Watkinsville public meetings in 2024
11 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Watkinsville City Council will meet to consider two new business items: approving $28,024.20 from SPLOST III for relocating a Georgia Power pole on Main Street, and deciding on year-end bonuses for city employees. The agenda also includes recognitions, financial reports, and a consent agenda. No public hearings are listed for this meeting.
- Approve $28,024.20 from SPLOST III for Georgia Power pole relocation on Main Street
- Consider year-end bonuses for city employees
- Receive monthly financial reports (General, SPLOST III, TSPLOST, ARPA funds)
- Recognize community members and 2024 Christmas parade award winners
The Council approved the acquisition of the Healy Property off Mulberry Street to connect Thomas Farm Preserve to Third Street, and approved $38,024.20 from SPLOST III for relocating a Georgia Power pole on Main Street, including a $10,000 contingency. Year-end bonuses for city employees, including the manager, were approved. The Council also approved a mediation agreement in a lawsuit and filing a Quiet Title Action for a property gap.
- Approved $38,024.20 for Georgia Power pole relocation on Main Street (5-0)
- Approved year-end bonuses for city employees including Manager Dickerson (5-0)
- Approved contract and acquisition of Healy Property off Mulberry Street (5-0)
- Approved mediation agreement in Case #3:23-cv-00055 (5-0)
- Approved filing Quiet Title Action for triangle gap off Mulberry Street (5-0)
City Council
The Watkinsville City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a variance for 111 Farmview Drive (Tax Parcel W 10 024). The council will also consider several consent agenda items including fee schedule amendments, budget transfers, and approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 audit report. Other action includes awarding a design and construction contract for a pavilion at Thomas Farm Preserve and a resolution to participate in the Georgia First Responder PTSD Program.
- Public hearing and vote on variance at 111 Farmview Drive, Tax Parcel W 10 024
- Approve Fiscal Year 2024 audit report and budget amendments
- Approve fee schedule amendments resolution
- Award contract for design and construction of pavilion at Thomas Farm Preserve
- Resolution to participate in Georgia First Responder PTSD Program
City Council
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on rezoning approximately 17.27 acres at 1180 Greensboro Highway and Main Street to Downtown zoning. The meeting also includes votes on a government purchasing policy and DDA board appointments.
- Public hearing and vote to rezone 1180 Greensboro Highway (~17 acres) and Main Street (~0.27 acres) to DT (Downtown)
- Wastewater Capacity Allocation Request for Athens Construction Group Property Holdings, LLC and CK Capital, LLC
- Appointment of two Downtown Development Authority Board Members for four-year terms
- Approval of revised Government Purchasing Policy (FIN-004)
- Approval of Christian Church Lease Agreement
City Council
The City Council will consider awarding contracts for road resurfacing, sidewalk installation, and park repairs. The body will also vote on a service provider for employee health insurance and a manager contract.
- Contract for 420 linear feet of pedestrian boardwalk at Harris Shoals Park
- Resurfacing and striping of Mulberry Street and Cemetery Road
- Installation of 1,880 linear feet of concrete sidewalk along Simonton Bridge Road
- Approval of service provider for employee health insurance
- Approval of Manager Contract
City Council
The council will hold a public hearing and vote on a variance request for 1071 Camden Park. They will also consider a one-year extension of the banking services contract with Oconee State Bank and approve submittal of GIRMA and GMA safety grant applications. Additionally, they will act on a GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant application for FY2025.
- Public hearing and vote on a variance for 1071 Camden Park
- Approve one-year extension of contract with Oconee State Bank for banking services (expires Aug 31, 2025)
- Approve submittal of GIRMA and GMA Safety Grant Applications
- Approve submittal of Fiscal Year 2025 GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) Application
- Financial reports for General, Fund Reserve, SPLOST, TSPLOST, and ARPA funds
The council approved a variance for 1071 Camden Park to allow a side yard setback and front-facing garage, and approved submitting a GDOT LMIG application to pave Mulberry Street and Cemetery Road. The consent agenda, including a bank contract extension and safety grant applications, was also approved. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved variance for 1071 Camden Park (4-0)
- Approved FY25 GDOT LMIG application and funding for paving Mulberry Street and Cemetery Road (4-0)
- Approved consent agenda including Oconee State Bank contract extension and safety grant applications (3-0)
- Approved minutes of July 17, 2024 meeting (3-0, Tucker abstained)
- Approved agenda as presented (4-0)
City Council
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a zoning variance for a 9.74-acre property on Electric Avenue to allow zero side and rear setbacks for single-family lots. The body will also consider contracts for pedestrian trails at Thomas Farm Preserve and a lease agreement for the Christian Church.
