SAVANNAH CITY GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY/FINAL MINUTES

COUNCIL WORK SESSION & CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING

AUGUST 12, 2021 – 11:00 a.m.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the City Council Work Session and City Manager’s Briefing was held via Zoom video communications at 11:01 a.m. Alderman Leggett offered the invocation, as requested by Mayor Johnson.

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, Presiding

Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, At-Large, Post 1, Chairman

Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely, At-Large, Post 2

Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lanier, District 1

Alderman Detric Leggett, District  2

Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan, District 3

Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4, Vice-Chairman

Alderwoman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, District 5, Mayor Pro-Tem

Alderman Kurtis Purtee, District 6

ALSO, PRESENT:

Acting City Manager Heath Lloyd

City Attorney Bates Lovett

Clerk of Council Mark Massey
Workshop Agenda Items
1. Hearing to Receive Public Comment on the 2021 Property Tax Millage Rate (Registration Link to Speak On This Item Can Be Found On The Header of This Agenda, Under "Note to Audience")
Exhibit 1: 2021 Millage Rate Public Hearing.pptx

Mayor Johnson opened the hearing and gave a complete overview of the proposed 2021 Property Tax Millage Rate.

Alderwoman Gibson-Carter asked for the correct time for speakers.  At the request of Mayor Johnson, Clerk of Council Massey indicated, two (2) minutes for each speaker.  Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan requested each speaker include their City address.

Speaker(s) present:

  1. Sarah Thompson (City resident – District 4) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.
  2. Jennifer Salandi (not a City resident – County) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.
  3. William Robyn (City resident – District 3) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.

At 11:28 a.m., Mayor Johnson declared the hearing closed, since there were no other speakers present.

Mayor and Council Members discussed the meeting schedule, dates and times to determine if any changes should be made.  The consensus from Council was to maintain the current meeting schedule.

Alderwoman Miller Blakely requested information regarding the use of the $54 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received by the City and using the earned interest on the funds for salary increases for City employees.  The City has only received half ($27 million) of the funds, and Acting City Manager Lloyd will compile the information for Alderwoman Miller Blakely.

There was an additional speaker in Chambers who was detained at the security desk during the hearing due to other residents' resistance to wear face masks.

Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to re-open the hearing, seconded by Alderman Leggett and Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously.

Additional speaker(s):

  1. Keith Padgett (City resident – District 6) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.

For the record, written comment(s) were received by Clerk of Council Massey, as follows:

  1. Sara Laine Moneymaker (not a City resident – County) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.
  2. Gene Karl Robinson (not a City resident – County) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.
  3. Sarah Thompson (City resident – District 4) – OPPOSED to proposed millage rate.

Mayor Johnson declared the hearing closed and adjourned the work session at 11:38 a.m.

A video recording of the work session can be found by copying and inserting the link below in your url:

 

https://savannahgovtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=qzi6eyHe1X2L

 

 

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved:   August 26, 2021    

Initials:  mm
Agenda Plus