Council Meeting March 1

COUNCIL MEETING

March 1, 2001

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Strozier who lead in prayer.

The minutes of the February 15^th council meeting and the February 16^th called meeting were reviewed. Councilman Tuten made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS:

Council was advised that there were no bids submitted on the 1969 Ford Truck. Council agreed to extend the deadline on the bids until 5:00pm March 15, 2001 and to keep the minimum bid at $250.00

Mayor Strozier reported that the high bidder on the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria did not want the vehicle and it is still for sale. After a brief discussion, Councilman Johnson made a motion to lower the minimum bid to $3,000 and re-advertise the vehicle. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Council was reminded that the bid opening for the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder will be held March 15^th with bids being accepted until 5:00pm March 14^th.

The Mayor reported that steps are being taken to clean up the debris from the structure at #9 Chestnut Street.

Mayor Strozier advised council that bids for the paving project are scheduled to be opened on April 5, 2001 at 4:00pm.

Council was informed that no progress has been made on obtaining a commitment from Ms. Martin for an easement to extend water service east on Highway 80. The Mayor stated that the church had been advised of this problem and they stated they wanted wait to see if the City could provide the service before drilling a well.

Mayor Strozier reported that it was his understanding the Brannens had agreed to sign the quit claim deed for their property along Cregor Street to allow the opening of the roadway. He stated that he had advised Ms. Sparrow to contact us when she had obtained the signatures on all of the quit claims along the roadway and the City would schedule a meeting with the contractor. The Mayor asked that Councilmembers Tuten and Rawlins, along with Fett Burke, meet with their contractor to discuss the improvements that will be required for the roadway/drainage before the City will accept it.

The Mayor presented information he had obtained from Walter Sapp concerning the leaking roof at City Hall. Mr. Sapp advised him that the only way to determine exactly what was causing the problem was to remove a section of the shingles, but when they were replaced they would not match. Mr. Sapp advised him that there was already a section that had been replaced with a different color shingle, but since it was on the back of the building it was not as noticeable as it would be in the front. It was pointed out that we have already repaired the bathroom ceiling inside City Hall caused by the leaks and unless we eliminate this problem, we may have to make some additional repairs. After discussing the matter, Council agreed to solicit bids on replacing the roof. Councilman Tuten stated he would get some prices from a couple of his contacts and the Mayor advised council we would table the matter until the next meeting when we could review the prices.

The Mayor stated that Chatham County had approved the costs related to the lowering of the sewer force main involving the Pooler Parkway and our engineers are handling the contracting of the work with Douglas Asphalt Co.

Council was informed that the police department reports the tank/equipment belonging to Randy Hackle on Pine Barren Road has not yet been moved. Mr. Hackle has moved from this residence and was given until March 1^st by council to relocate these items. Council was reminded that since Mr. Hackle no longer lives at this residence he does not qualify for a home occupation license. Council discussed the matter and Councilman Tyler made a motion to have the police department issue Mr. Hackle a subpoena to court on this matter, Councilman Rawlins seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Strozier stated that Junior Bragg had not yet moved the mobile home he placed on his property off White Drive. The Mayor pointed out that in December, council had given Mr. Bragg ninety days to move the mobile home or get a permit to set it up. Mr. Bragg has informed the clerk that due to wet weather and scheduling problems, he has not been able to move the mobile home off the property but feels that another ninety days would give him enough time to get it moved. Councilman Rawlins made a motion to grant Mr. Bragg the 90-day extension, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

The committee formed to solicit information on the demolition of the structure at #9 West Hwy 80 reported that the bids received for this project were between $6,000 and $7,000 and felt the City could do this work for less money. Councilman Tyler reported he had obtained a price of $1500 from Action Insulation for removal of the asbestos and once the asbestos was removed, the fire department could burn the structure. The Mayor stated that we needed to make sure the contractor had the necessary certifications and insurance for the removal of the asbestos before we let him do the work and Councilman Tyler assured him this would be submitted to the City along with a written proposal. After discussing the matter, Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve the proposal of $1500 for the asbestos removal and allow the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department to burn the structure for training purposes. Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Mayor presented a recommendation from the Planning Commission to approve the telecommunications tower/antennae ordinance as prepared by Attorney Gerard. Mayor Strozier pointed out that after reviewing the ordinance both councilmembers and Planning Commission members agree that it addresses their concerns about the construction of towers/antennae in the City. Councilman Tuten made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Rawlins made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Tyler then made a motion to approve the adoption of the telecommunications tower/antennae ordinance, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Council reviewed the parking plan at #208 East Hwy 80 submitted by Barbara Harden for her lawn care business to be operated from this location. After a review of the plan, Councilman Tuten made a motion to approve the plan and issue the license. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

