City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay.

Thank you so much.

You get ready to pray.

You're going to stand here to pray, okay? Okay? The mayor will call you up to pray. Okay? You need to bring the mic down. You can bring it down so you can speak. And she can stand directly beside you.

There it went.

I'd like to call to order the May 21st, 2026 meeting of mayor and council. I'd like to call on Reverend Hebert Mikey Francisco, the pastor of Iglesia Christiana to lead us in prayer. Please remain standing for the pledge.

Muy buenas tardes con todos. Mi nombre es Eber Malky Francisco. Soy el pastor de Iglesia Cristiana, discípulo de Cristo Getsemaní, capellán voluntario en South Georgia Medical Center, y una voz para la comunidad hispana en el sur de Georgia.

Good afternoon to everyone. The pastor's name is Herbert Aiki Francisco. He is the senior pastor of Iglesia Cristiana at Semani, a volunteer chaplain at South Georgia Medical Center, and a voice for the Hispanic community in South Georgia.

Agradezco la oportunidad a nuestra Consulwoman Vivian Miller por la invitación, por darme la oportunidad de la invocación en esta reunión tan importante.

I thank our councilwoman, Vivian Miller Cody, for giving me the opportunity to have the invocation at such an important community meeting.

Oremos. Todopoderoso Dios, en todos los nombres.

Almighty God, in all names.

Te agradecemos el habernos reunido esta bella tarde.

We thank you for having gathered us this beautiful afternoon.

Para conversar sobre la realidad presente.

To talk about the present reality.

Los problemas y el futuro de nuestra ciudad.

And the problematic and future reality of our city.

Danos siempre espíritu de unidad.

Always give us a spirit of unity.

De sentido común.

Common sense.

De inclusión.

Inclusion.

Y verdadero amor a ti y al prójimo.

And true love for our neighbor.

Desciende con sabiduría sobre cada uno de los presentes.

descend wisely upon each one present.

Almighty God, descend with wisdom and power upon all the leaders of this community.

Also over our Peter Major Scott James Matheson. We hand over your control and direction of this important meeting.

Amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

Thank you, Pastor. All right, I'm going to lead off the meeting with a point of personal privilege. I'm going to get our former interim city manager, Al Crace, to come to the microphone, to the podium. I've been called to the principal's office.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Krase, a grateful city wants people to realize what you have done since November 10th of 2025 until just last meeting when you relinquished your interim city manager title and took on a project manager title for the city of Valdosta. So bear with me for a second, please. Beautified the downtown area by removing probably about 50 two-hour parking signs.

230.

Realigned systems and efficiencies by revamping city departments. Worked with staff to assist with the development of the Bray Land property. Completed remodeling of the Craig Center, turning it into a cooling and warming and storm shelter to be renamed the Jeanette Cootey Center. Initiated the quick claim deed for JC Shack from the Valdosta Lounge County Parks and Rec Authority to the city of Valdosta, which the city will utilize for event space and a train depot stop. Initiated the use and redesign of the Department of Labor building for new city offices for customer service and our municipal court. Initiated the process for moving Main Street to the old customer service building. He's completely changed the attitude of our employees because he genuinely cares about them. and now is one of them, initiated the process for all city-owned facilities for roof repair, advocated for the City of Valdosta during the Chamber's legislative trip to Washington, D.C., advocated for the City of the Georgia Chamber Eggs and Issues Breakfast in Atlanta, reorganized the Community Protection Division, instrumental in getting a new plat survey for public works compound. Instrumental in getting new Delta water sewer meters and the installation of those meters. Instrumental in reorganization of the sanitation division and new regulations for trash cans and trash pickup. Initiated new City of Valdosta committees such as the Technology Committee, the Safety Committee, and the Events Committee for parades and permits. abolished the valdosta housing board of adjustments and appeals abolished the valdosta lounge county construction board of adjustments and appeals and re-established it as the new city about austin construction board of adjustments and appeals revamped and updated several several areas of city hall established two new holidays for the city employees veterans day particularly Initiated city council district tours, initiated mayor and council tours of different city facilities, instrumental in getting federal reimbursement for Hurricane Helene damages, and federal funds released for SGMC all the way back to COVID to the tune of $35 million. Establishing a new water repair building, the public works compound. Yes, there's a page two. Initiated removal of signs and the right of way on Woodrow Wilson. Participated with me in the mayor's motorcade. Initiated a new government.gov domain for the city's email. Initiated a review of IT services for the city of Valdosta. Worked with the Mercer Group in the recruitment of a new fire chief. and a new city manager, initiated repairs for the Sestella Avenue Bridge, relocated the dumpster in downtown onto Tomb Street, attended the new water treatment plant number two groundbreaking ceremony, set up a leadership retreat as well as a department retreat, set up strategic initiative summit for the mayor and council, attended numerous budget meetings and hearings, and worked with staff to present a balanced budget for adoption by mayor and council, worked with staff to develop regulations for short-term rentals, Revisited via transit, moved it under the direction of Amy Martin. Working with Amy Martin to develop a multimodal transit facility. Working with the Valdosta Housing Authority to close a portion of Anne Street, which is much needed. Worked with staff to initiate the demolition of a house instead of outsourcing in order to save money. Worked with staff to review the comp plan survey and implement a plan to decompress salaries of employees and has attended numerous events. and represented us so well in this very, very short amount of time. Al Crace, we honor you. Thank you so much. You've honored us.

