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Byron council adopts retirement-plan change, zoning amendment and contracts; tables rezoning request
Summary
At its April 10, 2023 meeting, the City of Byron Mayor and Council unanimously approved Ordinance #2023-2 (retirement benefit changes), Ordinance #2023-3 (zoning changes for package liquor stores), authorized contracts for police identification software and automated speed enforcement, approved multiple maintenance agreements and reappointments, tabled a rezoning request to May, and denied a claim after a closed session.
The City of Byron Mayor and Council on April 10, 2023 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and contracts affecting pensions, zoning and city programs, and deferred a rezoning request to next month.
The council adopted Ordinance #2023-2, a change to participation and benefit rules in the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS) defined retirement benefit plan that applies to elected or appointed members holding office on or after April 11, 2023. The ordinance sets normal retirement age at 65 with nine years of credited service, establishes benefit rates ($60 per year of service as mayor and $40 per year as council member) and a nine-year cliff vesting requirement. The measure passed on second reading by unanimous vote; the motion to adopt was made by Alan Dorsey and seconded by Chris Hodges.
Council also authorized the mayor to execute a General Addendum to the GMEBS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Adoption Agreement, a related resolution that staff said implements the ordinance provisions. That resolution passed unanimously on a motion by James Richardson, seconded by Rusty Adams.
On zoning, the council adopted Ordinance #2023-3 to amend Appendix A of the Land Development and Zoning Ordinance to address package liquor stores in the downtown business and general commercial districts. The ordinance was adopted unanimously on second reading; the motion to adopt was offered by Michael Chumbley and seconded by Chris Hodges.
The council approved two contracts affecting public safety operations. It authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with DataWorks Plus, LLC to provide GBI Rapid ID device software for the Police Department, and separately approved an agreement with BlueLine Solutions, LLC related to automated speed enforcement. Both resolutions were approved unanimously.
Other council business included re-appointments to the Byron Housing Authority (Phillip Shannon, Joseph Rumph and Mitzi Hamlin, terms to expire May 1, 2028; and Gwendolyn Hardy as Resident Board Commissioner through May 1, 2024), approval to purchase a table of eight for the Peach County Golden Eagle Award Dinner for $1,000, and approval of permanent Best Management Practice maintenance agreements for Meadow Walk (tax map 054C 066), The Bryson Farms Subdivision (tax map 054D 154C) and Cane River Drive (tax map 055D 100). The council also approved surplus disposition of a 1989 Ford F-800 Gruman fire truck and assorted department equipment.
A rezoning request that had been on the agenda was removed that afternoon and formally tabled until the May council meeting; Mayor Michael Chidester apologized for the inconvenience and invited affected citizens to return. The minutes record that Ms. Hollie Alaexandria said she would be coming back for the May meeting.
At 6:19 p.m. the council entered closed session under O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2 to discuss pending or threatening litigation. The council returned to open session at 6:35 p.m. and voted to deny a claim discussed in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance #2023-2 — adopted (motion: Alan Dorsey; second: Chris Hodges; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous). Ordinance #2023-3 — adopted (motion: Michael Chumbley; second: Chris Hodges; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous). DataWorks Plus agreement — authorized (motion: Chris Hodges; second: Michael Chumbley; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous). BlueLine Solutions agreement — authorized (motion: Rusty Adams; second: James Richardson; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous). Byron Housing Authority reappointments — approved (motion: James Richardson; second: Chris Hodges; outcome: approved; vote: unanimous). Claim denial after closed session — denied (motion: Rusty Adams; second: Michael Chumbley; outcome: approved).
