Official minutes of the March 6, 2014 council meeting
Approved by City Council March 20, 2014
The council meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Recreation Director Foley giving the invocation. Councilmembers Griffin, Kerby, Key, Myrick, Otto, Attorney Raymond Dickey, City Administrator Charles Akridge and Asst. City Clerk Diane Proudfoot were present. Councilman Grizzard was absent due to illness.
Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the February 20, 2014 council meeting. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Otto made a motion to remove item #7 from the March 6, 2014 agenda. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Kerby made a motion to approve the agenda of the March 6, 2014 meeting. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Administrative & Committee reports:
Councilwoman Griffin thanked Mayor Rozier for the article and picture he submitted to the Spirit Newspaper of Olympic Gold Medalist Lucinda Williams, who attended the February 6, 2014 council meeting.
Recreation Director Foley reported on the following:
1) There have been 123 sign up for baseball, softball and soccer
2) There will be 4 or 5 soccer teams
3) A new sign will be going up in the near future
4) Practice will begin on Monday
5) Co-ed league begins on Thursday and there are six Co-ed teams
6) There will be a pre-season tournament at the end of March
7) We will be hosting the baseball RAMA for the first time this year on April 5
City Administrator Akridge stated there would be a budget & finance committee meeting at 9:00am on Friday.
Mayor Rozier informed citizens there has been an interest from Hannah Solar Power to utilize the vacant 11 acre tract off Wildcat Dam Road owned by the city for a solar power field. There project could generate an estimated revenue of $600,000 over a period of twenty (20) years.
Public Hearing: Variance Request submitted by Mr. Michael Jordan at 410 Chestnut Street for a 3’ variance to the side setback and a 5’ variance to the rear setback for an enclosed storage/garage. Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to open the public hearing. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Mr. Jordan stated he is requesting a variance to the side and rear setback to align the garage with his existing driveway and that the garage will be used for storing personal belongings only. Mayor Rozier informed that an email had been received from a neighbor who had no objection to the variance request. The only public comment was received from Bobby Thompson. Councilman Myrick made a motion to close the public hearing. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Consider Variance Request submitted by Mr. Michael Jordan at 410 Chestnut Street for a 3’ variance to the side setback and a 5’ variance to the rear setback. Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the variance as stated. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
2. Consider a request submitted by Mr. Michael Jordan at 410 Chestnut Street for an enclosed storage/garage over 500 square feet. Councilman Otto made a motion to approve the request for a 30 x 40 storage garage for storage of personal storage. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
3. Consider purchase of an Ice Machine for Taylor Park (SPLOST/CIP). Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to authorize Recreation Director Foley to purchase an ice machine at a cost not to exceed $4,000. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
4. Consider a lot recombination request submitted by Kern & Co. on behalf of Brian Paul on Adams Road. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the recombination plat submitted on behalf on Brian Paul. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
5. Consider application for home occupation license submitted by Joseph Kimker to operate the “office only” of a pest control business at 306 Oak Street. Councilman Myrick made a motion approve the license and waive the public hearing. Councilwoman Key seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
6. Consider Budget Amendments for the 2013/2014 Fiscal Year Budget. City Administrator Akridge stated these amendments were recommended by the auditor. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the amendments. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to regular session and approve the execution of the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Rozier reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the Council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, February 26, 2014.
Mayor Rozier reminded Councilmembers that the CMA meeting will be hosted by The City of Vernonburg on March 12, 2014 at 6:00 for the social, 7:30 for dinner/meeting at the Pirates House.
The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 8:00pm. Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk
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.