The Statesboro City Council held its first meeting of 2025 on January 7th, led by Mayor Jonathan McCollar. Councilmember Ginny Hendley opened the session with an invocation, praying for unity and prosperity in the new year.
The meeting included recognitions, updates, and key decisions on infrastructure and public programs.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2024 Georgia Transit Association Performance Award to the Statesboro Area Transit System (SATS). John Washington introduced Kiara Ahmed, SATS Transit Manager, and Richard Smiley, recognizing their contributions to the system's success.
Ahmed accepted the award on behalf of the city, and Jimmie Green of the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) praised the SATS team for its exceptional performance. Since its launch in May 2022, SATS has provided 27,417 rides, showing steady growth and increasing community impact.
Green highlighted plans to expand the fleet from four to eight buses and commended Public Works for constructing ADA compliant bus shelters. The award positions SATS as a model transit system in Georgia.
City Manager Charles Penny updated the council on several key initiatives. He reported that the city successfully avoided losing $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by reallocating the money to purchase land for a new fire station. This move ensured compliance with federal deadlines and refunded SPLOST funds originally used for the purchase.
Penny also announced that smoke testing of the city’s sewer system would occur on January 13, 2025, to identify leaks, with public notices emphasizing that the smoke is harmless.
Additionally, he highlighted the upcoming groundbreaking for Brooklet’s sewer system extension on January 9, 2025. This project, a partnership between Brooklet and Statesboro, secured $7 million in state and federal funding to support Brooklet’s commercial growth.
The council approved several motions during the meeting, including the consent agenda, resolutions fixing qualifying fees for the November 2025 General Election, and joining the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) to provide PTSD benefits for first responders at a cost of $24,568 annually.
An amendment to the FY2024 resurfacing contract with Mill Creek Construction, adding $47,740.70 for asphalt leveling, was also approved, along with the purchase of a $49,109.34 portable diesel pump from Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., to prevent sewage spills during emergencies.
Before adjourning, Mayor Pro-Temp Shari Barr honored former President Jimmy Carter for his lifetime of service.
To view the agenda in full, click here
Agenda
1. Call to Order
- By Mayor Jonathan McCollar
2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
- Led by Councilmember Ginny Hendley
3. Recognitions/Public Presentations
A. Presentation by Kameron Mitchell, Public Affairs Specialist from the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, regarding available disaster programs.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering disaster loans to those affected by Hurricane Helene, which occurred from September 24 to October 30, 2024, in Georgia and surrounding areas.
The SBA provides three types of loans:
- Business Physical Disaster Loans for repairing or replacing disaster-damaged property.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for small businesses and nonprofits to cover operational costs during recovery.
- Home Disaster Loans for homeowners and renters to repair or replace real estate and personal property.
Loan terms can extend up to 30 years, with limits of $2 million for businesses and $500,000 for homes. Interest rates depend on credit availability, ranging from 2.813% for home loans to 8.000% for businesses. Applicants may also qualify for additional funding for mitigation improvements and refinancing options.
Deadlines for applications are February 7, 2025, for physical damage and June 30, 2025, for economic injury. Applications can be submitted online via the SBA's MySBA Loan Portal or by contacting the SBA Customer Service Center.
No one showed up to present at this meeting.
B. Presentation of the 2024 Georgia Transit Association (GTA) Performance Award to the Statesboro Area Transit (SAT) system.
The Statesboro Area Transit (SAT), in partnership with the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC), received the 2024 Georgia Transit Association (GTA) Performance Award, recognizing exceptional improvements in ridership, customer service, and service expansion. Out of 120 transit systems in Georgia, SAT was chosen for its outstanding performance. The award was presented at the GTA Annual Conference in Columbus, GA, on December 4-6, 2024.
Kiara Ahmed, SAT's Transit Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the City of Statesboro and serves as the primary liaison between the City and CRC, ensuring efficient transit operations. Her responsibilities include managing finances, public outreach, transit improvements, and rider assistance.
Ahmed's attendance at the GTA Conference also provided networking and professional development opportunities, further benefiting SAT's operations and community impact. Representatives from the CRC, Josh Kato and Vince Cobb, joined in accepting this dual award for their role in operating SAT.
John Washington introduced Kiara Ahmed and Richard Smiley, recognizing their hard work and contributions to the success of the Statesboro Area Transit System (SATS). He presented them with the Georgia Transit Association Performance Award, highlighting their instrumental roles in the system's development and ongoing operations.
