City Council - Regular Meeting

What is it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They don't do nothing for sideways rain. Yeah.

My new shoes were wet, everything. So I wore shorts and a t-shirt to dinner. I was 30 minutes late.

Hey, I'm good. How you doing?

Welcome back.

All right, please bow your heads. Lord, we thank you for this day and all of the many blessings that you have given us. We thank you for the opportunity to gather here together to have an amazing city and city council. We ask that you would bless our city and have your hand over this meeting. Allow us as we leave here today to seek you more and to do everything for your glory only. Amen.

Hey, Audrey, one second. Thank you. By the way, cute haircut. Audrey Powell just graduated from the George Walton Academy. She is head of the University of Georgia. Good choice. We know somebody here who's related to her. She's sitting over there. Watched Audrey grow up from this little bitty girl singing at church to now coming in and saying the prayer. She has a Christian podcast, and it's called? reflecting his light, and where would you hear that? Okay, and so Spotify, and how often do you do it? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So I'm introducing Audrey, and I appreciate your... Giving the invocation, I like bookending this meeting, so I have another one that we'll be recognizing later, although I don't even think she knows it, but thank you so much for being here. Now, also, as we had the sons and daughters of the American Revolution last month, I did have a request by one of them. They said they go to meetings all over the county and that we are the only ones that don't say the Pledge of Allegiance. And it's not part of our charter, it's the way the meeting should be run, and we may address that or rectify it. But if you don't mind, I'd like to stand and say the pledge, and then we will move forward with the meeting. Thank you, everybody. I'll call this meeting to order of the Monroe City Council. Today's date is July 7th. That means we're 250 years and three days since we signed the declaration. Let the record reflect that all members of council are present, with the exception of Ms. Brown, who's not feeling very well tonight. I do want to grab approval of the agenda, please.

I'll move, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, sir. Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you. Is there any discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. The consent agenda this month would be the DDA minutes, Convention and Visitors Bureau minutes, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation from May, and the City Council minutes from June. I need a motion for the approval, please.

Move to approve.

Thank you, Ms. Malcolm. Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like signed. Motion carries. That passes. Moving to public comments. I don't think we have any tonight. And we, for the first time in a while, don't have any public presentation items either. Mr. Probst, would you go with the city administrator report, please?

Thank you, Mayor. I hate to keep reporting on the same things over and over, but again, we are government and we are slow. Are we at the mercy of slower governments above us? So I just got a report back just a few minutes ago about the 1178 project that I bring up literally every month. And it was approved by the district and is awaiting final approval through GDOT Atlanta. They believe that will happen within about three weeks. All right. Hopefully we can really start moving the ball forward there. Other than that, we are just finishing out a slate of projects throughout the summer. We just ask that you pardon our progress. The city is gonna look very different in many different corners later this year and even later this summer. So we just appreciate the public's attention and patience. With that, I'll just reserve for some hopefully better updates

A lot of better updates coming pretty quickly. Does anybody have any questions for Logan? Mr. Bailey, Assistant City Administrator, report please.

So you're saying we don't like orange barrels everywhere and stuff dug up? No, a quick update on a couple of things and I've got something fun at the end of it that I wanted to tell you all about. And I hope he's watching remotely so he can hear it, but You'll understand when I get there. Our Georgia Outdoor Stewardship grant, the river park, there is work happening already. Surveyors are on site. And then the utility coordination has started. Rodney, that was the email that came through today. I found out just a few minutes ago that that is park related, so it's not the Highway 138 bridge. because I was a little bit nervous when I saw that part of it. And then I know July 21st, when we actually get back from the next conference, we have a meeting with the financial side of the DNR to set up everything on the reimbursement schedules and get all of that worked out. So moving along quickly, our Midland streetscape that was approved last month, we should start sometime towards the end of July. We're trying to start that project to then time the milling portion of it when we get to the very end of it to start with our LMIG projects and our LRA projects and the funding for the milling on those projects as well. So we can essentially pay one mobilization cost for the same company that's doing that and save us a little money all around. TAP grant, they are back working. Windstream and the state and everybody finally got utilities off the poles. So we were able to remove those and Shiv, as promised, jumped right back on everything. I talked with him and speaking of getting projects done as quickly as we can, if weather pans out for us, they projected that they could potentially be done with Broad Street on the other side in four to six weeks. which that would be amazing to get done, get out of there. And then we'll move to the small bit that we have left on Lumpkin and then finish out Highland and then get our poles and trees set and situated. I think invitations have started going out. Notifications for our downtown stakeholders event will be July 28th at the Wayfair from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. That's on a Tuesday. And now the fun part. Mark Harrison is currently attending an APWA conference where he is getting his certification that he's completed his training, which is roughly about three years, roughly about a three year process. So not only is he picking up his certification, but he was actually asked to speak in the continuing education class on a topic that they're having that's called moving the needle with young professionals. So he, He was fortunate enough, while he's impressed us for years, he is a good young kid, I call him. Will do anything you ask. Works his butt off. He is always here, always willing. To be asked to speak, you know, at the age of what, 28, to a continuing education class at an APWA, a national conference, I think is an amazing feat to do. to accomplish and to be kind of rewarded with. And the one thing that he made mention of, he sent me a text, and I'll do the best I can to kind of get through explaining it a little bit, was how grateful he was to the leadership that we have here at the city for allowing him to grow and allowing him to learn and allowing him to participate and see so many functions and so many aspects of this city. So anyway, I hope you're watching. And I told you I promised I would I would do a good job telling everyone what you were up to this evening.

