Kicking off the June 13 meeting, Mayor Nicky Gwinnett began with a word of prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegence by Councilman James Harrison.
Consideration of a motion to Approve the Agenda:
Councilman Brad Anderson wants to amend 10.8, wants to move to #6, and shift everything else down. APPROVED.
Swearing-In Ceremony
In the absence of Municipal Court Judge Joey Cowart, Mayor Gwinnett was given the power to swear in Sheila Wentz as Brooklet's newest post 5 council member.
Sewer Project and New Developments and Allocations of Capacity
Matt Morris, city consultant for water and sewer project, and Wesley Parker, city engineer with Parker Engineering, gave a presentation on a projection/plan for the allocation of the ATC fee (aid to construction fee) for different numbers of taps (taps into the sewer within housing and buildings) for the next 10-30 years.
They listed efficient ways that Brooklet could allocate their taps throughout the city over the next 10 years, without going more into debt. As of now, the city has an agreement with Statesboro that gives them 300,000 gallons of water, but with Brooklet having a school, they're looking to revisit the fee. They're trying to avoid anyone having to pay extra for their tap in the city, and outside as well.
The council decided to re-schedule a meeting for next week to go over and have a comprehensive plan. They're looking to raise the ATC fee and get a 30 year bond to help with the project.
6. Second Reading and Motion to Approve an Ordinance to Amend the Street Light Requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance. APPROVED
7. Discussion and Possible Motion to Appoint a City Attorney beginning July 1, 2024.
The council has decided that Mr. Benjamin Perkins will be the next city attorney. The reasoning for Perkins being chosen is that he has a background with working with cities. He also has worked with zoning problems elsewhere that the city of Brooklet have also had to face before.
8. Motion to adjourn the Called Meeting and enter the regular scheduled Work Session. APPROVED
10. Work Session Discussion Item(s):
10.1. Brooklet Food Truck Ordinance
The council decided to move to discussion to next week.
10.2. Brooklet Farmers Market
The issue that was brought up was that the city couldn't have a "middle man" between them and the farmers market when dealing with payments. It created problems with the auditors that shouldn't be a problem. Michelle Wilson, the organizer of the Brooklet Farmers Market, explained that she collects all of the fees from the vendors and gives them to the city as soon as the money hits her account.
There was also some confusion on the rental of spaces at the Randy Newman Pavilion. Citizens are having a hard time sharing spaces when it comes to parties, weddings, get-togethers, and even the farmers market.
Wilson started the farmer's market back at the beginning of May this year. The plan was to rent the pavilion every Saturday from 2-5pm. The problem is that there are people that have already rented the space out later in the year on a Saturday, for an all day event like a wedding. To top on that, there is some confusion on the difference between the pavilion and the actual building.
They're scheduling a meeting for next week to come up with a plan for the farmer's market, but ultimately Wilson was given two options: She has to rent out the whole space for herself but it wouldn't be the Brooklet Farmers Market, or she can list it as a special event like one of the festivals. The farmers market can't be with the city.
Councilman Harrison said that they don't want to take anything from anyone, they just want everything to be fair to all citizens involved. Mayor Gwinnett also suggested that they add some outdoor bathrooms to the pavilion, because Wilson mentioned that they were locked out of the bathroom spaces because the space was already rented out.
10.3. Bulloch Telephone Proposal for Cameras to be installed at the Public Works Department & the Randy Newman Community Center
The council spoke about how it was proposed that they get 12 cameras to put at the Public Works Department and the Randy Newman Community Center, but they ultimately decided that they don't need that many cameras are are looking to get a quote and to view different package options.
10.4. Review of the Resolution to be signed for the Smart Bulloch 2045 (A Joint Comprehensive Plan for a Better Tomorrow Resolution & Plan)
The council moved the review to the consent agenda.
10.5. Terry Mikell Concrete, LLC. Invoice difference of $1,070.00; on April 18, 2024, the following quote for the repair work to tear out and place the concrete was approved via email for $4,270.00:
- WEST LEE: 7x8= 56sq ft
- WEST LEE ST.: 12x11=132
- CORNER OF WEST LEE ST. & N CRONLEY ST: 5x7= 35sq ft
- JOINER RD.: 4x21= 48sq ft
- BROOKLET I.G.A :7x12=84
- WEST LANE ST.: 21x4= 84sq ft (sidewalk)
- Pour back 6in deep with concrete with fiber.
Total $4,270.00
They did not pour 715 West Lane Street, so they took off $400.00, then on 05/21/2024, they poured 715 West Lee Street and for concrete and labor, which cost $1,470.00, brought the total invoice to $5,340.00.
The council moved this to the consent agenda.
10.6. Review of a quote from Terry Mikell Concrete, LLC. for repairs to the sidewalks due to safety concerns 209 West Lane, 204 North Parker, Baker, and Parker across from Bank on West Lane, between 115-117 West Lee at the rear of Bank on West Lane, to remove the sidewalk and haul material off and pour back concrete; Concrete and Labor Total $3,620.00
The council moved this to the consent agenda, but they are looking to fix the sidewalks.
10.7. Review of the Core & Main Bid Proposal for Woods Edge Subdivision Materials for Tap-Ins for $29,467.80
The council voted to move the review to council meeting in July.
Councilwomen Rebecca Kelly invites Aaron Carpenter, Planning and Government Services Director of Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia,
to the next meeting to talk about their services with planning and zoning.
