The City of Hoboken discussed/voted on the following agenda items during the February 4 meeting at City Hall.
• First Responders PTSD coverage resolution: City Attorney Adam Ferrell updated the council on HB 451 - the Ashley Wilson Act resolution.
Ferrell said the council has to authorize the mayor (Joey Crews) to act on behalf of the city to elect membership into the GIRMA (Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency) fund through a resolution “to basically obtain that coverage for the city to comply with that law.”
“There is a base level of coverage that is required to be provided,” continued Ferrell, “and if y’all wanted to provide additional coverage, then that could be elected at a higher premium price.”
The Ashley Wilson Act (HB451) requires all public entities in Georgia to offer a supplemental benefit program for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from exposure to line of duty traumatic events.
It creates a once-perlifetime financial safety net to assist with uninsured costs associated with PTSD treatment and recovery. A first responder may access the benefits quickly and confidentially without worry over stigma or job loss.
The Act does not impact employer health plans, which are required to provide coverage for PTSD and other mental health conditions.
The base level coverage rate is $148 a year and would be added on to the City of Hoboken’s existing policy.
Councilman James Ray made the motion to approve obtaining the minimal coverage with Councilwoman “Skeeter” Stone giving the second. The motion pass unanimously.
• 2025 DOT LMIG application: Mayor Crews informed the council the DOT (Department of Transportation) LMIG (Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant) had been approved.
The program provides funds to local governments to perform improvements to their roadway network each year.
• Three-year contract with Board of Commissioners for tax billing: The contract with the Brantley County Board of Commissioners is from January, 2025 through December, 2028 to handle billing and collect taxes for the City of Hoboken.
Crews said the City pays $1,280 per year for the collection and $640 for postage for a total of $1,920.
Councilwoman Amy Lee made the motion to approve the contract with Commissioner Stone giving the second. The motion unanimously passed.
• Hoboken Police Department: Police Chief Sammy Hendrix told the council the department personnel were busy getting the required P.O.S.T. (Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council) certification hours during the month.
“We spent January getting those hours out of the way,” said Hendrix. “Guys didn’t work a lot of hours in January.”
HPD officers made three traffic stops during the month with all three resulting in warning. There were 12 public calls, all miscellaneous, involving dog calls, speed, auto and alarm calls. The department worked one minor vehicle accident where neither party involved wanted to report done.
Hendrix informed council members the unit involved in a wreck at the end of 2024 was deemed totaled by the insurance company.
• Hoboken VFD: Mayor Crews gave the month of January fire department report with the absence of Fire Chief Ricky Floyd, who was attending a county-wide fire department meeting.
The HVFD responded to 16 calls with seven being medical, five brush fires, two structure fires and one fire alarm.
• Street/Water Department: Supervisor Davis Stone addressed the council concerning the cost associated with residents running over water meters.
“We need to fine people for running over our (residential) water meters,” said Davis.
Mayor Crews offered the possibility of adopting an ordinance.
“We probably had to replace about 10 meters last year,” he said. “We need to do something for destroying city property.”
The cost to replace the latest busted bin and meter was approximately $860 at the Mobile Home Park.
Attention turned to the spillage of animal waste on Hwy. 121 resulting in charges by the City of Hoboken, the City of Blackshear and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office against the driver and company.
“Typically, someone like that you get with their insurance company,” said Ferrell. “They’ve (company) got some ability to get with their insurance to make it right by coming and doing some cleaning.
“The DOT, since that’s a state route, probably has some say so. I know in the past, they’ve required the driver and whoever the company is to take the initiative and spend the money to get the road cleaned up. I think most of those companies have insurance to cover those types of situations.”
Mayor Crews said citizens should not have to breathe in the stench nor should the City of Hoboken have to deal with the bad publicity.
Attorney Ferrell said he would check into the matter of possibly bringing more charges against the driver and the company.
• Office administration: The mayor told the council paperwork for a pay increase for the council has been submitted to legislation for approval.
• Executive session: The council entered into executive session to discuss personnel and property with no action taken.
