[0:00] session for September the 8th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. held here in the council

[0:05] chamber at City Hall, 17 East Main Street, South Hampton, Georgia. At this

[0:10] time, we're going to have invocation. Pastor George Deubberry. Is Pastor

[0:14] Dubberry here? Oh, there he is. Hey, Pastor Dubberry of Community Bible

[0:18] Fellowship Church. If you would please all stand and join us in invocation and

[0:21] then we'll have our pledge of allegiance.

[0:24] » Let's pray. Father, we thank you so much for giving each of us traveling grace

[0:27] and mercy. We thank you Lord that you allow us to do this great thing called

[0:31] government. Father you placed it in your divine word that you allow this

[0:35] institution to help govern and direct and to make sure that we do well within

[0:40] the communities in which we live. And father we thank you for this board. And

[0:43] father we pray now that you would give them wisdom, peace, and comfort to be

[0:47] able to make decisions on the behalf of each of us so we may be able to continue

[0:51] to do this great thing you blessed us with that is called life in Jesus name.

[0:56] Amen. >> Amen.

[0:57] » Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United

[1:02] States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under

[1:08] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[1:17] » Moving on to presentation and approval of the city council agenda. I do need an

[1:22] amendment to the agenda this evening to include the signing of an agreement

[1:26] between GOAD and the city of Hampton to keep the rightaway on 20 which we are

[1:30] already doing. Can I get a motion to amend the agenda to add that item?

[1:35] » I move we amend the agenda to add that item. I have a motion by council member

[1:40] Meeks and a second by council member Mitchell to amend the agenda to include

[1:45] that on agenda item

[1:50] 10 L.

[2:00] » All in favor I have a 6.

[2:05] Moving on to agenda item, presentation and approval of city council minutes.

[2:09] Public hearing meeting minutes from August the 10th, 2026. I need a motion

[2:14] to approve or to deny. >> I make a motion to approve.

[2:18] » I have a motion by council member Duchaine to approve. Do I have a second?

[2:22] » Second. >> Have a second by council member Meeks.

[2:24] Any discussion from the council? Any discussion from the public? All in

[2:29] favor? I have a 6-0. Agenda item 3B, special call meeting minutes from August

[2:36] 20th, 2026. I need a motion to approve or to deny.

[2:40] » So move. >> Have a motion to approve by council

[2:42] member White Williams. Do I have a second?

[2:44] » Second. >> Second by council member Cheney.

[2:46] Discussion from the council. Discussion from the public. All in

[2:51] favor? I have a 6. Presentation and approval of city

[2:56] council minutes for regular meeting minutes from August 11, 2026. I need a

[3:01] motion to approve or to deny. >> I make a motion to approve August the

[3:04] 11th meetings minutes. >> Have a motion by council member Cheney.

[3:09] Second by council mayor pro Tim White Williams. Discussion from the council.

[3:15] Discussion from the public. All in favor? I have a 6.

[3:22] Acknowledgement of guest proclamations and flag. So we do have a recognition

[3:26] this evening. We're going to ask that our finance director and his team would

[3:29] come forth at this time. Recognition of the financial departments for receiving

[3:33] the GFOA triple crown award for FY2024 2025 and GFO budget award for 20 for

[3:41] FY226. Mr. Foresight, your entire team. Where's

[3:48] » Come on, ladies. Come on, ladies. Come on.

[3:51] » Thank you. [applause]

[3:57] I I would like to make a couple of comments. Um this is going back to 24.

[4:03] We applied for the first time to get the triple crown. It takes almost a year. It

[4:08] goes through such a rigid um evaluation. And at that time, this young lady here,

[4:14] she was the major the major the major carrier [applause] of of everything. And

[4:19] now now that now that she has left, um Katrina took her place.

[4:24] and she already got the 25 budget award [laughter] and that's one leg of the

[4:29] three >> for the for the next year 25. I've I've

[4:33] submitted the PAFRA and um financial. Now let me explain quickly what it's all

[4:38] about. The financials basically talks about your revenue expenditure and and

[4:44] your your net asset what you owe and who you owe. And then the budget of course

[4:49] is like a policy. It it's it's a work policy. It's a financial policy. It's

[4:55] also you you you you um judge how how you're doing based on your budget,

[5:01] right? And one thing that we do and I think it pays off a lot is um we

[5:06] monitor. We don't just don't wait till the end of the year. We do it every

[5:10] quarter at least quarter. We like to get on a monthly basis. But um staff um you

[5:15] know may not may not. Now I want to give I would like to give the the council a

[5:21] lot of praise. The reason is you show better governance than most governments

[5:28] in Canada and America. We in the 1% >> 1% between America and Canada

[5:35] governments. >> Okay. We're we're [applause] number nine

[5:39] in Georgia. Only n eight other cities got it. And so the thing that I'm

[5:45] impressed with from my leaders, the council and the mayor and the council,

[5:49] is your transparency. You have financial reports. You have

[5:54] your your your monthly meeting. And um and you you definitely honor performance

[6:01] like these ladies here. I couldn't do it without them at all. They're the hard

[6:06] workers. I'm on the top trying to figure out a couple of little financial items.

[6:11] You know what I'm saying? but they're doing the the real labor. And the last

[6:15] one is use your community trust and you involve the community and so there's an

[6:21] engagement that I would praise you with and that's all I'd like to say.

[6:27] » Thank you so very much. [applause]

[6:32] So, I am very excited that um the our financial department is an

[6:39] award-winning financial department and has been since 2022. Uh each year

[6:44] they've gotten better and be better better, the 2024 2025. They did the

[6:48] ultimate which was the trifecta award. And that trifecta award measured many

[6:53] things and took into account our audits, our budgets, uh how we manage money, how

[6:58] we're transparent with the with the citizens, how we show everything out in

[7:02] the open. It just this these awards measure those things. And to get it from

[7:08] GFOA, which is one of the highest govern governance um financial um institutions,

[7:14] is a honor for our city. And as Mr. Of course, I said, um, this is we're eight

[7:21] out of the state of Georgia. So, I think that is a great great applaud to all of

[7:27] you workers that do the hard work uh and make our city safe financially and sound

[7:33] financially and make sure that you take care of our finance department. So,

[7:37] thank you so very much. Any comments from the any other comments from the

[7:42] council? All right, moving on to agenda item five, public

[7:48] comments. Did we have anyone signed up? Michelle,

[7:52] she just Okay, who is that one person?

[7:58] Who signed up for public's comments? You can come forward.

[8:02] » Miss Han, Miss Han, did I see Miss Han in the back? Yes, ma'am. Come on.

[8:18] I didn't. >> Oh, you didn't?

[8:20] » I didn't know if I need to come up now. >> Yes, ma'am.

[8:23] » Or when you all But I'm addressing the O'Neal Cemetery. Do I need to wait

[8:29] » or go ahead now? >> You can go ahead now. Okay.

[8:31] » Yes, ma'am. The last time I was here, I uh um I introduced myself as Donna Han

[8:40] and I am a descendant of the O'Neal Cemetery

[8:45] uh on my mother's side and my father's side. I am from Inman. So, I want to

[8:52] show you all this picture. >> This is my great uncle and this is his

[8:59] wife. They got married in O'Neal Church >> and

[9:06] his sister is still alive. She lives up in 1941 in

[9:13] Mar. So I just want you all to see that this is my great uncle

[9:20] and his wife Dr. May. She's still living. She's 95.

[9:26] She's over in this This is so touching to me. She's over in a nursing home in

[9:32] Stockbridge >> and she wants to share all about it, but

[9:36] I told I have to get to her when she gets her hearing aids, her son bring her

[9:40] hearing aids. So, I want to let you all know that

[9:45] with the new law that's out, the goal is is the family

[9:53] can take care of that cemetery. What rights

[9:59] do we have with the O'Neal Cemetery? That's the question.

[10:06] How will this work in the city of Hampton?

[10:11] » [snorts] >> and things that have been done so far is

[10:15] very disturbing. And I have reached out

[10:20] um to other resources that are willing to help like honor our roots. Um,

[10:31] I just wanted you all to know that I'm here

[10:36] and I represent the family that are buried at O'Neal

[10:42] Cemetery and the black community that was there

[10:48] back in the day. I like to call it J Hall with the flying and I want to talk

[10:54] about the other stuff, but we were there I was there

[10:59] and I just wanted to let you all know that I'm here again. So, thank you for

[11:04] allowing me to share that. And I am a person that is willing to work. Um I'm

[11:12] not a person, you know, the I could be agreed or disagreeable, but at the same

[11:17] time,

[11:21] I know God is in control of all of this and he sends help. So I appreciate all

[11:26] of our roots what they're doing and I am standing firm with them as they preserve

[11:34] other cemeteries but this one yes I'm here for that. Thank you.

[11:39] » Thank you miss >> seeing that there no there was no one

[11:43] one we have one more. We have someone by the last name of Lu Lou

[11:48] » Lou >> at 11 for Drive.

[11:52] » Lou Lou 11 Fortsson Drive.

[11:57] Okay. Thank you very much. Moving on to agenda item six, our youth

[12:02] council update. We have have we closed out our youth council and we will be

[12:07] doing announcements for the new youth council next month. Is that correct?

[12:14] No, we haven't. >> We're leaving open to the 15th.

[12:17] » Okay. All right. So, youth council uh applications are still being taken up to

[12:22] the 15th. I think we do currently have seven participants as as already. Um but

[12:29] they have opportunity to go up to 10. So, I guess they're trying to get all 10

[12:32] of them filled. Agenda item seven, our city manager update.

[12:42] I'll have Mr. Foresight present the 2425 um Q3 presentation. Mr. Wall had to

[12:49] leave. Thank you.

[12:54] Here I am again. Um, I regret and I apologize for not having

[13:01] this done earlier, but I think it was ready, but I think the schedule was

[13:06] tight and we had to put it off because normally we would present this at least

[13:12] 45 days. We have 30 days to to get the invoices for the last month and then we

[13:16] would present it. Anyway, here we go.

[13:31] Okay. Oh, wait. Anyway, b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

[13:34] 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

[13:35] 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

[13:35] b b b basically on track and um we have collected

[13:42] 90% of our revenue and the major reason is property tax is collected up front

[13:49] and it's assigned to the year. So um we we are in a very solid position with

[13:57] revenue. Um license and permits were some some

[14:02] payments were made early. Um that's it for revenue

[14:08] and expenses we we use 75 because Mar June is is is nine months. So it's

[14:16] just it's it's either considered a 3/4 or 75%.

[14:21] » So we use that as a guide and with the expenses

[14:26] you look down and see what was the percentage versus budget and you should

[14:32] be concerned with anything over 75. I mean and to answer your question earlier

[14:39] mayor admin was one of them that was over the 75 82 and we know why. Right.

[14:45] Right. >> Yeah. So, in total though, the total

[14:48] expense is 66%. So, right right there, that's that's

[14:52] that's that's a saving of over a million dollars. But be careful,

[14:58] this this shows uh 2.3 million net, but remember, a quarter of that is still to

[15:07] be used in the in the last quarter. >> So, you can't just take that number and

[15:12] run with it, you know. you have to watch um the activities and

[15:18] uh fines for instance went up and um so we we are in a very good position and

[15:26] the third page really is is all about capital projects and we didn't we didn't

[15:32] collect that much and um of course you can't spend you know so it it's not it's

[15:37] not very very very um large numbers and basically that's it I

[15:43] And um I don't know if anyone has any question, but that's it's really on

[15:47] target because I went back and I checked I always check the year before just to

[15:51] see if anything looks out of line >> and everything seems to be rolling

[15:56] along. >> So,

[15:58] » okay, >> that's about it for Well, that's general

[16:01] fund. I forgot about utilities. >> Okay, with utilities.

[16:08] with utilities. Um, it's very very very the same the same

[16:15] situation. It's 70%. But the the the third quarter, I can guarantee you the

[16:20] revenue is going to go back to high because it's been hot.

[16:24] » FE is going to, you know, I'm sure I've I've heard outside my office people

[16:28] complaining about the electrical bill. So, I know that was that's that's

[16:32] confirming what I'm believing and seeing. So, um, with with with with with

[16:37] that I think we we're going to be okay. Um, the the expenditure is 72% which is

[16:45] close because uh the more the higher the the expense of power the more you have

[16:52] to buy. You know what I'm saying? And the more but the more you collect. So,

[16:55] it's it's showing it's showing a a loss of 200,000. But then I said, "No,

[17:01] there's got to be a reason." So I went back and checked the prior year and what

[17:06] what it was is this year happened to be the year where we need to refurbish

[17:14] our our supplies for for um our our development. I think it's like 200,000.

[17:21] So it made me feel good. That explains why I'm breaking even.

[17:26] » And um but that that that's what you got to understand. And so we we've paid our

[17:32] bond debt and um we're if you back out depreciation, we are one of the

[17:39] governments that budget for depreciation. Not 100% close to onethird

[17:45] and we back it out to make sure you have enough money to pay your debt service

[17:49] because it's required in the bond document.

[17:53] » Uh that's that's about it. Again, capital. We didn't do much at all in

[17:59] capital >> and that's it.

[18:02] » Have any questions from the council? >> Any questions from the public?

[18:07] » Thank you, Mr. Foresight. >> You're welcome.

[18:10] » Next, police. >> We'll have Captain Brown up for the

[18:14] police department.

[18:18] » Good evening, Mayor and Council. >> Good evening.

[18:22] » Um, on behalf of the Hampton Police Department for the month of September,

[18:30] We had 670 citizen contacts for the month.

[18:46] ifications with their systems over there. Um, but I assure you it was under

[18:50] five minutes, probably under four.

[18:56] Uh, only else we have coming up, we have another citizen police academy from

[19:00] October uh 12th to November 23rd on Monday nights from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30

[19:05] p.m. I mean 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I'm sorry. Um, and over the seven weeks

[19:09] we'll cover the command staff, crime scene, traffic law, so on and so forth.

[19:14] and we are actively taking applications until October 1st. So, if you guys know

[19:18] anyone, please have them sign up. Um, this is posted throughout the city, more

[19:23] specifically in front of customer service at this time.

[19:27] » Thank y'all. >> Thank you, Captain.

[19:30] » We're going to go back and have Dan Soul um he has a presentation on the the

[19:35] budget on the >> Oh, on the audit.

[19:38] » All right. >> Hi.

[19:40] » How are y'all doing? >> Doing well. Great.

