Council “backs up” on speed cameras

The January meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on January 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Swainsboro City Hall. Following an invocation and pledge of allegiance, council voted to accept minutes of the previous meeting. The first item undertaken by council was to amend the agenda for the purpose of adding five items not previously included. Under old business, council discussed funding for the project involving replacement of lead pipe in the city water system. Council voted to accept a loan from Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for the project. The loan amount applied for was approximately 5 million dollars. The amount of the loan approved was slightly over four and a half million in a forgivable loan consistent with the City’s compliance with loan terms and with the City providing approximately ninety thousand dollars for engineering fees. Councilmembers posed various questions and concerns dealing with application of the funds, acquisition of right of way from homeowners, and engineering reports. The next agenda items dealing with repairs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, repairs at the Wastewater Transfer station, and the replacement of a tractor for grass cutting were postponed due to the emergency absence of the Clearwater Solutions project manager. The next issues discussed were brought by citizens who spoke on various problems within the city. David Hall addressed council on the trees, limbs and other debris in ditches and on the city right of way. Julia Carswell spoke concerning programs for young school aged children, the condition of roads in some neighborhoods and gun violence that continues in various parts of Swainsboro. In the next order of business, council agreed to repairs at the Police Station air conditioning totaling $13,700, repairs to brick and masonry at City Hall for $21,900. Council also agreed to changes associated with financial management at the Police Department necessitated by changes in the Chief position. Next, Council heard from the new Police Chief. Chief Riner requested the approval by council of the establishment of a new division within the department. This new division would be known as Training/Special Operations. The new Chief explained the need for this unit as a forward-looking step and indicated Sgt. Adam Kersey has special certification and would advance to Lieutenant grade to chair the new division. Council voted 5-0 to approve. Councilperson Sconyers next presented a proposal to posthumously honor former Fire Chief Mike Strobridge and his dedication to the city fire department. Council agreed that the headquarters building of the Swainsboro Fire Department would be named in honor of the late Chief. The motion was carried by council. Another item for the evening that was added by amendment to the agenda was an explanation of House Bill 581. City attorney Levis gave a summary of the bill’s provisions and a timetable for opting in or out. The bill was passed state-wide in the November election and is seen as a possible cap to counter rising property taxes on residential assets. Levis explained that no action was necessary if council did not choose to opt out. In other action, council voted to charge fifty cents per 100 gallons of water for sale to contractors and others at city water filling stations. Council then discussed new committee appointments. No changes were taken pending later action. In another last-minute agenda change, council decided to revisit a controversial move from an earlier meeting involving “speed cameras.” on Tiger Trail. In a complete about face, council approved a motion to rescind the motion from an earlier meeting to install speed cameras on Tiger Trail and then approved a motion not to install speed cameras on Tiger Trail. There was no discussion concerning the reversal. In other action related to cameras, council did approve a request by Chief Riner for installation and leasing of cameras devoted to the prevention of more serious criminal activity. In closing action, council postponed any action on appointments to other municipal committees and approved the issuance of game room licenses for two locations previously applied for. The last item before adjournment of the meeting concerned the condition of the Swainsboro City Auditorium. Carol Donaldson, representing the Sunshine House asked for the city’s help and awareness in maintaining the standard of operation and appearance of the facility. Donaldson emphasized the value of the city auditorium to this community and appealed to council not to overlook how many organizations such as The Sunshine House rely on the auditorium as an essential part of their operation and financial support. Mayor Bennett commented that they would include that on next month’s agenda. At this point, the meeting was adjourned.

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