COUNCIL MEETING

COUNCIL MEETING

September 18, 2003

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Councilman Ray leading in prayer. The Mayor recognized two members of the student council at Bloomingdale School, Whitney Townsend and Roger Allen, who lead the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

The minutes of the August 21, 2003 meeting were reviewed. Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier recognized Phillip Webber, director of the Chatham Emergency Management Agency, who presented council with copies of a proposed Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan for their review. Mr. Webber stated that this document was a summary of the plan and the other appendixes will be delivered next week. Council was advised that tonight’s meeting would start the public review process required by the plan and Mr. Webber provided additional reports for any citizens that may be interested in obtaining one. Mr. Webber informed council that CEMA has been working on behalf of the county and the municipalities to develop a county-wide Hazard Mitigation Plan. He pointed out that participation by Bloomingdale was not required; however, the only way to be eligible for disaster relief in the future, is to have this type plan in place. Mr. Webber stated that he would be presenting a resolution adopting the plan for council’s consideration at a meeting in November.

OLD BUSINESS:

Councilman Tyler reported that work on the Bloomingdale Pump Station Rehabilitation Project had been completed and Thomas & Hutton Engineering had submitted a request for final payment on behalf of AquaSouth on August 28, 2003. Mayor Rozier pointed out that since council had to approve the payment of the final draw; Councilman Tyler authorized the payment less a 10% retainage. Councilman Tyler made motion to pay the $6510 balance owed to AquaSouth on the Bloomingdale Rehabilitation Project. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier reported that there has been no new information from the county regarding the City’s position on delaying repairs to the Wildcat Dam Road Bridge until the county could proceed with the replacement of the bridge as outlined in their plans for the drainage improvements for the area. Councilman Tyler stated that he was concerned about the City’s liability if someone was injured while using the bridge. Mayor Rozier pointed out that he had noticed that Anthony Young is no longer locking the gate as he comes and goes across the bridge and therefore, use of the bridge was not being restricted to only his use. Joe Young, the brother of Anthony Young, stated that he would contact him and remind him about the importance of keeping the gate locked. The Mayor advised council that he would contact Dean Kicklighter about getting the county to proceed with this portion of the drainage improvement plan since there were concerns about the safety of the bridge.

Attorney Gerard reported that Richard Meyer has delayed his execution of the documents related to the dedication of the right of way on Stagecoach Road to the City of Bloomingdale due to his concerns that by doing so he could lose his conservation use assessment from the county. Mr. Myers is waiting on a clarification from the county regarding this matter and as soon as this issue has been resolved, he will proceed with execution of the agreement.

Councilman Johnson stated that the General Services Committee had met on September 5^th to discuss the Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Study, Design and Construction Phase services bids and were prepared to present a recommendation at tonight’s meeting. However, some council members have expressed a desire to review some of the information related to the bids so he will postpone the recommendation until the next meeting.

Attorney Gerard stated that he had attended a meeting with the City of Pooler this week to discuss the final draft of the Third Amendment to the Bloomingdale/Pooler Wastewater Treatment Facility Agreement. The meeting was attended by Mayor Rozier, Mayor Carter, Dennis Baxter, Bill Lovett and Pooler’s City attorney. One of the main issues is that Pooler wants Bloomingdale to agree that if, in the future, the EPD determines that the effluent from the plant can no longer be dumped into the Hardin Canal that Bloomingdale will provide property for their use in disposing of the affluent. Attorney Gerard has advised Pooler that according to the existing agreement, Bloomingdale is not obligated to provide this service and it is his suggestion that the amendment include the same verbiage. Attorney Gerard stated that he hoped that this issue could be resolved in the next month or so.

Mayor Rozier reported that he, along with Charles Rogers and Mike Wedincamp, had met with Attorney Gerard regarding the conversion of Cheyenne Road to either a public or private roadway. The Mayor pointed out that Attorney Gerard was working with a local engineering company to get a plat prepared that would help to resolve this issue.

