At the bi-monthly meeting of Statesboro City Council on Tuesday evening, March 21, 2023 the council received notification that the Bel Air Estates property owners have began the process to petition the council to again approve annexation for 36.55 acres of property located on Beasley Road.
This annexation was approved at the January 17, 2023 meeting but was voided after a group of citizens filed a legal challenge to the annexation. The challenge was based on a recent change of the Georgia law that required notification of the local Board of Education of an annexation petition.
Even though the County nor the Board of Education had any objections to the annexation, the process annexation was voided. The City has updated their process of handling annexation petition requests based on this legal challenge to comply with the updated Georgia law. This is the first notification. The annexation petition will come before council at a meeting in the future.
Recognitions/Public Presentations
Presentation of a retirement award to Kevin L. Span (Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator) who is retiring effective April 1, 2023 after 30 years of service.
Public Comments (Agenda Item):
Consent Agenda - ALL APPROVED
A) Approval of Minutes - 3-7-2023 Council Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion for approval of surplus and disposition of equipment in the Public Works & Engineering Department.
The Items below have exceeded their useful service life and have recently been replaced by purchase of new equipment:
1. Stormwater Division: 1997 Caterpillar 320 Excavator, #137, Vin #9KK04325
2. Stormwater Division: 2012 John Deere Flex Wing Mower, Vin #1POHX2OEHCPO15523
3. Streets Division: 1996 Caterpillar 311 Excavator Vin# 09LJ00755
4. Solid Waste Disposal Division: 2014 model FINN B70T, Straw Blower Vin#1F9BS141XFF135233
C) Consideration of motion to acknowledge Council receipt of annexation petition by Bel Air Estates, Inc. for 36.55 acres of property located on Beasley Road (Tax Parcel# MS91000013 000) and to direct City Clerk to investigate and certify the sufficiency of the petition filed.
Public Hearing
APPROVED - Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION AN 23-02- 04: S&K Investments of GA LLC, requests Annexation by the 100% method of approximately 1.72 acres of property located at 3101 Old Register Road (Tax Parcel # 076000001012).
APPROVED - Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION RZ 23-02- 05: S&K Investments of GA LLC requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the R-40 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district to the CR (Commercial Retail) zoning district on approximately 1.72 acres of property in order to construct a commercial development at 3101 Old Register Road (Tax Parcel # 076 000001 012).
APPROVED - Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION CUV 23-02- 06: Vernon Howard requests a Conditional Use Variance on a 0.28 acre property in order to establish a recovery home at 378 Johnson Street (Tax Parcel # MS40 000030 000).
APPROVED - Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a): Blue Mile Catering 454 South Main Street Statesboro, Ga 30458 License type: Low volume
APPROVED - Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with the City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a): Gokul 2023 INC DBA Sparker 3348 Northside Dr. West Statesboro, Ga 30458 License type: Package sales - beer and wine only
New Business
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-16: A Resolution requesting approval to apply for assistance to firefighters - fire prevention and safety grant for the City of Statesboro, Georgia.
In the fall of each year the Federal Government invites fire departments from around the country to submit an application to the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant. The primary goal of the FP&S Grant is to support the projects of local fire departments that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards through the awarding of monetary funds to ascertain equipment, training and other resources related to Fire Safety and Prevention. The FP&S Grant is a competitive process and it is the Fire Department’s desire to submit an application for the following project in this grant period.
1) Arson Investigation Equipment - $16,000.00 • The Statesboro Fire Department intends to utilize grant funding to provide a trailer and all the tools and resources required by Statesboro Fire Department staff to conduct cause and origin investigations. The Statesboro Fire Department conducts a cause and origin determination of all structure fires. The goal of this project is to ensure that fire department fire investigators can effectively and properly perform cause and origin determinations, as well as assist local state and federal agencies with Fire Investigations when applicable.
2) Smoke Alarms - $5,000.00 • The Statesboro Fire Department intends to utilize grant funding to purchase 500 smoke alarms that will be utilized in their on-going smoke alarm installation
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-17: A Resolution amending the job position classification and compensation plan to classify the Fire Apparatus Operator to Administrative Captain-FD.
