Call to Order
Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance by Councilwoman Paulette Chavers
Public Comments – Agenda Item
No one was present to speak.
Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Minutes
a) 7-15-2025 Council Minutes
Second reading and consideration of a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-04: An Ordinance amending Chapter 82 of the Statesboro Code of Ordinances to remove language concerning water and/or sewer charges for customers not utilizing the services, and to replace City Engineer with Public Utilities Director.
At the June 17, 2025 work session, the Mayor and Council were presented with concerns regarding the ordinance language which states that utility customers must pay for water and/or sewer at such time that it becomes available, whether or not they utilize these services. Citing case law, the City Attorney recommended that this language be removed. Also, the original ordinance was written with the City Engineer as the department head over utilities. In an effort to allow for proper assignment of duties within Chapter 82-Utilities, it is recommended to replace City Engineer with Director of Public Utilities. The First Reading was included on the July 15, 2025 Council Agenda.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2025-20: A Resolution to authorize the public sale of real property and the holding of a public hearing relating to the construction of a new Fire Station for the City.
City desires to enter into a tax-exempt financing transaction with the Georgia Municipal Association in order to provide funding for Fire Station #3. This resolution allows for the sale of the property to GMA, which is necessary under the contemplated financing instrument. No budget impact.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to accept a right of way deed of 0.638 acres on Brannen Street for the construction of a new street to serve the new Fire Station #3.
During the preliminary design for the fire station #3 on Brannen Street it was determined that access to the rear of the station would best be provided by mean of access from a driveway to the side property line versus a driveway that circulates around the facility from the Brannen Street frontage. This proposal will provide for that road and reserves options for future fire station expansions and an additional area for staging/testing apparatus adjacent to the station. The right of way is being deeded to the City at no cost. The City will be responsible for design and construction of the proposed street.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to EMC Engineering Services Inc. for Design and Professional Engineering Services for a new access road for Fire Station #3 in the amount of $41,000.00. To be paid from TSPLOST funds.
During the preliminary design for the fire station #3 on Brannen Street it was determined that access to the rear of the station would best be provided by mean of access from a driveway to the side property line versus a driveway that circulates around the facility from the Brannen Street frontage. This proposal will provide the survey, geotechnical, permitting, engineering and construction services support for the new street.
EMC Engineering Services Inc is also the site engineer for general contractor, Lavender & Associates, for the new Fire Station #3. Having the same engineer perform engineering services for both projects in close proximity will alleviate any scheduling or compatibility concerns and will ensure coordinated and efficient projects.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to award the renewal of the City of Statesboro’s General Liability Property and Casualty (P&C) coverage to Travelers in the amount of $1,330,939.00 and the renewal of the City’s Workers Compensation coverage to Bitco in the amount of $561,507.00. These policies were shopped out to available markets by Assured Partners (our contracted broker) and will be for a term of one year.
The City of Statesboro’s General Liability Property & Casualty (P&C), Workers Compensation and Health insurance coverages are marketed through our contracted brokers for each of these areas. Currently, our General Liability P&C and Workers Compensation is brokered by Assured Partners (Statesboro) and our Health insurance is brokered by NFP (Statesboro). These selected brokers shop all available markets and submit to the City their recommended carriers based on pricing and performance. These two new coverage policies will be for a period ending July 1, of 2026. Please note the totals above do not contain the policies for Cyber, Drone, Fire Department facilities and equipment and Assured Partners Risk Control due to these four polices renew January 1, of 2026. The Assured Partners Risk Control is a program that evaluates and attempts to mitigate the City’s risks. This program works with our current Safety Program conducted through our Human Resources Department. Fire facilities and equipment are insured by VFIS which is a fire specialty insurer that provides specialized training and the replacement of equipment at current market value. As of fiscal year 2027, it is our goal to have all our insurance coverages run concurrent with our fiscal year budget. This will allow the City to bid out all policies at once in hopes of getting better volume pricing and efficiency. The increase in our General Liability premium is due to additional vehicles and increased rates to insure each vehicle and property value increases. In addition to specific departmental charges (PD and Public Officials etc…) the premiums are charged out to departments based on the percentage of our budget each department represents. These contracted premiums are based on current personnel totals and current property owned by the City. Any changes in these areas during the year will result in potential increases in yearly premiums as we are audited throughout the year.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the City, Bulloch County, and the Federal Aviation (FAA) concerning the installation and use of FAA owned navigation, communication, and weather aid facilities.
FAA has maintained these facilities at the airport for decades. This is merely a renewal agreement.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to award a four (4) year contract to Revize provide a comprehensive website for the City of Statesboro in the amount of $36,100.00 (includes $23,900.00 design fee and $12,200.00 for first year support) for the first year and $12,200.00 for the last three (3) years for website support. If approved, this will be funded out of the Contractual Services Fund in Central Services.
