During a work session prior to the Tuesday, October 15 City Council meeting, Statesboro Police Chief Mike Broadhead shared concerning data on stolen firearms. Since 2019, 275 guns have been reported stolen from vehicles, with 254 of those taken from unlocked cars. Only 21 involved forced entry. Of the 109 arrests made for entering autos during this period, 85 involved individuals aged 16 or younger.
Chief Broadhead highlighted this as a significant juvenile issue, noting that two of the juveniles involved were later charged with homicide. He urged residents to lock their cars to prevent these crimes of opportunity. Broadhead also announced that these statistics would be shared on social media in hopes of increasing public awareness.
Recognitions: honoring community service and raising awareness
The Council recognized two key causes during the meeting. Mayor Jonathan McCollar presented a proclamation celebrating the 37th anniversary of the Statesboro Food Bank. Executive Director Sheila Stewart-Leach and staff were honored for their dedication, particularly their crisis response during storms Debbie and Helene when they provided over 350,000 meals.
In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Safe Haven staff were also acknowledged for their work. Kim Billings, Director of Legal Services at Safe Haven, highlighted the severity of domestic violence, stating that Safe Haven assisted 784 clients and responded to over 5,700 crisis calls last year.
Other business: Tax extension and surplus approvals
The council approved extending the due date for city property tax bills from December 20 to December 31, 2024, citing vendor issues. Additionally, several surplus items from the Public Works and Utilities Departments were approved for disposition.
The Council also approved requests for the annexation and rezoning of land on Cypress Lake Road for a residential subdivision and the construction of a 46-unit town home development on S&S Railroad Bed Road.
City manager updates disaster recovery efforts
City Manager Charles Penny provided an update on the city’s storm recovery efforts, reporting that 10,000 cubic yards of debris had been collected so far. He encouraged residents to move debris to the right of way to ensure FEMA’s full coverage of recovery costs.
Continue reading for more on business covered by the Council:
Work Session:
During the Tuesday, October 15 City Council work session, Statesboro Police Chief Mike Broadhead presented some alarming statistics about stolen firearms in our community. From 2019 until September of this year, Chief Broadhead said that 275 firearms have been reported stolen from vehicles.
Of that total, 254 were stolen from unlocked vehicles and only 21 were taken by forced entry. Chief Broadhead reports that of the total 109 arrests made for entering autos since 2019, 85 of the individuals were 16 years old or younger. Of the 24 adults arrested, he says most were between the ages of 17 and 24.
“This is clearly a juvenile problem and also a security problem,” Chief Broadhead said.
He stated that of the 85 juveniles represented in these statistics, four accounted for more than one arrest, and unfortunately two of the juveniles represented by the chart were later charged with homicide.
“We’re a free society where people are allowed to own firearms and carry them about, but there has to be some responsibility,” said Chief Broadhead.
He said these statistics will appear on the Facebook page within the next few days and is hopeful that this will encourage people to lock their car doors to curb these crimes of opportunity.
Recognitions/Public Presentations
1) Presentation of a Proclamation honoring the 37th Anniversary of the Statesboro Food Bank.
Mayor Jonathan McCollar presented an award of recognition to Sheila Stewart-Leach, the Food Bank Executive Director, and other staff members, honoring the decades of work that has been put in to combating hunger in the Statesboro community. Special thanks were bestowed for the crisis servces that were provided during the aftermath of storms Debbie and Helene, handing out 357,840 meals in those two weeks
2) Presentation of a Proclamation recognizing October 2024 as the Month of domestic Abuse Awareness in Statesboro.
Mayor McCollar read a decree condemning these acts of violence, economic control, fear and hostility that impacts people across all groups of society, and reiterated the city's commitment to meeting the needs of those who have been victimized.
“Domestic violence affects one in four women, one in seven men and one in three teens, and at Safe Haven, we take that very seriously,” Kim Billings, Director of Legal Services and Public Relations at Safe Haven of Statesboro said.
Billings accepted a plaque from the Council as recognition for the organization's assistance to domestic violence victims in the community, citing that last year, Safe haven helped 784 clients and answered 5729 crisis calls.
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
None
APPROVED - Consent Agenda
1) Approval of Minutes
a) 09-26-2024 Public Hearing Minutes 12:00 pm
b) 09-26-2024 Public Hearing Minutes 6:00 pm
c) 10-01-2024 Council Minutes
d) 10-01-2024 Executive Session Minutes
e) 10-03-2024 Called Council Meeting Minutes
f) 10-03-2024 Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to amend the due date for the City of Statesboro property tax bills from December 20, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
Issues with the city’s tax support vendor have necessitated extending the issuance and due dates of the property tax bills.
C) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of items in the Public Works and Public Utilities Departments.