So, yeah.

I'll be glad to take any questions.

Before we get to the questions part, Mark, if you're watching, you hit the jackpot with your parents. So, nicely done, Sam and Jennifer. Are there any questions for Mr. Bailey? Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it. Moving to new business, QT, unless I am otherwise told, is asked to table it again? Yeah, that's the request. So I need a motion and a second for the conditional use 4451 at 1110 North Broad for Quick Trip and the hardship variance number 4502 also for Quick Trip. Can I have a motion, please? Thank you, Ms. Sims. Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Is there any discussion? All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes table until next month. Moving to the conditional use number 4640 and 409 East Marable Street. Mr. Callender.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a conditional use request for convenience store with fuel pumps. The fuel pumps are the nature of the conditional use request. They are conditional use in all of your B districts. This is a property zone B1 at 409 East Marible Street. It currently has the hotspot convenience store. It doesn't have gas pumps now. It did, I believe, a decade or so ago. There were fuel pumps there, but they were removed, so it's only a convenience store now. The owner of the property is proposing to demolish, raise the existing building now and develop it with a new convenience store building in and they will build a new store at 3,300 square feet in size. They want to put back the fuel pumps, but this will be obviously a new installment. Those fuel pumps will have to meet our requirements that those be placed to the rear or side of the building. So that is going to be basically on the north side of the property there. And they're only proposing a total of eight parking spaces with the building. So this is their representative architecture. Like I said, it will be a brand-new building. It's going to be a brick facade with a front and metal awning there over glass and steel windows. This likely will not cause any disturbance to the existing neighborhood as we do already have a convenience store there. This probably will be an improvement to that site, specifically with an older store just basically being demolished and improved with a brand new building there. And we'll continue to provide access to the local neighbors and not necessarily highway traffic. So the Planning Commission and staff did recommend approval. There was a condition added at the Planning Commission meeting, and that was hours of operation shall be limited to 5 a.m. to 12 midnight. And so that recommendation is approval with that one condition, Mayor. That's all that I have.

Thank you, Mr. Callender. Are there any questions for Brad? Hearing none, I will declare this portion of the meeting open for the purpose of public input. Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor? Yes, ma'am. Come forward, please, Andrea.

Slide advancer by chance. Well, good evening, Mayor and Council members. It's a pleasure to be before you tonight. I'm Andrea Gray, and this evening I have the pleasure of representing Nikhil Agrawal and his request for a conditional use permit for a convenience store with fuel pumps. As Mr. Callender showed you, the property is located on East Marable Street. It's about 1.12 acres. and already zoned B1, which is appropriate for the use that is there now as a convenience store and the use that we are proposing. Here, I know we all know and drive by the site, but just to refresh us, this spot has been here since 1957. So it has served our community well, provided a place for people to come and buy food and drinks, and at one time it did have gas pumps for a good while, but those were filled in around 2016, 2019. Hence the need for us to come back here to ask for conditional use. But on this picture, you can also see, as you know, that the use of the property, the store, is really pushed up against the corner of the property. It's a very odd shape. It's a triangle. But it's a large property that only really a small portion of it is being used now. So the plans that we have are to demolish this building and really utilize the space a lot better than it's being used now. So the upgrade will be substantial here with the new store, bring it up to modern day standards, city of Monroe standards. I'm excited about this project for this area here. 3,300 square feet, so it would be a good bit bigger than the current building. We did agree to limit the hours and also agreed that there wouldn't be any gambling machines inside of this store, but there would be lottery sales. Here's the site plan, and again, you can see massive changes to what's currently there. We've pushed the building back away from that corner spot so that we could meet all the setback requirements. We also pushed the parking behind the building, and then based on ordinance requirements, the fuel pumps are to the side of the building if you're considering, which we do, East Marable Street as the frontage. Little confusing here with three different road frontages, but our front is East Marable. So we will have the gas pumps to the side. And then we've got a nice through route. We've got entrances on both roads, which will make it great for access. So we shouldn't be seeing any cars piling up onto the roads like they are now.

