Mayor Charles Schwabe and Swainsboro City Council held a special called meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. All Council members were present, along with City Administrator Al Lawson. Mayor Schwabe called the meeting to order.
Mayor Schwabe read a statement submitted by Councilman Ricky Stevens. The statement read as follows - On September 1, 2021, I will be stepping down as a member of the Swainsboro City Council representing Ward 1. Due to my health and upcoming surgeries, I will not be able to fulfill the duties that the city deserves. I have enjoyed working with each of you and will continue to pray for each of you and your families.
The next topic of discussion was the ratification of the August 2 meeting. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Councilperson Julian Sconyers and seconded by Councilperson Johnny Ray Stafford. Councilperson John Parker stated that he would not approve the minutes because of the final proposed budget that was passed in the August 2 meeting. Parker stated that he was not aware of the capital budget having three police cars in the proposal with a dollar amount of $105,900. According to Administrator Lawson, every Council member received a copy of the proposed budget at the August 2 meeting prior to approval, with a unanimous vote of approval. The proposed budget was originally presented to Council on July 26 but was not approved then because Parker stated that the department heads needed to review the budget. According to Lawson, he met with the department heads prior to August 2, and made the changes requested by them before presenting it to Council for approval. After much discussion, Parker, Councilperson Rita Faulkner and Councilperson Bobbie Collins opposed. Parker then made a motion to rescind the 2022 budget, seconded by Faulkner. The motion passed 3-2 with opposition from Stafford and Sconyers.
Council then discussed the COVID protocol and recommended that all city employees be mandated to wear masks. The exception to the rule would be for religious purposes or a medical condition with an excuse from the doctor. If employees refused to comply with the mandated mask ordinance, they must be tested for COVID every 10 days. A motion was made by Faulkner and seconded by Parker. The vote was 3-0. Sconyers and Stafford were not present to vote.
Parker then stated he wanted hazard pay for all employees of the city. He stated he wanted a $2 per hour hazard pay for all employees equally, to take effect August 2021 through December 2021. The Mayor questioned the cost and was informed by Lawson that the approximate cost would be $100,000. A motion was made by Parker, seconded by Faulkner, with a vote of 3-0. Sconyers and Stafford were not present.
During the discussion of the previous motions, because of bad weather, a surge disconnected the Zoom meeting. When Zoom was reconnected, Sconyers and Stafford did not join the meeting. Mayor Schwabe informed Council members present that three members did not constitute a quorum to transact city business so the meeting was concluded.
