The Hinesville City Council and Mayor postponed making a decision on Ordinance #2020-21. If approved, the Ordinance will allow law enforcement to issue a ticket for an ounce or less of marijuana instead of arrest. It was, according to City Councilmember Keith Jenkins, originally proposed by Councilmember Vicky Nelson. Nelson was not in attendance for the meeting, and it was due to her absence the vote was postponed, presumably until the next meeting. It was clarified during the meeting that the Ordinance only applies to Hinesville police officers, not any other law enforcement establishment such as the Sheriff’s Office.
A request made by Jeff McIntosh to rezone 8.28 acres of land from property located at the intersection of Churchfield Drive and Ga. Hwy 196 West. The property was requested to be rezoned from a general commercial district and townhouse dwelling district to a highway commercial district. McIntosh plans to build a 17,500 sq. ft. facility for Winlectric on the location. The current property is owned by Mulberry Company, LLC, and R.Y. Sikes Construction, LLC. The Council approved the request.
The Council was informed of the Hinesville Youth Council’s progress. The Youth Council was formed back in September 2019, with members from Bradwell Institute, Liberty County High School and First Presbyterian Christian Academy. Four members from the organization went to Atlanta in January for a Cities United Summit to participate in networking and training sessions. Applications for the 2020 Youth Council session will be available for ninth through twelfth grade Hinesville students on Mar. 30. Information can be found on the City of Hinesville website, Community Development Department: Youth Council page.
The Hinesville Youth Council is planning to sponsor two students in the Summer Youth Enhancement Project. High school students ages 14-18 are eligible. Students accepted will spend six weeks learning life skills and will be given work experience through local organizations. Students will earn minimum wage and work 20 hours per week during the summer. More information on this can be found on the City of Hinesville website, Community Development Department: Hinesville Summer Youth Enhancement Projects page.
The City of Hinesville’s Finance Department was awarded the GFOA’s Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the 2018 fiscal year. This certification was reported to be the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.