Council - Regular Meeting

Easy. Easy. All right, ladies and gentlemen, like to call to order the city council meeting of city of Temple for Monday, May 4, 2026. At this time, if you are able, please stand with us for and remove hatwear as we have the invocation followed by our pledge of allegiance. Bow with us please. Dear God, in Jesus name, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the city of Temple and our

residents. Thank you for the honor and responsibility we have as mayor and council to serve in our capacities. We pray for wisdom, knowledge, and discernment in the discourse of this meeting and the matters that are discussed and concern and considered and the decisions that are made. We pray for those in our community that are sick that you give them healing. We pray for those that agreed that you give them comfort. We pray for our military throughout the world and all their deployments. We pray you bless and watch over them. We pray for our emergency responders and that you protect them as they go about the duties they perform. And we thank you for what they do. We thank you for our freedom here in the US today. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.

I indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated.

All right. This time on our agenda, we have an opportunity for public comments. Uh before we do that, let me share the rules of the quorum. Uh first, the speaker shall come to our table here and state their name and address. The speakers should conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner. All remarks should be directed to the mayor and not to individuals, council members, staff, or citizens in attendance. The speaker at no time will be allowed to defame, intimidate, make personal affronts, use profanity, or make uh shouting, unruly behavior, distracting side conversations, clapping, or speaking out when another person is talking is not permitted. Defamation, intimidation, personal affronts, profanity, or threats of violence are not permitted. And no behavior that in any way disrupts the orderly conduction and will call you forward.

This is the first time I've done this, so I'm a little nervous. Um, my address is 998 Creek Run Place, Temple, Georgia. Um, I do have a write up. I don't know if you would like, it's in my handwriting because I don't have a printer. Um, I thought it might be helpful. And I almost feel silly bringing this up here, but when I talked to your team today, they said to come and bring it up. So, here I am. I hope this is okay. Um, good evening. My name is Heather Kelly. I've been a Temple um water resident, user, bill person. Um I've been a customer for nearly six years and my billing history has been very consistent over the past 10 months. And I would have gone farther, but that's all that was allowed in my history on my account. My average bill has been $89.11 with a high of $14251 and a low of $41.88. Seven out of the 10 of those months, my bill was below $90. This month, my bill increased to $356.30. Uh this is nearly four times my normal amount, which is um significantly outside my typical range. The increase is due to watering new grass seed in my backyard which required frequent irrigation to establish. However, that water did not enter the sewer system. My water usage is through the CCWA, but my sewer charges are through the city of Temple, which is why I'm here um specifically requesting a review of the sewer portion of this bill. I did reach out through the normal customer service channels and they recommended that I bring this here for your consideration. Um, I completely understand that sewer

charges are based on total water usage, but in this case, that method significantly overestimates my actual sewer usage. I'm not asking to avoid paying my typical usage um, and the fact that this was outdoor water use. I'd really appreciate any flexibility that you can offer on this situation. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you very much. We don't we don't normally respond to public in the moment. So, we'll somebody will get back to you. Okay. And do they how do they reach out to me? Uh they'll reach out to you by phone, I suppose. Okay. Just

Oh, yeah. 208922 0564. Thank you so much.

Anyone else? All right, then that will end our public comments time. Next is the approval of the published agenda. We do have a couple of amendments to request your permission to add. First would be a an insert of an item five above the current number six under new business and that is That item five would be a public hearing and consideration to take action on the request of Zayn Delani of Temple Holdings LLC for a variance regarding the minimum building setback at 359 Sage Street, parcel 00310, land lot 172 in district 6. That would be the new item five. Uh those items after would re be renumbered. And then adding an item 12 which is to approve the selection of GMA's district 4 officers for the 2026 2027 year for the submission of the city of Temple's official ballot. And I would point out that the mayor pro Tim of Temple is on that ballot for district vice president third vice president. So if you approve those would be amendments to the published agenda.

