Swainsboro City Council and Mayor Charles Schwabe convened for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 20, at 6 p.m. at the Swainsboro City Hall. The original monthly meeting was to be held as regularly scheduled on Monday, October 4, but was cancelled due to a lawsuit brought by council. The legal issues were ironed out last week, allowing the city to move forward with regular business and meetings.
Mayor Schwabe called the meeting to order and welcomed all. Invocation was then led by Mark Hardin. Council then reviewed minutes from the last council meeting. Councilperson Rita Faulkner requested changes be made to reflect the proper name of a lawyer included in said minutes.
New business
• Council approved the issuance of an alcohol license application for advertising only to Walgreens of Swainsboro.
• Mayor Schwabe announced a request to postpone discussion on an Allgreen rate increase proposal, listed as item No. 2 on the night’s agenda. He advised that the postpone request was made by an Allgreen representative during a conversation held over the phone earlier that day.
• Council then entered into executive session to for discussion on a contract and severance package and benefits for Al L. Lawson. Councilperson Faulkner made first motion to amend the night’s agenda to allow the executive session and was seconded by Councilperson John E. Parker. Upon re-entering normal session, Councilperson Parker motioned to accept the accelerated retirement of Lawson with no severance package to be given. He further stated that Lawson should be compensated for his 462 hours of remaining sick pay and 55 hours vacation pay with no other severance package to be included. Seconding Parker on this motion was Faulkner. Councilperson Bobbie Collins voted in favor of the proposed motion and Councilpersons Johnny Ray Stafford and Julian Sconyers opposed.
Discussion then followed on city quorum, charter and ordinance laws set in place for the city as well as proper representation being made by the city’s lawyers office and other legalities. Mayor Schwabe announced the final vote on the matter will be decided in a court setting.
“What we’re trying to do here is establish the legality of the matter,” the mayor further stated.
• Melissa Kirby was voted by council to serve as Interim City Administrator for at least 60 days. Faulkner made first motion, Parker seconded and the remaining council voted accordingly.
• Swainsboro Police Department Chief Randy Ellison addressed council the request to ratify the hiring of Public Safety Officer Braswell. Council unanimously approved the hiring Officer Braswell.
• Lastly, Council approved the 2022 city of Swainsboro budget and set the 2022 millage rate at 14.405. The new millage rate was lowered to the maximum of five millage as set by law, lowering from the old rate of 19.405.
In other news
• Faulkner announced plans to address council with a petition to rename Gumlog Park.
• Discussion was held on rescheduling next month’s meeting to the following week but was not agreed to.
With no further business to be had, the meeting was adjourned.
