JANUARY 8, 2026 - 12:30 p.m. - WORKSHOP and CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING

CITY GOVERNMENT

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The work session was held at 12:31 p.m., in the 2^nd Floor Media Room.  Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order, then recognized Ald. Kurtis Purtee to offer a prayer.  

PRESENT:  

Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, Presiding

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 - Vice Chair

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

ABSENT:

Alderwoman Carolyn H. Bell, At-Large, Post 1

Alderman Nick Palumbo, District 4 - Chairman

ALSO, PRESENT:

City Manager Jay Melder

Assistant City Manager Taffanye Young

Chief of Staff Daphanie Williams

City Attorney Bates Lovett 

Clerk of Council Mark Massey

Deputy Clerk of Council Gwendolyn Jones

Mayor Johnson facilitated a discussion on board appointments during which council members submitted nominations for various boards.  The nominations are to be considered and voted upon during the January 8, 2026, Regular Council Meeting.

HELD.  Mayor Johnson entertained a motion to hold an executive session. Ald. Purtee moved to hold an executive session regarding litigation and real estate, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shabazz.  The motion passed unanimously, 7-0-0.  Ald. Bell and Ald. Palumbo were absent.

At 12:54 p.m., Mayor Johnson recessed the work session for the executive session to be held in the 3^rd Floor in the City Attorney’s conference room, which began at 1:00 p.m.  All members were present except Ald. Bell.  Also attending were City Manager Jay Melder, City Attorney Bates Lovett, Attorney Mathew McCoy with McCorkle, Johnson, and McCoy, LLP, and Clerk of Council Mark Massey.

Ald. Purtee moved to adjourn the executive session/workshop, seconded by Ald. Miller Blakely.  The motion passed unanimously, 8-0-0.  

There was no City Manager's update held.

Mayor Johnson adjourned the workshop upon conclusion of the executive session at 1:37 p.m. No action was taken.

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved:                                                     

Signature:                                                                       

The video recording of the Workshop can be found by copying and inserting the link below in your url:

https://www.youtube.com/@cityofsavannah/videos