City Council - Regular Meeting

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Heat. Council meeting to order and I'll ask uh the clerk to please call the role. Miss Simmons

here. Dr. Lee here. Miss Shan Host here. Miss Pendergas here. Dr. Williams here.

All right. We do have a quorum present at this time. Um I'm going to ask um Miss Clarita Wilson if she will to please come and ren us the prayer tonight. So if you will stand with us for the prayer and pledge of allegiance. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing us together today. Grant us the wisdom in our decisions on today, unity in our decisions, and the respect in everyone voices. God, we ask you to bless this meeting that it will be productive and peaceful and that may we do good service to our community. And we do pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. United States. At this time, we do have warm comments after being here about 5:15. I'm going to allow it now to speak with the decorum for the night. I always read prior to anyone coming up to speak and it states citizens wishing to speak during a city council work session must complete all areas of this form. If you do not sign up to speak prior to the start of this meeting, you will not have an opportunity to speak. Citizens are not allowed to speak openly during the meetings unless first recognized by the presiding officer, typically the mayor. When the presiding officer calls their name, citizens may

speak for no more than three minutes. Citizens who attend the meeting as a part of a group may not give their time to another member of the group. The presiding officer may stop the person from speaking if the remarks or gestures are profane, abusive, inflammatory, or otherwise offensive. Persons who refuse to stop speaking at the direction of the presiding officer may be escorted from the meeting by a law enforcement officer at the request of the presiding officer. A maximum of five citizens will be allowed to speak during any single meeting. Speaking opportunities are first come, first serve. And tonight we have Mr. Gregory Barnes. Uh if you will come to the podium, state your name and address for the records. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Uh Gregory Barnes, 37 36 Sussex Drive, Millersville, Georgia. And this is really a followup. I sent all the councilman um packages related to the Rhealthy Festival and uh I'm here to just follow up with you because I believe time is becoming of the essence. Um the primary uh need is uh the conversation related to the road closure request as well as the our healthy living proclamation. Uh I haven't heard anything from anyone and I just want to make sure we're on the same page. Also with that uh proposal I sent a sponsorship proposal and I just want to make clarify and make sure we're understanding uh what the sponsorship proposal was. It was not asking for uh the city to give us any money. This was a sponsorship a partnership for a community building. We do many types of workshops including uh martial arts, self-defense. Uh this year we're going to be doing an um uh AI introduction

course. We're going to be doing self-defense. We're going to be doing many things to to help build the community. So it's an opportunity for the city to partner with us as we commute as we build in the community. Um so my primary reason again is the road closure request and the living proclamation. And I wanted to just if there be any questions related to both of these. I believe these were put in on a timely manner. And um we're not necessarily at the 12th hour, but we we are getting there seeing that the event is in April. So if there if not uh I'm just here to answer any questions or concerns that I might be able to make sure this moves forward.

Okay. Um I do see a packet that you forwarded from November. Yes. And within these road closures that you're asking for, is there uh state roads involved with that request? Yes, there are. We for the last two years we've uh we've asked for and was granted the roads in front of Georgia College as well as the court and I don't know the name of the roads here. You I'm I'm old school. We talk about the oak tree, but in front of the courtroom as well as in front of Georgia College. So that L for the last couple of years have been granted. Oh, okay. So in the past, how how did you handle your road clos? What do you mean? I

What did you do? Did you put in a request form? Did you go through a department? How did you handle um the city manager? We we put in requests with the city manager and he uh took it through these signature sign offs with the police chief and the um uh Tim Thomas and all just everyone public works public works um just the same usual paperwork once the once the uh request was put in. So have you put your request in to Miss Melbour? I sent it in November. In November. Yes. Okay. That was part of that package. So, apparently Hank was still in in in place at that time.

Okay. So, I would need you to update it to Miss Melba because of transitioning. She might have not she might didn't get whatever you sent to Hank. You sent it to him and she probably didn't get it. Did you get it, Miss Melba? I'm sure you probably didn't. If it went to Hank, they would start out with Celeste and Celeste for the process from there. So, I have not seen them. Okay. So, tell tell us the process. It starts with Celeste High Tower. Celeste will will receive the road closure. The road closures will be forwarded down to the police department for their review um and their signatures. Can you hear me? Can can you hear her back there? Okay, thank you. Okay.

