John B. Nichols

The meeting included the swearing-in of council members for their new term and the confirmation of various 2026 appointments, including committee oversight roles. The council addressed community concerns regarding stray animals and discussed potential regional solutions. Department reports were provided, including updates on a streetscape project, sidewalk installation inquiries, and recent activity from the Police and Fire departments.

The council discussed the appointment of a new member to the Library Board to serve the remainder of an unexpired term. Significant focus was placed on authorizing a new three-year contract for municipal sanitation services with 121 Disposal, which includes the implementation of advanced cart tracking and barcode technology to improve service efficiency. Additionally, the council approved a expenditure of $11,000 from the Water/Sewer SPLOST fund to cover the emergency rental of generators used during an ice storm threat. Department head reports provided updates on the installation status of police surveillance cameras and reviewed the previous month's fire department emergency call statistics.

The meeting addressed old business by approving the minutes from the October 14th, 2025, Regular Council Meeting and Work Session Meeting. Under new business, the Council discussed placing an 180-day moratorium on approving any permits for adding mobile homes to trailer parks (Manufactured Home Subdivisions) while a new ordinance is developed to address issues such as density, infrastructure, and property value concerns raised by nearby homeowners. Department head reports detailed updates on ongoing public works projects, including a sidewalk project, a handicap ramp installation, a waterline project scheduled for completion by October 2026, and the commencement of the Lead Service Line Project. The Police Chief reported on the resolution of a dog attack incident, noting the dogs were secured and an organization offered assistance with county-wide animal control planning. The Fire Coordinator reported on the department's twenty-five calls and the progress of Firefighter 1 trainees. Finally, the Council confirmed the schedule for Thanksgiving holiday closures and announced the date for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting program.

Discussions during the meeting included an amendment to add SPLOST Fund payments for engineering fees to the agenda. Key new business involved the second reading and adoption of a 180-day moratorium preventing the permitting of new trailer parks or additional trailers in existing ones to allow time for ordinance revision. The Council approved the low bid from Reames & Sons for the LMIG Resurfacing Project covering several streets. Additionally, approval was granted to purchase a mini-excavator and a compact loader from Tidewater using grant funds and TSPLOST funds for the Lead Service Line Project. Engineering fees totaling $156,949.50 for the downtown sidewalk project were approved for payment from various SPLOST funds. Department reports noted the success of the Christmas Tree Lighting event, the near completion of the sidewalk project (95% complete), and updates on the water-main and Lead Service Line projects. Public comments raised concerns regarding the scope limitations of the sidewalk project in front of a specific commercial building, and the Mayor and Council requested staff to review any remaining funds for potential work in that area.

The meeting included action on old business, specifically the unanimous approval of the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting held on September 16, 2025, and the Special Called Meetings held on September 18th and 19th, 2025. In new business, the Council unanimously re-appointed Maxine Allen to the Flint Area Consolidated Housing Authority Board for another five-year term. The date for Trick or Treat activities was announced for Thursday, October 30th, 2025, to accommodate a local football game. The Council also adopted the final reading of the Fireworks Ordinance Amendment, bringing the local ordinance into compliance with State of Georgia rules by eliminating the complete ban on fireworks. Department Head Reports covered upcoming community events such as the Taylor Made Fall Festival and the City of Butler Christmas Tree Lighting, updates on the sidewalk project progress, and details regarding upcoming federally mandated projects: the Lead Service Line investigation beginning November 3rd and the Water Line Rehab Project starting November 11th. The Fire Department reported running twenty-three calls in the previous month and mentioned six personnel taking the Firefighter One test. The Council rescheduled the November meeting from November 11th to November 13th. It was also noted that the final millage rate hearing is scheduled for October 20th, with the rate remaining at 8.786%. Under other business, discussion focused on a complicated property issue concerning a dilapidated, non-owner-occupied single-wide trailer situated on another person's land, with the City Attorney advising it is primarily a civil matter for the landowner to pursue in Superior Court.