EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Chief Stacey Cotton
Police Chief, Covington Police Department
The best Christmas gift I've received is some tools from my twin sons, because it was the first time they were grown men and put thought on their own as to what I would want. They nailed it exactly!
- Where were you born? Decatur, GA
- What was your first car? 1966 Ford Bronco
- What was your last job before you worked at the City? I installed HVAC for ACS in Covington
- How many years have you worked for the City? 34 years
- What is your favorite part about working at the City? That we provide a high level of service
- Name one thing you are proud of in your life. My twin sons
- What is your favorite book and/or movie? Movie: As Good As It Gets & Book: Left Behind Series
- Where is your ideal vacation spot? Probably the coast of Italy
- What is your favorite food? Homemade spaghetti
- If you could have dinner with a celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be? Dale Earnhart, Sr.
- What is your hidden talent? My ability to seek to understand how things work or what motivates people
Two members of City Manager Scott Andrews's family, Romeo and Murphy, are prepared to celebrate their first Christmas in 30014...Christmas in the COV!
- Attended the teleconference City Council meeting
- Worked on the 2019-2020 PAFR
- Assisted in the interviews for the Electric Director.
- Received an update on the annexation study
- Met with Community Development team
- Met with the Public Works Department
- Met with the Electric Department
- Returned phone calls and emails from residents
- Planned upcoming WE LEAD events
- Collected city wide accomplishments for the last six months
Pictured: Cricket Frog Trail lit up for Christmas
The 911 Center partnered with DFCS and adopted two children for Christmas this year. Several employees participated by purchasing gifts, donating money, shopping and wrapping the gifts. The 911 Center was able to provide everything on the list for each child, and they plan to do it again next year!
Total CAD Calls Received: 1,708
Total Agency Calls Generated: 1,927
Total Law Calls Generated: 1,461 (75.81%)
- Covington Police Department: 438 (22.72%)
- Covington Marshal's Office: 0 (0.00%)
- Newton County Animal Control: 7 (0.36%)
- Newton County Sheriff's Office: 963 (49.97%)
- Oxford Police Department: 16 (0.83%)
- Porterdale Police Department: 37 (1.92%)
Fire Calls Generated: 179 (9.28%)
- Covington Fire Department: 53 (2.75%)
- Newton County Fire: 126 (6.53%)
NEWTON EMS CALLS: 287 (14.87%)
- The 911 Center and other public safety agencies participated in Fleet Mapping for the new radio system (top three images).
- The Covington Fire Department helped moved consoles for electrical work to be completed for the new radio system install at the 911 Center (middle two images including Luther Bouchillon and John Terrell completing the electrical work).
- The Covington Police Department purchased two large monitors for the 911 Center to assist with monitoring the Flock camera system (bottom image featuring Luther Bouchillon and Rodney Powell of Facilities Maintenance ).
FIRE MARSHAL
- Completed one plan reviews
- Completed two compliance inspections
- Completed three re-inspections
- B. Thompson registered for Inspector 1 and beginning to prepare for class.
- J. Doss completed IAAI class in South Carolina.
- All Fire Marshal personnel assigned to work remote.
ACCREDITATION
April Draper attends a Zoom Kiwanis meeting with the owner of the Onyx Bookstore (pictured) as the visitor.
- Ordered office and cleaning supplies
- Processed tag letter for firefighter
- Compiled and submitted info for weekly report
- Approved invoices in BS&A
- Completed CPSE survey regarding strategic planning facilitation
- Attended monthly Vision 20/20 CRR Steering Committee meeting (pictured below)
- Attended Kiwanis meeting via Zoom (pictured above)
PATROL
- On December 7, CPD officers responded to the Goody Barn on Clark Street in reference to a mentally disturbed person. Officers arrived and determined that an emotionally disturbed 11-year-old male had attacked his mother while she was driving. The juvenile was taken to the ER for a psychological evaluation.
- On December 7, CPD officers received a call that someone was attempting to kick the door in at a residence. A description was given and a fourteen-year-old male was located, who matched the description, after running from officers. It is believed this was the same person who was beating on doors on Thompson Avenue and Mill Street the night before. The juvenile was charged with obstruction and criminal trespass and released to his father.
- On December 7, CPD officers responded to a person shot call at a residence on Kirk Street. Officers arrived and found that no one had been shot. During their investigation, they discovered that a female (Female 1) had attacked another female (Female 2). A male then attempted to break up the fight and also had a revolver in his hand. Female 1 then turned her attention to the male and began fighting with him, during which they both fell to the floor causing the male to accidentally pull the trigger to his revolver. Statements from eyewitnesses determined that the male accidentally fired the gun into the roof after Female 1 attacked him and that he was only trying to break up the fight. Warrants were taken on Female 1 for simple battery and cruelty to children. Female 2 was charged with disorderly conduct. The male was not charged.