Okay. Once she receives that back um if it has to go to the Department of Transportation, then we'll forward it that way. Um we'll get that confirmation back from them that it's okay to close those proposed roads if they're state roads. If not, it does not go to DOT. it'll go to um I think public works Mr. Tim Thomas would sign off from that point and after that point we'll notify the applicant that a request has been approved. So with Hancock Street doesn't that require DOT for us to be able to close that off? Yes. Miss it is 30 I know this from the parade but it's 30 days prior to the event that that has to be sent to G do correct?

Yes. Well, I must say I enjoy the Art Healthy Festival and you guys have been doing a wonderful job for over over 10 years, right? Um, lots of education, art. Um, my family and I have gone numerous times and I think you guys are doing a stellar job and um, hopefully everything goes as planned for this year. I appreciate that. I I think that one of the what I'm looking at is the disconnect of just no conversation. Oh,

I haven't I haven't conversed me and just say received or anything of the basic business uh you know etiquette to let me know that this is in the process. I have I have no idea where it is. And I think that that's important so that uh you know we all know right now I'm I'm kind of moving I'm kind of closing some things down because I don't know where the process is and unfortunately that that's counterproductive to growing a any type of business spec specifically a festival. So um I'm just trying to figure out where we are and someone contacting us say hey we got it we it's here just look for this in the near future. or whatever.

So, we did we uh had some conversation about it in our call work session. Um you know, with the road closures, what we can grant, we're going to grant according to whether it's a city road, then we're trying to grant that like you've had in the past. We're not trying to take away anything that you've had in the past. Um in kind that we can do,

public works, police department, we're not going to take that away. We'll do what we can with that. Uh, as far as sponsorship, that's a that's a biggie because the city just does not sponsor. You know, in essence, I heard what you said, you does you don't want us to give you any money. What you're asking mainly is that we support you. Um, I know you had said to myself and Miss Shin Holster that if we supported you by allowing you to use Main Street as a control room, is that still a request? Oh, that wasn't you. You were giving asking me for examples of what was different

from different festivals and I'm and I was saying to you that the relationship between Main Street and in our healthy is none and so that was and I was giving you examples of that

that there is no relationship which you know as last last time I came and spoke to you I encouraged you to think about a a board but that the reason that there is a some type of disconnect that does not allow uh other entities to grow and it should be in the city. If if we're going to uh consider festival as a economic uh indicator or or we we are looking for economic impact from festivals. It should not just be a festival. It should be many because that's you know multi multiple streams of income is the way to go now. So if that is the case then we are we all always should look at if something is successful how do we multiply it how do we duplicate it and and what I'm saying to you that the the system is not in place for the duplication that other people can take advantage of some of the some of the things uh other festivals have been able to take advantage of

and I'm just going to say this because you and I have been in conversation about that and a lot of it um is is your festival that you're provi you're providing. So then you need to come with ideas. I because I kind of got from your email that you were wanting us to be like like the lead person, but you you haven't really came to us and said,

"Can you help me with this or can you help me with that?" And then you've done that festival several times, so you know the process for the road closures and things like that. So, that should have been an automatic that you know that you did. I don't know if in the past you just sent an email to Hank and he got the roads closed for you. You have to understand we're in a new process right now. So, some of the things that you need for your festival, you need to let us know. And some of the people that were in place when you were saying that you didn't receive an assistance are no longer there. So therefore um a lot of it you are going to have to tell us where you are like for instance the inind services that the city um provides for you. Have you made that request? Have you put that in writing? So

yeah that's part of the packet. Okay. So then um like she just told you she that that you sent it to Hank and then the minute you found out that Hank was gone then it should have been forthcoming to Melbour so at least she would have something for her to work on and and I think this this is your epitome of what the concern is things get left behind for some people and that's why a board is

the city does absolutely nothing else for any other festivals. Uh I think I've told you that before. Deep roots is a festival of its own and their people do what they do every year to make sure that that festival is running on time and is done. So there's that when you every time we talk, you've compared what you do to they what they do, but then you you're asking us to to do things that they never come to us and ask for us to do. Well, uh, I'm trying to keep it cordial because that's not necessarily correct.