So nothing after the public hearing the public hearing and consideration. Oh okay. With the changes I make the motion that we uh accept the published agenda. Second. All right. Motion by Mr. Brightel, seconded by Miss Miller. Any discussion? All in favor of approving the agenda with the amendments as noted that saying I. I. I.

Any opposed? Same sign. Motion carries. 50. That will bring us next to the approval of minutes from the April 13, 2026 city council meeting. Motion to approve the April 13th minutes with one correction on the top. We have April the 14th on the actual minutes. So, if we could just change that. All right. A motion for approving the amendments with the correction of the date. Second

seconded by Mr. Brnol. Any discussion? All in favor saying I. I. Any oppose the same sign? Motion carries. 50. That will bring us to announcements. M. Jacobson. Just one. Um, a reminder that we are joining our next committees meeting and council meeting on the same date, June 1st. Our committees meeting will be at 4:30 with the council meeting following at 6:00 p.m. So, there is not a committee's meeting the last week of May.

All right. Thank you. That brings us to the consent agenda. Is there any desire by council to remove any items of one, two, or three from the consent agenda? All right, then we will consider those. Item one, authorize staff to pursue the ARC grant for $2 million requiring a 50/50 match towards the construction of a water tank and booster pump with the match coming from the restricted water fund. Item two, adopt an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 operating budget to reflect the receipt of grant funds, revenue, and expenditures, the Trinka Davis grant, and the GRPA boost grant. And then item three, select DCW Construction to do renovations to the senior center as specified in the proposal dated 4/27/26 in the amount of $33,864

correction to make to that. It's um the total that is the amount and then but the amount will be a 35 um the remainder. Shenica, what is it we're purchasing? Can you remind me please? I didn't bring my form in here for the 35,000. Yeah. 1,200 plus 1300.

I have we have 35 in the um in the swast that we have approved. So the rest would have to come from um yep general fund. But so we would we would approve this from the senior center with going um um with the project to go up to 35,000 and then the rest would come from So the third amount was how much? 1,200,300 and then what? Oh, that's the total. That's the total. Yeah. Okay. And that that was for what?

And this is for all of the senior center renovation stuff that we got the projector the um the that we're wanting to do for the renovation. Okay. It's the total renovation. This is what was deleted off of the last

No, it it so it's Sorry, I confused the matter by not bringing my form here. Um, this is the total renovation amount. So, we originally had an a large amount for over $50,000. And we deleted all of the unnecessary things from the proposals um from the construction companies to help us. But we had left off the purchase things that she still has to purchase. The projector um a couple other items that not the projector, I'm sorry, the um

Yes. So the total is now going to be what it's a 37,513 and 35 comes from capital budget or if we want to do if you want to do the splice whichever yes okay and then the 27513 from yes the the the project the project is going to be the 30 the 33,864 is what we're doing from we're selecting the company in that amount and then approve the project to be a total of 37.

Okay. Yeah. That's that's way less than what we started with. Way less way way less. Okay. uh for the in the amount of $37,513 is what we're approving. All right. So, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? I make a motion we approve the consent agenda. Second. Motion by Mr. Brighton, seconded by Miss BS. All in favor saying I. I.

All right. Next is new business. Item one, proclamation observing the week of May 3rd through 9, 2026 as the 57th annual professional clerk's week in recognition of Temple's city clerk Christristen Ethrrich. Proclamation 57th annual Professional Municipal Clerk's Week May 3 through 9, 2026. Whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk, a time-honored and vital part of local government, exists throughout the world. And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk is the oldest among public servants. And whereas the office of the professional municipal clerk provides the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels. And whereas professional municipal clerks have pledged to be ever mindful of their neutrality and impartiality, rem rendering equal service to all. Whereas the professional municipal clerk serves as the information center on functions of local government and community. Whereas professional municipal clerks continually strive to improve the administration of the affairs of the office of the professional municipal clerk through participation in education programs, seminars, workshops, and the annual meetings of their state, provincial, county, and international professional organizations. Whereas, it is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the office of the professional municipal clerk. Now, therefore, I, Michael C. Johnson, mayor of the city of Temple, do recognize the week of May 3 through 9, 2026 as professional municipal clerk's week and further extend appreciation to our professional municipal clerk, Kristen