- On December 8, CPD officers responded to an address on Indian Creek Circle where a male stated his 2017 Acura RDX had just been stolen. Officer Michael Wyatt located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However the vehicle would not stop. Newton County Sheriff Deputies were in the area and picked up the chase. The vehicle left the city limits and returned traveling north on Washington Street, subsequently crashing into the old Pantry Corner building at the intersection of Emory Street and Washington Street. The occupants from the vehicle then fled on foot and officers canvased the area to search for them. Officer Malcolm and Officer Robinson noticed an abandoned house on Lee Street. They also noticed a black ski mask laying in the yard of the property. Officer Robinson later located a 16-year-old male hiding under the abandoned house. It was also determined the male lived on Puckett Street. On-call CID Investigator Detective Jeff Bruno was called, and he interviewed the 16-year-old. He confessed to being in the vehicle as well as doing entering autos.
- On December 10, CPD officers responded to Collier Street SW in which Female #1 stated Female #2 broke several windows in the house. Female #2 stated Female #1 choked her and had visible marks on her neck. Female #1 was charged with battery FVA. Female #2 was charged with criminal trespass.
- On December 11, CPD officers responded to a call on Home Towne Suites on City Pond Road. A 2-year-old child was found by the maintenance man in the parking lot crying and unattended. When officers arrived, they observed the mother of the child chasing the father on foot at the back of the building. Officers contacted the grandmother of the two-year old child and gave custody to her. DFACS was notified of the incident, and the mother was arrested for reckless conduct, 2nd degree cruelty to children and misdemeanor obstruction. The child’s father was identified and warrants were obtained for his arrest.
- On December 12, CPD officers responded to an accident with a pedestrian in front of the former Fred’s shopping center on Hwy. 278. The male victim was riding in the roadway in the west bound lane of Hwy. 278 and was struck by a vehicle traveling west bound. At the time of the accident, it was raining and the male was wearing all black clothing. He did not have the proper safety equipment on his bicycle. He was transported to Grady due to serious injuries.
CID
CID Sgt. Allan Seebaran examined Person Crimes and Property Crimes CID detectives worked for December 7, 2020 to December 13, 2020, and compared them with the previous two years. He found the following results:
PERSON CRIMES: From December 7 – December 13, 2018, there were two reported person crimes; from December 7 – December 13, 2019, there were 16 reported person crimes; and from December 7 – December 13, 2020, there were 12 reported person crimes. The following results were found for the date range of December 7 to December 13:
- There was a 700% increase (from two to 16) in reported person crimes from 2018 to 2019.
- There was a 25% decrease (from 16 to 12) in reported person crimes from 2019 to 2020.
- There was a 500% increase (from 2 to 12) in reported person crimes from 2018 to 2020.
PROPERTY CRIMES: From December 7 – December 13, 2018, there were 28 reported property crimes; from December 7 – December 13, 2019, there were 18 reported property crimes; and from December 7 – December 13, 2020, there were 18 reported property crimes. The following results were found for the date range of December 7 to December 13:
- There was a 36% decrease (from 28 to 18) in reported property crimes from 2018 to 2019.
- There were no changes (18) in reported property crimes from 2019 to 2020.
- There was a 36% decrease (from 28 to 18) in reported property crimes from 2018 to 2020.
- Responded to six emergency leak calls.
- Completed two inspection and unlock requests.
- Completed three check meter requests and one ERT replaced.
- Completed two rectifier inspections.
- Completed three service calls.
- Completed 26 cathodic protection pipe to soil readings.
- Completed one inspection and unlock request.
- Two service orders and check meter requests completed.
- Installed two new services.
- Retired one service.
- Responded to a house fire and completed emergency repairs to meter and riser damaged by the fire.
- Repaired 24 minor above ground leaks on meters found during annual leak survey.
- Painted 34 meters.
- Attended a virtual Georgia Pipeline Emergency Response Committee meeting.
- Attended a Natural Gas Association of Georgia meeting.
- Attended Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium Board meeting.
