[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6353698,"mediaKeyId","2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0","parentId",2221066,"title","Council actions: consent agenda approved; alley abandonment and procurement items discussed","audioSeconds",2141,"startMs",839000,"endMs",2980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0&start=839&end=2980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0/thumbnail_839000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353698/Statesboro-City/Bulloch-County/Georgia/Council-actions-consent-agenda-approved-alley-abandonment-and-procurement-items-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353698-2e81385ec8b0e7b5a6fcccc28d1e83be/orig.mp4?Expires=1774827354&Signature=TOZwEQQEq72S7E-0Mh5-CQAK58nvARmE4Qpwvk6o2M4PE7nTySzCNdu24gfpSVKo72MB90PRGXf7xsas~USwqX1Q1O3ZLgR6~uoj5NMbenpdMtbb6bxXF8oAmatC6t8WRfRkg61Q~1Cb1VISwLqqVDwBk6KZvlmhMum2H9COZfUFsBCGIjGQ3kD9-0XUFAGKWNp~JOIvjaIRWczRIq1-RTh3mm2gF45GmhNhZ-vN3a8rTBBXs6qwZeYPZEtr66mGfERI4LhSuViqo~VKeUwcgPG1Pv2-xNk0YHAqVVUhc2pqP-q9O4jluYwJNmBKfxK2oXDYFNpc0nLrxNFAB2Mn8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-04T16:17:09Z","article","The Statesboro Mayor and Council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from January meetings, and discussed a set of administrative items and procurement recommendations.

The council approved the consent agenda by voice vote early in the meeting. The meeting record shows a motion to approve the minutes for January and a unanimous verbal \"Aye\" on that item.

City staff described a separate item recommending the abandonment of an alleyway that runs on Walnut Street (referred to as a Proctor Street extension) to facilitate a transfer of property to DSDA and to help position a downtown redevelopment. The city attorney and staff said abandonment would consolidate right‑of‑way ownership to adjoining parcels and remove the public alley so the redevelopment entity could advance plans. Council discussion did not show a recorded final vote in the available transcript excerpt.

Staff also presented a procurement recommendation for an adaptive control system for continuous monitoring at Lake Sale as part of the Red Sale stormwater project; the project engineer recommended the equipment and staff said funding would come from existing stormwater funds. A motion to approve that procurement appears in the record, but a full roll call or tally for that specific contract approval was not clearly captured in the provided transcript excerpt.

Where the transcript does not record a formal vote tally for an item, this summary notes that the motion and recommendation were made and that follow‑up minutes or the posted agenda packet should be consulted for final roll‑call results and contract numbers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02 04 25 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Statesboro Mayor and Council approved the consent agenda and discussed an alley abandonment for downtown redevelopment and a procurement for monitoring equipment as part of a stormwater project.","taxTitle","Statesboro City, Bulloch County, Georgia","taxId",51947,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6353704,"Public speaker accuses council member of improper contract award; mayor says investigative committee will be appointed",134,5176000,5310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0&start=5176&end=5310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0/thumbnail_5176000.jpg","/articles/6353704/Statesboro-City/Bulloch-County/Georgia/Public-speaker-accuses-council-member-of-improper-contract-award-mayor-says-investigative-committee-will-be-appointed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353704-b0a072b6eeb3bcec9dcc07febd826fa9/orig.mp4?Expires=1774827354&Signature=aztG6J0VYUlcjNqU8l-wBYUKNTWXZxK3HT8M6Fmr~DcJwfNHfam-jxy34DOVKII9fv7HLqC4-KB86F5cqJdC3AwMkLjQQzbyRjLKl-yNhK-Nn5Rv0fQvuYjjcDslLfGT81n6MewPB-CgCPKDQtz6tH4bYi2zOHwUS5hv23xbHRPC~xfAmTLnPIj7XtCHNUqDZqezHI5HmELCbwvd7mx2PdIxdChd65cM4-MElcowO9Bo2yp63x6egPE8GmSc4W3dxcaM2jl7bSR4~fXO8RtAcKfhVBEij3ytwO7cLP-CBcbiMJX9V8FUIlFRE2Wgm9kZ1zxepks8CW1EiblbwzWoRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marshall Webster used the public‑comment period to allege that Councilwoman Paulette Chavers knowingly voted to award a city contract to a firm led by her brother, Donald Chavers, and to accuse the mayor of refusing to pursue an ethics complaint.

