SAVANNAH CITY GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY/FINAL MINUTES

COUNCIL WORK SESSION & CITY MANAGER'S BRIEFING

JULY 22, 2021 – 4:00 p.m.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the City Council Work Session and City Manager’s Briefing was held via Zoom video communications at 4:02 p.m. Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz 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 Michael B. Brown

City Attorney Bates Lovett

Clerk of Council Mark Massey

Acting City Manager Michael Brown presented a slide presentation on the 2021 Property Tax Millage Rate.

Following the presentation, Mayor Johnson opened the 2021 Property Tax Millage Rate hearing to receive public comment.

Clerk of Council Massey reported there were written comments received and distributed to Council Members prior to the hearing:

Written comment(s) received:

• Peter A. Robyn – OPPOSED
• Sarah Thompson - OPPOSED

City Attorney Lovett reported there were citizens in Council Chambers to speak; however, there were technical difficulties.  The hearing was extended to allow for corrections of the difficulties.

Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan asked that all speakers state their name, address and if they lived within the City limits before commenting.

Clerk of Council Massey reported Tim Moody, Director of IT, came to his office to report there were no citizens present inside Council Chambers to speak concerning the millage rate, nor via Zoom.

Mayor Johnson accepted no speakers were present, as written record, and declared the public hearing closed.

The hearing was closed at 4:26 p.m.

Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to close the work session and conduct a closed Executive Session regarding personnel, seconded by Alderman Leggett and Alderwoman Wilder-Bryan. The motion passed unanimously.

The Executive Session began at 4:27 p.m.

Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Shabazz moved to exit the Executive Session, seconded by Alderwoman Lanier. The motion passed unanimously.

The Executive Session ended at 5:09 p.m.

Mayor Johnson adjourned the work session at 5:09 p.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=E8fxF5uJ0tsd

Mark Massey, Clerk of Council

Date Minutes Approved: August 12, 2021    

Initials:  mm