1
00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:08,000
session for September the 8th, 2026 at
6:30 p.m. held here in the council

2
00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:11,759
chamber at City Hall, 17 East Main
Street, South Hampton, Georgia. At this

3
00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:16,240
time, we're going to have invocation.
Pastor George Deubberry. Is Pastor

4
00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:19,680
Dubberry here? Oh, there he is. Hey,
Pastor Dubberry of Community Bible

5
00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:22,880
Fellowship Church. If you would please
all stand and join us in invocation and

6
00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:25,920
then we'll have our pledge of
allegiance.

7
00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:30,000
» Let's pray. Father, we thank you so much
for giving each of us traveling grace

8
00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:33,920
and mercy. We thank you Lord that you
allow us to do this great thing called

9
00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:37,760
government. Father you placed it in your
divine word that you allow this

10
00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:42,239
institution to help govern and direct
and to make sure that we do well within

11
00:00:40,239 --> 00:00:45,360
the communities in which we live. And
father we thank you for this board. And

12
00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:49,440
father we pray now that you would give
them wisdom, peace, and comfort to be

13
00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:53,120
able to make decisions on the behalf of
each of us so we may be able to continue

14
00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:56,800
to do this great thing you blessed us
with that is called life in Jesus name.

15
00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:58,640
Amen.
>> Amen.

16
00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:04,960
» Amen.
I aliance to the flag of the United

17
00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:10,960
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under

18
00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:14,520
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.

19
00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:24,159
» Moving on to presentation and approval
of the city council agenda. I do need an

20
00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:28,640
amendment to the agenda this evening to
include the signing of an agreement

21
00:01:26,159 --> 00:01:33,439
between GOAD and the city of Hampton to
keep the rightaway on 20 which we are

22
00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:37,680
already doing. Can I get a motion to
amend the agenda to add that item?

23
00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:42,240
» I move we amend the agenda to add that
item. I have a motion by council member

24
00:01:40,159 --> 00:01:49,880
Meeks and a second by council member
Mitchell to amend the agenda to include

25
00:01:45,759 --> 00:01:49,880
that on agenda item

26
00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:56,600
10
L.

27
00:02:00,799 --> 00:02:07,840
» All in favor
I have a 6.

28
00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:11,840
Moving on to agenda item, presentation
and approval of city council minutes.

29
00:02:09,679 --> 00:02:16,239
Public hearing meeting minutes from
August the 10th, 2026. I need a motion

30
00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:19,920
to approve or to deny.
>> I make a motion to approve.

31
00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:22,720
» I have a motion by council member
Duchaine to approve. Do I have a second?

32
00:02:22,239 --> 00:02:27,440
» Second.
>> Have a second by council member Meeks.

33
00:02:24,640 --> 00:02:34,720
Any discussion from the council? Any
discussion from the public? All in

34
00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:38,959
favor? I have a 6-0. Agenda item 3B,
special call meeting minutes from August

35
00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,720
20th, 2026. I need a motion to approve
or to deny.

36
00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,920
» So move.
>> Have a motion to approve by council

37
00:02:42,239 --> 00:02:44,959
member White Williams. Do I have a
second?

38
00:02:44,319 --> 00:02:49,760
» Second.
>> Second by council member Cheney.

39
00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:55,519
Discussion from the council.
Discussion from the public. All in

40
00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:58,480
favor? I have a 6.
Presentation and approval of city

41
00:02:56,879 --> 00:03:02,879
council minutes for regular meeting
minutes from August 11, 2026. I need a

42
00:03:01,519 --> 00:03:06,959
motion to approve or to deny.
>> I make a motion to approve August the

43
00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:11,120
11th meetings minutes.
>> Have a motion by council member Cheney.

44
00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:17,440
Second by council mayor pro Tim White
Williams. Discussion from the council.

45
00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:24,319
Discussion from the public. All in
favor? I have a 6.

46
00:03:22,159 --> 00:03:28,000
Acknowledgement of guest proclamations
and flag. So we do have a recognition

47
00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:32,000
this evening. We're going to ask that
our finance director and his team would

48
00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:37,200
come forth at this time. Recognition of
the financial departments for receiving

49
00:03:33,599 --> 00:03:43,680
the GFOA triple crown award for FY2024
2025 and GFO budget award for 20 for

50
00:03:41,599 --> 00:03:50,879
FY226.
Mr. Foresight, your entire team. Where's

51
00:03:48,879 --> 00:03:54,547
» Come on, ladies. Come on, ladies. Come
on.

52
00:03:51,519 --> 00:03:54,547
» Thank you. [applause]

53
00:03:57,599 --> 00:04:05,439
I I would like to make a couple of
comments. Um this is going back to 24.

54
00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:11,680
We applied for the first time to get the
triple crown. It takes almost a year. It

55
00:04:08,959 --> 00:04:16,639
goes through such a rigid um evaluation.
And at that time, this young lady here,

56
00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:22,400
she was the major the major the major
carrier [applause] of of everything. And

57
00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:27,898
now now that now that she has left, um
Katrina took her place.

58
00:04:24,479 --> 00:04:30,560
and she already got the 25 budget award
[laughter] and that's one leg of the

59
00:04:29,840 --> 00:04:36,080
three
>> for the for the next year 25. I've I've

60
00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:41,440
submitted the PAFRA and um financial.
Now let me explain quickly what it's all

61
00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:46,080
about. The financials basically talks
about your revenue expenditure and and

62
00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:52,479
your your net asset what you owe and who
you owe. And then the budget of course

63
00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:59,840
is like a policy. It it's it's a work
policy. It's a financial policy. It's

64
00:04:55,199 --> 00:05:04,080
also you you you you um judge how how
you're doing based on your budget,

65
00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:08,960
right? And one thing that we do and I
think it pays off a lot is um we

66
00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:12,240
monitor. We don't just don't wait till
the end of the year. We do it every

67
00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:18,320
quarter at least quarter. We like to get
on a monthly basis. But um staff um you

68
00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:25,360
know may not may not. Now I want to give
I would like to give the the council a

69
00:05:21,840 --> 00:05:32,880
lot of praise. The reason is you show
better governance than most governments

70
00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:37,199
in Canada and America. We in the 1%
>> 1% between America and Canada

71
00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:43,120
governments.
>> Okay. We're we're [applause] number nine

72
00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:47,840
in Georgia. Only n eight other cities
got it. And so the thing that I'm

73
00:05:45,759 --> 00:05:51,919
impressed with from my leaders, the
council and the mayor and the council,

74
00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:57,600
is your transparency.
You have financial reports. You have

75
00:05:54,400 --> 00:06:03,440
your your your monthly meeting. And um
and you you definitely honor performance

76
00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:09,120
like these ladies here. I couldn't do it
without them at all. They're the hard

77
00:06:06,639 --> 00:06:12,639
workers. I'm on the top trying to figure
out a couple of little financial items.

78
00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:18,800
You know what I'm saying? but they're
doing the the real labor. And the last

79
00:06:15,039 --> 00:06:25,520
one is use your community trust and you
involve the community and so there's an

80
00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:31,094
engagement that I would praise you with
and that's all I'd like to say.

81
00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,094
» Thank you so very much. [applause]

82
00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:41,199
So, I am very excited that um
the our financial department is an

83
00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:45,520
award-winning financial department and
has been since 2022. Uh each year

84
00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:51,039
they've gotten better and be better
better, the 2024 2025. They did the

85
00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:55,520
ultimate which was the trifecta award.
And that trifecta award measured many

86
00:06:53,199 --> 00:07:00,080
things and took into account our audits,
our budgets, uh how we manage money, how

87
00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:05,520
we're transparent with the with the
citizens, how we show everything out in

88
00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:10,800
the open. It just this these awards
measure those things. And to get it from

89
00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:17,039
GFOA, which is one of the highest govern
governance um financial um institutions,

90
00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:23,520
is a honor for our city. And as Mr. Of
course, I said, um, this is we're eight

91
00:07:21,599 --> 00:07:31,039
out of the state of Georgia. So, I think
that is a great great applaud to all of

92
00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:35,759
you workers that do the hard work uh and
make our city safe financially and sound

93
00:07:33,759 --> 00:07:40,319
financially and make sure that you take
care of our finance department. So,

94
00:07:37,919 --> 00:07:44,880
thank you so very much. Any comments
from the any other comments from the

95
00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:50,800
council? All right,
moving on to agenda item five, public

96
00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:54,319
comments. Did we have anyone signed up?
Michelle,

97
00:07:52,400 --> 00:08:00,160
she just
Okay, who is that one person?

98
00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:05,199
Who signed up for public's comments? You
can come forward.

99
00:08:02,319 --> 00:08:10,199
» Miss Han, Miss Han, did I see Miss Han
in the back? Yes, ma'am. Come on.

100
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:22,720
I didn't.
>> Oh, you didn't?

101
00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:26,400
» I didn't know if I need to come up now.
>> Yes, ma'am.

102
00:08:23,199 --> 00:08:30,479
» Or when you all But I'm addressing the
O'Neal Cemetery. Do I need to wait

103
00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:35,039
» or go ahead now?
>> You can go ahead now. Okay.

104
00:08:31,759 --> 00:08:43,519
» Yes, ma'am. The last time I was here,
I uh um I introduced myself as Donna Han

105
00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:48,800
and I am a descendant of the O'Neal
Cemetery

106
00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:55,360
uh on my mother's side and my father's
side. I am from Inman. So, I want to

107
00:08:52,800 --> 00:09:05,040
show you all this picture.
>> This is my great uncle and this is his

108
00:08:59,519 --> 00:09:10,800
wife. They got married in O'Neal Church
>> and

109
00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:17,440
his sister is still alive. She lives up
in 1941 in

110
00:09:13,839 --> 00:09:23,440
Mar. So I just want you all to see that
this is my great uncle

111
00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:29,839
and his wife Dr. May. She's still
living. She's 95.

112
00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:34,080
She's over in this This is so touching
to me. She's over in a nursing home in

113
00:09:32,399 --> 00:09:38,800
Stockbridge
>> and she wants to share all about it, but

114
00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:42,959
I told I have to get to her when she
gets her hearing aids, her son bring her

115
00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:49,680
hearing aids. So, I want to let you all
know that

116
00:09:45,839 --> 00:09:57,200
with the new law that's out,
the goal is is the family

117
00:09:53,360 --> 00:10:04,160
can take care of that cemetery.
What rights

118
00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:09,680
do we have with the O'Neal Cemetery?
That's the question.

119
00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:12,160
How will this work in the city of
Hampton?

120
00:10:11,121 --> 00:10:17,519
» [snorts]
>> and things that have been done so far is

121
00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:24,240
very disturbing.
And I have reached out

122
00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:30,600
um to other resources that are willing
to help like honor our roots. Um,

123
00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:39,600
I just wanted you all to know that I'm
here

124
00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:44,640
and I represent
the family that are buried at O'Neal

125
00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:50,800
Cemetery
and the black community that was there

126
00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:57,279
back in the day. I like to call it J
Hall with the flying and I want to talk

127
00:10:54,240 --> 00:11:01,519
about the other stuff, but we were there
I was there

128
00:10:59,279 --> 00:11:07,839
and I just wanted to let you all know
that I'm here again. So, thank you for

129
00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:15,600
allowing me to share that. And I am a
person that is willing to work. Um I'm

130
00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:20,839
not a person, you know, the I could be
agreed or disagreeable, but at the same

131
00:11:17,839 --> 00:11:20,839
time,

132
00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:30,640
I know God is in control of all of this
and he sends help. So I appreciate all

133
00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:37,760
of our roots what they're doing and I am
standing firm with them as they preserve

134
00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:41,839
other cemeteries but this one yes I'm
here for that. Thank you.

135
00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:46,079
» Thank you miss
>> seeing that there no there was no one

136
00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:48,480
one we have one more. We have someone by
the last name of Lu Lou

137
00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:54,160
» Lou
>> at 11 for Drive.

138
00:11:52,320 --> 00:12:00,720
» Lou Lou
11 Fortsson Drive.

139
00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:05,200
Okay. Thank you very much.
Moving on to agenda item six, our youth

140
00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:10,079
council update. We have have we closed
out our youth council and we will be

141
00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:15,360
doing announcements for the new youth
council next month. Is that correct?

142
00:12:14,079 --> 00:12:19,920
No, we haven't.
>> We're leaving open to the 15th.

143
00:12:17,279 --> 00:12:24,480
» Okay. All right. So, youth council uh
applications are still being taken up to

144
00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:31,120
the 15th. I think we do currently have
seven participants as as already. Um but

145
00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:35,839
they have opportunity to go up to 10.
So, I guess they're trying to get all 10

146
00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:39,639
of them filled. Agenda item seven, our
city manager update.

147
00:12:42,560 --> 00:12:51,440
I'll have Mr. Foresight present the 2425
um Q3 presentation. Mr. Wall had to

148
00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:54,600
leave.
Thank you.

149
00:12:54,959 --> 00:13:03,760
Here I am again. Um,
I regret and I apologize for not having

150
00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:08,639
this done earlier, but I think it was
ready, but I think the schedule was

151
00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:15,200
tight and we had to put it off because
normally we would present this at least

152
00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:21,880
45 days. We have 30 days to to get the
invoices for the last month and then we

153
00:13:16,959 --> 00:13:21,880
would present it. Anyway, here we go.

154
00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,959
Okay. Oh, wait.
Anyway, b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

155
00:13:34,639 --> 00:13:35,279
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

156
00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:35,680
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

157
00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:40,160
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

158
00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:45,360
b b b basically on track and um we have
collected

159
00:13:42,399 --> 00:13:54,160
90% of our revenue and the major reason
is property tax is collected up front

160
00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:59,199
and it's assigned to the year. So um
we we are in a very solid position with

161
00:13:57,279 --> 00:14:06,720
revenue.
Um license and permits were some some

162
00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:13,360
payments were made early. Um that's it
for revenue

163
00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:20,320
and expenses we we use 75 because
Mar June is is is nine months. So it's

164
00:14:16,639 --> 00:14:24,160
just it's it's either considered a 3/4
or 75%.

165
00:14:21,839 --> 00:14:29,839
» So we use that as a guide and with the
expenses

166
00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:36,240
you look down and see what was the
percentage versus budget and you should

167
00:14:32,639 --> 00:14:42,240
be concerned with anything over 75. I
mean and to answer your question earlier

168
00:14:39,279 --> 00:14:46,639
mayor admin was one of them that was
over the 75 82 and we know why. Right.

169
00:14:45,519 --> 00:14:50,959
Right.
>> Yeah. So, in total though, the total

170
00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:55,680
expense is 66%.
So, right right there, that's that's

171
00:14:52,639 --> 00:15:04,000
that's that's a saving of over a million
dollars. But be careful,

172
00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:10,320
this this shows uh 2.3 million net, but
remember, a quarter of that is still to

173
00:15:07,199 --> 00:15:15,199
be used in the in the last quarter.
>> So, you can't just take that number and

174
00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:22,880
run with it, you know. you have to watch
um the activities and

175
00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:28,959
uh fines for instance went up and um so
we we are in a very good position and

176
00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:34,880
the third page really is is all about
capital projects and we didn't we didn't

177
00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:40,399
collect that much and um of course you
can't spend you know so it it's not it's

178
00:15:37,279 --> 00:15:44,720
not very very very um
large numbers and basically that's it I

179
00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:49,360
And um I don't know if anyone has any
question, but that's it's really on

180
00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:54,240
target because I went back and I checked
I always check the year before just to

181
00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:57,279
see if anything looks out of line
>> and everything seems to be rolling

182
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,560
along.
>> So,

183
00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:05,920
» okay,
>> that's about it for Well, that's general

184
00:16:01,120 --> 00:16:12,480
fund. I forgot about utilities.
>> Okay, with utilities.

185
00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:17,759
with utilities. Um,
it's very very very the same the same

186
00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:22,800
situation. It's 70%. But the the the
third quarter, I can guarantee you the

187
00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:26,639
revenue is going to go back to high
because it's been hot.

188
00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:30,720
» FE is going to, you know, I'm sure I've
I've heard outside my office people

189
00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:34,320
complaining about the electrical bill.
So, I know that was that's that's

190
00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:40,720
confirming what I'm believing and
seeing. So, um, with with with with with

191
00:16:37,759 --> 00:16:49,199
that I think we we're going to be okay.
Um, the the expenditure is 72% which is

192
00:16:45,279 --> 00:16:53,839
close because uh the more the higher the
the expense of power the more you have

193
00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:58,480
to buy. You know what I'm saying? And
the more but the more you collect. So,

194
00:16:55,920 --> 00:17:03,680
it's it's showing it's showing a a loss
of 200,000. But then I said, "No,

195
00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:10,319
there's got to be a reason." So I went
back and checked the prior year and what

196
00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:18,959
what it was is this year happened to be
the year where we need to refurbish

197
00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:23,679
our our supplies for for um our our
development. I think it's like 200,000.

198
00:17:21,679 --> 00:17:29,200
So it made me feel good. That explains
why I'm breaking even.

199
00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:36,720
» And um but that that that's what you got
to understand. And so we we've paid our

200
00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:40,960
bond debt and um we're if you back out
depreciation, we are one of the

201
00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:47,520
governments that budget for
depreciation. Not 100% close to onethird

202
00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:51,360
and we back it out to make sure you have
enough money to pay your debt service

203
00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:56,559
because it's required in the bond
document.

204
00:17:53,200 --> 00:18:00,640
» Uh that's that's about it. Again,
capital. We didn't do much at all in

205
00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:04,720
capital
>> and that's it.

206
00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:10,080
» Have any questions from the council?
>> Any questions from the public?

207
00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:12,400
» Thank you, Mr. Foresight.
>> You're welcome.

208
00:18:10,799 --> 00:18:17,320
» Next, police.
>> We'll have Captain Brown up for the

209
00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:17,320
police department.

210
00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:24,000
» Good evening, Mayor and Council.
>> Good evening.

211
00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:28,200
» Um, on behalf of the Hampton Police
Department for the month of September,

212
00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:36,360
We had 670 citizen contacts for the
month.

213
00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:54,919
ifications with their systems over
there. Um, but I assure you it was under

214
00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:54,919
five minutes, probably under four.

215
00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:03,760
Uh, only else we have coming up, we have
another citizen police academy from

216
00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:07,840
October uh 12th to November 23rd on
Monday nights from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30

217
00:19:05,919 --> 00:19:11,760
p.m. I mean 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I'm
sorry. Um, and over the seven weeks

218
00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:16,400
we'll cover the command staff, crime
scene, traffic law, so on and so forth.

219
00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:21,360
and we are actively taking applications
until October 1st. So, if you guys know

220
00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:25,120
anyone, please have them sign up. Um,
this is posted throughout the city, more

221
00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:29,520
specifically in front of customer
service at this time.

222
00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:32,960
» Thank y'all.
>> Thank you, Captain.

223
00:19:30,559 --> 00:19:37,280
» We're going to go back and have Dan Soul
um he has a presentation on the the

224
00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:39,440
budget on the
>> Oh, on the audit.

225
00:19:38,799 --> 00:19:41,039
» All right.
>> Hi.

226
00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:43,679
» How are y'all doing?
>> Doing well. Great.

227
00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:48,000
» Great. Well, thank you for having me,
Mayor and Council. Um, I'll keep this

228
00:19:45,919 --> 00:19:52,960
brief uh so that y'all can keep moving
with your um with your meeting. Um

229
00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:57,840
because the the audit went really smooth
um as it has the last few years. Uh you

230
00:19:55,520 --> 00:20:03,520
don't get the awards that the finance
committee has gotten um from having a

231
00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:09,840
messy audit. Um and so I I want to thank
Mr. for Scythe and his staff um for you

232
00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:15,760
know always being on top of things uh
answering our questions as quickly as we

233
00:20:11,919 --> 00:20:20,000
send them over. Um we haven't had very
many journal entries uh during the audit

234
00:20:17,919 --> 00:20:24,240
which is huge. Um so that means the
financial statements that you all see at

235
00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:29,200
the quarterly meetings or I'm sorry at
the monthly meetings um are are right on

236
00:20:27,039 --> 00:20:33,039
track with where they should be um based
on the audit. Um and so what I'm going

237
00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:36,000
to do is just hit a few highlights uh
and then and then let y'all get back to

238
00:20:34,799 --> 00:20:39,679
it. Um, [clears throat]
please keep in mind that that what I'm

239
00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:46,960
talking about here was as of September
30th, 2025. Um, so almost a year ago is

240
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:54,480
uh the year end um for the audit. Uh, we
finished the audit a few months ago. Um,

241
00:20:50,240 --> 00:21:00,240
so please um I don't know any balances
uh up through now, so please don't yell

242
00:20:58,159 --> 00:21:06,880
um if if something doesn't sound right.
Um but the the city as of September

243
00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:11,280
30th, 2025 was in a great financial um
position. Um the highlights from the

244
00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:15,440
financial statements, as you can see up
there on the screen, there was $74

245
00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:19,919
million of total assets of the city. Um
of that, just under 14 million was

246
00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:25,520
unrestricted cash, which is cash that
the city can use uh for operating

247
00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:32,000
purposes. Uh the the net position of the
city um was $60.6 million. Um, of that

248
00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:37,120
amount, 26.8 million was made up of
invested in capital assets. So, your

249
00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:41,200
infrastructure, your um, computers,
furniture, vehicles, those sorts of

250
00:21:38,799 --> 00:21:46,240
things. That's what all made up that um,
26.8 million. Uh, you had 15.4 million

251
00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:50,480
of that that was restricted for capital
projects, debt, federal and state

252
00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:54,320
programs, tourism, and law enforcement.
Um, that's like your SPLAS money that

253
00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:59,919
comes in that's restricted for those
capital projects. Um there's um you know

254
00:21:58,159 --> 00:22:05,600
money that's that's brought in for the
debt. Um all that stuff is restricted

255
00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:10,559
and can only be spent for that purpose.
Um and then there was 18.5 million of

256
00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:15,280
the net position that was unrestricted.
Again, that means the city can use that

257
00:22:12,559 --> 00:22:20,080
for operating purposes uh and what the
city decides to use that on. Um so that

258
00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:25,440
was at the citywide level. Uh talking
about just the general fund, uh the fund

259
00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:29,520
balance for that is 11.6 6 million. Um,
of that 11.1 million of that was

260
00:22:27,919 --> 00:22:34,799
unassigned.
Um, again, meaning that the city can can

261
00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:38,080
spend that how they need to. Um, so that
was the highlights of the financial

262
00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:42,880
statements. Not to bore you too much
with all the details. Um, but a couple

263
00:22:40,559 --> 00:22:46,559
of things I do want to mention. If
you've been around here, you've heard me

264
00:22:44,159 --> 00:22:49,679
mention these year after year. Um, but
the fund balance is something that's

265
00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:56,240
available. Um, but you want to be
mindful of spending that. um you don't

266
00:22:51,840 --> 00:23:00,880
want to rely on that to use for um like
daily operations, something like that.