[19:42] » Great. Well, thank you for having me, Mayor and Council. Um, I'll keep this

[19:45] brief uh so that y'all can keep moving with your um with your meeting. Um

[19:50] because the the audit went really smooth um as it has the last few years. Uh you

[19:55] don't get the awards that the finance committee has gotten um from having a

[20:00] messy audit. Um and so I I want to thank Mr. for Scythe and his staff um for you

[20:07] know always being on top of things uh answering our questions as quickly as we

[20:11] send them over. Um we haven't had very many journal entries uh during the audit

[20:17] which is huge. Um so that means the financial statements that you all see at

[20:22] the quarterly meetings or I'm sorry at the monthly meetings um are are right on

[20:27] track with where they should be um based on the audit. Um and so what I'm going

[20:31] to do is just hit a few highlights uh and then and then let y'all get back to

[20:34] it. Um, [clears throat] please keep in mind that that what I'm

[20:37] talking about here was as of September 30th, 2025. Um, so almost a year ago is

[20:44] uh the year end um for the audit. Uh, we finished the audit a few months ago. Um,

[20:50] so please um I don't know any balances uh up through now, so please don't yell

[20:58] um if if something doesn't sound right. Um but the the city as of September

[21:03] 30th, 2025 was in a great financial um position. Um the highlights from the

[21:09] financial statements, as you can see up there on the screen, there was $74

[21:12] million of total assets of the city. Um of that, just under 14 million was

[21:17] unrestricted cash, which is cash that the city can use uh for operating

[21:22] purposes. Uh the the net position of the city um was $60.6 million. Um, of that

[21:29] amount, 26.8 million was made up of invested in capital assets. So, your

[21:34] infrastructure, your um, computers, furniture, vehicles, those sorts of

[21:38] things. That's what all made up that um, 26.8 million. Uh, you had 15.4 million

[21:44] of that that was restricted for capital projects, debt, federal and state

[21:48] programs, tourism, and law enforcement. Um, that's like your SPLAS money that

[21:52] comes in that's restricted for those capital projects. Um there's um you know

[21:58] money that's that's brought in for the debt. Um all that stuff is restricted

[22:02] and can only be spent for that purpose. Um and then there was 18.5 million of

[22:08] the net position that was unrestricted. Again, that means the city can use that

[22:12] for operating purposes uh and what the city decides to use that on. Um so that

[22:17] was at the citywide level. Uh talking about just the general fund, uh the fund

[22:22] balance for that is 11.6 6 million. Um, of that 11.1 million of that was

[22:27] unassigned. Um, again, meaning that the city can can

[22:32] spend that how they need to. Um, so that was the highlights of the financial

[22:36] statements. Not to bore you too much with all the details. Um, but a couple

[22:40] of things I do want to mention. If you've been around here, you've heard me

[22:44] mention these year after year. Um, but the fund balance is something that's

[22:48] available. Um, but you want to be mindful of spending that. um you don't

[22:51] want to rely on that to use for um like daily operations, something like that.

[22:58] You want to use that for some type of capital project. Um you know, something

[23:03] big that the city wants to do. Um so, so you don't want that going towards, you

[23:08] know, covering payroll and that sort of thing. Uh great news is the city, um

[23:13] again, as of September 30th, 2025 was in good shape with uh that fund balance.

[23:19] Um, but we've seen that that's when a lot of trouble starts creeping in

[23:24] because you want to spend it here and there and the next thing you know it's

[23:27] dropped significantly. So, just want to be mindful of that. Um, and then you

[23:31] also want to make sure that you're spending the restricted money uh first

[23:36] before you start spending the unassigned stuff. The reason for that is if you

[23:40] spend all your unassigned or unrestricted money um all you've got

[23:44] left is your restricted money. You kind of p yourself into a corner because you

[23:48] can't spend that restricted money on other things that that you want to spend

[23:53] it on. It has to be spent for what the donor restricted that money for.

[23:58] Um, in terms of findings and recommendations, there were no findings

[24:02] uh during the audit this year. Um, we issued a clean opinion, which is which

[24:08] is, you know, a good thing. Yes, absolutely. Um and then uh another note

[24:13] I wanted to make was the city's worked um really hard over the last several

[24:17] years to implement really strong internal controls and processes. And so

[24:21] what that is is uh Mr. Forcy and his team have worked um to segregate duties

[24:28] uh in the finance and accounting department. So you don't have one person

[24:31] that can say create vendors and and issue approvals for that vendor and then

[24:36] write checks and sign those checks. everything's kind of spread out a little

[24:40] bit. Um, and so as the council, you want to make sure that those sorts of things

[24:46] uh continue. Um, you know, you'd like to keep the same staff forever, but

[24:51] sometimes uh the staff moves on or or whatever may happen, but you you want to

[24:56] make sure that those things are still uh staying in place um so that you know you

[25:02] don't increase the risk of fraud, you don't increase the risk of

[25:05] misappropriation of assets. um whether you know that that um misappropriation

[25:11] was by by accident, which sometimes it is, you know, the person just came in

[25:15] and they did something, somebody wasn't reviewing it and it got missed. Um but

[25:20] it'll it'll create uh an environment where things like that get caught um and

[25:25] they can get corrected before um you know, you get too far down the road. Um

[25:30] so with that, uh that's all I had for this evening. Um again, thank you all

[25:35] for having me. Uh we really appreciate the city. Uh we enjoy working uh with

[25:39] the city, the the council, the staff here. Um and so thank y'all so much and

[25:44] I hope you have a great evening. >> Thank you so very much. Council, do you

[25:47] have any questions? >> Yes, I do.

[25:51] » Does this audit is it always a year lag or because you said this is from 25 is

[25:56] there always a year lag in it? So the the audit itself is not it's usually

[26:00] about six months because uh for governments they have six months to get

[26:05] the audit filed. Um this year because of the turnover that was here at the city

[26:10] um I think it I think it got finalized in maybe April uh or May instead of

[26:16] March which is when it usually is done. Um so we finish we usually finish it

[26:20] before March 31st and then we um come when we're invited to the the council

[26:26] meeting. Um but this year it was a month or two after that which we got an

[26:29] extension for or the city got an extension for. Um so there weren't any

[26:33] issues with the state for submitting it uh past that deadline. Um but usually it

[26:39] it has to be filed by March 31st. >> Thank you.

[26:43] » Sure. Any other questions? Any questions from

[26:47] the public? Thank you so very much. Wonderful report. Great job team.

[26:52] » Thank you. Next we'll have Louis King with public

[26:55] works to give the public works update.

[27:03] » Good evening, mayor, council, captain citizens.

[27:07] Okay, as always, we had a busy month for the month of August.

[27:14] Here is the uh the rightway finally complete there at

[27:19] Circle K. There was some issues with who the easement belonged to. We finally got

[27:24] that settled and we were able to finally uh get that repaired.

[27:30] This was a completion of a project over in Elm Station storm water repair. Uh

[27:36] the pipe that you see in the middle there had collapsed and uh they had to

[27:42] get a header wall built, pre-cast, put in place and then this is the uh final

[27:47] picture after everything was done. Here

[27:53] we're also doing another stormwater project. This is over on Lisa Court. Um

[27:59] I'm sorry, Dana Court. There was an issue there where it had sank in the

[28:03] ground, had been open for quite a while. We were able to uh do that in house and

[28:08] we saved the city quite a bit of money by doing it in house. And for the month

[28:12] of August, we had 143 work orders completed.

[28:16] Street Sweeper swept 873 miles and we had 21 citizen contacts.

[28:22] I'd like to make a note about the street sweeper because I've received some

[28:26] concerns. Just because you don't see the broom

[28:30] circulating, the street sweeper is picking up the debris off of the road.

[28:34] You typically won't have that unless there's actually debris in the gutter.

[28:38] You'll see that typically more in the fall months when it's plenty of leaves

[28:42] out. >> Yes, ma'am.

[28:46] Is there a schedule for the street sweepers? Like on certain days it's on

[28:51] this in this community or >> It goes by zones. Um and by Friday he's

[28:56] at zone five. So then he starts up again the next week

[29:00] » unless we have an issue and sometimes there's construction going on and

[29:05] » we may have to send it back out to another area. Yes ma'am. I think it

[29:08] would be helpful to maybe have that posted so the citizens are aware you

[29:13] know what day the street sweeper will be in there.

[29:17] » Yes, I was just going to say that because especially if there's street

[29:20] parking and maybe you know whether we try to communicate with the HOAs to say

[29:26] keep the street you know the the cars off the street on the days that the

[29:31] sweeper is coming through. >> We can do that.

[29:33] » We'll get that in the newsletter. I think it'd be a great time. Any

[29:38] questions? Anyone? >> Any questions from the council? Any

[29:42] questions from the public? Thank you, Mr. Lewis.

[29:44] » Thank you, Mr. King. >> Before I go to the next one, I do want

[29:47] to go back and give a little bit of credit to a council woman. Um, I

[29:52] received a call from Councilwoman Duchaine. I was the assistant city

[29:56] manager and she said, "As a citizen, I want to report the Circle K parking

[30:02] lot." [laughter] and she said, "Is there anything that code enforcement could

[30:06] do?" Um, and then from there, first thing I did was get with code

[30:10] enforcement and then work through Wanda and the community development

[30:14] department. Wanda was a huge asset and then got um public works involved,

[30:19] figured out exactly where the right away was. So, it took, you know, she's a

[30:24] council woman, but it she called as a citizen that day and that's that's what

[30:29] took action and I hope all our residents, you know, take take a lesson

[30:35] from that. >> If there's something that you want

[30:38] addressed, you know, engaged staff, and that's that's what we're there for. So,

[30:43] thank you for for bringing it to our attention and thank you to code

[30:47] enforcement and to Wanda and to public works for

[30:50] » for getting it done. >> We got it done within two weeks. So,

[30:54] next we'll have Wanda Moore with community development.

[31:00] [laughter]

[31:04] » Good evening all.

[31:08] » Thank you. Um so for the month of August we've had

[31:14] um 11 new um business license issued, 26 uh building permits, two zoning

[31:22] applications, eight development projects are underway.

[31:26] We'll see that on the next slide. Um the grants are the same and underway except

[31:31] for um this evening you guys will have before you uh just the official

[31:35] acceptance of our latest grant which is for the East King Mcdana and Rosenwall

[31:41] um improvement for the intersection and it's the PE um phase so it it was it's

[31:47] designed nothing's been designed on it yet.

[31:51] Um this is our go well just our um desktop reporting of what we've done in

[31:57] the month of August. As you can see um we've been v busy. Um we've collected

[32:04] over close to half a million dollars on permit fees. Um

[32:13] and then this shows how AI has been helping me [laughter] which has been

[32:18] good. Um so uh AI we don't have to pay for that if we use it under a certain

[32:24] amount of time and it certainly has uh assisted folks because everything is

[32:30] done online now we don't accept paper applications.

[32:35] This I want to um update you guys um that the city did receive a new concept

[32:39] plan review. It's called um Hilltop is the developer.

[32:45] They are looking to go into the area where a villa was. Um, and then also

[32:52] across the street kind of close to the school. The concept plan has just been

[32:57] submitted. I have not completed the review. Currently, they're showing 324

[33:04] apartment units and 176 town homes. Um, as staff, I'll be looking uh for

[33:12] compliance with our DRRI plan that was submitted and I can share that

[33:18] currently. Um, I have some concerns on just what they're showing, but I did

[33:25] want you guys to know that we had received that and um I'll be working

[33:29] through that concept um review. men to drive.

[33:35] We provided them their last set of redline comments. So hopefully they'll

[33:40] be ready to um resubmit and get going probably within the next six weeks or

[33:46] so. That is a large development on the west side.

[33:51] Madlin Park, I think I shared with you guys last um

[33:56] last meeting that they have submitted building permits although they haven't

[34:00] um followed the steps. I don't have a plat. So, we're kind of working through

[34:05] process there. And um I'm trying [clears throat] to think I don't think

[34:10] anything else has dramatically changed since last month. So, I won't go into

[34:14] any detail unless you guys have any questions.

[34:18] » Yes, ma'am. >> Um the town home development that was

[34:22] approved I want to say December. Um >> Yes, ma'am.

[34:26] » Is that on this list? >> No, they haven't. Uh they've been um

[34:30] working with us. They've worked with public works to go out and get water

[34:34] tests and pressure and all that kind of stuff. They're um working on their

[34:39] concept plan and that's their first step, but they have not submitted yet.

[34:44] » I have a question. The Subway restaurant, is it standalone or inside

[34:48] the gas station? >> It's actually next to the gas station

[34:51] that was um recently completed in front of Liberty Square.

[34:54] » Okay. >> What's happening with Floyd Road?

[34:58] Floyd Road. Um Floyd Road, as you're aware, was part of uh uh development

[35:05] conditions that were part of a zoning that was approved by mayor and council.

[35:09] Uh Floyd Road. Are you asking about the actual road or the project?

[35:14] » The project. >> Okay. Apologies. Um it's uh uh no

[35:19] activity has occurred. >> So, do we give them a time that they

[35:24] need to do something or is like it just sits in limbo? like what happens.

[35:28] » So, I think that's something that maybe if you want to speak with the attorney

[35:32] about the there's provisions in the ordinance for reversions of uh zoning

[35:37] districts. They have made so when I say they the original developer has made um

[35:45] improvements on Floyd Road itself. We had to pull the bond because they were

[35:50] not um they were trying to walk away. So, we we have the money to finish the

[35:55] improvements on Floyd Road, but they've paid water and sewer connection fees.

[36:01] Um, they were issued a land disturbance permit and they were in process of

[36:05] headed that direction, but they have sold the property.

[36:10] And as you're aware, part of the conditions is that the development of

[36:15] Floyd Road, the lakes, the gates, the lakes, gates,

[36:19] » gates. Thank you. Lake that that if they were to sell it and somebody else wanted

[36:26] to develop, they would have to get approval from mayor and council and so

[36:30] they have not sought. It's clearly in the conditions of zoning and um they are

[36:36] the new folks are aware but yeah

[36:40] » so the gates at Floyd Road was that the um residential community?

[36:46] » Yes. >> Okay. So are they building somewhere

[36:50] else because there's um >> three now three or four houses.

[36:55] » Yes. And they're all on like five acres. So, was that the same site or was that

[37:00] somewhere else? >> Nobody's pulled a permit through um the

[37:04] city to build Oh, I know what you're talking about on Floyd Road. Those are

[37:07] in the county. That lands in the county. Yes, ma'am.