Ethrrich, and to all professional municipal clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent. dated this 4th day of May, 2026. Mayor Michael C. Johnson. At this time, I'd like to call upon Kristen Ethridge, our city clerk, to join me in the front. And rather than her take, somebody else will join. GOOD JOB. ALL RIGHT. ITEM TWO, hold a public hearing on the application from Sunnil Manori requesting a beer and wine package sales license for hot shotation. Come forward, please. Hey there, my name is Sonel Manori and address is 378 Calonia Court, Peach Tree City, Georgia. And we were just here for the 461 US78 beer and wine license. You know,

any other any other comments you'd like to make? Comments is just I just I would just like to say that we're only in process of this is under contract, right? So, we're just trying to get a small approval from you guys before I invest all the money in there just to be on a safe side. Yes. Thank you for council. All right. You may return to Thank you. Anyone else here in support of the application who'd like to make comments? comments from staff.

I included in those packets for tonight's meeting um three other properties within the within Carol County that um he has renovated and is running as a convenience store or is in the process of running um

who anyone present who would like to speak against the application. All right, then we will end the public hearing and move to item three. Vote on the application request from Samili for the beer and wine package sales license for Hot Shots 461 West 78 highway, Temple, Georgia, contingent on compliance with the city of Temple's building and development code. Is there a motion? Yes, I'll make a motion for approval. Mot motion by Mr. Russ for approving the application request. Is there a second Mr. Attorney, if there's no second, what's the outcome?

Okay. All right. Last call for a second mo on the motion. Can I just verify something? Yes, sir. Okay. If if this is that is that what I'm understanding or we're approving the property, too. So he still has to go through the alcohol um license process and business license process and codes and everything. This is for the location. This is for the location.

All right, last call. Second. All right, then the motion fails. On the basis of no second to the motion to approve. All right. Item four, hold a public hearing and then consider taking action on the reszoning applications for the Carol County Board of Education for parcels A40030017, land lot 172 District 6 located at 461 Sage Street and B T040030018, land lot 172, District 6 located at 471 Sage Street to reszone from single family detached detached residential R2 to government uh zoning G. This time we'll begin that public hearing. Is there one here representing the application for this? Come forward, sir.

How are you? We're good. Glenn Harding, Carol County Board of Education. Uh just here for any questions you may have on that parcel, those two parcels. I'm going to do it like for parking.

Yes, sir. We uh plan on in the back side of that property uh a cover practice facility u about a 50 yarder uh by 70 yards, but the whole front would be a parking lot for the school and extracurricular activities. But another good thing about it is we plan on working with the DOT to get an entrance at the top of that property and close additional ones down a little bit lower. That way we can get cars off the road for morning and afternoon dismissal. Good idea. Thank you. Any other questions?

Any other comments? That's it. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else present who would like to speak in favor of the application? Anyone present to speak against the application. All right. Then we will end the public hearing and consider the action to be taken. Is there a motion on this request? I make a motion we uh we reszone from R2 to uh government G. Second.

All right. Motion by Mr. Brighton, seconded by Mr. Walden. Any discussion? All in favor of saying I. I.

Any oppose the same sign? Motion carries. 50. Then that brings us to item five, which was one of the amendments items. We will now have a public hearing and consider taking action on the request of Zayn Galani of Temple Holdings LLC for a variance regarding the minimum building setback at 359 Sage Street, parcel 40038010, land lot 172, District 6. Is there someone here representing the applicant? Yes, sir. How are you? My name is Omar Gilani on behalf of Temple Holdings LLC for 359 Sage Street. Um, we purchased this property that was has an existing building on it that's already in a setback that the city of Temple passed after it was constructed. We want to expand the building to build our convenience store on it. and taking into account the setback. If you guys have the site plan, we are building it at an angle. So, we're only requesting a 20ft reduction in the buffer um instead of going for the whole 50. Um we've already purchased the property. We're going to be spending significant money um renovating it. Um and it's going to be a 4 MPD shell station or BP most likely. Um we were here two weeks ago for the prior meeting um when we were recommended for approval since how much money we were spending all the renovations. Uh, a few of the questions they asked us over there were were we repaving the lot and redoing the facade, which we are. Um, and you know, we've built a few locations inside of Carol County and throughout Georgia. Um, we've always gotten a positive response from the community.

