Mayor and Council - Regular Meeting

Whereas Wley Draper Jr.'s global success stands as a testament to perseverance, passion, and commitment to excellence, inspiring young people in our community to pursue their dreams without limits. And whereas his achievement reflects great credit upon himself, his family, and the city of Warner Robbins, serving as a beacon of pride for all who call this community home. And now, therefore, be it proclaimed by myself on behalf of city council and the great citizens of Warner Robbins, Georgia, do hereby proclaim Wley Draper Jr. to be recognized and honored for his outstanding accomplishments and his continued contributions to the arts and global entertainment. Furthermore, we extend our deepest appreciation and condolences to the family of Wley Draper Jr. and continue to acknowledge all of his endeavors. And with that proclamation, we do declare today officially Wy Draper Jr. Day in the city of Warner Robbins. So, congratulations and let's give them a round of applause. And before I I go and present this proclamation to you all, I shared with the family that Councilman Derek Mack has been very adamant about doing something to recognize such a great worldwide known talent that comes from the streets that we walk and drive around every single day. uh to know that we have such a great talent that came from one of the best schools in Warner Robbins, North Side High School. Even more fitting, I'm even more beaming with pride to do this because I am also a mighty eagle. But uh Councilman Mack doesn't know this part and neither does the family. So, uh Councilman M and I

are going to walk over to you. As you all heard, he is a dear friend of Mr. Wy Draper. The city has decided that what better person to award a key to the city posimously than the great Wy Draper Jr. So we are presenting this key to the city to him to the family on behalf of his contribution to our society and to a global audience and we will get you the proper display for this key in the coming weeks. So, I'm going to give this to Councilman Mech so you can present it to the family and you'll have the proclamation, his day, and a key to the city.

Mayor, I'm going to I'm going to say one thing. Um, I do also want to thank Derek for Councilman Mack for um continuing to push to make this happen. A lot of phone calls uh between us about this subject, let along phone calls and um he was very very passionate about honoring our classmate. I want to say something about Wy. Wy had one of the best personalities you would ever meet in a human being. WY loved everybody he came in contact with. He tried to befriend everybody. He tried to bring everybody together. He was just that type of individual. When you talk about all the sports he played, outgoing in sports. He was outgoing in life. In life. He made our hallways at Taber very joyful. Joyful. Break time was absolutely amazing. Watching dance moves and all the dance offs that are going on. Of course, Wally won all of them because he's just that good. And uh he made going to school enjoyable. He made looking forward to lunch and recess and beating on the tables and all kind of stuff that we used to do in school. He made it very, very joyful. And Wy definitely enlightened my life. Um knowing him as a classmate and as a friend. And I appreciate you, Derek. I want you to know that your heart was definitely in it. And um I want to thank you for doing this for this family. Appreciate you. Yeah.

This way. Congratulations. Congratulations. I just would like to say thank you to everyone who came out who's been our family and friends for the last 50 plus years and my mom and dad would be so proud of this honor, this quest, this determination. And we just want to say thank you. And we would like to present the city. I don't know where you would like to hang it, but I made it for the city of Water Robins to be displayed somewhere. doesn't matter where, but I just would like to present this um poster in honor of my brother who was known to some as friends and to his fans. And thank you so much.

Not done yet. Okay. May. Yes. If I may say something. Thank you, Miss Lisa. Miss Lisa. Okay. Thank you so much for your presence here. You know, I used to get on wy every day he walked through the back door of my classroom with that glove on. Boy, take that glove off. Yeah, you

I got one more thing to say. Um there is a cemetery in Warner Robbins and when my mom passed the gentleman who runs the cemetery said, "Thank you so much for making my cemetery a tourist attraction for Warner Robbins, Georgia." We had the glove. My my brother's buried in a mausoleum. Six people up. And somebody got up there and took that glove. My mom put the glove and the hat up there. Somebody took the glove. But the gentleman was so thankful to me because even though my brother passed, it bought him a lot of business and he thanked me so much when my mom passed. Weird, but he did. Al also mayor, real quick, I would also like to recognize, if I may, Miss Tia Mitchum. She was in the first competition with Wally at the Mon Coliseum. So there's an argument about who won the competition and she was the fan favorite because she portrayed Michael Jackson as a female. She won. So that what would it was a VCR and a stereo set and she said, "I want that stereo." So she did a great job. She's a great dancer. She's a talent in herself. So, I just wanted to recognize her for coming down from making because she pushed Wally over the over his comfort zone.

Thank you. Wonderful. All right, that was so exciting. Thanks to all of the special guests who came here for this for this occasion. All right, now we're going to do a proclamation for mental health awareness month. Anyone here who is anyone who is here to accept this proclamation, please come forward.

All right. Mental health awareness month May 2026. Whereas mental health is an essential component of the overall well-being and nearly one in five adults in the United States, which equates to approximately 20% experience a diagnosible mental health condition each year. And whereas recent national data shows that more than 50 million Americans are living with a mental health illness, yet more than half of those individuals do not receive treatment, highlighting a significant and urgent need for improved access to mental health resources. And whereas rates of anxiety and depression have continued to rise with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that over 32% of the United States adults experience symptoms of anxiety or depression disorders in a given year. And whereas youth mental health remains a growing concern with studies showing that approximately one in six adolescents ages 12 to 17 experience a major depression episode annually and suicide remains the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 24. And whereas reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness requires the collective support of families, communities, educators, employers, healthc care providers, and government organizations to encourage open conversations and promote early intervention. And whereas mental health awareness month provides an opportunity to educate the public, celebrate strides in treatment and recovery, and reaffirm our shared commitment to fostering a community where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed. And now therefore, be it proclaimed by myself on behalf of city council and the citizens of Warner

Robbins, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as mental health awareness month for Warner Robbins. I encourage all residents to stand together in promoting mental well-being, compassion, and hope for all individuals affected by mental health conditions. So, let's give a great round of applause for mental health awareness month. And for mental health awareness month, we wear green. So, thank you all for wearing your green ribbons that were on some of the seats. And there is a display in the back where you can find out some great information as well. Thank you to human resources department for sponsoring the table along with our great friend Tanya Copper and her company whose name I can't recall for always being here to support us at the city and also throughout our community. What's the name of your company?

Mental Health Matters of Middle Georgia. That is Miss Copper Thuait's business. So, um, thank you. And I'm going to come present this to you. All right. And we would somebody did anyone need to say anything about 988 or is this for me? Okay, remember the suicide and crisis lifeline is 988. This is there will be cards uh sitting about that look like this. Please use it. It can really help save a life, especially for our children to share that this exists so they can call on someone to help even if they feel like they don't have a friend to share with. 988. We need to know it just like we know. 911. Thank you. All right. Lastly is public works week. Anyone here to accept their public works week proclamation, please come forward. I thought I saw someone else coming up. They

slower. I had to say there was two then there was one.

All right. No. Public Works Week May 18th to 22nd, 2026. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital to the substantial and resilient functioning of our city and community. ensuring reliable stormwater systems, safe roads and signage, dependable support for city departments, emergency response capabilities, and well-maintained public spaces. And whereas these services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, technicians, administrators, and operations staff who plan, build, manage, and operate the public infrastructure that supports our quality of life. And whereas the theme for this year's National Public Works Week is people, purpose, and presence, which highlights the indispensable contributions of public works to our everyday lives and the ways they shape and strengthen our communities. And whereas the quality and effectiveness of the services provided in our community as well as their planning, design and implementation are vitally dependent on the ex on the expertise and commitment of public works professionals. And whereas it is the public interest to recognize the contributions of public works professionals and to promote understanding of their essential role in improving and sustaining our daily lives. And now therefore, be it proclaimed by myself on behalf of council and the citizens of Warner Robbins, I do hereby proclaim the week of May the 18th through 22nd, 2026 as public works week in our city. I urge all citizens to recognize the the important contributions made each day by

our public works professionals and to extend appreciation for their hard work and dedication. So, please join me in congratulating our team for public works week. And um standing before us is our director of public works, Craig Clifton, and also Mr. Kent Jordan. What's your title? I call him Revlin, so I'm sorry. I I know he has a great title. Uh superintendent road operations

for street operations. Um, these are this is part of our team. So to all to them and to all the men and women who work in public works every day, thank you so much for all that you do. Council and I, staff, executive team, we're all just so happy to have dedicated men and women like you keep our city beautiful. You have to hide your That's right. All right. So, that was fun. And for those of you who don't typically come to our meetings, yes, we are very serious, but we also are family. So, we don't think you have to be stuffy to get city business done. And we are very serious about our school rivalries. Thanks, Oh, they they said that it's not really a rivalry because Warner Robbins High dominates in their mind. Um,

but I digress. We shall now go to the record speaks for itself.

