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- Revised Winterville Mask Ordinance
AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE USE OF MASKS OR FACE COVERINGS INSIDE PUBLICLY OWNED BUILDINGS DUE TO THE COVID 19 OUTBREAK WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic as of March 11, 2020; WHEREAS, a significant number of Georgia residents are at risk of serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19; WHEREAS, a large numberof persons with serious infections can compromise the ability of the healthcare system to deliver necessary care to the public; WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, transmitted through person-to-person contact or by contactwith surfaces contaminated with the virus and personsinfected with COVID- 19 may become symptomatic two to fourteen days after exposure; WHEREAS, asymptomatic (including presymptomatic) infected persons are known to be infectious and, withoutmitigation many infections occur from individuals without symptoms; WHEREAS, respiratory droplets, including aerosols, from infected persons are a major mode of COVID-19 transmission. This understanding is the basis of the recommendations for physical distancing, and of the personal protective equipment guidance for healthcare workers. Droplets do not only come from coughing or sneezing; droplets are also generated via talking and breathing; WHEREAS, evidence indicates that the use of face coverings reduces the transmissibility per contact by reducing transmission of infected droplets in both laboratory and clinical contexts. Public face covering wearing is most effective at stopping the spread of the virus when compliance is high. This evidence supports the conclusion that the adoption of more widespread face covering requirements can help to control the COVID-19 epidemic by reducing the shedding of droplets into the environment from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals; WHEREAS, the following actions related to requiring facial coverings in public are necessary and appropriate to balance the public’s interest in not being unduly burdened with the compelling public interest of providing for the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Winterville; WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued guidance continuing to recommend mask wearing in public indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status in areas with a high community level (and in a medium community level when around those who are at high risk for severe disease) to maximize protection from COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the goal of this Ordinance is to increase the usage of facial coverings and masks and not revenue generation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that for the protection of members of the public, facial coverings or masks shall be required within the publicly owned buildings within the City of Winterville to slow the spread of COVID-19 as follows: SECTION 1. (a) The provisions of Section 1 of this Ordinance shall only be enforced when the COVID-19 Community Level in Athens-Clarke County is “high” according to the CDC. (b) For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are hereby defined as follows: (1) Facial covering or mask means a device to cover the nose and mouth of a person and impedes the spread of saliva, respiratory droplets, or other fluids during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other intentional or involuntary action. Medical grade masks are not required; coverings may be fashioned as advised by the CDC and from other suitable fabrics. The mask must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. (2) Public place means any enclosed structure located on real property owned or operated by the City of Winterville. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, all persons located in the interior of a public place shall wear a facial covering or mask over the mouth and nose at all times where other physical distancing measure may be difficult to maintain from noncohabitating person. (d) Facial coverings or masks are not required inside a public place in the following circumstances: (1) When the individual has a bona fide religious objection to wearing a facial covering or mask; (2) While drinking or eating; (3) When a licensed healthcare provider has determined that wearing a facial covering or mask causes or aggravates a health condition for the individual or when such person has a bona fide medical reason for not wearing a facial covering or mask; (4) When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services or performing work in the course of employment; (5) When complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer or for the purposes of verifying a person’s identity, such as when purchasing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription drugs or when engaging in a financial transaction; (6) When the individual is having difficulty donning or removing a face mask or face covering without assistance; (7) At any polling place and no individual shall be denied ingress or egress to or from a polling place for failure to wear a facial covering or mask; and (8) When outdoors and maintaining social distancing from anyone other than individuals with whom they cohabitate. (e) Violations of this Section 1 may be enforced by a notice of ordinance violation issued by any police officer, code enforcement officer, or other authorized law enforcement official, as provided below: (1) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (b) of Section 1 of this Ordinance shall be first given a warning and an opportunity to put on a facial covering or mask, leave the interior of the public place, or comply with one of the exceptions in paragraph (c) of Section 1. (2) If the person violating this Ordinance refuses or fails to comply with this Ordinance after being given a warning pursuant to subparagraph (1) of this paragraph then such person may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25.00 on the first offense and not more than $50.00 on the second and any subsequent offenses. (3) A notice of violation may be served by delivery into the hands of the suspected violator or by other reasonable process for serving notice of ordinance violations used by the City of Winterville (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, every effort shall be made to bring an individual into voluntary compliance with the terms of this Ordinance prior to issuance of any notice of violation, including providing complimentary masks, explaining the importance of wearing facial coverings during this pandemic, and issuing verbal and written warnings. (f) In all locations where facial coverings or masks are not required to be worn pursuant to this Ordinance, they are strongly encouraged to be worn. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until revised or repealed by further action of the Mayor and City Council. SECTION 3. Should any provision, paragraph, sentence, or word of this Ordinance be rendered or declared invalid by any final court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions, paragraphs, sentences, or words of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 4. Should any ordinance or part thereof be found to conflict with this ordinance or the provisions thereof, then those sections contained herein shall be deemed controlling. SO ORDAINED, this 9th day of August 2022. MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WINTERVILLE, GEORGIA
