2021 06 15 Minutes

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6694

June 15, 2021
Page 50f5

-18-
REQUESTS FROM CITIZENS

Mayor Perkinson stated that last month Council Member Witt-McMahan expressed concern about how
the City Council and City Manager were not being allowed to respond to statements being made by
citizens. It was his understanding that she felt something needed to be done to resolve the conflict and
move forward with the business of the city. At the last study session, he asked for ideas from Council on
ways to resolve these issues that were fair, just, and reasonable. Staff is currently developing a form for
citizens to make a request or present an issue they have to the City on the City’s website. The completed
form would be directed to the City Manager and appropriate department for response. These forms
would also be available at City Hall for those individuals without computer access or experience. Another
way they have come up with to communicate with the citizens is the return of the Council Night Out
events, the first one is scheduled for July 1* at Heritage Park. Council Member Witt-McMahan stated she
appreciated the Council trying to move forward and have civil meetings, but she wanted to make sure
that citizens understand that the Council’s doors and phones are always open. She suggested that when
there is a complaint or suggestion about anything, the individual send it in writing or contact one of the
City Council members. The Council Member could then find a way to include it in one of their meetings
so it can be heard by everyone opening the door to being completely transparent. The voices of the
citizens are very important to the Council, and they did not want to censure anyone. Council Member
Pelley did not see anything wrong with the current process. Glenn Whiting, 237 County Road 655,
requested Mayor Perkinson consider resigning from the position of Mayor because of allegations he
brought to the Council’s attention. Cynthia McCowan, 617 Walnut Boulevard, stated that if a citizen has
a valid request about something that has to do with City services, she was willing to come to the meeting
and listen to it. If that citizen has a complaint, she expects that citizen to come to the Council to address
the Council and not have other individuals speak for him. Ms. McCowan expressed the need for a Youth
Resource Center or a Boys & Girls Club. She had talked to Mayor Gentry about it and Mayor Gentry said
the County had already been thinking about it and he mentioned a place he believed would be a great
location, She had also talked to Derrick Kinsey, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club for the Ocoee Region. Mr.
Kinsey said Athens was on his list and he was just waiting for Athens to create an interest group, do its
fundraising, and do the paperwork. In order to have a Resource Center or Boys & Girls Club, you need to
have the backing of your city officials. She requested the Council to take her request to their study session
to consider. In the summertime there are no programs offered for the children from 8" grade to 18 years
of age. The YMCA is great for the younger children but her 13-year-old grandson has nowhere to go in
the summer. She asked the Council to reach out to her to discuss.

-19-
REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Sumner reviewed his monthly report including the various Parks and Recreation and Public
Works projects and activities going on throughout the city.

-20-
ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the meeting and upon motion duly made and seconded,

the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

WILLIAM BO PERKINSON, Mayor

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