[37:11] » And that that's on sewer. >> I mean septic tptic septic. Any more

[37:17] questions from the council for the community development director?

[37:21] Any questions from the public? Thank you, Miss Wanda. Now, we'll have our

[37:26] utility director, [clears throat] Mr. West.

[37:27] » Moret again. Um,

[37:32] let's see. Okay, I want to draw your attention to the picture at the top.

[37:35] We're going to be talking about this later anyway. That is Woodlong, the

[37:40] inside of it, white. Um, that's how it should look anyway. Um it wasn't that

[37:45] way until a while ago. But moving right along, um leisure division, we had 61

[37:51] total work orders, three power outages, installed a fault circuit indicators. Um

[37:57] we all recently had all the wooden poles inspected. We had a total of 46 need to

[38:02] be replaced. Uh to date, the electric department has replaced 26 of these

[38:06] poles with the remaining failed poles scheduled for replacement. is an ongoing

[38:10] replacement program will help improve the safety and reliability of city's

[38:14] electric distribution system. Um wastewater treatment plant total 78

[38:19] work orders and cleaning clarifier number two and water had 163 work orders

[38:26] total. Uh 53 leaks repaired and there's currently one leak system. I don't think

[38:32] that's right. Uh that right there is right next door next to in front of

[38:37] Hampton grocery store. [clears throat] they put into services.

[38:41] I see anybody got any questions, comments, concerns?

[38:45] » Any questions from the council? Any questions from the public? Thank you,

[38:50] Mr. West.

[38:54] » Mayor, council, I was going to give you an update on the roundabout at Hampton

[38:56] Oakrove Road. I know it's a hot topic and you guys get it a lot. So, I want to

[39:00] give you as updated as we possibly could. Start. This is the conceptual

[39:05] design that they're operating under and that's what it'll it'll look like and

[39:10] wanted to show you what it looks like today. Um speaking to the construction

[39:15] team, it looks like midocctober is when it will be completed. um some of the

[39:20] delays just for when you guys get questions. Um the utilities and there

[39:24] was also some compaction issues that they encountered early on, but they're

[39:29] moving moving along very very good. And just to orient you, if you're where the

[39:35] white SUV is at the bottom of the picture, that is Macdonald Road. So

[39:41] that's that's where it'll come back in. Any questions on the Hampton Oaks Grove

[39:46] Road roundabout? >> Yes.

[39:47] » Yes, ma'am. Um, is there any um plans where we see Go back to the

[39:54] » Oh, I'm sorry. >> Um, so to right here, this long black

[39:59] whatever that is. Um, is that an easement?

[40:04] » I'm If you could show me on the picture, that that may help me.

[40:09] » That's silk fence. >> That's silk fence. Just that's part of

[40:12] the construction to >> to ensure that nothing's washing out.

[40:17] Okay. Is there any um I don't know, maybe we could do something to help

[40:23] beautify like add some trees >> because it is kind of like come although

[40:28] it's in our city limits >> and I'll let Wanda speak to that just

[40:31] kind of the overall plan. Yeah. But I will go back to

[40:35] » Yeah. >> because I'm trying to see the split.

[40:38] » Go ahead. >> So behind the silk fence there is a

[40:41] detention or a stormwater facility that is looks like a long ditch. if you're

[40:46] right. That'll be planted with aquatic um material as well as landscaped and

[40:52] then there'll be street trees along the um

[40:57] the improvement area and then also landscape on the interior of the island.

[41:02] So, yes, ma'am. It'll be [clears throat] pretty

[41:07] [laughter] I guess I'm I'm just a little confused

[41:10] because where is the split? Go back to the picture before you see it's two

[41:16] Michael U. Where is the U at on the next picture?

[41:22] » It's on the bottom. >> It's that picture is upside down. This

[41:25] right here is North Avenue is about where Miss Cheny's head is.

[41:31] » So the the kind of horseshoe loop that you see on the on the black and white

[41:36] image, >> can you can you come and point to the

[41:39] screen?

[41:43] I'll be tonight. >> This that loop

[41:49] is going to go this this section of McDonald Street is going to curve and

[41:53] come tie into the roundabout this way. >> Okay.

[41:56] » Okay. And so all of this is going to be grass and storm water.

[42:02] » Okay. Now that makes sense because I'm like I don't see it here. Okay.

[42:05] » Thank you, Miss Wanda. Any other questions on the hand close

[42:08] roundabout? >> Nope.

[42:14] » That the only thing you had tonight? >> Yes, ma'am.

[42:16] » All right. >> Thank you so much.

[42:19] » All right. Thank you so very much for the city manager's update. Thank

[42:23] everybody for providing us with the information. Moving on to agenda item

[42:27] eight, a consideration and action on acceptance of resolution 202661 on the

[42:33] vote regarding the ethics ruling for the mayor tarpley during the August 11

[42:36] meeting. I need a motion to approve or to deny resolution 202661.

[42:42] » So move second. >> I have a motion by council member White

[42:45] Williams and a second by councelor Dasha to approve resolution 2026-61.

[42:50] Discussion from the council. Discussion from the public. All in favor?

[42:57] All oppose

[43:02] extension. >> So um three

[43:08] » approved. >> I

[43:12] three approved. Three abstain. >> I abain last time. That's what I

[43:20] » No, you voted against it. Oh, okay. >> What you can I mean what are you doing

[43:27] tonight? >> Okay.

[43:29] » Abstaining. >> I have a three 33 for resolution 202661.

[43:36] I don't understand what that means. >> I don't know.

[43:39] » Bill, >> I'm sorry.

[43:42] » The question whether or not the motion passed.

[43:44] » Yeah, >> the mot the motion passed. The

[43:46] abstensions don't count as as votes. It's as if the council member is not

[43:49] there. >> Okay.

[43:51] U resolution 202661 pass three um approved three abstain. Moving on to

[43:57] agenda item 8B consideration and action to approve ordinance 2026-15. This is a

[44:02] second read to index the certain properties bearing partial

[44:05] identification number 010 010006021 and being 3.897

[44:13] acres plus or minus into the city pursuant to the 100% method of OCGA

[44:18] 363621. And I need a motion to approve it to deny.

[44:22] » Can I ask a question before we do that? >> Uhhuh.

[44:24] » Since Henry County has put in their objection, should we kind of table this

[44:30] to to hear what they're what's happening with that?

[44:34] » We've already heard back from um ARC DCA in regard. Go ahead.

[44:40] » From Yes, Mayor. From DCA, uh we received a response that the the

[44:45] objection that was posted was insufficient. Henry County does have the

[44:48] opportunity to amend. I believe that runs sometime this this week, but

[44:53] nothing precludes you from making an action. And in fact, nothing that DCA

[44:57] does can prevent this annexation. It it can impact a zoning request, which this

[45:03] one doesn't have an accompanying zoning request. So, you can move forward with

[45:07] the action. DCA currently there is no objection.

[45:12] » Thank you. I need a motion to approve or to deny resolution 202615.

[45:18] » Madame Mayor, I move that we approve ordinance 202615.

[45:21] Second read. >> I have a motion by council member Meeks

[45:24] to approve ordinance 2026-15 by council member Meeks. Do I have a second?

[45:30] » A second. >> Have a second by council member Mitchell

[45:35] to annex into the three. Any further discussion from the council?

[45:40] Discussion from the public. All in favor?

[45:46] » I have a >> six

[45:48] » in favor. >> I have a 6.

[45:51] Moving on to agenda item 8 C. Considerate council to approve

[45:54] authorizing the mayor to sign resolution 202672 for the CD CBDG grant approved at

[46:00] the August 11, 2026 meeting. Need a motion to approve.

[46:05] » So move. >> Second. Have a motion by council member

[46:07] White Williams and a second by council member Duchaine to approve resolution

[46:10] 202672. Discussion from the council.

[46:15] Discussion from the public. All in favor?

[46:19] I have a 6. Agenda item 8D. Consideration and action for approval of

[46:24] an RFP to design a new city logo and to allow citizens input.

[46:30] » So move. >> I have a motion by council member White

[46:32] Williams. >> Second. Second by council member

[46:35] Mitchell.

[46:38] » Discussion from the council. >> So, this is going to before we say

[46:44] design, it's going to include the public's first input or is it we're

[46:48] going to design and then show it to the public?

[46:53] » Um, do you have numbers on how much we've spent on the logo the first logo

[46:58] chief?

[47:01] » Yes, ma'am. They It was done when Miss Woodard was the

[47:06] main street director and the amount of receipts the amount of invoices I can

[47:12] find were right around 20 grand is what it for the the complete

[47:18] not just you know the because we went through a couple of iterations if the

[47:22] council will remember had a couple different presentation I can find up to

[47:26] about $20,000 that we spent to design the current logo if it's the will of the

[47:32] mayor and council. What I from what it sounds like, we probably need to have

[47:38] some type of community input prior to putting it out to an RFP to where we

[47:44] could we could give them some ideas to if that if that's the will of the

[47:50] council. And I don't I mean that's something I I

[47:55] certainly don't mind working through, but I would have to get some direction

[47:59] on, you know, I don't >> Well, I think To me, I think we should

[48:04] have a firm first, then have the firm meet with the citizens and the count

[48:09] like and get the feedback >> like an open house. Is that what you're

[48:13] saying? >> Yes. Sure.

[48:15] » Yes.

[48:18] » Okay. So, that's the direction of the council or if this passes to to do that

[48:25] with the city manager. Is that correct? All right. So, I have a motion on the

[48:30] floor. Is there any discussion from the public?

[48:35] So, I have a motion on the floor to approve uh putting out for RFP a design

[48:40] for a new city logo to allow citizens input by Council Member White Williams

[48:43] and the second by Council Member Mitchell. All in favor? All opposed?

[48:49] I have a 512. >> I'm sorry. I have 42. You said no. Okay.

[48:55] 42. Sorry. Moving on to agenda item nine. consent

[49:00] agenda. Seeing that we have nothing under the consent agenda, we will move

[49:04] forward to agenda item 10 A, new business, consideration for council on

[49:09] the first read of ordinance 2026, FY202627

[49:13] budget. >> We're going to redo everything we did

[49:16] this morning. >> Everything. [laughter]

[49:19] I do have um if do we have that?

[49:23] » That was >> Yes, ma'am. I'm just going to give the

[49:26] highlights of the 27 budget. We had a I think a six and a half hour

[49:31] » budget workshop today. >> So, thank you to the mayor and council

[49:35] for um all the diligent questions and all of the response that we got. We got

[49:41] a lot of immediate response from you. I'm sure there'll be some more.

[49:44] [clears throat] Um we will um we'll incorporate those changes in a final

[49:49] read. Um certainly the ones that had consensus and if there are other things

[49:55] that we we need to get changed, we'll get corrected up before before you guys

[50:00] get a final read. Um but the highlights was there was a 5% Henry County Water

[50:05] Association rate increase that was passed through um an annual 2.5

[50:10] sanitation increase. We didn't have any no utility rate increase to our our

[50:15] citizens. So that's a um a benefit to our residents. No

[50:23] wastewater rate increase. Um we did have a huge increase in liability insurance.

[50:27] I know that was talked about a lot during the the budget the budget

[50:31] workshop. Had a 10% increase in workman's comp, a 10% increase for the

[50:36] wages for hourly public works staff, public works and utility staff. Um we

[50:42] had no increase in taxes and we presented you a a balanced budget before

[50:46] the changes today. All right. So, we have all been educated

[50:51] today for about six to seven hours on our budget. Um, of course, this is just

[50:56] the first read of the budget. So, I need a motion to approve the budget as

[51:00] presented as of today. >> I move that we approve first read of

[51:05] ordinance 2026-16. >> I have a motion by council member Mix to

[51:10] approve ordinance 202616 FY2026 2027 budget. Do I have a second?

[51:16] » A second. have a second by council member Cheney. Any discussion from the

[51:20] council? Yeah, I would like to

[51:26] um say that I would like it the next read to come back with seeing the

[51:31] director's salaries frozen as discussed that during our

[51:39] » so freezing the director salaries >> and making sure that all the the uh

[51:46] hourly workers that are making less than 20 dollars is making at least that 19

[51:51] whatever. >> Yes, ma'am. That's that's in there. Um I

[51:54] will I will meet with council and make sure we have a consensus before but but

[52:01] I will certainly bring that to everyone. >> That's just for me.

[52:05] » Yeah, I I was going to say because I I think that the directors deserve a a

[52:09] raise just like everybody else. That's just my opinion about it. And um

[52:15] » the freeze you're talking about is the cola and the merit.

[52:18] » Yeah. >> Yes, ma'am. I won't.

[52:19] » That's a cost of living raise and their merit raise based on their performance

[52:23] of what they do for the city. And we're going to we're not going to give them a

[52:27] raise. We give everybody else a raise. >> I would like to see what their uh

[52:33] percentage on our scale. What where they're are they at 50%, what where are

[52:38] they landing in that scale? >> Oh, you mean on the the stepping grade?

[52:45] » Stepping grade. >> Yes, ma'am. I I will certainly um talk

[52:48] to all council members to make sure I have a consensus and the those and some

[52:54] other changes that you guys requested this morning.

[52:56] » Well, I think the council needs to weigh in on it now. Okay.

[52:58] » Yeah. I I because I don't want it to be said that one said something that let's

[53:05] just make a decision on whether or not if we are going to give everybody a pay

[53:10] raise including the directors. that I think that's the question that is on the

[53:16] table. Am I right, Council Member Duchaine?

[53:20] Any discussion from the council? >> Yes. Um,

[53:23] » yes, ma'am. Miss Brooks, >> in order to make that decision, I would

[53:26] like to see the impact on the budget for department heads withholding the merit

[53:34] cost of living uh in the merit increase. What impact will it have on the budget?

[53:40] and maybe a list of of salaries. >> So, we have the list of salaries

[53:46] » and that's one thing I did provide everybody's salaries was provided to

[53:50] every >> in our booklet, but maybe a spreadsheet

[53:54] that kind of shows, please. >> Okay. So, that's Miss Melissa. She she

[53:59] wants what Mr. Shane want. What about you, Marty? Madame Mayor, uh first of

[54:03] all, I'd like to applaud the 10% increase for our hourly hourly

[54:08] employees, plus the cost of living, plus the 2.5 merit. I think that is welld

[54:14] deserved. When I ride by and see these guys and gals out in the hot sun or out

[54:19] in the cold weather or down in a mud hole, I appreciate what they do for

[54:25] everybody in this city. And I thank you for putting that into the budget. And I

[54:30] think everybody deserves a raise. >> Okay. Council member Mitchell.