- Millage Rate Hearings: Public Comments
July 9, 2022: The City of Winterville today announces its intention to increase the property taxes it will levy this year by 20.53 percent. Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the city. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the city indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the board of tax assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and increase the assessment. This is called a reassessment. When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia Law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s new digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred. The budget tentatively adopted by the City of Winterville requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate. Therefore, before the City of Winterville may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia Law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this increase. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the following locations at the indicated times: All public hearings will be held at the Winterville City Hall, 125 N. Church Street Winterville, Georgia. Hearing #1 – Monday, July 18, 2022 at 11:00 am Hearing #2 – Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:00 am Hearing #3 – Monday July 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm Minutes for Public Hearing #1 Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m on July 18, 2022. Also in attendance was City Clerk, Wendy Bond. Mayor Ferrelle read aloud the statement above as advertised in the Athens Banner Herald, Saturday, July 9, 2022. Two (2) members of the public signed up to speak. They were allowed a three (3) minute time limit to address the Mayor. Mayor Ferrelle addressed all questions and comments. Mayor Ferrelle closed the Public Hearing at 11:15 a.m. Minutes for Public Hearing #2 Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m on July 25, 2022. Also in attendance was City Clerk, Wendy Bond. Mayor Ferrelle read aloud the statement above as advertised in the Athens Banner Herald, Saturday, July 9, 2022. There was no public in attendance or signed up to speak. Mayor Ferrelle closed the Public Hearing at 11:05 a.m. Minutes for Public Hearing #3 Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on July 25, 2022. Also in attendance were; Amanda Mooney, Bruce Johnson, Melissa Metzger and City Clerk, Wendy Bond. Mayor Ferrelle read aloud the statement above as advertised in the Athens Banner Herald, Saturday, July 9, 2022. There was one (1) resident in attendance signed up to speak. Mayor Ferrelle addressed any questions and/or comments. Mayor Ferrelle closed the Public Hearing at 6:09 p.m.
- City Council Meeting Minutes for August 9, 2022
The Mayor and City Council held the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 6:00pm at Winterville City Hall. The meeting was streamed live on Facebook/YouTube. Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Also present were Councilpersons, Melissa Metzger, Amanda Mooney, Bruce Johnson, Municipal City Clerk Wendy Bond, and City Attorney, David Ellison. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Minutes: Councilperson Johnson moved to accept the regular minutes of July 9, 12, 18, & 25, 2022 as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and the minutes were approved unanimously. Unfinished Business: The 2021 Budget Amendment. This item remains postponed until further notice. Councilperson Metzger moved to amend the agenda, adding an additional item. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and unanimously amended. New Business: The First Item of New Business: Reproductive Privacy Resolution. Councilpersons Mooney and Metzger read aloud a Resolution ‘Protect Reproductive Privacy, Freedom and Healthcare in the City of Winterville, Georgia.’ A sign-up sheet was provided for any public who wished to comment and were allowed 3 minutes each for comments. Two (2) people signed up to speak. The Second Item of New Business: Reproductive Privacy Resolution. Councilperson Mooney moved to adopt the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously. The Third Item of New Business: Mask Mandate. Councilperson Johnson moved to adopt a flexible mask ordinance, repealing the current mask mandate in effect. (Attached.) The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously. The Fourth Item of New Business: Auditorium Project. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve up to $48,000 in SPLOST 2020 funds for further renovations to the auditorium floor and ceiling. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and unanimously approved. The Fifth Item of New Business: Marigold Train. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve $25,000 SPLOST 2020 funds to supplement the Marigold Festival funding of the Marigold train being built. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously. The Sixth Item of New Business: Public Safety Mental Health & Fitness. Councilperson Mooney moved to approve up to $1200 in ARPA funding for a Community Yoga Program, consisting of a 6 week class, (two (2) sessions per week). The class could be limited by the amount of space available but available to Public Safety, city employees and if space allows, open to the residents. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously. The Seventh Item of New Business: WPD Safety Item. Councilperson Mooney moved to approve $1,147.50 in ARPA funds for a specific gun rack to be installed in one of the police cars. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved unanimously. Committee Reports: Public Finance – Clerk Bond provided financial statements through July 31, 2022. The statements are available for review by the public by request. Police Department – No report. Fire Department – Chief Gabriel provided his report. Public Works – Donations are coming in for the fountain project. Tom Doonan is awaiting plans and drawings and will request public input later. Communications Committee – Councilperson Metzger gave a verbal report. Winterville Community Center – David Matthews-Morgan gave a verbal report. Dr. Museum Report – Jonathan Scott gave a verbal report. Marigold Market – Sherrie Anderson provided a report. Library Report – Deirdre Murray gave a verbal report. Clerk’s Report – No report. City Attorney’s Report –David Ellison had no report. Mayor’s Report – Mayor Ferrelle gave a brief report. Firefly Local Action Committee – No report. Neighborhood Leader Report – No report Public Comment – None. Announcements – Charter Day will be August 14, 2022 4-6 p.m. There will be representatives from each department and from various city committees. Councilperson Johnson moved to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mooney and approved unanimously. Wendy L. Bond 08/09/2022 Clerk Date
- Alcohol Ordinance
Final copy of the City of Winterville Alcohol Ordinance
- Planned Development (PD) Ordinance
Read the final draft of the planned development district ordinance.
