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Ocilla City Council reorganizes committees, approves loans and fund transfers, and raises fire chief pay
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting the Ocilla City Council named Patrice Y.W. Manley mayor pro tem, dissolved the Finance/Licenses/Purchase Committee to create a Community Development Committee, approved an Ameris Bank operating loan, authorized multiple fund transfers for CDBG grant matches, adopted TIA and CHIP resolutions, granted a liquor license with one dissent, and raised the fire chief's salary to $40,000.
Mayor Matt Seale called the Ocilla City Council to order on Jan. 7, 2020, confirmed a quorum and opened the regular meeting in the Kayse Room. After a prayer by City Attorney Warren Mixon and the Pledge of Allegiance, the council adopted the meeting agenda and approved the Dec. 3, 2019 minutes on unanimous votes.
The council voted to approve a liquor license for Gerald George to operate at 111 East 4th Street, allowing distilled spirits, wine and beer and one pool (billiard) table. The measure passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Patrice Y.W. Manley recorded as the lone opposing vote.
Councilman Lemora Moses nominated Councilwoman Patrice Y.W. Manley as mayor pro tem for 2020; the nomination carried with four yes votes and one abstention (Manley). Mayor Seale also announced committee assignments and told council members that official committee meetings must be coordinated through City Clerk Lucile Middlebrooks and that the press should be notified. The council voted unanimously to dissolve the Finance, Licenses and Purchase Committee and create a Community Development Committee.
On city finance matters, the council reviewed competitive loan bids from Planters First (3.10%), Ameris (2.34%) and Irwin County State Bank (3.15%). The body approved making the operating general fund loan with Ameris Bank at 2.34%.
Mayor Seale reviewed the city's fund structure (General Fund and enterprise funds for water, sewer, gas and sanitation) and asked for authorization to pursue a TAN loan of $80,000 for the Sanitation Fund; the council approved requesting interest-rate proposals for that borrowing.
Because no competitive bids were received for the spray-field contract, the council approved a plan to award that contract to the first respondent who accepts a minimum payment of $500 per year for three years. The council also voted to solicit bids to mow city properties, including City Hall, the Community House, Neighborhood Center, College Hill Park, Cumbee Park and the Police Department, noting elected officials may not perform that contracted work.
Mayor Seale read and the council adopted a Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) resolution and a 2020 Community House Investment Program (CHIP) resolution for housing rehabilitation improvements; both passed on unanimous votes.
Addressing prior Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) pledges, the council approved a permanent transfer of up to $150,000 from the Water Fund to the General Fund to cover match obligations for CDBG 2017. It also approved permanent transfers totaling $400,000 to cover the city's CDBG 2018 match: $100,000 from Water, $150,000 from Gas and $150,000 from Sewer. All transfers passed on unanimous votes.
The council entered executive session on personnel matters and later voted to increase Fire Chief Will Towson's annual salary to $40,000 effective immediately. The meeting adjourned on a unanimous vote.
Votes at a glance - Adopt agenda: motion by Mona Paulk; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes, motion passed. - Approve Dec. 3, 2019 minutes: motion by Mona Paulk; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes, motion passed. - Liquor license for 111 E. 4th St. (Gerald George): motion by Lemora Moses; second Mona Paulk; result: 4 yes, 1 no (Manley); approved. - Nominate Patrice Y.W. Manley as mayor pro tem: motion by Lemora Moses; second Mona Paulk; result: 4 yes, 1 abstain (Manley); approved. - Dissolve Finance/Licenses/Purchase Committee and create Community Development Committee: motion by Mona Paulk; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Operating loan with Ameris Bank (2.34%): motion by Lemora Moses; second Patrice Y.W. Manley; result: 5 yes; approved. - Request interest proposals for $80,000 Sanitation TAN: motion by Mona Paulk; second Patrice Y.W. Manley; result: 5 yes; approved. - Spray field contract to first compliant respondent at $500/year minimum for 3 years: motion by Patrice Y.W. Manley; second Mona Paulk; result: 5 yes; approved. - Bid mowing city properties: motion by Lemora Moses; second Mona Paulk; result: 5 yes; approved. - Adopt TIA Resolution: motion by Mona Paulk; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Adopt 2020 CHIP Resolution: motion by Patrice Y.W. Manley; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Permanent transfer up to $150,000 from Water to General Fund for CDBG 2017: motion by Mona Paulk; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Permanent transfers for CDBG 2018 ($100,000 Water; $150,000 Gas; $150,000 Sewer): motion by Patrice Y.W. Manley; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Executive session on personnel: motion by Patrice Y.W. Manley; second Lemora Moses; result: 5 yes; approved. - Increase Fire Chief Will Towson's annual salary to $40,000: motion by Steven Hudson; second Mona Paulk; result: 5 yes; approved. - Adjourn: motion by Claire Clayton; second Steven Hudson; result: 5 yes; approved.
Next steps: committee meetings are to be scheduled quarterly through the city clerk; the Community Development Committee will begin with the appointments announced by Mayor Seale.
