Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Making Bip County Pre-Commission meeting.

Today is Tuesday, November the 4th, 2025, and the time is approximately 4.30.

I'd like to welcome you everyone here today to our meeting.

We have our regularly scheduled meeting at 6 o'clock, and a lot of these items will also be on that uh meeting for final vote as well.

Uh this is our official call to order, and our first order business today is the approval of the minutes.

That approval of the minutes was from our October the 21st, 2025 pre-commission meeting.

I get a motion to approve.

Motion by Commissioner Stewart, we have a second.

Second by Commissioner Wynne.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries and will be sent to consent agenda.

We have several alcohol licenses today to discuss.

Um of those are in favor of approval from legal and others uh have some issues with them that have to be addressed.

So the first item is item 3A.

This is Sonny Gas.

Uh venturing located at 4331 Pinona Avenue.

After review, legal recommends denial for violation of certificate of good standing requirements.

The property owner at this time has outstanding taxes owed.

Therefore, wouldn't typically be eligible for uh a license approval.

So this time we entertain a motion to follow the recommended recommendation of denial.

Motion by Commissioner Howell, second by Mayor Proton Clark.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion will take the appropriate legal steps.

Item B is JEC Food Mark located at 3565 Pineona Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31206.

Likewise, after review, legal recommends denial for failure to provide evidence of newspaper publication, having outstanding taxes owed at the time of application in violation of our good standing requirement and self-identifying as a foo mark, but operating as a vice mark according to code enforcement inspections.

Um that is the legal recommendation at this time.

We'd ask for a recommendation to approve the denial.

Got a motion by Commissioner Bryant, second by Commissioner Wynne.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion would also take the appropriate steps to legal.

Item C is TIPCO food mark located at 6011 Bethel Church Road in Lysella, 31052.

You can see a picture of that now.

It's a new business there.

Uh what used to be French's right by Commissioner Wilder's house.

So this time we'd entertain a motion for approval.

Motion by Commissioner Wilder.

We have a second.

Second by Commissioner Bailey.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries will be sent consent agenda.

Item D is a is welcome located at 6440 Houston Road, making Georgia 31216.

I believe that's over there in Commissioner Howell's district.

So this time we entertain a motion for approval.

Motion by Commissioner Howell to have a second.

Second by Commissioner Wilder.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries unanimously sent to consent agenda.

Item E is a triangle food and gas mark located at 2112 Millerfield Road, Macon, Georgia, 31217.

You can see the triangle there.

And therefore qualifies and they've had a certificate of good standing.

At this time, I'll make a motion to recommend to approval.

Do we have a second?

So move by Commissioner Bailey.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries.

Second by Commissioner Wilder.

I have the motion second.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries 8 to 1.

We sent consent agenda.

Item G is a marathon located at 4505 Broadway, Macon, Georgia.

Legal does recommend approval.

There are no legal bases to deny this one either.

However, this is one located way on down Broadway across from Armstrong and familiar with the air by guy paying there.

So legal does recommend approval and they do meet all uh statutory requirements, including a certificate of goods tanning.

So this time we didn't attain a motion to approve.

Motion by Commissioner Bailey, do we have a second?

Second by Commissioner Howell.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries 62, 72 and be sent to consent agenda.

Item 4A is agreements, contracts, and purchase orders.

We have, I think, one, two, three, four, five of those today.

Beginning with item 4A is a resolution of the Making Bible County Commission authorizing the issuance of a purchase order for computers and hardware equipment from Dell Marketing LP, an amount of 104,400 payable from the IT department budget, repairs and maintenance computer hardware.

This time we entertain a motion for approval.

Say goodbye, Commissioner Wynne.

And I believe Commissioner Bryant, did you have a question?

What do they do with the old computers?

Like if two years ago they got some other computers in.

Do they try to refurbish them?

Do they send them?

Do they sell them?

What do they do so that we can get money in coming in because they're buying computers like I know everything needs to be updated, but every couple of years?

I think if it's a new computer, if we have use of another apartment, they may get that generally their surplus pursuant to our to law and have to go through our surplus property.

Uh Commissioner uh Dr.

Moffin.

Bronson, you have something with that, sir.

You have a follow-up?

That was coffee.

Okay, I heard some squeak over there.

I know what it was.

Uh so that that's the answer.

We do surplus those and they go out for our sale.

Sometimes we use bitter one, sometimes we use other uh avenues to get rid of that.

Okay.

So we do recoup some money.

I do appreciate the question.

Uh we have a motion second.

We do have a motion second.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed nay.

That motion carries unanimously beset the consent agenda.

Item B is a resolution of making bib county commission to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement with one accord technologies for the purchase and implementation of upgraded network equipment in amount of 130,384 dollars to be paid from the IT department, security and infrastructure repairs and maintenance.