We We shall now go to the normally programmed events on our agenda. Starting with item number one, which is a work session item. Before we start that, I do want to call out that this month is also lupus awareness month. So, Councilman Curtis, to anyone else in the audience, uh thank you for educating us on this disease and also uh we always pray for you as you go through um the different symptoms that you may face during the year. So, work session items. Mr. Drinker's going to start us off. Yes, ma'am.

So, that was the fun part of the agenda and now it's me. Now, things get stiff and stuffy. Um, so, uh, mayor and council, uh, it's relatively short agenda tonight. Um, but there are a few items on there, uh, that, um, that we want to call to your attention. Uh, the first is actually a public hearing. This is an application for an animal limitations waiver. Um, so the applicant in this case is Mr. Zachary Novak. His address is 210 Lor Circle. Um, under chapter 5, article 1, section 5-9 of the city code. Um, animals on a single residential lot are limited to a total number of six dogs and cats unless the lot is uh in excess of 5 acres. Uh, the applicant currently has six dogs and cats on the property, desires to increase that number uh to a total of seven. Um, there have not been any nuisance complaints or anything like that on the property. So, um, but, uh, under under code, it does require a waiver, uh, and and requires that it come before mayor and counsel. Um, I'm going to skip the consent agenda and come back to it. Um, so, as we go into our business items, of course, the first is that public hearing. Then we have employee promotions. We have two employees uh, this evening. The first is Mr. Darren Smith. He's currently uh a maintenance crew leader in the utilities department. He went through an advertised open competitive process uh uh and was selected um to be uh our new utility maintenance supervisor in the water division. The second is officer Chad Pierce. Officer Pierce is police officer uh for us and uh he is going to

be promoted to sergeant uh police sergeant this evening. So, uh, uh, once that item is approved, we'll have a pinning ceremony, uh, as well. Uh, sticking with the police department, we have a surplus property item. Um, Sergeant Paul Pek is, uh, retiring from the department on May 24th, uh, following 17 years of of service. He's been outstanding, um, member of of the department. Uh the tradition, it's a longstanding tradition, is that we surplus the assigned duty weapon. Um and uh that is then given to the officer upon their retirement. In this case, it's a Glock 47. We then have uh an expenditure with Cox Media. This is uh $37,000. This is an agreement for broadcast, streaming, and online advertising to promote both the 2026 Independence Day celebration and the series of events around the America's 250th celebration. Uh we have a grants, procedures, and monitoring policy. Uh the city currently does not have a written grants uh uh policy uh and procedures manual. uh and that's actually a material weakness uh that can disqualify us for consideration for especially federal grants but some federal grant uh f state grants as well. Uh so uh this manual uh will address that and it is based on best management practices and federal grant requirements. Then we have an agreement uh and this was a a late addition to the agenda. Uh we have a uh an agreement for destin destination marketing services. Um this is a consideration of an agreement between the city and the international city tourism bureau. So under state law

uh 43.75% of the hotel motel taxes collected by the city must be expended for promoting tourism convention and trade shows. under law uh we have to have a destination marketing organization uh that handles that for us and that is it has to be a private nonfor not for-profit 5016C organization uh that that does this uh the current agreement under which we've been operating uh has been in place since 1990 um and it it does not uh at this time meet the requirements of the law. Uh so we need to to enter into a new agreement. Uh the uh recommended agreement meets and exceeds those requirements uh and defines services to be provided, measurable objectives and performance metrics, how the funds may be expended and in some cases places limits on uh what uh percentages of funds that can be used for certain things. Um and then uh some other details. Then we'll come back to the consent agenda. Um, of course we have the meeting minutes from your May 4th meeting. An amendments uh to task order 21 with our DURA. This is for $12,000. It changes the scope of services for additional services provided respective to rightaway acquisition for our Kroger and Bonire sewer line expansion projects. We have a renewal of a contract with Hayes Services at $47,199. This is the annual maintenance contract for HVA uh service and maintenance for our parks facilities. Then uh we have another contract renewal. This is uh an agreement for landscape maintenance services for overpasses crossing Bal Creek. Uh this comes through our storm water department

and would be with Tricapes LLC for $21,91.92. Then we have a few other purchasing items. Uh leads online. This is the renewal of a software licensing agreement for software used by our police department to perform investig investigatory functions related to cellular and internet data. It's at a cost of $19,52. Sticking with the police department, we're um we're bringing forward the purchase of two uh police vehicles from Ray Paint and Body at a combined cost of $45,000. The first of those vehicles is a 2021 Ford Explorer Interceptor. Uh it has 71,900 miles on it. It's a replacement for a 2020 Ford Interceptor that had similar mileage and was totaled in a not at fault accident. So, uh, our police officers, uh, are wellliked and sometimes folks like them so much they crash into them to meet them. Um, then we have the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer Interceptor again for the police department. This vehicle has 24,400 miles. It is completely outfitted already. Uh so if we were buying this new uh by the time we bought the vehicle and up upfitted it for police use uh you'd be looking at a purchase of about $70,000. So it's a nice cost savings there. And then the final purchasing item is for RCS Productions. You may recall back in February on uh February 2nd, you approved a contract with RCS for talent acquisition and production services for the 2026 Independence Day celebration. Uh this action is actually requested to authorize all the payments under the contract. The first of those payments uh is $120,000. That's to cover artist fees and the deposit for

production services. And then the balance of $137,000 would be paid uh postevent. Uh so but we figured save time, come forward and get authorization for uh the payments at once. Um otherwise we'd be coming back to you just before uh the July 4 event to get that that final payment authorized. Mayor and council with that that those are all the items on this evening's agenda. If you have questions about any of those, staff and I are here uh to respond to those questions and provide any additional information.

Mr. Drinker. Um just to be clear on the um the item for the destination marketing services, it states that no city official says serve on the DMO board. Yes sir, that is correct.

So who serves on that board and represents the city? You may recall um what about a month and a half, two months ago, uh the uh there was vote and mayor and council appointed Gracie Rigby uh to that board and Gracie has been serving since. She's uh no surprise she's been an excellent uh excellent addition to that board. She's very very sharp. And the great thing uh with Gracie, aside from just the fact that she's an excellent professional, she represents one of the best destinations we have in the city. She represents restaurant and she represents hotel. Uh so she's kind of the trifecta for serving on a tourism board.

Well, um that's that's that's awesome news and I do remember us voting on that. I just want to make sure that our approach with drawing people to our city has a balanced approach and to ensure that that happens. Is are there any checks and balances to say there are other places other than their establishment?

Yes sir. Um so within the contract um because uh um say International City Tourism uh Bureau Inc. is staffed by the same staff uh that is the staff for the Museum of Aviation Foundation. um part of the agreement and it's it's um it should should be provided for you. Um it outlines limitations on percentages of uh how funds can be used. So a maximum of 20% of funding uh that that goes to the bureau can be used for administration. Uh we have caps on how much money can be expended on in uh promoting any single destination, attraction or event. Um we have requirements uh relative to where advertising can occur. So, it has to be um uh primarily targeted towards uh individuals who are outside of a 50-mi radius of the city because ultimately the goal of a destination marketing organization is to attract the term is frequently used heads-on beds, right? You're trying to fill hotel rooms. Um and so we have a lot of requirements uh along those lines. We then have uh performance objectives with respect to increasing hotel room nights uh increasing uh positive media mentions of Warner Robbins as a tourism destination. Uh and we have performance metrics tied to those objectives. Um and they're all outlined in that in that agreement. I will say it's uh it's the only agreement that I've seen uh at least in Georgia um and in a few other states because I went out looking as we were trying to write this agreement. It's the only one that has those types of

limitations and performance metrics defined in the way that we have. Um and it's it's gotten a little bit of attention uh because of that. um DCA I think may be starting to encourage other organizations to have similar agreements. Mr. Drinker, so when they they advertise, uh do they do they let somebody in the city know that they're advertising? Um is that in the contract? And do they inform us of all their advertisements so that we know that our logo is being put on all the advertisement because that's not happened in the past. Sure.

