Statesboro City Council voted to support the Youth Career Camp this summer. The program benefits the underserved juvenile and young adult populations of the City of Statesboro. The current residency program involves 16 young people who are undergoing two weeks of extensive, immersive training in life and career skills.
The June 4, 2024 Statesboro City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Jonathan McCollar at 9 am, followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance by Council member Ginny Hendley.
The Mayor then presented a Proclamation recognizing the week of June 10-14, 2024 as Municipal Court Clerks week, and extended his appreciation to them for their carrying of the public impression, as the Statesboro judicial system is largely dependent upon the public’s experience in municipal court.
With no public comment, the council moved forward to approve the consent agenda.
Consent Agenda
APPROVED 5. Consideration of a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 05-14-2024 Budget Work Session Minutes
b) 05-21-2024 Work Session Minutes
c) 05-21-2024 Council Minutes
d) 05-21-2024 Executive Session Minutes
B) Consideration of a motion to approve the cancelation of the July 2, 2024 regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Public Hearing
6. Public Hearing to solicit input on the proposed FY2025 Budget for the City of Statesboro.
As per Georgia Law, the City of Statesboro is required to have a Public Hearing on the proposed budget, at which time any person wishing to be heard on the budget may appear.
The budget presented totals $108,973,791, a decrease from last year's budget. Included is capital projects, TSPLOST and SPLOST. SPLOST takes the demand off the tax rate, said City Manager Charles Penny. Once a full tax digest becomes available in late July, the city will be able to assess growth and tax adjustments will be made based on these needs. Three public hearings are required to approve any tax increases, to be held after the digest is received.
City Manager Penny recommended to the council that a study on the fire rate analysis be completed, as many properties (nonprofits and state properties) do not contribute to fire tax and still receive services. The city's cost of fire protection is around $7 million.
Council member Phil Boyum commented that we are not particularly burdened by taxes in the city.
Council member Paullete Chavers feels as if raising the taxes, although potentially necessary, might garner public disapproval.
A review of the proposed budget revenues and expenditures can be found on the meeting packet.
7. Public hearing and consideration of a motion to approve first reading of:
A) Ordinance 2024-06: An Ordinance amending Chapter 70 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances regulating the use of Shareable Dockless Mobility Devices.
B) Ordinance 2024-07: An Ordinance amending Chapter 78 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances amending Non-Motorized Devices.
At the February 20, 2024 work session, TSW provided recommendations to introduce a new code language in Chapter 70 regarding shareable dockless (personal) mobility devices (ie, scooters) and to update language in Ordinance Chapter 78-9 pertaining to non-motorized vehicles (ie, roller skates, skateboards, bicycles, electric scooters, etc) and include additional language related to mobility devices. TSW prepared this information concurrently with the new Unified Development Code (UDC), but is not included in the UDC. Chapter 70 pertains to “Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Places.” Chapter 78 pertains to “Traffic and Vehicles.”
Information sessions were held prior for input and members of the student population did participate, commented City Manager Penny, who also expressed his concern and support for the regulations as he says he witnessed a child fall outside of his house recently on one of these devices.
The ordinance in full can be viewed on the meeting packet.
New Business
APPROVED 8. Consideration of a motion to approve the Statesboro Police Department Towing Rotation and Wrecker Agreement for FY 2025.
The City maintains a Wrecker Agreement with local businesses that conduct motor vehicle tows. The Agreement provides companies with requirements in order to be used by the City to tow vehicles at the City’s request. In order to be placed on the wrecker rotation, companies must agree to, and abide with, the Agreement. As an example, if the police respond to a motor vehicle crash and a driver requires a tow from the scene, and that driver does not have a personally preferred towing service, the City will contact the next wrecker available under the rotation. This Agreement has been adopted annually by the City Council. There are no proposed changes to last year’s Agreement aside from the dates.
APPROVED 9. Consideration of a motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Youth Career Commission to provide residential development opportunities to underserved juvenile and young adult citizens of the City of Statesboro.
Reverend Wayne Williams, CEO of Youth Career Commission and citizen, requested City support for conducting this year’s developmental programs through a one-time payment of $3,500 from the General Fund.
The funding provided by the City of Statesboro is to be used to support programs that benefit the underserved juvenile and young adult populations of the City of Statesboro. The current residency program involves 16 young people who are undergoing two weeks of extensive, immersive training in life and career skills. Reverend Williams listed the following as just some of the skills the youth will be learning through the oversight of the program:
- Household tasks
- Financial literacy
- Graphic Design
- Drone Operations
- Interview techniques
- Resume preparations
Reverend Williams comments that YCC is not just a program but a journey where the youth receive a long term support system of caring community members. YCC partners with Ogeechee Technical College to provide training in skills like robotics. Banks and community members also work with YCC peers to help teach them financial literacy.