Okay. Any questions for the applicant? You said you are repaving the lot. Yes, sir. Any other questions? speak in favor of the application. Any comments from staff?

Yes, sir. I spoke with our engineer. He has the same plans that you guys have in the package. Um he does recommend that we go ahead and approve um the setback allowing him to pay the setback because the primary building is already within the setback and the improvement will be a significant improvement for the building itself. Okay. Is there one president who'd like to speak against the application? I make a motion we approve the setback.

I second motion by Mr. Brightel, seconded by Mr. Walden to approve how is it worded to approve the variance regarding the minimum building setback. That's your That's that's my All right. Any discussion on the motion? All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. I.

Any oppose the same sign? Motion carries. 50. The variance is is uh approved. All right. That will move us to item six. receive information on the proposal for insurance services from Mars Mlennon Agency for the service dates of May 30, 2026 through May 30, 2027. We call upon agent Preston Haggler. Good afternoon everybody. Probably don't need that. I'm loud.

Um, all right. So, I believe everyone received the proposal on April 27th. The page I passed out to you today is just re we we were able to get the premium down a little bit more. Uh that is on the auto line regarding the document from the 27th. I will be glad to answer any of those. Uh if not I am glad to kind of walk through this premium page as needed. I have a couple of questions. Yeah, glad to answer. um on the schedule of locations. Yes, ma'am. Couple of these are repeated a couple of times. Is that because there'll be different structures on the property?

Are you referring to page eight? Uh yes, page eight. Yes, correct. Okay. And then for the to clarify, the actual structures are covered on pages 11 through page 13. Yep. Okay. And then with the list of vehicles and drivers, have y'all already been through that and updated it because there's still that. Okay. Okay. Then I don't I'm fine if that's been removed.

Okay. Okay. And uh just to clarify, drivers do not increase or decrease the premium. There is just a subjectivity of they have to be a they can't have multiple violation. their restrictions that the carrier would tell us they're not allowed to drive. Thank you.

Uh with that, uh obviously I can break down this premium, but the the overall is we are down about $20,000, which is about 8%. With autos being increased, right, by five a net five increase in autos and the property values being increased. Uh the biggest drop being in the auto right there. Uh I do think the inland marine will slightly be adjusted. I think we are still working to finalize uh a few of the VIN numbers and serial numbers on pieces of equipment throughout the city. But other than that, this is kind of where we are. Oh, and the work comp. And just to clarify, we will be changing carriers, which we've been with Selective for a number of years. This will be moving to US specialty insurance which is a one of the many companies under uh Mitsui Sumitomo which writes uh cities all over the country. They entered Georgia about three years ago. They are an A++ rated carrier. They are the strongest you can get and Mitsui Sumitomo is one of the largest insurance companies in the world. So the backing is there.

Yes sir. Preston, I see on page 10 where the deductible has doubled. Is that on autos too as well as commercial property? Say that one more time. The deductible has doubled. Okay. Is that is that part of being able to get the premiums down or Yes, sir. Well, that it one is the fact that the values of the building, a carrier's deductible, they're going to they're not going to give you a $500 deductible when they have 21 billion on the on the books. Does that make sense? Okay. I'm not I'm good with $5,000 deductible. I just wondered why it double.

Yeah. And again, that is selective would have done the same thing at that value. Sorry. Um would you look at page 20 and explain um the limit or deductible column to me like um for medical expense? Okay. Yes. So for example uh I'll start from the top. We'll just work down. Okay.

