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City of Grovetown
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 912026 6:30 p.m.
The regular meeting of the Grovetown City Council was held on Monday, February 9,2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers. Present were Mayor Gary E. Jones, Mayor Pro-Tem Eric Blair, Councilmember Jacqueline
Rivera-Player, Councilmember Veronica Simpkins, and Councilmember A. Richard Bowman.
Also, present were Finance Director/Asst. City Administrator Bradley Smith, Human Resources Director David
Toulson, IT Tech Terry Floyd, Fire Rescue Chief Wayne Kent, Police Chief Jamey Kitchens, Public
Information Officer Jordan Johnson, General Services Director David Carlin, Utility Services Director Keith
Lyons, Planning and Community Development Director Jac Palmer, City Attorney Chris Dube, and City Clerk
Brian Henderson.
Council conducted a work session to review agenda items at 6:00 p.m.
t.
Call Meeting to Order/Announcement of Quorum
Mayor Gary E. Jones called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and acknowledged a quorum.
.,
Invocation/Pled ge of Allegiance
City Ambassador Sylvia Martin gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Approval of Agenda
Councilmember Blair made a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Bowman seconded the motion, all
in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
4.
Approval of January 12,2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Blair made a motion to approve the January 12,2026 regular,meeting minutes. Councilmember
Simpkins seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
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5.
Approval of January 12,2026 Executive Session Minutes
Councilmember Blair made a rnotion to approve the January 12,2026 executive session minutes.
Councilmember Rivera-Player seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
6.
Committee Chair Reports
Public Safety
Councilmember Blair briefed Mayor and Council on emergency calI data for the Fire Rescue Department and
Police Department for the month of January. He also discuss training and other activities for the rnonth of
January.
Utility Billing and Utility Services
Councilmernber Sirnpkins reported Utility Billing and Utility Services activities for the month of January to
Mayor and Council.
Planning and Development
Councilmember Bowman briefed Mayor and Council on Planning and Development monthly totals for building
inspections, certificates of occupancy, new business licenses, building pennits, and Code Enforcement activities
for the month of January.
General Services
Councilmernber Rivera-Player infonned Mayor and Council on the activities for General Services for the month
of January.
Administration
Administration report was deferred to Asst. City Adrninistrator Bradley Smith
1
F'inancial Statement
Councilmember Bowman made a motion to approve the financial statement. Councilmember Simpkins
seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
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8.
Employee of the Month
Assistant City Adrninistrator Bradley Smith presented Water Operator Ron Moore with the employee of the
month cerlificate for Januaw 2026.
9.
Vietnam Veterans Recognition
Councilmember A. Richard Bowman recognized fallen soldier Fred W. Mitchell with the Vietnam Veteran
Recognition for the month of February 2026.
10.
Business Spotlight
Councilmetnber Jacqueline Rivera-Player and Public Infonnation Officer Jordan Johnson recognized Augusta
Spine and Pain Specialists as the Business Spotlight recognition for the month of February 2026.
11.
Discuss the Establishment of a Historical Preservation Committee
During the Work Session Mayor Gary E. Jones outlined the reason he was looking to establish a historical
preservation committee and what they would be responsible for. However, he wants to wait until he can discuss
this in more detail with City Administrator Elaine Matthews.
12.
Citizens Comments
Carla Harrison addressed Mayor and Council about groMh within the City of Crovetown and
advertisement/public notice of land developrnent activities.
13A.
General Business: Old
None
General Business: New
t4A.
Recommend Adoption of Resolution 2026-02-01, Five-Year Update of the 2026-2031Comprehensive PIan
Councilmetnber Blair rnade a motion to approve the adoption of Resolution 2026-02-01, fbr the five-year
update of the 2026-2031 Comprehensive Plan. Councilmernber Bowman seconded the motion, all in favor and
the motion carried.
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
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Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
14B..
Recommend Adoption of Resolution2026-02-02, Resolution to Declare Items as Surplus Property
Councilmember Bowman made a motion to approve the adoption of Resolution2026-02-02, resolution to
declare items as surplus property. Councilmember Simpkins seconded the motion, all in favor and the motion
carried.
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
15.
Director's Reports
Asst. City Adrninistrator Bradley Smith briefed Council on up-coming events.
o
February 12,2026, the Chamber will play host to a Backyard Barbecue meeting starting at 4:30 p.rn..
.
February 14,2026, Leisure and Recreation will host the Senior Valentine's dance at the Grovetown
Depot from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
o
February 20,2026, will be the first budget off-site meeting to be held at the Grovetown Depot frorn 9:00
a.rn. to l:00 p.rn.
16.
Adjourn
Councilmember Blair made a motion to adjourn the meeting at7:30 p.m. Councilmember Simpkins seconded
the motion, all in favor and the motion carried.
Councilmember Blair- voted yes
Councilmember Simpkins- voted yes
Councilmember Bowman- voted yes
Councilmember Rivera-Player- voted yes
[ug(*--
rtr"o/
Eric Blair, Mayor Pro-Tem
ichard Bowman, Councilmember yer, Councilmernber
Veronica Si Councilmember
derson, City Clerk
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