COUNCIL MEETING
October 4, 2001
Mayor Strozier called the meeting to order and Councilman Waller led in prayer.
The minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting were reviewed. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Attorney Gerard reported that TLC Communications is still reviewing the revisions to the lease agreement that he had prepared for the placement of the antenna on the City’s water tank.
Council reviewed the ordinance prepared by Attorney Gerard requiring individuals to clean, resurface, and/or restore roads when their acts or neglect causes damage to City streets and provides for penalties for their failure to make said repairs. Councilman Waller made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, Councilman Rawlins seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Johnson made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Tuten then made a motion to approve said ordinance, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Council discussed the repairs that needed to be made to the Massey Ferguson tractor used on the recreation fields and it was determined that the best way to handle these repairs was to have them done by the dealer. Councilman Johnson made a motion to have the repairs done by Springfield Tractor, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Strozier reported that Jack and Martha Blackstock had requested the water/sewer services be left on in their name at Black Jack’s BBQ through the month of October to give the current owner time to set up the new barbecue pit/dining area.
Councilman Tuten reported that after checking the drainage at the football field at Taylor Park, it was determined that it would take between 40 and 60 loads of dirt around the field to resolve the drainage problem. Councilman Tuten offered to donate the work needed to level the dirt so the water would drain into the ditch. The Mayor pointed out that there should be enough funds left in the recreation grant account to purchase the dirt. Councilman Waller made a motion to purchase said dirt from these funds and proceed with the work, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Attorney Gerard stated that he had been in contact with the county regarding the complaints about the property located at #1 Michael Ave and the real estate agent handling the rental of the property advised Al Black in the county engineering department that they would take care of these problems.
Mayor Strozier reported that City officials visited the private school being operated at the Life Springs Worship Center last week and stated that the public hearing on the text amendment to the zoning ordinance addressing the private school will probably be held just prior to the November 15th council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Strozier advised council that he had several issues that he planned to submit to the Chatham Delegation for consideration during the 2002 Legislative Session and would be attending the October 18th meeting to be held at 1:45pm at the Savannah Technical College.
Council discussed the disposition of the 1983 Massey Ferguson Tractor and the 1991 Bushhog Flail mower. After a brief discussion Councilman Rawlins made a motion to declare this equipment as surplus and to solicit bids for both pieces of equipment as one unit with a minimum bid of $4500. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The Mayor advised the clerk to proceed with the advertising of this equipment with the bid opening to be held as soon as possible.
Council reviewed a request for an extension of the mobile home permit issued at #1230 Bloomingdale Road for Kevin & Kay Heritage as a “hardship” case for medical reasons for Kay’s mother Ho-Shim Shaw. Ms. Shaw has recently had surgery for a brain aneurysm and will continue to require assistance from a family member on a daily basis. Councilman Rawlins made a motion to grant a six-month extension of the permit, Councilwoman Key seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The Mayor presented a request from the Gospel Lighthouse Independent Baptist Church for a variance of the rear-yard setback on their property located at #204 Main Street to add a study. If constructed as planned, the additional will only be 18’ from the rear-yard rather than the required 25’. In their request, the church indicated the residents who live on the surrounding lots have said that they have no objections to the addition. Mayor Strozier reported that he had checked the site and agreed that the addition should not cause any problems with the other residents because their houses were toward the front of their property. After a brief discussion, Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve said variance, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Strozier reported that the City has received notice from the City of Pooler requesting a meeting to discuss plans to enlarge the sewer treatment plant and review State requirements for a higher level of treatment for the existing plant. The Mayor stated he planned to set up a meeting and asked that Councilman Tuten attend. Mayor Strozier advised the other members that if they want to attend the meeting to let him know.
Council was advised that the City has received a revised Intergovernmental Agreement on the Greenspace program to reflect the 2000 census figures, to add the FY 2001 supplemental funds, and to include the entire amount of the two-year Greenspace entitlement. Councilman Waller made a motion to approve execution of the revised agreement, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The Mayor stated that the City had received some information from David Tyler regarding his providing a quitclaim deed to the City for a 40’ strip of right of way for Hickory Street running between the old and new West Garvin Streets. Attorney Gerard has review the information and Mr. Tyler will be advised of his recommendations.
Mayor Strozier reported that he had received copies of letters send to CUTS Citizens Advisory Committee members asking if they wanted to continue serving on the committee since they had missed several meetings over the last year. Councilman Waller stated that he was not interested in remaining on the committee at the end of his term. The Mayor stated that he would check with Bill Grainger to see if he would like to continue serving as one of Bloomingdale’s representatives. Mike Wedincamp stated that he may be interested in being on the committee and Mayor Strozier suggested that he attend some of the meetings. The clerk was asked to provide Mr. Wedincamp with the meeting schedule.
Council was advised that GMA is requesting the City’s participation in the annual Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. The Mayor pointed out that we have participated in this activity for many years by purchasing gifts for patients at Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah and for the last several years we have contributed $200 toward these gifts. Councilman Johnson made a motion to continue our support of this program and provide $200 in gifts for the hospital. Councilman Rawlins seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The council was advised of the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Celebration of the Thunderbolt Municipal Complex on October 5th from 6pm to 8pm.
Ms. Griffin, a resident of #305 Church Street asked if this street was being considered for paving. Mayor Strozier advised Ms. Griffin that several years ago he had asked Bennie Davis to check with the citizens in that area about obtaining additional right of way so we could get state funds to help with its paving and he had indicated the citizens living along this portion of Church Street were not interested in having it paved. Ms. Griffin stated she wanted to see it considered for paving and felt that others living in the area would also want it paved. Mayor Strozier stated he would check into what would be needed to obtain the required right of way and see about getting it on the paving list.
Ann Williams asked if the City had put the gate up at Osteen Road and the Hardin Canal and was advised that the City did not install the gate. Ms. Williams asked if we had plans to scrape Osteen Road. Fett Burke reported that it had recently been scraped, but with the dry conditions the roadway is hard to keep in shape.
Mayor Strozier reported that the DOT had advised Chief Anderson that they did not plan to install speed bumps or rumble strips at John Carter and Little Neck Road because they receive too many complaints about the noise. Chief Anderson reported that larger stop signs had been installed and Fett Burke stated that there are two “prepare to stop signs” on John Carter Road just before you get to Little Neck. It was pointed out that on foggy nights the signs do not seem to be enough to alert motorists to the upcoming intersection. The Mayor stated that the City would be looking into some other alternatives for this intersection that would alert drivers but not disturb the neighbors.
The accounts payable were reviewed. Councilman Tuten 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 7:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Jones, City Clerk
THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Strozier, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Key, Councilman Rawlins, Councilman Tuten, and Councilman Waller