OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, August 3, 2020 – 7:10 PM
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT:
David Eady – Mayor
George Holt – Councilmember
James Windham – Councilmember
Jeff Wearing – Councilmember
Laura McCanless – Councilmember
ELECTED OFFICIALS NOT PRESENT:
Lynn Bohanan – Councilmember
Avis Williams – Councilmember
APPOINTED/STAFF PRESENT:
Matt Pepper – City Manager
Marcia Brooks – City Clerk/Treasurer
Melissa Pratt – Associate Clerk
Jody Reid –Public Works Supervisor
Dave Harvey – Police Chief
David Strickland – City Attorney
OTHERS PRESENT: Art Vinson, Laurie Vinson, Michael McQuaide, Laura Gafnea (Oxford College),
Tom Spigolon (Covington News), Rev. Charlie Williams (Mt. Zion First Baptist Church), Dr. Laklieshia
Izzard, Barbara Cole, Monique Carter
1. The meeting was called to order by the Hon. David Eady, Mayor.
2. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Charlie Williams.
4. A motion was made by George Holt to accept the Agenda for August 3, 2020. Jeff
Wearing seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously (5/0).
5. A motion was made by George Holt to accept the Consent Agenda for August 3,
2020. Jeff Wearing seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously
6. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Eady expressed condolences for Councilmember Avis Williams on the passing of
her mother this morning and for Deputy Clerk Stacey Mullen on the passing of her father
last week.
Mayor Eady advised that the City of Oxford joined the Georgia Municipal Association’s
(GMA) 2020 Census Challenge, which involves completing a different activity each week to
maximize participation in the 2020 census. This includes social media outreach, press
releases, and working with community partners such as local churches. The city has set up
a computer in City Hall dedicated for citizens to complete the census online, and the city
has also sent a mailout. He asked that the Councilmembers share the social media posts
and otherwise promote the census since an accurate count for the City of Oxford is very
important.
Mayor Eady announced a blood drive will be held at City Hall on August 18th. He
encouraged participation and advised that donations will be tested for COVID-19
7. Planning Commission Recommendations/Petitions
8. Citizen Concerns
Barbara Cole recommended placing a sign in front of City Hall concerning the census.
Dr. Lakliesha Izzard requested information about running for office in Oxford. Dr. Izzard
was referred to the city’s Election Superintendent, Stacey Mullen, for information.
9. COVID-19 Update
Mayor Eady and Matt Pepper attended a conference call with Dr. Norris Little, Chief
Medical Officer at Piedmont Newton Hospital and Dr. Audrey Arona, District Health Director
of the East Metro Health District (Georgia Department of Public Health). They advised that
Newton County has a positive test rate of 17.8% (10% or more is considered high), but they
had seen a decline over the past ten days. However, over the past few days the case rate
has started to climb again. The turnaround time for testing has improved to 48 hours. A
permanent testing site has been set up at Springfield Baptist Church in Rockdale County.
Matt Pepper stated that customers have been compliant with the requirement to wear a
mask in City Hall. The city continues to conduct cleaning and disinfecting on a regular
schedule, and staff are practicing social distancing and cleaning shared surfaces after each
use.
Mayor Eady stated that the City of Covington has closed. Their layout is not as conducive
to practicing measures to serve customers safely as Oxford’s is.
Laura McCanless relayed information that Lynn Bohanan had given her concerning a
gathering in Asbury Street Park over the weekend. Ms. Bohanan was concerned because
the gathering was large, and the attendees were not practicing social distancing. Mayor
Eady stated he did speak with Ms. Bohanan. The COVID-19 resolution which was passed
in July only covered city buildings. The city’s stay-at-home order has expired. Governor
Kemp’s latest Executive Order is the current governing standard. In that, a “gathering” is
defined as fifty or more people. Mayor Eady believes the group in question was probably
less than fifty. He does want to encourage people to wear a mask whenever one is in the
presence of others not in their social cohort, since this practice continues to be the
recommended way to minimize spread of the virus.
Mayor Eady advised Chief David Harvey that he feels it is appropriate if one of his officers
sees a large group gathered and not social distancing and wearing masks to stop and let
them know as a point of education that we encourage them to practice these safety
measures.
James Windham expressed his belief that, given the rise in positive tests and deaths,
masks should be mandatory for those who use the pavilion at Asbury Street Park. Mayor
Eady stated the Council can pass this restriction if so desired, but with the understanding
that the Governor’s current executive order says that we cannot. This issue is the point of
contention that gave rise to the lawsuit between the State of Georgia and the City of
Atlanta. In Mayor Eady’s opinion, the City of Oxford is well within its rights to enact such a
restriction.
George Holt expressed reservations about Oxford’s police officers approaching people in
the pavilion given there is no requirement to wear masks there and making announcement
over a loudspeaker may be better since it is less confrontational. Chief Harvey favored the
one-on-one approach which is more in line with community-oriented policing.