And I'm trying to keep it cordial because I'm trying to look forward, not backwards. My my point is if we get where city employees, i.e. Main Street or anyone, to do the exact same thing for everyone else, it would be a better process. That's not happening. That hasn't happened. And um and you know my contention and my argument is that should be a part of our strategy moving forward if we consider uh festival as an economic indicator. If we do not then okay then that's fine. But if we consider it if we consider it that it it it can create resources and jobs in military baldwin county then we need to have a better plan to ensure it's equal across the across the board. Now you're saying that you the city council didn't do anything correct but city employees did and that's what I'm saying. I'm saying to you that we need to make sure that we have something in place to ensure equality across the board and and and and that's the best way to develop industry festival whatever it is and that's that's what I'm asking for the for that is my contention in the future but right now I'm just uh talking about the the the applications.

Mr. Barnes, it's good to have you here tonight, especially one of my constituents. I think there is a pathway forward and a solution that or at least a pathway to a solution. Might I recommend this to both you and our city council. In the back of the room is Jennifer Stazzney and she's she's our new main street manager. I would like to and I know time is of the essence and I know you also are our appointee to the uh to the is it Milligville tourism board. I started to say Videlia. I used to serve on that for the record. I love it. Yeah. Thank you. C

is there a way because if we can have in writing some ideas from you I would like to be part of that solution. Would you be open to the idea of Jennifer and Rebecca and I meeting and you being in the room and let's let's get information from you about what specific things you might need from the city and what we might be able to help you with. Once we have that, then we can go through that line for line and see where we are and what we can do because I think until we have that, we we may be talking past one another. I I can do that, but I want to change a little bit because I don't want this to be about us. I want this to be a system that keeps the door open for everyone. Sure.

So So when I say I'll bring my experiences and then we can look at it and make sure we move forward in a way that is uh effective for everyone in in the city. You're talking about kind of a a precedent, a platform, a template, just a system. There's there is nothing wrong with having a discussion. All right, Jeeoff, I'd like to be a part of that discussion whenever you set that up. And are you talking about a committee per se to en ensure this inclusion? Well, uh, at this point, I'm just is about a conversation. We uh the whole goal is to we have to acknowledge that some things to to to change some things

and and and we haven't been um e eagerly willing to to to to make those acknowledgements because you can't change if if you think you're right. I think the conversation is the first step. Yes. All right. Well, thank you uh Mr. Barnes. We we've really kind of went on our time and discussion and I hope you appreciate the time given in the discussion. Thank you. You all that are going to meet with him, just keep in mind it's in kind gifts that the city can donate. The only thing the city can do in Mayor sound like he needs to resubmit his he does request through Melba.

Yeah, you you really do need to make sure Melba has it. Just get it since you have it in an email form. Send it out in the morning. Send it to Celeste. But CC Miss Melba Hilson but on it please so that she can have everything and you got a little time. We got time to work with so let's move it forward. And the other if you will send me those email addresses someone so I do not have them. I'll send it to you. I can email it to you. And the other component Greg I'm sorry you guys uh was the formal proclamation uh recognizing our healthy festival living month. We do that with that office. We do that right there. We don't have a problem with that.

Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Um, so I was going to start out from the outside, so give me a moment to hit the podium, please. Stand up, Miss Nancy, so Mr. Barnes can see who you are.

Okay.

Thank you. She's our new Main Street director, Mr. Barnes. She's the new Main Street director. Mr. Mike on Mr. Griffin. Okay. Thank you. All right. We have uh presentations tonight to make. Um and before we go any further, we have one proclamation that was listed on the uh agenda tonight that has been removed for a later time. So I would like to invite Mr. music Dennis to join me at this time at the podium and anyone who wishes to come up front with him from his family. Um, special presentation let you come around. Which way you going? I have to stay over to the mic and then I'll get you going to take pictures. You want you want to come on up here with us and then that way the newspaper