Councilman Johnson stated that according to Fett Burke, the City has not been contacted by Mr. Cason about access to his property for the spraying of the drainage ditch located at #807 & #809 East Hwy 80. Mr. Burke reported that at the August 21^st meeting Mr. Cason stated he would call him to set up a time for the gate to be opened for City crews to get to the back of his property so they could spray the ditch with weed killer, however, as of this date, Mr. Cason has not contacted him. Mr. Burke advised council that he would try to get in touch with Mr. Cason so this work could be done.

Mayor Rozier reported that he had been trying to contact David Hicks regarding his violation of the zoning ordinance for the non-conforming mobile home located on Hwy 80. The Mayor stated that he had gone by the property and although the mobile home appears to have electricity, there is no one living there. The Mayor was reminded by several council members that as previously discussed the grinder pump core had been removed and there was no sewer service to the mobile home. It was noted that Mr. Hicks had his own water source, but without City service properly connected and resolution of the zoning issue, no one can live at the residence. Mayor Rozier stated that although council had agreed to notify him that his mobile home was in violation of the zoning ordinance once he had moved and it was vacant over sixty (60) days, he would like to find out exactly what Mr. Hicks wanted to do as far as renovation of the mobile home before bringing him to court on the matter. The Mayor advised council he had sent Mr. Hicks an e-mail and hoped to have information to present to council by the next meeting.