Chief Tim Grams requested authorization to reclassify a vacant Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) position to an Administrative Captain-FD. The Administrative Captain-FD position will complete special projects while providing management support in the areas of training, prevention, operations, and administration. Recommendation: The recommendation is to reclassify the vacant position as follows: Current Classification Title – Fire Apparatus Operator Pay Grade – 16 Minimum / Midpoint – $42,508.02 / $53,135.03 Recommended Classification Title – Administrative Captain-FD Pay Grade – 20 Minimum / Midpoint – $51,791.90 / $64,739.87
APPROVED - Consideration of a motion to approve the Statesboro Fire Department to sell 3 fire apparatus and other equipment in the amount of $90,000 to the Emanuel Fire Department.
In August of 2021 the Statesboro Fire Department ordered two (2) new Pierce Fire Engines. These engines are expected to be delivered within the next few weeks which creates the need to surplus older apparatus from the current fleet. Representatives from Emanuel County Fire Department (ECFD) indicated that they were in need of used fire apparatus and have offered to purchase the three (3) fire apparatus and equipment listed in the sell agreement for $90,000.00. If approved, ECFD would not take possession of the apparatus until the new fire engines have arrived and are in service.
Other Business from City Council
-Council Member Shari Barr reminded the attending council members to vote and participate in the Ferst Readers of Bulloch County Program. Council Members, Barr and Paulette Chavers, are nominated to receive donations as participants in the contest. All deductible contributions go towards helping to fund books for local children. The program works towards supporting early literacy.
-An update on the Statesboro Area Transit system was given. The city is still in the process of having buses wrapped and expect additional progress to be made in regards to its final completion in the upcoming weeks.
-The William James precinct is being recommended to be relocated to a Luetta Moore facility on Martin Luther King Drive. The council will need to take future action to have that site approved.
Public Comments
-Marshall Webster spoke in opposition to the Historical Lynchings Monument. The historical monument honors the nine lynched victims within the Bulloch County area during the August of 1904. The historical marker displays the faces of Will Cato and Paul Reed who were among the nine persons lynched during August 1904. Webster's opposition was in regards to abstaining from honoring Cato and Reed. (For background, Cato and Reed were accused of murdering the Henry Hodges family in July of 1904). Webster went on to denounce the monument's erection and felt that Cato and Reed should not be honored in this way.
-Jay Braswell supported Webster's opposition, expressing that there was no need for the local community to regress in this manner. He felt that the monument's erection would cause this reaction.
-Michael Mull supported Webster's opposition, expressing that he felt that there was no need to disturb the local community with the erection of this monument.
-Sue Palmer voiced her concern for the massive puddle located near 97 Lee Street in Statesboro, GA. Palmer voiced that the locals should not have to ride by local sites to witness the constant deteriation of a property. In fact, she stated that it was "not the image that Statesboro should project to individuals passing through the town".
-Randal Moon supported Webster's historical monument opposition, as he believed it would stir up strife within the local community.
-Mayor Jonathan McCollar thanked all individuals for sharing their views and concerns. McCollar reminded council attendees of the intended purpose of the monument. McCollar stated that "there is no glorification in any of these murderous acts. The Hodges Family murder was very horrific, as well as, the lynchings of the nine, black Bulloch County men during the August of 1904. This historical monument is specifically erected in regards to the rampage of lynchings which occurred during a specific period in time within Bulloch County. It is not solely in reference to Will Cato and Paul Reed. These types of conversations are tough to have with each other. But we must continue to have these courageous conversations. These conversations help us work together towards creating a more harmonic community."
Executive Session
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel Matters” “Real Estate” and/or “Potential Litigation” in accordance with O.C.G.A 50-14-3(b)
After council exited executive session, Pat Homer was unanimously appointed to the Tree Board:
There is still an open spot on the Tree Board, so the application deadline has been extended to March 30th.
The following members were also unanimously appointed to the Statesboro Youth Commission:
(Two year terms)
- LaKesha Hill
- Caitlin Brady
- LaShai Campbell
- Kristina Patterson
- Debbie Vives
(One year term)
- Grace Brack
- Shae Paulk
- Michelle Lammers
- Blake Robinson
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