Demorest council waives first reading on four charter amendments, schedules final votes in January

The Demorest City Council on Dec. 2 waived the first reading for four proposed amendments to the city’s home-rule charter and scheduled final votes in January.

Councilman Donnie Bennett moved to waive the first reading of section 2.29(b), which addresses the "Powers and Duties of the Mayor," and schedule a final vote in January; Councilman Jimmy Davis seconded the motion and it passed unanimously (4-0). Councilman Shawn Allen moved to waive the first reading of section 6.25 ("Contracting Procedures") and to add a subsection authorizing approvals by the city council to be recorded in the meeting minutes; the motion was seconded by Councilman Andrew Ferguson and approved unanimously. Councilman Ferguson moved to waive the first reading of section 1.14 ("Powers Relating to the Sale or Lease of Property") and schedule a final vote in January; Councilman Allen seconded and the motion passed 4-0. Finally, Councilman Jimmy Davis moved to waive the first reading of section 2.22 ("Ordinance Form; Procedures") and schedule a final vote in January; that motion was also approved unanimously.

The waivers move each proposed change to a formal final vote at a future meeting. The council record does not include the full text of the proposed amendments in the meeting minutes; the motions were procedural waivers to advance the items to a final vote.