Scott Wood

The meeting included approval of an amended agenda, which removed consideration of a contribution to Memory Lane Park and added consideration of a lease agreement change for Mama E's at the GGIC Phase 2 facility. Presentations included a proposed job description for an Executive Director for Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Metter. Public comments raised concerns about reduced animal shelter services and requested a delay in City Manager hiring. New business saw approval of the Executive Director job description, a motion to update the alcohol ordinance to align with state law regarding mixed drink sales for off-premises consumption (passed by the Mayor's tie-breaking vote), approval of a retail alcohol beverage license for One Stop Liquor and Wine, approval of a lease agreement modification for Mama E's, approval of a $318,208.80 bid from Tyson Utilities for pump station upgrades, the appointment of Rolando Rodriguez Jr. to the DDA/Main Street Board, tabling the Airport Authority appointment, approval of a Public Works Consulting Agreement with Cliff Hendrix for $4,800 monthly plus hourly fees for additional work, authorizing the Mayor Pro-tem to certify CDBG project documents, and approving a resolution declaring intent to reimburse capital expenditures up to $4,700,000.00 for the new Fire Station Project.

The primary discussion involved the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Metter and the Georgia Department of Agriculture for operating a Georgia Grown Resource Center. This MOU allocates $60,000 ($40,000 for salary and $20,000 for benefits) to fund the Georgia Grown Resource Coordinator position, whose duties will be shared with the Main Street Metter role. Discussion focused on utilizing shared office space, job description updates, and reporting requirements, confirming the city's cost savings in economic development and Main Street staffing due to this arrangement. The meeting included a unanimous vote to approve the MOU. Following this, the council convened into closed session for personnel matters and subsequently adjourned.

The document details a called meeting held for the inauguration celebration of Rashida Taylor as the new Mayor of Metter for the 2026 term. Key events included the Pledge of Allegiance, musical selections, invocation, and welcome remarks. The main focus was the administration of the Oath of Office to new City Council members Tara Jeffers and Gregory Thomas, and the swearing-in of Rashida Daniel-Taylor as the new Mayor. The former Mayor, Edwin O. Boyd, passed the gavel to the new Mayor, followed by the Inaugural Address and a Community Blessing Moment. No official votes were taken during the ceremony.

The primary business conducted during this called meeting was a closed session convened for personnel matters, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-14-2(1). The session commenced at 9:35 a.m. and concluded with a return to open session at 11:00 a.m. Prior to the closed session, the agenda was formally approved. The meeting concluded with an adjournment at 11:00 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the invocation was given.

The key actions of the called meeting involved the approval of the agenda. Following this, the Council convened into a closed session for personnel matters, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-14-2(1), which lasted for several hours before reconvening into an open session. The meeting concluded with adjournment after no further comments were presented.