THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA JAN. 15

CITY OF THOMASTON

MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL – AGENDA

JANUARY 15, 2019 – 7:00 P.M.

City-County Meeting Room, Main Floor, R. E. Lee Building

A. Call Meeting to Order / Invocation / Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

B. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 2019.

C. Adoption of Agenda.

D. Public Comment and Announcements.

E. City Attorney’s Report.

F. Assistant City Clerk’s Report.

G. City Engineer’s Report.

H. City Manager’s Report.

1. Approval of Resolution – City Property Rental Fees.

2. Approval of Appointments of Individuals to Serve on the City Committees and Joint Committees.

3. Approval of New Phone System for City Hall Offices and Police Department.

I. Other Business.

J. Executive Session.

K. Adjournment.

UGA FOOTBALL NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

ATHENS----------James Coley, who served as Co-Offensive Coordinator at the University of Georgia this past season, has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator at UGA according to an announcement Friday by Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart.

Coley has been on the UGA coaching staff since Smart took over as head coach in 2016.

“James has been an critical part of our staff since we came to Georgia,” said Smart.  “He’s done an incredible job in all aspects of his responsibilities including coaching wide receivers for two years, serving as co-offensive coordinator this past season coaching the quarterbacks, and recruiting.  James has extensive coordinator experience during his entire coaching career and will transition easily into his new role.”

Coley was named Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Georgia in 2018 after two seasons coaching the Bulldogs’ wide receivers

PIKE CO. FOOTBALL COACH BRAD WEBER NOMINATED NFL HONORS

THE ATLANTA FALCONS HAVE NOMINATED PIKE COUNTY FOOTBALL COACH BRAD WEBER NFL HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR FOR AN 9-4 RECORD AND THE STATE PLAY-OFFS FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW. MOREOVER, COACH WEBER GUIDED HIS TEAM THROUGH THE CHALLENGE OF DEALING WITH THE TRAGIC DEATH OF LINEBACKER DYLAN THOMAS .

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF COACH OF THE YEAR WILL BE MADE AT THE PRO BOWL JAN. 27TH.  

UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY SOCIAL GRACES CLASS

The Upson Historical Society Social Graces Class begins Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 3:00 P. M. at the Pettigrew White Stamps House  located on South Church Street. This class is limited to eight graders.  Mr. and Mrs. Mike (Peggy) Greene will teach this class for six weeks.  The class will include table manners, table settings, thank you notes, and social etiquette.  Class size will be limited to 12 and the cost is $60.00, which includes membership in the Historical Society.  CONTACT:  pgreene42@gmail.com.

UPSON CO. JAILER ARRESTED

On Tuesday night, January 8, 2019 a jail officer was arrested while attempting to smuggle marijuana and other contraband into the Upson County Jail. Kenny Richardson, 19, of Thomaston had been employed as a jail officer since October 29, 2018.

Investigators searched Richardson as he entered the jail to begin his shift based on information developed during an internal investigation. He was found to be in possession of marijuana, tobacco and cigar wrappers. Richardson is charged with Possession of Marijuana with the intent to Distribute, Violation of Oath of Office and Crossing Guard Lines with Contraband. All are felonies. Richardson is being held on $15,000 bond.

T-SPLOST VOTE IN MARCH IN UPSON CO

A 5 YEAR $17 MILLION TRANSPORTATION SPLOST IS HEADED FOR A VOTE IN MARCH AFTER THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL AND UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AT SEPERATE MEETINGS THIS WEEK.

THE CITY OF YATESVILLE WILL GET THE FIRST $140,000 AND THE CITY OF THOMASTON GETS 43% AND THE COUNTY GETS THE REST. ITS ESTIMATED AROUND $13.5 MILLION WILL BE COLLECTED. ALSO ON THE BALLOT VOTERS ASKED TO APPROVE A BOND MEASURE FOR THE COUNTY TO GET UP TO $6 MILLION UP FRONT TO GO AHEAD AND BEGIN ROAD WORK.

DURING TUESDAY'S MEETING OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT ONE COMMISSIONER LORENZO WILDER WAS ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR 2019 AND THE BOARD WELCOMED NEW DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER BENJAMIN WATSON.

THE COMMISSIONERS HELD A RETREAT ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND COUNTY MANAGER JASON TINSLEY TOLD ZOOM NEWS— AS PART OF THE RETREAT THE BOARD PLANNED TO SET GOALS FOR 2019 AND FOR FUTURE YEARS.

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY IN PIKE CO. AT BIG BAND DANCE

                                     5th Annual Taste of Two Counties Big Band Dance

The beat of the Big Band returns to Griffin on Saturday, January 26th, from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Event Center, 1025 South Hill Street for the 5th Annual "Taste of Two Counties" Big Band Dance.

Join the Friends of the J. Joel Edwards Public Library for a night of great music, great food and loads of fun.

Night Train Swing Band, a 17-piece authentic Big Band will be providing the music; restaurants from Pike and Spalding County will supply the food.