267
00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:06,400
You want to use that for some type of
capital project. Um you know, something

268
00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:10,240
big that the city wants to do. Um so, so
you don't want that going towards, you

269
00:23:08,559 --> 00:23:16,080
know, covering payroll and that sort of
thing. Uh great news is the city, um

270
00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:22,960
again, as of September 30th, 2025 was in
good shape with uh that fund balance.

271
00:23:19,120 --> 00:23:25,919
Um, but we've seen that that's when a
lot of trouble starts creeping in

272
00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:29,919
because you want to spend it here and
there and the next thing you know it's

273
00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:33,039
dropped significantly. So, just want to
be mindful of that. Um, and then you

274
00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:38,320
also want to make sure that you're
spending the restricted money uh first

275
00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:41,840
before you start spending the unassigned
stuff. The reason for that is if you

276
00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:46,080
spend all your unassigned or
unrestricted money um all you've got

277
00:23:44,559 --> 00:23:51,039
left is your restricted money. You kind
of p yourself into a corner because you

278
00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:55,520
can't spend that restricted money on
other things that that you want to spend

279
00:23:53,039 --> 00:24:00,640
it on. It has to be spent for what the
donor restricted that money for.

280
00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:05,520
Um, in terms of findings and
recommendations, there were no findings

281
00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:10,320
uh during the audit this year. Um, we
issued a clean opinion, which is which

282
00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:15,600
is, you know, a good thing. Yes,
absolutely. Um and then uh another note

283
00:24:13,679 --> 00:24:19,039
I wanted to make was the city's worked
um really hard over the last several

284
00:24:17,279 --> 00:24:24,960
years to implement really strong
internal controls and processes. And so

285
00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:29,840
what that is is uh Mr. Forcy and his
team have worked um to segregate duties

286
00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:34,480
uh in the finance and accounting
department. So you don't have one person

287
00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:39,120
that can say create vendors and and
issue approvals for that vendor and then

288
00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:43,840
write checks and sign those checks.
everything's kind of spread out a little

289
00:24:40,799 --> 00:24:49,760
bit. Um, and so as the council, you want
to make sure that those sorts of things

290
00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:54,640
uh continue. Um, you know, you'd like to
keep the same staff forever, but

291
00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:59,039
sometimes uh the staff moves on or or
whatever may happen, but you you want to

292
00:24:56,320 --> 00:25:03,919
make sure that those things are still uh
staying in place um so that you know you

293
00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:07,919
don't increase the risk of fraud, you
don't increase the risk of

294
00:25:05,039 --> 00:25:14,400
misappropriation of assets. um whether
you know that that um misappropriation

295
00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:17,919
was by by accident, which sometimes it
is, you know, the person just came in

296
00:25:15,919 --> 00:25:22,720
and they did something, somebody wasn't
reviewing it and it got missed. Um but

297
00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:27,760
it'll it'll create uh an environment
where things like that get caught um and

298
00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:33,520
they can get corrected before um you
know, you get too far down the road. Um

299
00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:37,200
so with that, uh that's all I had for
this evening. Um again, thank you all

300
00:25:35,279 --> 00:25:42,080
for having me. Uh we really appreciate
the city. Uh we enjoy working uh with

301
00:25:39,919 --> 00:25:46,159
the city, the the council, the staff
here. Um and so thank y'all so much and

302
00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:48,799
I hope you have a great evening.
>> Thank you so very much. Council, do you

303
00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:54,080
have any questions?
>> Yes, I do.

304
00:25:51,039 --> 00:25:58,880
» Does this audit is it always a year lag
or because you said this is from 25 is

305
00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:03,440
there always a year lag in it? So the
the audit itself is not it's usually

306
00:26:00,799 --> 00:26:08,080
about six months because uh for
governments they have six months to get

307
00:26:05,360 --> 00:26:12,799
the audit filed. Um this year because of
the turnover that was here at the city

308
00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:18,880
um I think it I think it got finalized
in maybe April uh or May instead of

309
00:26:16,559 --> 00:26:24,640
March which is when it usually is done.
Um so we finish we usually finish it

310
00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:28,400
before March 31st and then we um come
when we're invited to the the council

311
00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:31,679
meeting. Um but this year it was a month
or two after that which we got an

312
00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:36,480
extension for or the city got an
extension for. Um so there weren't any

313
00:26:33,760 --> 00:26:42,720
issues with the state for submitting it
uh past that deadline. Um but usually it

314
00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:45,039
it has to be filed by March 31st.
>> Thank you.

315
00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:50,000
» Sure.
Any other questions? Any questions from

316
00:26:47,279 --> 00:26:54,080
the public? Thank you so very much.
Wonderful report. Great job team.

317
00:26:52,799 --> 00:26:59,799
» Thank you.
Next we'll have Louis King with public

318
00:26:55,679 --> 00:26:59,799
works to give the public works update.

319
00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:10,320
» Good evening, mayor, council, captain
citizens.

320
00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:13,799
Okay, as always, we had a busy month for
the month of August.

321
00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:23,039
Here is the uh
the rightway finally complete there at

322
00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:26,720
Circle K. There was some issues with who
the easement belonged to. We finally got

323
00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:30,440
that settled and we were able to finally
uh get that repaired.

324
00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:38,080
This was a completion of a project over
in Elm Station storm water repair. Uh

325
00:27:36,159 --> 00:27:45,279
the pipe that you see in the middle
there had collapsed and uh they had to

326
00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:52,760
get a header wall built, pre-cast, put
in place and then this is the uh final

327
00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:52,760
picture after everything was done. Here

328
00:27:53,279 --> 00:28:01,360
we're also doing another stormwater
project. This is over on Lisa Court. Um

329
00:27:59,360 --> 00:28:06,159
I'm sorry, Dana Court. There was an
issue there where it had sank in the

330
00:28:03,360 --> 00:28:10,159
ground, had been open for quite a while.
We were able to uh do that in house and

331
00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:15,120
we saved the city quite a bit of money
by doing it in house. And for the month

332
00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:19,760
of August, we had 143 work orders
completed.

333
00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:24,480
Street Sweeper swept 873 miles and we
had 21 citizen contacts.

334
00:28:22,559 --> 00:28:28,640
I'd like to make a note about the street
sweeper because I've received some

335
00:28:26,159 --> 00:28:32,480
concerns.
Just because you don't see the broom

336
00:28:30,159 --> 00:28:36,240
circulating, the street sweeper is
picking up the debris off of the road.

337
00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:40,559
You typically won't have that unless
there's actually debris in the gutter.

338
00:28:38,559 --> 00:28:44,640
You'll see that typically more in the
fall months when it's plenty of leaves

339
00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:48,159
out.
>> Yes, ma'am.

340
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:53,200
Is there a schedule for the street
sweepers? Like on certain days it's on

341
00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:59,039
this in this community or
>> It goes by zones. Um and by Friday he's

342
00:28:56,799 --> 00:29:02,799
at zone five. So then he starts up again
the next week

343
00:29:00,399 --> 00:29:06,559
» unless we have an issue and sometimes
there's construction going on and

344
00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:10,320
» we may have to send it back out to
another area. Yes ma'am. I think it

345
00:29:08,399 --> 00:29:15,919
would be helpful to maybe have that
posted so the citizens are aware you

346
00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:18,399
know what day the street sweeper will be
in there.

347
00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:23,679
» Yes, I was just going to say that
because especially if there's street

348
00:29:20,159 --> 00:29:29,440
parking and maybe you know whether we
try to communicate with the HOAs to say

349
00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:32,880
keep the street you know the the cars
off the street on the days that the

350
00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:35,360
sweeper is coming through.
>> We can do that.

351
00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:39,520
» We'll get that in the newsletter. I
think it'd be a great time. Any

352
00:29:38,399 --> 00:29:43,760
questions? Anyone?
>> Any questions from the council? Any

353
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:46,240
questions from the public? Thank you,
Mr. Lewis.

354
00:29:44,559 --> 00:29:49,440
» Thank you, Mr. King.
>> Before I go to the next one, I do want

355
00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:54,559
to go back and give a little bit of
credit to a council woman. Um, I

356
00:29:52,640 --> 00:30:00,240
received a call from Councilwoman
Duchaine. I was the assistant city

357
00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:04,720
manager and she said, "As a citizen, I
want to report the Circle K parking

358
00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:09,600
lot." [laughter] and she said, "Is there
anything that code enforcement could

359
00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:13,200
do?" Um, and then from there, first
thing I did was get with code

360
00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:17,279
enforcement and then work through Wanda
and the community development

361
00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:21,440
department. Wanda was a huge asset and
then got um public works involved,

362
00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:26,960
figured out exactly where the right away
was. So, it took, you know, she's a

363
00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:32,080
council woman, but it she called as a
citizen that day and that's that's what

364
00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:36,480
took action and I hope all our
residents, you know, take take a lesson

365
00:30:35,279 --> 00:30:41,520
from that.
>> If there's something that you want

366
00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:45,360
addressed, you know, engaged staff, and
that's that's what we're there for. So,

367
00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:49,039
thank you for for bringing it to our
attention and thank you to code

368
00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:51,919
enforcement and to Wanda and to public
works for

369
00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:56,080
» for getting it done.
>> We got it done within two weeks. So,

370
00:30:54,559 --> 00:30:59,399
next we'll have Wanda Moore with
community development.

371
00:31:00,221 --> 00:31:02,241
[laughter]

372
00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:08,279
» Good evening all.

373
00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:18,960
» Thank you.
Um so for the month of August we've had

374
00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:24,559
um 11 new um business license issued, 26
uh building permits, two zoning

375
00:31:22,159 --> 00:31:29,120
applications,
eight development projects are underway.

376
00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:33,520
We'll see that on the next slide. Um the
grants are the same and underway except

377
00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:37,840
for um this evening you guys will have
before you uh just the official

378
00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:44,240
acceptance of our latest grant which is
for the East King Mcdana and Rosenwall

379
00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:49,600
um improvement for the intersection and
it's the PE um phase so it it was it's

380
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:54,799
designed nothing's been designed on it
yet.

381
00:31:51,200 --> 00:32:00,880
Um this is our go well just our um
desktop reporting of what we've done in

382
00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:08,480
the month of August. As you can see um
we've been v busy. Um we've collected

383
00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:12,679
over close to half a million dollars on
permit fees. Um

384
00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:22,960
and then this shows how AI has been
helping me [laughter] which has been

385
00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:28,000
good. Um so uh AI we don't have to pay
for that if we use it under a certain

386
00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:33,279
amount of time and it certainly has uh
assisted folks because everything is

387
00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:37,440
done online now we don't accept paper
applications.

388
00:32:35,279 --> 00:32:43,919
This I want to um update you guys um
that the city did receive a new concept

389
00:32:39,919 --> 00:32:48,880
plan review. It's called um Hilltop is
the developer.

390
00:32:45,679 --> 00:32:54,799
They are looking to go into the area
where a villa was. Um, and then also

391
00:32:52,799 --> 00:33:00,720
across the street kind of close to the
school. The concept plan has just been

392
00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:09,840
submitted. I have not completed the
review. Currently, they're showing 324

393
00:33:04,559 --> 00:33:15,600
apartment units and 176 town homes. Um,
as staff, I'll be looking uh for

394
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:23,279
compliance with our DRRI plan that was
submitted and I can share that

395
00:33:18,320 --> 00:33:26,960
currently. Um, I have some concerns on
just what they're showing, but I did

396
00:33:25,279 --> 00:33:33,840
want you guys to know that we had
received that and um I'll be working

397
00:33:29,840 --> 00:33:38,000
through that concept um review. men to
drive.

398
00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:43,919
We provided them their last set of
redline comments. So hopefully they'll

399
00:33:40,399 --> 00:33:49,519
be ready to um resubmit and get going
probably within the next six weeks or

400
00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:53,279
so. That is a large development on the
west side.

401
00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:57,919
Madlin Park, I think I shared with you
guys last um

402
00:33:56,000 --> 00:34:03,120
last meeting that they have submitted
building permits although they haven't

403
00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:08,863
um followed the steps. I don't have a
plat. So, we're kind of working through

404
00:34:05,919 --> 00:34:12,480
process there. And um I'm trying
[clears throat] to think I don't think

405
00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:16,320
anything else has dramatically changed
since last month. So, I won't go into

406
00:34:14,560 --> 00:34:19,440
any detail unless you guys have any
questions.

407
00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:26,000
» Yes, ma'am.
>> Um the town home development that was

408
00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:28,320
approved I want to say December. Um
>> Yes, ma'am.

409
00:34:26,639 --> 00:34:32,159
» Is that on this list?
>> No, they haven't. Uh they've been um

410
00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:35,839
working with us. They've worked with
public works to go out and get water

411
00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:41,520
tests and pressure and all that kind of
stuff. They're um working on their

412
00:34:39,200 --> 00:34:46,000
concept plan and that's their first
step, but they have not submitted yet.

413
00:34:44,079 --> 00:34:49,200
» I have a question. The Subway
restaurant, is it standalone or inside

414
00:34:48,399 --> 00:34:53,280
the gas station?
>> It's actually next to the gas station

415
00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:56,159
that was um recently completed in front
of Liberty Square.

416
00:34:54,560 --> 00:35:01,680
» Okay.
>> What's happening with Floyd Road?

417
00:34:58,960 --> 00:35:07,280
Floyd Road. Um Floyd Road, as you're
aware, was part of uh uh development

418
00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:12,400
conditions that were part of a zoning
that was approved by mayor and council.

419
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:15,040
Uh Floyd Road. Are you asking about the
actual road or the project?

420
00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:21,760
» The project.
>> Okay. Apologies. Um it's uh uh no

421
00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:26,160
activity has occurred.
>> So, do we give them a time that they

422
00:35:24,320 --> 00:35:30,240
need to do something or is like it just
sits in limbo? like what happens.

423
00:35:28,079 --> 00:35:34,960
» So, I think that's something that maybe
if you want to speak with the attorney

424
00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:41,920
about the there's provisions in the
ordinance for reversions of uh zoning

425
00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:48,160
districts. They have made so when I say
they the original developer has made um

426
00:35:45,599 --> 00:35:53,280
improvements on Floyd Road itself. We
had to pull the bond because they were

427
00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:58,560
not um they were trying to walk away.
So, we we have the money to finish the

428
00:35:55,839 --> 00:36:03,040
improvements on Floyd Road, but they've
paid water and sewer connection fees.

429
00:36:01,119 --> 00:36:07,599
Um, they were issued a land disturbance
permit and they were in process of

430
00:36:05,839 --> 00:36:12,400
headed that direction, but they have
sold the property.

431
00:36:10,240 --> 00:36:18,480
And as you're aware, part of the
conditions is that the development of

432
00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:23,520
Floyd Road, the lakes, the gates, the
lakes, gates,

433
00:36:19,839 --> 00:36:28,160
» gates. Thank you. Lake that that if they
were to sell it and somebody else wanted

434
00:36:26,720 --> 00:36:33,359
to develop, they would have to get
approval from mayor and council and so

435
00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:39,920
they have not sought. It's clearly in
the conditions of zoning and um they are

436
00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:44,160
the new folks are aware but
yeah

437
00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:47,440
» so the gates at Floyd Road was that the
um residential community?

438
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:53,839
» Yes.
>> Okay. So are they building somewhere

439
00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:57,280
else because there's um
>> three now three or four houses.

440
00:36:55,599 --> 00:37:01,200
» Yes. And they're all on like five acres.
So, was that the same site or was that

441
00:37:00,079 --> 00:37:06,240
somewhere else?
>> Nobody's pulled a permit through um the

442
00:37:04,079 --> 00:37:10,000
city to build Oh, I know what you're
talking about on Floyd Road. Those are

443
00:37:07,760 --> 00:37:13,520
in the county. That lands in the county.
Yes, ma'am.

444
00:37:11,119 --> 00:37:18,720
» And that that's on sewer.
>> I mean septic tptic septic. Any more

445
00:37:17,359 --> 00:37:23,599
questions from the council for the
community development director?

446
00:37:21,359 --> 00:37:27,119
Any questions from the public? Thank
you, Miss Wanda. Now, we'll have our

447
00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:32,119
utility director, [clears throat] Mr.
West.

448
00:37:27,520 --> 00:37:32,119
» Moret again. Um,

449
00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:36,320
let's see. Okay, I want to draw your
attention to the picture at the top.

450
00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:42,800
We're going to be talking about this
later anyway. That is Woodlong, the

451
00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:48,079
inside of it, white. Um, that's how it
should look anyway. Um it wasn't that

452
00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:53,839
way until a while ago. But moving right
along, um leisure division, we had 61

453
00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:59,280
total work orders, three power outages,
installed a fault circuit indicators. Um

454
00:37:57,040 --> 00:38:04,320
we all recently had all the wooden poles
inspected. We had a total of 46 need to

455
00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:07,839
be replaced. Uh to date, the electric
department has replaced 26 of these

456
00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:12,640
poles with the remaining failed poles
scheduled for replacement. is an ongoing

457
00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:17,280
replacement program will help improve
the safety and reliability of city's

458
00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:21,599
electric distribution system.
Um wastewater treatment plant total 78

459
00:38:19,839 --> 00:38:30,079
work orders and cleaning clarifier
number two and water had 163 work orders

460
00:38:26,720 --> 00:38:35,440
total. Uh 53 leaks repaired and there's
currently one leak system. I don't think

461
00:38:32,960 --> 00:38:38,720
that's right. Uh that right there is
right next door next to in front of

462
00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:43,839
Hampton grocery store. [clears throat]
they put into services.

463
00:38:41,920 --> 00:38:47,599
I see anybody got any questions,
comments, concerns?

464
00:38:45,440 --> 00:38:53,320
» Any questions from the council? Any
questions from the public? Thank you,

465
00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:53,320
Mr. West.

466
00:38:54,240 --> 00:38:59,040
» Mayor, council, I was going to give you
an update on the roundabout at Hampton

467
00:38:56,640 --> 00:39:02,480
Oakrove Road. I know it's a hot topic
and you guys get it a lot. So, I want to

468
00:39:00,720 --> 00:39:07,680
give you as updated as we possibly
could. Start. This is the conceptual

469
00:39:05,040 --> 00:39:11,680
design that they're operating under and
that's what it'll it'll look like and

470
00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:18,000
wanted to show you what it looks like
today. Um speaking to the construction

471
00:39:15,440 --> 00:39:22,079
team, it looks like midocctober is when
it will be completed. um some of the

472
00:39:20,160 --> 00:39:27,280
delays just for when you guys get
questions. Um the utilities and there

473
00:39:24,640 --> 00:39:32,960
was also some compaction issues that
they encountered early on, but they're

474
00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:37,760
moving moving along very very good. And
just to orient you, if you're where the

475
00:39:35,839 --> 00:39:44,400
white SUV is at the bottom of the
picture, that is Macdonald Road. So

476
00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:47,200
that's that's where it'll come back in.
Any questions on the Hampton Oaks Grove

477
00:39:46,240 --> 00:39:52,000
Road roundabout?
>> Yes.

478
00:39:47,599 --> 00:39:55,440
» Yes, ma'am. Um, is there any um
plans where we see Go back to the

479
00:39:54,400 --> 00:40:02,480
» Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Um, so to right here, this long black

480
00:39:59,839 --> 00:40:06,480
whatever that is. Um, is that an
easement?

481
00:40:04,240 --> 00:40:10,480
» I'm If you could show me on the picture,
that that may help me.

482
00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:14,320
» That's silk fence.
>> That's silk fence. Just that's part of

483
00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:20,800
the construction to
>> to ensure that nothing's washing out.

484
00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:26,400
Okay. Is there any um I don't know,
maybe we could do something to help

485
00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:29,760
beautify like add some trees
>> because it is kind of like come although

486
00:40:28,480 --> 00:40:33,920
it's in our city limits
>> and I'll let Wanda speak to that just

487
00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:35,359
kind of the overall plan. Yeah. But I
will go back to

488
00:40:35,119 --> 00:40:39,200
» Yeah.
>> because I'm trying to see the split.