Uh likewise, this has been uh approved.

It's in their budget, and we're asking for your consideration on this.

At this time, we entertain a motion to approve.

Motion by Commissioner Bailey, second by Commissioner Wynne, or is that Commissioner Bryant?

I'm sorry.

Commissioner Bryant.

Second by Commissioner Wynne.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries unanimous to be sent to consent agenda.

Item C is a resolution of making Biff County Commission authorizing the mayor to execute a purchase and sell agreement with Midland Radio Corporation in amount of 122,970 dollars for the purchase of emergency alert radio systems to be paid from the 2025 splash fund public safety.

I'll ask uh Commissioner Hewitt to make that motion.

Do we have a second?

Second by Commissioner Bronson.

Uh Commissioner Brunson, you have a question.

Yes, I might be add on as a co-sponsor as well.

Okay.

Please thank you.

We uh add you as a co-sponsor.

We have a motion and second.

I know Mr.

Hawkins is right there, but if there's no questions for him, unless he just wants to talk, we'll move forward.

Well, Commissioner Bailey may have one for you.

I'll go anywhere.

She may have a question.

Just in time.

Miss Bailey, go ahead.

I'm sorry.

Miss Bright, go ahead.

Where are these emergency alert radio systems going in?

These are the portable units that we give away on.

Yeah, you got one in his hand right there.

So you're talking about those.

Okay.

Yes.

Portable units.

I know you've been given away like twice already this year, so that's the money that's going to for you to purchase more, so you can give out more.

Yes.

In the last two years, we've given over 4600 radios out to our community, and uh this will purchase 3,000 more radios pre-programmed along with external alerting devices for our deaf and hard hearing uh residents.

Yep.

I know we gave a lot out over in the uh district line over there as well.

Okay, all right.

We do have a motion and second.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed nay.

That motion carries and we sent a consent agenda.

Item D is a resolution of the Macin Bibb County Commission authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with BTB in Inc.

for the provisional architectural services for the renovation of code enforcement offices at City Hall and amount of $55,000 paid from sponsored programs, contractual services, line items.

Uh, this is around back where we used to have internal affairs right behind here between here and the new uh parking structure.

Uh since code enforcement is uh going to be expanding, uh, hopefully for for additional hours and a different additional people there.

Uh we need room for them to uh be there and to be able to expand the services.

So uh that is what this is for uh for the architectural services.

Uh and since it's professional services that we dealt with this particular company before it does not have to be bid out.

Is that correct?

Okay.

Mr.

Stewart, you have a question.

Well, no, you really kind of answered my question.

I was trying to figure out you know why uh code enforcement was a special child when you look around the building in a lot of areas need to be kind of brought back up.

I was in the clerk's office yesterday and it was cold in there, and she couldn't even turn on two heaters because it'll blow a fuse.

So uh so but you answered the question as to why though thank you.

This is an old building, and I freeze a lot of times, so I just wear an extra jacket when I come in every day.

But uh that is building it's been it's been not up to code and been out for a while and been haven't been used, so we certainly have to redo some things over there uh to be able to put people in there.

Uh and it's not really accessible from the outside, it's only for employees on the inside because it doesn't have an elevator going directly to it.

Commissioner Bryant.

Co sponsor.

Coach sponsor that we appreciate that.

Uh we do have a motion and second.

Motion second, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries and we sent the consent agenda.

Item E is a resolution of the Making Bibb County Commission authorizing the mayor to excit a professional services agreement with A.

G.

Wit, LLC for consulting services to update the local hazard mitigation plan, an amount of 39,600 to be paid from the hazard mitigation grant programs fund.

That's a lot to be said.

Uh any questions regarding this item, Mr.

Bronson?

Mr.

Mayor, just make makes me do a get a correction here.

So the paper we have in front of us shows 39,600.

Is that not what I said?

Yes.

Is that not what I said?

No.

Okay.

What's on the what's on the screen?

39,600.

Pull that slide back up.

Yeah.

Okay.

I just want to make sure we're clarifying for the public that's actually seeing the slides on this area.

You think you don't think they're hearing my voice?

39,000 six.

Okay.

Yes, 39600.

Uh, we have a motion.

Can I get a motion to approve?

Motion by Commissioner Bay.

We have a second.

I'll second it.

Second by Commissioner Bronson.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries and present the consent agenda.

Quick question for you, Mr.

Mayor.

Go ahead.

On this particular deal, what are they looking?

What are will they be looking into if you might mean?

Hey, here you go.

If you don't mind stepping up to that microphone, speaking clearly, but first identify yourself and your position so the people at home will know who you are.

Hey, good afternoon.

Robert McCord, I'm the deputy director of emergency management.

