Council hears from Citizens: And ponders a Police Chief

The Swainsboro City Council and Mayor held the regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024. Present were councilmembers Collins, Davis, Quarterman, Sconyers and Stafford. The council seat for District 5 is still unfilled. An invocation was brought by new Swainsboro Fire Department Chief, Ali Mimbs, and the pledge of allegiance followed. Council first heard comments from four citizens: David Hall addressed council concerning excessive noise at a local car wash facility and the condition of some drainage ditches where storm debris remains; Rita Faulkner commended the City for its recovery efforts, and also inquired about a building near Gerald Phillips Park. The structure appears to be dangerously derelict and represents a safety hazard for the adjacent Park; Julia Carswell addressed council concerning the increased amount of rent charged by landlords in the City. She also inquired about reinstatement of the Headstart program and the need for such services for very young children; Brenda Mack inquired about details concerning the City property tax sale.

Under old business, the second reading of an amendment to the City Alcohol Ordinance was held after which the amendment was passed, 5-0. (A copy of the full text of the amendment appears elsewhere in this issue of The Forest Blade.) Next, the rental of equipment used in storm cleanup was discussed and continuation of the rental of a front-end loader was approved for another month at a cost of $15,883.86. In other items of old business, the pension multiplier for certain employees of the city was discussed and passed, 5-0. Concluding old business was the Gumlog Gym renovation project which received the 5-0 approval of council in allocating $36,500 for flooring and $127,400 for installation of sprinkler fire protection.

Under new business, the council voted 5-0 to advance payment of $200,000 to various sub-contractors for services performed in the storm cleanup. According to Mayor Bennett, reimbursement will be provided to the city in the future from various sources including FEMA and state of Georgia agencies. The next issue concerned the installation of new water usage meters and software. No contract amount was discussed, but covid recovery money from the American Rescue Plan was referred as the funding source for the replacement costs. The motion was passed, 5-0. At this point, Councilman Davis requested a change in agenda to afford council the opportunity to discuss the selection process of a new Chief of Police who will replace retiring Chief Randy Ellison at the end of this year. This completed the meeting’s agenda.

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