[54:45] [clears throat]

[54:54] » I will stand as it is at this time. >> I'm sorry, sir. Stand as it is at this

[54:59] time. stand as it is. Yes, sir. >> Like it to stay like it is like it was

[55:03] presented to us. Okay. Council member White Williams.

[55:07] » Um >> so I know we said the 1950 I think that

[55:12] was >> I think it was 1990 was the correct

[55:15] number. I think it averaged out to 1990. I believe it's still a thing.

[55:22] » 1979 is the the minimum starting for hourly workers.

[55:28] » Okay. And I know earlier in in the meeting today, we talked about

[55:32] compression. Um, by putting every all of anyone less than

[55:39] $20 an hour from 1979 to $20,

[55:46] how much of a compression would we see? >> No, you went with just adding 11 cents.

[55:52] » Okay. >> To or 21 cents, I apologize. that if you

[55:55] wanted it to go up to 20, we certainly could make that adjustment in the budget

[55:59] just so you had that that number of $20 an hour. But where the compression that

[56:04] I was speaking of would happen if you only did it for your your starting pay,

[56:10] then anyone had been here say three years who started at 1762,

[56:16] that salary compression would occur. You may have somebody that been here three

[56:20] years and may only be at $20 an hour. That's where the compression

[56:27] would occur. The adding 21 cents an hour would not do that if we added it to the

[56:35] the people who came in at whatever the 17

[56:39] » 1970. >> No, no, no. But 17 what? 1762 or

[56:43] whatever that was. If you wanted it to go up that 21 cents an hour, that

[56:47] doesn't compre does not attribute it to a compression

[56:51] issue. >> Okay. So, I I would I would I think we

[56:55] should just put everyone that's less um that's at the 1762. That's less than

[57:03] $20 an hour. I just think we should put them at 20.

[57:08] » Um the 21 cents is not going to make us or break us. Um while I do believe that

[57:15] um the directors are they made significantly more um like I said

[57:22] earlier based on our city size you know we're a small city even though we're a

[57:27] metro we're still small um if if it comes down to all or none like if if

[57:38] either everyone gets a raise or or cost of living in and two and a half or no

[57:43] one gets it. Um I would support the budget the way it is. Yes.

[57:49] » Um but I I definitely would like for our employees that are less than 20 bucks an

[57:57] hour for that to be their minimum their minimum rate. Can

[58:01] » can I start back over Miss Brooks? Are you okay with that? And the 21 cents an

[58:04] hour to get everybody at 20. Mr. Meeks, >> Mr. Mitchell, Madame Mayor,

[58:11] Mayor Pro Tim, Miss White, I mean Miss Duchain, and

[58:16] Miss Shane. >> Absolutely.

[58:17] » Okay. So, >> I think they deserve

[58:19] » So, our So, what you're in essence saying is that our new minimum start pay

[58:25] is $20 an hour. >> It's going to be $20 an hour. Yes,

[58:28] ma'am. >> And I think that number matters to our

[58:31] employees. >> And that is across the board in every

[58:34] department. >> Yes, ma'am.

[58:35] » Okay. Not just public works. Not just not just public works. That's right.

[58:38] Every department >> because customer service is making

[58:41] better. Yes, ma'am. We will if we need to I will

[58:45] I will meet with department heads tomorrow to make those necessary just

[58:48] for the to finish it up. Mr. Shane, that's you started so I'll go to Miss

[58:52] Cheney. >> Um I support the budget as it was

[58:56] presented. Um these directors and everybody works hard. Um they're working

[59:02] day and night. you know, just like Michael Jackson, they got me working day

[59:05] and night and I know they work um the utilities department, the water

[59:10] department, and I looked at some of these salaries and I cringed, you know,

[59:15] in the low30s. You I mean, you can't hardly feed your family for that amount

[59:21] of money. And I was home Friday and they were working in our community in a

[59:26] ditch. It was 100 degrees. >> Yes, sir. And I was like, Lord, I'm not

[59:30] even gonna ride that way because, you know, I I felt them like even in my car.

[59:36] So, I support the raises. I support the budget adding the everybody starting at

[59:43] $20 per hour. I support that. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

[59:46] » And I I will give credit, you know, Mr. Meeks, thank me for putting it in. I

[59:51] will give credit to Mr. West and Mr. Connor. they did all the back work to

[59:55] provide the information of of why that 10% was warranted. So, um they they

[1:00:01] certainly and then Mr. King, you know, jumped on with them. So, the department

[1:00:06] heads did exactly what they're supposed to and looked out for their folks.

[1:00:09] » Okay. So, I just want to make sure we we all clear everyone, not just public

[1:00:16] works, because $36,000 in public works and $36,000 in customer service is the

[1:00:22] same $36,000. They shop at the same stores. They have

[1:00:26] the same bills. So, I don't I don't want us to just focus on one department. I

[1:00:30] think if we're going to do it, >> we do it across the board for everyone.

[1:00:34] So, like I said, I'm in favor >> if it's all or none. I'm gonna have to

[1:00:40] go with >> the all.

[1:00:42] » All all full-time employees will start new starting salary will be set at the

[1:00:48] $20 range. Department heads will receive a raise cola and

[1:00:53] » merit >> merit raise as well.

[1:00:55] » Yes, ma'am. >> Everybody,

[1:00:56] » I confirm with Miss Katrina we only have one non-public works employee that is

[1:01:01] currently would be affected, but we'll make that change in the final

[1:01:04] presentation to you guys. >> All right.

[1:01:06] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:01:12] I have a motion on the floor to approve the FY2026 2027 budget by Council Member

[1:01:18] Meeks and a second by Council Member Cheney as presented um with the

[1:01:21] [clears throat] adjustments that was just discussed. All All in favor?

[1:01:26] All opposed? I have a 51.

[1:01:32] 10B. Consideration and action by the city of Hampton mayoring council for the

[1:01:36] purpose of proposal of approving resolution 202660 concerning the

[1:01:40] transmitt of the city of Hampton 2025 annual CIE reporting covering FY25

[1:01:45] capital improvement elements update to ARC for review. I need a motion to

[1:01:50] approve. >> Madame Mayor, I move we approve

[1:01:54] resolution 2026-60.

[1:01:58] » Second. Have a motion by council member Meeks and a second by council member

[1:02:01] Mitchell to approve resolution 2026-60. Discussion from the council.

[1:02:07] Discussion from the public. All in favor? I have a 6.

[1:02:12] Moving on to agenda item 10.

[1:02:21] » Kind of weird. Is it [laughter]

[1:02:26] » go C consideration and approval of resolution 202662

[1:02:30] authorizing execution of a license agreement between Central of Georgia

[1:02:34] Railroad Company and the city of Hampton for the installation of underground

[1:02:38] transverse crossing of an 18inch steel casing containing one 10-in duct tile

[1:02:44] iron force mane sewer carrier at the near mport S6 I mean 261.4

[1:02:51] 14 Georgia Division latitude 33.3778 longitude 842928

[1:02:58] in Hampton Henry County, Georgia. I need a motion to approve or to deny.

[1:03:03] » Um I make a motion to approve resolution 20 2642

[1:03:08] » 62. Uh >> oh 62.

[1:03:10] » That is >> I have a motion by council member Cheney

[1:03:13] to approve resolution 202662 and a second by council member Meeks.

[1:03:18] Discussion from the council. >> Yes. No,

[1:03:21] » sorry. >> Located discussion

[1:03:25] » where's so where's this going to affect where's this exactly

[1:03:29] » piping running up >> ma'am what what question you

[1:03:34] » where is this location that it's going to h where is this happening at

[1:03:37] » uh it's it's got the mile post so it'll be on this end uh the new force man for

[1:03:42] uh Henderson Farms phase two it'll it'll go on a railroad track just standard

[1:03:47] railroad fair they make everybody jump through hoops to anything.

[1:03:50] » Is it going to affect traffic? >> It will not. You won't even see it. You

[1:03:54] won't see it. >> Okay.

[1:03:55] » Okay. Any discussion from the public? All in favor?

[1:04:00] » I have a 6. Moving on to agenda item D,

[1:04:05] consideration and action on the appointment of a Main Street economic

[1:04:09] development director, Mr. Rodri Wallace, at the recommendation of the city

[1:04:12] manager. >> Yes, madame mayor. Um,

[1:04:17] » started in October, Mr. Wallace interviewed with the city of Hampton. Um

[1:04:21] he initially interviewed with myself and Miss Atwater. Um

[1:04:26] with timing the way it was, then the subsequent interview was not done until

[1:04:31] after Mr. Baker got here and then Mr. Baker and Miss Atwater started. Um just

[1:04:37] to give some of the highlights, he was um a development executive with EN

[1:04:42] International. Um he worked for Athens Clark County for Atlanta Housing. Um,

[1:04:48] Atlanta Housing, he was the director of devel development and neighborhood

[1:04:52] revitalization from 2018 through thou 2023.

[1:04:56] And from 2005 to 2016, he was the executive director of um development,

[1:05:04] director of public and private partnerships. I recommend that the mayor

[1:05:08] and council appoint Mr. Wave as Main Street director or

[1:05:15] community economic development director Main Street.

[1:05:21] » I need a motion to approve the appointment of Main Street director, Mr.

[1:05:25] Rodick Wallace, as recommended by the city manager.

[1:05:28] » So move. >> Second.

[1:05:30] » I have a motion by council member White Williams and a second by council member

[1:05:33] Meeks to approve Mr. Wallace as the main street economic development director.

[1:05:38] Discussion from the council. Discussion from the public. All in favor?

[1:05:45] All oppose? I have a 42.

[1:05:50] Moving on to agenda item 10E, consideration and action to approve

[1:05:54] resolution 202663 to accept GOT competitive funding proposal for the

[1:05:58] transportation alternative and congestion mitigation and air quality

[1:06:02] improvement program for the inspection realignment for East King Road,

[1:06:06] Rosenwall Drive, and Mcdana Street project for the preliminary engineering

[1:06:09] and design phase. The project is approved to receive $640,000 in MCAQ

[1:06:16] funding for the PE phase with 20% match funding of $160,000. I need a motion to

[1:06:23] appro to deny resolution 202663. >> Madame Mayor, I move we approve

[1:06:28] resolution 2026-63. >> Second.

[1:06:32] » I have a motion by Council Member Meeks and a second by Council Member Mitchell

[1:06:35] to approve resolution 202663. Discussion from the council.

[1:06:41] Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the intersection where Rosenwald, Mcdana

[1:06:46] Street, and East King. >> That is right.

[1:06:50] » And it is >> where we got two stop signs. Three three

[1:06:52] stop signs. >> It's been dangerous ever since it was

[1:06:55] paved. >> That's right.

[1:06:56] » Yes. Thank you. >> All right. Any discussion from the

[1:07:00] public? All in favor? All opposed? I have a 6. Agenda item 10F,

[1:07:07] consideration and action for approval of resolution 202670 RFQ for consulting

[1:07:12] services for the city of Hampton Rosenwell City Park. Need a motion to

[1:07:15] approve or to deny.

[1:07:20] » Madame Mayor, I move we approve resolution 2026-70.

[1:07:25] » I have a motion on the floor by council member Mix to approve 2026-70.

[1:07:29] Do I have a second? >> A second. I have a second by council

[1:07:34] member Cheney. Discussion from the council.

[1:07:39] Discussion from the public. All in favor?

[1:07:44] All opposed? I have a 6. Moving on to agenda item 10G, consideration and

[1:07:49] action to approve resolution 202664, the for the issuance of the city of Hampton

[1:07:55] 2026 RFQ for professional engineering services. I need a motion to approve

[1:08:00] resolution 202664.

[1:08:04] I have a motion on the floor by council member Brooks to approve resolution

[1:08:07] 202664. Do I have a second? >> Second.

[1:08:10] » Second by council member Mitchell. Discussion from the council.

[1:08:14] » So are engineer are we going to send these up

[1:08:17] for architect? >> That's right. So we're opening up our

[1:08:20] RFQ for engineering services. So um you know we were under where we had five

[1:08:27] that were providing the service. Now we're just going out to bid so that we

[1:08:30] can get some additional, you know, uh, engineering firms so we can put them on

[1:08:34] our list to be able to use so that they then will have an opportunity to bid on

[1:08:39] our projects. >> We open the floodgates.

[1:08:44] » Well, we want to we want to get some some more firms. We want to give some

[1:08:48] more firms opportunity. >> Is this going to be a 30-day like what

[1:08:50] is this? >> Just wonder is this a 30 or 45 day RFQ?

[1:08:55] » I have to advertise it two weeks. Okay. Two weeks.

[1:09:01] » Okay. All right. Thank you. Any discussion from the public? All in

[1:09:06] favor? I have a 6. Agenda item 10H,

[1:09:11] consideration and action of resolution 202665

[1:09:15] for the extension of agreement ITB 2025200 annual contract for paving and

[1:09:21] milling construction with DAFF concrete, Inc.

[1:09:26] Need a motion to approve or [clears throat] deny.

[1:09:27] » Madame Mayor, I move we approve resolution 2026-65.

[1:09:33] » Do I have a second?

[1:09:37] » Second. >> Have a second by council member Mitchell

[1:09:41] to approve resolution 202665. >> These are the same that have paved all

[1:09:47] the streets that have been paved in the recent years.

[1:09:52] » Not not paid. >> Not paid. Um they are

[1:09:54] » Oh, the milling >> the milling and storm water.

[1:09:57] » Okay. >> Gotcha.

[1:10:02] » Any other discussion? Discussion from public. All in favor?

[1:10:09] All oppose? I have a 6-0. Moving on to agenda item 10. I consideration and

[1:10:14] action to approve resolution 202666 for judicial al alternatives of Georgia

[1:10:21] which is JAG probation services agreement. This is a um we're re

[1:10:30] this is the probation company that we use to monitor. Doesn't cost the city

[1:10:34] anything. They as they put people on probation, they monitor them and then

[1:10:40] they submit payments to us but to the city like for the fine amounts and

[1:10:45] things like that. It's just a continuation of that contract.

[1:10:47] » Okay. I need a motion to approve of today resolution 202666.