The Mayor presented a request from Becky Rawlins concerning a minor subdivision of her property located on Conaway Road. The subdivision will consist of three lots. He pointed out that one of the lots will only have 84’ abutting Conaway Road, but the lot widens to 210’ in the area where the house will be built. Prior to having the property surveyed, Ms. Rawlins wanted to make sure the subdivision would be approved with the road frontage of this one lot being less than 100’. The Mayor pointed out that if the house was built in the area where the lot was 210’ wide, he felt the requirements of the ordinance would be met, but suggested the surveyor include this stipulation on the plat. Also discussed was their request to use a mutual driveway to the back of the property for both lots. Mayor Strozier stated that both lots needed their own driveway, but if they installed their driveway pipes side-by-side, they could merge the driveway together after they crossed the ditch and council agreed. Councilman Rawlins asked if they would have to pay for additional sewer line for both lots if the City only ran one sewer line and put a “T” off that line to go to each house. (Note: The sewer tap covers 80’ of service line from the main to the house) The Mayor stated that if we allowed 80’ for each house and charged them for any additional footage over 160’ and for the line from the “T” to each house he felt that would be fair. Council agreed to handle the charges in this manner.

Council reviewed a request from JoAnn Elkins to operate an air conditioner filter changing business from her residence at #133 Conaway Road. Ms. Elkins stated there would be no outside traffic at the residence and the only vehicle used in the operation would be her 1997 van. Council was advised this type business would be considered a home occupation and they had the option to waive the public hearing. After a brief discussion, Councilman Tyler made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. A motion was made by Councilman Rawlins to issue the license with Councilwoman Key seconding the motion. It passed with five affirmative votes.

The City reviewed a request for execution of a “Request for Traffic Signal” Permit Application for the intersection of Hwy 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway. Mayor Strozier reminded council that we had received a similar request for a signal at Cherry St. and Hwy 80 last year, but were waiting on this application before making a response. Council was concerned about the wording in the application indicating the City would be responsible for costs related to the installation of the traffic signal. The Mayor stated that he felt we should obtain some additional information about this matter before executing the documents. Council agreed to table the matter until next meeting.

The Mayor presented a request from RDC for the approval of a change in our mapping contract with them, which redistributes the cost of the contract. This change will reduce the amount of monies to be paid by the City and increases the amount that will be provided by DCA. Councilman Tuten made a motion to approve the execution of said agreement, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Strozier reported that Attorney Gerard had prepared two amendments to the City’s

Charter for submission to the state. One amendment changed the election date to comply with state regulations and to provide for our election to be held every four years with terms beginning January 1^st. The amendment also outlined dates for the administering of the oaths of office and for organizational meetings. The second amendment increased the limit and the authority of the Municipal Court Judge to impose sentences of imprisonment and community service for violations of the laws and ordinances of Bloomingdale from sixty (60) days to twelve (12) months. The amendment increases fines to $1,000 for these violations and for contempt.

Council was advised that the City has received the bid from Palmer & Cay for our liability insurance renewals, but we are still waiting on a bid from GIRMA. The Mayor pointed out that our current insurance coverage expires on March 16, 2001, but a decision needs to be made on the renewals before our next meeting. After discussing the matter, Councilman Tyler made a motion to give the Mayor the authority to review the bids and execute the documents necessary to secure insurance coverage for the City. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Key and passed with five affirmative votes.

Council reviewed a request from Henry Morgan for the rezoning of two tracts of land along I-16. Neither tract has access to I-16. The only access to these tracts would be through residentially zoned properties. Mr. Morgan has not provided information on how the property would be used if it were rezoned. After discussing the request, council instructed the clerk to inform Mr. Morgan we needed more information about his plans for the property if it were rezoned and information on access to the tracts.

Mayor Strozier recognized Mike Wedincamp who stated that he had obtained some information from the county regarding access to his property from Jimmy Deloach Parkway and was upset that according to their letter he could not obtain the access he had been assured when he made his rezoning request. Mayor Strozier reminded him that the rezoning was approved with the stipulation he could obtain access to the property from Jimmy Deloach Parkway. Mr. Wedincamp stated he planned to pursue this access and would keep council informed as to its status.

The accounts payable were reviewed. Councilwoman Key made a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Being no further business, Councilman Rawlins made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.

The Mayor and all councilmembers were present except Councilman Waller who was out of town.