Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - February 2, 2026

The Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on February 2, 2026, at 100 US Highway 80 SW, Pooler, Georgia. Mayor Karen Williams called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. All six council members were present: Wesley Bashlor, Michael Carpenter, Aaron Henry (Mayor Pro Tem), Tom Hutcherson, John Wilcher, and Shannon Valim; no members were absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

Opening, Invocation, and Announcements

• Executive Pastor Shirlinia Daniel of Bread of Life Ministries gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Dr. Patricia Ratcliffe presented on Nexus Academy Charter School, a proposed tuition-free public sixth-through-eighth-grade charter school for the Pooler area using a STREAM framework and a partnership with a local children's museum. She invited the community and city to join in building the school.
• Councilmember Tom Hutcherson, on behalf of the Juneteenth Committee, announced the second Black History event on February 11, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at West Chatham Middle School.
• Mayor Williams thanked city staff for proactive winter storm preparation and reported that there were no incidents from ice or snow.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 6-0-0 on a motion by Councilmember Tom Hutcherson, seconded by Councilmember Shannon Valim.
• Approvals included the January 20, 2026 workshop, regular meeting, and executive session minutes; alcoholic beverage license applications for YuriYuri, LLC DBA MBR Savannah at 220 Tanger Outlets Boulevard, Unit 102 and YulYulYul, LLC at 220 Tanger Outlets Boulevard, Unit 105 (restaurant; new licenses); release of the Benton Tract Master Infrastructure maintenance bond at 0 Benton Drive in the amount of $1,658,213.57; and release of the Canal Towns at Savannah Quarters Phase 1 sidewalk performance bond in the amount of $92,051.25.
• Note: The agenda listed a Quarterly Vehicle Surplus List (First Quarter, 2026) as a consent item, but the minutes as supplied list only items A-G and do not include that surplus list; the consent motion passed 6-0-0 as read.

Special Events

• Mayor Williams noted that neither special event requested a waiver of fees.
• Savannah Food Fest and Craft Fair (March 28, 2026, 200 Tanger Outlets Boulevard): The petitioner said all food items would be priced at $5 or less, with local food trucks, restaurants, craft vendors, bands, and children's activities, and that a portion of proceeds would benefit the Humane Society of Greater Savannah. After Glenn Smith asked whether alcohol would be sold outside Tanger, the city explained that the event alcohol ordinance permits beer and wine only and requires alcohol to be contained in a beer-garden area. The temporary/special event permit was approved 6-0-0 on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Henry, seconded by Councilmember Tom Hutcherson.
• Big Bash Car Show (April 18, 2026, 200 Tanger Outlets Boulevard): The petitioner said the no-alcohol event would run from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with day-of car registration, $15 admission, $30 car entry fee, vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, Transformers replica vehicles, and special guest Rebecca Holden. He noted 471 cars attended the previous year and that the show would be split into smaller events. The special event permit was approved 6-0-0 on a motion by Councilmember Wesley Bashlor, seconded by Councilmember John Wilcher.

Ordinances, Proclamations, Resolutions

• Ordinance O2025-11.B, Street and Development Naming (second reading): City Manager Heath Lloyd presented the second and final reading. The ordinance amends Appendix A, Zoning Article 3, of the City of Pooler Code of Ordinances by creating Section 11 and establishing standards and procedures for naming and renaming streets, developments, facilities, and public properties, including parameters for descriptive and commemorative names. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The second reading was approved 6-0-0 on a motion by Councilmember John Wilcher, seconded by Councilmember Wesley Bashlor.

New Business

• City Manager Heath Lloyd reported that both advertised conditional use requests had been withdrawn by their respective petitioners: a service-to-buildings and building maintenance (HVAC) business at 114 East US Highway 80, Suites B and C, and a service-to-buildings and building maintenance (boiler systems) business at 104 East US Highway 80, Unit A, both in the C-1 Zoning District (Main Street Overlay). No action was taken.

Public Comments

• Uma Nagaraj of 107 Barrington Road, Pooler, alleged that residents face constant threats for speaking out, including a cease-and-desist served after a This is Sparta meme, and claimed that city meetings with HOAs involved discussion of private resident information. City Attorney Craig Call responded that public comment should address city business, that the city is not involved in private citizens' or homeowners' association matters, and that the city cannot enforce HOA rules. Nagaraj said she would pursue the matter in court.
• Carol Williams compared Pooler unfavorably with Alpharetta, Roswell, and Woodstock, arguing that taxes are high while the city gives nothing back to residents, children, and taxpayers. She criticized the city's development patterns and urged the city to bring tax dollars back to residents to retain property values.
• Glenn Smith expressed concern about light commercial zoning adjacent to residential properties, including property across Rogers from State Farm, and asked why commercial uses were allowed next to housing. He said he felt pushed off his property and asked about his alternatives. Mayor Williams referred him to the Planning and Zoning Director, Ms. Johnson, for an explanation of the historical zoning process.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 6-0-0.
• Savannah Food Fest and Craft Fair permit approved 6-0-0.
• Big Bash Car Show permit approved 6-0-0.
• Ordinance O2025-11.B approved on second reading 6-0-0.
• The two conditional use requests were withdrawn; no action taken.
• No executive session was held; the council adjourned at 6:33 p.m. by a 6-0-0 vote.