[1:10:52] » May I make a motion to approve? >> I have a motion by council member

[1:10:55] Mitchell to approve resolution 202666 and a second by council member Duchaine.

[1:11:02] Any further discussion from the council? Any discussion from the public? All in

[1:11:07] favor? I have a 6-0. Item 10J, consideration and action to

[1:11:14] approve resolution 20267, appointing a firm to search for the next city

[1:11:18] manager. I need a motion and a appointment for this particular firm. I

[1:11:25] make a motion to approve resolution 202668

[1:11:30] » 67. Oh, I'm I'm going too fast. 67. Uh, the appointment is Sumpter Consultant.

[1:11:36] » Sumpter. >> All right.

[1:11:41] » Second. >> I have a motion by council member Cheney

[1:11:44] and a second by council member Meeks to approve Sumpter

[1:11:48] as a cons as the consulting firm for the city manager to search for the city

[1:11:52] manager. Discussion from the council. >> Sumpter was the first one.

[1:12:01] So, um, the second firm, I can't remember their name. Um,

[1:12:06] » developmental

[1:12:10] » I think that they >> I like them better.

[1:12:12] » I think they would do an ex like I mean we would

[1:12:18] I don't even think we need to interview after they [laughter] what they like

[1:12:22] they're like they were >> they were good. They were good.

[1:12:27] » Um, >> I know they were more expensive,

[1:12:31] » but >> Well, I think that their services out.

[1:12:36] » Yeah, I think with that that >> there is no

[1:12:41] guess second, you know, I mean, second guessing.

[1:12:43] » Yeah, I I would agree. >> Madam Mayor, the only thing I want to

[1:12:47] make sure that at >> it's an unbudgeted item. So if part of

[1:12:52] this if you tell me where to pay for it out of.

[1:12:55] » Okay. >> So um with that unbudgeted item since

[1:13:00] they said that it would take at least 60 days to

[1:13:06] um find even I guess start the process of putting it out there. Can we just

[1:13:12] take that um the cost from the city manager's salary?

[1:13:20] Um because it's only what how many days left in the fiscal year? Not many. Is

[1:13:27] that something we could do since >> So we're not going to pay them until our

[1:13:30] next fiscal budget cuz that's when they said that they act well.

[1:13:34] » Maybe I'm incorrect, but I think what Miss White Williams is saying is instead

[1:13:37] of taking it somewhere else, use the savings that we had from what we didn't

[1:13:42] pay the city manager because I still come out of the other side. So I think

[1:13:47] » in the upcoming budget. >> No, in this current budget.

[1:13:49] » In this current budget, >> you want to encumber.

[1:13:52] » Well, not not really encumbering. What we would do is we would transfer out of

[1:13:57] the personnel of the city manager to professional services. And we would have

[1:14:04] to do a budget amendment because anytime we move from one section to another

[1:14:08] requires you guys' approval. But we could come back and

[1:14:12] » so the you we won't have to do a budget

[1:14:16] amen amendment from line item to line item. However, what I'm saying is that

[1:14:21] they're not going to get paid until our next budget and you're trying to pay

[1:14:26] them out of this budget. >> Either budget that you you tell me to

[1:14:30] get it out of, we could do it. We could do it out of the 26 or we could do it

[1:14:34] out of 27 because there will be two months.

[1:14:36] » Yeah. >> Of that is not paid. So I could do it

[1:14:39] either way. Now that that may be a question for the company. They may not

[1:14:43] start until we submit payment. >> No, they don't. They I mean they told us

[1:14:47] they told us that >> payment up front.

[1:14:49] » They a little Right. But the main payment is at the end at the end of it.

[1:14:54] » We could do it out the 27 budget out the city manager's budget.

[1:14:57] » Yeah. Because I mean we >> So it depends on which company we go

[1:15:01] with because we're still not going to have enough money.

[1:15:03] » Well, no. This second the first company had a schedule breakdown of how they

[1:15:07] wanted to get paid. The second one said that they were going to bill at the end.

[1:15:12] » They just take incidentals. >> Yeah. Inc. And then

[1:15:15] » payment at the end. >> Um

[1:15:19] » if if y'all y'all pick one and then you is if you're telling me to take it out

[1:15:23] of the city manager. >> Can it? I think we can do that.

[1:15:26] » Can it be done? Because our fiscal year starts October 1st. if they aren't even

[1:15:34] going to have any candidates for us to interview until maybe I'm gonna say

[1:15:39] January because anything after um November 15th is January 1st.

[1:15:45] » So that's almost three months of a salary that we're not having to pay.

[1:15:51] » Yes, ma'am. Um, >> so we will have it. Yeah,

[1:15:54] » we would have it. >> Plus, they're going to have, you know,

[1:15:57] they're going to have to do the job book and they're going to engaged with us and

[1:16:02] directors and citiz. >> Okay. So, so let's let's tackle one

[1:16:07] thing at a time. Who are we hiring? And then um we already done figured out it

[1:16:11] can come out of the city manager sign. >> So, with that being said, I will make

[1:16:16] the motion. >> We have a motion on the floor for

[1:16:18] Zumpter. >> Okay. by council member Cheney and

[1:16:21] council member Meek. So let's let's vote um and yeah let's vote for

[1:16:28] » that one. Any further discussion from the council? Discussion from the public.

[1:16:33] » How much? >> Uh how much?

[1:16:36] » Um you have a question from the audience?

[1:16:38] » Yes. Can we please please don't yell from the back? Mr. Charlie, come to the

[1:16:41] podium.

[1:16:46] Apologize

[1:16:53] for that. Um, how how much is this going to cost?

[1:16:57] » Yes, sir. >> Because there's a couple of things on

[1:16:59] the agenda tonight that y'all approving stuff, but we don't see what it's going

[1:17:02] to cost the city. So, be nice to know, you know, on the agenda. If you're going

[1:17:07] to hire a company to do work, we ought to know how much it's going to be that

[1:17:11] you're going to get paid him and you know what we're going to be paying them

[1:17:14] for the service. That's all. >> Can I make a comment?

[1:17:18] » One second. We're going to let Chief provide the numbers for both of those

[1:17:22] companies.

[1:17:26] » I'm going on memory, so not can't give exact. I believe the first one was

[1:17:33] around 18,000. The second was around 32,000.

[1:17:38] » Yeah. >> And y'all would remember the names. I

[1:17:40] just remember the order. >> Right.

[1:17:42] So Sumpter was eight right around 18 and uh development was around 32.

[1:17:46] » Yes, ma'am. >> Right.

[1:17:48] » Council member Cheney. >> Um I'm making my decision based based on

[1:17:52] the second consultant. I was engaged. I really he you know he did an amazing job

[1:17:58] talking about the IQ EQs setting up modules but being a good steward of the

[1:18:06] citizens money 18,000 versus 30,000 um and I read the first um Sumpter's

[1:18:15] information because I didn't have a face to face with him but the second one you

[1:18:20] know they did a good presentation but me.

[1:18:25] I can't see paying $30,000 for consultant to hire a city matter. That's

[1:18:30] just me. >> Thank you. Any further discussion from

[1:18:33] the council? I have a motion on the floor to approve Sumpter as the U firm

[1:18:38] that will provide the services for the next city manager by council member

[1:18:42] Cheney, a second by council member Meeks. All in favor?

[1:18:48] All oppose?

[1:18:52] Did you vote? >> Oh, I'm I'm in favor.

[1:18:55] » All in favor? 42. >> Sumpter.

[1:18:58] » Sumpter. So, Sumpter passes 42 and we will we will get the money out of the

[1:19:05] city manager's budget. Moving on to agenda item 10K, consideration and

[1:19:10] action on resolution 202668, authorizing the city to maintain the O'Neal Church.

[1:19:15] I need a motion to approve or to deny. >> Church or cemetery. I mean cemetery.

[1:19:22] » I make a motion to approve. >> I have a motion by C May Pro Tim White

[1:19:27] Williams. Do I have a second? >> Second.

[1:19:30] » Second by council member Cheney to approve resolution 202668.

[1:19:37] » Discussion from the council. >> Yes, I do have discussion. Okay. What

[1:19:40] does that mean? Uh the city to maintain O'Neal Cemetery. Have all the legal

[1:19:48] assessments, financial assessments been made? I mean, does that mean we're going

[1:19:52] to own it or we're just going to maintain it?

[1:19:55] » So, Mr. Deal, can you please explain to council what they have in their package?

[1:20:00] » Yeah, the the the resolution is only to maintain and and maintain is defined in

[1:20:05] in the statute. Essentially, it means that we can preserve the property. uh we

[1:20:10] can do some some kind of general cleanup, but we can't disturb any of the

[1:20:14] of the ground or any of the uh headstones or or any of the other

[1:20:17] features of the cemetery. So, it is essentially to to protect and then to to

[1:20:22] do some basic maintenance. >> Okay. And I believe in on the 22nd that

[1:20:28] budget read will add to that to actually do adopt the resolution like we had u

[1:20:33] for the Thompson's um Thompson Cemetery here in the city of

[1:20:39] Hampton. There's a resolution that um actually gives the city the authority to

[1:20:44] be able to um >> Okay. Although I've sent our packet, I

[1:20:49] thought it was important that the public knew exactly what maintain meant. Yes.

[1:20:54] because they don't have our packets. >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:20:56] » So, >> and

[1:20:57] » I'm sorry. >> There there is a budget outline item for

[1:20:59] cemetery that's in the public works budget. the the role will be to preserve

[1:21:07] um and with the aids of that cemetery and talking to the DOT archaeologist,

[1:21:14] there will be very little upkeep that city staff does just because of the the

[1:21:20] the potential for for disturbing grave sites. So, we will work closely with the

[1:21:27] historic preservation committee and ensure that everything's done to in the

[1:21:32] interest of preserving. I know they're they're attempting to get it on the

[1:21:36] national registry um and the state registry. So, staff will work closely

[1:21:41] with with the historic preservation committee to make sure we're doing it

[1:21:45] the right way. >> Okay. So,

[1:21:49] does that mean the historic preservation will be the only one? Um I know we have

[1:21:54] the honor the roots. >> No, we we would be the city would be

[1:21:57] open to work with anyone. Okay. >> Who has the same interest in preserving

[1:22:02] and protecting the >> I would like for Miss is it Miss Hand

[1:22:09] Miss Han, you know, and for us to try to find more descendants of the folks that

[1:22:17] are buried there. Um, so we know exactly where where the sites are. I don't I

[1:22:23] just don't want us to go in there and, you know, disturbing and we're not we

[1:22:27] haven't done any homework on where these sites are and so on and so forth. So I I

[1:22:33] am I am in favor of us, >> you know, preserving the cemetery but

[1:22:39] without disturbing >> um the cemetery. So, so we have done

[1:22:44] quite a bit of of research and we have quite a bit of the history of the O'Neal

[1:22:49] Cemetery. We have quite a bit of the records. The HHPC has been gathering

[1:22:54] information for at least a year in regards to that cemetery. And so, they

[1:22:59] do have quite a bit of it. They know some of the markers. They know some of

[1:23:03] the people that's laid to rest there. Now, there has not been any outreach to

[1:23:07] family members or anything of that nature. Of course, usually if it's your

[1:23:12] family member, you would be the one that would, you know, come and visit. But so,

[1:23:16] but um so we do have quite a bit of that information that they have worked

[1:23:21] diligently to put together for this cemetery. And so just like with the

[1:23:26] Thompson Creek at the on Main Street here,

[1:23:31] because of the law, it had been abandoned. And with it being abandoned

[1:23:35] and now inside of our city limits, the law said that we, you know, kind of fell

[1:23:40] on us to start to maintain it and and keep it up. And as the chief just said,

[1:23:44] we don't want to disturb it. We definitely don't want uh according to

[1:23:47] the G dot [clears throat] um archaeologist, we don't want to go and

[1:23:51] start, you know, messing with the headstones and things of that nature

[1:23:54] because we don't want to break anything and we don't want to, you know, mess

[1:23:57] anything up. Um some of the markers are unique in who made them. So they found

[1:24:04] out all that information about those markers. So um I think that this is the

[1:24:09] first step. Next step would be the resolution to to actually you know for

[1:24:14] the city to to take it over. >> I would like

[1:24:19] » this is the that resolution for us to >> right take it take

[1:24:23] » to take it over. Yes ma'am. I would ask you guys to work with

[1:24:26] » with Miss Hy um in regards to what you know I mean

[1:24:32] just >> to include

[1:24:34] » one second one second I'm sorry >> just just to have some sort you know you

[1:24:37] don't want to be alienating every like >> you know just get some input as to the

[1:24:42] family >> you're not alienating

[1:24:43] » no but I'm just saying alienating >> um

[1:24:48] » for clarification the Thompson cemetery was abandoned and state law requires

[1:24:55] that we assume the responsibility for it. I believe Miss Han spoke earlier

[1:25:02] saying that her relatives are there and she's willing to assume responsibility

[1:25:09] with the help of various groups. Are we legally entitled to proceed?

[1:25:16] » We are. The the statute says that it if there is any cemetery that shows uh that

[1:25:23] it is not being maintained that that we have the option not the obligation in

[1:25:29] this circumstance the option to protect and preserve the cemetery and that that

[1:25:34] again is is limited say that we're not taking possession of the of the

[1:25:38] cemetery. Uh all we are able to do is to maintain it to to keep up the the area.

[1:25:45] that says that we can do fencing uh or something along those lines. I think I I

[1:25:50] don't know that any decision particularly has been made as to fencing

[1:25:53] but it's just a maintenance obligation. It is not we are not in acquiring the

[1:25:58] property in any way. >> Thank you.

[1:26:01] » Okay. Is there an owner of O'Neal Cemetery?

[1:26:04] » We became the owner. >> We

[1:26:09] This does not give us ownership rights at all. And I I've done a I know

[1:26:15] historic preservation committee's done a lot of research. The last known honors

[1:26:20] is is a trust a three threeperson trust that was last established in or last

[1:26:29] heard of in 1957 in Louisiana was the last that anybody can find of where the

[1:26:35] trust was active. So still trying to locate I mean that but I think that's

[1:26:42] part of what the council by asking the by the city we're simply preserving and

[1:26:49] we're not doing anything to certainly not to damage but not to we're not

[1:26:54] undertaking a let's you know go in and redo it. We're preserving and part of

[1:27:01] preserving is we will work with the historic preservation committee honor

[1:27:04] thy roots. anybody who can has a if we can get that trust who actually owns it,

[1:27:11] we would love for them to take it over and the city be able to step back and

[1:27:14] and not have a role in that. But I think you know the the only role that the city

[1:27:19] needs to have is to preserve it until we get it to the next phase.