Councilwoman Shari Barr asked if the website would be more user friendly and staff confirmed it would be, in addition to being more mobile-device friendly.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc for the purchase of a Hyster H50A Lift Truck (forklift) per Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract in the amount of $37,140.00. This item to be purchased with funds approved in the FY2026 CIP Budget, items WWD-208 and NGD-110, funded by system revenues.
Staff proposed to replace the existing 1991 Nissan Forklift (34 years old) with a new unit, utilizing the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract (#053024-HYS expires 7/23/2028). The existing forklift is well past its useful life and is no longer reliable for daily use. The new unit will be purchased through Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and will be sold and serviced through the Savannah distributor, LiftOne Savannah. The budget estimate was $40,000.00 and the unit quote received was $37,140.00.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 Pac-Mac KB-20 Grapple Loader Truck for the Public Works Streets Division in the amount of $225,624.00 from Sansom Equipment Company per Sourcewell Contract. Funded by 2023 TSPLOST funds.
This new Freightliner model Pac-Mac 20’ Grapple Truck would be utilized in the Streets Division of Public Works. This equipment will be used for removing vegetation from roadway clear zones. Staff proposes to purchase the equipment using Sourcewell Contract # 040621-HMC. The City has utilized the equipment vendor for purchases of similar equipment in the Sanitation Division.
The cost to purchase this equipment is $225,624.00. STS-128 has $250,000 in 2023 TSPLOST funds budgeted in FY 2026 for the purchase of this equipment.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to approve a Task Order in the amount of $31,500 with Atlas Technical Consultants for a Phase I and Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment for the ENG-123c West MainS St./Johnson St./MLK Dr. Intersection Improvement Project, to be funded by TSPLOST funds.
Design work on the West Main Street at Johnson Street and MLK Street project is currently in progress through a contract with Atlas Technical Consultants. Some of the properties within the project footprint include the presence of underground storage tanks as well as the historical use of automotive repair shop operations. A Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is needed to assess environmental concerns on these properties and protect the City from liability imposed by the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The proposed construction project will impact these properties, and includes areas where right of way will need to be acquired.
The scope of this proposal includes a Phase I ESA of the properties as well as a Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment that includes research of historical data, interviews and contacts with local officials, site reconnaissance, soil borings, soil sample laboratory analysis, groundwater sampling, and reporting. This work was not included in the scope of the original project design contract.
ENG-123c has a total budgeted amount of $4,700,000 for design and construction from 2023 TSPLOST funds. The original design contract with Atlas was in the amount of $399,800. Change Order #1 for an H&H Study of Little Lotts Creek was previously approved in the amount of $33,750. The total cost of Change Order #2 is $31,500.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Consideration of a motion to approve a Task Order in the amount of $33,200 with Cranston, LLC for design of a new City parking lot at 45 West Main St. as part of the ENG-92 West Main Streetscape Project, to be funded using TSPLOST funds.
Engineering design work on the West Main Streetscape Project is currently in progress through a contract with Cranston, LLC. Property at 45 West Main St. has been acquired by the City for construction of a parking lot. Some on-street parking will be eliminated in the proposed construction of the streetscape project. The construction of the new parking lot at 45 West Main St. will include approximately 36 parking spaces and provide a net increase in downtown parking spaces when the project is complete. Currently there are approximately 33 parking spaces in the West Main area (excluding the existing West Main/South College St. parking lot), and this proposed design will increase the total number of spaces to approximately 55. In addition, the proposed parking lot would be constructed in the initial phase of the project, so as to provide needed parking in the area during construction on West Main St.
The scope of this proposal includes topographical survey, drainage design, preliminary plans, final plans, erosion control design, irrigation design, landscaping design, and opinion of probable cost. This work was not included in the scope of the original project design contract.
ENG-92 has a total budgeted amount of $2,300,000 for design and construction from 2018 TSPLOST funds. The original design contract with Cranston was in the amount of $181,360. The total cost of this Task Order is $33,200.
Approved unanimously 5-0
Other Business from City Council
Councilwoman Shari Barr recognized the contributions to the community by the late Joe McGlamery
City Manager Comments
City Manager Charles Penny shared that he attended the recent Board of Education meeting on the tentative millage rate increase and he spoke in favor of the three mill increase. Penny went on to say that he did so in his personal capacity before utilizing the council meeting time to explain why the Board of Education is in need of the support in the process to increase the millage rate.
Public Comments (General)
No one was present to speak.
Consideration of a Motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel Matters” “Real Estate” and/or “Potential Litigation” in accordance with O.C.G.A 50-14-3(b)
Council moved into executive session at 9:32 a.m.