So I'm speaking for accountability when it comes to this type of advertisement. Yep. Uh so there's a few things with respect to use of our logo uh that has to be reviewed by Mr. Ferman uh and also LRA Monreef. Um and then in terms of advertising buys and purchases, uh anything with our logo they have to be notified of. But under the new agreement as written, uh they would have to provide us with an annual marketing plan that outlines, uh all of their planned activities and uses. Um and that has to be presented to us, uh before the start of each fiscal year. uh so that we know what we're investing in and if there's anything that we have objection to we can address it at that time.

And you said us who's us is that Jeremy again and some so generally it would be staff but the the uh the marketing plan actually has to be presented to mayor and counsel uh and then there's requirements in there for reporting back to mayor and counsel with respect to activities uh and their performance under the metrics. Yes sir. any additional questions or information that we can assist you with this evening, mayor and council. Thank you.

I do want to just I just I do want to state just for the record um how we got to the place of um proposing this agreement. Uh just in case council and the public don't don't know. Um could you do a really quick uh summary of that?

Sure. Um so effectively the department of community affairs uh brought us up to uh to Atlanta. Uh there was a hearing held uh Miss Monreef and myself and Dan Rhodess the Museum of Aviation uh went up for that. Um and they reviewed the the existing agreement and relationship and the way some things were structured. uh their review board uh took issue with some uh aspects, especially that contract dating back to 1990. Um and so uh they required that we enter into a new agreement uh and they want a new agreement entered into every year. They also required uh because uh at that point um we we traditionally had had uh an elected official serving on uh that body's board. Um and they required that we have no elected official or representative or uh uh city official including staff on that board. Um, and then we have been going back and forth with them with respect to the way we were crafting the contract to make sure that it met their requirements. That's why they're very familiar with what we drafted um, and were quite quite happy with it. They also placed a requirement on our destination marketing organization that uh they reference an organization called destinations international and look at the best practices outlined uh by that body uh with respect to how a DMO a destination marketing organization should operate um and how their budget should be structured. So there's a lot of changes that are coming about as a as a result of all of that. Thank you, Mr. Drinker.

Yes, ma'am.

If I may, Mr. Drinker, um, again, how much money are we putting into this organization and what was the why did they decide that no elected official should be a part of it? So, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs made the decision that no elected official should be serving on the board. They viewed that as a conflict of interest. Um, and that's in part because the city does receive some funding back uh from our hotel motel tax. You recall that a part of that is actually used to pay down the bonds uh for the North Austin Sports Complex because that is a tourist destination and it was uh partially funded uh in that manner which is allowable under the law. Uh but they saw it as a conflict. Uh, and so we made we made that move to be consistent because ultimately the Georgia Department of Community Affairs can decide that the city of Warner Robbins can no longer collect hotel motel tax. So they do have the authority to put those requirements on us. With respect to um the specific tourism dollars, I'm going to ask LRA to come forward because I'm sorry, I've been looking at budgets for the past two weeks and I've got a lot of numbers in my head. So I'll tell you wrong.

Good evening. So 43.75% goes to or is proposed to go to the Museum of Aviation as um tourism conventions and trade show dollars. Those are extremely restricted funds. Um so there are parameters on those funds for the use, but that would be what the museum would receive. Do you remember the dollar value? About 1.4 mil. Thank you for the information. I asked the question because I don't like to feel like I'm being threatened

and that's what I see in this letter. And and and if it's May I May I speak? And if it's 47 43.7 43.7% then it should be a county initiative than a city initiative. Correct. No. No.

Um so a county uh it's it's a a tourism bureau dedicated to promoting uh the city of Warner Robbins, not Hston County, the city of Warner Robbins. and the taxes are paid by hotels, motel, and other lodging uh establishments and properties located exclusively within the city of Warner Robins. So, this is a fairly it's it is a very common thing. It's a very common structure. The way we're going about the contract in terms of the the types of details we put in it, that's uh kind of higher level.

The only reason I ask is why is that percentage going to the Museum of Aviation? So to clarify, it doesn't go to the Museum of Aviation. It goes to the International City Tourism Bureau for the promotion of tourism tra uh conventions and trade shows, right? We will you'll hear us sometimes say the Museum of Aviation because the Museum of Aviation Foundation, right? their staff is the same staff, different purposes, different structures, different accounts, different everything. Um, which is that's a little unique, but it's not unheard of. A lot of times you'll see arrangements like this set up with uh chambers of commerce, development agencies, and other bodies. Um, I will say this is one of the few that I've seen where it's uh set up with uh an organization that's also kind of a tourism destination. Um, but that's why we felt that we really needed to more clearly define um and place limitations on the use of funds.

And so what was the percentage you said that went to pay their staff? So out of that 43% a maximum of 20% of the funds that go to the international city tourism bureau. I just want to add that by state law the allocation of funds is determined by statute. So the city of Warner Robbins does not agree which percentages go to which category. So TCT, TPD, those have specific designations. And so this 43.75% that was not a number that Mr. Drinker came up with. That is what the state statute mandates just for clarity. I hope I'm not coming across that way. I'm I'm just trying to gain information. I'm not saying that. I was just

Yeah. I was just asking for the information. You said 43% was going to the Yeah. And then you said before that that 20% of that can be allocated to pay staff for administrative purposes, not just paying staff. Administrative purposes. I understand that operations, etc. That's paying staff. That can be part of it. Yes, Councilman B. I'm sorry. I did not mean any additional tone to be placed on my and I I should add for total clarity which is always my goal the 20% designation restriction that was a city imposed requirement for clarity I'm sorry I conflated the two also go ahead go ahead

so of that 43% is 43% of that mill how much did you say miss lur it's about uh about 1.4 4 million. So 43% of the 1.4 million. No, we'd collect like about 3.3 million. Yeah. The 1.4 is is is the 43%.

Yes, sir. Um is this a requirement for all cities in our county that you know of? Um so it is a requirement to have a destination marketing organization that expends that 43.75%. That part is a requirement of law. Who we choose uh you know that is somewhat up to us. It is a requirement that it's a private entity that is a 501c6 organization or excuse me C3. I said C6. It is C6. That was the controversy last time that they were

correct. So they had to make modifications and get themselves squared away um as uh a 501c organization. Um and as we're sitting here, I'm also real quick while you're looking it up, I just want to make sure that I got clear understanding. So of that 20%, it's the 20% of the 1.4 million and not the 3 million. Correct.

That is correct. So, the way we have it, if you think back to that 1.4, let's focus on the 1.4 because that's what the DMO, the destination marketing organization, uh, can can expend. So, uh, the contract stipulates under no circumstances shall the DMO expend more than 20% of hotel motel taxes received from the city for carrying out administrative and management functions associated with its role. a minimum of 80% uh shall be used for the active marketing of Warner Robbins as a destination for tourism conventions and trade shows. Now within that, so now we're focusing on that 80%, right? So no more than 5% of marketing materials including but not limited to billboards, electronic advertisements, brochures, print advertising promoting a single destination or attraction shall be focused on the Museum of Aviation or its activities. For purposes of the this agreement, marketing and advertising designed to promote multiple destinations or attractions of which the museum can be part of uh shall not count towards that limitation. No more than 20% of paid advertising, including but not limited to broadcast, electronic, and print advertising shall be expended with media outlets, the primary audience of which is contained within a 50 mile radius of Warner Robbins. And no more than 10% of hotel motel tax marketing dollars shall be expended on billboards or other display advertising in locations that are within a 50-mi radius of Warner Robbins. Um so we put those things in place. Those limitations other than the 20% uh maximum for administration uh has never been in there. Um and then um they have to provide us with an annual business and marketing plan. um that would be submitted uh annually to us. Has to include various things, job descriptions, qualifications, things like that. A detailed budget including line item details, detailed explanation

of all costs allocated for services provided by thirdparty contracts. Annual tourism marketing goals for the DMO, measurable objectives. Now, I I mentioned those before. Um so has to be thing uh the measurable objectives generate economic activity through effective marketing of the city as a tourist. uh destination for meetings. Generate positive regional, state, national, and international media exposure for the city. Attract leisure business that generates overnight visitation. Respond to consumer information requests, things like that. uh performance measures um including at minimum number of unique visitors to the visit Warner Robbins website, number of media hits about the uh Warner Robbins tourism market, number of convention sales leads for Warner Robbins market area properties, number of confirmed bookings into Warner Robbins market area properties for future dates, number of domestic and international tour uh program leads and services. Average monthly revpar. Revpar is a primary measurement for the hotel industry. That's revenue per available room uh for Warner Robbins Market area properties, average monthly occupancy rate for Warner Robbins Market area properties, and average daily rate ADR uh for Warner Robbins Market area properties. Those last few, those are standard uh measurements for uh the health and performance of individual hotel uh and and lodging properties, but also can be used to measure uh performance uh for your marketing efforts and the overall health of the tourism market.