Tickets are available at Novel Experience Booksellers in Zebulon, the J. Joel Edwards Public Library in Zebulon or online at www.friendsofthejjoeledwardspubliclibrary.com

Call 770-584-3094 for additional information

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT ILLUSIONISTS COMING TO UPSON-LEE

Illusionists David & Jenny, from America’s Got Talent, will be performing their 70-minute illusion show production, “Cutting-Edge Illusions & Daring Escapes” at the UPSON-LEE FINE ARTS CENTER on JANUARY 17, 2019, at 7:30 PM. 

Millions across the globe have witnessed David & Jenny in over 1000 live performances as well as appearances on America’s Got Talent and international TV networks. 

The show, which will serve as a fundraiser for THE UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL KNIGHTS OF BROADWAY, features large-scale Vegas-style illusions, hilarious comedy, and audience participation. 

Tickets are on sale now at magicshowtix.com or at the front office of Upson-Lee High School. Student tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. 

Early bird prices are available until January 10 with $5 tickets for students and $8 tickets for adults.

SURVEY SEZ RADIO IS THE MOST TRUSTED MEDIUM

iHeartMedia today (Jan. 7) released the results from a survey that provides insights into why radio is America’s most trusted medium. According to the survey, 84% of respondents said radio understands what is important to them, 20% higher than for network and cable television and social media. Conducted by AskSuzy in December 2018

GBI Makes Arrests in Thomaston Murder Investigation

On Friday, January 4, 2019, the GBI arrested two individuals in connection with the death of Roderick Crawford, 46, of Barnesville, Lamar County, GA. Cameron Jones, 20, of Upson County, and Kiera Williams, 18, of Clayton County, both have been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes, and kidnapping. Jones is being held at the Clayton County Jail and Williams is being held at the Upson County Jail.

On Wednesday, January 2, 2019, the GBI was requested by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a missing person investigation. Preliminary information received was that on Saturday, December 29, 2018, Crawford was reported missing by his wife and was last seen on Friday, December 28, 2018.

During the investigation, Crawford’s vehicle was found abandoned in Clayton County, GA. A search for Crawford continued and on Thursday, January 3, 2019, a deceased male was located behind a residence on Grantling Street in Thomaston, GA. Based on preliminary information, the deceased male is believed to be Crawford.

The GBI, Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, Upson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office are continuing to follow leads in this investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

RECUE FROM POTATO CREEK SATURDAY NIGHT

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SIX YOUTHS FROM LAMAR AND SPALDING COUNTY GOT IN TROUBLE ON RAIN-SW0LLEN POTATO CREEK SATURDAY EVENING AND WERE RESCUED BY LATE SATURDAY NIGHT—A RESCUE THAT DISPATCHED A HELICOPTER TO SEARCH FOR THEM NEAR THE MUD BRIDGE ROAD BRIDGE. THREE WERE IN A HIGH DEGREE OF PERIL.

UPSON S.O. SAID 17 YEAR OLD AUSTIN PRINCE OF GRIFFIN CALLED 911 AROUND 5PM AFTER 21 YEAR OLD ANDREW PRINCE OF GRIFFIN FELL OUT OF THE BOAT .

THREE OF THE KAYAKERS MANAGED TO STAY IN THE BOAT BUT A THIRD HAD TO HANG ON TO A GROUP OF TREES IN THE SWIFT WATER FOR 6 HOURS.

DEPUTIES IDENTIFIED THE OTHER YOUTHS AS 18 YEAR OLD BRYSTON CLEMENTS OF MILNER, 18 YEAR OLD GAGE DOVECK OF BARNESVILLE, 17 YEAR OLD JARED DOERING OF GRIFFIN, AND 18 YEAR OLD CHANCE THOMPSON OF MILNER.

SHERIFF KILGORE SAID RECENT SWIFT WATER RESCUE TRAINING IN TEXAS BY THE EMA PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE RESCUE.

EMA DIRECTOR MARTHA ANNE MCCARTY WAS ON SITE AS THE RESCUE EFFORT ENDED AROUND 11PM SATURDAY. SHE THANKED SPALDING COUNTY AND LAMAR COUNTY AUTHORITES AND THE GA. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THEIR HELP.

THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGENDA 1/7/19 12 NOON

Annual of Appointments of City Officials:

City Attorney Assistant City Clerk

City Auditor Municipal Court Judge

City Prosecutor

E. Public Comment and Announcements.

1. Thomaston Police Department Promotion – Officer Jaron Gross.

F. City Attorney’s Report.

G. Assistant City Clerk’s Report.

1. Approval of 2019 Municipal Election/Qualifying Fees.

H. City Engineer’s Report.

I. City Manager’s Report.

1. Approval of Appointments of Individuals to Serve on the City Committees and Joint Committees.

2. Approval of Resolution – City Property Rental Unit Fees.

2. Approval of Surplus Property – Thomaston Police Department.

3. Approval of Proposal from Qualifying Firm to Provide Architectural Services.

4. Approval of Right-of-Way Mowing and Maintenance Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation – “Park Drive” to “R Street”.