that way I'll stay a little close to the mic. You know, our young people are doing some outstanding um things in our community, accomplishing things at young ages. Uh 12 years old, you all remember we had a uh sevenyear-old the last meeting we had, but they are doing outstanding works in our community and mayor and council is so proud of them for the works that they are doing. So on tonight, we're going to present Mr. Music J. Dennis with the rising playwriters award and it reads presented to music Jay Dennis. Music Dennis 12 from Millersville, Georgia is a playwright director, young preacher, mime dancer and singer. He is the son of the of Evangelist Shivas Dennis Bay Harris and has made history as the first black African-American 12year-old in Millersville to write, direct, and produce his own play. a milestone that extends beyond Oak Hill Middle School to the entire city. Music's work is deeply personal and inspiring. He plays his play tells his life story, the challenges he's faced, the trials he's overcome, the lessons he has learned, and the victories he continues to achieve. Through his story, he empowers other young people to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and rise above obstacles, showing that age, size, or circumstances cannot limit their purpose. Beyond theater, music is a gifted young preacher using his words, faith, and spirit to encourage his peers. He is also a talented mind, dancer, and singer blending creativity, performance, and passion to uplift and inspire those around him. Community to

his community, committed to his community, music used his creativity and faith to highlight resilience, courage, hope, and perseverance. His story demonstrates that even at a young age, one can make a lasting impact, inspire change, and leave a legacy of excellence. And he has no reason not to cuz he has a strong mother up here that walks in all of these talents. So I know he has it honestly and it's guilted from the man above. So we have this for you today. And it says, "Wherefore, I have hereto set my hand and caused this seal to be affixed on this 24th day of February, 2026. Mary Parm Copelan, and we're so proud of you. And I will be at the place Sunday." The play is Sunday, Saturday the 28th, 2 3:00. I got to go get my shirt. Go get your shirt from um

T-shirts to go. They'll make them on the spot for you because I had called to order and they told me, "Oh, we'll make it right on the spot for you. Please come out and support this young man.

We're so proud of you and so proud of your family that stands behind you. Please take this name. One more picture.

Yeah, I want to thank Miss Clarator Wilson because she does a lot. Boy, if you all get to see I can't wait to be there. Okay. So lastly, under the presentation portion of the agenda tonight, I will now present the mayor's state of the city address. Got me returning to the DS here. Uh I didn't want to do this for here. Okay. I'm going say if we dim the light up there just a little bit, would it look a little more colorful? Cuz it's beautiful on this screen here.

All right, that's better. All right. So, tonight I'm here to present the state of the city address for the city of Millersville. And one wonderful time we have had over the past four years up until now. Over the past year, our city departments have worked together to strengthen infrastructure, improve services, support employees, and grow our community. Tonight, we reflect on what we've accomplished and where we are going next. Thank you.

Looking at our water and our sewer department as I've shared and you've seen me shared on Facebook that this is where it begins at the water and sewer uh department where your water is is filtered and clean and ready to be for uh for your use. We've implemented the SCADA monitoring system to detect issues early and to protect water services. And I know that the mayor and council and city uh interrum city manager as well as Mr. Haden is so proud of this particular monies that we spent because when we had a water uh breakage, I think it was a water breakage. Am I right, Miss Melba? Uh he was able to sit there and look at it before it happened and we were able to jump on it. So that's your money well spent in the city of Millersville. We maintain full compliance with zero system violations and renewed key environmental permits. Strengthen workforce with operator certification and training. Supported the community education through facility tours and outreach. And this is our water and sewer department. Next, I'm ready to roll. Miss Mill got it. Next, we have our human resource department. Listen, 39 new employees on board. That's a huge accomplishment. 39 new employees on board. They've completed leadership and compliance training expanded. We have the 10K uh employee wellness grant secured, PTSD coverage maintained for first responders, improved efficiency, and reduce onboarding costs by 76% while advancing benefits planning for the city workforce. We thank Miss Sandra for her hard work and all that she do over in our HR department to make sure that we're conducive and that we continue to provide the best services and get the

best employees possible into the city of Millersville. The city clerk office, we are so proud that we have a new city clerk who has came in running. Uh, as you've heard people say, she put her heels in the ground and she kept going and never looked back. And so we're so pr proud to have Miss Courtney Shaver

