Bill Bass

The meeting involved several key discussions and actions. A delegation provided an update on the South Broad Street Project, noting an extension until mid-February and an ongoing audit related to unauthorized withdrawals. Another resident raised serious concerns regarding speeding and safety issues on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, requesting traffic calming measures like signage and speed bumps; the City Manager indicated solar radar signs were in procurement. Discussions addressed revising outdated lunch service requirements for downtown alcohol license holders, including a request to change the minimum operating days from five to three and to recognize a specific business as a seasonal outdoor venue. Special Event Permits were approved for a middle school baseball use of Holder Park and a 5K run, with adjustments made to security oversight and the 5K route for safety. New Business included rescheduling a future council meeting and allocating the City's ECG FY 2025 funds entirely to the Education, Training, and Development Fund. The Council also discussed a proposed ordinance regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to proactively establish local safety regulations in the absence of state or national codes. Two options for a Social Media Policy were reviewed to enhance transparency, ultimately leading to a discussion focused on employee regulations versus binding ordinances. Vehicle Procurement Options for FY 2025-2026 involving outright purchase versus fleet management leasing, based on current SPLOST funds and high historical maintenance costs, were tabled for further review. The council approved a resolution concerning the boundary line for First Baptist Church to facilitate new construction and voted to extend the moratorium on new mobile food vendor permits to allow time to revise the ordinance, including plans to establish a designated 'food truck alley' in the Davis Park parking lot. Executive Session was held to discuss potential litigation with no action taken.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda, which involved removing a public hearing item. A public hearing was held regarding the CDBG Project Completion for the Southwest Cairo Sewer System Improvements. The council unanimously approved the millage rate at 5.667 mills, which represented a rollback from the initial budget. Reports from the City Manager highlighted upcoming city events, including the Christmas parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Annual Mistletoe Market, as well as scheduled office closures for an employee appreciation dinner. Council members raised local concerns such as light outages, issues with discarded appliances, a request to condemn a dilapidated house, and road hazards like potholes and sidewalk disrepair. Additionally, the council discussed the potential incorporation of certain Georgia state misdemeanor offenses into city ordinances to facilitate handling cases through city court, with the City Attorney agreeing to draft the necessary language.

The meeting addressed several key operational and legislative matters. Local business owners raised concerns regarding the lack of opportunity to bid on the city's vehicle leasing/purchasing needs and questioned the recent decision to implement a four-day work week, citing impacts on public service availability. The Council later approved the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Ordinance. A Mobile Vending Ordinance was approved to establish a designated vending area near the library, but the related Peddlers and Itinerant Merchants Ordinance was tabled for amendments concerning hours and location restrictions. Significant discussion centered on vehicle procurement options, culminating in the approval of Enterprise Fleet Management for a five-year lease program to update the aging fleet, despite concerns over the budgeted expenditure increase. The Council also set a tentative millage rate of 5.667% and scheduled a date for the Employee Appreciation Dinner, which involved a debate regarding the increased budget and the provision of donated alcohol.

The Special Meeting included approval of the agenda. Under new business, the council approved corrected minutes from a previous meeting. During the executive session, discussions pertaining to pending or potential litigation occurred. Following the executive session, the council unanimously passed a motion to accept a settlement offer, which included a $56,000 reimbursement for attorney fees, a one-year extension of terms, and established end dates for the terms of three individuals.

Key discussions included the status of voting machines, where the purchase of poll pads for approximately $4,200 was noted, following the expiration of an IGA with the county. The Council also addressed the DCA Compliance Update for the Revolving Loan Fund, emphasizing the need to loan out excess funds or return them by October 31, and to update the underwriting policy (last updated in 2001) and restructure the loan committee. Regarding vehicle purchases, the Council reviewed options for purchasing two vehicles outright or pursuing a lease purchase option for up to eleven vehicles, ultimately tabling the decision to gather more financing options, including those from GMA. The Holder Park Pavilion and Restroom Project required reconsideration and rebidding due to procedural errors in the initial award process, specifically the lack of including a required performance-based bond in the RFP and issues with using unapproved plans; the Council voted to amend the low bid to include the bond and proceed with the low bidder. The development of a Social Media Policy for elected officials and city employees was discussed, focusing on balancing guidelines with freedom of speech rights. The Council also approved the GMA City of Ethics Recertification Resolution and tabled the Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Litigation Resolution pending further legal information. Finally, the City Manager reported positively on the 4/10 work week pilot program results and recommended its permanent implementation, adjusting City Hall and Utility Office hours.