Following the presentation, Jimmie Green, a representative from the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC), praised the SATS team and shared key accomplishments. He noted that the system has provided 27,417 rides since its launch in May 2022, with steady monthly growth in ridership. Green also discussed plans to expand the fleet from four to eight buses and commended the Public Works staff for constructing ADA-compliant bus shelters at key locations.
He emphasized the absence of customer complaints in December as a testament to the team's dedication and highlighted SATS’s status as a model transit system in Georgia.
4. Public Comments (Agenda Item)
NONE
APPROVED 5. Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
B. 12-17-2024 Council Minutes
C. 12-17-2024 Executive Session Minutes
APPROVED 6. Consideration of a Motion to Approve Resolution 2025-01
- A Resolution to fix and publish qualifying fees for the City of Statesboro November 4, 2025, General Election.
APPROVED 7. Consideration of a Motion to Approve Resolution 2025-02
- A Resolution to add membership in a fund of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) fund.
The City Council will consider a motion to approve membership in a fund of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) to comply with House Bill 451. This legislation requires public entities to provide lump-sum and income replacement benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to first responders, effective January 1, 2025.
The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) offers this coverage through GIRMA, and Human Resources Director Demetrius C. Bynes recommends the City obtain the required coverage via GIRMA. Approval requires a resolution authorizing the decision, with an associated budget impact of $24,568.
APPROVED 8. Consideration of a Motion to Amend the Contract with Mill Creek Construction
- Estimated amount: $47,740.70 for the FY2024 annual resurfacing project.
- Funded by GDOT LMIG funds and TSPLOST funds.
The work in this contract includes, but is not limited to, asphalt resurfacing of approximately 5.65 miles of city streets, 20,665 square yards of asphalt milling and 2,375 square yards of 6 inch GAB, as well as permanent grassing, shoulder dressing, and the reinstallation of thermoplastic roadway striping.
When staff was performing the estimating phase of the work prior to bidding, leveling was not anticipated; however, the contract brought this matter to the attention of staff and was thought prudent to add this line item to the contract to avoid improper placement of asphalt. Leveling allows placement of the asphalt in imperfect cross slopes of the pavement and not highlight them.
Budget Impact: The unit price submitted by Mill Creek Construction is below the budgeted amount of $1,794,821.87. The project is to be paid for by 2024 LMIG funds in the amount of $794,821.87 and 2023 TSPLOST funds up to the amount of $1,000,000.
APPROVED 9. Consideration of a Motion to Award a Contract to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc.
- Purchase of a Godwin 4-inch portable, diesel backup pump (Model # CD100S).
- Cost: $49,109.34.
- Funded by 2025 CIP Budget item #WWD-37 and 2019 SPLOST.
As part of our long range plan to provide backup power or pumping to all of our sewage pump stations, we have budgeted funds each year for installing backup pumps and generators. This year, we are proposing to purchase a 4 inch portable backup diesel pump for emergency purposes to prevent sewage spills at lift stations and throughout the collection system.
It is vital that we have reliable emergency backup pumping capacity to keep the sewer flowing to the WWTP during storm events. We are proposing to purchase this unit using the Florida Sheriff’s Association Contract FSA23-EQU21.0, #313 government procurement process.
The Purchasing Department has reviewed and approved this procurement method and has verified that there are no local vendors for this item.
10. Other Business from City Council
Mayor Pro-Temp Shari Barr honors former President Jimmy Carter.
11. City Manager’s Comments
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ARPA Funds Reallocation:
- The city successfully avoided losing approximately $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds after a housing reconstruction participant withdrew from the program.
- The funds were reallocated to cover a portion of the $580,000 purchase for the new fire station land, ensuring compliance with federal deadlines and refunding SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds used initially.
-
Smoke Testing for Sewer System:
- Scheduled for January 13, 2025, to identify leaks in the city's sewer system.
- Public notices will be sent out to inform residents about the process, emphasized that the smoke used is harmless.
-
Brooklet Sewer System Groundbreaking:
- A groundbreaking event is set for January 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Brooklet for their sewer system extension.
- The project, a partnership between Brooklet and Statesboro, received significant funding ($2 million federal and $5 million state) and is critical for Brooklet’s growth and existing businesses.
- Officials, including Senator Billy Hickman, Representative Lehman Franklin, and others, are expected to attend.
12. Public Comments (General)
NONE
13. Consideration of a Motion to Enter into Executive Session