489
00:40:38,240 --> 00:40:44,079
» Go ahead.
>> So behind the silk fence there is a

490
00:40:41,599 --> 00:40:49,280
detention or a stormwater facility that
is looks like a long ditch. if you're

491
00:40:46,320 --> 00:40:55,599
right. That'll be planted with aquatic
um material as well as landscaped and

492
00:40:52,320 --> 00:40:59,599
then there'll be street trees along the
um

493
00:40:57,200 --> 00:41:05,520
the improvement area and then also
landscape on the interior of the island.

494
00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:08,160
So, yes, ma'am. It'll be [clears throat]
pretty

495
00:41:07,413 --> 00:41:12,000
[laughter]
I guess I'm I'm just a little confused

496
00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:19,359
because where is the split? Go back to
the picture before you see it's two

497
00:41:16,319 --> 00:41:23,599
Michael U. Where is the U at on the next
picture?

498
00:41:22,319 --> 00:41:27,440
» It's on the bottom.
>> It's that picture is upside down. This

499
00:41:25,599 --> 00:41:33,920
right here is North Avenue is about
where Miss Cheny's head is.

500
00:41:31,119 --> 00:41:37,680
» So the the kind of horseshoe loop that
you see on the on the black and white

501
00:41:36,319 --> 00:41:41,440
image,
>> can you can you come and point to the

502
00:41:39,119 --> 00:41:41,440
screen?

503
00:41:43,520 --> 00:41:51,680
I'll be tonight.
>> This that loop

504
00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:56,240
is going to go this this section of
McDonald Street is going to curve and

505
00:41:53,760 --> 00:42:00,720
come tie into the roundabout this way.
>> Okay.

506
00:41:56,880 --> 00:42:03,839
» Okay. And so all of this is going to be
grass and storm water.

507
00:42:02,560 --> 00:42:07,200
» Okay. Now that makes sense because I'm
like I don't see it here. Okay.

508
00:42:05,520 --> 00:42:09,359
» Thank you, Miss Wanda.
Any other questions on the hand close

509
00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:12,359
roundabout?
>> Nope.

510
00:42:14,640 --> 00:42:17,680
» That the only thing you had tonight?
>> Yes, ma'am.

511
00:42:16,720 --> 00:42:21,280
» All right.
>> Thank you so much.

512
00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:25,520
» All right. Thank you so very much for
the city manager's update. Thank

513
00:42:23,440 --> 00:42:30,560
everybody for providing us with the
information. Moving on to agenda item

514
00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:34,720
eight, a consideration and action on
acceptance of resolution 202661 on the

515
00:42:33,040 --> 00:42:39,440
vote regarding the ethics ruling for the
mayor tarpley during the August 11

516
00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:43,760
meeting. I need a motion to approve or
to deny resolution 202661.

517
00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:47,599
» So move second.
>> I have a motion by council member White

518
00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:53,280
Williams and a second by councelor Dasha
to approve resolution 2026-61.

519
00:42:50,880 --> 00:43:00,359
Discussion from the council. Discussion
from the public. All in favor?

520
00:42:57,200 --> 00:43:00,359
All oppose

521
00:43:02,319 --> 00:43:09,839
extension.
>> So um three

522
00:43:08,640 --> 00:43:15,280
» approved.
>> I

523
00:43:12,560 --> 00:43:19,960
three approved. Three abstain.
>> I abain last time. That's what I

524
00:43:20,400 --> 00:43:28,800
» No, you voted against it. Oh, okay.
>> What you can I mean what are you doing

525
00:43:27,119 --> 00:43:31,599
tonight?
>> Okay.

526
00:43:29,839 --> 00:43:38,800
» Abstaining.
>> I have a three 33 for resolution 202661.

527
00:43:36,880 --> 00:43:40,720
I don't understand what that means.
>> I don't know.

528
00:43:39,359 --> 00:43:44,160
» Bill,
>> I'm sorry.

529
00:43:42,480 --> 00:43:44,800
» The question whether or not the motion
passed.

530
00:43:44,560 --> 00:43:48,160
» Yeah,
>> the mot the motion passed. The

531
00:43:46,160 --> 00:43:49,920
abstensions don't count as as votes.
It's as if the council member is not

532
00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:55,200
there.
>> Okay.

533
00:43:51,680 --> 00:43:59,839
U resolution 202661 pass three um
approved three abstain. Moving on to

534
00:43:57,520 --> 00:44:04,240
agenda item 8B consideration and action
to approve ordinance 2026-15. This is a

535
00:44:02,640 --> 00:44:10,480
second read to index the certain
properties bearing partial

536
00:44:05,599 --> 00:44:15,119
identification number 010 010006021
and being 3.897

537
00:44:13,200 --> 00:44:20,319
acres plus or minus into the city
pursuant to the 100% method of OCGA

538
00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:24,240
363621. And I need a motion to approve
it to deny.

539
00:44:22,079 --> 00:44:28,560
» Can I ask a question before we do that?
>> Uhhuh.

540
00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:33,680
» Since Henry County has put in their
objection, should we kind of table this

541
00:44:30,720 --> 00:44:38,800
to to hear what they're what's happening
with that?

542
00:44:34,319 --> 00:44:43,040
» We've already heard back from um ARC DCA
in regard. Go ahead.

543
00:44:40,240 --> 00:44:46,319
» From Yes, Mayor. From DCA, uh we
received a response that the the

544
00:44:45,040 --> 00:44:50,640
objection that was posted was
insufficient. Henry County does have the

545
00:44:48,880 --> 00:44:55,119
opportunity to amend. I believe that
runs sometime this this week, but

546
00:44:53,359 --> 00:45:00,640
nothing precludes you from making an
action. And in fact, nothing that DCA

547
00:44:57,599 --> 00:45:05,440
does can prevent this annexation. It it
can impact a zoning request, which this

548
00:45:03,440 --> 00:45:10,640
one doesn't have an accompanying zoning
request. So, you can move forward with

549
00:45:07,680 --> 00:45:14,400
the action. DCA currently there is no
objection.

550
00:45:12,160 --> 00:45:19,599
» Thank you. I need a motion to approve or
to deny resolution 202615.

551
00:45:18,079 --> 00:45:22,560
» Madame Mayor, I move that we approve
ordinance 202615.

552
00:45:21,760 --> 00:45:26,960
Second read.
>> I have a motion by council member Meeks

553
00:45:24,160 --> 00:45:31,520
to approve ordinance 2026-15 by council
member Meeks. Do I have a second?

554
00:45:30,640 --> 00:45:38,400
» A second.
>> Have a second by council member Mitchell

555
00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:43,359
to annex into the three. Any further
discussion from the council?

556
00:45:40,880 --> 00:45:47,599
Discussion from the public. All in
favor?

557
00:45:46,160 --> 00:45:48,880
» I have a
>> six

558
00:45:48,000 --> 00:45:52,960
» in favor.
>> I have a 6.

559
00:45:51,119 --> 00:45:56,640
Moving on to agenda item 8 C.
Considerate council to approve

560
00:45:54,720 --> 00:46:03,520
authorizing the mayor to sign resolution
202672 for the CD CBDG grant approved at

561
00:46:00,720 --> 00:46:05,760
the August 11, 2026 meeting. Need a
motion to approve.

562
00:46:05,119 --> 00:46:08,640
» So move.
>> Second. Have a motion by council member

563
00:46:07,440 --> 00:46:13,040
White Williams and a second by council
member Duchaine to approve resolution

564
00:46:10,319 --> 00:46:17,920
202672.
Discussion from the council.

565
00:46:15,520 --> 00:46:22,640
Discussion from the public. All in
favor?

566
00:46:19,440 --> 00:46:27,520
I have a 6. Agenda item 8D.
Consideration and action for approval of

567
00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:30,720
an RFP to design a new city logo and to
allow citizens input.

568
00:46:30,079 --> 00:46:33,280
» So move.
>> I have a motion by council member White

569
00:46:32,240 --> 00:46:38,599
Williams.
>> Second. Second by council member

570
00:46:35,599 --> 00:46:38,599
Mitchell.

571
00:46:38,880 --> 00:46:46,400
» Discussion from the council.
>> So, this is going to before we say

572
00:46:44,480 --> 00:46:52,079
design, it's going to include the
public's first input or is it we're

573
00:46:48,640 --> 00:46:55,760
going to design and then show it to the
public?

574
00:46:53,359 --> 00:47:01,319
» Um, do you have numbers on how much
we've spent on the logo the first logo

575
00:46:58,319 --> 00:47:01,319
chief?

576
00:47:01,520 --> 00:47:09,920
» Yes, ma'am. They
It was done when Miss Woodard was the

577
00:47:06,560 --> 00:47:14,079
main street director and the amount of
receipts the amount of invoices I can

578
00:47:12,000 --> 00:47:20,960
find were right around 20 grand is what
it for the the complete

579
00:47:18,720 --> 00:47:24,240
not just you know the because we went
through a couple of iterations if the

580
00:47:22,480 --> 00:47:29,920
council will remember had a couple
different presentation I can find up to

581
00:47:26,720 --> 00:47:35,920
about $20,000 that we spent to design
the current logo if it's the will of the

582
00:47:32,800 --> 00:47:42,480
mayor and council. What I from what it
sounds like, we probably need to have

583
00:47:38,160 --> 00:47:49,200
some type of community input prior to
putting it out to an RFP to where we

584
00:47:44,960 --> 00:47:53,119
could we could give them some ideas to
if that if that's the will of the

585
00:47:50,720 --> 00:47:56,640
council.
And I don't I mean that's something I I

586
00:47:55,200 --> 00:48:01,440
certainly don't mind working through,
but I would have to get some direction

587
00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:06,640
on, you know, I don't
>> Well, I think To me, I think we should

588
00:48:04,000 --> 00:48:11,200
have a firm first, then have the firm
meet with the citizens and the count

589
00:48:09,119 --> 00:48:13,359
like and get the feedback
>> like an open house. Is that what you're

590
00:48:13,119 --> 00:48:18,200
saying?
>> Yes. Sure.

591
00:48:15,200 --> 00:48:18,200
» Yes.

592
00:48:18,640 --> 00:48:29,040
» Okay. So, that's the direction of the
council or if this passes to to do that

593
00:48:25,520 --> 00:48:32,880
with the city manager. Is that correct?
All right. So, I have a motion on the

594
00:48:30,960 --> 00:48:36,880
floor. Is there any discussion from the
public?

595
00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:42,000
So, I have a motion on the floor to
approve uh putting out for RFP a design

596
00:48:40,000 --> 00:48:44,720
for a new city logo to allow citizens
input by Council Member White Williams

597
00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:52,800
and the second by Council Member
Mitchell. All in favor? All opposed?

598
00:48:49,359 --> 00:48:58,960
I have a 512.
>> I'm sorry. I have 42. You said no. Okay.

599
00:48:55,440 --> 00:49:02,400
42. Sorry.
Moving on to agenda item nine. consent

600
00:49:00,960 --> 00:49:06,880
agenda. Seeing that we have nothing
under the consent agenda, we will move

601
00:49:04,000 --> 00:49:11,280
forward to agenda item 10 A, new
business, consideration for council on

602
00:49:09,119 --> 00:49:14,800
the first read of ordinance 2026,
FY202627

603
00:49:13,359 --> 00:49:16,960
budget.
>> We're going to redo everything we did

604
00:49:16,160 --> 00:49:19,379
this morning.
>> Everything. [laughter]

605
00:49:19,680 --> 00:49:24,640
I do have
um if do we have that?

606
00:49:23,520 --> 00:49:29,520
» That was
>> Yes, ma'am. I'm just going to give the

607
00:49:26,559 --> 00:49:33,520
highlights of the 27 budget. We had a I
think a six and a half hour

608
00:49:31,920 --> 00:49:39,680
» budget workshop today.
>> So, thank you to the mayor and council

609
00:49:35,599 --> 00:49:43,040
for um all the diligent questions and
all of the response that we got. We got

610
00:49:41,520 --> 00:49:47,200
a lot of immediate response from you.
I'm sure there'll be some more.

611
00:49:44,214 --> 00:49:52,240
[clears throat] Um we will um we'll
incorporate those changes in a final

612
00:49:49,200 --> 00:49:57,839
read. Um certainly the ones that had
consensus and if there are other things

613
00:49:55,920 --> 00:50:02,640
that we we need to get changed, we'll
get corrected up before before you guys

614
00:50:00,079 --> 00:50:07,680
get a final read. Um but the highlights
was there was a 5% Henry County Water

615
00:50:05,680 --> 00:50:13,440
Association rate increase that was
passed through um an annual 2.5

616
00:50:10,880 --> 00:50:20,079
sanitation increase. We didn't have any
no utility rate increase to our our

617
00:50:15,920 --> 00:50:25,680
citizens. So that's a
um a benefit to our residents. No

618
00:50:23,520 --> 00:50:28,720
wastewater rate increase. Um we did have
a huge increase in liability insurance.

619
00:50:27,440 --> 00:50:34,079
I know that was talked about a lot
during the the budget the budget

620
00:50:31,040 --> 00:50:39,440
workshop. Had a 10% increase in
workman's comp, a 10% increase for the

621
00:50:36,880 --> 00:50:44,319
wages for hourly public works staff,
public works and utility staff. Um we

622
00:50:42,000 --> 00:50:48,559
had no increase in taxes and we
presented you a a balanced budget before

623
00:50:46,559 --> 00:50:53,760
the changes today.
All right. So, we have all been educated

624
00:50:51,520 --> 00:50:58,640
today for about six to seven hours on
our budget. Um, of course, this is just

625
00:50:56,640 --> 00:51:03,119
the first read of the budget. So, I need
a motion to approve the budget as

626
00:51:00,160 --> 00:51:09,040
presented as of today.
>> I move that we approve first read of

627
00:51:05,760 --> 00:51:15,119
ordinance 2026-16.
>> I have a motion by council member Mix to

628
00:51:10,960 --> 00:51:18,240
approve ordinance 202616 FY2026 2027
budget. Do I have a second?

629
00:51:16,559 --> 00:51:22,400
» A second. have a second by council
member Cheney. Any discussion from the

630
00:51:20,079 --> 00:51:28,720
council?
Yeah, I would like to

631
00:51:26,000 --> 00:51:34,800
um say that I would like it the next
read to come back with seeing the

632
00:51:31,359 --> 00:51:38,680
director's salaries frozen as discussed
that during our

633
00:51:39,440 --> 00:51:48,240
» so freezing the director salaries
>> and making sure that all the the uh

634
00:51:46,079 --> 00:51:52,240
hourly workers that are making less than
20 dollars is making at least that 19

635
00:51:51,839 --> 00:51:58,000
whatever.
>> Yes, ma'am. That's that's in there. Um I

636
00:51:54,480 --> 00:52:04,240
will I will meet with council and make
sure we have a consensus before but but

637
00:52:01,040 --> 00:52:07,359
I will certainly bring that to everyone.
>> That's just for me.

638
00:52:05,280 --> 00:52:11,839
» Yeah, I I was going to say because I I
think that the directors deserve a a

639
00:52:09,839 --> 00:52:16,800
raise just like everybody else. That's
just my opinion about it. And um

640
00:52:15,599 --> 00:52:18,240
» the freeze you're talking about is the
cola and the merit.

641
00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:21,440
» Yeah.
>> Yes, ma'am. I won't.

642
00:52:19,599 --> 00:52:25,920
» That's a cost of living raise and their
merit raise based on their performance

643
00:52:23,200 --> 00:52:30,559
of what they do for the city. And we're
going to we're not going to give them a

644
00:52:27,920 --> 00:52:36,160
raise. We give everybody else a raise.
>> I would like to see what their uh

645
00:52:33,119 --> 00:52:42,800
percentage on our scale. What where
they're are they at 50%, what where are

646
00:52:38,880 --> 00:52:45,760
they landing in that scale?
>> Oh, you mean on the the stepping grade?

647
00:52:45,119 --> 00:52:50,319
» Stepping grade.
>> Yes, ma'am. I I will certainly um talk

648
00:52:48,480 --> 00:52:55,599
to all council members to make sure I
have a consensus and the those and some

649
00:52:54,000 --> 00:52:57,520
other changes that you guys requested
this morning.

650
00:52:56,000 --> 00:53:01,920
» Well, I think the council needs to weigh
in on it now. Okay.

651
00:52:58,960 --> 00:53:07,359
» Yeah. I I because I don't want it to be
said that one said something that let's

652
00:53:05,599 --> 00:53:13,359
just make a decision on whether or not
if we are going to give everybody a pay

653
00:53:10,000 --> 00:53:18,240
raise including the directors. that I
think that's the question that is on the

654
00:53:16,640 --> 00:53:22,400
table. Am I right, Council Member
Duchaine?

655
00:53:20,079 --> 00:53:24,640
Any discussion from the council?
>> Yes. Um,

656
00:53:23,520 --> 00:53:31,599
» yes, ma'am. Miss Brooks,
>> in order to make that decision, I would

657
00:53:26,720 --> 00:53:37,440
like to see the impact on the budget for
department heads withholding the merit

658
00:53:34,559 --> 00:53:44,960
cost of living uh in the merit increase.
What impact will it have on the budget?

659
00:53:40,000 --> 00:53:48,880
and maybe a list of of salaries.
>> So, we have the list of salaries

660
00:53:46,640 --> 00:53:51,599
» and that's one thing I did provide
everybody's salaries was provided to

661
00:53:50,800 --> 00:53:56,880
every
>> in our booklet, but maybe a spreadsheet

662
00:53:54,400 --> 00:54:01,119
that kind of shows, please.
>> Okay. So, that's Miss Melissa. She she

663
00:53:59,359 --> 00:54:06,400
wants what Mr. Shane want. What about
you, Marty? Madame Mayor, uh first of

664
00:54:03,200 --> 00:54:11,280
all, I'd like to applaud the 10%
increase for our hourly hourly

665
00:54:08,400 --> 00:54:17,440
employees, plus the cost of living, plus
the 2.5 merit. I think that is welld

666
00:54:14,720 --> 00:54:21,920
deserved. When I ride by and see these
guys and gals out in the hot sun or out

667
00:54:19,839 --> 00:54:27,839
in the cold weather or down in a mud
hole, I appreciate what they do for

668
00:54:25,119 --> 00:54:34,000
everybody in this city. And I thank you
for putting that into the budget. And I

669
00:54:30,720 --> 00:54:38,280
think everybody deserves a raise.
>> Okay. Council member Mitchell.

670
00:54:45,517 --> 00:54:47,537
[clears throat]

671
00:54:54,000 --> 00:55:01,440
» I will stand as it is at this time.
>> I'm sorry, sir. Stand as it is at this

672
00:54:59,280 --> 00:55:06,000
time. stand as it is. Yes, sir.
>> Like it to stay like it is like it was

673
00:55:03,599 --> 00:55:08,960
presented to us. Okay. Council member
White Williams.

674
00:55:07,040 --> 00:55:12,800
» Um
>> so I know we said the 1950 I think that

675
00:55:12,240 --> 00:55:18,960
was
>> I think it was 1990 was the correct

676
00:55:15,040 --> 00:55:26,400
number. I think it averaged out to 1990.
I believe it's still a thing.

677
00:55:22,160 --> 00:55:30,319
» 1979 is the the minimum starting for
hourly workers.

678
00:55:28,160 --> 00:55:36,319
» Okay. And I know earlier in in the
meeting today, we talked about

679
00:55:32,559 --> 00:55:43,839
compression. Um,
by putting every all of anyone less than

680
00:55:39,359 --> 00:55:48,799
$20 an hour from 1979
to $20,

681
00:55:46,640 --> 00:55:52,319
how much of a compression would we see?
>> No, you went with just adding 11 cents.

682
00:55:52,000 --> 00:55:57,200
» Okay.
>> To or 21 cents, I apologize. that if you

683
00:55:55,440 --> 00:56:01,920
wanted it to go up to 20, we certainly
could make that adjustment in the budget

684
00:55:59,520 --> 00:56:06,720
just so you had that that number of $20
an hour. But where the compression that

685
00:56:04,240 --> 00:56:12,720
I was speaking of would happen if you
only did it for your your starting pay,

686
00:56:10,559 --> 00:56:18,960
then anyone had been here say three
years who started at 1762,

687
00:56:16,240 --> 00:56:25,359
that salary compression would occur. You
may have somebody that been here three

688
00:56:20,480 --> 00:56:30,559
years and may only be at $20
an hour. That's where the compression

689
00:56:27,119 --> 00:56:38,880
would occur. The adding 21 cents an hour
would not do that if we added it to the

690
00:56:35,040 --> 00:56:40,960
the people who came in at whatever the
17

691
00:56:39,839 --> 00:56:45,680
» 1970.
>> No, no, no. But 17 what? 1762 or

692
00:56:43,760 --> 00:56:49,280
whatever that was. If you wanted it to
go up that 21 cents an hour, that

693
00:56:47,280 --> 00:56:52,640
doesn't compre
does not attribute it to a compression

694
00:56:51,680 --> 00:57:00,240
issue.
>> Okay. So, I I would I would I think we

695
00:56:55,680 --> 00:57:06,160
should just put everyone that's less
um that's at the 1762. That's less than

696
00:57:03,440 --> 00:57:10,240
$20 an hour. I just think we should put
them at 20.

697
00:57:08,000 --> 00:57:19,040
» Um the 21 cents is not going to make us
or break us. Um while I do believe that

698
00:57:15,200 --> 00:57:26,160
um the directors are they made
significantly more um like I said

699
00:57:22,319 --> 00:57:31,680
earlier based on our city size you know
we're a small city even though we're a

700
00:57:27,839 --> 00:57:41,760
metro we're still small um if if it
comes down to all or none like if if

701
00:57:38,559 --> 00:57:46,720
either everyone gets a raise or or cost
of living in and two and a half or no

702
00:57:43,440 --> 00:57:54,319
one gets it. Um I would support the
budget the way it is. Yes.