The YCC Director, Attorney Brandon Davis, is an example of the success of the YCC program and its pupils. He is a former participant who entered the program in 2009 with hopes of becoming an attorney according to Reverend Williams.
This year, the participants will be traveling to Washington D.C on June 12 and returning on June 15.
“They will have an opportunity to visit an industry and educational institution, and just have some pure fun,” said Reverend Williams.
Previous industry visits included WTOC News, Fort Stewart Leadership Academy, CocaCola Company, EA-Sports Company, Fashion Institute of Technology, NY, Microsoft, WA, NASA Space Center- Houston, and Daytona Speedway in Florida.
Council member Shari Barr expressed her gratitude to be able to support the organization.
APPROVED 10. Consideration of a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Statesboro and Lake Sal Home Owners Association for access to Lake Sal infrastructure for stormwater maintenance.
The City of Statesboro proposes to install a continuous monitoring and adaptive control system, and a new emergency spillway at the Lake Sal Dam. These items are part of STM-36 Northlake Flood Control Project. Staff and the HOA have been working on a permanent easement for access and maintenance of these items along the dam. The HOA has asked for an MOU with each party’s responsibility in order to agree to the easement. Once this MOU is signed, the easement will be recorded and give the City access to the Lake Sal dam for installation of the project items to control flooding events in the area of Northlake Subdivision.
APPROVED 11. Consideration of a motion to award the contract for $237,207.00 with, Swindell Construction Company, Inc. for North College Street sidewalk improvements, project # ENG-122i. This project will be funded from the 2018 TSPLOST Fund.
This project will consist of 5' sidewalk from Proctor St. to Northside Dr. This area is commercial and residential adjacent to downtown. Currently, pedestrians walk in the roadway due to no sidewalks in this area; this project will provide a safe connector from Northside Dr. to the downtown sidewalk network for greater connectivity within the City. The bid submitted by Swindell Construction Company, Inc. is above the budgeted amount set for construction at $175K. The overages will be funded from the 2018 TSPLOST Fund. The overage is primarily due to increase construction cost since the initial cost estimate.
Sharri Barr is supportive but says, “It really shocks me how much it costs to put in sidewalks.”
Other Business
12. Other Business from City Council
Council members gave shout outs to city staff for the success of another live concert and remind us that another concert is to be held on June 13.
Mayor McCollar gave a shout out to the staff and commended the success of the Village Builders resource day, saying it was well attended and hosted.
The hardship being experienced in Atlanta, Georgia due to water infrastructure issues prompted Council memeber Boyum to express his thankfulness for our infrastructure. He says water and trash services are the city’s ‘bread and butter’.
“We’re blessed… thank you for all of the unsung heroes,” said Boyum.
Councilmember Barr reminds us that the Averitt Center will be undergoing restorations shortly.
13. City Managers Comments
City Manager Penny mentions that the the five-week Youth Connect Program started on May 28, with around than 30 participants.
The city manager also introduced the newest intern Logan Josie, an MPA student at Georgia Southern who holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
City Manager Penny also Introduced his grandson Hunter Penny, who will be shadowing his grandfather for part of the summer.
The city manager says that last year during budget construction, council allowed ARPA funds to be used towards three housing reconstruction projects, and he says there are enough funds to add three to four more houses to reconstruction this year.
He asked to move the Greener Boro presentation that is slated for the June 18 work session to the regular meeting as it is the only item for the meeting.
He mentions that Olympia Gaines and her team are leading the effort for getting the Art Park finished with the installation of art pieces. The ribbon cutting is planned for August.
City Manager Penny also extends his congratulations to Council member Chavers for her installation as the first Vice President of GMA for our region.
14. Public Comments (General)
Marcus Toole, the Resource Development Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County, brought forward his ideas about the flag program for businesses. He wishes to extend participation into the downtown area which would require poles to be inserted into pavement along East and West Main Street.
Councilmember Barr commends the program, as her late husband Rick Barr previously chaired the local Lions' Club Flag Project, which has raised thousands of dollars to provide eye exams and glasses for people in need.
Executive Session
APPROVED 15. 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)
The council returned to the meeting with a list of approved applications:
Greener Boro:
- David Warren
- Don Armel
- Jill Gerig
- Andrew Michaud
- Robert Prior
Keep Statesboro Bulloch Beautiful:
- Lauren Porter
Tree Board:
- Walter Gibson
Youth Commission:
- Michelle Lammers
- Katherine Parks
- Dan Rae
Mayor McCollar adjourned the meeting at 10:20 am.
Live stream of the meeting
