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The Cordele City Commission met on Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 9am at the Cordele City Hall Courtroom with Chairman Joshua Deriso, Commissioner Vest Beal Shepard, Commissioner Isaac H. Owens, Commissioner Royce Reeves, Sr., Commissioner Wesley Rainey and City attorney, Tommy Coleman in attendance.

There was one speaker appearance from a Mr. McGarrick Butts to address the food truck ordinance. He spoke on issues he had with policies on liability insurance within the food truck ordinance. He was saying that the ordinance claims that he only needs $1,000,000 in liability insurance. It was suggested to him that he speaks with the City Manager and Clerk regarding this matter.

Department Heads:

Sonia Alexander was there in place of the finance director and informed the commission that they have received over $1,000,000 in property taxes.

Fire Chief Todd Alligood, gave the update for the fire department, they are working to develop a basic first aid and CPR class for city employees on April 22^nd and 25^th at the police department training facility. The fire department will be attending the job fair at the Crisp County High School. They are constantly completing training and improving.

Cordele Police Chief, Jalon Heard they are including their Corporal and Sergeants in the interviewing process and it is going well. They will be participating in the job fair at the Crisp County High School. They will also be involved in the SAM Shortline Easter egg hunt. They will be hosting the Autism Awareness Stroll on April 20^th at the walking track. Danny Hicks is the new Patrol Commander after an intensive assessment.

Codes yearly goals they are going to continue to engagement awareness and increase code compliance in all wards, as well as continue training. They have been made aware through Express Disposal was cleaning up the alleys and as soon as it was clean people started dumping again. A reminder pick-up is curbside for all trash and code compliance will beholding people accountable.

 

Agenda Items:

Agenda item number one was to consider and approve new alcoholic beverage license (not exceptions noted). It was reviewed by Police Chief Heard on March 1, 2024. The license is for Sonny’s Package store at 412 E 16^th Ave. St. H Cordele, Ga 31015. The owner is M. Dipankumar P. Patel. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number two was to consider and approve new board appointment for the Cordele Housing Authority Board to have Mrs. Marlene Kimball to replace Mrs. Mary Joyce Parker.

• Unexpired term ending September 18, 2024
• To continue to serve the following five-year term beginning September 18, 2024 – ending September 29, 2029.

This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number three was to consider and approve the second reading of an Ordinance to amen and restate the Retirement Plan for the employees of the City of Cordele, Georgia, in accordance with an subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Adoption Agreement, any Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, the Georgia Municipal employees Benefit System (GMEBS) Basic Plan Document, and the GMEBS Trust Agreement. When accepted by the authorize officers of the City an GMEBS, he foregoing shall constitute a contract between the City and GMEB, all as authorized and provided by O.C.G.A 47-5-1 et seq.

Background Summary Information:

GMEBS recently received a favorable determination letter from the IRS for the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan. The plan, as approved, incorporate required federal law updates, as well as administrative updates adopted by the Board of Trustees of GMEBS over the last several years. To ensure continued tax-qualified status for all GMEBS member retirement plans, all participating employers must readopt their plans using the most recent IRS-approved Adoption Agreement. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number four was to discuss the Hazard Mitigation Grant for Generators. $73,000 would need to come out of general funds to cover for four generators along side the grant. This item was properly moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Agenda item number five was a resolution to change Williams Field to Williams-Bartee Field (after Commissioner Bartee who served the City of Cordele for decades and sought to develop the field). This item was passed on and meeting continued.

Agenda item number six was to name the 50+ years of employee’s services award after Mrs. Irene Cantrell who has unwaveringly served the City of Cordele for 52 years. This item was passed on and meeting continued.