703
00:57:49,200 --> 00:58:00,480
» Um but I I definitely would like for our
employees that are less than 20 bucks an

704
00:57:57,440 --> 00:58:03,280
hour for that to be their minimum their
minimum rate. Can

705
00:58:01,520 --> 00:58:07,839
» can I start back over Miss Brooks? Are
you okay with that? And the 21 cents an

706
00:58:04,960 --> 00:58:14,400
hour to get everybody at 20. Mr. Meeks,
>> Mr. Mitchell, Madame Mayor,

707
00:58:11,680 --> 00:58:16,960
Mayor Pro Tim,
Miss White, I mean Miss Duchain, and

708
00:58:16,319 --> 00:58:18,400
Miss Shane.
>> Absolutely.

709
00:58:17,599 --> 00:58:21,839
» Okay. So,
>> I think they deserve

710
00:58:19,440 --> 00:58:26,799
» So, our So, what you're in essence
saying is that our new minimum start pay

711
00:58:25,680 --> 00:58:28,960
is $20 an hour.
>> It's going to be $20 an hour. Yes,

712
00:58:28,240 --> 00:58:31,680
ma'am.
>> And I think that number matters to our

713
00:58:31,040 --> 00:58:34,960
employees.
>> And that is across the board in every

714
00:58:34,079 --> 00:58:37,520
department.
>> Yes, ma'am.

715
00:58:35,520 --> 00:58:39,520
» Okay. Not just public works. Not just
not just public works. That's right.

716
00:58:38,720 --> 00:58:42,960
Every department
>> because customer service is making

717
00:58:41,359 --> 00:58:46,319
better.
Yes, ma'am. We will if we need to I will

718
00:58:45,119 --> 00:58:51,280
I will meet with department heads
tomorrow to make those necessary just

719
00:58:48,400 --> 00:58:53,760
for the to finish it up. Mr. Shane,
that's you started so I'll go to Miss

720
00:58:52,960 --> 00:58:59,760
Cheney.
>> Um I support the budget as it was

721
00:58:56,480 --> 00:59:03,440
presented. Um these directors and
everybody works hard. Um they're working

722
00:59:02,160 --> 00:59:08,480
day and night. you know, just like
Michael Jackson, they got me working day

723
00:59:05,040 --> 00:59:12,000
and night and I know they work um the
utilities department, the water

724
00:59:10,160 --> 00:59:18,880
department, and I looked at some of
these salaries and I cringed, you know,

725
00:59:15,599 --> 00:59:24,400
in the low30s. You I mean, you can't
hardly feed your family for that amount

726
00:59:21,359 --> 00:59:28,640
of money. And I was home Friday and they
were working in our community in a

727
00:59:26,079 --> 00:59:33,200
ditch. It was 100 degrees.
>> Yes, sir. And I was like, Lord, I'm not

728
00:59:30,720 --> 00:59:40,480
even gonna ride that way because, you
know, I I felt them like even in my car.

729
00:59:36,559 --> 00:59:46,240
So, I support the raises. I support the
budget adding the everybody starting at

730
00:59:43,839 --> 00:59:49,200
$20 per hour. I support that.
>> Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

731
00:59:46,960 --> 00:59:52,960
» And I I will give credit, you know, Mr.
Meeks, thank me for putting it in. I

732
00:59:51,200 --> 00:59:57,920
will give credit to Mr. West and Mr.
Connor. they did all the back work to

733
00:59:55,280 --> 01:00:04,240
provide the information of of why that
10% was warranted. So, um they they

734
01:00:01,119 --> 01:00:08,079
certainly and then Mr. King, you know,
jumped on with them. So, the department

735
01:00:06,960 --> 01:00:12,480
heads did exactly what they're supposed
to and looked out for their folks.

736
01:00:09,760 --> 01:00:19,280
» Okay. So, I just want to make sure we we
all clear everyone, not just public

737
01:00:16,079 --> 01:00:24,319
works, because $36,000 in public works
and $36,000 in customer service is the

738
01:00:22,480 --> 01:00:28,480
same $36,000.
They shop at the same stores. They have

739
01:00:26,079 --> 01:00:32,480
the same bills. So, I don't I don't want
us to just focus on one department. I

740
01:00:30,960 --> 01:00:37,760
think if we're going to do it,
>> we do it across the board for everyone.

741
01:00:34,559 --> 01:00:41,599
So, like I said, I'm in favor
>> if it's all or none. I'm gonna have to

742
01:00:40,319 --> 01:00:45,839
go with
>> the all.

743
01:00:42,559 --> 01:00:51,119
» All all full-time employees will start
new starting salary will be set at the

744
01:00:48,000 --> 01:00:53,680
$20 range. Department heads will receive
a raise cola and

745
01:00:53,200 --> 01:00:56,079
» merit
>> merit raise as well.

746
01:00:55,440 --> 01:00:58,480
» Yes, ma'am.
>> Everybody,

747
01:00:56,640 --> 01:01:03,680
» I confirm with Miss Katrina we only have
one non-public works employee that is

748
01:01:01,599 --> 01:01:06,240
currently would be affected, but we'll
make that change in the final

749
01:01:04,880 --> 01:01:07,440
presentation to you guys.
>> All right.

750
01:01:06,880 --> 01:01:10,559
» Thank you.
>> Thank you.

751
01:01:12,480 --> 01:01:19,599
I have a motion on the floor to approve
the FY2026 2027 budget by Council Member

752
01:01:18,240 --> 01:01:22,799
Meeks and a second by Council Member
Cheney as presented um with the

753
01:01:21,797 --> 01:01:28,799
[clears throat] adjustments that was
just discussed. All All in favor?

754
01:01:26,880 --> 01:01:32,280
All opposed?
I have a 51.

755
01:01:32,480 --> 01:01:38,640
10B. Consideration and action by the
city of Hampton mayoring council for the

756
01:01:36,400 --> 01:01:43,040
purpose of proposal of approving
resolution 202660 concerning the

757
01:01:40,720 --> 01:01:48,480
transmitt of the city of Hampton 2025
annual CIE reporting covering FY25

758
01:01:45,920 --> 01:01:52,880
capital improvement elements update to
ARC for review. I need a motion to

759
01:01:50,559 --> 01:01:58,119
approve.
>> Madame Mayor, I move we approve

760
01:01:54,400 --> 01:01:58,119
resolution 2026-60.

761
01:01:58,400 --> 01:02:04,559
» Second. Have a motion by council member
Meeks and a second by council member

762
01:02:01,599 --> 01:02:09,119
Mitchell to approve resolution 2026-60.
Discussion from the council.

763
01:02:07,200 --> 01:02:17,480
Discussion from the public. All in
favor? I have a 6.

764
01:02:12,960 --> 01:02:17,480
Moving on to agenda item 10.

765
01:02:21,200 --> 01:02:28,559
» Kind of weird. Is it
[laughter]

766
01:02:26,480 --> 01:02:32,720
» go C consideration and approval of
resolution 202662

767
01:02:30,720 --> 01:02:36,400
authorizing execution of a license
agreement between Central of Georgia

768
01:02:34,720 --> 01:02:40,960
Railroad Company and the city of Hampton
for the installation of underground

769
01:02:38,000 --> 01:02:47,200
transverse crossing of an 18inch steel
casing containing one 10-in duct tile

770
01:02:44,240 --> 01:02:55,440
iron force mane sewer carrier at the
near mport S6 I mean 261.4

771
01:02:51,920 --> 01:03:00,720
14 Georgia Division latitude 33.3778
longitude 842928

772
01:02:58,640 --> 01:03:05,440
in Hampton Henry County, Georgia. I need
a motion to approve or to deny.

773
01:03:03,119 --> 01:03:09,520
» Um I make a motion to approve resolution
20 2642

774
01:03:08,400 --> 01:03:12,160
» 62. Uh
>> oh 62.

775
01:03:10,960 --> 01:03:16,640
» That is
>> I have a motion by council member Cheney

776
01:03:13,920 --> 01:03:20,079
to approve resolution 202662 and a
second by council member Meeks.

777
01:03:18,240 --> 01:03:23,200
Discussion from the council.
>> Yes. No,

778
01:03:21,760 --> 01:03:27,200
» sorry.
>> Located discussion

779
01:03:25,039 --> 01:03:31,920
» where's so where's this going to affect
where's this exactly

780
01:03:29,520 --> 01:03:35,920
» piping running up
>> ma'am what what question you

781
01:03:34,240 --> 01:03:40,000
» where is this location that it's going
to h where is this happening at

782
01:03:37,680 --> 01:03:45,760
» uh it's it's got the mile post so it'll
be on this end uh the new force man for

783
01:03:42,799 --> 01:03:49,280
uh Henderson Farms phase two it'll it'll
go on a railroad track just standard

784
01:03:47,440 --> 01:03:51,920
railroad fair they make everybody jump
through hoops to anything.

785
01:03:50,559 --> 01:03:54,960
» Is it going to affect traffic?
>> It will not. You won't even see it. You

786
01:03:54,160 --> 01:03:58,160
won't see it.
>> Okay.

787
01:03:55,520 --> 01:04:02,559
» Okay. Any discussion from the public?
All in favor?

788
01:04:00,559 --> 01:04:07,280
» I have a 6.
Moving on to agenda item D,

789
01:04:05,520 --> 01:04:11,200
consideration and action on the
appointment of a Main Street economic

790
01:04:09,359 --> 01:04:13,680
development director, Mr. Rodri Wallace,
at the recommendation of the city

791
01:04:12,559 --> 01:04:19,359
manager.
>> Yes, madame mayor. Um,

792
01:04:17,119 --> 01:04:23,920
» started in October, Mr. Wallace
interviewed with the city of Hampton. Um

793
01:04:21,520 --> 01:04:29,760
he initially interviewed with myself and
Miss Atwater. Um

794
01:04:26,880 --> 01:04:33,839
with timing the way it was, then the
subsequent interview was not done until

795
01:04:31,920 --> 01:04:39,119
after Mr. Baker got here and then Mr.
Baker and Miss Atwater started. Um just

796
01:04:37,039 --> 01:04:44,880
to give some of the highlights, he was
um a development executive with EN

797
01:04:42,240 --> 01:04:49,920
International. Um he worked for Athens
Clark County for Atlanta Housing. Um,

798
01:04:48,480 --> 01:04:54,880
Atlanta Housing, he was the director of
devel development and neighborhood

799
01:04:52,079 --> 01:04:59,839
revitalization from 2018 through thou
2023.

800
01:04:56,640 --> 01:05:05,760
And from 2005 to 2016, he was the
executive director of um development,

801
01:05:04,400 --> 01:05:12,240
director of public and private
partnerships. I recommend that the mayor

802
01:05:08,559 --> 01:05:19,119
and council appoint Mr. Wave as Main
Street director or

803
01:05:15,280 --> 01:05:23,680
community economic development director
Main Street.

804
01:05:21,839 --> 01:05:27,520
» I need a motion to approve the
appointment of Main Street director, Mr.

805
01:05:25,520 --> 01:05:29,520
Rodick Wallace, as recommended by the
city manager.

806
01:05:28,640 --> 01:05:31,680
» So move.
>> Second.

807
01:05:30,160 --> 01:05:36,079
» I have a motion by council member White
Williams and a second by council member

808
01:05:33,119 --> 01:05:41,440
Meeks to approve Mr. Wallace as the main
street economic development director.

809
01:05:38,640 --> 01:05:47,680
Discussion from the council. Discussion
from the public. All in favor?

810
01:05:45,119 --> 01:05:52,559
All oppose?
I have a 42.

811
01:05:50,160 --> 01:05:56,960
Moving on to agenda item 10E,
consideration and action to approve

812
01:05:54,160 --> 01:06:00,640
resolution 202663 to accept GOT
competitive funding proposal for the

813
01:05:58,960 --> 01:06:04,240
transportation alternative and
congestion mitigation and air quality

814
01:06:02,480 --> 01:06:08,240
improvement program for the inspection
realignment for East King Road,

815
01:06:06,640 --> 01:06:12,000
Rosenwall Drive, and Mcdana Street
project for the preliminary engineering

816
01:06:09,839 --> 01:06:20,480
and design phase. The project is
approved to receive $640,000 in MCAQ

817
01:06:16,799 --> 01:06:27,119
funding for the PE phase with 20% match
funding of $160,000. I need a motion to

818
01:06:23,440 --> 01:06:31,599
appro to deny resolution 202663.
>> Madame Mayor, I move we approve

819
01:06:28,480 --> 01:06:33,760
resolution 2026-63.
>> Second.

820
01:06:32,079 --> 01:06:38,880
» I have a motion by Council Member Meeks
and a second by Council Member Mitchell

821
01:06:35,760 --> 01:06:43,039
to approve resolution 202663.
Discussion from the council.

822
01:06:41,200 --> 01:06:49,280
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the
intersection where Rosenwald, Mcdana

823
01:06:46,079 --> 01:06:50,559
Street, and East King.
>> That is right.

824
01:06:50,160 --> 01:06:53,680
» And it is
>> where we got two stop signs. Three three

825
01:06:52,880 --> 01:06:56,319
stop signs.
>> It's been dangerous ever since it was

826
01:06:55,599 --> 01:06:57,920
paved.
>> That's right.

827
01:06:56,880 --> 01:07:04,400
» Yes. Thank you.
>> All right. Any discussion from the

828
01:07:00,079 --> 01:07:09,280
public? All in favor? All opposed?
I have a 6. Agenda item 10F,

829
01:07:07,599 --> 01:07:13,599
consideration and action for approval of
resolution 202670 RFQ for consulting

830
01:07:12,240 --> 01:07:19,079
services for the city of Hampton
Rosenwell City Park. Need a motion to

831
01:07:15,520 --> 01:07:19,079
approve or to deny.

832
01:07:20,400 --> 01:07:25,559
» Madame Mayor, I move we approve
resolution 2026-70.

833
01:07:25,680 --> 01:07:32,559
» I have a motion on the floor by council
member Mix to approve 2026-70.

834
01:07:29,920 --> 01:07:37,039
Do I have a second?
>> A second. I have a second by council

835
01:07:34,319 --> 01:07:41,839
member Cheney. Discussion from the
council.

836
01:07:39,839 --> 01:07:47,280
Discussion from the public. All in
favor?

837
01:07:44,079 --> 01:07:52,480
All opposed? I have a 6. Moving on to
agenda item 10G, consideration and

838
01:07:49,440 --> 01:07:58,079
action to approve resolution 202664, the
for the issuance of the city of Hampton

839
01:07:55,440 --> 01:08:03,960
2026 RFQ for professional engineering
services. I need a motion to approve

840
01:08:00,400 --> 01:08:03,960
resolution 202664.

841
01:08:04,640 --> 01:08:09,920
I have a motion on the floor by council
member Brooks to approve resolution

842
01:08:07,760 --> 01:08:12,400
202664. Do I have a second?
>> Second.

843
01:08:10,480 --> 01:08:16,000
» Second by council member Mitchell.
Discussion from the council.

844
01:08:14,000 --> 01:08:18,719
» So are
engineer are we going to send these up

845
01:08:17,679 --> 01:08:25,359
for architect?
>> That's right. So we're opening up our

846
01:08:20,880 --> 01:08:29,040
RFQ for engineering services. So um you
know we were under where we had five

847
01:08:27,359 --> 01:08:33,279
that were providing the service. Now
we're just going out to bid so that we

848
01:08:30,960 --> 01:08:37,279
can get some additional, you know, uh,
engineering firms so we can put them on

849
01:08:34,960 --> 01:08:41,839
our list to be able to use so that they
then will have an opportunity to bid on

850
01:08:39,120 --> 01:08:45,839
our projects.
>> We open the floodgates.

851
01:08:44,080 --> 01:08:49,040
» Well, we want to we want to get some
some more firms. We want to give some

852
01:08:48,000 --> 01:08:51,120
more firms opportunity.
>> Is this going to be a 30-day like what

853
01:08:50,560 --> 01:08:58,640
is this?
>> Just wonder is this a 30 or 45 day RFQ?

854
01:08:55,359 --> 01:09:04,000
» I have to advertise it two weeks. Okay.
Two weeks.

855
01:09:01,040 --> 01:09:08,560
» Okay. All right. Thank you. Any
discussion from the public? All in

856
01:09:06,560 --> 01:09:14,080
favor?
I have a 6. Agenda item 10H,

857
01:09:11,679 --> 01:09:18,960
consideration and action of resolution
202665

858
01:09:15,839 --> 01:09:24,880
for the extension of agreement ITB
2025200 annual contract for paving and

859
01:09:21,920 --> 01:09:27,157
milling construction with DAFF concrete,
Inc.

860
01:09:26,080 --> 01:09:29,839
Need a motion to approve or
[clears throat] deny.

861
01:09:27,920 --> 01:09:33,640
» Madame Mayor, I move we approve
resolution 2026-65.

862
01:09:33,759 --> 01:09:37,319
» Do I have a second?

863
01:09:37,440 --> 01:09:45,279
» Second.
>> Have a second by council member Mitchell

864
01:09:41,600 --> 01:09:50,159
to approve resolution 202665.
>> These are the same that have paved all

865
01:09:47,759 --> 01:09:53,040
the streets that have been paved in the
recent years.

866
01:09:52,080 --> 01:09:55,600
» Not not paid.
>> Not paid. Um they are

867
01:09:54,640 --> 01:10:00,239
» Oh, the milling
>> the milling and storm water.

868
01:09:57,760 --> 01:10:05,360
» Okay.
>> Gotcha.

869
01:10:02,239 --> 01:10:12,719
» Any other discussion?
Discussion from public. All in favor?

870
01:10:09,600 --> 01:10:18,640
All oppose? I have a 6-0. Moving on to
agenda item 10. I consideration and

871
01:10:14,880 --> 01:10:23,920
action to approve resolution 202666 for
judicial al alternatives of Georgia

872
01:10:21,360 --> 01:10:31,840
which is JAG probation services
agreement. This is a um we're re

873
01:10:30,000 --> 01:10:37,040
this is the probation company that we
use to monitor. Doesn't cost the city

874
01:10:34,560 --> 01:10:43,120
anything. They as they put people on
probation, they monitor them and then

875
01:10:40,560 --> 01:10:46,400
they submit payments to us but to the
city like for the fine amounts and

876
01:10:45,120 --> 01:10:49,920
things like that. It's just a
continuation of that contract.

877
01:10:47,920 --> 01:10:54,159
» Okay. I need a motion to approve of
today resolution 202666.

878
01:10:52,480 --> 01:10:59,440
» May I make a motion to approve?
>> I have a motion by council member

879
01:10:55,520 --> 01:11:05,040
Mitchell to approve resolution 202666
and a second by council member Duchaine.

880
01:11:02,239 --> 01:11:12,159
Any further discussion from the council?
Any discussion from the public? All in

881
01:11:07,520 --> 01:11:17,040
favor? I have a 6-0.
Item 10J, consideration and action to

882
01:11:14,320 --> 01:11:21,120
approve resolution 20267, appointing a
firm to search for the next city

883
01:11:18,719 --> 01:11:27,440
manager. I need a motion and a
appointment for this particular firm. I

884
01:11:25,120 --> 01:11:34,239
make a motion to approve resolution
202668

885
01:11:30,080 --> 01:11:38,320
» 67. Oh, I'm I'm going too fast. 67. Uh,
the appointment is Sumpter Consultant.

886
01:11:36,800 --> 01:11:41,400
» Sumpter.
>> All right.

887
01:11:41,440 --> 01:11:46,400
» Second.
>> I have a motion by council member Cheney

888
01:11:44,000 --> 01:11:50,880
and a second by council member Meeks to
approve Sumpter

889
01:11:48,400 --> 01:11:55,040
as a cons as the consulting firm for the
city manager to search for the city

890
01:11:52,719 --> 01:11:59,080
manager. Discussion from the council.
>> Sumpter was the first one.

891
01:12:01,440 --> 01:12:09,960
So, um, the second firm, I can't
remember their name. Um,

892
01:12:06,960 --> 01:12:09,960
» developmental

893
01:12:10,000 --> 01:12:16,080
» I think that they
>> I like them better.

894
01:12:12,560 --> 01:12:20,159
» I think they would do an ex like I mean
we would

895
01:12:18,640 --> 01:12:24,880
I don't even think we need to interview
after they [laughter] what they like

896
01:12:22,560 --> 01:12:29,360
they're like they were
>> they were good. They were good.

897
01:12:27,120 --> 01:12:32,560
» Um,
>> I know they were more expensive,

898
01:12:31,679 --> 01:12:39,600
» but
>> Well, I think that their services out.

899
01:12:36,960 --> 01:12:43,360
» Yeah, I think with that that
>> there is no

900
01:12:41,679 --> 01:12:45,760
guess second, you know, I mean, second
guessing.

901
01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:48,800
» Yeah, I I would agree.
>> Madam Mayor, the only thing I want to

902
01:12:47,280 --> 01:12:54,880
make sure that at
>> it's an unbudgeted item. So if part of

903
01:12:52,719 --> 01:12:55,760
this if you tell me where to pay for it
out of.

904
01:12:55,440 --> 01:13:04,080
» Okay.
>> So um with that unbudgeted item since

905
01:13:00,880 --> 01:13:10,000
they said that it would take at least 60
days to

906
01:13:06,880 --> 01:13:17,520
um find even I guess start the process
of putting it out there. Can we just

907
01:13:12,480 --> 01:13:24,400
take that um the cost from the city
manager's salary?