- July 25 Town Hall!
Please join Mayor Dodd Ferrelle for a Town Hall Meeting tonight at 7:00 PM in the Winterville Train Depot. Catch up on all things Winterville!
- Winterville Reinstates Mask Mandate
On July 25, 2022, Winterville's City Council passed a resolution to reinstate a requirement for face coverings to be worn inside publicly-owned buildings. The full text of the ordinance follows: Ordinance No. 2022-7-25 AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE USE OF MASKS OR FACE COVERINGS INSIDE PUBLICLY OWNED BUILDINGS DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic as of March 11, 2020; WHEREAS, a significant number of Georgia residents are at risk of serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19; WHEREAS, a large numberof persons with serious infections can compromise the ability of the healthcare system to deliver necessary care to the public; WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, transmitted through person-to-person contact or by contactwith surfaces contaminated with the virus and personsinfected with COVID- 19 may become symptomatic two to fourteen days after exposure; WHEREAS, asymptomatic (including presymptomatic) infected persons are known to be infectious and, withoutmitigation many infections occur from individuals without symptoms; WHEREAS, respiratory droplets, including aerosols, from infected persons are a major mode of COVID-19 transmission. This understanding is the basis of the recommendations for physical distancing, and of the personal protective equipment guidance for healthcare workers. Droplets do not only come from coughing or sneezing; droplets are also generated via talking and breathing; WHEREAS, evidence indicates that the use of face coverings reduces thetransmissibility per contact by reducing transmission of infected droplets in both laboratory and clinical contexts. Public face covering wearingis most effective at stoppingthe spread of the virus when compliance is high. This evidence supports the conclusion that the adoption of more widespread face covering requirements can help to control the COVID-19 epidemic by reducing the shedding of droplets into the environment from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals; WHEREAS, the following actions related to requiring facial coverings in public are necessary and appropriate to balance the public’s interest in not being unduly burdened with the compelling public interest of providing for the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Winterville; WHEREAS, the goal of this Ordinance is to increase the usage of facial coverings and masks and not revenue generation; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that for the protection of members of the public, facial coverings or masks shall be required within the publicly owned buildings within the City of Winterville to slow the spread of COVID-19 as follows: SECTION 1. (a) For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are hereby defined as follows: (1) Facial covering or mask means a device to cover the nose and mouth of a person and impedes the spread of saliva, respiratory droplets, or other fluids during speaking, coughing, sneezing or other intentional or involuntary action. Medical grade masks are not required; coverings may be fashioned as advised by the CDC and from other suitable fabrics. The mask must cover the mouth and nose of the wearer. (2) Public place means any enclosed structure located on real property owned or operated by the City of Winterville. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, all persons located in the interior of a public place shall wear a facial covering or mask over the mouth and nose at all times where other physical distancing measure may be difficult to maintain from non-cohabitating persons. (c) Facial coverings or masks are not required inside a public place in the following circumstances: (1) When the individual has a bona fide religious objection to wearing a facial covering or mask; (2) While drinking or eating; (3) When a licensed healthcare provider has determined that wearing a facial covering or mask causes or aggravates a health condition for the individual or when such person has a bona fide medical reason for not wearing a facial covering or mask; (4) When wearing a facial covering or mask would prevent the receipt of personal services or performing work in the course of employment; (5) When complying with the directions of a law enforcement officer or for the purposes of verifying a person’s identity, such as when purchasing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription drugs or when engaging in a financial transaction; (6) When the individual is having difficulty donning or removing a face mask or face covering without assistance; (7) At any polling place and no individual shall be denied ingress or egress to or from a polling place for failure to wear a facial covering or mask; and (8) When outdoors and maintaining social distancing from anyone other than individuals with whom they cohabitate. (d) Violations of this Section 1 may be enforced by a notice of ordinance violation issued by any police officer, code enforcement officer, or other authorized law enforcement official, as provided below: (1) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (b) of Section 1 of this Ordinance shall be first given a warning and an opportunity to put on a facial covering or mask, leave the interior of the public place, or comply with one of the exceptions in paragraph (c) of Section 1. (2) If the person violating this Ordinance refuses or fails to comply with this Ordinance after being given a warning pursuant to subparagraph (1) of this paragraph then such person may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25.00 on the first offense and not more than $50.00 on the second and any subsequent offenses. (3) A notice of violation may be served by delivery into the hands of the suspected violator or by other reasonable process for serving notice of ordinance violations used by the City of Winterville (4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, every effort shall be made to bring an individual into voluntary compliance with the terms of this Ordinance prior to issuance of any notice of violation, including providing complimentary masks, explaining the importance of wearing facial coverings during this pandemic, and issuing verbal and written warnings. (e) In all locations where facial coverings or masks are not required to be worn pursuant to this Ordinance, they are strongly encouraged to be worn. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until revised or repealed by further action of the Mayor and City Council. SECTION 3. Should any provision, paragraph, sentence, or word of this Ordinance be rendered or declared invalid by any final court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions, paragraphs, sentences, or words of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 4. Should any ordinance or part thereof be found to conflict with this ordinance or the provisions thereof, then those sections contained herein shall be deemed controlling. SO ORDAINED, this 25th day of July 2022. MAYOR AND COUNCIL CITY OF WINTERVILLE, GEORGIA Mayor Dodd Ferrelle ATTEST: City Clerk Wendy Bond
- Public Hearings and Called Meeting
Council Agenda – Public Hearing & Called Meeting City of Winterville City Hall - 125 N Church Street -Winterville, GA 30683 Tuesday July 25, 2022 The link to view the meeting will follow when created visit the Winterville Facebook page or Winterville YouTube Channel and Subscribe. Public Hearing #2 11:00 am Public Hearing #3 6:00 pm The City of Winterville today announces its intention to increase the property taxes it will levy this year by 20.53 percent. Each year, the board of tax assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the city. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the city indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the board of tax assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and increase the assessment. This is called a reassessment. When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia Law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s new digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred. The budget tentatively adopted by the City of Winterville requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate. Therefore, before the City of Winterville may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia Law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this increase. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the following locations at the indicated times: All public hearings will be held at the Winterville City Hall, 125 N. Church Street Winterville, Georgia. Hearing #1 – Monday, July 18, 2022 at 11:00 am Hearing #2 – Monday, July 25, 2022 at 11:00 am Hearing #3 – Monday July 25, 2022 at 6:00 pm Called Meeting following the Public Hearing #3 1. Call to order – Mayor Ferrelle 2. Set Public Hearings and Called Meeting: Millage Rate 3. Part-Time Police Department Hourly wage 4. Marigold Train added expenditure 5. Comprehensive Steering Committee 6. Mask Mandate 7. Adjournment
- Special Election - City Council
A Special Election will be held in the City of Winterville, Georgia to be conducted by the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 for the purposed of electing a Council member to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Gary A. Snow for his unexpired term which expires on December 31, 2025. The qualifying fee for the office of Council member of the City of Winterville in said Municipal Election shall be $72.00. The period in which candidates must qualify for the vacated office shall be: Monday August 1, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday August 2, 2022 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday August 3, 2022 9:00 a.m. – noon Qualifying is held at the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections, 155 East Washington St. Athens, GA 30601. Qualifying information and paperwork may be obtained at Winterville City Hall, 125 North Church Street, Winterville, Georgia, from the City Clerk, cityhall@cityofwinterville.com or 706-742-8600.
- Pubic Hearing: Comprehensive Plan
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City of Winterville will conduct a Public Hearing on August 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Winterville Historic Train Depot. Comprehensive Plan Update for the City of Winterville. The purpose of the public hearing is to brief the community on the process in developing the comprehensive plan, and to obtain input on the proposed planning process. Citizens, business owners, and all stakeholders are invited to attend the Public Hearing to provide comments, ideas, and suggestions. If you are unable to attend and wish to receive information regarding the hearing, please contact Winterville City Hall at 706-742-8600 or cityhall@cityofwinterville.com.
- Public Input Wanted for Complete Streets Project
The City of Winterville and the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) created a website to allow for digital public comment on the Winterville Complete Streets & Trails Plan. Public feedback and comments are open between June 24th and July 22nd, 2022. To provide feedback online: First, review the full Winterville Complete Streets Plan Then, provide your feedback on the Winterville Complete Streets and Trails Plan - Public Comment Link To provide feedback in person: Alternatively, if you prefer to review and provide your feedback in person, you are welcome to attend an in-person public input session on July 12th, 2022 at 7:00pm at the Winterville Depot. All survey results and feedback will be reviewed by the Winterville City Council.








