Statham council fixes PTO drafting error, overrides mayoral veto and discusses commercial lease

The Statham City Council on Jan. 20 approved a resolution to correct a typographical error in the employee handbook that had the unintended effect of preventing department heads from accruing paid time off, then voted to override a mayoral veto and held an executive session to discuss possible real‑estate negotiations.

Jody, a city staff member who explained the handbook revision, said multiple drafts circulated in December had introduced an "introductory clause in the PTO policy" that produced the unintended result. Jody said the resolution deletes that language so department heads will "accrue PTO at the same rate as all other employees in the city." The council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Separately, a council member moved to override the mayor's veto; the motion was seconded and approved by show of hands. The subject of the veto was not stated in the spoken record provided.

The council then voted to enter executive session under the Open Meetings Act to "authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of, or lease property" (the speaker cited the applicable state code in the record). The mayor directed that any subsequent motion to approve a transaction be worded specifically as a motion to "approve the commercial lease agreement between the city of Statum and Eddie's Place Barbecue LLC at 342 Jefferson Street as presented." A council member said, "so moved," and another seconded; the transcript does not include a recorded roll‑call vote after that wording in the spoken segments provided.

What happens next: staff will include the required affidavit/resolution with the minutes and will bring any final contract or lease documents back to the council for formal approval and a recorded vote if required by law.