Grovetown, GA City Council Meeting; 11/12/2024 Notes
By Bradley Roemer
Asst City Administrator Bradley Smith reported on the City’s expenditures and budget to date.
Currently the City is within its expected expenditures but that is expected to increase as more of
the costs of cleanup from Hurricane Helene continue to build up which is expected to require
taking additional money from the general fund.
Mr. Smith reported on the costs of cleanup and how the City will be reimbursed by FEMA.
FEMA reimburses 100% of the costs for approved disaster cleanup for a period of 90 days.
Because of the nature of the storm and when recovery was able to begin, Mr. Smith reported that the City will likely apply for an extension of this period which can be approved in 30 day increments. Council member Bowman asked about reimbursements after that period expires or extensions are no longer approved. Mr. Smith reported that at that point FEMA reimburses at a level of 70% but he was unsure of how long that period lasts or what the percentages drop to in subsequent stages.
Regarding item 15D (see below) under New Business, Mr. Smith reported that the City Administrator had entered into a $1.5 for debris removal under emergency procurement authorities and would come to the Council for approval if and when further funds are required to extend this contract.
6:30 PM – Council Meeting
1. Call Meeting to Order/Announcement of Quorum
2. Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of October 15, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
Before the Committee reports began, CC Commissioner (District 4) Alison Couch spoke about the County’s debris cleanup efforts. She indicated the County had entered into similar contracts with the same companies the City had.
5. Committee Reports
A. Public Safety
Council member Blair reported call response numbers for the Grovetown PD and FD.
Both of these numbers were increased above normal because of Hurricane Helene. Mr. Blair reported about a joint operation in which Grovetown PD participated that resulted in the arrest of 3 individuals using various social media platforms in attempts to lure minors into sexual situations.
B. Utility Billing and Utility Services – N/A
C. Planning and Development
Council member Bowman reported on the numbers of business licenses, fines, permits, etc. issued by the City in the previous reporting period.
D. General Services
Council member Martin reported that the Trails at Euchee Creek remains closed for safety considerations caused by debris from Hurricane Helene. She noted that some continue to use the Trails anyway and asked all present to respect the signs indicating the Trails are closed.
E. Administration – N/A
6. Financial Statement – N/A
7-12. The Mayor and Council issued several awards and certificates to City employees and citizens for service to the City and the community. (There were more awards than typical due to actions related to Hurricane Helene.)
13. Citizens Comments
Dr. Esaias Merritt, Pastor of Macedonia Church of Grovetown, spoke briefly about some of his Church’s efforts to engage with and assist those in need in the community. He expressed his desire to see further engagement and interaction in these activities from the City.
14. General Business: (Old) – N/A
15. General Business: (New)
Each of these items had been given a first reading by Asst City Administrator Bradley Smith during the working session.
A. Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-11-01, Resolution to Adopt Revised Building Fee Schedule
Passed 4-0 without discussion
B. Recommend Adoption of Ordinance 2024-11-02, Ordinance to Rezone 104 Leven Street (Parcel No. G05 024A) from R-2 (Residential) to GC (General Commercial)
Passed 4-0 without discussion
C. Recommend Adoption of Ordinance 2024-11-03, Ordinance to Rezone a Portion (±5.31 acres) of 408 Newmantown Rd (Portion of Parcel No. G14 032) from R-2 (Residential) to R-C1
Passed 3-1 without discussion*, Council member Martin voting against
(*As the Mayor was about to call for a vote, Mr. Blair seemed to notice that Ms. Martin seemed to be holding back and he politely interrupted the mayor to ask Ms. Martin if she had something she wanted to say. Ms. Martin declined. I found the exchange interesting considering that the two voted differently on the issue but Mr. Blair seemed genuine in his desire to ensure Ms. Martin had an opportunity to speak on the matter.)
D. Discussion of Procumbent of Debris Collection Contracts with DebrisTech and Ceres Environmental Services- Finance Director/Asst. City Administrator Bradley Smith
No vote. This was the emergency contract for storm related debris cleanup.
Council member Eric Blair asked Mr. Smith if would be possible to get a schedule from the companies for the debris cleanup to let residents know what to expect. Mr. Smith indicated he had already asked about that and the companies assured him such a schedule was not feasible because of the amount of debris and the uncertainties involved in cleaning it up. He cited one example the company gave that when they first surveyed one street they anticipated it would take one day to clear but ended up taking three days. Commissioner Couch interjected that the County had received similar information and reported she had learned one reason for the slow cleanup is that not all of the trucks are rated to handle the same type of debris so some of the larger piles take a while to sort (A crew with a truck than can only handle limbs and branches up to a certain diameter or length will get what they can safely but if there are larger pieces as well they have to wait until those are moved by crews with the appropriate equipment before they can get all of the smaller debris.). Recognizing this difficulty, Council member Blair asked if it would be possible just to get a list of what streets or neighborhoods are next so that at least residents will know they can expect to see cleanup crews after the area on the list before them is completed. Mr. Smith said he would inquire about this possibility and report back.
E. Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-11-04, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property
Passed 4-0 without discussion
F. Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2024-11-05, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property (Marshall, NC)*
Passed 4-0 without discussion
This resolution is to approve transfer of two former Grovetown PD squad cars to the Marshall, NC PD which lost all of its equipment to damage from Hurricane Helene and associated flooding. The two cars in question had already been declared surplus and have not been in use by the Grovetown PD. The Grovetown Police Chief and one of his officers will handle the logistics and transportation of the vehicles to the Marshall PD.
16. Director’s Reports – N/A