COUNCIL MEETING
November 3, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Councilman Waller leading in prayer. The minutes of the October 20, 2005 meeting were reviewed. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Rozier reported that after obtaining information from several sources, the maintenance department had located a type of speed hump that was less costly than the ones previously discussed and could be removed prior to resurfacing of the roadway. The cost is approximately $1400, plus labor, compared to the $3500 for the asphalt speed humps. The Mayor stated he would turn this matter over to the Streets & Highways committee for further action.
The Mayor stated that the City had received a letter from Attorney David Sneed requesting that the variance appeal from Gordon Jones for his property located on Cheyenne Road be postponed while certain issues with the property owners are resolved and they asked to appear again before the Bloomingdale City Council.
Council was advised by Mayor Rozier that he was not able to meet with the Chatham County Legislative Delegation on November 1st because they had a full schedule and it would be one day next week before he could present council’s requests for the 2006 Legislative Session.
Attorney Dickey reported that he had been reviewing the proposed contract from T-Mobile regarding the placement of a telecommunications tower on the water tank, but felt that some information needed to be obtained from Utility Services, Inc. regarding future maintenance rates before making a commitment on the tower. Mayor Rozier asked that Attorney Dickey send a letter to Utility Services requesting this information and report the information back to council when it was available.
Council was informed that the City’s health insurance provider only allows three (3) plan options for employees, so the options that will be offered effective January 1, 2006 will include PPO 90/80%, HMO 100% and HMO 80% plans. The Mayor pointed out that this information was being provided to council since they had actually approved the addition of two HMO options at the last meeting, but only one of the HMO options can be added.
Councilman Johnson stated that he would like to suggest that along with quarterly financial information that should be provided to council from the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, he feels they should also report their fire fighting and other emergency responses to council. Councilman Johnson explained that capital purchases made for the department should be reported to the City in order to maintain an inventory of these items. Councilman Johnson reported that he had discussed this with Chief Tyler who had agreed that there should be financial and activity reports made to the City and he was advised by the Chief that quarterly reporting of this information would be fine with the fire department.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Mayor stated that the City had received a request from Stephen Culver to operate the office of a lawn care business from his residence located at #1307 E. Highway 80. However, Mr. Culver was not present, so the matter was tabled until he could attend the meeting to discuss the request with council.
Mayor Rozier reported that several months ago he had been advised by Attorney Dickey that the church he attended in Garden City had run into problems with the sale of alcoholic beverages in a restaurant near their sanctuary and since changes in state law no longer prohibited this activity near churches, Garden City had to allow the business to serve alcoholic beverages. Attorney Dickey pointed out that state law still prohibits the location of retail liquor stores or package shops within 200 yards of schools and church facilities, but the regulation of restaurants and bars selling mixed drinks near these facilities have to be handled by local ordinance. The Mayor stated that he had asked Attorney Dickey to prepare an ordinance addressing this issue for council’s consideration and he then read the proposed ordinance. It was noted that the ordinance would prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages within 200 yards of any church building, school building, educational building, school grounds, daycare facility, or City owned building. Mayor Rozier asked for comments from the citizens present at the meeting. Citizen Billy Strozier asked if the distance from these facilities could be increased to more than 200 yards and was advised by Attorney Dickey that it could, but he had merely used the same distance as the state law regarding retail liquor stores and package shops. Questions were raised about how the distance was measured and Attorney Dickey stated that it would be determined by the shortest distance from property line to property line. Being no further comments or discussion, Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Myrick made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Councilman Wedincamp seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Ray then made a motion to approve the adoption of the ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages within 200 yards of schools and church facilities. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Rozier stated that he had been asked by Councilman Myrick to include consideration of staggered terms on tonight’s agenda for council’s discussion. Councilman Myrick advised council that he felt that if the City had staggered terms there would never be more than three (3) new members added at one time. Councilman Myrick stated that he had definitely benefited from the experience and knowledge of elected officials that remained on council after the last election and felt that if there were to be a complete turn over in council in future elections that it would be a very difficult time for the City. Councilman Myrick stated that although there would have to be elections held every two years, he would be in favor of that if it would provide more continuity in the operation of the City. Councilman Johnson advised council that he could understand Councilman Myrick’s reasoning, he was not in favor of staggered terms because there would be elections held every two years and that would cause more confusion than continuity. Councilman Johnson pointed out that if there was a complete turn over in City Council it would be the choice of the citizens who voted. Citizen Martin Collins stated that he thought the City had staggered terms prior to the change to four years terms, but was advised that when previous elections were held every two years it was for the position of Mayor and all six council seats. Attorney Dickey stated that if a change was initiated, there would have to be public hearings held because it would require a charter change by the legislature. Mayor Rozier stated that the floor was open for a motion on the matter and asked Councilman Myrick if he wanted to make this motion. Councilman Myrick advised the Mayor that he merely wanted to get the idea out for discussion, but did not feel it was necessary to take a vote on it tonight. Councilman Johnson stated that he felt the matter needed further study and Councilman Tyler, along with other council members, agreed. The matter was tabled by Mayor Rozier.
Mayor Rozier reported that this concluded the items that were presented prior to the Friday, October 28, 2005 agenda deadline.
During committee reports, Councilman Wedincamp stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission members were working on a couple of proposed developments consisting of two to three hundred acres in this area. There were no other committee reports from council.
The accounts payable were reviewed. Councilman Waller made a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m., Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Rozier and all council members were present at the meeting.