908
01:13:20,320 --> 01:13:29,199
Um because it's only what how many days
left in the fiscal year? Not many. Is

909
01:13:27,760 --> 01:13:32,880
that something we could do since
>> So we're not going to pay them until our

910
01:13:30,800 --> 01:13:35,840
next fiscal budget cuz that's when they
said that they act well.

911
01:13:34,320 --> 01:13:39,840
» Maybe I'm incorrect, but I think what
Miss White Williams is saying is instead

912
01:13:37,600 --> 01:13:44,480
of taking it somewhere else, use the
savings that we had from what we didn't

913
01:13:42,159 --> 01:13:48,480
pay the city manager because I still
come out of the other side. So I think

914
01:13:47,440 --> 01:13:50,560
» in the upcoming budget.
>> No, in this current budget.

915
01:13:49,760 --> 01:13:54,080
» In this current budget,
>> you want to encumber.

916
01:13:52,000 --> 01:14:01,280
» Well, not not really encumbering. What
we would do is we would transfer out of

917
01:13:57,920 --> 01:14:06,320
the personnel of the city manager to
professional services. And we would have

918
01:14:04,400 --> 01:14:10,640
to do a budget amendment because anytime
we move from one section to another

919
01:14:08,400 --> 01:14:14,560
requires you guys' approval. But we
could come back and

920
01:14:12,640 --> 01:14:18,719
» so
the you we won't have to do a budget

921
01:14:16,719 --> 01:14:24,320
amen amendment from line item to line
item. However, what I'm saying is that

922
01:14:21,679 --> 01:14:28,080
they're not going to get paid until our
next budget and you're trying to pay

923
01:14:26,239 --> 01:14:31,679
them out of this budget.
>> Either budget that you you tell me to

924
01:14:30,080 --> 01:14:35,840
get it out of, we could do it. We could
do it out of the 26 or we could do it

925
01:14:34,159 --> 01:14:36,880
out of 27 because there will be two
months.

926
01:14:36,400 --> 01:14:41,600
» Yeah.
>> Of that is not paid. So I could do it

927
01:14:39,280 --> 01:14:45,920
either way. Now that that may be a
question for the company. They may not

928
01:14:43,199 --> 01:14:48,719
start until we submit payment.
>> No, they don't. They I mean they told us

929
01:14:47,920 --> 01:14:52,159
they told us that
>> payment up front.

930
01:14:49,840 --> 01:14:56,480
» They a little Right. But the main
payment is at the end at the end of it.

931
01:14:54,640 --> 01:14:59,600
» We could do it out the 27 budget out the
city manager's budget.

932
01:14:57,840 --> 01:15:02,960
» Yeah. Because I mean we
>> So it depends on which company we go

933
01:15:01,760 --> 01:15:05,840
with because we're still not going to
have enough money.

934
01:15:03,920 --> 01:15:10,239
» Well, no. This second the first company
had a schedule breakdown of how they

935
01:15:07,760 --> 01:15:14,000
wanted to get paid. The second one said
that they were going to bill at the end.

936
01:15:12,400 --> 01:15:16,800
» They just take incidentals.
>> Yeah. Inc. And then

937
01:15:15,520 --> 01:15:21,920
» payment at the end.
>> Um

938
01:15:19,040 --> 01:15:24,719
» if if y'all y'all pick one and then you
is if you're telling me to take it out

939
01:15:23,199 --> 01:15:29,120
of the city manager.
>> Can it? I think we can do that.

940
01:15:26,560 --> 01:15:36,880
» Can it be done? Because our fiscal year
starts October 1st. if they aren't even

941
01:15:34,719 --> 01:15:42,320
going to have any candidates for us to
interview until maybe I'm gonna say

942
01:15:39,120 --> 01:15:48,960
January because anything after um
November 15th is January 1st.

943
01:15:45,199 --> 01:15:53,040
» So that's almost three months of a
salary that we're not having to pay.

944
01:15:51,199 --> 01:15:55,679
» Yes, ma'am. Um,
>> so we will have it. Yeah,

945
01:15:54,880 --> 01:15:59,679
» we would have it.
>> Plus, they're going to have, you know,

946
01:15:57,120 --> 01:16:04,880
they're going to have to do the job book
and they're going to engaged with us and

947
01:16:02,239 --> 01:16:09,520
directors and citiz.
>> Okay. So, so let's let's tackle one

948
01:16:07,040 --> 01:16:14,159
thing at a time. Who are we hiring? And
then um we already done figured out it

949
01:16:11,520 --> 01:16:17,360
can come out of the city manager sign.
>> So, with that being said, I will make

950
01:16:16,239 --> 01:16:19,600
the motion.
>> We have a motion on the floor for

951
01:16:18,719 --> 01:16:24,000
Zumpter.
>> Okay. by council member Cheney and

952
01:16:21,360 --> 01:16:30,080
council member Meek. So let's let's vote
um and yeah let's vote for

953
01:16:28,320 --> 01:16:34,080
» that one. Any further discussion from
the council? Discussion from the public.

954
01:16:33,040 --> 01:16:37,920
» How much?
>> Uh how much?

955
01:16:36,560 --> 01:16:40,080
» Um you have a question from the
audience?

956
01:16:38,320 --> 01:16:44,600
» Yes. Can we please please don't yell
from the back? Mr. Charlie, come to the

957
01:16:41,600 --> 01:16:44,600
podium.

958
01:16:46,239 --> 01:16:49,239
Apologize

959
01:16:53,360 --> 01:16:58,239
for that. Um, how how much is this going
to cost?

960
01:16:57,120 --> 01:17:01,360
» Yes, sir.
>> Because there's a couple of things on

961
01:16:59,440 --> 01:17:05,440
the agenda tonight that y'all approving
stuff, but we don't see what it's going

962
01:17:02,640 --> 01:17:10,320
to cost the city. So, be nice to know,
you know, on the agenda. If you're going

963
01:17:07,679 --> 01:17:13,360
to hire a company to do work, we ought
to know how much it's going to be that

964
01:17:11,760 --> 01:17:16,480
you're going to get paid him and you
know what we're going to be paying them

965
01:17:14,640 --> 01:17:20,000
for the service. That's all.
>> Can I make a comment?

966
01:17:18,080 --> 01:17:25,320
» One second. We're going to let Chief
provide the numbers for both of those

967
01:17:22,320 --> 01:17:25,320
companies.

968
01:17:26,880 --> 01:17:35,840
» I'm going on memory, so not can't give
exact. I believe the first one was

969
01:17:33,120 --> 01:17:38,239
around 18,000. The second was around
32,000.

970
01:17:38,000 --> 01:17:41,199
» Yeah.
>> And y'all would remember the names. I

971
01:17:40,000 --> 01:17:45,199
just remember the order.
>> Right.

972
01:17:42,480 --> 01:17:47,520
So Sumpter was eight right around 18 and
uh development was around 32.

973
01:17:46,960 --> 01:17:49,360
» Yes, ma'am.
>> Right.

974
01:17:48,239 --> 01:17:56,159
» Council member Cheney.
>> Um I'm making my decision based based on

975
01:17:52,960 --> 01:18:02,080
the second consultant. I was engaged. I
really he you know he did an amazing job

976
01:17:58,560 --> 01:18:11,120
talking about the IQ EQs setting up
modules but being a good steward of the

977
01:18:06,080 --> 01:18:16,800
citizens money 18,000 versus 30,000
um and I read the first um Sumpter's

978
01:18:15,280 --> 01:18:23,760
information because I didn't have a face
to face with him but the second one you

979
01:18:20,400 --> 01:18:28,000
know they did a good presentation but
me.

980
01:18:25,520 --> 01:18:31,920
I can't see paying $30,000 for
consultant to hire a city matter. That's

981
01:18:30,640 --> 01:18:35,760
just me.
>> Thank you. Any further discussion from

982
01:18:33,840 --> 01:18:41,120
the council? I have a motion on the
floor to approve Sumpter as the U firm

983
01:18:38,719 --> 01:18:44,400
that will provide the services for the
next city manager by council member

984
01:18:42,880 --> 01:18:48,120
Cheney, a second by council member
Meeks. All in favor?

985
01:18:48,400 --> 01:18:51,640
All oppose?

986
01:18:52,480 --> 01:18:58,000
Did you vote?
>> Oh, I'm I'm in favor.

987
01:18:55,920 --> 01:19:01,920
» All in favor? 42.
>> Sumpter.

988
01:18:58,640 --> 01:19:07,760
» Sumpter. So, Sumpter passes 42 and we
will we will get the money out of the

989
01:19:05,199 --> 01:19:13,280
city manager's budget. Moving on to
agenda item 10K, consideration and

990
01:19:10,400 --> 01:19:19,920
action on resolution 202668, authorizing
the city to maintain the O'Neal Church.

991
01:19:15,920 --> 01:19:24,800
I need a motion to approve or to deny.
>> Church or cemetery. I mean cemetery.

992
01:19:22,480 --> 01:19:29,520
» I make a motion to approve.
>> I have a motion by C May Pro Tim White

993
01:19:27,679 --> 01:19:32,800
Williams. Do I have a second?
>> Second.

994
01:19:30,159 --> 01:19:36,920
» Second by council member Cheney to
approve resolution 202668.

995
01:19:37,040 --> 01:19:43,520
» Discussion from the council.
>> Yes, I do have discussion. Okay. What

996
01:19:40,880 --> 01:19:50,560
does that mean? Uh the city to maintain
O'Neal Cemetery. Have all the legal

997
01:19:48,239 --> 01:19:54,000
assessments, financial assessments been
made? I mean, does that mean we're going

998
01:19:52,640 --> 01:19:57,760
to own it or we're just going to
maintain it?

999
01:19:55,199 --> 01:20:02,480
» So, Mr. Deal, can you please explain to
council what they have in their package?

1000
01:20:00,080 --> 01:20:07,120
» Yeah, the the the resolution is only to
maintain and and maintain is defined in

1001
01:20:05,040 --> 01:20:12,080
in the statute. Essentially, it means
that we can preserve the property. uh we

1002
01:20:10,239 --> 01:20:16,400
can do some some kind of general
cleanup, but we can't disturb any of the

1003
01:20:14,159 --> 01:20:19,840
of the ground or any of the uh
headstones or or any of the other

1004
01:20:17,920 --> 01:20:24,560
features of the cemetery. So, it is
essentially to to protect and then to to

1005
01:20:22,960 --> 01:20:30,640
do some basic maintenance.
>> Okay. And I believe in on the 22nd that

1006
01:20:28,080 --> 01:20:37,360
budget read will add to that to actually
do adopt the resolution like we had u

1007
01:20:33,920 --> 01:20:42,159
for the Thompson's um
Thompson Cemetery here in the city of

1008
01:20:39,360 --> 01:20:47,440
Hampton. There's a resolution that um
actually gives the city the authority to

1009
01:20:44,960 --> 01:20:51,280
be able to um
>> Okay. Although I've sent our packet, I

1010
01:20:49,679 --> 01:20:55,520
thought it was important that the public
knew exactly what maintain meant. Yes.

1011
01:20:54,000 --> 01:20:56,560
because they don't have our packets.
>> Yes, ma'am.

1012
01:20:56,239 --> 01:20:58,080
» So,
>> and

1013
01:20:57,199 --> 01:21:02,480
» I'm sorry.
>> There there is a budget outline item for

1014
01:20:59,920 --> 01:21:10,320
cemetery that's in the public works
budget. the the role will be to preserve

1015
01:21:07,120 --> 01:21:17,120
um and with the aids of that cemetery
and talking to the DOT archaeologist,

1016
01:21:14,800 --> 01:21:24,159
there will be very little upkeep that
city staff does just because of the the

1017
01:21:20,000 --> 01:21:29,440
the potential for for disturbing grave
sites. So, we will work closely with the

1018
01:21:27,199 --> 01:21:34,719
historic preservation committee and
ensure that everything's done to in the

1019
01:21:32,719 --> 01:21:38,960
interest of preserving. I know they're
they're attempting to get it on the

1020
01:21:36,159 --> 01:21:44,000
national registry um and the state
registry. So, staff will work closely

1021
01:21:41,840 --> 01:21:46,640
with with the historic preservation
committee to make sure we're doing it

1022
01:21:45,520 --> 01:21:51,120
the right way.
>> Okay. So,

1023
01:21:49,280 --> 01:21:55,600
does that mean the historic preservation
will be the only one? Um I know we have

1024
01:21:54,320 --> 01:21:59,920
the honor the roots.
>> No, we we would be the city would be

1025
01:21:57,440 --> 01:22:04,719
open to work with anyone. Okay.
>> Who has the same interest in preserving

1026
01:22:02,480 --> 01:22:13,760
and protecting the
>> I would like for Miss is it Miss Hand

1027
01:22:09,199 --> 01:22:21,600
Miss Han, you know, and for us to try to
find more descendants of the folks that

1028
01:22:17,120 --> 01:22:25,120
are buried there. Um, so we know exactly
where where the sites are. I don't I

1029
01:22:23,440 --> 01:22:30,239
just don't want us to go in there and,
you know, disturbing and we're not we

1030
01:22:27,600 --> 01:22:36,480
haven't done any homework on where these
sites are and so on and so forth. So I I

1031
01:22:33,840 --> 01:22:41,600
am I am in favor of us,
>> you know, preserving the cemetery but

1032
01:22:39,199 --> 01:22:47,360
without disturbing
>> um the cemetery. So, so we have done

1033
01:22:44,960 --> 01:22:51,360
quite a bit of of research and we have
quite a bit of the history of the O'Neal

1034
01:22:49,280 --> 01:22:56,880
Cemetery. We have quite a bit of the
records. The HHPC has been gathering

1035
01:22:54,560 --> 01:23:01,440
information for at least a year in
regards to that cemetery. And so, they

1036
01:22:59,679 --> 01:23:05,199
do have quite a bit of it. They know
some of the markers. They know some of

1037
01:23:03,600 --> 01:23:09,440
the people that's laid to rest there.
Now, there has not been any outreach to

1038
01:23:07,760 --> 01:23:14,239
family members or anything of that
nature. Of course, usually if it's your

1039
01:23:12,080 --> 01:23:19,600
family member, you would be the one that
would, you know, come and visit. But so,

1040
01:23:16,239 --> 01:23:24,000
but um so we do have quite a bit of that
information that they have worked

1041
01:23:21,440 --> 01:23:29,360
diligently to put together for this
cemetery. And so just like with the

1042
01:23:26,560 --> 01:23:32,960
Thompson Creek at the on Main Street
here,

1043
01:23:31,280 --> 01:23:37,679
because of the law, it had been
abandoned. And with it being abandoned

1044
01:23:35,199 --> 01:23:42,719
and now inside of our city limits, the
law said that we, you know, kind of fell

1045
01:23:40,239 --> 01:23:45,840
on us to start to maintain it and and
keep it up. And as the chief just said,

1046
01:23:44,400 --> 01:23:49,679
we don't want to disturb it. We
definitely don't want uh according to

1047
01:23:47,760 --> 01:23:53,280
the G dot [clears throat] um
archaeologist, we don't want to go and

1048
01:23:51,920 --> 01:23:55,520
start, you know, messing with the
headstones and things of that nature

1049
01:23:54,480 --> 01:24:01,440
because we don't want to break anything
and we don't want to, you know, mess

1050
01:23:57,840 --> 01:24:06,320
anything up. Um some of the markers are
unique in who made them. So they found

1051
01:24:04,560 --> 01:24:11,120
out all that information about those
markers. So um I think that this is the

1052
01:24:09,440 --> 01:24:17,280
first step. Next step would be the
resolution to to actually you know for

1053
01:24:14,560 --> 01:24:22,159
the city to to take it over.
>> I would like

1054
01:24:19,840 --> 01:24:24,880
» this is the that resolution for us to
>> right take it take

1055
01:24:23,120 --> 01:24:29,840
» to take it over. Yes ma'am. I would ask
you guys to work with

1056
01:24:26,480 --> 01:24:33,120
» with Miss Hy
um in regards to what you know I mean

1057
01:24:32,159 --> 01:24:36,159
just
>> to include

1058
01:24:34,480 --> 01:24:40,400
» one second one second I'm sorry
>> just just to have some sort you know you

1059
01:24:37,920 --> 01:24:42,320
don't want to be alienating every like
>> you know just get some input as to the

1060
01:24:42,080 --> 01:24:47,040
family
>> you're not alienating

1061
01:24:43,440 --> 01:24:51,840
» no but I'm just saying alienating
>> um

1062
01:24:48,480 --> 01:24:58,400
» for clarification the Thompson cemetery
was abandoned and state law requires

1063
01:24:55,760 --> 01:25:05,600
that we assume the responsibility for
it. I believe Miss Han spoke earlier

1064
01:25:02,639 --> 01:25:12,960
saying that her relatives are there and
she's willing to assume responsibility

1065
01:25:09,280 --> 01:25:19,280
with the help of various groups. Are we
legally entitled to proceed?

1066
01:25:16,320 --> 01:25:27,040
» We are. The the statute says that it if
there is any cemetery that shows uh that

1067
01:25:23,280 --> 01:25:32,080
it is not being maintained that that we
have the option not the obligation in

1068
01:25:29,760 --> 01:25:36,719
this circumstance the option to protect
and preserve the cemetery and that that

1069
01:25:34,080 --> 01:25:42,480
again is is limited say that we're not
taking possession of the of the

1070
01:25:38,159 --> 01:25:48,080
cemetery. Uh all we are able to do is to
maintain it to to keep up the the area.

1071
01:25:45,360 --> 01:25:51,600
that says that we can do fencing uh or
something along those lines. I think I I

1072
01:25:50,239 --> 01:25:56,159
don't know that any decision
particularly has been made as to fencing

1073
01:25:53,520 --> 01:26:00,159
but it's just a maintenance obligation.
It is not we are not in acquiring the

1074
01:25:58,800 --> 01:26:03,600
property in any way.
>> Thank you.

1075
01:26:01,120 --> 01:26:05,600
» Okay. Is there an owner of O'Neal
Cemetery?

1076
01:26:04,400 --> 01:26:08,600
» We became the owner.
>> We

1077
01:26:09,520 --> 01:26:16,560
This does not give us ownership rights
at all. And I I've done a I know

1078
01:26:15,040 --> 01:26:26,000
historic preservation committee's done a
lot of research. The last known honors

1079
01:26:20,080 --> 01:26:34,000
is is a trust a three threeperson trust
that was last established in or last

1080
01:26:29,600 --> 01:26:39,520
heard of in 1957 in Louisiana was the
last that anybody can find of where the

1081
01:26:35,920 --> 01:26:45,199
trust was active. So still trying to
locate I mean that but I think that's

1082
01:26:42,080 --> 01:26:51,840
part of what the council by asking the
by the city we're simply preserving and

1083
01:26:49,760 --> 01:26:58,080
we're not doing anything to certainly
not to damage but not to we're not

1084
01:26:54,960 --> 01:27:02,960
undertaking a let's you know go in and
redo it. We're preserving and part of

1085
01:27:01,120 --> 01:27:08,080
preserving is we will work with the
historic preservation committee honor

1086
01:27:04,800 --> 01:27:12,400
thy roots. anybody who can has a if we
can get that trust who actually owns it,

1087
01:27:11,040 --> 01:27:17,760
we would love for them to take it over
and the city be able to step back and

1088
01:27:14,000 --> 01:27:21,920
and not have a role in that. But I think
you know the the only role that the city

1089
01:27:19,679 --> 01:27:25,679
needs to have is to preserve it until we
get it to the next phase.

1090
01:27:23,520 --> 01:27:30,239
» He has a question. Since there may be a
trust, what legal option do we has to

1091
01:27:28,960 --> 01:27:32,159
get involved into it?
>> It's abandoned.

1092
01:27:31,440 --> 01:27:37,440
» It's abandoned.
>> Yeah. If it is abandoned or neglected,

1093
01:27:34,960 --> 01:27:42,320
the cemetery, we don't necessarily have
to have title to the property. We can go

1094
01:27:39,840 --> 01:27:47,760
in to protect and preserve the the
cemetery.

1095
01:27:44,639 --> 01:27:55,120
» I I do I Miss Hannah.
>> Yes, ma'am.

1096
01:27:49,440 --> 01:28:00,480
» I just have a question. Um, I
I'm a dosent with the Fed County

1097
01:27:57,120 --> 01:28:06,000
Historical Society and I've had a lot of
training in preserving cemeteries being

1098
01:28:04,400 --> 01:28:13,520
abandoned.
So, I would get a phone call, can would

1099
01:28:09,920 --> 01:28:18,880
you please come and help us show us what
we're supposed to do, the dos and the

1100
01:28:15,760 --> 01:28:24,400
don'ts? Long story short, so at the
O'Neal Cemetery,

1101
01:28:22,239 --> 01:28:31,040
the way it has been disturbed is very
disturbing to me because there are

1102
01:28:28,239 --> 01:28:38,800
people out there that do not have
experience or know what to look for. So

1103
01:28:34,560 --> 01:28:46,400
if the city is their job is to only come
out to preserve and help clean up,

1104
01:28:42,320 --> 01:28:53,360
what about the family? I know that the
you're saying that they have done

1105
01:28:48,639 --> 01:28:59,760
research on the cemetery, but my thing
is the family that is still alive.