Shavers. I have to remember how to say that. Shavers. Courtney Shavers. Uh and welcoming her to our team. Anytime you need anything, reach out to the city clerk. We've heard it too many times, but we can't get anything from the city of Millersville. Yes, you can. We have a clerk. You see her. All you have to do is pick up the phone, dial 478-41492, and they will attend to your needs. I assure you. So the accomplishments here is we conducted municipal election uh elections in full compliance with state law. She did an outstanding job. She stepped into a role this year she had to conduct municipal um um the municipal elections and she came in with a big task with those municipal elections. That first half it showed her how we go home and we have to have something to sleep on at night that keeps us awake and she did an outstanding job with that. We maintain transparency and legal integrity through records and filings. Please let me say that again. We maintain transparency and legal integrity through records and filings. And otherwise, I just said whatever you need, you can reach out to Miss uh Shavers and she will provide it for you. We have strengthened the governance through training, collaboration, and professional growth. We recognize for leadership and community engagement through selections to the chamber leadership class and Miss uh uh Shavers just completed that class of the leadership class and that we're proud of your accomplishment with that. Next off, we have our code enforcement department. Oh, wow. We're really proud of that. We've added three uh full-time positions to the code. Is it three full-time or one part-time?

Two full-time, one part time.

Two two fulltimes and one part-time. We're proud of that. That means we're getting more done in our community when it comes to code enforcement. They're out there. They're being able to maintain and see what's wrong, what's right in the community. We can site and tag you and ask you, listen, please bring this up to code based on the city of Millersville code uh codes. So our accomplishments there is we're expanding staffing and strengthening the division structure to better serve the community. Improve efficiency with new technology equipment and field resources. Invested in professional training and certifications to enhance service quality. Our next department is the Millisville Fire and Rescue. Um what we have accomplished here, we have a fire chief recognized for the Georgia fire chief designation award for leadership and service. We have a tight group if you all have noticed at the fire department. Every time you see them, they're uniform. They're working together. And we don't just have men there anymore. We have females that work with us at the fire department. Uh we've expanded facilities and equipment with acquisitions of station three and a new ladder truck. We are so proud that station 3 hopefully will be coming online by

hopefully by the end of this year. June did you say? I said hopefully by the end of this year end of this year

hopefully by the end of the year the this year you'll see it. If you go out on the central state campus you'll see the uh new fire department that we're beginning to work on and we're adding that new ladder truck strengthening department expertise with newly certified fire instructors. Everybody's getting certified. That's key thing here at the city of Millsville, certification. Knowing your job, knowing how to do your job. And we pride ourselves on that, that everybody's coming in, participating, and becoming certified and more involved in what their day-to-day job opportunities are. And then they conducted hundreds of safety inspections and hosted community outreach events. In other words, our team is not just sitting down waiting on a fire. They're in our community. They're making sure that they're visible, that they're seen, that they can help and do the things that we need them to do in our community. Next up, we have our Millisville Police Department. And we're so proud of our police department. I was just talking just the other day with someone on a podcast. And I will put Millisville Police Department up against any other part in the state of Georgia. I called them Millisville finest. Um, I was so surprised the other day someone brought something to my house to for me to sign and and my seamstress was out there in the yard and she said he was about to lock her up. He was asking her questions. What are you doing in the mayor's yard? Why are you sitting there talking on the phone? I'm telling you, they're ready all the time. And I'm so thankful that they are always on their post. Um, but we have many accomplishments there. They've upgraded the patrol fleet, the drone program, officer safety tools. They've earned state recognition for traffic safety and DUI reduction, expanded uh investigations, digital forensics, and regional support. They strengthened crime prevention with flock tech and K9 units. And as we shared with you over

the last meeting, um Major Ber received uh now is a chairman for the You're going to have to give me that name. We're interactive tonight again tonight. GSIN. GISN. Uh you want to tell us what those initials are? Georgia State Intelligence Network.

Okay. Georgia State Intelligence Network. Uh he received the chairmanship there and we're so proud of him. Uh young man growing and moving up in the department. And that's what we look for is young people that are willing, want to move up, want to grow, and want to help expand the city of Millersville. Planning and zoning is another uprising area here at the city of Millersville. I tell people all the time, we are open for business at the city of Millersville. We're not closed. We welcome businesses into our community. We want them to come in. We want them to have a smooth process and when they come in to be able to go in and and find what they need to uh open up their business and make sure that they're successful because I don't know if you recognize but the more we bring into our community whether it's retail restaurants or whatever that's more taxpayers dollars back on the road. You see more monies flowing in our community and it helps our community. So, their accomplishment has been implemented uh standard building inspection forms to improve field review consistency, updating zoning maps with address lookup and voting districts for faster customer service, strengthening department expertise through continued professional training and improve coordination with GIS and the city department to enhance planning efficiency. And we're thankful for Mr. Barneswell who is coming along doing wonderful in your area. We thank you for your hard work and time and dedication. Millisville Main Street has always been the key to Millisville growing to Millisville having open door policies for people to come in. And now we do have a new Main Street director, Miss Jennifer Snazzy. Miss Jennifer, just wave your hand and stand up and let people see you. Uh, Miss Carly decided she wanted to excel to something new. So, we took Miss Jennifer and Miss