He liked it so much he moved over here.

So he's also 45 years in the city. And also a Hall of Famer for Georgia Municipal Association. So we got him something to add to that very large trophy case. well again in appreciation for your time and then we did not want to leave your wife out as well so a fantastic dinner at a place you've come to know and love here in valhalla as well al thank you so much i just

Thank you.

All right, here we go. Three, two, one.

I want to share a couple of observations. What I found when I got here is a very professional team. It enabled me. I would, kind of like one of the mayors told me to square up the hill and plant the flag and say, this is where we ought to be, come on up. And they certainly did. And they're the ones that helped make it all happen. Because it takes lots of folks to make a city run. but I appreciate with the council and personal time with you all and I found that you know you all have a lot more in common and you all share a real commitment to service and that makes all this work so well so it's been my pleasure my wife likes a full service city so she was Quick, get out of Alma and come on over here. And she's gotten all that stuff moved, and it's the way she wants it. We're looking forward to it. And I look forward to the next year and a half sitting back there with the staff. You're in good hands. Jennifer's already flying and off to a good start. Y'all picked well, done well, and I think with both the fire chief and the city manager, I think you're in good hands. Thank you.

Well, thank you. That should be the lengthiest part of the evening. We'll move on to item two, bids, contracts, agreements, and expenditures. Item A, consideration of an agreement for governmental affairs representation for the City of Valdosta. Get this, Al Crace will present.

Home Mentality Strategies serves as a governmental affairs consultant and provides representation to municipalities and counties in Georgia, but Valdosta is first among equal. And the overall scope of the work is in collaboration with development of governmental affairs strategies at both the state of Georgia, particularly at the legislature, and also with our congressional delegation. to Washington and all. John Crawford is the one that carries the torch and is the principal consultant. This is that contract. It's basically the same language as past. There's just a modest increase, changes in cost to the environment, and we'd like to recommend that to you.

Council, any questions for Al? Al, thank you. Seeing none, council, it's yours for action.

Mayor, I make a motion that we approve the agreement as stated.

I have a motion and a second. All in favor, show of hands. Council, thank you. Al, thank you. John, good luck. You're excused. Go to work. Go to work. Let it be a consideration of a request to purchase two quality of life upgrades for the Gorto and Reamer Master Lift Stations. Jason Barnes, our awesome Utilities Director, to present.

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

Good evening.