Mr. Drink. Yes, sir. How often is this reviewed and how often do we change the staff or whatever you call them in this in this position these positions?

So in terms of uh the the new agreement um there would be quarterly updates provided to myself the mayor uh and Miss LRA. Um obviously we can provide those on to mayor and counsel as well. They are required to come before mayor and council twice a year. Once uh to present the annual marketing and business plan and once to report on performance under that marketing and business plan. Again, things that are not currently required under the contract. Um in terms of how often uh this would turn over, uh we will have to adopt a contract annually uh moving forward. um that is a little unusual. Um a lot of times it's a three to fiveyear contract, something like that. DCA wants that annually and I think that's that may change over time, but because it's been so long since we revisited this, uh they they're they're putting some checks on us, right? Um so we would revisit it annually. Um but as with any of our uh contracts there are uh termination separation uh uh clauses within it so that if performance is not meeting standard uh and we feel that wow you're doing such a bad job we're not even going to wait for the year to get through we can take action.

Mayor you went to the meeting you were at the meeting. Are you okay with this? Yes I am. I'm okay with this because it puts us in compliance with state law. Um we we've not been in compliance when it comes to how the hotel motel tax has been treated within the city of Warner Robbins. And that's why uh it's imperative um for us to make sure um that we are abiding by the rules. And that's why I um wanted to make sure you got the backstory from Drinker as to what made us get to this point. Um, so this is a a good thing. This is a required thing and I'm happy to be getting it done.

Okay. I just want to say one thing to this. I noticed on the date on here it's got 31st. Yes, sir. I hope we don't ever come into this problem again to where this seems like it's being rushed and seeing like there's a lot of questions and I know there's a lot of due diligence that's put into it, but I almost get the when Mr. Holmes said that like he feels like he's being pushed into something. I get that. But I appreciate y'all and all the hard work you've done into this and I trust y'all. I I just want you to know that. But I as a councilman, I don't want to feel like that. Sit up here ever and feel like something's being

crammed down our throats. I And and I'm not I'm being sincere when I say that. Okay. No, I I understand. And look, typically I would not be bringing something with this close of a deadline, right? We're facing a deadline against the state. we have to meet it. Um, we've been working on this trying to get something that would satisfy everything and and so, you know, this isn't the way I would typically like to practice business. Um, so I do apologize for that. Uh, and I hear you loud and clear. I don't blame you at all for that and I don't, believe me, I don't take it personally. I'd be feeling the same way. I appreciate y'all and I want you to know all the hard work you put into that. I'm not trying to take away from that. All right. I understand.

Thank you. And just to uh clarify a little more clearly just in case other council feel the same way, this this document uh we we managed the the process. So these are the our words based on the state law and the direction we received by the department of community affairs. Um so because we are the author, drafter, manager of the process, it makes us feel comfortable. If someone else gave us the document to look through, then it'd be a whole another scenario. But because we are in the driver's seat to make sure we don't get in trouble by DCA, um that's why I feel so comfortable um with this document. Now, the timeline on getting it done, yes, it could have gone differently, but we were in a place to try to make sure uh we have a table for others to come in, speak, and share their thoughts on it. uh which kept pushing the the deadline down the the track. So, um there there's the other part. Any additional questions or information. I know it's a exciting heady topic especially when we start throwing percentages at you. Madame Mayor, thank you. Uh we're here the rest of the night. uh if anything comes up.

Thank you, Mr. Drinker. All right. So, now we have uh completed the work session items and the next item on our agenda is a public hearing. In order to proceed with the public hearing for an application for animal limitations waiver, this current city council meeting must be suspended uh via a motion. I make a motion we suspend our current meeting for the public hearing on animal limitations waiver for Mr. Zachary Novak. And I'll second

motion by Councilman Lashley, seconded by Councilman Lawrenson. All in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I

motion carries. The public hearing for the application for animal limitations waiver is now open. Attorney Mai will begin this discussion. Similar to the public hearing we had several months ago, I just wanted to set forth the guiding principles that are found in our city code. So the city code reference is 5-20. Uh it does set forth that a public hearing is required and that action by mayor and council must take place. There are four factors that you should consider and find and I'd like to lay them out for you in reverse order. The fourth one is that the applicant can demonstrate a special use or need to house animals in greater numbers than provided in section 519. One of the outlined uh exceptions is use of animals for therapeutic or other purposes. I will note and you can read in your packet in the statement uh provided with the application of Mr. Novak that three of the animals are service. One is a licensed service animal and two are emotional support animals uh or service animals. Uh Mr. Novak is a disabled uh veteran and his wife also has some other medical conditions. So there are three special use case animals, three of their canines. Uh the waiver will not be injurious to the neighborhood or to the general welfare of the neighborhood. I will note from the packet that their property is in compliance from animal control perspective, code enforcement nuisance. I will also note that uh code section 520 does provide that should an issue arise that was injurious to the neighborhood uh that that waiver could be revoked as a nuisance with due process and as required. Uh, I will also note that there is a requirement and that requirement was complied with that animal control post in their yard a sign in a conspicuous place advising neighbors and any public passing of the hearing that we're taking place tonight and that action may take place and that sign has been up more than the required 15 days uh since May 1st. Uh, the second

factor is granting the waiver would not confer upon the applicant any special privileges that are denied to others. I put my head together with the city clerk and the chief of police and we came up with that there has only been one other uh application submitted in 11 years and that application was granted. So um one not a lot of demand and two that one was granted for your notes. Uh and then the last factor are there are exceptional extraordinary circumstances existing such that a waiver should be granted. As you can read in your packet, the animal that the Novak seek to adopt uh is a black and white husky miss who mix who has heartworms. Uh as you probably are aware, animals with medical conditions who are sitting in the shelter are less likely to be adopted and if they are not adopted will ultimately be euthanized. So you could say that the NOVX are trying to save this dog's life. And you can determine if that is exceptional and extraordinary. Those are the four factors. They have paid the $100 application fee as required and now we have an opportunity for a public hearing that anyone wishing to be heard may say their peace regarding this matter. And I will note for the record that Mr. Novak and his family as well as their service animal Mitsu and I'm sorry if I pronounced that incorrectly are present.

All right. Thank you, Attorney Mai, for um explaining and kicking off this public hearing for us. Mr. Zachary Novak, if you are present, will you please come forward and approach the podium? Good afternoon, Mayor Council. I'm Zachary Novak. In our family over many of the years we have discovered that my wife and I cannot have kids and that our animals have become our kids with that our original intention with getting many people getting animals is to have them as pets. In our home that is not such the case. myself being a disabled United States Navy veteran, they really help with my PTSD, with being able to help me keep calm, collective, especially in those times when I start to have a moment where I just need to breathe. As well, my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive version of multiple scerosis. When that happened to her, her life turned upside down. With that, it took her almost two years to grieve that her original life was now gone. Without her animals, I would say that process would have been much more difficult and more detrimental to her mental health. With that, we have gone through all the formal processes working with our psychiatrists, our therapists to get the documentation necessary to go through formal training with our animals. We had one animal that unfortunately failed some of its service dog training. We spent over $5,000 to try to go through behavioral training. Unfortunately, just like you and me, some jobs just aren't a good fit. in there. The dog then was an emotional support animal for us in the house. We spend exclusive time and an extensive time with these animals, giving them the best life that they can have. With that, my wife found air

because she is a part of many of the local groups, especially the rescues, animal control, because she has a business that works with animals on a daily basis. She attempted to try to reach out to everybody within a five-state area to try to help Amir. We discussed it internally that we decided that we would take the opportunity to try to save this animal. We talked to animal control. We were then informed of the restriction and we started the formal process to submit for this waiver. I also want to thank you for your time and consideration tonight. Thank you, Mr. Novak. And I council and I uh jointly want to thank you for your service and your sacrifice and your continued sacrifice.