Jennifer is going to continue the Millersville Main Street work. Uh, it's a they hosted yearround events, drawings, 26,000 plus visitors, strengthening downtown as a regional destination. They support local businesses through promotions, partnerships, and redevelopment initiatives. They expanded collaboration with Georgia College, local organizations, and sponsors to grow downtown programming, enhancing downtown appearance through beautifification efforts and historic preservations. And I don't know if you all frequent the downtown enough, but the downtown area is really growing uh if you go down and they keep it really be the beautifification of it really nice all the time. So, make sure you uh spend your dollars in your community. Shop local, eat local, do what you need to do local uh to help our economy. The next area is public works and engineering. Their accomplishments are they secured major infrastructure funding and completed multi-year street resurfacing projects improving roads citywide. They upgraded storm water system and drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risk and protect neighborhoods. They're strengthening ground maintenance, beautifification efforts through rightaway clearing, debris removal, and citywide upkeep. They've completed significant street, sidewalk, and asphalt repairs to improve safety, accessibility, and transportation reliability. And Mr. Thomas, we thank you for the work that you and your team put in each and every day to make sure we keep military roads safe. Thank you. Looking ahead, this is your new team. This is the team that you voted in. And we want to continue infrastructure investments, economic development, public safety

support, and long-term planning will guide our next chapter. When I tell you I do believe we have one strong cohesive team uh in this team that's sitting up here at this uh DAS, they ask questions. They want to know what's going on. They want to learn. and they want to be a part of making your community a better place. And I am so proud to work with each and every one of them. They all going to bring something different and unique. One quality I have is I can read the room. So I'm always trying to read the room and see what direction that they might go in. Um this is what we're doing moving forward. And that's our presentation of the state of the city. I condensed everything down. We took it uh my PR person and we said, "Okay, we got a lot of pages. We're going to condense it down into a few words, but this city works harder than anybody I could ever tell you. U when you see these guys on the road, please praise them. Especially our water and sewer. Any of them out there, they're in out working at 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning where we're in the bed when water lines breaks. Cold as it is, it's been out there in the last couple of days. They are out working. our police officers, our firefighters, our public works, the essential part of the city is they never sleep and we're grateful for that. So, if you will give them a round of applause for being excellent employees and doing Thank you. Thank you, mayor.

All right. So now you can say you heard the state of the city address from Mayor Copelan Oakley. The next time is presented, Miss Denise Shinhos will be presenting it. U she don't know it but she'll be presenting it out. I think it's u Main Street one of them. They asked us to come out and and present it. So make sure you get that copy. All right. You all have received a copy of February the 10th, 2026 county council meeting minutes. Are there any corrections or amendments that need to be made?

Hearing none. Is there a motion to adopt the February 10th, 2026 council meeting minutes? So moved. Second. It has been properly motioned and second. I will ask the clerk to please call the role. Miss Simmons. Yes. Dr. Lee. Hi. Miss Shanholster. I. Miss Pendergas. Hi. Dr. WS. I

the motion carries and the minutes are approved. Um I really don't have a whole lot of comments tonight. U we did meet and and talk about some things and we're still discussing uh things that we'll be bringing to the table as to moving forward some other action items and we haven't taken any action on them but when we take the action on the action items we will bring forward to the community. So at this time we will move to the city manager's report and I will recognize Miss Hilson Buts. Good afternoon everyone. Good afternoon.

Um I have sent out my report to you all. Are there any questions in regards to any ordinances or resolutions that will come before you tonight? Pretty straightforward.

