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WILLIAMSON - Council Members Carol Berry, Bob Harrison, Steve Davis, and Tom Brown were in attendance along with Mayor Steve Fry, City Clerk Pamela Schoentag, and City Attorney Heath English. Steve Levin could not attend tonight.
I. Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Welcome
II. Approval of the Agenda
Motion to approve. Approved 4-0.
III. Approval of the Minutes
A. Motion to approve the minutes from workshop on September 3, 2025. Approved 4-0.
B. Motion to approve the minutes from hearing on September 4, 2025. Approved 4-0. C. Motion to approve minutes from meeting on September 4, 2025. Approved 4-0.
IV. Financial Report
Motion to accept. Approved 4-0.
V. Reports from Departments, Committees, and Boards
A. City Clerk. None.
B. Council Member Reports
Tom Brown.
Do we have a discussion of bids on trees? Yes.
Steve Davis.
Motion to nominate Richard Riley for the Ethics Committee. Approved 4-0.
Said that he is discouraged with disfunctional comment about the City Council. Maybe Mr. Gordon is correct. There is a division between members of the council that is obvious. Asking questions and not getting response to two emails. Disappointed. If you don’t like someone that you’re working with, it’s bad to openly campaign against people that you’re working with. Not happy with the Mayor because of campaign signs on his property (for opponents of sitting council members). Says it is disrespectful and distasteful. Asked for weekly update on the city from the Mayor. Didn’t have an answer until tonight. Why can’t we get updates before a meeting. I’m tired of it. We have zoning issues. Why aren’t we using our zoning administrator? Two trailers being renovated down the way. We have procedures for how we do things in the city, and that includes going through the zoning administrator and following city ordinances. Wants to see permits for everyone the same.
[Note from the Editor: A couple of thoughts. A simple written report weekly, bi-weekly, or prior to the monthly meeting would be helpful so everyone is on the same page with the Mayor. The county requires that from the county manager too. For those who are not familiar with this city government, this is a working board with members and the Mayor doing what the county manager does in our county manager form of government. And Williamson City Council is different from the Board of Commissioners because there council members often out physically helping take care of the needs in their city; whereas the county will have a department to do everything. With some of the questions that I’ve asked, it sounds like there are permits that are required from the county on some things and the city on others. And the city ordinances need a complete revamp. More on that with the whole hubbub on the renovation where someone was told that he didn’t need a permit but then he does, and the city ordinances say to tear it out and then rebuild because it isn’t in compliance at the time of submitting a request for a permit because he was told that he didn't need one in the first place.]
Mayor Fry. We can send out a letter for those who are not in compliance with our ordinances. City codes and county codes are not the same so have to ask if we need a permit here. New roofs do not require a permit, but we did not get a request for electrical. There is an issue about signs, and emails have gone out. Not staying neutral this time because of accusations and comments.
[Note from the Editor: This is ugly, y’all. I started writing on this, and then decided to quit typing as the rant and back and forth went on and on and on. If you want to watch it, watch the FB Live (or go to the Pike County Times YouTube page) with a note that at least some of this is addressed when Cory Dague speaks about 271 Old Fayetteville Road later in the meeting. I have listened to the two prior meetings and gone through a slew of open records, and I’m discouraged/irritated for the people of Williamson. I’m not going to call anyone out specifically because different personalities and life experiences can be an issue at times, but being elected to public office to represent the people means that representatives should find a way to work together for the good of the people because being on a board is not about doing things your way or mine, it’s about working for the good of the community. Period. Justification to slice each other pieces in OR out of a meeting isn’t good for the community.]
Discussion over the amphitheater. It’s under discussion. There are cones around it. Put a temporary rail about it? 30 inches is the requirement for a deck.
There is a discussion about 2 decks. The county won’t do anything without the city’s request. The city was told that these were pre-existing.
Derelict properties? The green house and on Little Street and one on the hill that are vacant and need to be looked at.
Discussion of structural and how things are defined according to county and city code.
Bob Harrison.
Thanks for whoever cleaned up 2nd District Road. The county did a good job. Cleaning the drains is going to be an ongoing issue.
Carol Berry.
The Sherlock Holmes Mystery Dinner was well attended. We had more than 50 people over the 2 days. Made $1330 after paying the expenses that is going to the library to buy new books. It was wonderful.
I am making a donation to the library from a 2023 Story Book Trail around the Walking Trail. And a person is interested in sponsoring the next book. This is a book that can be checked out from the library. Long time coming.
C. City Attorney Report
Ethics Board is now full. Need to arrange a meeting. Get this started please.
D. Mayor’s Report.
Congratulations to all those who make our city work. We are not shut down like the federal government. $5,000 in the bank in the beginning. What should we do with that money? We are doing well with $800,000 in the general fund. We are giving back to the citizens with quality of life and trying to lower taxes for residents. Patching potholes, running parks and recreation and the library, and trying to lower taxes despite there being more people.
Carol Berry.
The bathrooms have been cleaned at the walking trail. Not having any issues now that school is in session.
E. County Matters
Melville Brown has been paved.
F. Library Report
Beverly. Chair Yoga. Little Leafs has started. We have a huge new touch screen that was donated. Able to do computer classes. More than the entire budget for the library. New children’s furniture too. Excited about new books. Not giving away books at Trunk or Treat. Pike Literacy Program has run out. Gave out over 700 books last year. If I give out what we have, I won’t have anything for the free libraries. People are using them, and we are constantly filling them up.
VI. Unfinished Business
A. City Main Waterline Project and Improvements Update
Did a walk through this week. Have been working on this. Maybe put something there to protect the fixture.
B. Second District Road Drainage and Curbing Issues
County cleared the drains, and that should help us a lot. Maybe need a 2 inch lip to keep it from running into people’s yards. Will reevaluate.
C. Memorial Tree Planting Project for Park Update
It looks bad where the trees were removed because of falling limbs. Every one of those trees were diseased, dead, or damaged. Got an estimate to remove the trees. There are 3 that are still not in good shape that need to come down. All of the stumps need to be taken care of. Brown. Need to have city utilities located out there. Suggested that we have trees removed, and then put a proper scope on what we want done for everything because dirt will have to be brought in with everyone on the same page. The drainage pipe could be an issue. They cut 34 trees rather than 26. Davis. Said that we should have a contract on this. 2 quotes on stump grinding only. Want to have a memorial park where people can plant trees and bushes in memory of their loved ones. Question about grinding or digging them up and deal with drainage. More discussion. Need to write it up properly and put it out for a price so it’s fair to everyone. Need to take down final trees. Brown wants the city to put together an outline of all of the work that needs to be done with the trees and the stumps. Discussion. We’ve got to get down to the drain and do something to make the water flow. Grading only. Harrison. The 3 trees are a safety issue. Let’s do that first. Brown. Motion to put together a bid package on everything. Rescinded his motion. More discussion of the daily rate to cut down and remove the 3 trees.
Motion to get Holbrook Tree Service to remove the 3 pine trees per the bid, and then we’ll deal with the rest. Discussion. Need to make sure that the amount is still good. 2nd. Approved 4-0. Attorney. Did your motion include an alternative if they are not willing to do this? No. Amend the motion to say that if they don’t want to, to go with Middle Georgia Environmental for removal. Approved.
[Note from the Editor: It would look better if there was a sealed bid process that did not involve anyone talking to anyone afterward. It takes longer, but it looks better on the city in the long run.]
Davis. Why don’t we get the county to open this up before grading? Fry. Will do this tomorrow.
Motion to amend the agenda to move public comment to now. Approved 4-0.
Cory Dague regarding 271 Old Fayetteville Road. Son lives here on Old Fayetteville Road and wants Mother In Law to be able to live somewhere close. Really excited for opportunity to be able to buy this property. Thought that we would do electrical only because it wasn’t safe, but they opened up Pandora’s Box. Discovered some unsafe situations. The steps are not up to code, etc. We just did what was needed. Had no idea that he might need a permit. Wasn’t trying to get away with anything. Pulled a permit for electrical and plumbing. Did the deck. Has about $60,000 in what they’ve done and really doesn’t want to tear it out. Fry. Most places have codes that have a penalty on work done without a permit rather than tearing it out and putting it back up. You were told that you didn’t need a permit to begin with. Replaced the concrete stoop with a deck.
Mayor Fry. We are trying to find a way to get a permit for you on this. This includes a change to current ordinances. This includes having a public hearing and a vote. Can accept an application for a variance, and you could appeal our action. We can deny the variance. You can appeal. We can change our ordinances to a way that we can live with. Apologized to the board and the attorney for not talking them prior to the meeting. The fence is different than the deck. The county needs to check the deck first. Intent is not tear down anything. You have vested property rights under state law. Hold tight for now. Let us work on it.
D. Old Fayetteville Road Paving Project Update
Don’t have an update. An engineer is needed to assess this to help put together a scope for this. Harrison. Is there a way to put a weight limit on this street? Yes.
E. New Picnic Table for Memorial Park
Someone has volunteered to build this.
F. Status of Tree Limbs on Purser Circle
Has been trimmed but concerned that it may still be touching the school buses. The school hasn’t responded to reaching out to confirm that this is good. Fry. Thinks that there is room to get around this in a large truck. Harrison. Watched a school bus come down Old Fayetteville to turn on Hwy 362. Concerned about that turn. Talked about how to make school buses safer including discussion of changing traffic flow pattern.
G. Speed Hump Ordinance Second Reading
Motion to accept speed hump ordinance as written. Approved 4-0.
H. Trunk or Treat / Fall Festival Planning
Saturday, October 25 from 5-7 p.m. A lot of interest. The Church of Joy has a big sign up sheet. Citizens are wanting to sign up too. Music on the stage? Yes.
I. Review of Water Superintendent Contract
Includes attending city council meetings. Motion to accept the contract. Approved 4-0.
J. Amphitheater Completion Status
Fry. Spoke to a few contractors about it. Said that a bid from last year would not go over $50,000. Another company is interested in bidding on this. AmWaste still wants to help sponsor this along with another business partner on this. Sealed bids? Yes. Brown. The amphitheater has been talked about since Covid. Waiting on a sponsor for this. We have never voted against finishing this. It’s hard to vote something down if we don’t have a price on it. Been working on this hard this year too. This is the tax payer’s money to spend and trying to spend it well. Davis. Also need to keep it secure. If we can show people where money is going in a positive way for the community, it would be good.
Motion to get a scope (a bid) for a sun cover/shade on this. Discussion. Fry. February 4, 2021. Approved a bid of $148,360 for the entire project. Got the foundation built. A complaint was sent to the county that put a stop work order on it. When that was addressed, then it was recommended that a commercial contractor build this. The city could hire out subs according to the attorney. Got an architect firm to come up with a plan that was over $1 million. June 6, 2024. $32,200 for electrical, etc. Talked to donors about this. We have it plumbed in for 2 restrooms, and people from the community would like to see it done. A shell won’t protect this as well as the performers. Fry talked about building this the way that it was originally planned with bathrooms, etc. Back to the original motion to get a scope (bid) for a sun cover/shade on the amphitheater. Approved 4-0.
K. Vacancy of Council Member Appointee to Ethics Board
No vacancy now. Done earlier in the meeting.
L. Sign Placement Concerns on City Streets and Roads
Signs cannot be specified for politics. Brown. Asked for clarification about politics with signs. Current ordinance says that the city can pick up political signs if it doesn’t conform with an ordinance. This will go through the county since the county has a code enforcement officer.
[Note from the Editor: This is a hot mess. The city ordinances need to be updated because regulation of signs based on content or viewpoint are a no-no. Pike County’s regulations were changed probably 20 years ago to reflect this and read as follows today: “…No provision of this Article shall be construed to allow regulation of signs based on the content or view point of the sign message.” Article 25, Section 2503 G. www.pikecoga.com/uploads/1/3/3/6/133643513/article_25___sign_regulations.pdf.]
VII. New Business
A. Fire flow testing.
Exceeded the minimum to 20 psi. Still going to do a little more testing, but there has been a dramatic improvement. Discussion of ISO rating for the city. We are at best rating for a municipality. Can work on an issue now without shutting down the entire city.
B. This was covered earlier in the meeting. The Planning Commission recommended denying the variance. That is what the ordinance says, but we would like to rewrite our ordinance because of vested rights of property owners, etc. Attorney. Good chance that we wouldn’t win if that went to court. Brown. 4 foot fence needs to be discussed was well. Maintenance purposes is the reason to reexamine this. 4 feet on each side means 8 feet in the middle. Maybe make it an easement with a deed? Motion to receive the recommendation from the Planning Commission. Approved 4-0.
[Note from the Editor: I’m glad that Council is moving forward like this. It sounds like the ordinances need a deep dive with either a group of citizens in an advisory committee who goes through and makes recommendations or the Council itself needs to go through this. It’s gonna be a lot. I was on the secretary on the county advisory committee that met for two years and revamped the county’s ordinances. It was tedious but necessary.]
Executive session. 9:18 p.m.
Back is session at 9:37 p.m.
Motion to adjourn at 9:39 p.m.