This is an informal rundown of the Statesboro City Council Meeting on April 7, 2026.
Call to Order – Councilwoman Ginny Hendley was not present.
Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance – Given by City Manager Charles Penny
Recognitions
- Presentation of a proclamation recognizing April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Presentation of a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Public Comments – Agenda Items – No one signed up to speak.
Consideration of a Motion to Approve the Consent Agenda
A) Approval of Minutes
a) 03-17-2026 Council Minutes
b) 03-17-2026 Executive Session Minutes
Approved unanimously 4-0
Consideration of a motion to approve Resolution 2026-14: A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint voting delegates for the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia’s Election Committee.
As a member of MGAG, the City must appoint a voting delegate and an alternate to cast votes for leadership roles and policies at the Annual Membership Meeting. The current delegates listed on MGAG’s register no longer work for the City of Statesboro. Therefore, it is recommended that Matt Aycock, Director of Public Utilities, and Jason Boyles, Assistant City Manager, be appointed as delegate and alternate delegate respectively.
No discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve a Development Agreement with JBP Southern, LLC, to use $78,300 in TAD funds for installation of private infrastructure within the development commonly known as Lafayette, Turner, and Thomas located at 10 Lafayette Street within the South Main Tax Allocation District.
On March 16, 2026, the TAD Advisory Committee recommended 4-0 that $78,300 in TAD funding be approved by Mayor and Council as redevelopment agency for the South Main TAD.
City Manager Charles Penny said the project is a ‘great project’ and a ‘great use of TAD funds.
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve Contract Amendment #2 in the amount of
$13,931.75 on Task Order #7 with Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Inc. for additional
professional engineering services on STM-46 Little Lotts Tributary Stream Restoration,
to be funded by the EPD Section 319(h) grant.
City Council awarded a contract to GMC for Task Order #7, professional engineering services for Little Lott’s Tributary Stream Restoration Project in January 2023. The contract covers permitting and design services in conjunction with an Environmental Protection Division (EPD) 319 (h) grant. On March 18, 2025, City Council approved Amendment #1 for this task order, which increased the total budget from $131,250 to $158,750, for additional environmental surveying and reporting that was required for the permit.
The US Army Corps of Engineers permitting process for wetland disturbance pushed the completion date back by over a year. This additional time will require additional grant reporting that was not included in the original contract with GMC. Due to the unique nature of the work, staff also requested additional site visits by GMC to ensure the work is being constructed as intended and in accordance with the environmental regulations of EPD.
The EPD’s 319(h) grant to the City of Statesboro was recently increased from $381,715 to $400,000.00 to cover this cost and other potential construction contingencies. The grant funds will cover the cost of this contract amendment, under STM-46. The total cost for engineering services on Task Order #7 would be increased from $158,750 to $172,681.75
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to negotiate a contract for design services to DPR
Architecture. This contract will entail major design renovations and repairs to City Hall (GBD-4) and will be funded from 2025 SPLOST funds.
The City of Statesboro issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design services for City Hall. This opportunity was advertised as required by our procurement policy producing only one response. The areas to be covered are; complete HVAC replacement, Utility Billing safety renovation, building structural improvements, external window replacements, exterior and interior painting, lighting improvements, flooring replacement and conversion of storage space into a conference room on the first floor.
The HVAC system is extremely old and has been in need of replacement for many years as maintenance cost every year is significant. The HVAC system replacement represents over half of the projected cost of these repairs to be included in this design contract. DPR is a local firm and has worked successfully on many City projects over the years.
Staff recommends a contract for design services be awarded to DPR Architecture. If approved, City staff will enter into negotiations as to the percentage of construction project the architectural design fee will entail. This amount is typically 8-10%. This complete construction project, once designed, is expected to be around $3.5 million dollars.
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Suncoast Restoration in the amount of $299,737.75 as they submitted the lowest responsive bid for this project to refurbish and renovate the brick surfaces and windows of the Averitt Arts Center. This project (GBD-4) will be funded from 2025 SPLOST funds.
The City of Statesboro issued an invitation to bid on renovations for the Averitt Arts Center. This opportunity was advertised as required by our procurement policy. The elements covered in this contract will be brick pointing and coating of exterior brick to prevent future brick deterioration and leakage which is a significant problem in the theater portion of the Arts Center. Also, all exterior windows will be fully replaced as well to prevent leaking and to provide more efficient energy usage. This bid package was designed with the assistance of our consultant Rob Lyon and Associates who specializes in water intrusion prevention. Rob has approved Suncoast as a qualified contractor and has analyzed their bid an approved the methodologies contained within it. This bid amount is funded from 2025 SPLOST funds and is within budget.
Staff recommends the a contract be awarded to Suncoast Restoration in the amount of $299,737.75 as they submitted the lowest responsive bid for this project.
- Founders Maint. And Restoration $446,289.00
- Hubbard and Hudson $438,000.00
- MMI $525,813.00
- Suncoast Restoration $299,737.75
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve a bid and contract with Underground Excavating, Inc. for $331,804.08 for construction of the Fire Station 3 Access Road (ENG-130A), funded by TSPLOST funds.
The work in this contract includes construction of a street with a cul-de-sac connecting to Brannen Street at the location for the new Fire Station#3. The street construction includes storm drainage, water and sewer infrastructure, curb and gutter, and sidewalk. The street will allow for circulation of Fire Department vehicles through Fire Station 3. The lowest bidder, Underground Excavating, meets the requirements of the bid package and submitted an acceptable bid bond.
The low bid submitted by Underground Excavating is below the engineer’s cost estimate of $533,427.40. The project is to be paid for using 2018 and 2023 TSPLOST funds.
Staff recommends approval of a contract with Underground Excavating, Inc., in the amount of $331,804.08 for construction of ENG-130A Fire Station#3 Access Road.
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet 3500 Crew Cab from Alan Jay Fleet Sales in the amount of $69,790.82 for the Stormwater Division, to be funded by Stormwater Operating Income.
This item is part of a planned replacement of an existing 2015 F-350 Ford Work Truck that is past its useful life. The existing truck would be surplused. A vehicle bid request was solicited in January, 2025, but no bids were received at that time. Staff then solicited a quote from Alan Jay Fleet Sales under state contract NO. GA 99999-001-SPD0000229. Alan Jay Fleet Sales provided a quote for a vehicle that met the Stormwater Division specifications.
Funding will be from Stormwater Operating Income funds. STM-7 has $185,000 budgeted for FY 2026. There were two vehicle purchases planned in STM-7 for FY 2026. The Stormwater Division purchased a 2026 Ford F-250 earlier this fiscal year as part of this STM-7. The vehicle cost $50,000 plus $11,500 for upfitting. The remaining $123,500 in STM-7 will cover the purchase and outfitting of the proposed vehicle.
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Consideration of a motion to award a contract to Tyson Utilities in the amount of $115,351.50 for the installation of approximately 2000 feet of six-inch water main with appurtenant equipment (hydrants, valves, services) to serve additional hangers at the Statesboro/Bulloch County Airport. This project will be paid by Bulloch County with Airport TSPLOST funds.
Bulloch County approached the City of Statesboro requesting water services to
additional hangers under construction at the Statesboro/Bulloch County Airport. In order to obtain adequate fire protection, the City and County agreed that a six-inch water main with fire hydrants was the proper solution. It was also agreed that the City would be responsible for engineering and bidding of the project, and the County would be responsible for funding the construction costs. With five utility contractors submitting bids, Tyson Utilities was the low bidder with a construction bid of $115,351.50.
It is the recommendation of staff and of our consulting engineers, Hussy Gay Bell, to award the contract to Tyson Utilities in the amount of $115,351.50 to be paid with Bulloch County’s Airport TSPLOST funds.
No council discussion. Approved 4-0.
Public Comments
[First Name inaudible] Huff, 1st year MBA student at Georgia Southern – Introduced herself to council.
Other Business from City Council
Councilwoman Shari Barr – addressed upcoming events
City Managers Comments
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)
No executive session.
Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.