Um good. Okay. Um, I always like to highlight and recognize employees and I thank first of all all my department heads that showed up tonight for this meeting. I thank you all so much for showing up. You look beautiful out there. Um, I do want to recognize um, one individual from the Mill Police Department. That is Lieutenant Wanda Holy. Um, I think I told you all about her in my report. Um, city of Millville was awarded the 2026 car seat mini grant. And um, they work in conjunction with the early learning center to perform car seat checks, provide instruction to families on proper car seat um, installations and use. And they also give away car seats and booster seats to those families in need. And Lieutenant Wanda Hosy is the one that spearheads that every year. Um, she's a major supporter. You see her out there at Early Learner Center in the morning taking in your little ones, helping them in, get them out the car safely. And so she's very instrumental to that program and I just wanted to give her some kudos and recognize her for her efforts in that she's not here tonight but please tell her we

g ups on that and that's all I have for you. That's all I have. Mayor

and I did not see Mr. Morgan hiding. You must have slipped in. Thank you uh one of our code full-time code uh enforcement officers uh that are they're staying on their job and being busy. We thank you all as well. All right, we will now move to old business tonight which is a part of the agenda. We have three public hearings to conduct tonight all of which relate to land use. The procedure for all of the public hearings will be as follows. Once it has been determined that the public hearing has been properly posted and advertised, the clerk will read the proposed amendment to the land development code. We will then hear a report from planning and zoning administrator, including advisory decisions of the planning and zoning commission. Council will first hear from the applicant and anyone who wishes to speak in favor of the amendment. We will then hear from anyone who wishes to speak in opposition to the amendment. If anyone speaks in opposition to the amendment, we will then give the applicant an opportunity for rebuttal, but the rebuttal must be limited to the points or issues raised by the opposition. We will we will then give the opposition the opportunity to speak in rebuttal. They too must limit comments to their points or raise issues. Please make sure that before you speak that you come to the podium and give your name and address for the record. Anyone wishing to speak on the matter is encouraged to do so, but comments must remain relevant, concise, and polite. Oh, before you go any further, I was just going to say that that's the one that we table. This is the one that we table.

Yes. Which one? Last the one that you're reading on. This is the one that we tabled from the last meeting and we've already had the public hearing. So, do we need to go through that again on the street? The ownership of the street. We don't have to go back through it. So, I'm going to if it's okay with you. Yes. Go ahead and make a motion. I will make a motion that we accept the findings of the planning and zoning board and approve the request. Second be reszoning. Second. All right. So, we have a motion and a second to accept the planning and zoning. um findings on what was that called? Ordinance 0-2512-20. So if you will, Madam Clerk, please call the role. Miss Simmons,

I. Dr. Lee, I. Miss Shaner, I. Miss Pendergas, I. Dr. Wells, I. All right. So, so it is approved. Okay. All right. Let's go to the next one. New business. New business and new business. Y. Okay. So now we will we will now move to new business part which is a part of the agenda tonight. I will ask the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-3 by caption as a first read.

Thank you for catching it. Ordinance 02602-03. Conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 120 North Elbert Street. This property is currently owned by Duckworth Holdings and zone CBC. Owner desires a special use permit to allow for a downtown hotel project. All right. This is the first read of this ordinance and I am referring to it to the planning and zoning commission. Mr. Barnes, well, I need to see you about something I want to ask you on that as well. Okay. I will ask the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-04 by caption as a first read.

Ordinance 02602-04. conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 151 North Jefferson Street. This property is currently owned by Duckworth Holdings and zoned CBC. Owner desires a special use permit to allow for a downtown hotel project. All right. This is the first read of this ordinance and I'm referring it to the planning and zoning commission. I will ask clerk to the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-05 by caption as a first read. Ordinance O-2602-05. conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 211 East Macintosh Street. This property is currently owned by Adam Fabian and zone CBC. Owner desires a special use permit to allow for a downtown hotel project. All right. This is uh the first read of this ordinance and I am referring it to the planning and zoning commission as well. I will ask the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-06 by caption as a first read. Ordinance 0-2602-06. conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 141 North Jefferson Street. This property is currently owned by William and Debbie Thompson and zon CBC. Owners desire a

special use permit to allow for a downtown hotel project.

Right. This is a first read of this ordinance and I am referring it to the planning and zoning commission too. I'll ask the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-07 by caption as a first read. Ordinance 0-2602-07. Conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 131 North Jefferson Street. This property is currently owned by Pendergas Property and zone MR2. Owners desire a reszone from MR2 to CBC with special use for the development of a downtown hotel project.