The Items below have exceeded their useful life and need to be declared surplus and approved for disposition:
Streets and Parks Division
- 2012 Ford F-450 6.8L V-10 VIN# 1FDUF4GY0CEB08852 (asphalt truck)
- 2006 Ford F-450 6.8L V-10 VIN# 1FDXF46YX6ED70347 (landscape truck)
- 2003 Ford F-350 5.4L VIN# 1FDSW34LX3EB29833 (landscape truck)
- 2003 Ford F-150 VIN# 1FTRX17WX3NA49961
Motor pool Division
- 2005 Chevrolet Impala 3.8 V6 Vin# 2G1WF52K259256118
Public Utilities
1. 1997 Ford F350 VIN# 1FDJF37H9VEB54227
Stormwater Division
- 4. Husqvarna K760 Chop Saw S#151701957
- 5. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw S#3800741
- 6. Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw S#3800743
- 7. Husqvarna 55 Chainsaw S#3601133
- 8. Echo 266T Weedeater S#T47714027623
- 9. Stihl BG53C Blower S#505876002
- 10. 2007 Woods Rotary Mower S#1092408
- 11. 2015 Diamond Mower Side Arm S#MF13130
- 12. 1996 Ford Dump Truck L-9000 L-10 VIN# 1FDZU90L1VVA12495
- 2015 Gradall 3100 VIN# 3140000375
Public Hearing
APPROVED - 6. Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve:
(A) APPLICATION AN 24-09-03: Dennis Rhodes requests Annexation of approximately 5.22 acres of property in order to develop a residential subdivision on Cypress Lake Road & Veterans Memorial Parkway (Tax Parcel # MS42 000004A 000).
Kathy Field, Director of Planning & Development, described the land as vacant and reminded council that this lot was reviewed last year but due to improper paperwork filing, was not authorized. The new site plan encompasses the complete/final parcel.
(B) APPLICATION RZ 24-09-04: Dennis Rhodes requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the R-40 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district to the R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) zoning district on approximately 5.22 acres of property in order to develop a residential subdivision on Cypress Lake Road (Tax Parcel # MS42 000004A 000).
APPROVED - 7. Consideration of a motion to approve: APPLICATION SUB 24-09-02: Stephen Sauers requests a Preliminary Subdivision PLAT on approximately 14.05 acres of property in order to construct a 46-unit town home development at 665 S&S Railroad Bed Road (Tax Parcels # 107 000006A000 & 107 000007 000).
This application includes two vacant parcels, initially annexed and rezoned in 2022 under the town home ordinance.The applicant is now ready to construct. Field said the proposed site plan for the project meets all code requirements, and staff recommended approval. the applicant must now acquire individual building permits and construction should follow.
New Business
APPROVED - 8. Consideration of a Motion to Approve Resolution 2024-28: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an FY25 Operational Service Agreement with the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia for public transportation services in assistance with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides federal funding to support the capital and operating assistance activities for rural transit systems. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is the designated recipient of these federal funds in Georgia and is responsible for the program oversight and administration and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal regulations. Currently, the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) is GDOT’s designated subrecipient of these funds for the coastal region. Staff has been working with CRC to develop an operational service agreement (Agreement) for our transit program and recommends the attached agreement. The Agreement includes Appendix A: Transportation Services for the City of Statesboro (program details, cost estimates, etc.), Appendix B: Rules and Regulations, and Appendix C: Non-Service Days.
APPROVED - 9. Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of one (1) 2024 or newer Ford F-250 Superduty XL SRW 4X4 Crew Cab 6.8L V8 (or equivalent) and one (1) 2024 or newer Ford F-450 Superduty DRW 4X2 Supercab Chassis Cab 7.3L V8 with a service body (or equivalent) at a cost not to exceed $145,000.00. This purchase will be paid with funds approved in the 2025 CIP Budget, Project WTP-4 and Project WWD-138.
Historically, the Purchasing Division has faced challenges in acquiring certain types of vehicles due to the inability of commercial dealerships and state contractors to reserve these vehicles for an extended period. These heavy-duty trucks have unique specifications tailored to the needs of the requesting department, and there is limited availability of stock at dealerships. The high demand for these types of trucks in other regions makes it challenging to keep them in stock in the southeast region. Generally, these vehicles do not come with a service body. Local vendors will receive a three percent (3%) local and in-county vendor advantage, and the department will accept the lowest written quote that meets its requirements. Additionally, it is an option to purchase the trucks and service body separately.
Other Business from City Council
Mayor Pro-Tem Shari Barr reminded council of the upcoming 'Fix it Friday' led by Greener Boro and the RecycleFest to be held on Saturday, October 26.
City Managers Comments
City Manger Charles Penny reported that Southern Disaster Recovery has collected 10,000 cubic yards of debris as of yesterday. He encouraged residents to continue moving the debris to the right of way for pickup, so that disaster recovery efforts fall within the 90 day period set by FEMA for 100% coverage.
He also reminded the council of the upcoming and much anticipated Art Park ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm this Thursday.
Public Comments (General)
Marshal Webster made public comment referencing his discontent about comments made by Mayor McCollar during the millage rate hearing.
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session
The council moved into executive session to discuss real estate matters.
No action was taken and the meeting was adjourned.