Laura McCanless felt that a mask requirement for city properties is appropriate, especially
at the pavilion, because it is a defined space and it tends to encourage people to get cozy
within the space. George Holt agreed.
Although Jeff Wearing believes it is difficult to police people all the time, he supports adding
city properties to the order. Mayor Eady stated that enforcement of the order would be
similar to when the city passed its first order. That is, when an officer sees someone in
violation of the mask order, use the opportunity to educate the person, and if the person
refuses to comply, issue that person a citation.
Mr. Wearing also recommended refusal to rent the pavilion to groups that refuse to comply
with the requirements.
Mr. Windham stated the very nature of the pavilion discourages social distancing, so he
believes requiring wearing masks for groups there is appropriate. Melissa Pratt asked if the
Council should consider closing the pavilion. Mayor Eady stated the Council decided to
reopen it on June 29th. The Council could certainly decide to close it again, but his thought
is it would be better to keep it open and add the mask requirement. Customers renting the
pavilion could be informed of this requirement when they rent it and should acknowledge
this requirement when they rent it.
Mayor Eady advised that he and Mr. Pepper would work with City Attorney David Strickland
to amend the mask order and schedule a called meeting in conjunction with the August
August 3, 2020 City of Oxford/Regular Session 4
work session to vote on it. The amended order will include all city properties. If the Council
desires, it can discuss closing the pavilion as a separate issue during that same meeting.
Jim Windham pointed out that trails are city property. Mayor Eady advised they could be
exempted in the amended order.
Barbara Cole asked if masks would be required on the playground at Asbury Street Park,
and if so, what age would be required to wear a mask. Mayor Eady advised the city would
adhere to the standards of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding this issue.
10. Resolution for CARES Act Funds (Attachment C)
A provision of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
makes funds available for municipalities. Funds may only be spent on necessary, yet
unforeseen expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order for the City of Oxford to
receive the initial distribution of funds, the City Council is required to adopt a resolution
stating that any funds received will be used only for their intended purpose.
Laura McCanless made a motion to approve the proposed resolution for CARES Act
funds. George Holt seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Ms. McCanless asked if ideas for use of the funds would be discussed tonight, since Mr.
Pepper had asked the Councilmembers to brainstorm ideas. Mayor Eady preferred that all
Councilmembers give this some further thought, and the ideas could be discussed at a later
time.
The motion carried unanimously (5/0).
11. 2020 Property Tax Millage Rate Adoption (Attachment D)
The City of Oxford proposes a property tax millage rate of 6.662 for 2020. Laura
McCanless made a motion to approve the proposed property tax millage rate. Jeff
Wearing seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Jim Windham expressed concern about the number of absentee ownership properties in
recent years. He recommended further discussion and study concerning a way to relieve
some of the tax burden for property owners who live in their homes. George Holt advised
while there cannot be different tax rates for different groups, the same thing could be
accomplished by adjusting the homestead exemption.
The motion carried (4/1). George Holt voted nay.
12. Revised Intergovernmental Agreement for the Transportation Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax (Attachment E)
The TSPLOST IGA which was approved by the Oxford City Council in July has been
amended to correct some language and to add the lists of projects from the participating
August 3, 2020 City of Oxford/Regular Session 5
cities. Staff recommends approval of the revised resolution. Mayor Eady reiterated that
the resolution is not to approve the TSPLOST tax. It is only approving the placement of the
question on the referendum in November in Newton County.
George Holt made a motion to approve the amended resolution. Laura McCanless
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
13. Invoice Approval
Mayor Eady stated that the financial policies are being reviewed to determine if this process
can be streamlined. One issue being reviewed is if an invoice should be presented for
approval on this list if the Council has already approved completion of the project. Jeff
Wearing asked if a notation could be made that an invoice has been paid. George Holt
advised that type of information is what is being worked on now. He used to review
invoices before they were paid, but he is not doing this anymore. Since he has stopped
doing this, the procedure has been confusing. The goal is to provide full and transparent
information without requiring a vote for purchases that have already been approved.
Jeff Wearing made a motion to approve the invoices as listed. George Holt
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Eady gave an additional opportunity for community members to speak. Rev. Charlie
Williams raised an issue concerning the performance of the current garbage pickup service the
city contracts with. They left trash and debris in the church parking lot of Mt. Zion First Baptist
Church and destroyed their parking lot when turning around. Rev. Williams advised he has
photos. Mayor Eady asked Rev. Williams to email the photos to him and Matt Pepper and the
issue would be addressed.
14. James Windham made a motion to adjourn Regular Session at 8:12 pm. Jeff
Wearing seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously (5/0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcia Brooks
City Clerk/Treasurer