1106
01:28:57,040 --> 01:29:07,600
A lot of people did not know about the
cemetery because a lot of the members

1107
01:29:03,679 --> 01:29:15,840
are dead and gone. So I'm this person
I'm advocating for my family that when

1108
01:29:12,080 --> 01:29:21,440
they saw the fence they were like oh so
we can't go in we can't go see our

1109
01:29:18,560 --> 01:29:29,280
family members the city has taken it the
data center has taken it so we have no

1110
01:29:24,239 --> 01:29:37,520
rights and with this new law is it 146
is that so we're supposed to be able to

1111
01:29:33,120 --> 01:29:42,960
go out and to deserve the cemetery
and of course if there's if it's going

1112
01:29:40,000 --> 01:29:49,920
to be a marker there that's good and
fine but

1113
01:29:45,920 --> 01:29:56,880
my thing is I just feel like the city is
pushing me out and not no one is asking

1114
01:29:53,679 --> 01:30:01,679
us questions until I just hear a little
bit now

1115
01:29:58,719 --> 01:30:04,800
well what part do I play in
>> and I I guess

1116
01:30:02,480 --> 01:30:09,520
» what say do I
I guess for me that's what I'm trying to

1117
01:30:06,639 --> 01:30:14,960
figure out. How much is the city going
to be involved with

1118
01:30:13,040 --> 01:30:21,840
the historic preservation, the city of
Hampton, um the family members, and any

1119
01:30:18,159 --> 01:30:26,960
other organizations that want to help
preserve? Are we saying we're going to

1120
01:30:24,000 --> 01:30:35,120
be the sole providers of preserving this
cemetery without

1121
01:30:29,360 --> 01:30:38,800
um input from um outside organizations
as well as family?

1122
01:30:38,239 --> 01:30:46,159
» Madam Mayor,
>> that's a council member. Would it be a a

1123
01:30:42,000 --> 01:30:55,600
consideration to meet with
Miss Hand and the group that sponsors

1124
01:30:51,280 --> 01:30:57,920
and backs her and prepare a memorandum
of understanding, some type of

1125
01:30:57,600 --> 01:31:01,679
agreement?
>> I'd be happy to sit down with them. some

1126
01:30:59,600 --> 01:31:06,960
type of agreement to where they would
say what they would like to see and then

1127
01:31:04,239 --> 01:31:10,560
the city reciprocate
the city's position from the entire

1128
01:31:09,199 --> 01:31:13,600
we're not trying to take over the
cemetery. We're trying to preserve and

1129
01:31:11,920 --> 01:31:18,960
protect and the idea of putting a fence
up was to protect it from the things

1130
01:31:16,400 --> 01:31:23,600
that they were concerned with and it
certainly was in no way ever to to keep

1131
01:31:21,440 --> 01:31:26,880
anyone out. It was never a locked
facility. It was never anything like

1132
01:31:25,280 --> 01:31:30,480
that. I understand how that can make you
feel, Miss Ham, but that wasn't the

1133
01:31:28,159 --> 01:31:35,840
intention at all. But I will make sure I
exchange um numbers with um Miss Hand

1134
01:31:33,679 --> 01:31:37,920
and whoever else she wants to be a part
of that and I'll facilitate that

1135
01:31:37,600 --> 01:31:41,840
meeting.
>> I think

1136
01:31:39,679 --> 01:31:45,760
I just want to make sure because I I
think there's some legal going on in

1137
01:31:44,000 --> 01:31:49,120
this arena as well.
>> Yeah. So So I I I think that we can have

1138
01:31:47,679 --> 01:31:53,199
the discussion. I don't know that I'd
necessarily frame it as an as anouou,

1139
01:31:51,440 --> 01:31:57,679
but but certainly have having a
discussion and an understanding of of

1140
01:31:55,600 --> 01:32:02,080
each person's role in the city's role. I
think that's beneficial. I just I don't

1141
01:31:59,280 --> 01:32:06,320
want to tie contract terms to that.
>> But understood.

1142
01:32:03,840 --> 01:32:10,080
» Okay. So, based on all of the
discussions

1143
01:32:08,000 --> 01:32:16,080
um that I've heard, I would like to
resend my motion um

1144
01:32:13,679 --> 01:32:21,040
um for the consideration in action for
the city to authorize u the maintaining

1145
01:32:18,960 --> 01:32:27,760
of the O'Neal Cemetery until more
conversation and discussion can be had

1146
01:32:24,400 --> 01:32:30,840
and we can figure out how this is going
to go.

1147
01:32:32,080 --> 01:32:38,639
» All right. So, Council Member White
Williams has rescended her motion for

1148
01:32:36,400 --> 01:32:43,040
resolution 202668.
Do I have anyone that would like to make

1149
01:32:40,480 --> 01:32:47,120
a motion for 2026
to approve it or do are we going to wait

1150
01:32:45,760 --> 01:32:53,280
on further discussion?
>> Madame Mayor, I move that we postpone

1151
01:32:50,400 --> 01:32:58,880
resolution 202668
until some type of agreement can be

1152
01:32:56,000 --> 01:33:02,560
reached between the parties for the
cemetery.

1153
01:33:00,719 --> 01:33:08,639
I have a motion on the floor floor to
postpone um resolution 202668

1154
01:33:06,719 --> 01:33:14,159
by council member Meeks.
>> Second by council member Duchaine.

1155
01:33:11,360 --> 01:33:16,480
Discussion from the council.
>> Yes.

1156
01:33:14,880 --> 01:33:21,360
» Um my name is Penny Williams. I'd like
to add something uh for consideration

1157
01:33:19,040 --> 01:33:24,480
with regard to the cemetery. Uh if
there's going to be any type of

1158
01:33:22,400 --> 01:33:28,639
maintaining, there are employees of the
city. They need to be aware of what and

1159
01:33:26,560 --> 01:33:31,920
how it needs to be maintained because
when you have employees, they may just

1160
01:33:30,159 --> 01:33:37,120
go out and get a rake and start scraping
things up and disrupt. So I think

1161
01:33:34,159 --> 01:33:42,080
training needs to be a part of this
maintaining factor of the cemetery so

1162
01:33:40,080 --> 01:33:46,639
you have people like yourself um the
archives whomever

1163
01:33:44,080 --> 01:33:51,440
» I think they need to be trained properly
so that there is not further disruption

1164
01:33:49,280 --> 01:33:52,800
within the cemetery.
>> Please consider that.

1165
01:33:52,400 --> 01:33:57,520
» Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any more discussion from the

1166
01:33:55,280 --> 01:34:02,800
public? All right. I have a motion on
the floor to postpone resolution 202668

1167
01:34:01,199 --> 01:34:08,719
by council member Meeks and a second by
council member Desane. All in favor? All

1168
01:34:05,760 --> 01:34:13,199
opposed? I have a 6. Moving on to agenda
item 10L, consideration action to ratify

1169
01:34:11,360 --> 01:34:16,679
water tank maintenance agreement
resolution 202671.

1170
01:34:16,800 --> 01:34:24,000
Um I need a motion to approve the
ratification of water tank maintenance

1171
01:34:21,440 --> 01:34:25,920
agreement.
You guys are going to discuss and tell

1172
01:34:25,600 --> 01:34:29,440
us.
>> No, we'll let you go.

1173
01:34:27,120 --> 01:34:33,280
» Okay. Madame Mayor, I move that we
approve resolution 202671.

1174
01:34:32,800 --> 01:34:37,840
» Second.
>> I have a motion by council member Meeks

1175
01:34:35,120 --> 01:34:42,480
to approve resolution 202671 and a
second by council member Mitchell. Guys,

1176
01:34:40,960 --> 01:34:45,679
yes,
>> mayor and council. I'm sorry. I

1177
01:34:44,239 --> 01:34:49,679
» was going to say, tell us about this.
>> Yes, ma'am. Um, one thing that I

1178
01:34:48,080 --> 01:34:56,000
discovered when we started the budget
process was this contract. Um, Mr. West

1179
01:34:53,920 --> 01:35:02,320
was in through through the budget
preparation requesting I think it's

1180
01:34:58,880 --> 01:35:05,760
$84,000 yearly in a line item. And I'm
like, "What are you, you know, what are

1181
01:35:04,719 --> 01:35:11,760
we talking about?" He said, "That's our
tank maintenance." And I was like,

1182
01:35:08,560 --> 01:35:19,679
"Okay." And a little bit of research and
discovered a contract that um previous

1183
01:35:14,800 --> 01:35:25,840
city manager signed in March.
in March to procure the services. Um,

1184
01:35:23,840 --> 01:35:35,679
couple things that I did. I had Mr. West
do he he had provided Mr. Baker with two

1185
01:35:30,400 --> 01:35:41,280
quotes, one verbal and one um written
quote and also the one that Mr. Baker

1186
01:35:38,880 --> 01:35:46,000
and Mr. West ended up going forward
with. I immediately brought it to the

1187
01:35:43,040 --> 01:35:50,800
city attorney. Um got a well I got a
copy of the contract from the clerk. um

1188
01:35:48,320 --> 01:35:56,560
took it to the city attorney and the one
thing Mr. West was adamant with was

1189
01:35:54,480 --> 01:36:01,920
for the level of the what [snorts] we
needed for those two tanks. This is one

1190
01:35:58,960 --> 01:36:08,239
of the only companies that can do it and
it was a

1191
01:36:05,520 --> 01:36:13,840
far far superior service than the other
people would have would have provided.

1192
01:36:10,719 --> 01:36:20,320
So he advocated to Mr. Baker to approve
that. Um, I I immediately went to Mr.

1193
01:36:18,159 --> 01:36:23,600
Deal and said, "And all right, what do
we do?" And one of the things that he

1194
01:36:22,159 --> 01:36:27,360
recommended, he said, "If that is a
provider that y'all want to continue to

1195
01:36:25,600 --> 01:36:32,000
do business with, it would need to be
taken to the council and ratified." So,

1196
01:36:29,760 --> 01:36:39,040
that's what brings us here today. Um,
Mr. West can speak if if you have

1197
01:36:34,000 --> 01:36:44,159
questions on why American Tank
>> it was chosen, but that's what brought

1198
01:36:41,520 --> 01:36:50,400
us here today.
So, so the what I hear you saying is

1199
01:36:46,320 --> 01:36:56,320
that the procurement policy was
>> not followed or followed some what

1200
01:36:54,719 --> 01:36:59,920
because it didn't come back before the
council.

1201
01:36:57,119 --> 01:37:03,360
» I think the procurement policy by the
letter of it was followed but I do think

1202
01:37:01,840 --> 01:37:07,199
the signing of the contract should have
came back to the council and that's why

1203
01:37:05,119 --> 01:37:12,800
I engage with Mr. Deal.
>> And what's the amount? 80

1204
01:37:09,199 --> 01:37:17,760
» 84,000 yearly. And the one thing we will
we will do with that contract if if

1205
01:37:14,960 --> 01:37:22,239
approved by you guys, Mr. Deal has made
some recommendations, we will have the

1206
01:37:19,840 --> 01:37:26,480
company before getting anybody to resign
it, we will have some language put in

1207
01:37:24,880 --> 01:37:32,040
that makes Mr. Deals comfortable to
where it is not a 13-year contract

1208
01:37:33,040 --> 01:37:36,040
» right

1209
01:37:36,159 --> 01:37:44,480
» 13 years. Yes, sir.
>> Could we put it back out for for our

1210
01:37:42,320 --> 01:37:50,000
» and that that's why we we certainly
could do that. They have already started

1211
01:37:46,239 --> 01:37:54,159
they they performed um the first tank
and you've seen the work that I think

1212
01:37:52,000 --> 01:37:57,440
they've done two to this point.
>> We certainly could if that was the

1213
01:37:55,679 --> 01:37:59,920
choice of the mayor and council
>> but they already started. They've

1214
01:37:58,800 --> 01:38:04,880
already done the work.
>> They and they've already done you know

1215
01:38:02,880 --> 01:38:09,600
and that the
>> So how do they get paid

1216
01:38:06,320 --> 01:38:12,239
» that miss? It was they were paid
>> for

1217
01:38:11,199 --> 01:38:16,400
every quarter.
>> So they so it being paid by by not

1218
01:38:15,119 --> 01:38:19,360
approved
>> by the council.

1219
01:38:17,440 --> 01:38:23,360
» The the contract was not approved by the
council and that's why we're here.

1220
01:38:21,040 --> 01:38:29,840
» Okay.
>> I'm seeing Madame [clears throat] Mayor

1221
01:38:25,440 --> 01:38:34,000
I'm seeing on page 147 of our agenda.
>> I believe it's the second page of the

1222
01:38:31,840 --> 01:38:39,119
contract. It says the agreement shall be
managed by contract years. Contract year

1223
01:38:35,840 --> 01:38:45,280
shall be defined as consecutive 12 month
periods beginning April 1st 2026. The

1224
01:38:42,320 --> 01:38:52,480
annual fee for those years 1 through8
will be 45775

1225
01:38:48,080 --> 01:38:56,480
per year. The contract years 910 11
shall be for 25109. Is that per tank or

1226
01:38:56,159 --> 01:38:59,280
is that
>> per tank? Per tank. That's per tank.

1227
01:38:57,920 --> 01:39:02,639
Tank. Yes sir.
>> The other tank I think is a little bit

1228
01:39:00,800 --> 01:39:06,960
less is how we came up with the 84
number.

1229
01:39:03,119 --> 01:39:11,040
» Thank you. two three Mr. West, what was
the uh verbal um or was this the verbal

1230
01:39:10,480 --> 01:39:16,480
or the
>> That was not this. So, this was the last

1231
01:39:14,080 --> 01:39:20,239
uh provider I called and they were the
first to come. Um they were the only

1232
01:39:18,320 --> 01:39:24,880
ones that actually inspected the tanks.
We had a hole in top of North 40 tank

1233
01:39:23,119 --> 01:39:29,119
that big around nobody knew anything
about. They repaired it. Uh the outside

1234
01:39:27,600 --> 01:39:35,600
gauge didn't work. You know, it's got
full empty. They fixed that. uh wood

1235
01:39:33,199 --> 01:39:40,560
lawns been painted inside. Well, you saw
the inside of it and uh they're just a

1236
01:39:39,040 --> 01:39:43,280
far, you know, they cleaned up their
mess. Nobody else did it. The the verbal

1237
01:39:42,880 --> 01:39:47,280
ma'am.
>> So, in other words, this is the if you

1238
01:39:45,600 --> 01:39:51,679
had to choose, this would be the firm.
>> Oh, yeah. Hands down. Uh they had a

1239
01:39:49,280 --> 01:39:55,199
failure in Griffin a few years ago. They
were covering that tank. When that tank

1240
01:39:53,520 --> 01:39:59,440
failed, they they were placed and
repaired at no cost to the city because

1241
01:39:57,119 --> 01:40:02,639
it was under their their their care. So,
I wouldn't choose anyone else. So, it

1242
01:40:01,360 --> 01:40:09,040
seems like we need to ratify the
contract and um move forward with it

1243
01:40:05,199 --> 01:40:12,239
with the contract not limiting future.
>> That's right. I I'd just like to clarify

1244
01:40:10,800 --> 01:40:16,080
the contract term provision. That's
that's the biggest issue that I want to

1245
01:40:14,159 --> 01:40:19,040
make sure is cleared up because there is
that annual provision, but there's also

1246
01:40:17,440 --> 01:40:22,639
a provision that says it's a 13-year
contract, which obviously we can't do.

1247
01:40:21,840 --> 01:40:26,724
So,
>> okay. All right. Right. So, I have a

1248
01:40:24,880 --> 01:40:31,199
motion on the floor to approve
[clears throat] or ratify the water tank

1249
01:40:28,560 --> 01:40:34,400
maintenance agreement resolution 202671
by council member Meeks and a second by

1250
01:40:32,719 --> 01:40:41,119
council member Mitchell. Any further
discussion from the council? Discussion

1251
01:40:37,040 --> 01:40:46,520
from the public. All in favor?
I have a 5.

1252
01:40:43,199 --> 01:40:46,520
Council member.

1253
01:40:47,040 --> 01:40:50,840
» Yeah, she she disappeared.

1254
01:40:53,520 --> 01:41:00,719
Moving on to agenda item 10 m M
consideration and discussion or

1255
01:40:57,600 --> 01:41:05,280
discussion on the recent EPD violation.
So it's not really recent.

1256
01:41:02,560 --> 01:41:11,280
» No ma'am. Uh it's a actually it's three
violations dating back to 52925 at Elm

1257
01:41:09,440 --> 01:41:17,320
Streetville.
Um

1258
01:41:13,119 --> 01:41:17,320
we have one 13126

1259
01:41:17,840 --> 01:41:24,800
21726.
So, it's a combination of three

1260
01:41:21,840 --> 01:41:30,480
violations. Um, we knew at some point we
were going to be getting a fine. We just

1261
01:41:26,320 --> 01:41:36,159
didn't know when. I received an email on
721.

1262
01:41:32,320 --> 01:41:40,400
Um, in in that email, you you have 30
days to pay the fine. There is no if,

1263
01:41:38,080 --> 01:41:44,960
ends, or buts. If you don't, then it
just it just increases. That's just how

1264
01:41:42,480 --> 01:41:47,360
the EPD works. And quite frankly, I was
expecting to be three or four times the

1265
01:41:46,639 --> 01:41:53,440
amount it was.
>> How much was it? It was $15,455.

1266
01:41:51,280 --> 01:41:55,520
» So, did that come to council for
approval?

1267
01:41:54,320 --> 01:42:00,159
» No, ma'am. It did not.
>> So, is that something that has to be

1268
01:41:58,080 --> 01:42:04,480
» I uh I approached the city manager
about, you know, I expressed him the

1269
01:42:01,920 --> 01:42:08,080
urgency of getting it taken care of.
>> So, that that is why I asked for it to

1270
01:42:06,880 --> 01:42:11,600
be put on the agenda.
>> Yes, ma'am.

1271
01:42:09,119 --> 01:42:15,679
» Because it was over the $10,000
threshold. Yes, ma'am. that the city

1272
01:42:13,199 --> 01:42:20,560
manager had authority, the former city
manager had the authority to approve.

1273
01:42:18,080 --> 01:42:28,000
» Yes, ma'am. And it was time sensitive.
>> And that's fine, but per our policy, if

1274
01:42:25,119 --> 01:42:31,920
it's over $10,000, it has to come to
council. We could have had an emergency

1275
01:42:30,239 --> 01:42:39,520
special call meeting
>> and it it did not come to council. The

1276
01:42:35,280 --> 01:42:44,719
check has been cashed because we paid
it. So, I'm just trying to figure out

1277
01:42:42,400 --> 01:42:49,119
how this breakdown [snorts] and our
procurement policy that we just got

1278
01:42:46,560 --> 01:42:53,679
through talking about, how did this
happen? I understand it was urgent, but

1279
01:42:51,760 --> 01:43:00,800
we've had
special call meetings for things less

1280
01:42:55,760 --> 01:43:07,840
urgent. Um, so I I'm just Who gave Mr.
Baker the authority to write to pay it?

1281
01:43:04,960 --> 01:43:10,960
Um, who signed because you need two
signers. Who signed those checks?

1282
01:43:10,480 --> 01:43:16,320
» I will.
>> And why did it not come to council for

1283
01:43:13,520 --> 01:43:19,840
us to go ahead and give? Because it's
not even on the agenda for us to go back

1284
01:43:18,080 --> 01:43:24,320
and ratify. This was just going to be
swept under the rug. Had I not asked for

1285
01:43:22,800 --> 01:43:29,440
it to be on the
>> I'm miss when councilwoman Duchain

1286
01:43:26,960 --> 01:43:36,880
brought it to my attention, she asked me
um with and I like I the way I thought

1287
01:43:33,280 --> 01:43:43,840
it was the check had not been done. Um,
so I did some research. Um, did find

1288
01:43:40,080 --> 01:43:49,520
that it was Miss Hood and Mr. Baker
signed the check. Um, the check was

1289
01:43:46,080 --> 01:43:55,119
dated August the 10th. I went back a
little bit further. Um, I spoke to Mr.

1290
01:43:52,159 --> 01:43:59,199
Baker's um,
he's he's still our assistant finance

1291
01:43:57,440 --> 01:44:04,960
director and asked him if he had any
knowledge of it. He did. He printed some

1292
01:44:01,280 --> 01:44:11,199
emails for me where Mr. Baker forwarded
the notice to him and instructed him um

1293
01:44:09,440 --> 01:44:19,040
which line item to get it out of and
that was on August the 6th um at 248.

1294
01:44:15,679 --> 01:44:23,679
So I just I'm not sure you know I know
there was an urgency but that's that's

1295
01:44:21,600 --> 01:44:29,679
what I was able to find out. So, is
there a reason why

1296
01:44:26,560 --> 01:44:35,119
» any either one can answer is there a
reason why this wasn't on the agenda for

1297
01:44:31,840 --> 01:44:38,639
us to go back and ratify because it was
I know we had a short amount of time to

1298
01:44:36,960 --> 01:44:41,760
pay. When did it come in?
>> It came [snorts] in on

1299
01:44:40,080 --> 01:44:44,239
» the 10th.
August,

1300
01:44:42,400 --> 01:44:49,760
» but when did the violation come in?
>> I got you. Um on July 21st.

1301
01:44:46,960 --> 01:44:53,600
» So, we had a done August the 6th.
>> We had a council meeting

1302
01:44:51,679 --> 01:44:58,719
» on August 11.
>> I didn't but I didn't find out until

1303
01:44:56,639 --> 01:45:02,880
Miss Duchain brought it to my attention
on August the 15th, I believe, or 17th.

1304
01:45:02,080 --> 01:45:05,199
And
>> so, Mr. Baker didn't put it on the

1305
01:45:04,400 --> 01:45:09,520
August agenda.
>> He did not. It was not on there. And

1306
01:45:06,960 --> 01:45:13,440
then I didn't know that it needed to. I
I certainly let Mr. Deal know. I don't

1307
01:45:12,159 --> 01:45:19,600
think it's something y'all have to
ratify um because it's not a ongoing

1308
01:45:16,400 --> 01:45:24,880
service. It's, you know, obviously a
issue with the procedure that was

1309
01:45:23,119 --> 01:45:28,159
followed, [snorts] but I don't
>> So, where's you correct me if I'm wrong?

1310
01:45:26,639 --> 01:45:33,199
» Is that a budget amendment we have to
make? Where's the payment come from?

1311
01:45:29,840 --> 01:45:40,719
» There is a line item in the in the
budget for EPD fines and permits. And

1312
01:45:36,960 --> 01:45:45,520
that's where um it looks like Mr. Baker
had R.J. take it out of.

1313
01:45:42,480 --> 01:45:49,760
» And what was the fine for?
the it was for the three spills that Mr.

1314
01:45:48,159 --> 01:45:56,719
West talked about. He can
>> one spill the station one that was a 525

1315
01:45:54,000 --> 01:46:02,560
» spill of just water like what is it
>> and those were all of those when that

1316
01:45:59,040 --> 01:46:07,760
spill occurred the um Mr. West
department this is I only know this

1317
01:46:05,600 --> 01:46:11,440
because he told me they did all the a
proper notification they put it on the

1318
01:46:09,440 --> 01:46:17,119
website what all did y'all do? Yeah, we
notified the city downstream everything

1319
01:46:14,880 --> 01:46:22,239
EPD requires. They came
>> Yeah, they came and checked uh we had

1320
01:46:19,760 --> 01:46:26,880
put notices on the actual stream mile
away from the plant. So, they came and

1321
01:46:24,400 --> 01:46:32,159
checked on May the 11th. Uh they paid us
a visit. They looked at site Parkway and

1322
01:46:29,679 --> 01:46:38,320
they came and checked the you know see
if we had corrected those mistakes. Let

1323
01:46:35,280 --> 01:46:41,440
» me say something. Um this is very
disturbing to me.

1324
01:46:40,719 --> 01:46:45,760
Mayor, did you
>> I am going to say this once.

1325
01:46:43,920 --> 01:46:51,840
» If this ever happen again,
>> I personally going to recommend

1326
01:46:48,080 --> 01:46:55,360
termination anyone across the board.
>> I am serious.

1327
01:46:52,800 --> 01:46:58,159
» Now you're saying for a spill or what?
Let me

1328
01:46:55,920 --> 01:47:01,040
» violate the policy policy.
>> I ain't doing that.

1329
01:46:58,960 --> 01:47:04,480
» Yeah. Well, well, I want to say
>> even even

1330
01:47:03,520 --> 01:47:07,679
I I understand
>> know the procurement policy better know

1331
01:47:06,639 --> 01:47:13,280
it
>> because I'm tired of coming here and

1332
01:47:10,480 --> 01:47:18,159
ratifying special call meeting phone
calls to fix these issues

1333
01:47:15,600 --> 01:47:23,280
» and it's it appear that um you don't
take us very seriously.

1334
01:47:21,119 --> 01:47:26,960
You don't if you don't take us very
serious, I'll make you sure I'm very

1335
01:47:24,639 --> 01:47:33,760
serious about this.
I I think just even even just to get a

1336
01:47:30,320 --> 01:47:40,159
consensus that or even just to let us
know that it happened. Um

1337
01:47:37,840 --> 01:47:45,600
as council we have a duty and
obligation. So the the spill last year

1338
01:47:43,199 --> 01:47:52,000
we were aware of that that spill. We got
an update on that on 2020 25. these that

1339
01:47:49,600 --> 01:47:56,239
happened in the beginning of the year we
were not privy to we didn't we didn't

1340
01:47:54,320 --> 01:48:00,560
know about it until they they just you
know told us about the

1341
01:47:57,840 --> 01:48:03,440
» right but the fine came from did the
fine come from the two this year or just

1342
01:48:02,880 --> 01:48:10,400
from the
>> so combination of the two

1343
01:48:05,440 --> 01:48:13,199
» yes so one one came on um February 17th
>> right

1344
01:48:10,880 --> 01:48:18,880
» uh that's Bear Creek uh the cause was
the broken chemical line I don't even

1345
01:48:15,520 --> 01:48:26,000
want to know what that what that consist
of um the second one was May 29th, 2025,

1346
01:48:24,239 --> 01:48:32,085
the lift station number one on Elm
Street.

1347
01:48:27,199 --> 01:48:35,440
» Um and then the third one was January
[clears throat]

1348
01:48:33,679 --> 01:48:41,679
21st
>> 31st 2026 Bioolids annual report SE

1349
01:48:39,440 --> 01:48:48,000
received. I'm not sure what that is, but
I'm I'm just saying I understand the

1350
01:48:44,239 --> 01:48:52,480
urgency, right? Because it's not like
you know,

1351
01:48:49,840 --> 01:48:58,239
utilities went out and and we needed
some equipment or or materials and we

1352
01:48:56,000 --> 01:49:03,679
needed it the next day to get everything
back up and running. This is urgent, but

1353
01:49:01,119 --> 01:49:08,000
these violations happened over a year
ago. But for us to not even be made

1354
01:49:06,400 --> 01:49:15,119
aware
that the violations came in and we

1355
01:49:10,880 --> 01:49:22,480
weren't told that the check had been
cut, sent and cashed and it still wasn't

1356
01:49:19,600 --> 01:49:25,840
on the agenda tonight. Even if council
doesn't have to ratify it according

1357
01:49:23,830 --> 01:49:30,080
[snorts] to the procurement,
we still would not have known unless I

1358
01:49:28,080 --> 01:49:32,639
had asked for this item to be on the
agenda.

1359
01:49:31,760 --> 01:49:37,199
So I I think
>> because it is a budgeted item. I mean

1360
01:49:34,719 --> 01:49:39,440
because we have a line item before but
that was over.

1361
01:49:37,920 --> 01:49:43,040
» I don't know. I'm just I was just saying
that that

1362
01:49:40,320 --> 01:49:48,080
» that's why he was able to do and I can't
speak for anything that happened before

1363
01:49:45,280 --> 01:49:50,080
before I'm the interim city manager. I
can assure you I ain't sign no check for

1364
01:49:49,520 --> 01:49:55,679
nothing.
>> No, but I'm just saying it's coming

1365
01:49:52,080 --> 01:50:00,960
back. the pro the process that we put in
place because it was my understanding

1366
01:49:58,480 --> 01:50:06,320
regardless of what it was the city
manager had to bring anything over

1367
01:50:03,679 --> 01:50:11,199
$10,000 to council for approval
>> if it was not a budgeted item

1368
01:50:08,639 --> 01:50:16,639
» that's not what we were doing every
everything even Mr. Last month Mr. King

1369
01:50:15,679 --> 01:50:18,639
bought items
>> that was not budgeted.

1370
01:50:17,760 --> 01:50:21,520
» They were not budgeted.
>> They were not budgeted. They were not

1371
01:50:20,719 --> 01:50:23,760
budgeted.
>> I I notify

1372
01:50:22,400 --> 01:50:27,920
» I want to say something.
>> Only budgeted items.

1373
01:50:25,360 --> 01:50:34,880
» I've been on in the a council woman
since January and I'm seeing patterns of

1374
01:50:32,480 --> 01:50:41,920
not following policies and the
procurement policy has been one of those

1375
01:50:38,320 --> 01:50:51,280
uh areas. It's just like the policy is
not in place. it's it was ignored. Um,

1376
01:50:47,920 --> 01:50:55,760
and we brought Mr. Baker in, but some of
the things that he did and didn't get

1377
01:50:53,760 --> 01:50:59,679
council approval,
you know, I I don't approve of it. You

1378
01:50:58,320 --> 01:51:03,679
know, some people thought he was the
latest and the greatest. I'm not

1379
01:51:01,440 --> 01:51:09,760
speaking negative about him or anything,
but we have policies in place for a

1380
01:51:07,119 --> 01:51:12,880
reason. So, why are we ignoring
policies? We have to follow these

1381
01:51:11,920 --> 01:51:17,520
policies.
>> But it goes well. It you can't just put

1382
01:51:15,199 --> 01:51:23,520
all the blame on Mr. Baker. You have to
put the blame on

1383
01:51:19,840 --> 01:51:28,960
the people that process the payment, the
people that signed the check, the people

1384
01:51:25,920 --> 01:51:34,400
that knew about it. Even if it even if
this is a budgeted item, council still

1385
01:51:32,639 --> 01:51:41,119
didn't know about it. We should know
something like this. Hey, EPD sent us a

1386
01:51:36,880 --> 01:51:45,520
fine for $15,000. We didn't know and our
citizens didn't know until tonight

1387
01:51:42,800 --> 01:51:51,040
either or when they saw the agenda that
posted. So all I'm saying is we need to

1388
01:51:48,320 --> 01:51:55,599
follow the policy and we need to be
transparent. And if something like this

1389
01:51:53,440 --> 01:52:00,320
happens again, I don't care if it
happens the day after a council meeting.

1390
01:51:57,280 --> 01:52:04,159
If we need to pay it and before the next
time we have a council meeting, just

1391
01:52:02,239 --> 01:52:09,119
have a special call meeting.
>> We did know about the one in 2025. We

1392
01:52:06,960 --> 01:52:11,760
knew about that. We
>> yeah,

1393
01:52:10,159 --> 01:52:15,360
» we didn't know the f we didn't know when
the fine was coming.

1394
01:52:13,840 --> 01:52:19,599
» The one thing I would like to get some
clarification talking about firing and I

1395
01:52:17,040 --> 01:52:24,880
don't don't need that in my life. Um
budgeted items like as we look say y'all

1396
01:52:22,239 --> 01:52:30,400
pass the budget on October 1st. If it is
a budgeted item not now I understand I

1397
01:52:27,599 --> 01:52:34,719
mean I think hope y'all can appreciate I
notify y'all about everything. I mean, I

1398
01:52:32,320 --> 01:52:39,199
I send y'all text and email about
everything and I'll I'm going to

1399
01:52:36,080 --> 01:52:43,840
continue to do that. But as that October
hits and there's going to be budgeted

1400
01:52:41,199 --> 01:52:49,199
items, like let's just say public works
is buying a a truck that's approved in

1401
01:52:46,639 --> 01:52:53,760
the budget. It's under state contract.
So, all procurement policies are

1402
01:52:50,880 --> 01:52:57,199
followed. You guys approve the budget.
Are y'all

1403
01:52:55,040 --> 01:53:01,199
» y'all okay with that? Okay. Now, but I
understand if there this right here, I'm

1404
01:52:59,040 --> 01:53:04,719
not comparing those. But with Mr.
Mitchell's talking about firing people,

1405
01:53:02,639 --> 01:53:06,719
I got to make sure that I don't do
anything before y'all get this.

1406
01:53:05,840 --> 01:53:10,320
» You said that, not me.
>> No, but and I don't blame him. I I

1407
01:53:09,520 --> 01:53:15,040
certainly understand.
>> It was only for if if you everybody goes

1408
01:53:12,960 --> 01:53:19,599
back to the resolution that was passed,
it was only for items that were not

1409
01:53:17,520 --> 01:53:24,560
budgeted in the budget. Mhm.
>> If if it was not in the budget, he had

1410
01:53:22,080 --> 01:53:27,360
to bring it back before council if it
was a past that $10,000 mark.

1411
01:53:26,880 --> 01:53:32,960
» That's right.
>> That's what I'm talking about.

1412
01:53:28,639 --> 01:53:37,119
» I I'm just want to clarify.
>> I'd like to say something because this

1413
01:53:35,040 --> 01:53:43,280
involves me also. So, because I'm a
check sign and council member, you said

1414
01:53:40,400 --> 01:53:47,520
um that the people that signed the
checks should take blame too. So, I

1415
01:53:45,679 --> 01:53:51,599
don't feel that I should take blame for
the check that was signed because when

1416
01:53:49,199 --> 01:53:56,560
the check gets to me, it's going to went
to the appropriate people and my thing

1417
01:53:54,080 --> 01:54:01,760
is to verify that the paperwork is
matching up after it come from the city

1418
01:53:58,400 --> 01:54:05,520
manager to me. So, how am I to know what
I'm not supposed to sign because I don't

1419
01:54:03,679 --> 01:54:10,000
know exactly everything that city
manager do.

1420
01:54:06,800 --> 01:54:15,840
» So, I'm and and that's why I didn't end.
I I think there's enough to go around.

1421
01:54:13,440 --> 01:54:20,719
you did what you were told to do, right?
But I also feel that there's an

1422
01:54:17,840 --> 01:54:26,880
obligation when something like it's this
is a EPD fine, right? This is for sewer

1423
01:54:24,560 --> 01:54:31,679
spills. These [snorts] things need to be
told to council. Hey, we got a violation

1424
01:54:29,280 --> 01:54:36,880
although we knew that the violation
happened in May of 2025. We actually got

1425
01:54:34,480 --> 01:54:41,679
the invoice for the violation. That was
not told to us. Budgeted or unbudgeted,

1426
01:54:40,080 --> 01:54:45,280
you did what you were told to do. And
I'm not I'm not trying to throw shade.

1427
01:54:43,599 --> 01:54:49,840
I'm just saying I think there was a
communication breakdown from the city

1428
01:54:47,520 --> 01:54:55,040
manager on down to
>> finance on down to the check signers,

1429
01:54:52,719 --> 01:54:58,560
whoever that may be. And I I mean I I
will speak for the city manager's office

1430
01:54:56,400 --> 01:55:04,320
because I'm in the office now that
that's where the pro to Miss Hood's

1431
01:55:00,800 --> 01:55:09,840
point and to your point it is the city
manager's responsibility to let let the

1432
01:55:06,400 --> 01:55:14,880
mayor and council know once he signs off
just you know Miss Hood I wouldn't

1433
01:55:12,080 --> 01:55:19,840
expect Miss Hood or anyone else to know
it's the city manager's job if he signs

1434
01:55:16,719 --> 01:55:24,239
off that this was a budgeted it's his
job to let the mayor and council know he

1435
01:55:21,520 --> 01:55:29,440
reports to you But he
>> No, I understand. But I I can tell you

1436
01:55:26,320 --> 01:55:32,960
between now and and the time y'all get
somebody else in the door. I promise.

1437
01:55:31,280 --> 01:55:35,119
» I get it. I'm just saying we just need
to be made aware.

1438
01:55:33,840 --> 01:55:40,000
» Yeah. And I want to pick it back off
what you said, chief. The city manager

1439
01:55:37,280 --> 01:55:46,719
is the one that gave them directives. So
it goes back to him. He knows the

1440
01:55:43,679 --> 01:55:50,639
procurement policy. So it he gave he's
their supervisor. He gave them the

1441
01:55:48,639 --> 01:55:58,000
directives. But council member Cheney,
if the city manager instructs an

1442
01:55:53,360 --> 01:56:01,280
employee to do something that goes
against policy,

1443
01:56:00,159 --> 01:56:04,320
» I don't know that she would know it's
against

1444
01:56:01,679 --> 01:56:09,440
» and I'm not saying in this case, but if
just because the city manager gives the

1445
01:56:06,239 --> 01:56:13,360
directive, if it goes against
>> policy, uh charter, you

1446
01:56:12,320 --> 01:56:15,199
» would you do it?
>> Right.

1447
01:56:13,679 --> 01:56:20,639
» Oh, no. I'm not going to lose my good
paying job. Right. [laughter] But

1448
01:56:16,880 --> 01:56:24,159
» but that but he told you right and you
you know

1449
01:56:21,280 --> 01:56:28,880
» I would say let me check you know but
you know there's a lot lot of over we've

1450
01:56:26,960 --> 01:56:34,560
been had a lot of turnover and just a
lot of moving parts. So it's his it's

1451
01:56:32,159 --> 01:56:37,840
the city manager's yard. It's not your
yard your yard or someone else's yard at

1452
01:56:37,040 --> 01:56:43,280
the end of the day
>> play with stuff like that. So it's his

1453
01:56:39,599 --> 01:56:45,280
yard and I accept responsibility for my
whatever that may be. I do have a

1454
01:56:44,960 --> 01:56:49,520
question.
>> Council member Rex.

1455
01:56:46,320 --> 01:56:55,679
» Yes. Uh is it the policy when things
like this happen, spills,

1456
01:56:52,560 --> 01:57:01,920
uh should council be notified? Because
uh in the past we had a public works

1457
01:56:58,400 --> 01:57:08,800
director to be fired for perhaps
covering up things, but not nothing

1458
01:57:05,440 --> 01:57:15,280
quite as bad as spillage. But I I don't
know going forward when we have a spill,

1459
01:57:12,400 --> 01:57:18,800
should council be notified or the public
should be notified.

1460
01:57:16,480 --> 01:57:24,480
» So I think the public is everybody is
notified based on what he said. I mean

1461
01:57:22,320 --> 01:57:28,320
I'm I'm not talking about council. I'm
talking about the public. I'm public.

1462
01:57:26,080 --> 01:57:33,280
» It was put on the website and the
citizens were notified under EPD

1463
01:57:30,560 --> 01:57:37,280
guidelines. But to your point, Miss
Brooks, absolutely. You should be

1464
01:57:35,199 --> 01:57:42,080
notified. And if if it happens between
now and the the time somebody else gets

1465
01:57:39,440 --> 01:57:47,520
here, that's the responsibility of the
city manager that you know, I'm not

1466
01:57:44,560 --> 01:57:52,320
casting aspersions on anybody who hasn't
given you notice, but absolutely you

1467
01:57:50,239 --> 01:57:53,920
should be that as a governing body, you
should be notified.

1468
01:57:53,040 --> 01:57:58,719
» Can I say something
>> and you will be

1469
01:57:55,040 --> 01:58:02,880
» you know um I'm piggyback
>> if the citizen knows before us is a

1470
01:58:01,040 --> 01:58:08,639
problem.
>> I agree 100%. And can I say something?

1471
01:58:06,320 --> 01:58:14,719
» Who's checking the website? I don't have
time to just go to the website to see,

1472
01:58:11,520 --> 01:58:20,400
oh, do we get a violation from EPD yet?
So, I think I know it's public, but

1473
01:58:18,159 --> 01:58:23,599
we're not checking unless we know. I
understand.

1474
01:58:20,800 --> 01:58:26,400
» And we there what is the what is the
procedure for us to know to even go to

1475
01:58:25,920 --> 01:58:29,520
the website?
>> It's going to be you're going to get a

1476
01:58:27,440 --> 01:58:33,199
text and an email from me the way I
notify you when we have a water leak or

1477
01:58:31,679 --> 01:58:38,000
a gas pane leak. Are you going to say
boil your water?

1478
01:58:35,440 --> 01:58:42,639
» Whatever whatever I need to say. I I
assure you I'm going to notify you

1479
01:58:39,760 --> 01:58:47,119
because you know I do think it's that is
something important. I mean and y'all

1480
01:58:45,360 --> 01:58:49,920
could absolutely call me out and say Bo
you would tell us if we had a you know

1481
01:58:49,280 --> 01:58:53,360
» you do
>> um whatever you know small issue that

1482
01:58:52,320 --> 01:58:56,320
you notified us you could have let us
know about EBD fine. I'm going to let

1483
01:58:55,119 --> 01:58:59,760
you know about it and I think you should
because that's y'all's responsibility as

1484
01:58:58,320 --> 01:59:02,320
a governing body to know all those
things in real time. I do appreciate

1485
01:59:02,000 --> 01:59:05,199
your
>> How are you going to know? Public works

1486
01:59:03,920 --> 01:59:07,599
will notify you.
>> Oh, if they don't you you're not going

1487
01:59:06,800 --> 01:59:10,480
to have to worry about because you're
not going to be able to talk to Mr. West

1488
01:59:08,719 --> 01:59:13,040
because you won't be here. [laughter]
>> It's not an option just like last time I

1489
01:59:12,639 --> 01:59:17,760
did.
>> Yeah. And see as far as reporting EBD,

1490
01:59:16,320 --> 01:59:21,599
same way
>> and they check. So it's not I can't hide

1491
01:59:19,760 --> 01:59:25,520
it. Won't hide it. Won't try to. I'm
going to follow the letter. also you

1492
01:59:23,440 --> 01:59:29,599
know anytime anything like that happens
that could be u you know has anything to

1493
01:59:27,760 --> 01:59:32,560
do with public safety or you know health
issue

1494
01:59:31,199 --> 01:59:35,040
» I know I know
>> one second one second council member

1495
01:59:34,080 --> 01:59:39,760
dash
>> so

1496
01:59:36,639 --> 01:59:45,280
um based on everything I've been hearing
as we've been sitting here

1497
01:59:42,400 --> 01:59:51,599
um I don't think it's fair for us to
kind of throw the previous city manager

1498
01:59:48,320 --> 01:59:58,960
under the bus to make it seem that he
did something incorrect if it was a

1499
01:59:54,159 --> 02:00:02,080
budgeted item and it didn't need to be
come to for approval because it was

1500
02:00:00,560 --> 02:00:08,320
budgeted
and everything I'm hearing is you knew

1501
02:00:05,520 --> 02:00:12,960
about it cuz they came to you.
>> You know what I'm saying? In the sense

1502
02:00:09,599 --> 02:00:14,239
of communication belongs to everybody.
You know what I'm saying?