\"At the city council meeting last week, Councilwoman Paulette Chavers knowingly, willfully, and illegally voted to award a city contract to a firm of which her brother Donald Chavers is CEO,\" Marshall Webster said. He said he filed an ethics complaint and later amended it to include the mayor.

The mayor and the city attorney told the council the complaint had been received and that the process called for appointing a three‑member council investigative committee. The city attorney said the code requires action within a specified period after a verified complaint; the mayor said staff and legal counsel were \"working on it\" and that the council would appoint the committee.

Mayor Jonathan McCollum rejected the speaker’s claim that he dismissed the complaint and said the city would follow its legal process. The mayor and other council members also responded sharply to the speaker’s remarks during the meeting; the mayor characterized the speaker’s public statements on social media as inaccurate and said the city would proceed with a formal investigation by committee.

No formal ethics findings or sanctions were announced at the meeting. The council indicated it will proceed with the investigative step specified in the city code and that the next procedural action will be taken by the mayor and the city attorney to form the review committee.","During public comments a resident alleged Councilwoman Paulette Chavers voted improperly on a contract benefiting a relative; the mayor and city attorney said the council will appoint a three‑member investigative committee and follow the city code process.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6353709,"Statesboro officials object to county plan to reallocate fire‑district funds; county set to terminate agreement July 1, 2025",482,3308000,3790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0&start=3308&end=3790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0/thumbnail_3308000.jpg","/articles/6353709/Statesboro-City/Bulloch-County/Georgia/Statesboro-officials-object-to-county-plan-to-reallocate-firedistrict-funds-county-set-to-terminate-agreement-July-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353709-966bd5b839b2a3a0ea70d7c5c6b55c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1774827354&Signature=ZarPPeDtNi8jaSYAExcniF2WTxXuhZWy9V1BeCHKk2lv07BrEpvOHHRaTiWTf1H-AX~4Yale2qQDkz-TJNz3e8zVoxj693ngONLAqwOlCYNYqGbRdSEYjsYOBjiX7npHbmvNqkI6NFgI3pTKMz6y9PgfWT0aGYFQiv9PHCm7SBQWbcET8ICT1QiJoQ-b9mCv5Uv~-eySd5P9T-mHVD92DCsajweXoVm05T7G4vwhVh7EoxwESp-CDAqcav2p8OcwnXVpUpFUCl9LvXypkw0yPLfXxZboM6vUX~vfmMkrJoBr2yVNKTCMHaQTx~FP1tmq2IeTIulaalB1YZeWZIPpXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Statesboro officials told the Mayor and Council they are negotiating a high‑stakes change to fire‑district funding after a County proposal to reallocate revenue and alter automatic aid arrangements.

City staff reported that the county wants to take the roughly $2.7 million the city now receives for providing fire protection in the five‑mile district, increase the total to $3 million, and retain about 60% of the resulting fund while leaving the city with 40%. The city manager said the county’s proposal would transfer much of the funding to county fire operations and that county commissioners voted in December to terminate the existing fire agreement effective July 1, 2025.

City Manager Mr. Penn said the 5‑mile district covers about 96 square miles while the city covers about 17 square miles; the manager said the city provides automatic aid beyond the district and that the county’s plan would leave some district areas with a lower level of response. “The 5 Mile District is 96 square miles. The city is 17 square miles. The fire district is 82% of the district,” the manager told council. He said current city response times to the furthest points in the district average about eight minutes, while rural county response times are longer.

Fire Chief Tim described differences between Statesboro’s current “flat class 2” ISO rating and the county’s split classification. He said automatic aid presently brings mutual benefit: the city typically sends an engine company into the county while the county’s tanker helps Statesboro for water‑shuttling operations. Chief Tim warned that if automatic aid were reduced to a single engine, properties in parts of the district could face worse ISO classifications and higher insurance costs.

Council members expressed concern about equity and double taxation if county plans proceed; several said they would not recommend accepting a deal that left the city with a substantially reduced share of the funding while requiring continued service. The city manager said staff will prepare options for the council retreat in March, and stressed the potentially significant operational choices ahead — including possible layoffs or service reductions if the city’s revenue is cut.