Uh this grant, what we're doing is we have a uh contractor that comes in and updates our five year plan for hazard mitigation.

So we bring in the public, we bring in all of our partner agencies, all of our local um county uh leadership and just anybody to be able to get a better understanding of what our hazards are, what our uh risks are, uh what basically a a total look at our community and looking and figure out how we can mitigate any of the threats that are posing our community.

So sweet deal.

Just out of curiosity, on the on the last in the last transaction that you guys did, or in this one, should I ask.

Um the National Guard, as you know, I was a I was a member of the 40th brigade here in Macon, Georgia, and then on the on the reserve side of the house as well.

So have we looked at tag teaming with the reserve center and the National Guard that we have here to assist in anything we may have from the emergency standpoint?

Anytime we use the National Guard, we'd have to go through the state.

So we have to do a request to GMA that goes through a whole bunch of different series of uh approvals and that kind of thing.

So we can't just call the National Guard up and say, Hey, can you come and help us?

We have to go through a certain process of going through the state to get those resources.

But those are definitely resources that we are looking always looking at if we need them.

Okay.

The only reason I ask, right, it's it's one of those things where even with the the reserve side of the house, right?

So we're on the federal side.

If there's a way for us to talk with those commanders to say, because I've seen it happen.

I know the know the game plan of it, right?

If you're having a conversation with a commander, that commander can say, Yes, we can house or have you have somebody come in within the you know seven-day time span to house them there for seven days without really necessarily having to go through that additional step.

So there's means of doing it, and that's why I'm kind of asking how we ensure that hey, the National Guard Reserve is a coming in for these particular conversations.

Uh we're always willing to have those conversations with them.

Uh, but again, we any time we have if we call in National Guard for stuff, we have to go through the state building to be able to utilize those resources.

All right, cool.

But we do communicate with them during uh training and exercises, things like Patriot South, those kind of things.

We do work with them from time to time, if they're depending on what the exercise are.

All right, thank you so much.

Thank you, Mr.

Bronson.

Gonna move on to appropriations and transfers.

Uh, I think we have at least two of those tonight.

Item 5A is an ordinance of the Making Bible County Commission to authorize an appropriation of up to $50,000 from interest earned on ARPA funds to help home first housing resource services for home ownership, counseling, and home buyer education services.

Uh Mr.

Reggie Bell is here tonight.

I'll feel come up to the podium there.

But as you know, we have the uh Macon Bibb County Affordable Housing Fund and many other projects going on to encourage home ownerships of Macon Bibb County.

So I ask him to come tonight.

Just to give you a little synopsis.

He's been here several times before, but for those that are new may not know exactly what they do.

They're actually housed over there with our small business as well as our um with Everett Vernon and his group with the land bank authority over in our building over on Walnut Street as well, and they do a great job.

But I'll get him to give you a brief uh information on what type of work he does, uh, all the things that they provide services for our constituents uh prior to taking a vote.

So, Mr.

Bell, if you don't mind identifying yourself and who you're with as well.

Thank you, Mr.

Bell.

I'm Reg.

I'm Reginald Bell with Home First Housing Resource Services, and we are a 501c3 nonprofit housing counseling agency.

Um we are funded in part by HUD, we're funded in part by uh the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and of course, we're majorly funded by Makin Bib County.

And in fact, our agency was started as a part of Bacon Bibb County um come February will be 24 years ago.

And uh the this county at the foresight to see that particularly low and modern income people needed assistance in going into the market to buy and purchase housing because at the time so many people were being taken advantage of by predatory lending.

And since that time, we've expanded our services to make sure that we address not only the pre-purchase concerns that clients have in helping them navigate the home buying process, but we also work with families who are in trouble with their mortgages on the foreclosure side.

I'm happy to say that we have a 99% success rate in helping families stay in their homes after they become homeowners.

Unfortunately, as the mayor alluded to, we have been able to over the last 24 years to meet all of our operating needs without ceasing services simply because of the way that we manage.

But most recently, um, given the fact that you know what's going on with the shutdown, HUD has has not provided its share of the funding in almost a year.

And based on what's happening in Washington, we don't anticipate that funding coming in anytime soon.

And so at this point, we are in need of assistance so that we could continue to serve the community.

Um we generally operate off of reserves for anywhere from seven to nine months out of the year, and then as the year progresses, those funds that are online in terms of grants and opportunities come in.

But this year we're down to our last 30 days of operating revenue.

And as you can see, um, all the attributes and concerns that a business have that organization have go on, in spite of what's happening in terms of politics and local government.

So any support that you can provide to help us keep our doors open, to help us continue to serve, make and bib, we'll be grateful for.

Um, just this year alone, just from um January to current year, we have served approximately 17 pre-purchased clients, 62 foreclosure clients, and 95 individuals who on the home buyer education end for a total of 174 people, and that was through September 30th.

And of course, we have the remainder of the year to go.

Um we track these numbers because we want people to know the impact that we have of the number of folks that we see.

We make good use of our resources by leveraging, as the mayor says, with other organizations and other groups that give us support as well.

So I just thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you, Mr.

Bell.

Commissioner Wien, you have a question.

Yeah.

Hey, Reginald.

Hey.

How are you doing?

Um I wanted to know how people find out about your service.

Um, do they go through a particular agency to learn about your service?

And I have the second part, but go ahead and answer that.

Actually, people find out about us through word of mouth, they find out about us online, they find out about us directly from HUD.

HUD does direct referrals to us.

We have lending partners in the community who have clients that come in who may not be able to cross the threshold.

They make referrals, and of course, we do a limited amount of radio advertising as well and social media, which we had to engage during the um COVID thing.

We learned how to do it very well.

And most of our clients come through us from the social media side.

It's amazing how I hate age myself, but young people rather do that than call us and talk to us in person.

So that's how they find out about us.

Okay, so thank you.

How how far were this 50,000 get you?

It will get us into February of next year.

It will give us approximately 90 days worth of operating revenue, and hopefully by then things will break loose and we'll be able to continue on as proposed.

So you you get a lot of grant, you get grants and such to help you carry things.

Yes, we work with grants.

We we have actually we have contracts that we do as well.

So we have a plethora of funding sources.

It's just that those sources are inadvertent and not very timely, and they're in small amounts, anywhere from five to ten thousand dollars.

Um major work comes from our support from make and bib, from um the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and from HUD directly.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Wynn.

Commissioner Bryant.

If I wanted to come to you all, what's the process for me for buying a house?

What would you do for me?

The first thing we like to do when people are pre-purchased clients is advise that they take our home by education program.

That's the first step in the process because it teaches them everything they need to know about how to make this transaction.

It basically gives them an overview.

Following that, um, clients come to us through our administrative process.

They complete an application, they make an appointment, and they sit down with a counselor and they work one-on-one with a plan that's specifically designed for that person.

We have clients who in various stages of the homebuying process, some people only need the homebuy education certificate.

That's the only reason they they come to us.

Other clients have extremely low credit scores, and they need to be held hand or hold their hands for an extended period of time because we have got to deal with income issues, we've got to deal with credit issues and things of that sort.

So when clients talk to each other, sometimes they they say, Well, I was only down there for 90 days.

Well, that's because your situation was a 90-day situation.

We've had clients that have been engaged with us for as long as four years, depending on where they start.

But that is how the process begins.

Commissioner Stewart.

Yeah, uh Mr.

Bell, I just want to say thank you for all that you do.

Um I applaud uh the administration, Mr.

Mayor, and the federal commissioners for doing this because uh I was with Congressman Samford Bishop about two weeks ago.

And uh and you hear me say in a few minutes about the food issue.

Uh, but that's a huge need right now in our nation.

And um, you know, this will get you through to February, which is good.

Um, but that need is is is is dire.

It's really dire.

And um, you know, not without delving any deeper into national politics, um, which I don't mind saying, you know, it's it's it's disheartening what's coming out of Washington, D.C.

right now.

And so I appreciate where we stand as a commission, where we stand as an administration, and where you stand with your organization.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for your kind comments.

Yes, sir.

Yeah, I I was curious.

What program has gotten held up from the shutdown that's that's bottlenecked your funding?

I don't I I'm sure you said it, I just didn't, I didn't catch it.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, right?

They fund us for one-year blocks, and they generally pay once a year.

And those payments usually come in June or July for the previous year.

Okay.

So basically what has happened is because of the shutdown, all of those payments are stopped.

And we have been told not to anticipate payment until the shutdown is over, and it may be several weeks of to months before they can catch up on the backlog to make those payments.

Um, generally speaking, we're accustomed to using reserves for about six to seven months out of the year.

Um, generally, what happens is in July we usually go into our reserve funds and we will operate on reserve funds usually until January, at which point make and bid billing will begin, and then again in October, HUG building will begin, and then in January, our DCA building will begin.

And when those funding cycles roll through, we're able to catch up on the reserves and maintain our current level of operations.

This year, nobody is paying anybody.

And so we we we want to keep our doors open and we want to continue to provide for services post this period.

Do has DCA offered any guidelines or or giving you guys any other um criteria for to anticipate any funding that any funding shortfalls that they would also have, because I know that they're they're relatively worried that not relatively, they're incredibly worried that like the the rent and payment assistance programs are not gonna come through and that landlords Section 8 vouchers aren't gonna go through.

I think that's kind of beginning to happen right now.

Is that does is this a snowball effect that will end up at your doorstep, I guess.

That's the leading question.

But it absolutely will.

Here's what's interesting.

There are programs that we work with where people get subsidies that not only help pay the rent, because we do Tennessee counseling as well.

Um, but when those rent payments are threatened and they can't pay their landlords, then the eviction process starts.

And on many occasions, we actually engage with Georgia legal services to help prevent that, if at all possible.

If we can determine that the client is not at fault for non-payment for some reason that's beyond their control, we advocate for that.

And as long as it's not a lease violation.

The other issue is there are some families who are on section eight to home ownership.

Those payments, those section eight payments, are counted as well.

So that we have to engage with the mortgage company to say, hey, good family, they're doing what they're supposed to do, but we just have to make sure that we keep them in the home, waiting on those payments to come up.

That falls on our foreclosure side.

So it there is a snowball effect.

In fact, they told us not to anticipate any payments until this this whole situation has been worked out.

Have they given y'all any indication that they intend to also pay the back pay that they owe you, or are they just gonna turn the lights on when the shutdown starts back over and not worry about you know what I guess at this moment could be 40 days worth of back duty?

You probably have no, and I don't mean to answer that question for you, but but do you have any indication yet?

They have indicated that they will pay us for the work that has been contracted obligated.

Um that they have to do.

The due contracts will not be issued generally until January.

So we're in a situation where we don't know what their budgets are gonna be, we don't know what our future allocations are gonna be, but we know that once we're reimbursed for what we are owed, we are still able to operate because we simply replenish our reserves and we move forward.

But at this point, nobody knows.

I mean, they were very honest with us and saying, you know, we know we owe you, and uh, we do anticipate paying you, we just don't know when.

Well, thank you very much.

I think it's absurd that you have to come here and ask for this when those folks are sent up there to follow through on their um on their obligation.

So I but I'm I'm glad you're here and I'm glad we're able to do it.

Thank you.

I'm glad that you all are kind enough to consider the importance of the work that we do.

Like I said, this is the first time in 24 years that we have not been able to operate without asking for additional funding, and I appreciate the mayor advocating for us.

Yeah, just a short question.

Um, kind of piggyback on Commissioner Bryant's question and how you go through the process.

But do you do you have a waiting list of people that are trying to get into homes?

And do you have to turn people down?

Yes.

We always have a waiting list.

Um, and and the waiting list is not determined by us, but it's determined by the client.

The client who screams and yells the most gets the most assistance because we tend to work with people who are highly motivated first.

There are other individuals who are on the waiting list because they're cued up, because they have other issues they need to address.

They've got to address the credit concerns, they've got to address the ratios, and of course, we track them to make sure they they stay on track, but the folks who are near to ready are the ones who get most of the attention because they're at that point where they're ready to make the transaction.

So, for instance, we at 95 people come through home by education this year.

Out of that group, probably about 10% are ready to go.

Everybody else is still in the queue and will be there until they hit those benchmarks where a lender will sit down and say, Hey, we will make you a loan, or hey, you do qualify for a particular product.

Well, thank you for answering all our questions today.

And thank you for what you did.

Thank you, thank you.

Mr.

Stewart.

Yeah, I just wanted to say, and when that snowball effect comes into place, people don't realize everything is connected, you know.

And so you're then gonna be looking at, you know, and we'll have to deal with the unhoused issue more.

We have to deal with crime issue more, all because somebody at this level decided to make a decision.

So uh so everything, all politics is local anyway.

So uh, but but everything is definitely connected.

Thank you, sir.

I concur, thank you.

Thank you.

So this time I make a motion to approve and I guess second.

Second by Commissioner Hewlett.

Um, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries your animal.

Anybody wants to coach on that?

Please let uh Miss Ross know.

I imagine everybody probably would, or most everybody.

Uh let's go ahead and move on to item B, which is ordinance of making Bibb County Commission to authorize appropriation of 40,000 from the 2018 plus 2018 supplies fund roads, other omuggy heritage trail line item to provide funding to new town making ink for the completion of the trail connector, something we've been waiting on quite a while.

Uh Commissioner Hewlett uh let you make that motion.

And uh can I get second?

Okay, we have a motion and second.

Uh, this is to complete part of that process next to the new boat rent, which includes uh getting all the new tables and uh picnic tables and things like that to get everything prepared to move on to the next level.

So uh we have a motion and second.

There's no further questions.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries and be sent to the consent agenda.

Item 6A is a resolution of Making Bibb County Commission authorizing the acceptance of a 2025 fiscal year 25 law enforcement mental health and wellness act implementation project grant.

That's a lot to say from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services or COPS, an amount of $97,024 with no local match required awarded to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office to create a program to address mental health and wellness.

Uh let's be clear on this.

This is for the um employees, so this is for the deputies.

This is not for inmates.

Uh just so you know that.

So the sheriff now took that initiative.

We approved allowing the grant to happen, and we're willing to accept those funds on their behalf for this purpose.

Um all the items that I'm aware of is contained in the documents that you have uh included in your package today.

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

But spoke to the sheriff earlier.

Uh, we want to make sure we're on the same page as far as this particular information, so we didn't want people to think this was inmate related because this is deputy related.

Mr.

Bryant, did you have a follow-up?

Would you like to make a motion or something?

I was gonna say so move, but I want to be a co-sponsor.

Set.

I was waiting on you to I was gonna say so moved in.

Okay, we got sponsored.

I saw you light on, so you got a motion by Commissioner Bryant.

Thank you very much.

Do we have a second?

Second by Commissioner Bronson.

You had your light on for that same purpose, or you have a follow-up, sir.

Okay.

We got a motion and second.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

Uh and mayor carries unanimously.

I'm I'm glad to have this.

A lot of times we we sometimes I know we don't forget about, but we overlook the stressors that our our deputies go through, and this is something that's certainly needed.

So I'm glad we got some funds there with no match required uh to take care of all the mental health and wellness that they have, particularly those that are operating in the jail capacity.

So uh we'll add that to consent agenda.

Item A B is a resolution of the Making Bibb County Commission authorizing acceptance of a Georgia relief grant from the two Georgia Tree Council.

Okay, an amount of 14,280 dollars with no local match required to plant shade trees at Dolores Brooks Recreation Center.

Uh can we get a motion to approve?

Motion by Mayor Protoum Cart, second by Commissioner Stewart.

Coach sponsor, yes, sir.

Did you have a follow-up question on that as well?

Uh, just wanted to say uh, you know, um I wrote a letter of support to uh to Mike Glison uh on this.

That was my childhood park growing up.

So I'm glad to see some uh some improvements coming to it as well.

Thank you.

Okay.

Mr.

Bows, you have a question.

I'm sorry, I draw it on.

Yes, I'm going back to A.

I want it to be added to that initiative there.

Yes, ma'am, we'll do that.

Thank you very much.

Uh, we did have a motion second.

We've already took that vote, so we're it passes consent and consent agenda.

Uh the last item before we go into executive session, and we do have a need to go into executive session, and we have one item coming out of the executive session.

So uh this is a community food distribution services.

This is an ordinance of making Bibb County Commission to authorize the appropriation of up to 150,000 for the community food distribution services.

Uh Commissioner Hewitt has asked a co-sponsor of that as well as myself and I'm sure many others.

Um, and we just got the document to you today.

We do apologize for giving it to you so late, but we were waiting for the weekend to see uh how fluid the situation was and what changes uh on the national level.

So um we were sent everything out.

We wanted people to know about on the agenda, but we could not have all the um uh I's dotted T's cross uh prior to today because we're still waiting on information uh up until almost the time that we had our commission meeting.

We want to let you kind of know that.

And basically, this is 150,000.

Uh you'll have more information about that coming soon.

Uh, we'll be giving some of that money to the food bank uh who desperately needs it here in Macon Bibb County, and also to approximately 10 local providers, those of which should be determined based on previous grants that we've awarded for food, people that were in good standing with Macin Bibb County on turning the receipts in and doing what they're supposed to be doing, uh, and also they have relationships with um being able to get food out quickly.

Our primary goal is now is to get good healthy food out quickly and not to sit around and have to wait a couple of weeks.

We are not going to limit this to just food bank uh as well because there may not be enough food at the food bank in particular quantities or uh parts necessary to do that, so they will have authority to go to other places like Sam, Kroger, Walmart, those kind of places.

But we'll be uh keeping very good receipts.

Each of these folks have um already shown uh that they are a good stewards of the taxpayer dollars, and um those folks will be selected based on their prior relationship with Macin Bibb County as being a vendor and a vendor in good standing and someone that can get that food out very quickly.

Uh so I'll start with you, Commissioner Bryant.

Council.

Coach sponsor, we got you on there, Commissioner Stewart.

Yeah, uh co-sponsor as well.

And also just want to say uh thank you again to uh to the administration and to the fellow commissioners.

Uh I was out there yesterday with Kathy McCullum.

Uh as a matter of fact, she just got off the phone with the mayor and Chris at the time.

And um I thank you all for for doing this.

Uh the food bank covers 24 counties.

And uh, of course, uh her biggest need right now.

I was out there again today, and we'll be out there again tomorrow.

Uh but her biggest need right now is the need for money, because as she states, if she can get the money in, she can kind of dictate as to what needs to be bought, what types of food they're short on, and plus they buy in bulk.

So therefore, it's much better to give them the people who are listening at home.

It's much better to give them money right now than to give them food.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Commissioner Wynne?

Uh yes, I you answered my first question about who's going to get this money.

Food banks, one I would think of.

And I just want the community to know there are a lot of other places out there that are collecting food.

I think WMAZ is doing a food truck thing, but just know there's lots of other folks out there that are trying to help too.

But it was good that we're we're doing that too.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

We are doing our part.

I I I contacted all the local, I guess the municipalities around making Bibb County, and no one else is doing what we're doing.

There's a couple that offer to do resources.

We do that anyway on a matter of daily course.

And um, some of them are having church food drives, and others um simply say this is a federal issue, let them handle it.

I can see that in everybody, but right now we have a despite the shutdown, we have a some food insecurity.

And I think one good way to inject a little cash in there is to do that, but the other way is to make sure the food gets it to where it needs to be included in this will be uh funding of the back the backpack programs at one of the schools where they do 2,800 per uh week.

Um backpack goes on the students to make sure they get good canned goods and foods and things of that nature, so that'll be happening as well.

But uh, Commissioner Bryan, I had you and I had Commissioner Bow and then Mayor Protein Cork.

My question is do we know of any companies or individuals that are not getting paid because due to well, they're not getting their paycheck due to the shutdown.

I know, like in Atlanta TSA is one of them, I think CDC, but here in Macon locally, do we know of any people that are or any company?

Well, I'm sure we have um military personnel that live in Macon Bibb County or federal employees that's not getting paid, but certainly we don't maintain a list of those those folks as well.

Uh Commissioner Bailey.

And thank you, Mayor.

Um, I'd just like to say for our listening environment out there to let everyone know that this is a very, very serious undertaking that the mayor has done to give that $150,000 to the food bank, where our national government has said that no, we're not gonna upset the balance by doing this and has shut down our local government here in Macon.

Yes, we have received a balance.

Yes, we know exactly what our balance is, and it has been established with that the reserve that we have left over.

We have taken that reserve, and that reserve is going to you, the citizens here and around Macon Bibb County.

This is a commission and a mayor that's going to be standing by you.

This is well worth just taking a moment and just breathing and then also reflecting, reflecting on what our future is going to be.

Those of you that are out there that have been receiving those steps balances.

We are very, very aware of the hardships that this will impose on families, on children, on adults, on those that are retired, on our veterans, on our disabled.

And it is a very serious thing that we do to stop and use the reserve in this manner.

Of course, local governments are responsible, very responsible and highly accountable for everything they do with their monies.

These particular monies have been given to the rightful owners of those monies, the people that has given it to us first.

And we are very aware of that.

So I just want to say thank you, thank you to our mayor, and thank you to our commissioners for standing behind the people that we have sworn to serve here in Macon Bibb County.

And we just want to ask that you also continue to stand behind us as we all go through these particular trying times here in Macon Bibb County.

Thank you, Commissioner Bowie.

Uh I appreciate the comments, but this is a team effort.

We are in due to a team of mayor and commissioners, so we operate as a unit together.

So uh although I can bring the resolution, I can't do anything without the vote of the commission.

So we appreciate everyone joining in to support this.

Mayor Proten Clark.

Yeah, I'd I'd like to be at it as a co-sponsor and just wanted to offer a little bit of context about why.

I mean, it's not just simply the shutdown.

The President of the United States has a four point six billion dollar contingency fund to cover what we're covering today.

Um, a court ordered him as of yesterday to spend that money, and he told them no.

Um, what that means for the state of Georgia is that thirteen percent of our neighbors will not have full snap payments.

That's one point four million people.

Um, six hundred and forty thousand of those people are children.

The Georgia Budget Policy Institute estimates at twenty-three percent of our own county is on SNAP benefits.

That's thirty-six to forty thousand making big county residents.

So this allocation today is about twenty-six dollars per Snap recipient in Bib County.

All while there's four point six billion dollars sitting in a bank account that the president won't spend.

Opposed nay.

We do have a need to go into executive session for the purposes of consultation with county attorneys or other legal counsel to discuss pending or potential litigation, settlement of claims, administrative proceedings, and other judicial actions brought by on behalf of the Mac and Bibb County government.

All those in favor of the motion, please go in, say aye.

I got a motion, I got a second.

Opposed, nay.

We're now in executive session.

I have a call.

Thank you.

I don't think it's like this one.

So I wouldn't say the line is something that I've done.

Um I'm thinking of what you're going to do in place.

I don't want to give you one result until like finish all of my answers.

Yeah, I'll break it down, but and I'm not getting one hundred percent correct, but I have not done everything yet, so I don't know what's actually not me.

So I don't know if it's full of work.