Council was advised that Attorney Gerard had provided a response to Chief Gossett’s request for a change to the personnel policy allowing the police chief to suspend and demote employees of the police department. According to Attorney Gerard’s research, this action would be in conflict with the City’s current Charter. Mayor Rozier asked Chief Gossett if he understood the current guidelines regarding this matter and was advised by the Chief that he did. The Mayor stated that he wanted to make sure that the officers realized that Chief Gossett had the support of the council and asked that Councilman Myrick meet with the police officers after the next court session to confirm this information with them.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Rozier presented a request from Greg Van Gorp for a home occupation license to operate a construction business from his residence located at #366 Wallace Circle. Mr. Gorp indicates that the “office only” will be operated from this location and understands that there can be no outside traffic related to the business coming to the residence. Mayor Rozier stressed to Mr. Gorp that his workers could not congregate at the residence and Mr. Gorp stated he understood this stipulation. Council was advised that they have the option to waive the public hearing requirement. After a brief discussion, Councilman Tyler made a motion to waive the public hearing, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Myrick then made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mr. Gorp at #366 Wallace Circle. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Council reviewed a request from Kathryn Ruth for a home occupation license to operate a drywall business from her residence at #422 Wallace Circle. Ms. Ruth has obtained written permission from Chip Avin, owner of the property, to conduct the business from this location. Although the business involves approximately five (5) employees, Ms. Ruth states that she will only use the residence for the office of the business and there will be no outside traffic related to the business coming to the residence. Based on her assurance that there will be no outside traffic, Councilman Tyler made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Tyler made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Ms. Ruth at #422 Wallace Circle, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Councilman Mike Wedincamp excused himself from the council to present his request for a home occupation license to operate a contracting business from his residence located at #90 Cheyenne Road. Mr. Wedincamp stated that he would be operating only the office from the residence and there would be no outside traffic related to said business coming to his residence. Council was advised that they had the option to waive the public hearing requirement. Councilman Ray made a motion to waive the public hearing, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes. Councilman Tyler made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mike Wedincamp to operate the office only operation of a general contracting business from his residence located at #90 Cheyenne Road. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier recognized H.B. Waller who had requested that he be placed on tonight’s agenda to discuss the division of a lot he owns located at Pine and Boulevard Streets. Councilman Myrick stated that it was his understanding that his father-in-law, Fred Boyette, had agreed to purchase the 42.5’ road frontage portion of the lot that Mr. Waller was dividing and he planned to combine this tract with his property. Councilman Myrick pointed out that Mr. Waller would still need to meet the minor subdivision and recombination requirements of the City, but since Mr. Boyette was going to purchase the substandard lot that would be created with the minor subdivision of Mr. Waller’s existing lot this should allow council to approve the division. Mr. Waller was advised that he needed to submit a minor subdivision plat that also showed a recombination of the 42.5’ road frontage portion into property owned by Mr. Boyette. This information would be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission and then be presented to council for approval. Mr. Waller stated that he had already submitted surveys showing the two individual lots, but was advised that the division needed to go through the subdivision process. Mr. Waller advised council that he had a buyer for the house that had been built on an 85’ road frontage portion of the lot and needed to close on this property tomorrow. Councilman Ray pointed out that prior to the approval of the building permit for the lot, council advised the contractor that the permit was being issued for a lot with 127.5’ road frontage, not 85’. Mr. Waller stated that the letter he received from Attorney Gerard indicated the City could grant a variance and this was what he wanted from council tonight. Attorney Gerard pointed out that the variance would merely apply to the road frontage requirement, not the subdivision process and he could not justify council not following the subdivision ordinance requirements. Councilman Myrick asked if documents could be prepared for Mr. Waller and Mr. Boyette to sign agreeing to this transaction that would allow the subdivision process to proceed, but still allow Mr. Waller to close on the property. Attorney Gerard stated that that may be possible, but was concerned that the process could violate provisions of the subdivision ordinance. During additional discussion by council members of Mr. Waller’s request, Attorney Gerard reviewed the ordinance and suggested the possibility of applying Section 700 (b) of the Subdivision Ordinance that indicates there could be an exemption of the subdivision requirements for combinations/recombinations of portions of previously platted lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to the standards set forth in the ordinance. The clerk pointed out that the lot being created by Mr. Waller was less than the current requirement of 100’ road frontage and council would need to approve a variance for the 85’ road frontage lot. Attorney Gerard stated that since Mr. Boyette plans to combine the 42.5’ portion with his lot which would keep the same number of lots that currently exist to two and with a road frontage variance for the remaining 85’ lot, council would be able to approve Mr. Waller’s request provided the proper documents are executed regarding the conveyance of these properties to the appropriate parties. Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve a variance of the road frontage requirement from 100’ to 85’ for this lot since the other lots in this area have 85’ road frontages. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion. Discussion of the matter continued. Attorney Gerard agreed to prepare the documents that would convey the properties as outlined above and once these were executed by both parties this should meet the City’s requirements regarding the division of the property. After these details were resolved, the motion passed with four affirmative votes. Councilman Myrick abstained from voting.