Thank you very much. Um, I do have a question for you and you may get other questions during the hearing, so you may want to stay planted just for a little bit. Yes, ma'am. For the the the animal in question, um, do you plan to keep this puppy to nurse it back to health? Yes. Or do you plan to keep him and do you plan to keep him longterm?

Our plan right now is to first get his medical needs taken care of. We want we've already talked to our veterinarian that if we should acquire a mirror, we already have a process started that as soon as we uh get the animal in custody, we will take it to our vet to be able to start approaching to take care of the heartworm issue. As you know, our intention is to keep the animal long term. However, sometimes animals do not fit in our home. We've done a meet and greet with our animals and they were it went well. However, we do know that with heartworm conditions, it can change the behavioral patterns of an animal. We did talk to our vetinarian about this. Once the heartworm medical diagnosis has been taken care of, he could become more like his original self and especially huskys having a breed of high energy. We don't know how that fit will be. We will do everything in our power to keep the animal. That is our intention. However, we understand sometimes it is not a good fit and then we would work with established rescues to be able to find it another home. We also have many friends that are animal lovers that are in other states that we could look at. However, our intention is to keep the animal.

And where is the animal right now? Last time I saw it, which was two weeks ago, I was at animal control. Animal control. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure everyone heard that this the sick animal is with animal control and in need of medical care. Yes. U to the level that our animal control can't support. Thank you. Any further questions for Mr. like to recognize this pack mayor?

Mr. Nove, thank you for recognizing our ordinances and doing the right thing by applying for this waiver cuz a lot of people just collect the dog and wouldn't bring it to our attention. So, that lets me know that you mean well and that your intentions are in alignment with the impact that you're making in our community. So, thank you for recognizing our ordinances. You're welcome. Um, attorney, did did anybody um any of your neighbors respond? Nobody responded to the sign.

I'm not aware of any response and I believe animal control is in the back and she is shaking her head. Um they have not received any response and as I said that sign has been posted in a conspicuous location for more than 15 days. All right. If uh we have animal control coming forward if you'll just make that statement for the record. No your council. We have not had anybody come to our office or anyone has called our facility in regards to the sign that was posted. And how is the animal doing? How is the dog doing?

He's doing okay. He's eating well. He still has good energy, but heartworms is something that they can definitely die from. So, he needs treatment as soon as possible. And the city is only we have funding for certain types of medication, but at that level, he has to be confined and viewed by vets on a regular basis. Thank you. Thank you. Any further questions?

All right, it looks like we have no further questions. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you, council. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right. Uh, if there are no further comments during this public hearing, um, we are clear to close following a proper motion. Mayor, I make a motion to close the public hearing. I'll second that, mayor. Motion by Councilman Lawrenson, seconded by Councilman Bib. All in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I.

Motion carries unanimously. All right, the public hearing is now closed. Moving on to item number three, which is for formal public comments. I I have been corrected and thank you so much to our clerk, Mandy Stella, for keeping me from making a mistake. Um, so we are not back into our city council meeting until we make a motion to go back into it. So, at this time, if we'll please entertain a motion to go back into our regular meeting. I'll make a motion to go back into the regular meeting. And I'll second it. Motion by Councilman Lawrence, seconded by Councilman Bib. All in favor, please state I and raise your hand.

Motion carries. Now, we're back into our city council meeting and we can move on to item number three of the agenda, which is formal public comments pertaining to one of the numbered agenda items only. If anyone is here, they have a question, comment, concern, or like to voice their thoughts on any item number, number four through item number 10. You can now come forward and make your thoughts heard. If you approach the podium, please be sure to state your name and address for the record. Also note that council and I are listening to you, though we may not respond. when you come forward about uh the agenda item, please be sure to make that agenda number known or or the subject of it known before you begin speaking. Thank you. Going once. Going twice. The door is now closed. All right. on to item number four, which is the consent agenda to be discussed by Councilman Mack.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. I hope everyone has had an opportunity to look at the consent agenda. If they haven't, they can find it in their um package or online through the QR code that's that's posted. With that being said, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. I'll second that, Mayor. Motion by Councilman Mack, seconded by Councilman Bib. Any discussion. All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I opposers. Motion carries. On to item number five, a resolution for animal limitations waiver to be discussed by Councilman Bib.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. It is a privilege and honor to make a motion to approve the resolution for the application of the animal limitations waiver submitted by Zachary Novak. A second mayor. Motion by Councilman Bib, seconded by Councilman Mack. Any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I.

Motion carries unanimously. Congratulations, Mr. Novak on your new family member. All right. All right. Now to item number five, a resol sorry, item number six, a resolution for employee promotions to be discussed by Councilman Holmes. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I have before you a motion to approve the resolution for the following employee promotions. Darren Smith promoted from UT maintenance crew leader water grade 15 utility department to assistant UT main supervisor water grade 16 utility department to be effective May 25th 2026. Also, Mr. Chad Pierce promoted from police officer grade 602 police department to uh police sergeant grade 605 depart police department to be effective May 25th 26. I move for the adoption acceptance of these promotions.

I'll second. Motion by Councilman Holmes, seconded by Councilman Lashley. Any any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I

motion carries unanimously. Congratulations to the new employee promotions. If you are here uh for this, if you are one of the individuals named for a promotion and you're present, please come forward. Congratulations, Sergeant

and your beautiful family. Hi. All right. So, now we have a pinning ceremony. We have Chief Fischer here who will uh conduct this pinning ceremony. So, just follow his instruction. All right. Now you all have to get a picture. So family come back.

And to the uh members of the Monter Police Department who are present, you can also come forward and get a picture. Sergeant, come back. Thank you. All right, we have some more members in the back. Are you all going to come join?

There we go. One, two, three. One more. Congratulations.

Now, Sergeant, will you allow us to shake your hand? Just come around the hear me. Congratulations. again. All right. Now, we have something else for the Wan Robbins Police Department. This is a resolution for S surplus property to be discussed by Councilman Curtis.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. I make a motion to approve the resolution of the mayor and council of the city of Warner Robbins that the value of a Glock model 47 serial number CBLA 359 on said exhibit A is less than $500 and that the said property be sold in accordance to laws of the state of Georgia. You through second that motion by Councilman Curtis, seconded by Councilman Holmes. Any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand.

Motion carries unanimously. Now we have a recognition of Sergeant Paul Peek, who is retiring from the WR Robbins Police Department. Sergeant Peek, if you are present, I ask that you come forward while I share a couple of facts about you when you get here. Well, congratulations on your pending retirement uh to you and your family. I know you all are proud. Thank you for lending him to us for 17 years with the Wanamas Police Department and prior to that my understanding is you served 7 years within NYPD, New York PD. Uh so that's amazing and and thank you so much for your contribution to public safety not just here in our community but to other areas in our nation. Uh so to your achievement for 17 years with the city of Warner Robbins by way of the police department, congratulations. We wish you the best in your retirement and and we hope that your impact that you've made here in this city continues to multiply. Um so uh council and I would love to to shake your hand as we bid you farewell on your journey starting the next phase of your career in whichever way you choose. even if it entails sitting home, kicking up your feet, which is welld deserved, and going on vacations. So, congratulations again. Any comments, gentlemen? Yes. Uh thank you so much for keeping our city safe for these last 17 years. We appreciate it. Um hoping uh that whoever's coming behind you, you've had your chance to lay hands on them and get them on the right direction. Right.

That's awesome. I thought that's who it was. Yeah. All right. Well, thank you so much again. Yes, it has been our pleasure. Thank you. Thank you again. Thank you for your service and your commitment to Warner Robins. Thank you very much. Thank you. As we all say, thank you. And sick. I just want to say, you know, you have certainly have a journey that deserves respect. Coming from NYPD down here sharing your stories with those guys. I'm sure you had a story or two to tell. So, thank you for your service and what you've done for our city. Just

and before we take this picture, Sergeant Peek, did Do you have any um words or anything that you needed to share?

I myself Thank you so much. One, two, three. Right. All right. So, now it's time for item number eight. Item number eight is a resolution for Cox Media to be discussed by Councilman Lawrenson.