5. Approval of TSPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement with County of Upson.

6. Approval of Hiscox Professional Binder Liability.

7. Approval of Hiscox Cyber Proposal.

J. Other Business.

FURTHER UPDATE UPSON CO. MURDER

The arrests of Williams and Jones have led investigators to other violent crimes.

Forest Park Police said Williams and another woman, Ashanti Dorsey, are now charged with the Dec. 21 murder of Mario Rashaad Edwards in Forest Park.

Sheriff Kilgore said Jones faces an additional murder charge for a separate Clayton County murder.

Members of the Clayton County Fugitive Squad arrested Dorsey Thursday, hours after became the first woman to top the county’s Most Wanted List.

Squad members captured Dorsey in DeKalb County for another murder charge separate from the Forest Park case.

Investigators believed Dorsey shot and killed a wanted man Wednesday after an argument on Lakeview Way in Clayton County.

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office described Dorsey as a known prostitute who is a suspect in a series of robberies of men who solicited her services off of the internet.

Investigators believe all of the suspects met their victims through an escort website.

Williams is being held in the Upson County Jail, while Jones and Dorsey are in the Clayton County Jail.

UPDATE; UPSON CO MURDER

A body was located by an Upson County Deputy on Thursday evening  January 3, 2019 just before 9:00. The deceased is believed to be Roderick Crawford of Barnesville who was reported missing from Lamar County on December 29th. Two individuals are in custody charged with Murder, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm while in Commission of a Felony. They are identified as Cameron Jones, 20 and Kiera Williams 18. Williams is in the Upson County Jail and Jones is in the Clayton County Jail.

Investigation reveals that Crawford contacted Williams through an internet escort website and met him in Upson County. He was subsequently murdered and left behind an abandoned house located at 1414 Grantling Street in Upson County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to handle this investigation.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

January 4, 2019

THREE DEAD IN MONROE COUNTY

On January 4, 2018 at approximately 7:32 a.m. Monroe County Emergency Services responded to a House Fire on Joe Chambers Rd. Upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed and it was unknown if the house held any occupants. At approximately 9:27 a.m. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call regarding a possible murder that had occurred at the same house as the fire. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office then sent out a BOLO for the suspect and his vehicle. The victim’s truck was located in Flovilla by Butts County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was located inside the truck with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the head. At this time the victim’s identity has not been confirmed, but, is believed to be Michael Taylor, age 68, of Forsyth, Georgia. Shortly after locating the suspect in Flovilla, Monroe County Deputies located the remains of two bodies in the house fire. The victims inside the house are believed to be Alicia Taylor, age 52, and Colton Charles King, age 23. Alicia Taylor is the wife of the suspect, Michael Taylor. Colton Charles King is the son of Alicia Taylor. All three victims will be sent to the GBI Crime Lab for positive identification. This case is still active.

BODY OF MISSING LAMAR CO. MAN FOUND IN UPSON CO.

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE , A BODY FOUND IN LINCOLN PARK THURSDAY AROUND 9PM, WAS A MISSING LAMAR COUNTY FATHER.

THE SHERIFF SAID THE BODY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 46 YEAR OLD RODERICK CRAWFORD AND HE WAS SHOT TO DEATH AND LEFT BEHIND AN ABANDONED HOUSE AT 1414 GRANTLING STREET.

VIA E-MAIL THE SHERIFF SAID TWO PEOPLE, CAMERON JONES, 20 AND KEIRA WILLIAMS, 18 WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CLAYTON COUNTY THURSDAY ON ROBBERY CHARGES, BUT ARE EXPECTED TO BE CHARGED (TODAY) FRIDAY IN CONNECTION WITH CRAWFORD'S MURDER. INVESTIGATION REVEALS CRAWFORD CONTACTED WILLIAMS THROUGH AN INTERNET ESCORT WEBSITE AND MET HIM IN UPSON COUNTY , WHERE HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MURDERED.

CRAWFORD HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE LAST FRIDAY WHEN HE TOLD HIS FAMILY HE W AS DRIVING TO CRAFT FLOUR MILL IN MILNER TO CHECK HIS WORK SCHEDULE, AS A TRUCK DRIVER FOR J & M TANK LINES--- BUT HE NEVER RETURNED HOME. HE CALLED HIS WIFE AROUND 7;15PM FRIDAY BUT SHE MISSED HIS CALL.

CRAWFORD'S PHONE PINGED A CELL TOWER IN THOMASTON ON NORTH CHURCH STREET NEAR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A HALF HOUR AFTER THAT CALL, THEN IT WAS DEACTIVATED A SHORT TIME LATER.

CRAWFORD'S SUV WAS FOUND ABANDONED IN CLAYTON COUNTY ON TUESDAY.

ZOOM NEWS WAS TOLD SUSPECT JONES IS FROM THOMASTON AND THE COUPLE HAD LIVED IN UPSON COUNTY FOR A TIME.

SHERIFF KILGORE HAS REQUESTED THE GBI HANDLE THE INVESTIGATION.