The Mayor and City Council held the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Winterville City Hall. The meeting was not live streamed due to technical issues.
Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Also present were Councilpersons, Melissa Metzger, Bruce Johnson, Amanda Mooney, City Attorney, David Ellison, and Municipal City Clerk Wendy Bond.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes:
Councilperson Metzger moved to accept the regular minutes of May 9, 2023 and the as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and the minutes were approved unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
The First Item of Unfinished Business: Six Mile Station Lot Combination. Having held the Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Councilperson Johnson moved to approve the rezoning of property located at 145 Cherokee Road, County Parcel # 283 A4 F015 from C-1 to C-PD (Commercial - Planned Development) and 485 N Main Street 283A4 F012 from R-15H to C-PD (Commercial - Planned Development). The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.
The Second Item of Unfinished Business: Public Safety Meds/Supplies. Councilperson Mooney moved to deny a motion for the Winterville Volunteer Fire Department to carry and/or furnish certain medications until further information is discussed. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and denied unanimously.
New Business:
The First Item of New Business: ACC Hazard Mitigation Resolution Plan Update. Councilperson Mooney moved to adopt the Athens Clarke County Hazard Mitigation Resolution Plan Update as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.
The Second Item of New Business: Second Floor Flooring Project Winterville Cultural Center.
Councilperson Metzger moved to approve the change order/additions of the second-floor flooring project of the Cultural Center. The change order of $15,000.00 to be paid from SPLOST 2020 funds. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously.
The Third Item of New Business: Lighting Consultant fee. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve $1250 and any additions in SPLOST 2011 and/or SPLOST 2020 funds for the lighting consultant fee for the second-floor of the Cultural Center. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.
The Fourth Item of New Business: Cultural Center Restoration Beam. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve up to $8,140 in SPLOST 2020 Funds to for labor and materials in the electrical room in preparation of the elevator. (This funding will go toward the elevator grant match.) The motion was, seconded by Mooney and approved unanimously.
The Fifth Item of New Business: Playscape/Playground Repairs. The playground in Pittard Park is in need of repairs to replace the rubber matting due to wear and tear. Josh Koons may be able to assist the city with researching materials. Councilperson Metzger moved to table this item for further discussion. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and tabled unanimously.
The Sixth Item of New Business: Winterville Police Department Repairs. Councilperson Mooney moved to approve up to $4,500 in ARPA funds to replace the floor covering and repair and paint an office in the WPD. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.
The Seventh Item of New Business: Winterville Police Department Tasers. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve up to $2,100 in SPLOST 2020 funds for new tasers for the WPD. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously.
The Eighth Item of New Business: B&B Ordinance Revision. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve the revised Bed & Breakfast Ordinance as presented by Attorney Ellison. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously. (Clerk Bond has submitted this ordinance to CivicPlus, formerly Municode, on June 14, 2023.)
The Ninth Item of New Business: Bookstore HVAC. Councilperson Mooney moved to approve up to $11,700 in SPLOST 2020 funds for the installation of an HVAC system in the bookstore and annex buildings. The Friends of the Winterville Library will fund $2,000 toward the system purchase. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously.
The Tenth Item of New Business: Watson Brown Foundation Challenge Grant. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve up to $2,500 in General Funds as a match toward a WBFC grant. Approximately $500 will be in-kind labor. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously.
The Eleventh Item of New Business. Millage Rate and Public Hearings. A tentative millage rate has been set and the Public Hearings have been scheduled for Monday, July 3, 2023, 5:00 p.m., July 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. They are scheduled for advertisement in the local newspaper for June 16, 2023 as required by law.
The Twelfth Item of New Business. Budget Meetings. Mayor Ferrelle will be scheduling meetings with the department heads soon for the 2024 budget.
Mayor Ferrelle called for a vote to amend the agenda adding two additional items. Councilperson Metzger moved to amend the agenda as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously.
The Thirteenth Item of New Business: Elevator shaft masonry. Councilperson Mooney moved to approve up to $5,370 in SPLOST 2020 funds for brickwork and masonry in the elevator shaft of the Cultural Center. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously. There will be more costs later to complete the drywall in the ceiling of the shaft.
The Fourteenth Item of New Business: Historic Resources Survey. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve a Historic Resource Survey, for a proposal submitted by John and Amy Kissane, as recommended by the HPC. It will grant funded.
Committee Reports:
Public Finance – Clerk Bond provided financial statements through May 31, 2023. The statements are available for review by the public by request.
Public Safety (Fire & Police) – Councilperson Mooney and Chief Painter each gave a verbal report.
Fire Department – Chief Michael Gabriel submitted a call report.
Public Works – Renovations are continuing on the Community Center 2nd floor.
Communications Committee – Councilperson Mooney gave a report.
Winterville Cultural Center – Jack Eisenman gave a verbal report.
Dr. Museum Report – Jonathan Scott gave a verbal report.
Marigold Market – Sherrie Anderson and Sarah Hovater each gave a verbal report.
Library Report – Deirdre Murray gave a verbal report.
Clerk’s Report – No report.
City Attorney’s Report – No report.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Ferrelle gave a brief report.
Firefly Local Action Committee – No report.
Public Comment – None.
Announcements – None.
Councilperson Johnson moved to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and adjourned unanimously.