Thank you, Mayor. I motion to approve the resolution authorize Mayor Londa W. Patrick to execute the attached services agreement between Cox Media and the city of Warner Robbins, Georgia, whereby Cox Media will provide cable display social and streaming advertisement. I'll second that. Mayor. Motion by Councilman Lawrence, seconded by Councilman Bib. Any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. Motion carries unanimously. Item number nine is a motion for grants procedure and monitoring policy to be discussed by Councilman Lashley.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. I make a motion to approve the presented grant procedures and monitoring policy for the application, management, and reporting of grants from outside agencies and organizations to the city of Warner Robbins. I second. Motion by Councilman Lashley, seconded by Councilman Curtis. Any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I. Motion carries unanimously. Item number 10 is a resolution for a destination marketing service agreement to be discussed by Councilman Mack.

Thank you again, Madame Mayor. I'd like to make a motion to approve resolution to authorize Mayor Londa W. Patrick to execute the destination marketing services agreement between the city of Warner Robbins, Georgia and the International City Tourism Bureau Incorporated, whereby the International City Tourism Bureau Incorporated will serve as the designated destination marketing organization for the city of Warner Robbins under the terms and conditions of that agreement. I'll second that, Mayor. Motion by Councilman Mack, seconded by Councilman Bib. Any discussion? All those in favor, please state I and raise your hand. I

motion carries unanimously. This concludes the items on our agenda today. We have now come to the point where we ask citizens to approach the podium to give their comments. If you have any comments in general that you'd like to share, uh please approach the podium. Be sure to state your name and address for the record. Please note that council and I are listening to you though we may not respond to you. You will have three minutes on the retunda. It's the timer is right at the top. Sorry. You will have three minutes to respond. The timer is at the top of the retunda. So if you have any comments you would like to share, please come forward now again stating your name and address for the record. The floor is now open. Yes, sir.

You can go behind me or you can go in front of me. Johnny Johnson, 103 Havlock Circle, Hatcher Estates Homeowners Association President. Uh, I have a few concerns. I'm getting numerous emails from residents in my subdivision asking questions of the city. And by the way, I didn't say mayor and councilman. Good evening. But anyways, I addressed an email I believe to have went to councilman plann and zoning and city leadership and I had a question regarding the water retention pond in the back there. Uh, I talked to Mr. Curtis this evening and they are concerned about the water level. Now, we only had a little rain. That pond is not draining. The level has not receded. And I pointed this out to Mr. Curtis. We're going to have a follow-on meeting, but I guess my question is, and I'm not sure because I was looking for a response from some city leadership. Now, maybe I have the wrong email addresses. I'm not sure cuz I am concerned about that also because if you go to the city website, it does shorten the address by putting the WR whatever it is and then just go instead of gov. So, I just wanted to point that out on some of the website addresses, particularly the mayors. uh complaints again from numerous residents and my concern is this, who should we address concerns to because I'm getting 5 10 a day and I'm just curious as who should we send those emails to in the future.

So, I just like to know. May may I say something? Make sure you address uh our city manager, Mr. James Draker. I thought I did. I I have your email. Okay. Okay. All right. Because that's who we will send them to because he manages the city and its employees and their operations. Yes, sir. Okay.

I just want to say I think you addressed it to the right person. Um if you're communicating with Mr. Darren Curtis, I think all of us over here are going to point you to Mr. Darren Curtis and other employees inside of the city. Yes, sir. We're hearing your concerns, JJ, and and keep communicating your concerns. And it sounds like to me Darren's going to come over there and check some things out. I don't think there's nothing I'm not trying to be ugly to you, right? You're my neighbor. Yes, sir. Love you. You're a good man. Yes, sir. I don't think there's much more that we can do than allow the professionals that are actually looking at that that situation over there to let them handle it. Okay. Got it. Like I said, I'm just addressing neighbors concerns, not mine because I don't live there.

Well, I expect you to do that, sir, all day long. Okay. And and we I don't think anybody up here has a problem with you doing that. I think we appreciate you looking out for your neighborhood. All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Yes, ma'am. I guess you wanted what he wanted. Coach Hall, you want to say anything? Okay. Okay. Any Will there be anyone else? He He was moral support. mayor.

Good afternoon, Warner Robbins. How you doing, Castle? My name is Chris Holston with address 100 Robbins West Parkway. Um, briefly, well, un unapologetically, I would like to say I'm duly apologetic for not being able to come within a concise time of bringing the information that I've conceded on my organization that could not only sprout fruits of labor of how the city can look at integers of of of finance through different organizations. that's was not only discussed here but could what could be discussed given the two council meetings that are being in place each month of this calendar year um andor throughout the terms of a candidacy through a mayoral um elective. Um, essentially, um, what I would like to bring to regard is having an opportunity with this city to duplicate and formulate an organization that could be indoctrinated through city ordinances across the United States of America. And when we discuss those terms, we must correlate and concisively come to terminology with what could be brought in through taxes and how much we could leverage what we sit on at least at least as a council. What's being discussed and to what can mandate surplus um items for the policemen. Um how we can mandate potential vehicles for our police force. how we can mandate structural and/or medicinal transportation for our residents. Um, within a sense within the next 72 hours, I'm going to make sure that I do inform council personnel via email um of a very large initiative quantifying within the

billions and tax into the city. Um, within a sense, as I said previously, I do apologize for not being able to have the time. just started a family and within a sense instead of creating a free-for-all amongst all the other cities whoever wanted to adopt indoctrinate themselves with this ordinance first, I stuck with my roots and I stayed where I felt it was more probable for what I'm dealing with or trying to transcribe with my family. Um, within a general sense for the personnel who's attending, this gives your children an opportunity to own own properties. This gives your your guys an opportunity to pass down generational wealth at expansionary exponentially fast rate. Uh if we wait another 5 or 10 years and we indoctrinate a 50-year mortgage, it's going to be very hard for even me to account for these children's education at the age of 18, if they have to sign a document of that stature. If I relate how properties costed before the civil rights regulation and how properties cost now through the inflation and taxation of what's being done nationwide andor globally, unfortunately we're on a losing totem pole. So in order to reverse the efforts of that cause, I would then provide information that could change the legislation through anal branch here in the city of Warner Robbins for the personnel. Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Mr. Holston. Would there be any others? Going once. Going twice. The door is now closed. Thank you all for all of your comments and uh if there's ever an issue, this is also a great venue to share those because it allows all of us to hear the same thing at the same time. Um, and as you all have seen, we're we're pretty good at responding and acting on the issues that's presented before us as a team, not just the council, not just our city administrator, um, but the staff, the staff that's out, uh, standing up there in the foyer, um, all of us. So, thank you, and we will continue, uh, working to make sure we we serve and answer those inquiries as needed. Now it's time for council comments and we will be starting with Councilman Lashley today.

Uh thank you Madame Mayor. Um congratulations again for your retirement. I know he's already left. They're going uh take him out to dinner evidently or something. They didn't invite us, but that's fine. Um it is it's just going to it's just going to be like that. But no, 17 years with the police department. And how many years was it with NYPD prior? You remember? Seven.

Seven. Yeah. Amazing. Amazing. I'm sure that uh he was glad to get out of New York with the slow pace and everything, get down here to Warner Robbins and become a law enforcement officer down here. You know, it's much more than compared to New York. But no, in all serious, congratulations on his retirement. Congratulations to his uh sergeant that he has been training to become sergeant coming up and looking forward to good things out of him as he moves his way up through the force. Also, um so as far as everything else goes, uh we finished up our cheer season. Yay. Uh we did uh we did very well. We uh represented Middle Georgia and particularly Warner Robbins well down in Orlando. Um my middle daughter's oldest, the team that she's on that competed, they ended up second in the country behind one team that was just phenomenal. They actually set a score record for our gym with a uh 98.67, which is the highest score that any team for Punch Front's ever put up at Summit. And uh the team that beat them had a 99.1, which I honestly have never seen a 99 in my life. I got to see them and I understood why they got it because they were really good. But uh been a great very successful year. We had our banquet yesterday and honored all these kids and the the people that volunteer and help and do so much with the program. And uh just in case you're wondering how long of a break we get, tryyouts are today for the next season. So that's how it works. Uh so they're back at it again already. uh did have the event at um out at Rigby's at his new event center and I recommend it to everybody. There's numerous places in Warner Robins now where you can have great events and uh I know all the people that run those of those establishments, they do it with love and they do it with care and they do a great job. I've been to events at

your place before. It's fantastic. Yeah. Over there. What you got? It's nice. It's nice. Yeah. the uh your little event center back there, man. That's where I hung out.