[1:27:23] » He has a question. Since there may be a trust, what legal option do we has to

[1:27:28] get involved into it? >> It's abandoned.

[1:27:31] » It's abandoned. >> Yeah. If it is abandoned or neglected,

[1:27:34] the cemetery, we don't necessarily have to have title to the property. We can go

[1:27:39] in to protect and preserve the the cemetery.

[1:27:44] » I I do I Miss Hannah. >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:27:49] » I just have a question. Um, I I'm a dosent with the Fed County

[1:27:57] Historical Society and I've had a lot of training in preserving cemeteries being

[1:28:04] abandoned. So, I would get a phone call, can would

[1:28:09] you please come and help us show us what we're supposed to do, the dos and the

[1:28:15] don'ts? Long story short, so at the O'Neal Cemetery,

[1:28:22] the way it has been disturbed is very disturbing to me because there are

[1:28:28] people out there that do not have experience or know what to look for. So

[1:28:34] if the city is their job is to only come out to preserve and help clean up,

[1:28:42] what about the family? I know that the you're saying that they have done

[1:28:48] research on the cemetery, but my thing is the family that is still alive.

[1:28:57] A lot of people did not know about the cemetery because a lot of the members

[1:29:03] are dead and gone. So I'm this person I'm advocating for my family that when

[1:29:12] they saw the fence they were like oh so we can't go in we can't go see our

[1:29:18] family members the city has taken it the data center has taken it so we have no

[1:29:24] rights and with this new law is it 146 is that so we're supposed to be able to

[1:29:33] go out and to deserve the cemetery and of course if there's if it's going

[1:29:40] to be a marker there that's good and fine but

[1:29:45] my thing is I just feel like the city is pushing me out and not no one is asking

[1:29:53] us questions until I just hear a little bit now

[1:29:58] well what part do I play in >> and I I guess

[1:30:02] » what say do I I guess for me that's what I'm trying to

[1:30:06] figure out. How much is the city going to be involved with

[1:30:13] the historic preservation, the city of Hampton, um the family members, and any

[1:30:18] other organizations that want to help preserve? Are we saying we're going to

[1:30:24] be the sole providers of preserving this cemetery without

[1:30:29] um input from um outside organizations as well as family?

[1:30:38] » Madam Mayor, >> that's a council member. Would it be a a

[1:30:42] consideration to meet with Miss Hand and the group that sponsors

[1:30:51] and backs her and prepare a memorandum of understanding, some type of

[1:30:57] agreement? >> I'd be happy to sit down with them. some

[1:30:59] type of agreement to where they would say what they would like to see and then

[1:31:04] the city reciprocate the city's position from the entire

[1:31:09] we're not trying to take over the cemetery. We're trying to preserve and

[1:31:11] protect and the idea of putting a fence up was to protect it from the things

[1:31:16] that they were concerned with and it certainly was in no way ever to to keep

[1:31:21] anyone out. It was never a locked facility. It was never anything like

[1:31:25] that. I understand how that can make you feel, Miss Ham, but that wasn't the

[1:31:28] intention at all. But I will make sure I exchange um numbers with um Miss Hand

[1:31:33] and whoever else she wants to be a part of that and I'll facilitate that

[1:31:37] meeting. >> I think

[1:31:39] I just want to make sure because I I think there's some legal going on in

[1:31:44] this arena as well. >> Yeah. So So I I I think that we can have

[1:31:47] the discussion. I don't know that I'd necessarily frame it as an as anouou,

[1:31:51] but but certainly have having a discussion and an understanding of of

[1:31:55] each person's role in the city's role. I think that's beneficial. I just I don't

[1:31:59] want to tie contract terms to that. >> But understood.

[1:32:03] » Okay. So, based on all of the discussions

[1:32:08] um that I've heard, I would like to resend my motion um

[1:32:13] um for the consideration in action for the city to authorize u the maintaining

[1:32:18] of the O'Neal Cemetery until more conversation and discussion can be had

[1:32:24] and we can figure out how this is going to go.

[1:32:32] » All right. So, Council Member White Williams has rescended her motion for

[1:32:36] resolution 202668. Do I have anyone that would like to make

[1:32:40] a motion for 2026 to approve it or do are we going to wait

[1:32:45] on further discussion? >> Madame Mayor, I move that we postpone

[1:32:50] resolution 202668 until some type of agreement can be

[1:32:56] reached between the parties for the cemetery.

[1:33:00] I have a motion on the floor floor to postpone um resolution 202668

[1:33:06] by council member Meeks. >> Second by council member Duchaine.

[1:33:11] Discussion from the council. >> Yes.

[1:33:14] » Um my name is Penny Williams. I'd like to add something uh for consideration

[1:33:19] with regard to the cemetery. Uh if there's going to be any type of

[1:33:22] maintaining, there are employees of the city. They need to be aware of what and

[1:33:26] how it needs to be maintained because when you have employees, they may just

[1:33:30] go out and get a rake and start scraping things up and disrupt. So I think

[1:33:34] training needs to be a part of this maintaining factor of the cemetery so

[1:33:40] you have people like yourself um the archives whomever

[1:33:44] » I think they need to be trained properly so that there is not further disruption

[1:33:49] within the cemetery. >> Please consider that.

[1:33:52] » Thank you. >> Thank you. Any more discussion from the

[1:33:55] public? All right. I have a motion on the floor to postpone resolution 202668

[1:34:01] by council member Meeks and a second by council member Desane. All in favor? All

[1:34:05] opposed? I have a 6. Moving on to agenda item 10L, consideration action to ratify

[1:34:11] water tank maintenance agreement resolution 202671.

[1:34:16] Um I need a motion to approve the ratification of water tank maintenance

[1:34:21] agreement. You guys are going to discuss and tell

[1:34:25] us. >> No, we'll let you go.

[1:34:27] » Okay. Madame Mayor, I move that we approve resolution 202671.

[1:34:32] » Second. >> I have a motion by council member Meeks

[1:34:35] to approve resolution 202671 and a second by council member Mitchell. Guys,

[1:34:40] yes, >> mayor and council. I'm sorry. I

[1:34:44] » was going to say, tell us about this. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, one thing that I

[1:34:48] discovered when we started the budget process was this contract. Um, Mr. West

[1:34:53] was in through through the budget preparation requesting I think it's

[1:34:58] $84,000 yearly in a line item. And I'm like, "What are you, you know, what are

[1:35:04] we talking about?" He said, "That's our tank maintenance." And I was like,

[1:35:08] "Okay." And a little bit of research and discovered a contract that um previous

[1:35:14] city manager signed in March. in March to procure the services. Um,

[1:35:23] couple things that I did. I had Mr. West do he he had provided Mr. Baker with two

[1:35:30] quotes, one verbal and one um written quote and also the one that Mr. Baker

[1:35:38] and Mr. West ended up going forward with. I immediately brought it to the

[1:35:43] city attorney. Um got a well I got a copy of the contract from the clerk. um

[1:35:48] took it to the city attorney and the one thing Mr. West was adamant with was

[1:35:54] for the level of the what [snorts] we needed for those two tanks. This is one

[1:35:58] of the only companies that can do it and it was a

[1:36:05] far far superior service than the other people would have would have provided.

[1:36:10] So he advocated to Mr. Baker to approve that. Um, I I immediately went to Mr.

[1:36:18] Deal and said, "And all right, what do we do?" And one of the things that he

[1:36:22] recommended, he said, "If that is a provider that y'all want to continue to

[1:36:25] do business with, it would need to be taken to the council and ratified." So,

[1:36:29] that's what brings us here today. Um, Mr. West can speak if if you have

[1:36:34] questions on why American Tank >> it was chosen, but that's what brought

[1:36:41] us here today. So, so the what I hear you saying is

[1:36:46] that the procurement policy was >> not followed or followed some what

[1:36:54] because it didn't come back before the council.

[1:36:57] » I think the procurement policy by the letter of it was followed but I do think

[1:37:01] the signing of the contract should have came back to the council and that's why

[1:37:05] I engage with Mr. Deal. >> And what's the amount? 80

[1:37:09] » 84,000 yearly. And the one thing we will we will do with that contract if if

[1:37:14] approved by you guys, Mr. Deal has made some recommendations, we will have the

[1:37:19] company before getting anybody to resign it, we will have some language put in

[1:37:24] that makes Mr. Deals comfortable to where it is not a 13-year contract

[1:37:33] » right

[1:37:36] » 13 years. Yes, sir. >> Could we put it back out for for our

[1:37:42] » and that that's why we we certainly could do that. They have already started

[1:37:46] they they performed um the first tank and you've seen the work that I think

[1:37:52] they've done two to this point. >> We certainly could if that was the

[1:37:55] choice of the mayor and council >> but they already started. They've

[1:37:58] already done the work. >> They and they've already done you know

[1:38:02] and that the >> So how do they get paid

[1:38:06] » that miss? It was they were paid >> for

[1:38:11] every quarter. >> So they so it being paid by by not

[1:38:15] approved >> by the council.

[1:38:17] » The the contract was not approved by the council and that's why we're here.

[1:38:21] » Okay. >> I'm seeing Madame [clears throat] Mayor

[1:38:25] I'm seeing on page 147 of our agenda. >> I believe it's the second page of the

[1:38:31] contract. It says the agreement shall be managed by contract years. Contract year

[1:38:35] shall be defined as consecutive 12 month periods beginning April 1st 2026. The

[1:38:42] annual fee for those years 1 through8 will be 45775

[1:38:48] per year. The contract years 910 11 shall be for 25109. Is that per tank or

[1:38:56] is that >> per tank? Per tank. That's per tank.

[1:38:57] Tank. Yes sir. >> The other tank I think is a little bit

[1:39:00] less is how we came up with the 84 number.

[1:39:03] » Thank you. two three Mr. West, what was the uh verbal um or was this the verbal

[1:39:10] or the >> That was not this. So, this was the last

[1:39:14] uh provider I called and they were the first to come. Um they were the only

[1:39:18] ones that actually inspected the tanks. We had a hole in top of North 40 tank

[1:39:23] that big around nobody knew anything about. They repaired it. Uh the outside

[1:39:27] gauge didn't work. You know, it's got full empty. They fixed that. uh wood

[1:39:33] lawns been painted inside. Well, you saw the inside of it and uh they're just a

[1:39:39] far, you know, they cleaned up their mess. Nobody else did it. The the verbal

[1:39:42] ma'am. >> So, in other words, this is the if you

[1:39:45] had to choose, this would be the firm. >> Oh, yeah. Hands down. Uh they had a

[1:39:49] failure in Griffin a few years ago. They were covering that tank. When that tank

[1:39:53] failed, they they were placed and repaired at no cost to the city because

[1:39:57] it was under their their their care. So, I wouldn't choose anyone else. So, it

[1:40:01] seems like we need to ratify the contract and um move forward with it

[1:40:05] with the contract not limiting future. >> That's right. I I'd just like to clarify

[1:40:10] the contract term provision. That's that's the biggest issue that I want to

[1:40:14] make sure is cleared up because there is that annual provision, but there's also

[1:40:17] a provision that says it's a 13-year contract, which obviously we can't do.

[1:40:21] So, >> okay. All right. Right. So, I have a

[1:40:24] motion on the floor to approve [clears throat] or ratify the water tank

[1:40:28] maintenance agreement resolution 202671 by council member Meeks and a second by

[1:40:32] council member Mitchell. Any further discussion from the council? Discussion

[1:40:37] from the public. All in favor? I have a 5.

[1:40:43] Council member.

[1:40:47] » Yeah, she she disappeared.

[1:40:53] Moving on to agenda item 10 m M consideration and discussion or

[1:40:57] discussion on the recent EPD violation. So it's not really recent.

[1:41:02] » No ma'am. Uh it's a actually it's three violations dating back to 52925 at Elm

[1:41:09] Streetville. Um

[1:41:13] we have one 13126

[1:41:17] 21726. So, it's a combination of three

[1:41:21] violations. Um, we knew at some point we were going to be getting a fine. We just

[1:41:26] didn't know when. I received an email on 721.

[1:41:32] Um, in in that email, you you have 30 days to pay the fine. There is no if,

[1:41:38] ends, or buts. If you don't, then it just it just increases. That's just how

[1:41:42] the EPD works. And quite frankly, I was expecting to be three or four times the

[1:41:46] amount it was. >> How much was it? It was $15,455.

[1:41:51] » So, did that come to council for approval?

[1:41:54] » No, ma'am. It did not. >> So, is that something that has to be

[1:41:58] » I uh I approached the city manager about, you know, I expressed him the

[1:42:01] urgency of getting it taken care of. >> So, that that is why I asked for it to

[1:42:06] be put on the agenda. >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:42:09] » Because it was over the $10,000 threshold. Yes, ma'am. that the city

[1:42:13] manager had authority, the former city manager had the authority to approve.

[1:42:18] » Yes, ma'am. And it was time sensitive. >> And that's fine, but per our policy, if

[1:42:25] it's over $10,000, it has to come to council. We could have had an emergency

[1:42:30] special call meeting >> and it it did not come to council. The

[1:42:35] check has been cashed because we paid it. So, I'm just trying to figure out

[1:42:42] how this breakdown [snorts] and our procurement policy that we just got

[1:42:46] through talking about, how did this happen? I understand it was urgent, but

[1:42:51] we've had special call meetings for things less

[1:42:55] urgent. Um, so I I'm just Who gave Mr. Baker the authority to write to pay it?

[1:43:04] Um, who signed because you need two signers. Who signed those checks?

[1:43:10] » I will. >> And why did it not come to council for

[1:43:13] us to go ahead and give? Because it's not even on the agenda for us to go back

[1:43:18] and ratify. This was just going to be swept under the rug. Had I not asked for

[1:43:22] it to be on the >> I'm miss when councilwoman Duchain

[1:43:26] brought it to my attention, she asked me um with and I like I the way I thought

[1:43:33] it was the check had not been done. Um, so I did some research. Um, did find

[1:43:40] that it was Miss Hood and Mr. Baker signed the check. Um, the check was

[1:43:46] dated August the 10th. I went back a little bit further. Um, I spoke to Mr.