It'll really fit well within the current ordinances.

So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. But again, our request is for a conditional use permit to allow for the convenience store with fuel pumps.

Thank you. When we revisit this in just a minute, you might get some questions, but none right now. Thank you. Do you have anyone here, anyone else who'd like to speak in favor of this rezone? Rezone? Conditional use, I'm sorry. Is there anyone here who'd like to speak against the conditional use? Hearing none, we'll declare that portion of the meeting closed, and we'll revisit in just a few moments. Moving to 275 Cherry Hill Road, Mr. Callender.

Thank you, Mayor. This is a rezone request from your current M1 Light Industrial Manufacturing District to R1. And what is proposed on this property is only the use of a single family residence. So that's all that's proposed with this particular rezone. The property's been zoned M1 since it was incorporated into the city in 1955 was when that expansion occurred. The property's currently in a conservation use. And the conservation use easement itself limits the uses on the property. In this case, it limits the ability for the owner to only build a single family residence on the property. This is part of the battleground at Jack's Creek conservation easement. If anyone's familiar with that, it covers, I believe, a total of seven properties in and along Cherry Hill Road. This is just one of those seven properties. And so the owner in this case purchased all seven of those properties and is subject to that conservation easement. And they're simply proposing to build their personal single family home on this one tract. There is no other basically proposal before this council to do anything other than that. So we, staff and planning commission, did recommend approval of the request to down zone the property from M1 to R1. with the one stipulation that the existing sign dumpster display mechanism not there on 78 be removed. And that wording says basically at the time of completion of the certificate of occupancy for the proposed single-family dwelling, that the roll-off dumpster be displayed shall be removed from the property. So at the time that they finish their residence, that display shall be removed. That's all that I have, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, sir. Are there any questions for Mr. Callender?

How much acreage is with the home site?

This is 52 acres. And that's all seven pieces that he said? The other six pieces are not involved in this request. They're separate parcels, fee simple altogether. They're not part of this request. They're all separately zoned something else.

Okay. Are there any other questions? I'll declare this portion of the meeting open for the purpose of public input. Is there anyone here who would like to speak in favor of this rezone? You look like a Thompson.

How's it going? My name is Dylan Thompson. This is my wife, Madison Thompson. Thank you. We're here for the rezone of property that we bought here on Cherry Hill. We're looking to build a house on it and start our family there. We enjoy Monroe, like Monroe, and want to raise our family here and build one house. I certainly appreciate it, man.

Thank you. So you're in favor?

Yes, sir.

Thank you all for being here. Is there anyone here who would like to speak against this rezone? Are there any questions? Dr. Felton? I'm sorry. You need to come forward, please, if you don't mind.

Thank you. 1045 Ramesh Lane. And unfortunately my representation got held up at the soccer game, had an incident after the game, so he didn't make it here. But my question is, if the conservation easement allows for a structure, which I think it does, why does it need to be rezoned to R1? And then the second question is, R1 goes with the property, not just the owner. So the owner's intention, I believe, are good. I'm looking forward to having him as a neighbor, but the R1 goes with the property, not just the Thompson family. My concern is after they sell or if they move with R1 zoning, what is that gonna allow as far as future development on that property?

Thank you. Brad, can you? Yeah, I can answer the question. The question is a good question. So the property is zoned M1 now. We do not allow single family residences to be built in an industrial zoning. So it's necessary for him to ask for the rezone to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling. Otherwise, he can do nothing with it. Obviously, the conservation easement would not permit him to develop it industrially. So in order for him to build the one thing he can build, a single family dwelling, he has to get it down zoned to this R1 dwelling, which is a zoning issue with us.

And if it is R1 and he sells the property for that R1 rezone, what does that allow for future development as long after the Thompson family is not there?

I think this rezone is asking for one dwelling. I don't see this granting him any other buy-right situation.