Good evening. Commissioned in 2016, we got two master lift stations, which is Garntow and Riemer. During recent hurricanes, we've had employees that have had to stay there during weather events, hurricanes, because those two master stations, if we didn't have that to be managed, we could have a spill in the middle of town. So with that being said, there's never been a control room at neither one of these stations. There is only an electrical motor center that is at each one of them, which is where all the electricity is. It's not a good place to be when you've got a hurricane, lightning's popping everywhere. At any time an employee is required to spend time at Garnton and Riemer during emergency weather events, these two quality of life upgrades will provide a safe place to operate each lift station. So Sheds, Galore, and Moore is the sole source provider for these purchased installations, the two quality of life upgrades for the Garnton and Riemer lift stations. um staff recommends to approve the sole source purchase and installation of two quality of life upgrades from sheds galore and more in the amount of sixty five thousand four hundred dollars we did budget eighty thousand dollars so we saved almost fifteen thousand dollars on this You can see in your packet, one is $32,500, which is reamer, and one is $32,900. A difference in that because to add restrooms, the plumbing, electricity for these, because they'll have air conditioning and all that in there, guarantor is a little bit further distance. So that's why there's a difference in that little bit of cost. between the two. So there is a one year warranty on these. These have been used in Florida, around the areas a lot. So I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Council, any questions for Jason on this item? Jason, seeing none, thank you. Council, yours for action.

Mayor, make a motion to approve the request as presented.

Second. Motion and a second. All in favor, show of hands. Council, thank you. Jason, item C, consideration of request to approve an emergency repair to the number one standby generator at the water treatment plant.

Yes, or so the number one standby generator was installed in 1992 when the original water plant was built on guest road. The generate has been routinely main maintain we do it every year we have you see caterpillar that goes out and maintains are generators at all of our lift stations plants. So during this we had this has been as this is like a safer. 34 years and When this happened, we still have number two standby generator. So if this one was gone, and something happened and we didn't have the other one then whereas so we'll if we lose power which is Georgia part of our main source at the existing water plant then we cannot provide safe water to the city. So on March 10th of 2026 approximately about 8 o'clock that morning we had a major failure local Calipari dealer which is Nancy was called to come and expect And upon inspection, it was found that one of the 16 cylinders looked worn and was lacking lubrication. Due to the age of the generator, 34 years, and the visual condition of one of the cylinders, Yancey recommended the engine be rebuilt. So before I went ahead and proceeded with this, I did get a quote on, of kind of what it would cost to get a new one. The new one is gonna be around $2 million. But the kicker was we could not get that generator to the end of 2028. So then I thought, okay, 2028, if something happens and we only have one backup and something happens to that, then we have no backup. so i went to al the time al went and signed that um that original um quote was 295 thousand seventy five dollars and one cent so basically um after yancey went in and this is a big generator that's big enough for a locomotive train so Sometimes you don't know what you're going to get into until you get into it. So once they got into it, some of the parts that were not needed, so the actual total came out to be $291,885.53. So, Ms. Reese, if you can scroll down to a couple pictures where it shows the cylinder and there's also... So you can see kind of how it is very, that's the piston there, how worn it is. And it's just, it ain't because of lack of maintenance. It's 34 years old. I will tell you, we have a one-year warranty on this. I did ask Yancey Farge, rebuilding this, what are we looking at? He said another 30 years. So it was very easy for me and the staff to say, okay, 291,000 instead of 2 million, they can't get it till 2028 to go ahead and proceed with this request. So the staff recommends approving the payment to ANSI in the amount of $291,885.53. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Council, any questions?

I just have one which is good. I like keeping old stuff and fixing it up. It's good. But what what did you say was the warranty on the with the rebuild?

Did you want to this? When I asked Don, which is with Yancey, he said we could probably get another 30 years after.

That's great.

Any other questions? Jason, thank you. Thank you. Council, yours for action.

Second.

I have a motion and a second. All in favor, show of hands. Council, thank you. Jason, again, thank you. Move on to Item D, consideration of bids for janitorial supplies for the City of Valdosta. Darquita Williams, our Interim Finance Director, to present. Hi, Darquita.

Hello. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

The mayor and council, what you have before you is a bid for janitorial supplies citywide. This bid opening was on May 6, 2026. We received two eligible bids, Piedmont National and Pacific Star Corp. This is a four-year contract with renewal option. We are recommending to go with the lowest bidder, which is Piedmont National. I did want to point out there is a drastic difference in the price. Pacific Star Corp is out of Texas. So in the RFP, we did ask that they include shipping cost. so on top of their rates being more expensive than piedmont they're also a shipping call so that is where you see the drastic change in price indifference but we would recommend going with piedmont national that is who we use now and they send in a competitive offer to keep our business any questions any questions on that one at that price i'll go get it and bring it back

pay me half the difference all right dark we go thank you council years for action mayor elected make a motion that we approve the request is stated for the Piedmont national second I have a motion in a second all in favor show of hands council thank you dark weed item e consideration of bids for plumbing services for the city of out Austin

Yes, this is also Citywide Services. This bid opening was on May 6th, 2026. We received two eligible bids. We are recommending to go with the lower bid septic solutions. Do you have any questions?