- 16 orders to change out water meters
- Three orders to change out water meter registers
- One order to check water meter
- One order to fix water meter ERT
- One order to locate and mark water meter
- Three orders to get water meter reading
- One order to fix water leak
Pictured: Anderson Grading putting sidewalks back on Williams Street
- Two orders to check for water leaks
- One order to unlock ladder for contractor on water tank
- One order to turn off water
- One order to install water tap
- Five orders to check water tank and site
- One order to check on sinkhole
Pictured: Mike Murphy and Wade Batson help repair a water main on Puckett Street
- One order to check on water valve
- Two orders to check sewer backups
- One order to check sewer main construction site
- One order to unstop sewer main
- One order to unstop service line
- One order to camera sewer tap for contractor
Pictured: Dustin Nichols and Scott Wakins repair a broken water main on Puckett Street
- Two services dropped for maintenance
- One single phase transformer changed out
- Five secondary poles set for light installations
- Four trees removed from right of way
- Two underground services installed
- Continued power install at New Eastside High School
Pictured: Overhead crew (Kahle Mason, Jeremy Kitchens and Terry ‘Bubba’ Ray in the bucket) replacing a pole by Stalvey’s
ACCOUNTING
- Staff entered 276 invoices for payment to vendors
- The city issued 144 checks for 255 invoices
- Accounting Department entered 53 journal entries to record transactions of the city
- Staff sent seven invoices to customers for miscellaneous transactions
- Accounting Specialist worked to compile information for the annual Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR)
CUSTOMER SERVICE
UTILITY BILLING/METER READING
- 3,334 bills processed
- 247 work orders completed
- 18 meter/ert changes
- Read cycles 3,4 and finals
PURCHASING
- Total purchase orders issued – current month - 184
- Total purchase orders issued – current budget year - 1,810
Current/Upcoming Bids/RFP's
- Central Park Master Plan RFP: Out for bid
- Cricketfrog Trestle Bridge: Out for Bid on 12/18/2020
- Downtown District Traffic & Parking Study: Out for Bid on 12/18/2020
- Alcovy Road / Town Center Boulevard Signal Plan: Out for Bid on 12/18/2020
MUNICIPAL COURT
- There were no in-person court proceedings.
- 75 new citations were processed and filed in the court.
- 11 tickets were disposed of and closed.
- A total of $2,176.00 in fines and fees were collected from mail, web, probation and in-person counter payments.
- There were four open record requests, two certified disposition requests and two warrant dismissals processed.
- A total of 289 separate case files for the week have been scanned into Courtware Software.
- The office has received 210 emails and responded to internal and external customers accordingly.
- 136 calls made and received to telephone customers
- Mailed out 142+ packets with solicitor’s recommendation for entering a plea
- Met with judge and solicitor regarding future court proceedings and office operations
Upcoming Events
Holidays: Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, 2020
Last Week's Tasks & Events
- Reviewed benefit bills and invoices
- Electric Director interviews at the Covington Municipal Airport
- RFP Committee (broker services) finalizing recommendations to present to Council
- Mediated personnel issues
- Brainstorming ideas with City Manager and Asst. City Manager about rising COVID-19 cases
- HR/Safety Risk Staff Meeting on December 9 @ 9:00 am
Ongoing Events
- Providing quality customer care to our employees and retirees
- Preparing submission for the Weekly Report
- Administrating retirement services for retiree benefits
- Scanning of HR files
- Monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and listening to professionals about proper return to work protocols
- Handling FMLA, Worker’s Compensation and COVID-19 claims
- Scheduling and conducting interviews for vacant position and compiling appropriate documents
- Auditing all employee benefits: invoicing accuracy, vendor satisfaction, etc.
- Posting new positions as vacancies arise
- Prepared job offers for new hires and promoted employees
Current Job Postings
- Electric Line Worker
- Meter Reader
- Firefighter
- Finalizing design and installation of outdoor Welcome Center sign (weather permitting)
- Finalized changes/print quantity for Heat of the Night brochure – off to printer
- Completed and submitted all numbers for November to state office for Welcome Center
- Compiling punch list for remaining items needed for Welcome Center
- Facilitated a Window Wonderland Store Decorating contest with the downtown merchants
- Compiled the Weekly Report for the week ending December 6, 2020
- Rendered audio of City Council meeting from December 7, 2020 to add to website and CCTV
- Updated website and social media
- Conducted Neighborhood Stabilization Grant close-out meetings with the GA Department of Community Affairs
- Completed final package for submission to DCA to close NSP 1 and NSP 3 grants
- Reviewed final RFP for Cricket Frog Trail trestle bridge construction
- Continued work to complete application for GA Placemaking Collaborative
- Submitted final content for tourism website
COVID-19 Update Call from Friday, December 18, 2020
During the weekly call with Piedmont Newton and the Gwinnet Newton and Rockdale (GNR) County Health Departments, the following information about COVID-19 was discussed:
- Community spread has significantly increased since Thanksgiving across our state and in Newton County.
- Significant increase in COVID cases resulting in hospitalizations in the last two weeks.
- Newton County 14-Day Case Rate 409 cases/100,000 which is up from 302 last week.
- Positivity percentage is at 17% up from 14%.
- The Pfizer vaccination is now being administered to frontline healthcare workers. After phase 1, the vaccine will be available to critical infrastructure workers.
Please continue to do the below as you celebrate the holidays. Avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings where social distancing is not possible.
😷 Wear your mask
↔️ Socially distance
🧼 Wash your hands regularly
📖 Follow the guidance
Please continue to help #StopTheSpread!