Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Pooler City Council held a regular meeting on January 20, 2026, at 6:02 p.m. at 100 US Highway 80 SW. The meeting included approvals of consent items, a special event permit, ordinances, resolutions, new business agreements, a proclamation, public comments, and an executive session. All votes were unanimous (4-0-0) with Councilmembers Wilcher and Valim absent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the January 5, 2026, meeting.
• Approved Alcoholic Beverage License Application for Murphy Oil USA, Inc. DBA Murphy Express #8603 (change of licensee).
• Accepted Department Reports from Public Works, Finance, Fire-Rescue, Police, Recreation, and Planning & Development.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Uma Nagaraj (107 Barrington Road) commented during the public hearing on Ordinance O2025-11.B, asking where the public can find copies of ordinances online and how far in advance they are posted. She suggested the city improve communication and public access to documents.
• Uma Nagaraj also commented on Resolution R2026-01.A (Pooler Parkway improvements), expressing support for the project but reiterating concerns about inadequate public notification, stating that advertisements were not easily found on the city’s website or social media.
• Uma Nagaraj and Kristy Angels commented on Resolution R2026-01.B (Hotel/Motel Excise Tax). Nagaraj questioned whether State Representative Steven’s commitment to sponsor the local act was in writing (it was via phone call).
• Chris Daniels (Children’s Museum of Pooler) spoke in support of Resolution R2026-01.B, noting the museum serves over 76,000 visitors annually and that the proposed flexibility in hotel/motel tax funds could benefit museums and other tourism assets. He asked if a committee would oversee project funding; the city manager clarified the process would involve the Chamber of Commerce as the destination marketing organization.
• During the general public comment period, Uma Nagaraj criticized the council for not listening, raised concerns about last meeting’s quasi-judicial proceedings (lack of transcript and legal decision), and questioned transparency. She noted missing applications online from 2024 onward, unanswered questions, the absence of a draft ethics ordinance, the lack of a municipal civil engineer, and requested copies of the city attorney’s contract and the contract with the Chamber of Commerce.

Discussion Items

• Announcements: Mayor Williams announced a $240,000 U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant for a comprehensive safety action plan. Certifications from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) were awarded to: Councilmember Bashlor (42 hours), Carpenter (42 hours), Hutcherson (120 hours plus Knox Training), and Mayor Pro Tem Henry (204 hours). A final comprehensive plan engagement session is scheduled for January 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., and the Kids Art Contest deadline is February 2, 2026.
• Special Event: Approved the Annual 5K Friendship Fun Run on February 28, 2026, at 200 Tanger Outlets Boulevard, with a fee waiver for the nonprofit S2S Facts. Proceeds support senior citizen services and a food pantry.
• Ordinance O2025-11.B – Street and Development Naming (First Reading): City Manager Lloyd explained the ordinance establishes formal standards for naming/renaming streets, developments, and public properties. It allows commemorative names only as honorary street designations. The Planning & Zoning board recommended approval. The first reading passed unanimously.
• Proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Mayor Williams presented the proclamation to Julie Wade of Tharros Place, a Pooler-based organization that has served 21 young people in over two years. The proclamation declared January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.
• Resolution R2026-01.A – Pooler Parkway/Mill Creek/Benton Boulevard Improvements: Authorized right-of-way acquisitions and potential condemnations for a transportation project. Consultant Leon Davenport of Thunderbolt Consultants presented details: the project will add a third lane in both directions, modify the signal at Walmart/Mill Creek to restrict left exits (right-out only), and improve the signal at Benton Boulevard to eliminate split-phase timing. The goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety, with an estimated construction timeline of 14–18 months after contracting. GDOT is aware and supportive.
• Resolution R2026-01.B – Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Rate & Allocations: Requests authorization from the Georgia General Assembly to move from current state code (OCGA 48-13-51A) to a newer authorization (OCGA 48-13-51B), maintaining the 6% tax rate (no increase). The new authorization allows use of funds for tourism product development, including: interchange beautification, wayfinding signage, parks/trails/museums/veteran memorials, and other projects as permitted by law. City Attorney Call noted the process requires a local act and subsequent ordinance.
• New Business – Agreement with Invoice Cloud for Credit Card Processing: CFO Chris Lightle reported the city could save approximately $200,000 per year by switching from the current processor to Invoice Cloud. Customer convenience fees would drop from 3.5% to 2.99%. The agreement was approved subject to city attorney approval.
• New Business – Intergovernmental Agreement with Chatham County for Canal Maintenance: A five-year term with annual renewals, under which Chatham County will provide annual canal cleaning, herbicide application, and mowing of canal slopes three times per year, at no cost to the city. Approved subject to city attorney approval.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0-0).
• Special Event Permit: Approved with fee waiver (4-0-0).
• Ordinance O2025-11.B: First reading approved (4-0-0); second reading and public hearing to follow.
• Proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Presented and acknowledged.
• Resolution R2026-01.A: Approved, authorizing right-of-way acquisitions and condemnations for Pooler Parkway improvements (4-0-0).
• Resolution R2026-01.B: Approved, requesting state legislative authorization to update hotel/motel tax allocation (4-0-0).
• Invoice Cloud Agreement: Approved subject to city attorney review (4-0-0).
• IGA with Chatham County: Approved subject to city attorney review (4-0-0).
• Executive Session: Entered at 7:01 p.m. to discuss legal, real estate, personnel, and IT security matters; meeting reconvened at 7:07 p.m.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. (4-0-0).