Council questions? None? Council, yours for action.

I have one. What are we doing with septic? Do we have a warranty or something with them?

um it's not necessarily a warranty because they'll come just for general plumbing services that we have in any of our buildings so it's not parts that they'll be doing it'll be general plumbing services for our buildings so we say general plumbing services explain general yes if we have any um I guess you call it sewage backup, those type of things, they'll come out and handle those things. So those are hourly rates that they will charge, depending on the level. I'm not sure what the difference between regular and skilled time is, but it's the different levels. If it's a more strenuous situation that they have to come deal with, then we'll get charged the skilled time, and if it's just regular general plumbing issues, then we'll be charged the regular hour per rate.

You're welcome.

Any other questions?

Council, again, yours for action.

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the request as presented.

Second. Motion and a second. All in favor, show of hands. One more item. Two more items, actually. Item F, consideration of bids for pest control services. Darquita?

Yes, same scenario, this was opened on May 6th, 2026. We received four eligible bids. We're recommending Terminix, which was our lowest bid in the amount of $11,1100. Do we have any questions?

Council, any questions? All right, council, yours for action. Mayor, make a motion that we approve the low bid.

Second.

Motion and second, all in favor, show of hands. Council, thank you. One more, consideration of bids for HVAC services, Dr. Rita.

Yeah, so this was also on May 6th, 2026. We only received one bid for this service, so we are recommending to go with that service. You have any questions?

Any questions? All right, council, yours for action.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the request as presented.

Second. Motion and second, all in favor? Thank you.

Darquita, thank you.

Thank you. Move on to citizens to be heard. The portion of the meeting that we ask you to come forward, state your name and address so we can have it for the record. Our policy requires you stay under three minutes so that all have time to be heard. Please direct all comments to council as a whole. Do not attempt to engage individual members in debate. the council's policy is to follow through with you on your concern additionally we ask that any groups that want to address the council designate one spokesperson again in the interest of time with that being said is there any citizens to be heard at this time all right i'm heading for savannah we're good item for the city manager's report jennifer wheeler our brand new city manager will present

Good afternoon. I just want to say I'm very honored and excited to be here. I have a few updates to go through as well as special events. First, we have the City of Valdosta will host America's 250th birthday celebration on Friday, July 3rd, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Unity Park. This will be a free community event that will also serve as a July 1st Friday celebration and will feature live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and a drone show. We want to remind everybody that beginning July 1st, customers who currently pay their utility bills online will need to create a new online payment account as the city transitions to a new online utility billing system. Again on July 1st, the city will also implement its updated residential sanitation billing program. Only city issued 96 gallon trash containers will be serviced. Residents needing additional containers may request them through the Public Works Department. We have a Battle of the Badges blood drive going on. The city is preparing for the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive, a friendly competition between the Valdosta Fire Department and the Valdosta Police Department in support of Life South on July 22nd in the City Hall Annex. Multi-purpose room from noon to 6 p.m. blood donations collected during the event will remain in our community and help support patients at our local hospitals residents are encouraged to participate and help save lives we have a holiday closure on July 3rd which is this coming Friday of next week in observance of the Independence Day holiday thank you thank you

We'll go on to council comments. I'm going to lead by stating that most of council and some senior leadership will be heading to the GMA convention in Savannah for the next four days. I want to assure everybody that it is one of the more engaged groups you'll see in Savannah amongst the 2,300 or so attendees. You have council to be proud of. You've got two past District 11 presidents sitting up here. You have Andy sitting on a policy board. I sit on four boards and everybody, I think Tim's surpassed about a thousand training hours as well. So it is a completely engaged group and every bit of it brought back for the betterment of the city, the city of Valdosta. So thank you. Council, any other comments?

Just real quick, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Wheeler. I'm looking forward to working with you. You have an impressive background. And welcome to the city of out Austin. You're welcome.

All of us. That's it. That was actually a gift to you.

you get my brothers and sisters kids so Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.