[1:43:52] Baker's um, he's he's still our assistant finance

[1:43:57] director and asked him if he had any knowledge of it. He did. He printed some

[1:44:01] emails for me where Mr. Baker forwarded the notice to him and instructed him um

[1:44:09] which line item to get it out of and that was on August the 6th um at 248.

[1:44:15] So I just I'm not sure you know I know there was an urgency but that's that's

[1:44:21] what I was able to find out. So, is there a reason why

[1:44:26] » any either one can answer is there a reason why this wasn't on the agenda for

[1:44:31] us to go back and ratify because it was I know we had a short amount of time to

[1:44:36] pay. When did it come in? >> It came [snorts] in on

[1:44:40] » the 10th. August,

[1:44:42] » but when did the violation come in? >> I got you. Um on July 21st.

[1:44:46] » So, we had a done August the 6th. >> We had a council meeting

[1:44:51] » on August 11. >> I didn't but I didn't find out until

[1:44:56] Miss Duchain brought it to my attention on August the 15th, I believe, or 17th.

[1:45:02] And >> so, Mr. Baker didn't put it on the

[1:45:04] August agenda. >> He did not. It was not on there. And

[1:45:06] then I didn't know that it needed to. I I certainly let Mr. Deal know. I don't

[1:45:12] think it's something y'all have to ratify um because it's not a ongoing

[1:45:16] service. It's, you know, obviously a issue with the procedure that was

[1:45:23] followed, [snorts] but I don't >> So, where's you correct me if I'm wrong?

[1:45:26] » Is that a budget amendment we have to make? Where's the payment come from?

[1:45:29] » There is a line item in the in the budget for EPD fines and permits. And

[1:45:36] that's where um it looks like Mr. Baker had R.J. take it out of.

[1:45:42] » And what was the fine for? the it was for the three spills that Mr.

[1:45:48] West talked about. He can >> one spill the station one that was a 525

[1:45:54] » spill of just water like what is it >> and those were all of those when that

[1:45:59] spill occurred the um Mr. West department this is I only know this

[1:46:05] because he told me they did all the a proper notification they put it on the

[1:46:09] website what all did y'all do? Yeah, we notified the city downstream everything

[1:46:14] EPD requires. They came >> Yeah, they came and checked uh we had

[1:46:19] put notices on the actual stream mile away from the plant. So, they came and

[1:46:24] checked on May the 11th. Uh they paid us a visit. They looked at site Parkway and

[1:46:29] they came and checked the you know see if we had corrected those mistakes. Let

[1:46:35] » me say something. Um this is very disturbing to me.

[1:46:40] Mayor, did you >> I am going to say this once.

[1:46:43] » If this ever happen again, >> I personally going to recommend

[1:46:48] termination anyone across the board. >> I am serious.

[1:46:52] » Now you're saying for a spill or what? Let me

[1:46:55] » violate the policy policy. >> I ain't doing that.

[1:46:58] » Yeah. Well, well, I want to say >> even even

[1:47:03] I I understand >> know the procurement policy better know

[1:47:06] it >> because I'm tired of coming here and

[1:47:10] ratifying special call meeting phone calls to fix these issues

[1:47:15] » and it's it appear that um you don't take us very seriously.

[1:47:21] You don't if you don't take us very serious, I'll make you sure I'm very

[1:47:24] serious about this. I I think just even even just to get a

[1:47:30] consensus that or even just to let us know that it happened. Um

[1:47:37] as council we have a duty and obligation. So the the spill last year

[1:47:43] we were aware of that that spill. We got an update on that on 2020 25. these that

[1:47:49] happened in the beginning of the year we were not privy to we didn't we didn't

[1:47:54] know about it until they they just you know told us about the

[1:47:57] » right but the fine came from did the fine come from the two this year or just

[1:48:02] from the >> so combination of the two

[1:48:05] » yes so one one came on um February 17th >> right

[1:48:10] » uh that's Bear Creek uh the cause was the broken chemical line I don't even

[1:48:15] want to know what that what that consist of um the second one was May 29th, 2025,

[1:48:24] the lift station number one on Elm Street.

[1:48:27] » Um and then the third one was January [clears throat]

[1:48:33] 21st >> 31st 2026 Bioolids annual report SE

[1:48:39] received. I'm not sure what that is, but I'm I'm just saying I understand the

[1:48:44] urgency, right? Because it's not like you know,

[1:48:49] utilities went out and and we needed some equipment or or materials and we

[1:48:56] needed it the next day to get everything back up and running. This is urgent, but

[1:49:01] these violations happened over a year ago. But for us to not even be made

[1:49:06] aware that the violations came in and we

[1:49:10] weren't told that the check had been cut, sent and cashed and it still wasn't

[1:49:19] on the agenda tonight. Even if council doesn't have to ratify it according

[1:49:23] [snorts] to the procurement, we still would not have known unless I

[1:49:28] had asked for this item to be on the agenda.

[1:49:31] So I I think >> because it is a budgeted item. I mean

[1:49:34] because we have a line item before but that was over.

[1:49:37] » I don't know. I'm just I was just saying that that

[1:49:40] » that's why he was able to do and I can't speak for anything that happened before

[1:49:45] before I'm the interim city manager. I can assure you I ain't sign no check for

[1:49:49] nothing. >> No, but I'm just saying it's coming

[1:49:52] back. the pro the process that we put in place because it was my understanding

[1:49:58] regardless of what it was the city manager had to bring anything over

[1:50:03] $10,000 to council for approval >> if it was not a budgeted item

[1:50:08] » that's not what we were doing every everything even Mr. Last month Mr. King

[1:50:15] bought items >> that was not budgeted.

[1:50:17] » They were not budgeted. >> They were not budgeted. They were not

[1:50:20] budgeted. >> I I notify

[1:50:22] » I want to say something. >> Only budgeted items.

[1:50:25] » I've been on in the a council woman since January and I'm seeing patterns of

[1:50:32] not following policies and the procurement policy has been one of those

[1:50:38] uh areas. It's just like the policy is not in place. it's it was ignored. Um,

[1:50:47] and we brought Mr. Baker in, but some of the things that he did and didn't get

[1:50:53] council approval, you know, I I don't approve of it. You

[1:50:58] know, some people thought he was the latest and the greatest. I'm not

[1:51:01] speaking negative about him or anything, but we have policies in place for a

[1:51:07] reason. So, why are we ignoring policies? We have to follow these

[1:51:11] policies. >> But it goes well. It you can't just put

[1:51:15] all the blame on Mr. Baker. You have to put the blame on

[1:51:19] the people that process the payment, the people that signed the check, the people

[1:51:25] that knew about it. Even if it even if this is a budgeted item, council still

[1:51:32] didn't know about it. We should know something like this. Hey, EPD sent us a

[1:51:36] fine for $15,000. We didn't know and our citizens didn't know until tonight

[1:51:42] either or when they saw the agenda that posted. So all I'm saying is we need to

[1:51:48] follow the policy and we need to be transparent. And if something like this

[1:51:53] happens again, I don't care if it happens the day after a council meeting.

[1:51:57] If we need to pay it and before the next time we have a council meeting, just

[1:52:02] have a special call meeting. >> We did know about the one in 2025. We

[1:52:06] knew about that. We >> yeah,

[1:52:10] » we didn't know the f we didn't know when the fine was coming.

[1:52:13] » The one thing I would like to get some clarification talking about firing and I

[1:52:17] don't don't need that in my life. Um budgeted items like as we look say y'all

[1:52:22] pass the budget on October 1st. If it is a budgeted item not now I understand I

[1:52:27] mean I think hope y'all can appreciate I notify y'all about everything. I mean, I

[1:52:32] I send y'all text and email about everything and I'll I'm going to

[1:52:36] continue to do that. But as that October hits and there's going to be budgeted

[1:52:41] items, like let's just say public works is buying a a truck that's approved in

[1:52:46] the budget. It's under state contract. So, all procurement policies are

[1:52:50] followed. You guys approve the budget. Are y'all

[1:52:55] » y'all okay with that? Okay. Now, but I understand if there this right here, I'm

[1:52:59] not comparing those. But with Mr. Mitchell's talking about firing people,

[1:53:02] I got to make sure that I don't do anything before y'all get this.

[1:53:05] » You said that, not me. >> No, but and I don't blame him. I I

[1:53:09] certainly understand. >> It was only for if if you everybody goes

[1:53:12] back to the resolution that was passed, it was only for items that were not

[1:53:17] budgeted in the budget. Mhm. >> If if it was not in the budget, he had

[1:53:22] to bring it back before council if it was a past that $10,000 mark.

[1:53:26] » That's right. >> That's what I'm talking about.

[1:53:28] » I I'm just want to clarify. >> I'd like to say something because this

[1:53:35] involves me also. So, because I'm a check sign and council member, you said

[1:53:40] um that the people that signed the checks should take blame too. So, I

[1:53:45] don't feel that I should take blame for the check that was signed because when

[1:53:49] the check gets to me, it's going to went to the appropriate people and my thing

[1:53:54] is to verify that the paperwork is matching up after it come from the city

[1:53:58] manager to me. So, how am I to know what I'm not supposed to sign because I don't

[1:54:03] know exactly everything that city manager do.

[1:54:06] » So, I'm and and that's why I didn't end. I I think there's enough to go around.

[1:54:13] you did what you were told to do, right? But I also feel that there's an

[1:54:17] obligation when something like it's this is a EPD fine, right? This is for sewer

[1:54:24] spills. These [snorts] things need to be told to council. Hey, we got a violation

[1:54:29] although we knew that the violation happened in May of 2025. We actually got

[1:54:34] the invoice for the violation. That was not told to us. Budgeted or unbudgeted,

[1:54:40] you did what you were told to do. And I'm not I'm not trying to throw shade.

[1:54:43] I'm just saying I think there was a communication breakdown from the city

[1:54:47] manager on down to >> finance on down to the check signers,

[1:54:52] whoever that may be. And I I mean I I will speak for the city manager's office

[1:54:56] because I'm in the office now that that's where the pro to Miss Hood's

[1:55:00] point and to your point it is the city manager's responsibility to let let the

[1:55:06] mayor and council know once he signs off just you know Miss Hood I wouldn't

[1:55:12] expect Miss Hood or anyone else to know it's the city manager's job if he signs

[1:55:16] off that this was a budgeted it's his job to let the mayor and council know he

[1:55:21] reports to you But he >> No, I understand. But I I can tell you

[1:55:26] between now and and the time y'all get somebody else in the door. I promise.

[1:55:31] » I get it. I'm just saying we just need to be made aware.

[1:55:33] » Yeah. And I want to pick it back off what you said, chief. The city manager

[1:55:37] is the one that gave them directives. So it goes back to him. He knows the

[1:55:43] procurement policy. So it he gave he's their supervisor. He gave them the

[1:55:48] directives. But council member Cheney, if the city manager instructs an

[1:55:53] employee to do something that goes against policy,

[1:56:00] » I don't know that she would know it's against

[1:56:01] » and I'm not saying in this case, but if just because the city manager gives the

[1:56:06] directive, if it goes against >> policy, uh charter, you

[1:56:12] » would you do it? >> Right.

[1:56:13] » Oh, no. I'm not going to lose my good paying job. Right. [laughter] But

[1:56:16] » but that but he told you right and you you know

[1:56:21] » I would say let me check you know but you know there's a lot lot of over we've

[1:56:26] been had a lot of turnover and just a lot of moving parts. So it's his it's

[1:56:32] the city manager's yard. It's not your yard your yard or someone else's yard at

[1:56:37] the end of the day >> play with stuff like that. So it's his

[1:56:39] yard and I accept responsibility for my whatever that may be. I do have a

[1:56:44] question. >> Council member Rex.

[1:56:46] » Yes. Uh is it the policy when things like this happen, spills,

[1:56:52] uh should council be notified? Because uh in the past we had a public works

[1:56:58] director to be fired for perhaps covering up things, but not nothing

[1:57:05] quite as bad as spillage. But I I don't know going forward when we have a spill,

[1:57:12] should council be notified or the public should be notified.

[1:57:16] » So I think the public is everybody is notified based on what he said. I mean

[1:57:22] I'm I'm not talking about council. I'm talking about the public. I'm public.

[1:57:26] » It was put on the website and the citizens were notified under EPD

[1:57:30] guidelines. But to your point, Miss Brooks, absolutely. You should be

[1:57:35] notified. And if if it happens between now and the the time somebody else gets

[1:57:39] here, that's the responsibility of the city manager that you know, I'm not

[1:57:44] casting aspersions on anybody who hasn't given you notice, but absolutely you

[1:57:50] should be that as a governing body, you should be notified.

[1:57:53] » Can I say something >> and you will be

[1:57:55] » you know um I'm piggyback >> if the citizen knows before us is a

[1:58:01] problem. >> I agree 100%. And can I say something?

[1:58:06] » Who's checking the website? I don't have time to just go to the website to see,

[1:58:11] oh, do we get a violation from EPD yet? So, I think I know it's public, but

[1:58:18] we're not checking unless we know. I understand.

[1:58:20] » And we there what is the what is the procedure for us to know to even go to

[1:58:25] the website? >> It's going to be you're going to get a

[1:58:27] text and an email from me the way I notify you when we have a water leak or

[1:58:31] a gas pane leak. Are you going to say boil your water?

[1:58:35] » Whatever whatever I need to say. I I assure you I'm going to notify you

[1:58:39] because you know I do think it's that is something important. I mean and y'all

[1:58:45] could absolutely call me out and say Bo you would tell us if we had a you know

[1:58:49] » you do >> um whatever you know small issue that

[1:58:52] you notified us you could have let us know about EBD fine. I'm going to let

[1:58:55] you know about it and I think you should because that's y'all's responsibility as

[1:58:58] a governing body to know all those things in real time. I do appreciate

[1:59:02] your >> How are you going to know? Public works

[1:59:03] will notify you. >> Oh, if they don't you you're not going

[1:59:06] to have to worry about because you're not going to be able to talk to Mr. West

[1:59:08] because you won't be here. [laughter] >> It's not an option just like last time I

[1:59:12] did. >> Yeah. And see as far as reporting EBD,

[1:59:16] same way >> and they check. So it's not I can't hide

[1:59:19] it. Won't hide it. Won't try to. I'm going to follow the letter. also you

[1:59:23] know anytime anything like that happens that could be u you know has anything to

[1:59:27] do with public safety or you know health issue

[1:59:31] » I know I know >> one second one second council member

[1:59:34] dash >> so

[1:59:36] um based on everything I've been hearing as we've been sitting here

[1:59:42] um I don't think it's fair for us to kind of throw the previous city manager

[1:59:48] under the bus to make it seem that he did something incorrect if it was a

[1:59:54] budgeted item and it didn't need to be come to for approval because it was

[2:00:00] budgeted and everything I'm hearing is you knew

[2:00:05] about it cuz they came to you. >> You know what I'm saying? In the sense

[2:00:09] of communication belongs to everybody. You know what I'm saying?