It would be fair to assume, I think I understand your question maybe a little differently. If they were to sell with that R1 designation also stays with the property, But because of the conservation easement, it can only ever have that one house on it, no matter what the zoning is.

The governing conservation easement prohibits anything else. Okay. And given the city council doesn't control the conservation easement, so if you feel the need to see that that be the only thing that's built on the property, you probably could condition that be the only thing built on the property. That's not a terrible idea. Okay. Okay. Yeah, so if the conservation even has ever removed, and let's say that that is a possibility in the future, let's say that something you don't control happens, and it's 30 years down the road, a different council is sitting here, and a lot of things have happened in 30 years, right? And we're dealing with things that happened 30 years ago in this city. They're zoned something. So a condition that says that he's asking for a single-family dwelling, a condition that says he can build the single-family dwelling, and that's all, may not be a harmful thing to add to this request if it is approved by council. That way it assures you're only seeing that the only thing by right is one single family dwelling instead of whatever this zoning would be in the future of this R1.

The holder of the easement does. So whatever land trust holds it. Generally speaking, I can't speak to this easement, although I'm pretty familiar with this particular easement. I'm not going to give you all legal advice on whether or not this easement can or cannot be broken. But the general rule is these conservation easements, similar to the one that's on this tract, cannot be broken by anyone other than a governmental entity enforcing eminent domain condemnation type elements, which is what you saw happen actually where your new jail is currently located. So this is what I'll tell you is conservation easements, The conservation easement issue is not before you. What's before you is whether to rezone it from M1, which is an extremely intense use, down to R1, which is a much lesser use. But the irony you have here is the conservation easement is in place, and so this property owner can do nothing with the property under its current zoning. The rezone here does provide an economically viable use at that point relative to the terms of the conservation easement. That's what you have before you. M1 to R1, which is a down zone. Right now, this property owner has no use whatsoever under the terms of the conservation easement, but a down zone to R1 would permit them to build a home compliant with both your zoning requirements and the conservation easement.

So is it the city policy or the city that says the M1 can't be? can't allow a new home, or can't allow a home.

Right, the M1 zoning does not allow single-family homes.

So it would make sense, or not, sorry, it would seem that if the city could change the, without getting no conservation even with the M1.

I think probably what you're about to hear is going with the rezone to the R1 with the conditional use that no additional homes can be built on that property.

Let me read this, because I wouldn't, this is what it was.

Yes, sir, please.

My concern is the legal effect of this rezoning. Public records indicate this tract was conveyed as part of a multi-parcel transaction recorded in deed book 5603, page 1915. Those same records also reference conservation use classification and land covenants on several partials. For the record, I respectfully ask the planning director to confirm that tonight's applicant applies only to the parcel M0110188 approximately 51 acres at 275 Cherry Hill and does not rezone other partials acquired in that transaction.

All right, this is one parcel. Okay.

If the existing recorded documents already permit one home, why is the rezoning necessary, which you've answered. If rezoning is necessary, what recorded legal document will permanently limit this property to a one single family residence after future owners take title?

That would be the conditional use.

Will there be a recorded conditional rezoning or restrictive covenant and conservation easement or amendment or any recorded legal instrument that runs with the land and land future owners and binds future owners?

Yes, that's the conditional use.

Okay. All right, all is good so far. If no such protection exists, which it does, You've explained the legal mechanism that ensures that the applicant's intention is for one home.

Okay, all right, thank you, trust you. Thank you, yes sir, I appreciate you coming in. Is there anyone here, any additional questions or anyone against this rezone? Hearing none, I'll declare that portion of the meeting closed. We'll revisit that in just a moment. Moving to New business, this is for council to discuss only. 409 Conditional Use 4640, 409 East Marable Street. Mr. Callender just discussed it. Are there any questions for Brad? I have a question for the representative of the owner of the business. Yes, ma'am, Ms. Gray.

Hey, Ms. Gray. That picture right there, is that the facade that's currently up there, what direction is that facing? Okay. Is it facing, I'm sorry, is it facing the pumps or is it facing East Maryville Street?

It's facing the street.

Officially, it's Maryville, pointed face toward the point, but either way, they're considered on the side.

Yes, yeah, it's just an odd triangular.

This point is going to face the way the building faces today. Can we, there we go. Built it just to the right.

Yes.

Is it facing this way?

Yes, yes, facing the, it's fronting on East Marable Street. Okay.

So seeing that that's in such a precarious spot with that corner, is there any way to facade the back of it, even if it's minimal, just to carry those same characteristics so that it doesn't look like the typical back of a commercial building? Is that something that could be considered?

