Council Member Phil Boyum announces resignation and calls for special election for District 1 on November 7th

City Council held its regular meeting Tuesday, August 15, at 5:30pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Recognition/Public Presentations

Presentation of a retirement award to Debra Wiese (Administrative Assistant) who retired effective August 1, 2023 after 11 years of service.

Consent Agenda-ALL APPROVED

Consideration of a motion to approve the surplus of four (4) 2014 Dodge Chargers in the Statesboro Police Department that are past their service life.

• The Police Department is requesting that the City Council approve removing the following four (4) listed vehicles from the city inventory through “surplus” action:
• 2014 Dodge Charger (VIN: 2C3CDXAT4EH167875) Parts car with all valuable parts removed
• 2014 Dodge Charger (VIN: 2C3CDXATXEH367658) Wrecked and not worth cost of repairing
• 2014 Dodge Charger (VIN: 2C3CDXAT7EH367648) Requires new motor, not worth cost of repairs
• 2014 Dodge Charger (VIN: 2C3CDXAT8EH367707) Requires new motor, not worth cost of repair 

APPROVED-Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve: APPLICATION SE 23-06- 01: Encore Capital Maagement LLC, request a special exception from the R-3 (Medium Density Residential) zoning district in order to allow for a real estate property office on approximately 4.399 acres of property located at 1301 Fair Road.

APPROVED-Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to approve APPLICATION V 23-07-01: Jarrett Walden requests a variance from Article XVI; Section 1601, in order to allow a parking facility without observing the three foot setback requirement for the expansion to the Walden Dental Facility located at 703 East Grady Street.

APPROVED-Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-07: An Ordinance amending Appendix A Zoning of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to implement Article XXXII creating security requirements for apartment complexes, namely camera systems and controlled vehicular access.

Mayor and Council voted to advance Ordinance to First Reading at the June 20, 2023 work session. Amendment will also be reviewed at the August 15, 2023 work session.

TABLED-Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 2023-08: An Ordinance amending Chapter 18 Businesses of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances in order to implement Article XI creating licensing and operational requirements for event spaces.

Mayor and Council voted to advance Ordinance to First Reading at the June 20, 2023 work session. Amendment will also be presented at the August 15, 2023 work session.

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) Go Market & Cafe 2855 Northside Dr W Statesboro, Ga 30458 License Type: Package Sales (Beer & Wine only)

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2023-39: A Resolution to impose a six month moratorium on processing and consideration of sign variance requests pursuant to Article XV of Appendix A of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances.

Mayor and Council previously imposed six month moratoriums on consideration of variances regarding freestanding signs on November 16, 2021, March 1 2022, August 16, 2022, and March 1, 2023 due to City’s ongoing efforts to rewrite the sign ordinance. This moratorium would apply to all variances regarding all signs and would run until March 1, 2024 or until the City’s new signage ordinance is implemented, whichever comes first.

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to approve a waiver of conflict to allow Jarrard and Davis to represent the City in the conveyance of City owned real property owned located at 3100 Northside Drive West to be conveyed to the Food Bank, Inc.

The law firm of Jarrard & Davis represents Bulloch County in Service Delivery Strategies matters. This limited waiver of conflict is required for the firm to represent the City in this matter.

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of eight (8) new patrol vehicles for the Statesboro Police Department in the amount of $370,000.

Each year the police department needs to purchase patrol cars to keep the fleet healthy. The PD requests that Council approve the purchase of eight (8) new patrol vehicles. The purpose of this memorandum is to confirm the expenditure of no more than $370,000 from 2019 SPLOST. The cars will be purchased following the city’s purchasing policy, and include prices obtained from the state bid process.

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to approve an award of purchase of a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport to Woody Folsom Ford in the amount of $36,530.00 for the Statesboro Fire Department. Funding is provided from 2013 and 2019 SPLOST funds.

The City of Statesboro requested written quotes for the purchase of a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport for the Fire Department. Although the car industry is improving with additional inventory, there is still some ongoing supply chain constraints and higher car prices for specific vehicles. The vehicle request included two (2) specific requirements: carbonized gray metallic exterior paint (which is one of the Fire Department's fleet colors) and a safety suite driver-assisting system. The system includes pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, and other precautionary features. Several dealerships within a 70-mile radius had a few stock vehicles for the requested vehicle. They are as follows:

Woody Folsom Ford, Inc. and Metter Ford both have vehicles with the safety suite driver-assisting system. However, Metter Ford does not meet the exterior paint requirement. Akins Ford CDJR has the lowest quotes and meet the exterior paint requirement, but neither of the quoted vehicles have the safety suite driver-assisting system. quote. Therefore, it is our recommendation to accept Woody

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to approve award of purchase of two (2) 2023 Ford F-150 trucks to J.C. Lewis Ford in the amount of $67,596.00 for the Public Utilities Department. If approved these will be funded out of FY 2013 CIP funds.

