Council Meeting June 8, 2021

City of Sparta Regular Meeting June 8, 2021 5:00 PM City Council Chambers Elected Officials present were Mayor Allen Haywood, Mayor ProTem James Clark, Council Members David Ingram, Tom Roberts and Sandra Sherrod. City Clerk Virginia Webb was absent. She was attending a mandatory training for new clerks at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in Athens, GA. Stephanie Hannah, Deputy Clerk recorded the minutes. John Hitchcock, City Attorney, was present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor ProTem James Clark at 5:00 PM, followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Amend Agenda The Mayor requested to amend the agenda, placing an approval on the EMC contract to construct fiber huts on 2 city properties. The motion was made by Councilman Roberts and seconded by Councilman Ingram. Vote was unanimous. Adopt Minutes A motion was made by Councilman Roberts to adopt the minutes from the May 11, 2021, meeting and seconded by Councilmember Ingram. Vote was unanimous. Municipal Gas Authority The official delivery of executing then Supplemental contract of the Municipal Gas Authority of GA and the City of Sparta is for information only, approved last year for 2021/2022. EMC Fiberoptic Contract A motion was made by Mayor ProTem Clark to approve the EMC Fiberoptic contract and seconded by Councilman Roberts. Vote was unanimous. Clerk’s Report 1. Direct Deposit for the City of Sparta employees’, was implemented on May 14, 2021, thru QS1, our new software company. 2. The funds request was submitted to the State of Georgia for the American Rescue Plan Act funding on May 21, 2021. 3. Training will be held in Athens, GA at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and is mandated for all new City Clerks beginning June 6 thru June 8, 2021. 4. Property taxes collection was $9,200 for the month of May. Property tax collection has increased by 25 percent, after sending out letters to property owners with delinquent taxes. 5. The GMA district meeting for District 7 will be held at the Thomson Depot at 10AM June 10,2021. Mayor and City Clerk plan to attend. 6. Training for Utility Billing is ongoing with QS1 for the clerks. QS1 will mail out bills at the end of June, so your bills will look different. 7. Credit and debit card payments will be accepted online and in house soon. Mayor’s Report 1. City collected $202,000 for the 2020 property taxes, which is more than half of what was billed in December. 2. The City of Sparta is expected to go live with Text My Gov around the first of July, an advertisement will be done to make the citizens aware of the service and invite them to sign up and take advantage of it. 3. The Drexel University Engineering Department did a project on the City’s Wastewater System. They estimated that reworking the entire system will cost over 5.5 million dollars. 4. A meeting with the Animal Rescue Crew about the proposed ordinance revision led to the city being asked to have two items removed. One being having animals in electronic confinement and transporting of animals in the back of truck. 5. Attorney John Hitchcock was asked to constitute an alleyway behind the stores on the east business block. 6. Council is being asked to consider obtaining a credit card, for use to purchase items/equipment needed for city use. Obtaining a card will result in less reimbursements and make it easier to close out the books at year end. 7. Certified Nursing Assisted Association sent a proclamation to be signed for Nursing Assist Week June 17-24. 8. The GMA mentoring program for first time Mayors paired Mayor Haywood with the Mayor from Harlem. 9. The City has contracted Brown and Brown to fix the water leak and sewer line on Hamilton and Spring Streets. The estimated cost will be between $80,000 to $100,000. Old Business 1. City Attorney John Hitchcock will work on changing the fees for Occupational Taxes that is in accordance with the Georgia Law. 2. The guidelines for the American Rescue Plan Act Funds have not been released. The projected amount for the City of Sparta is $394,00. We should receive half by June 30 and the other half next year. New Business 1. The Surplus Sale of Vehicles will be advertised in the Sparta Ishmalite on June 24, 2021 and will close bids on July 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm and bids will be opened on July 13 at the council meeting. 2. The Nepotism Policy. Mayor ProTem Clark made a motion to pass the City of Sparta’s Nepotism Policy and Councilman Ingram seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Historic Preservation Meeting will be held, June 10, 2021 @5:30 PM. City Hall will be closing @12:00 PM on July 2 and remain closed to July 5 in the observance of Independence Day July 4th. City Hall will open on Tuesday, July 6 at 8:00 AM. Mayor & Council Work Session will be Monday, July 12, 2021 @ 4:30 PM. Mayor & Council Regular Meeting will be Tuesday, July 13, 2021 @ 5:00 PM Citizens Input No Input Executive Session A motion was made by Mayor ProTem Clark to enter executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Roberts. Vote was unanimous. Regular Session Councilman Roberts made a motion to return to regular session and Councilman Ingram seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. No item discussed in Executive Session was presented for a vote. Adjourn Meeting A motion was made by Mayor ProTem Clark to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Councilman Roberts. Vote was unanimous.