Bodily injury and property damage. That's anything concerning a third party with one of our autos. Right. So symbol one is any auto. So any employee for the uh city working on behalf of the city, if they were to always use the the worst example, hit a school bus full of kids, which is multiple claimments, their insurance would go first. If they are in their personal vehicle, however, the city's insurance would kick in behind that. Now, if they are in a company or a city vehicle, our insurance is first anyways. Does that make sense? The second line item is medical expense. So that is let's say the mayor and I are we go to view a new property that y'all are looking at and mayor's driving and hits the brakes a little quick because the car in front of him does it and I get my head on the dashboard. Instead of me immediately going and getting a lawyer, he says, "Why don't you go to the doctor and make sure that that due goes away?" That's why it's a small limit of insurance. It's a goodwill coverage. Does that make sense?

Okay.

Uh uninsured motorist is exactly what it sounds like. If somebody does not have insurance and they are hitting one of our vehicles, we then need to get that vehicle fixed. You can't get it fixed by somebody that does not have insurance. Therefore, our insurance is underinsured motors would work the same way. So if somebody has state minimum limits, however, they hit one of our nice police vehicles and it will not cover that amount, our insurance carrier will step in, make that full payment, and then subregate back against the other carrier. Hired and borrowed autos would be if for example uh one of our vehicles is in service and we know we need to go out and rent one from Herz or Avis or you name it. uh that is where that coverage would step in. Non-owned auto is the example I was giving where a I will use Miss Kristen as an example. She runs to the post office, hits someone, her insurance goes first, the cities would step in behind it. And then the comping collision deductibles are $1,000. Your higher auto physical damage would be that if you go out and rent a vehicle, let's say it's a F-150, you have up to $100,000 in coverage for that auto. So, you would not need to buy the insurance through Avis or Herz. And those are just the numbers or names I'm using. And then the deductibles for those are the ones forward. Does

that make sense? Okay. Any other questions? That's all I got unless y'all need anything else from me. And again, Kristen and I work on this months in advance to make sure all of this information is correct. And you got all the updated information on the equipment. That's what So, we are I think there's probably three or I remember I don't know why I'm thinking about these. The zeroturn mowers are two of the there's two of those and I think we're looking for some serial numbers off those. I want to say there's maybe two other pieces. As soon as we have those,

so as soon as we have those, those will update. Now, the inland marine number, that 5,64 may change slightly, but it will not change dramatically. We're talking maybe hundreds of dollars, not thousands. Uh, but that's again once we get the values and everything on the updated ones. Look like a pretty good savings. Yes, sir. Any other questions? Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you. And kudos to Miss Kristen. She's phenomenal. We know. Thank you for confirming. Yes, sir.

All right. Item seven, authorize the mayor to sign the necessary documents on behalf of the city of Temple to bind commercial insurance coverage for the policy period of May 30, 2026 to May 30, 2027. I make that motion that the mayor be authorized to sign the documents to do it. Second. Motion by Mr. Brightnel, seconded by Miss BS. Any discussion? Motion carries. 50. Item eight, consider taking action on the request from Patrick Martin to place memorial crosses in front of city hall on the weekend of Memorial Day.

Okay. Um, this list comes from BFW. I was um trying to get pictures of what they would look what they would look like. I did ask what um Mr. W some had asked about the protocol. Um I have not gotten an answer on that. Um but I did get confirmation that it is a list provided by the BFW. Will will the same person be responsible for taking them down? Yes. What's your pleasure? Motion to approve. Second.

Motion by Mr. Walden, seconded by Mr. Brighton. Any discussion? All in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. I.

Any oppose the same sign? Motion carries. 50. Item nine, adopt an amendment to the city of Temple's development code to include test well allowances as recommended by the city's engineering firm Carter and Swoop. What's your pleasure? This was only affecting future developments. Correct.

Correct. Offer a motion.

Any further discussion? All in favor of the motion, let it know by saying I. I. I any oppose the same sign. Motion carries. And approved. 5-0. Item 10. Discuss and consider taking action to increase the city's water tap fee by $500 for funding to drill test wells for future water supply options. So, anybody that now gets a permit, we'll start paying that.

Yes. The recommendation is anybody who comes in to get a water tap going forward would pay that starting tomorrow if we pass.

Correct. If that is approved and and $500 is added to the water tap fees, since it's specific about where the money is going, I would like to see it on a separate line item in the revenues and a separate line item by itself and the expenditures in the water. So saying that, I I have a question. Does that mean that this will go into a fund by itself to only be used for that purpose?

Kind of like the roadway. Yes. Okay. And if we if we were to not use it, we could abolish it at some point, Mr. Attorney. That's right. and put the money just just leave the money in the water fund and abolish the the test whales. Is that okay? Is that a motion, Mr. Walden? That stipulation. Yeah, I will put that into a motion. Second.

Any oppose the same sign? Motion carries. 5 Z. Item 11, adopt the resolution authorizing the city of Temple to participate in the followup amicus brief in Chang versus city of Milton. Uh Mr. Attorney, would you like to comment on that just for the sake of clarity and understanding what it's all about?

Sure. That is the city. So, that is a case that the city of Milton was involved in that went all the way up to the Georgia Supreme Court. uh that had to do with municipal liability for objects uh placed adjacent to rights of way was a wreck case where someone hit something that was off of the road and sued the city related to that. And in the first goround at the Georgia Supreme Court uh the cities prevailed. Now, it's going back to the Georgia Supreme Court again under another theory by the same plaintiffs uh where where they're seeking to establish liability under another idea. And so these um the city is asking us to rejoin uh them as an you know a third party more or less in support of their case. So, um, that's that's basically where we're at with it. And we did that for the first go round. Uh, and so it would make sense to also do that the next go round.

Okay. Any questions for regarding this? What's your pleasure? Make a motion we adopt the resolution authorizing the city to participate in the followup brief. Second chain. Nope. Chain versus the city of Milton. Second. All right. Motion by Miss Miller, seconded by Miss BS. Any discussion? All in favor? Let it be known as saying I. I. I.

Any oppose the same sign. Motion carries. 50. Then item 12. approved the selection of GMA's district 4 officers for the 2026-2027 year for the submission of the city of Temple's official ballot. Uh you have the ballot uh given to you. President Steve Fry, Mayor of Williamson. First Vice President Kelly Hughes, Mayor of Barnesville. Second Vice President Quay Body, Council Member of Lraange, and third vice President Richard Brightnel, Mayor Pro Tim of Temple. A reminder that uh the following year is for the district. Uh it's been my pleasure to serve as the president of district 4 of GMA uh for this year and my term will end in Savannah at the convention and the new officers as they if they are approved that are on this ballot will take their positions at that time after the convention is completed. So what's your pleasure?

Can you remove any of them? Just kidding. I offer a motion we approve. Second. All right. Motion by Miss Millers to approve. Second by Miss BS. All in favor say I. I. I. Any oppose? The same sign. Motion carries. Congratulations, Mr. Brightel. All right, that brings us to closing comments, Mr. Russell. comment. Mr. Walden, no, sir. Miss Miller, no thank you. Miss BS? Mr. Bridgel? No, sir.

All right, that brings us to executive session. We do need to go into executive session for personnel matters. Uh, no action after we get back except to come out of executive session and then adjourn the meeting. So, at this time, I need a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters. Make a motion we go into executive session for personnel matters. Second. All in favor saying I. I.

Any oppose? Same sign. Motion carries. 50. Don't think You got two of them. Wow.

Thank you.

I don't know. Yeah. Once the door What's going on? Good morning.

I told school day at night. The other beautiful

I met his son. I met his son. sharp looking. Do we need to check that vote on it? That's the ballot. Oh, we have to fill that out. I got a fill out.

Make that motion. Second. All in favor say I. I. And we need a motion. Make a motion. We adjourn. Second. Give that one to Howard. Give that to Howard. Okay. All in favor say I. I votes.