Agreement with Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau to use $135,000.00 in TAD funds for funding assistance for the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market Building and Access Project within the South Main Tax Allocation District (TAD 1).
Background: At the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Statesboro Downtown Tax Allocation District Committee the above referenced proposal was reviewed and unanimously approved. Specifically, the proposal includes the following work items: development of an access bridge and walkway, and a new picnic area. These improvements are to be located in the outside area between the east facade of the building and the Blind Willie McTell Trail. The estimated costs are as follows:
• $120,250 (bridge and walkway)
• $15,390 (picnic area)
These elements were part of the developer’s original scope of work but due to a delay attributable to supply chain issues and COVID, an additional $135,000 in TAD financing is needed to finish the project. The total investment in this project is $1,071,512.45 (excluding the TAD financing request). An analysis of this application was also performed by the City’s financial advisor, Davenport & Company, who have determined that said application meets the parameters of the TAD Program.
APPROVED: Motion to approve a Development Agreement with West District Events OZ Business, LLC to use $151,193.00 in TAD funds for funding assistance for the Foxhall Event Space in the West District within the South Main Tax Allocation District (TAD 1).
Background: At the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Statesboro Downtown Tax Allocation District Committee, the above referenced proposal was reviewed and unanimously approved. Specifically, the applicant is requesting an additional $151,193 in TAD financing to cover unanticipated cost increases associated with access and safety elements of the project. The total investment in this project is $1,593,750.00 (excluding the TAD financing request). An analysis of this application was also performed by the City’s financial advisor, Davenport & Company, who have determined that said application meets the parameters of the TAD Program
APPROVED: Motion to award a contract for the Joe Brannen Hall and City Hall improvements project to BAK Builders in the amount of $1,383,335.00. Funding will be from 2013 SPLOST and 2019 SPLOST.
Background: The City of Statesboro solicited sealed bids for the renovation of both Joe Brannen Hall and City Hall. These renovations involve Joe Brannen Hall being converted into new Human Resources offices along with the conversion of the warehouse space adjacent to Joe Brannen Hall into the new City health clinic. City Hall will receive renovations involving ADA and life safety improvements, security enhancements, and office space renovations on all floors. During this bid process, we conducted a mandatory pre-bid and had eleven (11) contractors in attendance. Two (2) sealed bids were received and they are as follows:
- BAK Builders $1,383,335.00
- Hubbard & Hudson Const. $1,471,000.00
APPROVED: Motion to approve a contract with Y-Delta to construct a shelter extension for the maintenance shop at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $34,000. This project is budgeted in the amount of $40,000 in FY 2023 CIP #WTP-13.
APPROVED: Motion to approve Task Order #6 in the amount of $49,840.00 with
Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood (GMC). This project will be paid from 2013 SPLOST
funds.
Background: As part of the Stormwater Masterplanning Professional Services Agreement approved by City Council on August 16, 2016, GMC is assisting the City in the preparation of a design solution to the Lake Sal drainage improvement project. This project proposes to eliminate the ongoing flooding at the inlet and around the emergency overflow of Lake Sal. GMC previously performed a study of this area and proposed to construct a stormwater detention basin near Myrtle Crossing and Zetterower Road to mitigate this flooding. However, staff encountered property acquisition challenges with this proposal and recommends to perform the alternative design proposed herein.
Other Business from City Council
Council Lady Shari Barr had several items of praise which include:
- Layne Phillips, City PIO received national recognition for the City of Statesboro employee newsletter.
- Chief Tim Grams was recently recognized for 25 years of service with the Statesboro Fire Department.
- Ag Night Out First Friday is Friday Night begins at 5:30 on Friday night. This is a great family event.
- Farmers Market continues every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
City Managers Comments
City Manager, Charles Penny reported that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award was not successful.
He reported that the renovations and opening of additional package stores are moving forward. There are two that have not moved forward but still have time. The city staff is tracking this progress.
Last meeting the Blue Room requested to exceed the number of noise outdoor event noise ordinances. They have since dropped that request and moved the event they needed this for inside.
Also during the last meeting there was some discussion regarding the transportation plan update funding. Mr. Penny clarified that they city actually went to the county to ask for Counties participation in the plan update. The County agreed and then went to the state to see if they could get additional funding from GADOT to cover this plan. This GDOT funding was not approved. In addition, the county took the project on and provided staff and leadership for the project. Considering this the city staff felt the agreement was fair considering this.