No formal agreement change or vote occurred at the Feb. 21 meeting; city staff said the county requested an answer by the following Friday but the city told the county it could not comply in that timeframe and would bring a plan back to council for review.","City officials said the county proposed taking most of the $2.7 million the city receives for fire‑district coverage and increasing the pot to $3 million, leaving the city with 40% of the revenue; county commissioners voted in December to terminate the existing fire agreement effective July 1, 2025.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6353714,"Statesboro council suspends massage‑business license for two weeks after police undercover operation",1967,858000,2825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0&start=858&end=2825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221066-e97c7e34afe16b311f816266ba9ae2e0/thumbnail_858000.jpg","/articles/6353714/Statesboro-City/Bulloch-County/Georgia/Statesboro-council-suspends-massagebusiness-license-for-two-weeks-after-police-undercover-operation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353714-1df08851d4be9fd4c78cfad0d0379a20/orig.mp4?Expires=1774827354&Signature=KCWppH9t2-cSHRc-0lAujkv3Z1y-RA7ESTnqXSpM2DDuhmjr8LUwA62QIs3eQJHvAn0-abpmsNQOuHITqcuPuqzqWsGYKs92OvhAKos8dL3tiW1FDZOhrryVxFc0aWFDns2hnEqG49U5N17xS5M0tkolu3FD3m~AMJES~7qbtfxghoynqRnJ6ZMK5J~LtG8In7-J~-6KsLiH3etehFCQW0tojT3NrjWboxCpt-uhUX3LvxRXc6Kjri-EzmFFvSaWpnO4q5EWllwk83csVOP83bVbzMyg7ze7XAyMOGYJ7xHXxoLY~fa8pZBeijSzafrghCYQDxP4PXBvpvKWcweDLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Statesboro Mayor and Council on Feb. 21 voted to suspend the business license for a massage business at 609 Blaine Street for two weeks, following a police investigation that included an undercover officer.

Council action came after Captain Jared Agents of the Statesboro Police Department described an investigation that began with anonymous tips and culminated in an undercover operation in November. Captain Jared Agents told the council an undercover officer was escorted to a private room at the business and that “during the course of the massage, that particular masseuse conducted a [sex act] on the officer.” Agents said officers then arrested the performing employee and later established probable cause to arrest a second individual for “keeping a place in which [prostitution] is being committed.”

The council heard from Michael Glasses, who said he represented Miss Hu, the current owner. Glasses said Miss Hu purchased the business in late December 2023 and that the earlier 2023 complaint occurred under prior ownership. He told council that Miss Hu fired the employee immediately after being notified and that the criminal matters remain pending in state court. “She genuinely expresses shock,” Glasses said of his client, and he urged the council not to strip her of the right to earn a living absent proof she knew of or encouraged illegal activity.

Several council members raised concerns about potential human‑trafficking indicators and public‑safety risks if the business remained open. Council members and the city attorney explained the council’s administrative options under local code, including suspension or revocation of a business license. Council discussion emphasized the limits of the city’s quasi‑judicial proceeding and uncertainty about how long related state criminal cases might take to resolve.

Councilmember Riggs moved to suspend the license for two weeks and reevaluate at the next meeting; the motion passed 3–2. The transcript records named opposing votes from Councilmember Shaver and Councilmember Johnson; the motion was described in the meeting as a two‑week suspension pending further information and questioning of police staff.

The suspension stops the business from operating during that period; councilmembers said they would reopen the matter at the next meeting and consider additional action depending on what the police and prosecutors develop.

No disposition of the related state criminal charges was recorded at the council meeting. Council did not revoke the license at the Feb. 21 meeting; it suspended operations pending follow up and more information from investigators.

The mayor’s office and the city attorney said the council will revisit the item at its next meeting and that the city’s administrative hearing was separate from, and not determinative of, ongoing state court proceedings.","The Statesboro Mayor and Council voted 3–2 to suspend the business license of a massage business at 609 Blaine Street for two weeks while the city gathers more information after police reported alleged prostitution and possible trafficking at the location.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council actions: consent agenda approved; alley abandonment and procurement items discussed

Public speaker accuses council member of improper contract award; mayor says investigative committee will be appointed

Statesboro officials object to county plan to reallocate fire‑district funds; county set to terminate agreement July 1, 2025

Statesboro council suspends massage‑business license for two weeks after police undercover operation