The City of Statesboro requested written quotes for the purchase of a two (2) 2023 Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab trucks. These vehicles were approved in the FY 2022 and FY 2023 Capital Improvements Project (CIP) Funds listed as WWD-133 and WWD-136. These trucks are of very high demand and are sold as soon as they arrive or reserved once in transit. Ford F-150 series are becoming more readily available; however, they are not being stocked as in the past. The division have been waiting for replacement trucks since the ordering process began in July 2022. We requested written quotes and received the following:

Since J. C. Lewis Ford Lincoln's written quotes are the lowest and meet the department's requirements, we recommend to accept the written quotes as noted.

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion authorizing the Mayor to execute purchase agreements for right-of-way acquisition on West Main Street for the West Main Street Sidewalk Project. Funding is provided from 2018 TSPLOST.

The West Main Street Sidewalk project is proposing to install sidewalk along the street from Ivory to Foss Street. Right-of-Way Acquisition is needed to facilitate this work and to allow construction where an insufficient width of ROW currently exists for such improvements. The following has a negotiated purchase agreement:

• West Main St. Sidewalk Parcel 7, 316 W. Main St. $500.00

APPROVED-Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Southern Civil LLC, in the amount of $ 1,993,705.00, for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Room. To be paid for with a combination of Operating and ATC funds approved in the FY2023 CIP Budget, item # WTP-24.

As part of our efforts to modernize and maintain the Waste Water Treatment Plant we have strategic plans to upgrade critical areas of the facility. We are currently working on upgrades to the large blowers that supply air flow to the treatment process. The existing blower units are well past their expected life span and need to be replaced before major breakdowns occur. The project will also include upgrades to wiring and control systems that service the new blowers and an emergency bypass pump. These upgrades will extend the life of the WWTP and insure its reliable day to day operations.

Other Business from City Council

Council Member Shari Barr welcomes back all students and teachers to a new 2023-2024 school year. Barr also stated that Georgia State Senator Billy Hickman bragged on the City of Statesboro's literacy efforts and initiatives which are helping to increase child literacy rates throughout Bulloch County.

Council Member Phil Boyum announces his resignation and requests to call a special election for District 1 in November. Boyum stated during the city council meeting that "I have been in this position for 11 years and It's just time. I am making a motion to call for a special election for District 1 on November 7th, to run concurrently with the regular election."

• Qualifying for District 1's seat will not take place next week during qualifying for Districts 2, 3, and 5. More details on the District 1 qualification and special election date will be released at a later time. 

City Managers Comments

• Street renaming – West Grady Street Ext. was APPROVED to be renamed Loretta's Way. However, the council members may choose to utilize commemorative signage on the street name instead for potential safety concerns and measures. The ultimate decision of signage is still being considered by the council members.
• The City Manager Charles Penny recommended TWO public hearing dates to the city council for having public comments on the millage rate increase. Those recommended dates are September 12, 2023 at 12pm and another at 6pm that evening (the city council's regular scheduled meeting will still be held on September 19th at 5:30pm).
  • Regarding the millage rate increase, Penny relayed to Mayor McCollar and the council that "we are in the process of doing a pace study, so that next year we make sure that our salaries are competitive so that we can maintain our people. Hyundai is already impacting our workforce. We have already lost an employee to Hyundai, and that is not what we want to do. So bearing that information in mind, we planned to set the millage rate at 1.9 to 2 mills. When we recommended that 2 mills rate to you, we were being proactive in our efforts by being mindful of next year, for when we have to implement that new payment plan. I would recommend that we not set our millage rate lower than 1.9 for the hearings that we are going to have."

Public Comments 

Local Citizen, Annie, expressed discontent on a specific instance of customer service experienced over seating at the City of Statesboro City Council Meeting.

Local Citizen, Lynn, expressed that a public safety study be conducted on the city regarding the use of lime scooters. He expressed that many Statesboro residents have expressed discontent over the scooters lying around everywhere and presenting hazards for several residents in town. Mayor McCollar responded that "Lime Scooters are in the process of leaving" with more information being provided to the public soon. 

View the full agenda packet here and watch the livestream of the meeting below.