- Public hearing and vote on zoning variance for Electric Avenue (formerly 111 S. Barnett Shoals Road)
- Contract for 1.16 miles of aggregate pedestrian trails at Thomas Farm Preserve
- Contract for 1.0 mile of paved, ADA-accessible pedestrian paths at Thomas Farm Preserve
- FLOCK License Plate Reader MOU and Indemnification Agreement
- Christian Church Lease Agreement
City Council
The City Council will hold public hearings and vote on the Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund budget and the 2024 property tax millage rate. The body will also consider a zoning variance for 56 Dooley Street and several infrastructure contracts.
- Public hearing and vote on Fiscal Year 2025 General Fund Capital & Operating Budget
- Public hearing and adoption of 2024 Property Tax Millage Rate
- Public hearing and vote on a variance for 56 Dooley Street
- Approval of $2,225,000 loan and $1,530,405 grant for Simonton Bridge Road Pedestrian and Safety Improvements
- Reprogramming of $345,000 in SPLOST III funds for Thomas Farm Preserve trail work
City Council
The Watkinsville City Council will hold public hearings and votes on three rezoning requests, including changing the new Oconee Library location at 1925 Electric Avenue from Mixed Use Office to Public Institutional, and rezoning about 80 acres at Thomas Farm Preserve for parks. They will also consider a development agreement revision for the Trove subdivision, approve several contracts, and discuss the FY2025 budget.
- Rezone 1925 Electric Avenue (0.71 acres) from MUO to PI for new Oconee Library
- Rezone 73 Simonton Bridge Rd (~80 acres) from DR to PRC for Thomas Farm Preserve
- Revise Trove subdivision development agreement to reconfigure lots and relocate 6 trees
- Approve FLOCK license plate reader contract and FY24 budget amendment
- Approve FY2025 capital budget requests and independent agency budget requests
City Council
The Watkinsville City Council will hold public hearings and vote on a Historic Preservation Ordinance and a Corridor Ordinance. The consent agenda includes approving a BBQ and Bake-Off use agreement with the DDA, a band contract, a new Parks Department position, reprogramming SPLOST III and ARPA funds for Thomas Farm Preserve, and declaring three old police vehicles surplus. The council will also consider a beer/wine and distilled spirits license for Prospect Athens and an urban forest plan for 1260 Greensboro Highway.
- Public hearing and vote on Historic Preservation Ordinance
- Public hearing and vote on Corridor Ordinance
- Approve BBQ and Bake-Off Use Agreement with DDA
- Approve band contract for BBQ and Bake-Off at Rocket Field
- Authorize one FTE position for Parks Department
City Council
The Watkinsville Mayor and Council are holding their annual retreat to discuss vision, values, and strategic plan initiatives for 2024. No final action will be taken; all reports are in draft form. The agenda includes reviewing priority projects, funding sources, and long-term planning, with public comments at the Council's discretion.
- Explore and/or activate transportation plan elements, including sidewalks and roundabouts ($4M-$5M)
- Develop a Downtown Master Plan, including Mars Hill Phase 3 and Rocket Field reimagination ($65,000)
- Establish a Greenspace Program, including activating the 100-acre Thomas Farm Master Plan ($5M-$8M)
- Consider a Historic Preservation Ordinance ($2,000)
- Explore Rail Trail Opportunity and Truck Bypass (funding unknown)
City Council
The City Council will administer oaths of office to the newly elected Mayor, Council members, and Police Chief. The meeting includes a public hearing and vote on zoning amendments to allow mobile vendors in specific zones.
- Oaths of office for Mayor, Council members, and Police Chief
- Zoning text amendments for mobile vendors in DT, CC, and MUO zones
- GTIB grant/loan application for Simonton Bridge Road/Mulberry Street sidewalk
- Approval of 2024 Election qualifying fees
- Renewal of 4-year Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement