March 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes

March 11, 2025

The Mayor and City Council held their regular City Council meeting on Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Winterville Historic Depot, 101 Marigold Lane, Winterville, Georgia.

Attendees:

Mayor Dodd Ferrelle, Bruce Johnson, Melissa Metzger, Jonathan Mosley, Municipal Clerk Wendy Bond and City Attorney David Ellison.

Mayor Ferrelle called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Minutes:

Councilperson Mosley moved to approve the minutes of February 11, 2025. The motion was

seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved.

New Business

The First item of New Business: FireWise Community. Councilperson Metzger moved to make Winterville a FireWise community. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved. Arborist Susan Russell will follow up with Fire Chief Gabriel.

The Second Item of New Business: Right of Way Ordinance. Councilperson Mosley moved to approve the Right of Way Ordinance as presented by city attorney David Ellison. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and approved.

The Third Item of New Business: Survey Fee for Auditorium Grounds. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve $1,000.00 general funds for a survey of the auditorium property/grounds. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.

The Fourth Item of New Business: Speed Limit Reductions. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve the reduction of speed limits citywide as follows: Smithonia from City Limits to Curve 35 MPH - Smithonia Curve to Stop Light 25 MPH - Cherokee 35 MPH all the way on both sides - Main Street from County line to curve 35 MPH - 25 MPH in the curve to stop sign.

The Fifth Item of New Business: Intersection Improvements-Robert Hardeman and Main

St. Change order from College Pro Landscaping. Councilperson Metzger moved to approve $11,829.00 TSPLOST 2018 funds for a change order from College Pro Landscaping. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.

The Sixth Item of New Business: Change Order 002 Parkview Road, Winterville and Main Street. Councilperson Johnson moved to approve $5,410.00 TSPLOST 2018 funds for a change order submitted by W&A Engineering. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.

The Seventh Item of New Business: Smithonia Curve Safety Improvements/Wood Railing. Councilperson Johnson moved to accept an estimate of $88,016.50 TSPLOST 2018 funds for the Athens Road Guardrail Scope as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved unanimously.

The Eighth Item of New Business: Cultural Center Additions, Bicycle Pad & 2 Benches.

Councilperson Johnson moved to approve $3,438.00 TSPLOST 2018 funds for poured pads for bicycle rack and two (2) benches. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Metzger and approved.

The Ninth Item of New Business: HPC Extending term of Chairman. Councilperson Mosley moved to table this item in order for Attorney Ellison to look into this matter. The city ordinance would have to be amended to allow it. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson and tabled unanimously.

The Tenth Item of New Business: JDA Member Approval. Councilperson Metzger moved to

approve Amanda Mooney to serve on the Joint Development Authority committee. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.

The Eleventh Item of New Business: Tree Removal in Pittard Park. Councilperson Johnson

moved to approve up to $2,000.00 general funds to remove a tree near the BBQ hut in Pittard Park. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Mosley and approved unanimously.

The Twelfth Item of New Business: Ticket to Ride Event March 22, 2025. The 14th Annual

Ticket to Ride event will come through Winterville on Saturday March 22, 2025. There will be approximately 250 bicyclists in attendance.

The Thirteenth Item of New Business: Replacement Police Car. Chief Young continues

obtaining quotes for a replacement police car for the 2021 Durango, totaled in an accident. No action was taken on this item.

Committee Reports:

Public Finance – (Councilpersons Mosley & Johnson): Councilperson Mosley stated Clerk Bond has prepared statements through February 28, 2025. These documents are available for public review upon request.

Public Safety (Councilpersons Metzger & Mosley) Chief Colt Young gave a brief report.

Fire Department – Chief Michael Gabriel submitted a call report.

Public Works – (Councilperson Johnson) Construction continues on the addition to city hall. The estimated time of completion is April 30, 2025. The fountain pump is requiring more extensive work that first thought. Tom Doonan is working with the contractor who installed it.

Communications – (Councilperson Metzger) The newly designed Winterville Gazette will be out soon.

Cultural Center – Tina Mills presented several items that need attention at the Cultural Center.

Museum Report – Jonathan Scott gave a verbal report.

Marigold Market & Food Hub – Sarah Hovater was unable to attend.

Library Report – Sam Watson gave a verbal report.

Clerk’s Report – No report was presented.

City Attorney’s Report – No report was presented.

Mayor’s Report – Dodd Ferrelle stated Athens-Clarke County continues working on the

connection of the Firefly trail from Athens to Winterville. An estimated time of completion is

twenty (20) months.

Public Comments – Councilperson Johnson stated there is a distressed tree just off the Firefly trail in the ACC right of way.

Announcements –

Adjournment – Councilperson Mosley moved adjourn at 7:03 pm. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Johnson.

Wendy L. Bond, Municipal Clerk