I'm sure it's possible. Do you understand the request?

That it not be just a plain brick wall

guess that it have some not necessarily that it's just brick but just something that doesn't show that it is you know like most commercial buildings anywhere you go in any city you know there's trash and you know standard people save money on the rear of a building and I'm not trying to cause any more cost to the landowner but to state I mean part of the reason for this ordinance is to make it more inviting from the street side of you right and so I just want to figure out if if we're going to be able to do that as far as making it presentable from the street.

I guess I'm trying to articulate what it is you're asking to make it consistent with the appearance of the front facade.

The making materials on the rear elevation are going to be similar to the front, I think.

Yeah, that'd be fair to assume. Okay, yes, we're good with that. No, no, no, that's okay. You just want to make sure we articulated it properly.

I got a point of clarification. If you can scroll one more. No, back the other way, I think. One more.

I'm going to tell you which way you want to go. I'm going to the plan or you want to go to the...

I want to see there's a road cut through between... Is that a road or is that part of the parking lot between the store and the fuel pumps?

It's really, I mean, it's a road, a driveway, I wouldn't call it a road. It's just a driveway access.

So it's not part of a road.

No, it's not a public road.

Yes, sir. Okay.

Yes, sir.

Clears that up. Yes, sir. I guess since that's up, I would assume that the facade you showed with the front door entrance would be the northernmost part of that map. facing the fuel pumps. Am I incorrect?

No. It's the short side right there. That is it? That's the front door right there.

Based on ordinance requirements, we're butting it up against the road there.

Gotcha. Okay. So how do people go inside the gas station? Is that a sidewalk up front?

And they walk from the pumps inside?

It makes sense, yeah. They walk from the pumps and directly inside where the eight parking spaces are. So you're saying there's not a door where the eight parking spaces are. There's only a door in that island that is facing East Maryville.

That's correct. They just walk around the side of the building. And that building's not on the road. The road frontage is on the out.

Yeah, an entrance at the parking as well? Okay, yeah, I guess the drawing we have is very conceptual, right, we haven't done the detailed design and the detailed engineering to see how it best fits on the site. I think you're right, it does make sense to have entry where there are parking spaces, right, where people park and be able to come in, but also the intent to make sure that the frontage along East Marable is very attractive based on city ordinance requirements that it be butted up to it.

Part of that question, too, is that I know how many people use that convenience store site.

Yes.

A lot of it is foot traffic from the community that lives around it. So I'm just trying to make sure the accessibility is something that is still offered.

Sure, yeah. And we'll work with staff as we're getting building permits going and final designs to make sure it fits with city requirements. Awesome.

Thank you. Are there any other questions for Ms. Gray? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion.

I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Is there a second?

I'll second it as well.

Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. Moving to, thank you, Andrea. I'm moving to the rezone number 4641 at 275 Cherry Hill Road. Mr. Callender just discussed. Dr. Felton just asked. I think all the questions were answered. Are there any additional questions? I'll entertain a motion.

Move to grant the rezone.

Thank you, Mr. Dickinson. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Gregory. Is there any further discussion?

Does that rezone include the conditional use that was talked about?

Thank you for saying that. Would you like to amend your motion?

With the condition.

With the condition. Thank you. I have a motion and a second. To approve the rezone with the condition

Two conditions.

Two conditions.

You had a condition that was proposed by Planning Commission and then one I think you're adding tonight about limiting it to one single family dwelling.

Okay, removing the dumpster.

Removing the dumpster and limiting it to one single family dwelling.

Limiting it to one single family dwelling, second condition. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. Thank you. Mr. and Ms. Thompson, thank you. We're excited you all are coming. Moving to the CDBG grant writing administration, administrative and related grant services for the Blaine Station project. Before I pass this off to Chris and Logan, we have four options. tonight that are going to come in front of us is going to be to bring on one grant writer for the project, to bring on two grant writers for the project would be the second option. The third would be to allow more info to discuss with all involved, which would basically be tabling it, which would also give Ms. Brown the same honor that we bestowed last month upon Ms. Malcolm. Or number four, don't do it at all. If you are in the hey, let's table it category, we can table it all together right now. If you'd prefer to have Chris go through all the things that he's learned, then we can make a decision on one of the four options. How would you like to proceed?

I will make the motion to table it.