1503
02:00:13,599 --> 02:00:17,280
» Yes, ma'am.
>> So, in the sense of you could have said

1504
02:00:16,000 --> 02:00:20,400
something, hey, you know, we have
something or he could have said, you

1505
02:00:19,040 --> 02:00:23,119
know what I'm saying? they come.
>> So I didn't know about the the January

1506
02:00:22,320 --> 02:00:29,840
this this year.
>> No, I the invoice because we well the

1507
02:00:27,360 --> 02:00:33,360
invoice just came in. So they told me
about the invoice when it came in like

1508
02:00:32,000 --> 02:00:39,599
Yeah. So
>> but the reason is because we had already

1509
02:00:36,639 --> 02:00:43,599
gotten the update on what I was thinking
that invoice was. That's the reason I

1510
02:00:42,080 --> 02:00:47,920
didn't say anything to anybody else
about it because we had already got an

1511
02:00:45,280 --> 02:00:50,719
update on this field. We knew about it.
We knew we were going to get a fine to

1512
02:00:49,360 --> 02:00:54,320
associate it with it because it was told
to us. We just didn't know when.

1513
02:00:52,800 --> 02:00:56,320
» Right. But the rest of council didn't
know.

1514
02:00:54,639 --> 02:00:58,800
» And to be fair, that fine could take up
to a year.

1515
02:00:56,960 --> 02:01:03,760
» And that's fine, but it's just in the
sense of communication belongs to all of

1516
02:01:00,800 --> 02:01:09,199
us. All of us communicating what we
>> um on a final note of this. Um well,

1517
02:01:06,719 --> 02:01:13,280
thank you very much for your
>> your not your taxes. Let us know and

1518
02:01:12,000 --> 02:01:15,199
continue.
>> We have one more item.

1519
02:01:14,400 --> 02:01:21,199
» Yes, sir.
>> Um let's move on to agenda. I mean, is

1520
02:01:18,000 --> 02:01:25,840
there any any further discussion?
>> Any discussion from the public regarding

1521
02:01:23,119 --> 02:01:30,000
this matter? Yes.
>> Yes. Miss Miss Oliver, come to the

1522
02:01:27,840 --> 02:01:34,080
podium.
>> Only regarding this.

1523
02:01:31,920 --> 02:01:40,000
» Yes, ma'am.
>> This EPD. Yes, ma'am.

1524
02:01:36,159 --> 02:01:46,400
» Okay. Um,
I just want to say I think that you all

1525
02:01:42,639 --> 02:01:51,599
should consider putting this uh water
tank and all of those

1526
02:01:49,119 --> 02:01:55,920
moving parts and things because we've
had problems

1527
02:01:53,760 --> 02:02:01,440
many years ago
>> with that and we were fine and under the

1528
02:01:58,560 --> 02:02:07,679
EPA e Yeah.
>> Yeah. for a long time. We were

1529
02:02:04,480 --> 02:02:10,960
» and uh like I forgot who it says
somebody was five, but y'all know who it

1530
02:02:09,840 --> 02:02:16,719
was.
>> So, it seems to me that there's some

1531
02:02:14,320 --> 02:02:23,440
problems with that water take and
whatever feeds into that that needs to

1532
02:02:20,960 --> 02:02:29,920
be addressed
so that it doesn't continue to happen.

1533
02:02:28,159 --> 02:02:35,360
And I think you should put it on your
agenda to discuss it and see can't y'all

1534
02:02:33,599 --> 02:02:40,880
come up. You may have to buy another
tank. Who knows? I don't know. But

1535
02:02:38,159 --> 02:02:45,440
anyway, it needs to be addressed because
this patching

1536
02:02:42,800 --> 02:02:49,599
and getting fine
every what 10 years. That is not

1537
02:02:48,880 --> 02:02:51,679
working.
>> Yes, ma'am.

1538
02:02:50,239 --> 02:02:54,159
» All right. That's all I got to say.
>> Yes, ma'am.

1539
02:02:52,719 --> 02:03:00,400
» All right.
I have another public comment.

1540
02:02:57,599 --> 02:03:04,800
» Just a quick question. What are the SOPs
say? There seems to be a lot of

1541
02:03:01,920 --> 02:03:08,480
confusion with the processing of
information with the checks and

1542
02:03:06,639 --> 02:03:13,840
different things, but aren't there SOPs
in place for when something happens and

1543
02:03:11,520 --> 02:03:17,520
occurs for the proper channel for it to
flow?

1544
02:03:15,520 --> 02:03:22,320
» So, there are policies and procedures.
Each department have has their their way

1545
02:03:19,840 --> 02:03:25,599
of processing it once it gets to them.
Mhm.

1546
02:03:22,639 --> 02:03:30,560
» So it is a multi-chain factor. So from
the finance department, they do it in

1547
02:03:27,840 --> 02:03:36,080
their department according to their SOP
and their standards. When once it moves

1548
02:03:32,800 --> 02:03:40,320
to the check signers, it that process
goes through. And so that is usually how

1549
02:03:38,960 --> 02:03:43,679
it is handled here in the city of
Hampton.

1550
02:03:41,119 --> 02:03:48,480
» But it sounds like it's been broken with
the issues with the checks being signed

1551
02:03:46,960 --> 02:03:54,320
that they're not being followed
properly. So, as council member Shane

1552
02:03:51,920 --> 02:03:58,880
just pointed out in regards to the check
being signed for this, because it is a

1553
02:03:56,560 --> 02:04:02,880
budgeted item, and even though it was
over the $10,000, if it is a budgeted

1554
02:04:01,119 --> 02:04:05,920
item, it does not have to come back
before the council because it's

1555
02:04:04,159 --> 02:04:10,560
budgeted. The money has already been
allocated in the budget to pay for fines

1556
02:04:08,560 --> 02:04:14,560
or anything like that. So, there was no
breach in that when it came down to the

1557
02:04:12,560 --> 02:04:17,520
city manager. He had the authority to be
able to go ahead and pay that fine.

1558
02:04:16,320 --> 02:04:22,000
» Okay. So, everyone just needs to
understand what the SOPs are. That's

1559
02:04:18,960 --> 02:04:26,639
right. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
>> All right. Moving on to agenda item 10,

1560
02:04:24,480 --> 02:04:32,560
consideration and action on resolution I
put 202672 because that's the next one

1561
02:04:29,199 --> 02:04:36,480
up. Um to allow the mayor to sign the
agreement between the city of Hampton

1562
02:04:34,400 --> 02:04:39,199
and G dot for the rightway maintenance
of Highway 20. Can I get a motion to

1563
02:04:38,320 --> 02:04:42,560
approve or to deny?
>> I make a motion to approve. I have a

1564
02:04:40,639 --> 02:04:47,840
motion by council member Mitchell
>> to approve

1565
02:04:44,239 --> 02:04:53,119
» and a second by council member Meeks
>> to approve resolution 202672 for the

1566
02:04:50,800 --> 02:04:57,520
agreement between Hampton uh city of
Hampton and the Georgia Department of

1567
02:04:54,800 --> 02:05:02,560
Transportation to continue the maintains
maintenance of the rightway on Highway

1568
02:04:59,599 --> 02:05:05,920
20. Any discussion from the council?
>> Yes, ma'am. We've been doing it.

1569
02:05:04,239 --> 02:05:07,840
» We've been doing it for several years
now

1570
02:05:06,400 --> 02:05:12,336
» and now we're going to get paid.
>> Now we're going to get paid for it. Yes.

1571
02:05:10,316 --> 02:05:12,336
[laughter]

1572
02:05:12,560 --> 02:05:19,119
» Any discussion from the public? All in
favor?

1573
02:05:16,320 --> 02:05:25,400
» All oppose? I have a 6.
>> Got Miss

1574
02:05:20,560 --> 02:05:25,400
» Oh, Miss M. Oliver, I'm sorry.

1575
02:05:27,520 --> 02:05:35,199
» And then it slipped my mind. Time.
[laughter]

1576
02:05:32,560 --> 02:05:41,760
» I'm sorry. Oh, I I wanted to know if
this um search the the company that

1577
02:05:38,880 --> 02:05:45,199
you're hiring to uh search for the city
manager, is this going to be a

1578
02:05:44,000 --> 02:05:46,239
nationwide search?
>> Yes, I am.

1579
02:05:45,760 --> 02:05:49,920
» Okay.
>> Yes.

1580
02:05:47,520 --> 02:05:54,080
» All right. Positive happenings. Positive
happenings. Council member Cheney.

1581
02:05:52,080 --> 02:05:59,920
» All right. Positive happenings. I have
to say kudos to uh Council Member

1582
02:05:56,960 --> 02:06:03,520
Duchain for Circle K. I went there a few
days ago and they were like, "Where have

1583
02:06:01,920 --> 02:06:09,760
you been?" and I said, I'm not I wasn't
going to tear my car up in this driveway

1584
02:06:06,639 --> 02:06:15,599
parking lot. Um, so it does look good.
Thank you all for, you know, doing those

1585
02:06:12,400 --> 02:06:21,760
repairs. It really looks better. Also,
um, the praise fest I sat in my car

1586
02:06:19,040 --> 02:06:26,000
because it was too hot, but it was nice.
It was it was very nice and well

1587
02:06:23,679 --> 02:06:30,960
organized. So, those are my positive
happenings. Thank you,

1588
02:06:27,520 --> 02:06:39,119
» Council Member Pash. So, my positive
happenings are the circle K. Thanks for

1589
02:06:34,239 --> 02:06:45,440
getting it done so quickly. Um, also,
um, the 5% increase we received on the

1590
02:06:43,599 --> 02:06:52,239
water and sewer that we're not passing
on in the budget. So, I'm that's a

1591
02:06:49,280 --> 02:06:56,400
positive for me. The the no increase to
the utilities or to the water.

1592
02:06:54,239 --> 02:06:59,757
» We didn't We did it.
>> We did.

1593
02:06:57,737 --> 02:06:59,757
» [laughter]

1594
02:07:03,119 --> 02:07:06,520
» take that back.

1595
02:07:07,840 --> 02:07:14,079
» And the 10% increase to the hourly
workers

1596
02:07:11,679 --> 02:07:18,800
» or not, it's more than 10% because now
we're going to go to 20 to $20.3 for the

1597
02:07:17,440 --> 02:07:23,840
lowest level.
>> Okay.

1598
02:07:21,440 --> 02:07:27,199
» Um, cops day. I thought I was going to
see something on the screen. What

1599
02:07:25,199 --> 02:07:30,239
happened, Captain Brown Lee?
>> What happened to cops day?

1600
02:07:28,560 --> 02:07:35,360
» Oh, I didn't know y'all want to know,
but we did have corn dogs.

1601
02:07:33,763 --> 02:07:39,040
[laughter]
>> Can I tell you a secret with her?

1602
02:07:37,440 --> 02:07:44,079
» Can I tell you a secret?
>> She don't even like corn dogs, y'all.

1603
02:07:41,040 --> 02:07:49,840
She was so excited. But, uh, cops day.
Um,

1604
02:07:45,599 --> 02:07:56,239
the praise fest was great. Um, good job,
um, Main Street apartment. And um I am

1605
02:07:52,960 --> 02:08:02,079
happy that we confirmed Mr. Wallace um
for the economic development director.

1606
02:07:59,119 --> 02:08:08,960
Um I've had the opportunity to go to a
conference with him, get to know him a

1607
02:08:04,320 --> 02:08:16,320
little bit better. Um and he has already
hit the ground running to help secure um

1608
02:08:13,040 --> 02:08:20,800
federal funds for the city and the
downtown development authority. So, I'm

1609
02:08:18,320 --> 02:08:25,360
excited to have him here.
And we haven't been here for six hours

1610
02:08:23,360 --> 02:08:29,599
for our regular meeting, but we've been
here for six hours.

1611
02:08:27,520 --> 02:08:34,880
» Hey, council member.
>> Well, I want to um [clears throat]

1612
02:08:32,000 --> 02:08:39,360
» give thanks to the main street team for
the wonderful work they've been doing

1613
02:08:36,800 --> 02:08:44,000
international day for the first time,
cough days, I guess combined. also for

1614
02:08:41,920 --> 02:08:48,079
Chief Turner
who's

1615
02:08:46,000 --> 02:08:55,760
doing a wonderful job. I would say that
his communication is is pretty much on

1616
02:08:52,079 --> 02:09:02,239
top. And also for the city attorney,
I felt comfortable with you. Um I I

1617
02:09:00,719 --> 02:09:07,119
talked to you and I listen to your your
your reason and I think you'll be a good

1618
02:09:05,840 --> 02:09:11,414
person.
>> Sure. Council not getting fired.

1619
02:09:09,394 --> 02:09:11,414
[laughter]

1620
02:09:11,920 --> 02:09:19,199
They stole about half of mine. I was
just going to say I'm thankful that it's

1621
02:09:16,560 --> 02:09:21,239
not 9:00 yet.
>> And [clears throat]

1622
02:09:22,000 --> 02:09:31,280
I know, but it's still
>> and I am grateful for the department

1623
02:09:26,800 --> 02:09:35,594
heads and their work to get this budget
presented

1624
02:09:32,880 --> 02:09:39,599
and get it.
[clears throat]

1625
02:09:36,800 --> 02:09:44,639
I have being in the construction
industry

1626
02:09:41,679 --> 02:09:51,119
labored and then had someone come and
tear my work apart

1627
02:09:46,480 --> 02:09:56,880
» and just pick and slice and criticize.
So I my heart goes out. I know

1628
02:09:54,800 --> 02:10:04,000
everybody's putting their best effort
forward and I just appreciate it. I

1629
02:09:59,840 --> 02:10:10,000
really appreciate the spirit that we
have now. I really appreciate the spirit

1630
02:10:06,800 --> 02:10:14,400
that our council, our city, I think
we're on the right direction.

1631
02:10:12,159 --> 02:10:20,135
» Council member Rex.
>> Okay, mayor. I have at least 10 items.

1632
02:10:18,320 --> 02:10:23,360
Um,
[laughter]

1633
02:10:20,639 --> 02:10:28,079
» go
ahead council.

1634
02:10:25,599 --> 02:10:34,079
» She wants to bring it in. First, I want
to um give a shout out to Michelle

1635
02:10:30,880 --> 02:10:40,880
Arthur on birthing her new baby
and um Tova for a great job that she's

1636
02:10:38,320 --> 02:10:47,520
done with all of our events. I attended
the praise on Main Street. I did not sit

1637
02:10:44,000 --> 02:10:52,400
in my car like Cheney, but
>> I was out there in it. It was really

1638
02:10:49,280 --> 02:10:58,560
nice. That was my church that did the
craze. It was really good. Um also, I'm

1639
02:10:56,239 --> 02:11:06,079
happy our city attorney.
>> I'm happy to have you here uh having you

1640
02:11:02,800 --> 02:11:10,880
engage with questions that come up and
uh so that's really good. And also I'm

1641
02:11:08,960 --> 02:11:17,360
happy about the direction that we're
headed and um as

1642
02:11:14,880 --> 02:11:24,960
Pam Duchain stated, communication
belongs to us all. So I hope that we

1643
02:11:19,360 --> 02:11:29,199
will continue to be transparent and um I
would like to ask that on the agenda

1644
02:11:26,960 --> 02:11:31,920
items for the public safe because you
know we get the packet I don't know if

1645
02:11:30,480 --> 02:11:37,679
the packet is all out there on the
website that maybe um numbers can be

1646
02:11:36,239 --> 02:11:40,960
added just
>> yeah just the amount

1647
02:11:40,400 --> 02:11:45,360
» okay
>> you're not going to talk about our our

1648
02:11:42,560 --> 02:11:49,280
relay race in the cop days through that
through that

1649
02:11:45,840 --> 02:11:55,821
» oh yeah by the way um I participated in
a relay race and we lost because Pam

1650
02:11:53,801 --> 02:11:55,821
» [laughter]

1651
02:12:00,560 --> 02:12:06,560
» My team lost because um well, I'm not
going to say it was Pam's fault,

1652
02:12:06,239 --> 02:12:11,920
» but
>> but it was [laughter] lost.

1653
02:12:10,079 --> 02:12:16,400
» I'm taking responsibility.
>> Yes, ma'am. I am I am grateful for the

1654
02:12:14,400 --> 02:12:19,520
staff. The
department heads put a lot of work in,

1655
02:12:18,079 --> 02:12:23,520
but it was not just the department
heads. It was all the people that work

1656
02:12:21,199 --> 02:12:29,119
for them. Um, I know I'm interested in
the budget, Wanda Moore. The amount of

1657
02:12:26,320 --> 02:12:34,639
work, the amount of work that Wanda
Moore put into the budget just

1658
02:12:32,320 --> 02:12:41,040
it it blows you away at the dedication
of of the staff to Samantha Kingsley, my

1659
02:12:38,079 --> 02:12:48,079
executive assistant. She is she has
taken the role of both sides and she is

1660
02:12:45,679 --> 02:12:52,079
she she shows up every day and that
that's a lot to be said for that. So,

1661
02:12:50,320 --> 02:12:56,320
and I'm certainly appreciative of the
direction of the council. It it feels

1662
02:12:54,880 --> 02:13:03,760
like that we're moving forward and
that's that it's great to be a part of.

1663
02:13:00,239 --> 02:13:08,719
» I ditto everything that was said um on
the council, but I want to just give the

1664
02:13:06,079 --> 02:13:10,960
kudos to our finance department for
being an awardwinning financial

1665
02:13:10,437 --> 02:13:13,960
[applause]
team.

1666
02:13:14,079 --> 02:13:22,560
We
It's important that people do know that

1667
02:13:20,000 --> 02:13:29,119
their money is going to good use and
that it is being appropriated

1668
02:13:25,840 --> 02:13:36,639
appropriately and that um you have a
team that is um masters in their field.

1669
02:13:34,400 --> 02:13:42,639
So they are subject matter experts and
we are thankful for them um putting the

1670
02:13:40,639 --> 02:13:46,800
energy and effort that has gone into
actually making sure that the city of

1671
02:13:44,560 --> 02:13:51,679
Hampton has been recognized as an
award-winning city in the finance

1672
02:13:48,960 --> 02:13:58,320
department for government finance. Um
can I say one second? So I drove by on

1673
02:13:55,040 --> 02:14:03,760
Monday and I thought I saw Miss Wanda's
car and I was like there's no way in the

1674
02:14:00,719 --> 02:14:06,400
world she is here on a holiday night.
Yeah,

1675
02:14:04,400 --> 02:14:10,159
» she was paying her customers.
>> She would be here. She would be and

1676
02:14:08,239 --> 02:14:18,040
that's that's really that's the
dedication and commitment that we have

1677
02:14:12,000 --> 02:14:18,040
from our executive leadership. you know,

1678
02:14:18,719 --> 02:14:30,480
if people really knew the time that
these individuals put in, and you know,

1679
02:14:26,079 --> 02:14:38,239
I know they get paid the big bucks, but
this is that's nothing unusual for Miss

1680
02:14:33,360 --> 02:14:43,199
Moore to be here on days off, holidays,
midnight,

1681
02:14:39,840 --> 02:14:47,920
you know, um these first nine months
everybody was leaving the office at

1682
02:14:45,199 --> 02:14:54,880
5:00. We kind of went back to where we
were at. We're clicking on firing on all

1683
02:14:50,480 --> 02:15:02,760
cylinders, you know, Tova um Main
Street. God, I don't even know how

1684
02:14:59,760 --> 02:15:02,760
um

1685
02:15:03,360 --> 02:15:11,599
I don't know how you have done it over
these months and months and months. I am

1686
02:15:09,840 --> 02:15:15,840
thankful for Mr. Wallace being here. I
don't know how much help Mr. while it's

1687
02:15:12,800 --> 02:15:21,440
going to be to you though. [laughter]
You we good. But I'm just saying cuz you

1688
02:15:18,480 --> 02:15:26,880
know Tova workaholic and a perfectionist
and so um we appreciate the work that

1689
02:15:24,239 --> 02:15:30,960
you put in over these months and and the
time and commitment because when

1690
02:15:29,040 --> 02:15:34,159
everybody else has gone home, you're
here. She's here.

1691
02:15:31,760 --> 02:15:38,480
» You're you're here. And um
>> it doesn't always show up in comp time

1692
02:15:36,320 --> 02:15:42,800
and and things of that nature. So we we
appreciate that and we thank everybody

1693
02:15:40,320 --> 02:15:48,000
for from the bottom of our hearts for
loving the city of Hampton

1694
02:15:45,760 --> 02:15:52,639
» for loving the city of Hampton for being
willing to pour your heart and soul your

1695
02:15:50,800 --> 02:15:57,119
time your energy and your effort and
your expertise into our city. So I need

1696
02:15:55,040 --> 02:16:00,719
a motion to adjourn to executive session
for the purpose of real estate legal

1697
02:15:59,040 --> 02:16:03,040
personnel and cyber security.
>> I made a motion.

1698
02:16:01,679 --> 02:16:06,800
» I have a motion by council member
Mitchell to move into executive session

1699
02:16:05,040 --> 02:16:11,639
and a second by council member Duchaine.
All in favor? I have a stick.

1700
02:46:47,920 --> 02:46:51,520
She's talking again.
>> I need a motion to come out of executive

1701
02:46:51,120 --> 02:46:53,920
session.
>> I made a motion.

1702
02:46:52,560 --> 02:46:55,600
» I have a motion by council member
Mitchell. Do I have a second?

1703
02:46:55,200 --> 02:47:01,840
» Second.
>> Council by Mayor Pro White Williams. All

1704
02:46:58,319 --> 02:47:06,359
in favor? I I have a six.
Thank you guys. We are I move we

1705
02:47:14,000 --> 02:47:18,439
All right. Take care.