[2:00:13] » Yes, ma'am. >> So, in the sense of you could have said

[2:00:16] something, hey, you know, we have something or he could have said, you

[2:00:19] know what I'm saying? they come. >> So I didn't know about the the January

[2:00:22] this this year. >> No, I the invoice because we well the

[2:00:27] invoice just came in. So they told me about the invoice when it came in like

[2:00:32] Yeah. So >> but the reason is because we had already

[2:00:36] gotten the update on what I was thinking that invoice was. That's the reason I

[2:00:42] didn't say anything to anybody else about it because we had already got an

[2:00:45] update on this field. We knew about it. We knew we were going to get a fine to

[2:00:49] associate it with it because it was told to us. We just didn't know when.

[2:00:52] » Right. But the rest of council didn't know.

[2:00:54] » And to be fair, that fine could take up to a year.

[2:00:56] » And that's fine, but it's just in the sense of communication belongs to all of

[2:01:00] us. All of us communicating what we >> um on a final note of this. Um well,

[2:01:06] thank you very much for your >> your not your taxes. Let us know and

[2:01:12] continue. >> We have one more item.

[2:01:14] » Yes, sir. >> Um let's move on to agenda. I mean, is

[2:01:18] there any any further discussion? >> Any discussion from the public regarding

[2:01:23] this matter? Yes. >> Yes. Miss Miss Oliver, come to the

[2:01:27] podium. >> Only regarding this.

[2:01:31] » Yes, ma'am. >> This EPD. Yes, ma'am.

[2:01:36] » Okay. Um, I just want to say I think that you all

[2:01:42] should consider putting this uh water tank and all of those

[2:01:49] moving parts and things because we've had problems

[2:01:53] many years ago >> with that and we were fine and under the

[2:01:58] EPA e Yeah. >> Yeah. for a long time. We were

[2:02:04] » and uh like I forgot who it says somebody was five, but y'all know who it

[2:02:09] was. >> So, it seems to me that there's some

[2:02:14] problems with that water take and whatever feeds into that that needs to

[2:02:20] be addressed so that it doesn't continue to happen.

[2:02:28] And I think you should put it on your agenda to discuss it and see can't y'all

[2:02:33] come up. You may have to buy another tank. Who knows? I don't know. But

[2:02:38] anyway, it needs to be addressed because this patching

[2:02:42] and getting fine every what 10 years. That is not

[2:02:48] working. >> Yes, ma'am.

[2:02:50] » All right. That's all I got to say. >> Yes, ma'am.

[2:02:52] » All right. I have another public comment.

[2:02:57] » Just a quick question. What are the SOPs say? There seems to be a lot of

[2:03:01] confusion with the processing of information with the checks and

[2:03:06] different things, but aren't there SOPs in place for when something happens and

[2:03:11] occurs for the proper channel for it to flow?

[2:03:15] » So, there are policies and procedures. Each department have has their their way

[2:03:19] of processing it once it gets to them. Mhm.

[2:03:22] » So it is a multi-chain factor. So from the finance department, they do it in

[2:03:27] their department according to their SOP and their standards. When once it moves

[2:03:32] to the check signers, it that process goes through. And so that is usually how

[2:03:38] it is handled here in the city of Hampton.

[2:03:41] » But it sounds like it's been broken with the issues with the checks being signed

[2:03:46] that they're not being followed properly. So, as council member Shane

[2:03:51] just pointed out in regards to the check being signed for this, because it is a

[2:03:56] budgeted item, and even though it was over the $10,000, if it is a budgeted

[2:04:01] item, it does not have to come back before the council because it's

[2:04:04] budgeted. The money has already been allocated in the budget to pay for fines

[2:04:08] or anything like that. So, there was no breach in that when it came down to the

[2:04:12] city manager. He had the authority to be able to go ahead and pay that fine.

[2:04:16] » Okay. So, everyone just needs to understand what the SOPs are. That's

[2:04:18] right. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to agenda item 10,

[2:04:24] consideration and action on resolution I put 202672 because that's the next one

[2:04:29] up. Um to allow the mayor to sign the agreement between the city of Hampton

[2:04:34] and G dot for the rightway maintenance of Highway 20. Can I get a motion to

[2:04:38] approve or to deny? >> I make a motion to approve. I have a

[2:04:40] motion by council member Mitchell >> to approve

[2:04:44] » and a second by council member Meeks >> to approve resolution 202672 for the

[2:04:50] agreement between Hampton uh city of Hampton and the Georgia Department of

[2:04:54] Transportation to continue the maintains maintenance of the rightway on Highway

[2:04:59] 20. Any discussion from the council? >> Yes, ma'am. We've been doing it.

[2:05:04] » We've been doing it for several years now

[2:05:06] » and now we're going to get paid. >> Now we're going to get paid for it. Yes.

[2:05:10] [laughter]

[2:05:12] » Any discussion from the public? All in favor?

[2:05:16] » All oppose? I have a 6. >> Got Miss

[2:05:20] » Oh, Miss M. Oliver, I'm sorry.

[2:05:27] » And then it slipped my mind. Time. [laughter]

[2:05:32] » I'm sorry. Oh, I I wanted to know if this um search the the company that

[2:05:38] you're hiring to uh search for the city manager, is this going to be a

[2:05:44] nationwide search? >> Yes, I am.

[2:05:45] » Okay. >> Yes.

[2:05:47] » All right. Positive happenings. Positive happenings. Council member Cheney.

[2:05:52] » All right. Positive happenings. I have to say kudos to uh Council Member

[2:05:56] Duchain for Circle K. I went there a few days ago and they were like, "Where have

[2:06:01] you been?" and I said, I'm not I wasn't going to tear my car up in this driveway

[2:06:06] parking lot. Um, so it does look good. Thank you all for, you know, doing those

[2:06:12] repairs. It really looks better. Also, um, the praise fest I sat in my car

[2:06:19] because it was too hot, but it was nice. It was it was very nice and well

[2:06:23] organized. So, those are my positive happenings. Thank you,

[2:06:27] » Council Member Pash. So, my positive happenings are the circle K. Thanks for

[2:06:34] getting it done so quickly. Um, also, um, the 5% increase we received on the

[2:06:43] water and sewer that we're not passing on in the budget. So, I'm that's a

[2:06:49] positive for me. The the no increase to the utilities or to the water.

[2:06:54] » We didn't We did it. >> We did.

[2:06:57] » [laughter]

[2:07:03] » take that back.

[2:07:07] » And the 10% increase to the hourly workers

[2:07:11] » or not, it's more than 10% because now we're going to go to 20 to $20.3 for the

[2:07:17] lowest level. >> Okay.

[2:07:21] » Um, cops day. I thought I was going to see something on the screen. What

[2:07:25] happened, Captain Brown Lee? >> What happened to cops day?

[2:07:28] » Oh, I didn't know y'all want to know, but we did have corn dogs.

[2:07:33] [laughter] >> Can I tell you a secret with her?

[2:07:37] » Can I tell you a secret? >> She don't even like corn dogs, y'all.

[2:07:41] She was so excited. But, uh, cops day. Um,

[2:07:45] the praise fest was great. Um, good job, um, Main Street apartment. And um I am

[2:07:52] happy that we confirmed Mr. Wallace um for the economic development director.

[2:07:59] Um I've had the opportunity to go to a conference with him, get to know him a

[2:08:04] little bit better. Um and he has already hit the ground running to help secure um

[2:08:13] federal funds for the city and the downtown development authority. So, I'm

[2:08:18] excited to have him here. And we haven't been here for six hours

[2:08:23] for our regular meeting, but we've been here for six hours.

[2:08:27] » Hey, council member. >> Well, I want to um [clears throat]

[2:08:32] » give thanks to the main street team for the wonderful work they've been doing

[2:08:36] international day for the first time, cough days, I guess combined. also for

[2:08:41] Chief Turner who's

[2:08:46] doing a wonderful job. I would say that his communication is is pretty much on

[2:08:52] top. And also for the city attorney, I felt comfortable with you. Um I I

[2:09:00] talked to you and I listen to your your your reason and I think you'll be a good

[2:09:05] person. >> Sure. Council not getting fired.

[2:09:09] [laughter]

[2:09:11] They stole about half of mine. I was just going to say I'm thankful that it's

[2:09:16] not 9:00 yet. >> And [clears throat]

[2:09:22] I know, but it's still >> and I am grateful for the department

[2:09:26] heads and their work to get this budget presented

[2:09:32] and get it. [clears throat]

[2:09:36] I have being in the construction industry

[2:09:41] labored and then had someone come and tear my work apart

[2:09:46] » and just pick and slice and criticize. So I my heart goes out. I know

[2:09:54] everybody's putting their best effort forward and I just appreciate it. I

[2:09:59] really appreciate the spirit that we have now. I really appreciate the spirit

[2:10:06] that our council, our city, I think we're on the right direction.

[2:10:12] » Council member Rex. >> Okay, mayor. I have at least 10 items.

[2:10:18] Um, [laughter]

[2:10:20] » go ahead council.

[2:10:25] » She wants to bring it in. First, I want to um give a shout out to Michelle

[2:10:30] Arthur on birthing her new baby and um Tova for a great job that she's

[2:10:38] done with all of our events. I attended the praise on Main Street. I did not sit

[2:10:44] in my car like Cheney, but >> I was out there in it. It was really

[2:10:49] nice. That was my church that did the craze. It was really good. Um also, I'm

[2:10:56] happy our city attorney. >> I'm happy to have you here uh having you

[2:11:02] engage with questions that come up and uh so that's really good. And also I'm

[2:11:08] happy about the direction that we're headed and um as

[2:11:14] Pam Duchain stated, communication belongs to us all. So I hope that we

[2:11:19] will continue to be transparent and um I would like to ask that on the agenda

[2:11:26] items for the public safe because you know we get the packet I don't know if

[2:11:30] the packet is all out there on the website that maybe um numbers can be

[2:11:36] added just >> yeah just the amount

[2:11:40] » okay >> you're not going to talk about our our

[2:11:42] relay race in the cop days through that through that

[2:11:45] » oh yeah by the way um I participated in a relay race and we lost because Pam

[2:11:53] » [laughter]

[2:12:00] » My team lost because um well, I'm not going to say it was Pam's fault,

[2:12:06] » but >> but it was [laughter] lost.

[2:12:10] » I'm taking responsibility. >> Yes, ma'am. I am I am grateful for the

[2:12:14] staff. The department heads put a lot of work in,

[2:12:18] but it was not just the department heads. It was all the people that work

[2:12:21] for them. Um, I know I'm interested in the budget, Wanda Moore. The amount of

[2:12:26] work, the amount of work that Wanda Moore put into the budget just

[2:12:32] it it blows you away at the dedication of of the staff to Samantha Kingsley, my

[2:12:38] executive assistant. She is she has taken the role of both sides and she is

[2:12:45] she she shows up every day and that that's a lot to be said for that. So,

[2:12:50] and I'm certainly appreciative of the direction of the council. It it feels

[2:12:54] like that we're moving forward and that's that it's great to be a part of.

[2:13:00] » I ditto everything that was said um on the council, but I want to just give the

[2:13:06] kudos to our finance department for being an awardwinning financial

[2:13:10] [applause] team.

[2:13:14] We It's important that people do know that

[2:13:20] their money is going to good use and that it is being appropriated

[2:13:25] appropriately and that um you have a team that is um masters in their field.

[2:13:34] So they are subject matter experts and we are thankful for them um putting the

[2:13:40] energy and effort that has gone into actually making sure that the city of

[2:13:44] Hampton has been recognized as an award-winning city in the finance

[2:13:48] department for government finance. Um can I say one second? So I drove by on

[2:13:55] Monday and I thought I saw Miss Wanda's car and I was like there's no way in the

[2:14:00] world she is here on a holiday night. Yeah,

[2:14:04] » she was paying her customers. >> She would be here. She would be and

[2:14:08] that's that's really that's the dedication and commitment that we have

[2:14:12] from our executive leadership. you know,

[2:14:18] if people really knew the time that these individuals put in, and you know,

[2:14:26] I know they get paid the big bucks, but this is that's nothing unusual for Miss

[2:14:33] Moore to be here on days off, holidays, midnight,

[2:14:39] you know, um these first nine months everybody was leaving the office at

[2:14:45] 5:00. We kind of went back to where we were at. We're clicking on firing on all

[2:14:50] cylinders, you know, Tova um Main Street. God, I don't even know how

[2:14:59] um

[2:15:03] I don't know how you have done it over these months and months and months. I am

[2:15:09] thankful for Mr. Wallace being here. I don't know how much help Mr. while it's

[2:15:12] going to be to you though. [laughter] You we good. But I'm just saying cuz you

[2:15:18] know Tova workaholic and a perfectionist and so um we appreciate the work that

[2:15:24] you put in over these months and and the time and commitment because when

[2:15:29] everybody else has gone home, you're here. She's here.

[2:15:31] » You're you're here. And um >> it doesn't always show up in comp time

[2:15:36] and and things of that nature. So we we appreciate that and we thank everybody

[2:15:40] for from the bottom of our hearts for loving the city of Hampton

[2:15:45] » for loving the city of Hampton for being willing to pour your heart and soul your

[2:15:50] time your energy and your effort and your expertise into our city. So I need

[2:15:55] a motion to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of real estate legal

[2:15:59] personnel and cyber security. >> I made a motion.

[2:16:01] » I have a motion by council member Mitchell to move into executive session

[2:16:05] and a second by council member Duchaine. All in favor? I have a stick.

[2:46:47] She's talking again. >> I need a motion to come out of executive

[2:46:51] session. >> I made a motion.

[2:46:52] » I have a motion by council member Mitchell. Do I have a second?

[2:46:55] » Second. >> Council by Mayor Pro White Williams. All

[2:46:58] in favor? I I have a six. Thank you guys. We are I move we

[2:47:14] All right. Take care.

Regular Council Meeting 9/8/26

Transcript