Council Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2009
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor with Councilwoman Winn leading in prayer. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the adoption of the draft copy of the minutes of the August 20, 2009 council meeting with no changes, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the agenda with the removal of item #9 as requested by a phone call from Mr. Willie Mitchell prior to the meeting. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Under administrative and committee reports, Councilman Myrick reported that a couple of years ago during the Police Department renovation there were a couple of trouble spots in the parking lot that EMC Engineering indicated would need to be surveyed prior to releasing the monies held from the project. The Engineer advised that one of the areas needs to be repaired and he has contacted the contractor who will schedule the repair work with the Chief next week.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
The Mayor submitted the resolution adopting the FY 2009/2010 budget as presented, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the resolution adopting the FY 2009/2010 budget, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. The Mayor advised citizens living in the area of the lift station that a replacement scrubber unit is included in this budget.
Council reviewed a request from Mr. Marvin Howard for a home occupation license to operate the office of his company M.B.H. Paint Company at #501 E. Garvin Street. It was noted that Mr. Howard resides at this address with his father and a written approval has been submitted from Mr. Robert Howard. Councilman Strozier reminded Mr. Howard that no cleaning of brushes, rollers, buckets, etc can be done at the residence. Upon this acknowledgement from Mr. Howard Councilman Strozier made a motion to approve the issuance of the license. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor recognized Jake Patrick husband of Whitney Patrick who presented a request for a home occupation license to operate a one-chair hair salon at her residence located at #1320 W. Highway 80. After a brief discussion Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the issuance of the license and waive the public hearing. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that the City had received a recommendation from Thomas & Hutton Engineering on behalf of J. Hiers Company, Inc. for a pay request in the amount of $24,700.05 for the final “work” draw on the drainage canal. Councilman Myrick made a motion to release the payment of $24,700.05 to J. Hiers Company, Inc. to hold the retainage of $28,428.19 until the final work meets the satisfaction of the city. The one year bond would begin at that time.
The Mayor recognized Denise Dixon to discuss the May 7, 2009 decision by council to name the private drive between #1203 E. Hwy 80 and #1205 E. Hwy 80 to “Autrey Drive”. After discussion with council by Denise Dixon, Grady, Robert and Beverly Duke Councilman Myrick made a motion to change the private drive back to previous status and to notify “911” that this private drive will not be Autrey Drive. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council reviewed a request from Mike Wedincamp to add the sale of propane gas to his Temporary Certificate of Zoning for an Open-Air Produce Stand operated at #704 W. Hwy 80 located at the corner of Hwy 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway. Council was advised that although the property is located in the C-2 Zone which “Bottle gas, storage and distribution” is a permitted use it is not listed under Section 1104 Conditional and temporary uses. After a brief discussion Mr. Wedincamp requested to postpone this request until the next council meeting.
City Council reviewed a request from Mike Wedincamp to add the operation of a turkey shoot to his Temporary Certificate of Zoning for an Open-Air Produce Stand at #704 W. Hwy 80 located at the corner of Hwy 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway. After brief discussion Councilman Myrick made a motion to move this item to the end of the agenda to allow the City Attorney time to review the state statute. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. After review by the City Attorney council was advised that the request for the turkey shoot would meet the state statute and meet the qualifications as a Temporary Certificate of Zoning. Councilman Ray made a motion to issue the license with the stipulation that any complaints received would be addressed immediately and the hours of operation would be Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. The fee would be $75.00 and the license would expire December 31, 2009. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton informed council that the tenant living in the home on the property located at #1203 E. Main Street has become delinquent with the payments. Councilman Myrick made a motion that Attorney Dickey work with the tenant on an agreement to pay the full months rent plus one-half of a month to clear up the delinquent amount. Once the delinquent amount is paid in full then the City would enter into a twelve month lease agreement with the tenant. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council discussed the improvements and/or repairs in the amount of $3,000 needed at the residence located at #8 Pine Street to allow the property to be rented. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to repair the house in the amount up to $3,000 and at the time it was complete have a lease agreement prepared. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilwoman Winn, Councilman Myrick, Ray, Strozier and Waller. Councilman Rawlings opposed the motion.
Mayor Tipton advised council there needed to be a system in placed to oversee the rental of property owned by the City. After discussion Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table this item until the next meeting. Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor presented an amendment to the Ethics Ordinance to change Section 2-108 (5) to read “Mayor and City Council” rather than City Clerk. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the amendment and to dispense with the second reading. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council discussed working up a procedure for the opening and closing of the bathrooms at the Poplar Street Park. After a brief discussion, council agreed with the recommendation of the Police Chief to keep the restrooms locked unless it is rented upon which time the person renting would be given a key.
Mayor Tipton advised council the city needed to decide if they will participate in the 2010 Census New Construction Program. This program provides an opportunity for officials of local governments to submit a list of city-style addresses for housing units for which basic construction began during or after March 2009 and completion is expected by Census Day, April 1, 2010. Councilman Myrick made a motion for the city to participate. Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilwoman Winn made a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss land acquisition issues. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. At the conclusion of the executive session, Mayor Tipton advised that Councilwoman Winn had to leave the meeting. Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to the general session & execute the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The accounts payable were reviewed, Councilman Ray made a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 8:44 pm. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative vote.
Respectfully submitted, Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk
Mayor Tipton and all councilmembers were present for the meeting.
Note: Section § 50-14-1 of the Official Code of the State of Georgia Annotated requires that the minutes shall, as a minimum, include a description of each motion or other proposal made, and a record of all votes. These minutes meet the minimum requirements. However, in an attempt to provide as much information as possible to the citizens, the recording clerk has included additional background data and discussion on the subjects presented to council. The statements of individuals are not verbatim and may be summary in nature.