Oh, yeah, we can just have that just working on the bad.

Like I like watching one because we get those crazy ones once in a while.

Okay.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What?

And I'm not seeing it just way to see the thing on here on your five yeah.

Yes, we do.

Yeah.

Well that you have that, yeah.

Okay.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh, yeah.

Wow.

Wow.

All right.

I agree with it.

But I'm not going to take it.

Oh, you're fine.

Yeah, I'm ready.

Are you fine?

Yeah.

Sure.

Yes.

So I do have one.

We should go all the way over where you don't respond.

Yeah.

But they want half of it.

Okay.

Oh, right.

Okay.

So I have to do it.

Yeah.

Oh, you wouldn't get how it's all the only one.

I don't have any round over here.

Okay.

Okay.

I think we're tomorrow.

Oh, yeah, we are in two.

Um yeah, uh something I think.

I don't know.

Uh yeah, I don't think I'm sure.

And then we've got one.

Okay, yeah.

This is the faction.

Now in the uh working board, oh yeah.

Yeah, okay.

That's where they're just the war pairs.

Yeah.

Sound we're not bad.

Yeah.

You have the one here.

I want to put a right on the four.

I do.

Okay, got it.

I have a five.

I got a motion to come out of the second session.

Got a motion and go to second.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed nay.

And I'll have our attorneys answer any questions if there are any, or lay out any foundation that we need to lay out on open proceeding.

Based on the owner and operator of four seven eight is Lanita Hunt, and it's her history of ownership at uh rodeo twenty-four K Bar and Grill LLC.

Motion by Commissioner Howell, we have a second.

Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Makin Bip County Board of Commissioners' regular meeting.

Tonight is Tuesday, November the fourth, and the time is shortly after six o'clock.

First of all, I'd like to welcome everyone here today, remind you that you still have time to go out and vote.

I know there's very low turnout tonight, but we have several important items out for vote, including the public service commission.

If any of you have lights on it, your house, perhaps that may be a concern of you, and also there's a very important one penny sales tax renewal for the school system.

So you have time to get out there to uh cast your ballot or just live with the consequences.

Good to see you again.

And that will be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

So those that can and will please stand up and bow your head in observation of the prayer.

And then but we commend you for your service, and I thank you, and I have the privilege of praying for y'all throughout the year.

So thank you again.

And for these who have committed themselves to leadership in this place, that you would uh give a new sense of purpose and unity to guide our city and our county to greater things.

I ask for Mayor Miller, thank you for his leadership these years, and I pray that you'll continue to bless and use him and guide him, and for our commissioners for Valerie Wynn, for Paul Bronson, for Stanley Stewart and Joey Hewlett, for Seth Clark, also our Mayor Pro Tim, for Raymond Wilder, and Bill Howell and Donis Bryant and Brendel Bailey.

Father, thank you so much for each of these.

That they would all have hearts of servant leaders, knowing that you have appointed them to lead Macon in Bibb County in this time.

Would you grant them the wisdom that comes only from you?

Give them strength and clarity of thought and unity for the task and issues that come before them, and that there can be joy in that service and peace that passes understanding as they look to you.

We think of their families and the sacrifices that come along with the privileges of leading and serving, and that you would help them in times of stress and in times of joy.

We ask your blessing and guidance in this meeting, and then in the matters that will arise in future days, all for the honor and glory of your name, giving praise to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Amen.

We just one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all.

Thank you, maybe seated.

We have no comments on public agenda, uh, public comments on agenda items tonight.

We do have several uh non-agenda items we'll get to in just a moment.

Uh, but we'll begin with the approval of the amendments this is item 6a, the approval of minutes for October 21st, 2025 commission meeting.

I get a motion to approve.

Motion by Mayor Burton Clark, second by Commissioner Bryant.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

The next thing is the consent agenda, which is items A through P.

Items A through P.

Less and accept any items that must go through unleash regarding alcohol licenses.

So at this time we'd entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda that was voted on in our pre-commission meeting.

Motion by Commissioner Wilder, second by Commissioner Stewart.

All those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

Opposed, nay.

That motion carries unanimously.

Mayor Pro Jim Cork.

Yeah, there was uh give me a second.

Uh I'd I'd like to be added to it from the uh it is I can get there quick.

Item L and the the um, yeah, item L on the consent agenda, the the um the heritage trail funding, please.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

We'll do that.

Thank you very much.

Uh, we do have several comments on non-agenda items.

We'll start with uh two comments regarding uh the was like transportation.

Our first one would be Miss Jackie Gilmer.

Ms.

Gilmer, if you don't mind coming up to the front, speaking that microphone there, and you know you got five minutes to speak.

Good to see you again.

Appreciate you being with us tonight.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Okay, and of course, yes, I want to talk about transportation.