This is uh a first read of this ordinance as well, and I'm referring it to the planning and zoning commission. Madame clerk, if you will read ordinance 0-2602-08 by caption as a first read.

Ordinance zero. Ordinance 0-2602-08. Conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow a special use of property located at 200 North Elbert Street. This property is currently owned by Eagle Place Holdings LLC and zone SFR2. Owner desires a res a reszone from SFR2 to CBC with special use for the for the development of a downtown hotel project.

This two is the first read of this ordinance and I am referring it to the planning and zoning commission. I will ask the clerk to read ordinance 0-2602-09 by caption as a first read.

Ordinance 0-2602-09 conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending the land development code to reszone and allow special use of property located at 230 East Mintosh Street. This property is currently owned by Eagle Place Holdings LLC and zone SFR2. Owner desires a reszone from SFR2 to CBC with special use for the development of a downtown hotel project.

All right. This is the first read of this ordinance and I am referring it to the planning and zoning commission as well. I'll ask the clerk to read resolution R-2602-07 by cap resolution R-2602-07 to author Authorize a service agreement with bug house pest control for pest control service in the public works building. Right. You all have heard the resolution. Is there a motion to adopt?

Motion to adopt. Second. The proper motion and second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. I will ask the clerk to call the role, please. Miss Simmons. I. Dr. Lee. Hi. Miss Shan Hoster. I. Miss Pendergas. Hi. Dr. Wells. I the resolution is adopted. We don't have we do not have an appointments or alcohol license application to consider this evening. Council, is there a need to go in close session that you know nothing about? I have a

Thank you. So, this concludes the items on the agenda. Does anyone on council have any questions or comments? Um before they make their comments, I want to say please keep council alderwoman map in your prayers. She lost her mama mother mother this past weekend and the services will be Friday at the chapel of all faith uh at 11:30. Those of you all wishing to go and support her during her time of bereiement. Uh I want to thank Mr. Scott Little. I think I seen him somewhere in here. He must have left. He's always here from the Balling County Commission. Uh Mr. Robert Bingan, wave your hand. He's a Central State Re Central State Redevelopment Authority um chairperson and we're glad to have you here with us tonight. Did I miss anybody else that I did not recognize? All right. Anybody else on on council? Do you have anything you would like to say? Mayor Farm Copeland, I would also like to say we not only congratulate Jennifer for her new appointment to Main Street director, but we would also like to extend our condolences as this council or at least on my behalf to her and her family as they said goodbye to former mayor John W. Grant.

That was her that was her grandfather. He was 99 years old. And the Bible says three score and 10 10 more with faith. and he went 19 years over that. Wow. So, Elvis is you you have our condolences. Um deeply and sorry for your your loss. Um at this time, Miss Shinhost is going to uh give you all a briefing on the Middle Georgia region commission and her appointment. I guess so.

I heard you. Um, I I just wanted to say as far as my appointment this year, I'm serving as the vice chair of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission and as the first vice president of the sixth district of the state of Georgia. So, next year I will be chairing both organizations. So, I just wanted to um make the um community aware of that. You do have representation here on this council board from all of us and we are doing things not only in the community but in the region and in the state of Georgia and because of my appointment I do get to serve on the board of directors for the Georgia municipal association. So just wanted to share that

we thank mission host it takes commitment to serve on these boards because you're traveling you're away from your home and to let you know yes we do travel in these positions uh and it takes that in order for us to be informed to come back and share in in this community uh with what's going on not only in the state but nationally because we are part of the national league of cities as well and so I'm so thankful for this group that wants to be involved that that are getting involved. Miss Morgan, our newest person. Wow. She's just blowing my mind how she's getting involved.

And that's what it's going to take if you're going to stay on this seat in at the city as a U city alderman. I got to get used to that name. That's the name. They changed it to a city alderman. Then I want to say city council. So, city alderman. Um, anybody else have anything? If not, is there a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. Y'all be slow on those seconds. I one night I'm gonna say motion. Second die. Okay. I'll ask the clerk to call the role, please. Miss Simmons. I. Dr. Lee. Hi. Miss Shan Hoser. I Miss Penderass. Hi. Dr. W. I. All right. Meeting adjourned.