The Statesboro City Council met on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 for its regular bi-monthly meeting in City Hall. Mayor Jonathan McCollar was absent from the meeting which was conducted by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr.
There were two alcohol license approvals made by the council. One of these was for Publix Super Market. Grice Connect reported in previous story that Publix is projected to open in early December.
Joel Hanner, Area Manager for Georgia Power was introduced to the city council by Mayor Pro Tem Barr. Hanner is new to town and is following Matt Sawhill in this position.
Continue reading for all the city business covered and approved by council at Tuesday's meeting.
Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
APPROVED: a) 11-01-2022 Council Minutes
APPROVED: b) 11-01-2022 Executive Session Minutes
APPROVED: B) Consideration of a grant of license for the package sale of distilled spirits, beer, and wine to:
Shree Dhan Laxmi, LLC
DBA EZ Liquors
1525 Fair Road Suite 106
APPROVED: C) Consideration of motion to approve execution of documents to amend Service Delivery Strategies agreement to allow for extension of provision of water services by the City of Brooklet.
APPROVED: Second reading and consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2022-08: An Ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances establishing the Statesboro Business Commission.
Public Hearing
APPROVED: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION SE 22-10-01: Samantha Lindley requests a Special Exception from Article IX of the Statesboro Zoning Ordinance in order to allow for a non-medical massage therapy office at 108 South Zetterower Avenue.
Speaking in favor of the special exception was Samantha Lindley the therapist who is making the request and who has been a massage therapist for 15 years. 7 of those years she has been practicing in Statesboro in a different location. She would like to rent an office space in this building.
Judy Simmons a retired school teacher who is a friend and client of Lindley said she will be a great addition to the community also spoke in favor of the special exception.
APPROVED: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION SE 22-10-02: Kirk Farrelly requests a Special Exception from Article X of the Statesboro Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a tire shop/minor auto repair store at 35 Freedom Way.
APPROVED: Public Hearing and consideration of a motion to approve an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a):
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
101 Tormenta Way
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Package Sales – Beer and Wine only
APPROVED: Public Hearing and consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2022-09: An ordinance to adopt an amendment to the City of Statesboro Speed Control Ordinance including the accompanying GDOT List of Roadways List Number 09092019 document in order to enforce posted speed limits within the City of Statesboro utilizing speed detection devices.
Other City Business
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to approve a sole source emergency purchase with Y-Delta Inc in the amount of $36,367.79 for a sewer main repair on Tillman Road. Funding is from Operating Revenues.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of three hundred ¾” Sensus domestic water meters and one 10” Sensus commercial water meter from Core&Main Inc in the amount of $55,300.00. To be purchased with funds approved in the 2023 Water Sewer Operating Budget funded with system revenue.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award the purchase of two 12” Check Valves to Ferguson Waterworks in the amount of $36,318.00. To be purchased with funds approved in 2023 CIP item #WWD-154, funded with system revenue and grant proceeds.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award a contract to C&H Pipeline Inc. in the amount of $366,413.39 with approval to spend up to $420,000.00 for the installation of 3800’ of 6” steel natural gas main at the Gateway Industrial park to serve Aspen Aerogels. To be paid for with Operating Revenue funds approved in the FY2023 CIP Budget item #NGD-99.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Vortex Services, LLC in the amount of $797,065.00 with the approval to spend up to $850,000.00 to rehabilitate approximately 14000’ of sewer main. This project was funded as part of the 2023 CIP Budget, Item #WWD14, with funds from 2019 SPLOST.
APPROVED: Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Yancey Cat in the amount of $113,034.00 for the purchase of a new Caterpillar 306 CAB A/C Mini Excavator for the Streets Division in the Public Works & Engineering Department per Sourcewell contract. Funding is from 2018 TSPLOST.
APPROVED: Revoke and rescind a resolution and not accept the donation of property from for Statesboro City Councilman Will Britt to the City of Statesboro for the construction of a pocket park in downtown.
City Managers Comments
Charles Penny, Statesboro City Manager invited the Mayor and Council on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 for the City staff holiday luncheon.
Old Julia P. Bryant School development moving forward
He reported that Bill Gross the developer who has the old Julia P. Bryant property under contract has received tax credit approval from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
He plans to build 60 affordable housing units for seniors on the site in the first phase of his low income housing project. The building currently houses the Statesboro Food Bank. The City and County have been working with the Food Bank to help them build a new building on another site in the city. Mr. Gross did not present a timeline for construction.
New 80 lot subdivision on Lakeview
Mr. Penny said the Land Disturbance Permit has been issued for construction to begin on Fern Hill Farms subdivision on Lakeview inside the city. This 80 lot subdivision was recently selected for the cities Subdivision Incentive Program to encourage the construction of new homes in the city limits. Fern Hill is being developed by Statesboro developers Lisa Hodges and Stephen Sauers.
City buses arrive Wednesday
In more good news, Mr. Penny shared with the council that they will be picking up the new city buses tomorrow. They will not be able to do the wrap on the buses which due to potential damage of the paint. They will work with designers to develop another marketing plan for the buses. They are in the process of hiring and training drivers now with a target for early January in launching the new bus service.
