On the agenda: Covington 09/01/2026 Meeting  — Data Center (Sep 1)

REGULAR MEETING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY OF
COVINGTON, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, 6:30 PM.
Mayor Pro-tem Jared Rutberg presided with Council Members: Charika Davis, Dwayne Turner,
Anthony Henderson, Travis Moore, and Kimberly Johnson, City Manager Deputy City Manager
John King, City Clerk Audra M. Gutierrez, and City Attorney Frank Turner, Jr. Mayor Fleeta Baggett
was out on medical leave.
Reverend Dr. Royeese Stowe gave the invocation.
Covington Police Officers Brock Burch and Matthew Bonestell led everyone in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Mayor Pro-tem Rutberg administered the oath of office to new Covington Police Officers Brock
Burch and Matthew Bonestell.

1.

******
Motion made Council Member Turner, seconded by Council Member Davis to remove item #4
regarding Section 2.11 from the agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.

2.

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Motion made by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Turner to approve
the minutes from the Regular Council Meeting held on August 17, 2026.
Motion carried unanimously.
******
Robby Tombrello from Yancy Bros informed the council that his organization sent a bid for the
requested Kubota KX057-5 Mini Excavator that was approximately $10,000 lower than the bid
being proposed to approve.

3.

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Motion made by Council Member Turner, seconded by Council Member Johnson to approve the
final reading of a zoning amendment to Sec. 16.12.020.D. regarding the Covington Planning
Commission Appointment and Terms:

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“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COVINGTON, GEORGIA, TO AMEND THE COVINGTON
MUNICIPAL CODE, ENACTED AND ADOPTED ON THE 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2001, AS AMENDED
BY PREVIOUS AMENDMENTS, TO ALTER CERTAIN PROVISION OF TITLE 16 OF THE SAID CODE OF
ORDINANCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING SECTION 16.12.020 (PLANNING COMMISSION)
OF CHAPTER 16.12 (PROCEDURES) THEREOF TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.”
Motion carried unanimously.

4.

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Motion made by Council Member Moore, seconded by Council Member Johnson to approve the
purchase of a new Kubota KX057-5 Mini Excavator from Lashley Kubota for $87,994.00, for the
Water and Sewer Department.
*Lashley Kubota
Border Equipment
Yancey Brothers
WesPro Dealer

$87,994.00 Kubota
$88,665.00 Case
$77,383.00 Cat
$75,148.00 JCB

*met specifications of bid request
Motion carried with council members Moore, Johnson, Turner, Davis, and Rutberg voting in
favor. Council member Henderson voting opposed.

5.

*****
Motion made by Council Member Moore, seconded by Council Member Johnson to approve the
purchase of a Kubota Skid Steer from Lashley Kubota, which was included in the FY 2026-2027
approved budget in the amount of $80,990.00, for the Transportation Department.
Lashley Kubota
Borde Equipment
Yancey Cat

$80,990.00
$89,780.00
$104.456.00

Motion carried with council members Moore, Johnson, Turner, Davis, and Rutberg voting in
favor. Council member Henderson voting opposed.

6.

*****
Motion made by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Turner to approve
an annexation request from 6263 Turner Lake Road consenting to be included in the Highway
278 Community Improvement District (CID) and resolution stating same.

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Motion carried unanimously.

7.

******
Motion made by Council Member Turner, seconded by Council Member Henderson to approve
the revocation of the current moratorium on gasoline stations which was set to remain in effect
through October 20, 2026, now that the related ordinance has been adopted.
Motion carried unanimously.
******

8.

Motion made by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Davis to approve
the revocation of the current moratorium for Data Centers which was set to remain in effect
through October 20, 2026, now that the related ordinance has been adopted.
Motion carried unanimously.

9.

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Motion made by Council Member Davis, seconded by Council Member Moore to approve the
acceptance of the low bid of $754,535.00 provided by Allsouth for the rehabilitation of Spillers
Lift Station.
Allsouth Constructors, Inc. $754,535.00
Willow Construction, Inc.
$779,100.00
Lakeshore Engineering, LLC $798,000.00
Helix Grading & Utility, LLC $835,000.00
Motion carried unanimously.
******
Rosie Crawford expressed displeasure regarding easement maintenance, the cutting of grass on
the right-of-way, and the city cutting back a Magnolia tree on her property. She again discussed
her concern for the lack of movement on the CRB board.
******
Tres Thomas updated everyone with information from GDOT. He informed everyone that the
contractor is being penalized $1,000.00 a day for being behind on the Emory Street Bridge
replacement. They have requested an extension from GDOT. The new estimated date of
completion is October 13. He announced that the Flat Shoals Sidewalk Project has begun and
should be complete by mid-November. He wished everyone a safe Labor Day Weekend.
Council Member Moore acknowledged the water resources department for their assistance with
an issue.

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Council Member Turner recommended the city write a letter of support for a traffic signal on
MLK Drive.
Council Member Rutberg explained in detail the steps the city has already taken on multiple
occasions over the years to have a traffic signal installed.
Council Member Turner said he would like to look at ways to spend the rollback money. He
apologized to Rosie Crawford for again failing to appoint his CRB Board member, stating he will
have them turned in the following week. He thanked his fellow council members, stating that the
council members are not “that bad” as other municipalities have indictments. He encouraged
everyone to be a part of the 43rd Annual Fuzz Run.
Council Member Davis asked Tres Thomas to advise her of any investigation of Rosie Crawfords
Magnolia trees and right-of-way grass complaint.
Mayor Pro-tem Rutberg explained to Rosie Crawford that she does not pay taxes on the right-ofway property. He stated that he hopes the Emory Street Bridge contractors are still being fined
the GDOT penalty even with the additional deadline extension. He stated that he met with Paul
Daily in HR regarding the 2027 Summer Youth Employment Program and said they are already
researching options. He confirmed that the deadline for council members to submit their ethics
board appointments, to the city clerk’s office, is prior to the next council meeting.
Council Member Turner requested that the staff advertise on social media ASAP that the council
members are looking for volunteers for the Planning Commission Board and Ethics Boards.
******
Being no further business meeting, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.

________________________________
Jared S. Rutberg, Mayor Pro-tem
_________________________________
Audra M. Gutierrez, City Clerk

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