I think you have a motion to table. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Dickinson. Thank you, Mr. Crawford. Is there any discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. We will revisit that next month. Let's just say two months in a row is plenty, and if somebody's not here next month, sorry. And I appreciate your patience with all that. Moving to the financing agreement with Georgia Municipal Association and the resolution, Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mayor. What you have before you is an agreement that we're going to, asking to enter in with Georgia Municipal Association, which is also known as GMA, Secure financing through GMA to purchase a new fire engine. Chief Dykes will go over that purchase with you all next. The purchase amount plus equipment is estimated to be $1,152,285.68. This financing agreement will be structured as a seven-year term at 4.36% interest. Annual debt payments, service payments, will be $164,612.24, and this will be funded through the public safety portion of the 2025 SPLOST funds.

Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Are there any questions for Beth?

How many months payments? How many months? How many months payments?

Oh, okay.

I'm talking about a car payment. I'm thinking about a month payment. Okay. 76 months. Got you.

I was thinking that's a dang good loan. I'll entertain a motion, please. Thank you, Ms. Malcolm. Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Is there any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. Chief Dykes, said fire engine.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and now that we have secured financing, you should probably understand what we are financing, so thank you. Asking tonight to do as we did about five years ago in requesting pre-approval to purchase from next year's CIP because of lead times and so forth. But what we have been able to do is secure, with your approval tonight, we will be able to secure a dealer demo build that is already scheduled. It's in the queue for production that would arrive next July for a cost of $903,644. if we were to go with our own specification in order tonight with approval, we're looking at two to three years and over $100,000 more. So this is our best option to save a significant amount of money and have a fire engine realistically this time next year versus two to three years from now. And this will be payment upon delivery. So again, this is a, pre-authorization to go ahead and enter into an agreement with Fireline and also just will add that we will be utilizing the source well contract on that so it has already had the cooperative purchasing that meets our city purchasing policy.

Thank you, Chief. Are there any questions for Chief Dyches? I'll entertain a motion. I move to approve. Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Is there a second? Thank you, Ms. Sams. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. Now one of the more exciting discussions that we have had in a very long time, National Guard Exchange Agreement. Mr. Probst or Mr. Bailey?

I'll go ahead and take it from the start. So for many years now, we've been working with the Georgia Army Reserve National Guard on... possibly relocating them from the current armory to somewhere else. And one place that was identified in a study was the existing Coker Park. And it's not been an active, useful park for quite a while now, and it would take significant capital investment from the city to do that. So it was eyed by the National Guard, and we're working a, agreement for purchase and sale of that property, basically an exchange agreement, so to speak, as well with the Georgia State Properties Commission for that property and for the existing armory location on Washington and High School Avenue. So we would not take possession of their current property until after the new facility is built. But this was approved, and this is the first time it's ever happened. This was approved through this session of the state legislature. $28 million was directly appropriated for this facility. So that's kind of setting the new model for the state. Hopefully others can follow in our footsteps here. But this is a huge, huge project. The only one that's ever been done that's not initiated at Congress, at the federal level. This is a huge win for Monroe. It keeps the National Guard here. When I know that they have been contemplating moving to other cities in the state. And they'll be able to expand too. So this will be helpful for this property. It'll pay homage to a lot of various great Monrovians that were in the military. And there'll be plenty more conversation on this property on this project in the coming years as they build it out. But before you tonight is the conveyance of the property to the state, the Georgia State Properties Commission, and then how we're gonna do that exchange agreement. I'll let Paul opine with any additional technicalities on this agreement, if he has any in mind.

Sure. So the agreement is a simple exchange agreement. It's couch is a purchase and sale. We transfer the Coker Park dirt to them, which is about 27 acres. And then when they have finished building out the new National Guard facility, then they transfer to us the old National Guard armory, which is right in downtown, just off of Washington and Church and High School Avenue. I'll be happy to answer any questions. There is no consideration. It's just a straight swap. And I think there's a waiver of connection fees for the new facility. And there are, of course, a few contingencies in there, meaning they have to continue to get their state funding. And the State Properties Commission has to approve the exchange. But on their side, no one sees that as being a problem, particularly given the fact that the as of six days ago or seven days ago, the $28 million was sitting in the budget for this year for appropriation. So I'll be happy to answer any questions you have. We've reviewed the agreement that was drafted by the DOD and it's good by us with a couple of minor changes. Surveyors are out there now surveying it because this has not been surveyed in over 75 years. And we do anticipate a few little hiccups on some title and corners and things like that, but we'll work through those but I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Are there any questions, Paul? Any questions for Logan? I was there, I was at the Capitol last week when Governor Kemp signed his approval of it, so we're all in pretty good shape.

and Washington are excited about it. It's pretty chaotic down there on Guard Weekend.

Right, and the folks at On Stage and the folks at the park, I mean, it's just great for Monroe. Plus, the proximity to Felker, we're not taking away a park. We're just making better use of the property. I'll entertain a motion, please.

Move to approve the agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Dickinson. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Is there any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes. Moving to Monroe Country Day School lease agreement. Mr. Probst.

Mr. Mayor, before we get into that, I'm going to recuse myself and step outside the chambers during the discussion on that matter.

Thank you, Mr. Dickinson.

Just out of curiosity, so my wife is the president of the board of the Country Day School. Should I also recuse myself?

I think that would probably be best. Yes, sir.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to recuse myself, and I'm not going to go anywhere because, well, I can't. It's fine. I think it matters, but I'll guess.

Thank you. So one more question. My wife is an employee. Out then. Y'all go have a party. Oh, my goodness. We don't have a quorum now. I'm recusing myself.

Yeah, I think probably departure was his best.

Y'all got a quorum? Too bad. We don't have a quorum.

So I'm going to assign one of you all to go run out and get people after this discussion and vote. Clearly, this school means a lot to our community, and I think we really all have a vested interest in that success. So moving forward, Logan.

Thank you, Mayor. So this concerns the property located at 602 East Church Street. 2.26 acres of real property and of course the two-story brick structure that was constructed in 1914 originally as a school. The city's owned it for quite a while as you know and we've had a current lease agreement in place with the Monroe Country Day School and it terminates at the end of the month. So what we've done is kind of renegotiate some terms with Monroe Country Day School to have some escalation built in. I'm just trying to get to that page here. I'm sorry. So one of the things, aside from the price that we're looking at, so it'd be first year would be $56,649.96. Moving up. to 58,299.96, 59,949.96, 61,599.96, and 63,249.96 in year five. This is a five-year deal. One thing that we were addressing outside of the payment terms is the repairs and maintenance. The tenant is going to be more involved in handling a lot more of the repairs and maintenance out other than the general building envelope. So the day-to-day stuff is really gonna be handled more so by them under this new agreement. We believe that it's currently a good value and use as an educational facility, which under the city's charter is one of those elements that the city can proper, so. That lease renewal is before you tonight. They will carry general insurance provisions, so on and so forth, all the standards of our current lease that is in place.

Yes, ma'am.

Your comment about the day-to-day, I did not read the entire, is it spelled out completely? I mean, that's vague.

Yes, I was trying to give you a general sentence rather than, Okay, that's fine. The full-on article.

Yeah, it's spelled out in detail that the landlord has obligation for the structural walls and the roof. Basically, the floor system, the wall system, the roof system, no roof leaks. All other systems are the obligation of the tenant.

Okay, perfect.

Any discussion? Any questions? Any comments? Any motions?

Mayor, I'll move to approve.

Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Thank you, Ms. Sams. Motion is second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Motion carries. That passes.

Hey, Tom Bradley, would you yell at David and tell him to come back in? Show up on our meetings.

We'll put you to work. Ms. Rita, thank you for being here. Probably should have called you up front if you wanted to say anything, but sorry. So Renee still has a job. And Tyler, Lauren has been on that board for a while, correct?

That's right, for a while.

I mean, like pre-children.

Huh?

Like pre-children.

I don't know. Yeah, I think Miller was already born. We got invested in the education game once we got kids, I guess. No, that's not true, because I worked at the school before. We just love education. We're big proponents. We believe children should be educated.

I read good.

Yeah.

Well, tell her thank you. I mean, I know it's a lot of work, and I appreciate it. Moving to district reports. Ms. Malcolm.

I think that the 4th of July celebration was amazing and I appreciate our workers just as I'm sure all of you are appreciative of that and the heat and everything. I thought it came out to be a great day.

Beautiful. Thank you. Ms. Crawford.

No, I don't have anything.

Mr. Bradley. I would echo Lee's sentiment and also Mr. Bailey. I went to the FBO this past weekend for the first time since it's been completed, and I know this is irrelevant from district report, but it looks amazing. It's really well done. I was reading through some of the comments that pilots from all over the country were leaving reviews about, and it was pretty great. I just commend the whole city for making that happen.

Awesome. Thank you, Ross. Ms. Sams.

I didn't see much of the festivities because I was in Atlanta running the Peachtree this weekend, but I did receive several complaints from residents that There was no notification that the fireworks had been moved. There were hundreds of people in the same parking lot that we've watched it at for years that were unable to see it this year. So it was very disappointing.

I will address that in my report, if that's okay. Anything else? Nope, that's it. All right.

Mr. Gregory. I heard some stuff about the fireworks as well. But other than that, everybody's pretty good, and I think we're still working on some issues that we haven't discussed prior, and so thankful for that, thankful for everything everybody does. Appreciate you.

Great, thank you, Tyler. Mr. Thompson.

Instead of just saying the same thing, I agree with everything everybody said. Don't have any issues really in the district that we can't take care of. I know Rodney's doing a lot of work over there in our part of the neighborhood, but... Other than that, everything seems to be going good.

And how was Boston?

Boston was good. Learned a lot about American public power and where the future's going. And a lot of it's data centers. So that's the big ticket on the agenda. But we're still fighting through that and see if we can get a policy set forth before one pops up here, maybe.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Dickinson?

Nothing in addition.

All right, thank you. I did want to address the fireworks. If you... I should have reached out to each of you. Our hand was forced to move the firework ground zero. We had the understanding that the two point was irrelevant, that it was gonna go right to the same spot. I probably should have let you all know that the spot had changed for the shooting from Again, however, we thought it was going exactly right to the same place, so that was a communication issue on my part. But I will say that although I did get chewed the next day or so, the vast majority of folks did enjoy it, even if they did have to move a little bit. So we will take a look at how we do that next year, what we're gonna move forward with, and I'll communicate it all to you. Maybe we can do something a little bit more than just putting it on Facebook and hoping for the best. So we'll move that way, and please, if somebody else says it, Tell them it's my fault. Next, my update, and I've got a few tonight. Don't know if anybody watched Fox 5 this morning. Eva Jernigan, we've recognized her before. I said we were going to have bookends of this meeting. Eva's grandmother was Dorcas Jernigan, the first female black graduate from Monroe area. Her dad, great athlete at Monroe area, I think played ball with Jeremiah Still. They coached together. Eva will be the flag bearer for the World Cup final match in front of one billion people in New York City. So pretty awesome. She's cheering for France, therefore... I am cheering for France as well. Now, because last night was not good for us. Also, I celebrated two birthdays last month. I had two people turning 100. Lois Reichelderfer had her party at First Baptist Church. She's incredible. These 100-year-olds from this month are a whole lot different than the 100-year-olds of just nine years ago, because those celebrations have been at Great Oaks, or they have been at Park Place, or they've been in a home where the person was not mobile. Both of these ladies were in fantastic shape. The one we did for Alia Dell-Pitts, did anybody, was anybody taught by Ms. Pitts? See, I mean, it was a who's who. This party was at the Lighthouse. There were about 150 people there, and it was a who's who of the best people who've ever come through Monroe. Michael Hill, her son. It's a value of education that you can get. You just don't see, like, just generationally. I think you talked with her, didn't you, Ms. Rita? Yeah. just it was just wonderful folks um i think she actually spanked keith glass probably i think we can all agree that she probably should have done more of that um so so anyway and in the journey again it's back to to brian and eva were there um Just, anyway, just great, great group of folks. I mentioned last month that the University of Liverpool had come. They sent me a thank you note. I received it today telling how much they appreciate Chief Dykes and Chief Watts and all the things that our Public Safety Department showed off and it was a pretty impressive display. Two more things. The 4th of July, that morning, I was really worried how that was going to go. Just, you know, families do things on the 4th. And it was packed. And David did a great job reading the declaration. And it was hot, and folks just didn't leave. I mean, they were there for the whole time. It was pretty impressive. Last thing on my list is a resolution that the Georgia Municipal Association did at our annual meeting honoring the original 33 black state legislators elected to the General Assembly of Georgia. I'm not going to read it, but it ends with, it's resolved by the Board of Directors of the Georgia Municipal Association that the Board recognizes and honors the original 33, there were 33 members in that first class for their historic service in the General Assembly, their representation of cities across the state, and their lasting legacy in strengthening representative government. This was in September of 1868 that all original 33 were expelled from the General Assembly. So that Memorial Act passed and I just thought it was pretty impressive that in our first class of allowing any black legislators that we had 33 representing their communities in the state house. That being said, I need a motion to adjourn the meeting, please. So moved. Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Mr. Crawford. Is there any discussion? Anybody want to stick around a little bit longer? All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed like so. Motion carries. That passes. Thank you, everybody.