Yeah, it was nice though. But if you're looking to have some kind of a ceremony or anything like that, there are plenty of places to have that done here in Warner Robbins now. And I will give another shout out to our parks and uh cultural affairs. And I always get I'm going to get that messed up for a while because I'm old dog on that. But we had the opportunity to do some family photos yesterday and we did them down at the walk off of uh Quarter down uh the Fountain Park walking trail and the photographer we use has a unique eye and she picks up things that I would never even notice. But we made it barely across the bridge and she said, "Go no further. This is where we're doing it all." And it's just a nature back nature backdrop and I've already seen some of the proofs of the pictures and it is unbelievable how beautiful it is. I recommend walking around these areas in town, finding you a good spot, get you some photos done because there's plenty of them around here. But other than that, um it's been a great week. Looking forward to another wonderful year here uh in another wonderful summertime coming up. So, thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Holmes.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, congratulations to the promotions this evening. Congratulations to And thank you to all of our departments, public safety, utility, fire, all of the departments. I don't want to leave anybody out. And having said that, then I want to I want to close my portion by congratulating and thanking my wife of 58 years today at 10:00 this morning. Thank you. Congratulations on your 58th

wedding anniversary, Councilman Holmes. That's amazing accomplishment. He ad he deserves one well his wife probably more so than him. But let's give them one more round of applause for that accomplishment. All right, Councilman Curtis.

Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, Wally Draper, I didn't have the opportunity to u get to know him like everybody else did, but I do know one thing, my wife loved him in that movie. She is like one of the biggest Michael Jackson fans out there. And um I remember her telling me the story when uh Michael passed away or how she cried. So um thank you Wy for being a part of this community and always representing one Robbins to the end. Also, mayor, I just want to say thank you for recognizes uh recognizing luper awareness lupus awareness month. I was actually diagnosed with lupus 10 years ago. So May is lupus awareness month. Uh May 10th is lupus world lupus day. Uh, a lot of times people look and they don't, you know, with lupus it's more of um fatigue. I don't feel good. My joints hurt. It's it's a internal, not an external effect on our bodies. So most people just look at us be like, "Hey, ain't nothing wrong with y'all." But I I I I promise you it's a whole lot more. Matter of fact, Ken Breastler, oh, I just see he just walked out. And uh Christy, that's why I didn't call your return your call this morning. I was actually uh I actually had a flare up this morning, so I apologize. Okay, don't be mad at me. Get it.

So, also again, um congratulations and happy anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Holmes on your 58 years. Thank you for being a perfect example of what holy matrimony is supposed to look like. Thank you. And um uh the way you raise your your children, that is an example for me too. And I really appreciate your example and your mentorship. I love you too.

I love you too. Yeah. And last but not least, I want to wish my heartbeat, the lady that has supported me ever since we met. Just thank you for this wonderful, beautiful woman. I just want to say happy birthday to my wife Charmaine C. Jose Curtis and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. And I love you with all my heart and soul. Thank you. Happy birthday, sis. Okay. All right. Thank you. On to Councilman Mack.

Oh, thank you. Thank you. Um, Madame Mayor. First of all, I like to say congratulations to Zachary Novak as he begins steps to acquire a new family member from the from the city of Warner Robbins. Also, I'd like to um congratulate Sergeant Paul Peek on his retirement. As I stated him, he has a journey that deserves respect and um he has a lot of stories to tell around the fireplace. He's got time to tell a story now. All he needs is an audience. And um I'm sorry. Yeah. and Chad Pierce who got promoted. Congratulations as well as I know he's going to do a great job as he has has had plenty of mentorship for those that have held that position before him. Um I'd like to encourage everybody regardless of who you're in agreement with or who you align your views with to get up and go vote tomorrow. There's a very important election going on in our state. So please exercise your civic right to go vote by any means necessary. Saturday, July 4th. To the public, we heard you. Why is our celebration not on the 4th of July? This year it is. So, there's no excuse as we uh have an opportunity to celebrate with the legendary cooling the gang, Philip Phillips, Cam Vance, and the legendary AJ DJ while we celebrate 250 years of America. So, with that being said, everybody show up and show up in big numbers to um we all affectionately call him Mr. Holmes versus Councilman Holmes. So, I'm going to do it like this. Councilman Clifford, Mr. Holmes. Congratulations on 58 years as you and her your wife have tangibly raised a generation. Everybody in this community has somewhere three degrees, two degrees of

separation between you and your wife and you've influenced us all. Thank you for what you've done in this community. You've lived a full life of servitude and your wife has as well and you've done it together. So, so thank you for being an example of what we should all strive to be by being that by having the spirit of servitude for that long and being dedicated to your wife in the way that you have. Thank you so much for that. And last but not least, I would also like to continue to recognize Wally Draper and what he's done for this community, how he's always represented his community. I was with him when he first saw the Mottown 25 celebration of of uh the Jackson's on that TV show and that was when for y'all young folks, we had big VCR and VHS tapes and Wally recorded it and rewound it every day multiple times until he learned that routine by heart. So when it came time to audition, he didn't have to prepare. And as a matter of fact, when he got a scholarship to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, he was on a ship doing entertainment and they found people that look like Mike but couldn't dance or somebody that danced like Mike but couldn't didn't look like him. But somebody from his college said, "We know a guy." And he was on a ship out to see on the West Coast. And he came in, he was the last audition. And when he auditioned, and he told me this out of his mouth, when he auditioned, he made Miss Katherine cry. That's the impact that he made. And he didn't have to practice. He knew the routine. And and when he when he passed and he had his funeral at North Side at the Ray Horn Theater, Terrence Howard, the worldrenowned actor, came to one of Robins and spoke with me and Lata Holmes sang there. And it was just a great homegoing service. And I often to this day go by and visit Wally and um he was my closest friend in life and I miss him dearly. So Mayor, thank you for recognizing him in the capacity that you did. Thank you so much,

sir. It's our pleasure. Thank you. Now, Councilman Bib,

thank you, Mayor. Uh JJ, again, I didn't want to come across stern at all. Never meant that if I did. I know sometimes I can, and I want to apologize if I did. Um, I think you're in touch with the right people and I want you to know that we're hearing you and we're reading your emails. All we're going to do is say, "Hey, go talk to Darren." So, I just want to let you know that and I think all of us up here will agree in that we're hearing what you're saying. Um, and you're going to you're going to be heard and we're going to address the issues as we can. Um, congratulations, Mr. Holmes. Again, without saying, um, I mean, that's a long time. We know it. There's you you mentioned those years. There's a lot of history in there and you've raised a lot of kids being a school teacher over there. Wa being one of them in his glove. Yep. Um so congratulations on that. Um want to tell you uh just what uh Max said and all the other councilmen said about all the congratulations to everybody out there. I just want to ditto that. Um election day is tomorrow. Get out and go vote and vote often. I say that to everybody. I come in contact with that's supposed to be funny. Y'all can laugh. It's a joke. On a most serious note, um I want to mention the mental health. And I want to I want to say this. All of us one way or another uh struggle from time to time in life. All of us do. Most of us are very fortunate to have people around us that we can communicate with and that we feel very vulnerable enough to talk to about. Some of us are very fortunate to have a wife. Some of us very fortunate to have a husband or a mom and dad or a brother, sister that we can reach out to when we struggle. And I want to tell you all of us struggle in life. Ain't no nobody perfect in this world. We all struggle. For those of you

out there who don't have somebody to turn to, one of the biggest tricks in life, and I say this, one of the biggest tricks in this life is comes from the devil is a thing called fear. And fear, when you're struggling with mental health, tries to grip you and it tries to get you to be quiet. It tries to make you feel like your situation is unique and nobody's going to understand you. Nobody's going to listen to you. Nobody's going to know your problems. And I want to tell you that is the biggest lie from hell. And don't listen to it. Don't listen to that hell. Uh God says in his word, for God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. And you when you don't have that sound mind and you struggle, you have a card. If you don't trust people or don't trust nobody, you could pick up the phone and there are some great people on this line that will help you and assist you. If not, grab a co-orker, grab anybody you can and just look and tell them, look them in the eyes and tell them you're struggling. Just those simple words to tell somebody that you're struggling, somebody's going to reach out and help you. God will make a way for you. And I promise you there's no reason for anybody to suffer in silence and to suffer in this world. We are better together. That's we are better together as a community and we're better together when we do life together. No matter what you look like, where you come from, who you are, we are better together. And always remember that the devil tries to separate us, not to pull us together. God's last final words to us in his prayer was all about unity. Don't forget that about us coming together. So, I pray that those of you who are out there who may see somebody struggling, I'll tell you this. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions. And don't be afraid to ask

your your coworker, your friend, your family member, and ask them, "Are you okay? Are you okay?" You never know what you might do. Never know about saving a life. That's community to me in a whole and I want to tell you that God bless Warner Robbins. God bless our community and I hope that we have the greatest community in the world which we do because we live here. I'm going to be going to the second greatest community and that's Walt Disney World, the most uh second most happiest place on the earth cuz the first is here in our home. I'm going to take my wife down there and we're going to go see Mickey and hang out a little bit. Then I'm going to take her over to the beach, which she welld deserved, and let her lounge around for a little while. So, I'm going to miss the next council meeting. But have no fear, I won't be thinking about you. I'm going to be out there looking at the sunset. God bless you and have a great night.

Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Lawren,

thank you, Mayor. Hey, uh I want to wish everybody a safe and uh prosperous summer. Last days of school this week. Graduation's coming up. Just pray for everyone to have a safe last week of school. And and as we get into the summer, you know, we worry about our young people. Pray that they can uh make good use of their time and uh and also um just continue to grow and develop as as young people. So, we're looking forward to summer as usual. Uh also, I met with Morgan Ranch HOA last week. Um they had some concerns about the development uh their phase 2 development. you know, every time you you have additional development, a nearby residential community there, it's going to create some concerns. There are things that happen. It's real messy to start with, but eventually things get done and get done well. And I want to thank the developer uh and and the city officials for responding to their concerns in a very timely manner. And I want to thank them for coming out. And um we had a great meeting. There was about 30 or 40 of them there. And um they were very nice, very polite, and uh we just had a really productive time. Also, uh Greg Martin, Officer Martin came along and he he was talking to him about neighborhood watch and all the things they could do there. So that he did a really good job with that. So wanted to thank Mr. Martin. Uh also, election day tomorrow, you know, this is a primary, so don't just sit it out because you think, well, I'll catch up with him in November because there are a lot of final elections out there tomorrow. There are a lot of local schoolboard races. They're final. We're not they're not a primary. There's a lot of questions on each ballot, the Democrat and Republican ballot that are very important. So, get out there and let your voice be heard. Um very important day. I like voting um on on election day instead of early, but sometimes I do early, but it's always to me fun just to go out and do it on election day, but make sure that you don't forget about that. I think polls

close at seven. Um, also wanted to just thank whoever's responsible for getting Cool and the Gang. Are you kidding me? I mean, I I'm old, but hey, man, though, Cool and the Gang was one of the best um artists back in the day in the in the late I'm not going to tell you how old, but I think it was late 70s, early 80s. Um, I cannot wait to hear them. And I am American Idol enthusiast. I love American Idol. It was a great season. I just hate that it's over. But Philip Phillips was the American Idol. I can't remember what year, but he but 2011. And he's going to be there, too. Are you kidding me? Philip Phillips and Cool in the Gang. Get out of here. I can't wait. It's going to be great. Um, also want to wish you a happy anniversary to Mr. Miss Holmes. Uh, Mr. Rosa. I actually knew Miss Rosa before I did Mr. Holmes. She was my first grade teacher. I think she was about 14 or 15 at the time. Um, but she was great and I've always loved those two. I've had a lot of respect for them. They've been a really a good godly example of marriage to all of us and I've always had a lot of admiration for both of them. So, thank you guys and I wish you many, many, many more. Um, also, uh, thank you guys for getting this budget out. Look forward to looking at it over the next couple of weeks and hearing from you guys about it. So, great job of getting that to us early and and just giving us time to look at it and to consider all the wonderful things that the city is going to be doing. Looking forward to doing that. And uh I think that's all I have. God bless.

Thank you, Councilman. All right. Okay. We're playing some playing some music. All right. All right. So, we're just getting you all into the mood for Independence Day celebration. Uh, as a reminder, as you've heard, it is on July the 4th this year. Um, June, we have some really important dates. So, I need you to take note of this. One of them is on June 1st, the very first day, we have our first public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. That'll take place Monday, June the 1st. at at 400 p.m. right here in the uh chambers. The next day, June the 2nd, is another great day because we officially kick off the mayor's health initiative. If you've not participated in the health initiative, you need to. The health initiative is about more than just working out. It is about taking care of yourself from various fronts. We have seminar series partnered with Emory Healthcare. You can learn about all types of things like heart health, um gut health, uh GPL1, weight loss, uh mental health, so many things. We have some cool subjects too. I think there was one about mushrooms. Yeah, mushrooms. Um supplements. And uh one of the things I think is extremely important the importance of doing your annual physical which is not how we did for while you're an athlete in school. We're talking about the blood work physical.

So many things can be detected early. If you do your annual if you do your annual physical it'll tell you if your cholesterol is an issue. Some of you know if you're having if you get a stroke some people have a stroke. They had a cholesterol issue. there was a clog in their arteries. How many lives could you change and impact if we start taking care of ourselves and doing our annual physical somewhere around your birthday? It's a little tip that my doctor tells me. So, um you guys got to come here. The seminar series is going to be awesome. Um we also have the uh fitness in the park part of it as well. You can come out and park. Free workout opportunities. All kind of fun things like um sticks. It's called sticks. Is it called sticks? Oh, pound. You're pounding with the sticks. Uh, pound. Uh, yoga. Uh, dance fitness, step aerobics, cool things. Um, we also have Oh, Zumba. That's always fun. We also have opportunities to go inside of fitness locations and experience their program at their facility. And guess how much it costs? It's absolutely free. It's free. So, there's no reason for you to not want to participate. Uh, this is just getting us in the habit of trying to get fit um physically and mentally and internally. Okay. So, second day of June is the kickoff for the mayor's health initiative. It'll take place at the house and county sports complex from 5:30 in the evening to 8:30 in the evening. So, when you get off work, make sure you already have your workout clothes to change into. We have gyms, all that stuff. Sorry. We have bathrooms in the gym. Um, so you can change in the locker rooms to participate. And I think there's one more thing. Oh, one more

thing. I have to ask this question cuz I I keep forgetting to say it, but I want to know of the council. How many of you all were taught by Councilman Holmes? How many of you were taught by him? On the right side. Oh, all of the guys on on on on the right. Mr. and Mrs. both. Mr. and Ms. Okay. Anybody by Miss Ms. No. Well, moving to school at Oh, that's what it is. I

I started one north side here. Every school. Wow. Cuz when you lost me, okay, so I want want to I want to say he wasn't a friendly teacher. I say it again. He was not a friendly teacher. That's probably because you kept getting in trouble. Well,

I deserved it. I ain't going to lie to you. I mean, I don't I don't know about Derek over here, but I I probably deserved everything I got. He He um you know, you could paddle and stuff back then and um he was pretty He loved that part.

Yeah. So, and I'll just say well done. Hey, Madame Mayor, just to add to that, I never had the the pleasure of having him in the classroom, but I did have the pleasure of having him at least once to twice a month come into my office and sit for hour, hour and a half. And that's that was real learning right there. Learning his ways. Uh there was a lot about that business I miss every day. And those interactions were the ones I missed the most. So,

and I al I also would like to say, you know, you've been a great neighbor to me and my mom's for the longest. So, I truly appreciate it. Like I say, you have been an inspiration to me in my life and a great mentor.

Well, we all love the Godfather and it's your anniversary, so we need to get you out of here so you can go take care of Miss Rosa. And please don't get hit upside the head anymore. You won't. I'm just I'm just joking. But uh yes, with with all of that, I I'm going to say thank you all for being here. We will see you again in June's June 1. Our next meeting is June 1, same location. Don't forget about our uh first hearing for the new budget. 400 p.m. that day. Council starts at 4:30. 30 minutes prior we have our hearing. So please come 30 minutes earlier and you can hear the budget hearing as well. Um thank you all so much and have a great evening. This meeting is adjourned.