Council borrows funds for city Administration building

The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Swainsboro was held on May 5, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Swainsboro City Hall. Following an invocation by Rev. Brad McKenzie and the Pledge of Allegiance, council considered the minutes of the previous meeting. Councilperson Collins cited two errors in the minutes. One involves her vote on the motion to increase rental fees for the Vann Community House. Collins was erroneously recorded as abstaining from the vote, when in fact she voted against the motion. The second correction involved the reference to the April 14, 2025, meeting as a called meeting when in fact that meeting served as the regular monthly meeting. The minutes were corrected as requested and passed. At this point a request was made for a change in agenda items for the meeting. One change concerned financing of a new city administration building, one change concerned discussion of Green Street and Mable, one change concerned zoning change of property adjacent to Jesus Saves Church. The change of agenda was approved. Next, three citizens addressed council on various issues. David Hall addressed the issue of trees encroaching on the street right of way on Mable Avenue. Next, Rita Faulkner questioned city council and Mayor concerning delayed progress on the Gumlog Gym project. Finally, Willie Bush addressed Mayor and council on the condition of Veterans Park and the additional work that needs to be done regarding storm damage and clean-up. Bush is Commander of the Sons of the American Legion and requested additional support from the City in restoring the park to a usable condition. Under new business, council voted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Emanuel County for the provision of updated radio communication system for all agencies. Council also approved road closings requested for Ronald Moore for the so-called Downtown Get Down, July 4, 2025. Council also approved a request made by CarePartners to host a 5K Walk in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. In added agenda items, council approved the arrangement of borrowing funds from the Citizens Bank of Swainsboro to facilitate financing of the purchase of the former Spivey State Bank building. The council voted to approve the purchase of the building at the previous meeting for a price of $550,000. The next added agenda item concerned traffic congestion at the intersection of Mable Ave. and South Green Street. Council agreed to initiate a traffic study. The next added agenda item concerned rezoning of property on Highway 56 adjacent to Jesus Saves Church. Request to change the zoning to Residential was brought by Ronald Moore. Motion was brought and approved for the change. Under consent agenda, council approved the continued rental of a front-end loader from Yancey Rental, approved the road closure request from the Swainsboro Jaycees for the Annual Freedom Fest celebration on July 5, 2025, and approved road closure request made by Juneteenth Emanuel for the Inaugural Festival on June 21, 2025.