The Mayor advised council the City had received a request on behalf of Cecil Fortner for a refund of his $100 rental fee for use of the community building on September 13^th to host a 50^th Wedding Anniversary party for his parents. Since the request was received less than 30 days before the date the building would be used, council must approve the refund. According to his cousin, Cecile Maner, both Mr. & Mrs. Fortner were involved in a serious automobile accident on September 1^st and sustained serious injuries. The event was not held at the community building as planned and the family is in need of these funds for medical expenses. After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the $100 refund. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier informed council the City had received a request from Dereall Joyner to relocate his storage building business from #1724E Hwy 80 which is zoned C-2 to #208E Hwy 80 which is located in a C-1 zone. Mr. Joyner had a limited time in which to move the buildings from the #1724E Hwy 80 location, so Councilman Wedincamp, Chairman of the Planning & Licensing Committee, approved the placement of the buildings, with the property owner’s permission, at #208E Hwy 80 on a temporary basis until council could review Mr. Joyner’s request. This approval, however, was with the stipulation that if council did not determine that this business was compatible in a C-1 zone the buildings must be moved within ten (10) days from the date Mr. Joyner received notification from the City. The City’s zoning ordinance does not specifically address storage buildings in its list of permitted uses; however, a storage warehouse is a permitted use in a C-2 zone and as a “conditional use” in a C-1 zone. Council was given the following background information regarding the issuance of Mr. Joyner’s occupational license to sale storage buildings from #1724E Hwy 80. When 80 West Storage requested permission to sell storage buildings on their property that was located in a C-2 zone, it was approved because council felt the sale of storage buildings was a business similar to that of the storage warehouses located on the same property. Therefore, when Mr. Joyner made his request for an occupational license to sell storage buildings at #1724E Hwy 80 which is also located in a C-2 zone, the license was issued. Council was advised that they will need to determine if the C-1 zone is compatible for the selling of storage buildings since this type business is not specifically addressed in the zoning ordinance. Councilman Wedincamp pointed out that he had already advised Mr. Joyner that a couple of the buildings were too close to Hwy 80, but due to the wet conditions, Mr. Joyner had explained that he was going to have to haul in some dirt to place the buildings in the area on the west side of the building. Mayor Rozier stated that, in his opinion, this should not be a zoning matter because this was merely the sale of a specific commodity and the zoning of the property, as long as it was commercial, should not be an issue. Attorney Gerard pointed out that unless the activity taking place on the property is listed in the zoning ordinance in the “List of Permissible and Conditional Uses”, steps will need to be taken to make a text amendment to the ordinance to add it as a use in whatever zone it is determined it would be best suited. Council members questioned whether the City should give Mr. Joyner a temporary license to continue operating from this location until the zoning issue could be resolved. Attorney Gerard reminded council that the issuance of the occupational license and the zoning issue were two different matters and as long as Mr. Joyner had an existing license the City would not be able to require him to obtain another one. The clerk pointed out that the occupational license was issued for the #1724E Hwy 80 address and he was going to relocate to #208E Hwy 80, so there would need to be an approval from council to transfer the license from one location to the other. However, the zoning of the new location did not include the sale of storage buildings, so that was why the matter was placed on the agenda. Councilman Johnson stated that it was his understanding that unless a business is allowed in a specific zone the City could not issue a license for it to operate at that location. Attorney Gerard stated that the City now issues occupational licenses, not business licenses. The clerk advised Attorney Gerard that before occupational licenses were issued by the clerk’s office, the zoning of the property was checked to make sure the ordinance allowed that type business. Attorney Gerard agreed that this did need to be checked and the discussion continued. Since council members agreed that sale of storage buildings should be allowed in commercial zones, Attorney Gerard was questioned as to what council should do next. Attorney Gerard stated that council would need to start the process for a text amendment addressing the sale of storage buildings. Councilman Wedincamp made a motion to start the process with the Planning & Zoning Commission, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Council members Johnson, Ray, Tyler, and Wedincamp. Councilman Myrick abstained from voting as he was out of the room when most of this discussion was held. Attorney Gerard was asked whether or not the City needed to approve a temporary license to Mr. Joyner to sell the storage buildings from #1724E Hwy 80 until the text amendment could be addressed by Planning & Zoning Commission, but was advised by the Attorney that we could not approve its operation without the amendment. Attorney Gerard suggested he be allowed to operate under his existing occupational license until the text amendment issue was settled. Councilman Wedincamp stated that Mr. Joyner had erected a sign in front of the building where he is operating his office, but questioned whether or not it complied with the City’s sign ordinance. After discussing the matter, Councilman Wedincamp made a motion to allow the sign to remain until the November 6^th meeting when council should have more information regarding the status of the text amendment to the zoning ordinance that may affect continuation of his business. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The clerk asked about the arrangements that would need to be made with water, sewer and sanitation service for the operation of Mr. Joyner’s business from #1724E Hwy 80 and Councilman Wedincamp asked that this issue also be tabled until the November 6^th meeting. Attorney Gerard advised Mr. Joyner that although council was initiating the process for a text amendment to allow the sale of storage buildings in a commercial zone, there was no guarantee that the results would be favorable and he just wanted Mr. Joyner to be aware of this information. Mr. Joyner stated that he understood that it may not be approved and if it wasn’t, he would have to move the buildings. Citizen Del Ferguson commented that he did not know why the text amendment was necessary because the zoning ordinance notes that for uses not included on this list an application shall be made to the board of appeals for interpretation. Attorney Gerard stated that he could not identify any other use on the list of permitted or conditional uses that could be applied to the sale of storage buildings for the boards interpretation, therefore, it was his opinion that a text amendment would need to take place before the council could grant approval for the sale of the buildings in this C-1 zone.

The Mayor presented a resolution for council’s consideration adopting the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004. Mayor Rozier reminded council that the budget included rate increases for both water and sewer fees which will be effective January 1, 2004. Councilman Tyler stated that he was concerned that there was not more citizen participation at the public hearing held on the budget because balancing the budget is getting more and more difficult and he would like for the citizens to understand why the increases were necessary. Being no additional discussion, Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004 as presented by the Mayor and Council. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier presented for council’s consideration the renewal of the Fire Protection Contract between the City of Bloomingdale and the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department. Council was advised the contract included a fee of $40,000 and until the contract is approved and executed by both parties, the disbursement of funds to the fire department cannot be made. After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the Fire Protection Contract with a fee of $40,000. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ray and passed with affirmative votes from Council members Johnson, Myrick, Ray, and Wedincamp. Councilman Ferman Tyler abstained from voting.

Council was advised the City has received a request from the Savannah Lure Course Interest Club to renew their contract with the City to be able to continue the sport of lure coursing at Taylor Park. The current contract expires on October 1, 2003. The Mayor pointed out that the club is requesting a change in the contract to delete the section that requires them to use the area behind the baseball field since this area was too cluttered and wet. Mayor Rozier asked Recreation Director Joe Young to advise council on how the arrangement has worked out between the club and the recreation department. Joe stated that the club had moved their runs to the front of the parking area because of the wet conditions behind the baseball field that had developed after some logging had been done across the highway. Joe advised council that the club had been very good about cleaning up after their dogs. Joe asked that if the contract

was changed that the club be required to hold the work outs in an area approved by the Recreation Department. The club representative, Diana Miller, expressed her appreciation to the City for allowing their club to use Taylor Park and extended an invitation to the Mayor and Council to attend one of their events. Ms. Miller was asked how many dogs participated and she stated that the turnout in colder months was about twenty; however, an average was between eight and twelve dogs. Ms. Miller advised council that with materials supplied by Big “B” Specialty Fabrication, the club had constructed tackling equipment the use of the football players valued at approximately $500. After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to renew the contract between the City of Bloomingdale and the Savannah Lure Course Interest Club with a change in the contract allowing them to use whatever portion of Taylor Park that met with the approval of the Recreation Department. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier stated that during the pre-agenda, council had been advised that there were drug squad dogs that were being trained at Taylor Park, but none of the council members were aware of anyone obtaining permission for this activity to take place at the park. The Mayor asked Chief Gossett to look into this situation and let council know what was actually taking place. The Mayor noted that steps were not presently being taken to clean up after these dogs and this was causing problems at the park. The Chief stated he would look into the matter. Ms. Miller stated that she would like to extend an invitation to the handlers of any of these dogs to come out and involve the dogs in their sport for exercise and training.

Council was advised that the Recreation Executive Board had submitted a request recommending that Robby Hodges, Jr. be appointed to the board. Councilman Myrick suggested that this appointment be delayed pending further discussions with the director.

Mayor Rozier presented a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission that the City have Attorney Gerard and Bill Saxman review and come up with forms containing guidelines/procedures for persons making applications for building permits, rezoning, business permits and subdivisions. Several council members questioned the need to have Mr. Saxman or Attorney Gerard involved in this process since they felt that this could be handled by the office personnel. Councilman Johnson stated that if these guidelines were necessary he would like to see them be as simple as possible and involving consultants and attorneys would merely complicate the process. Council agreed to assign this task to the clerk’s office to develop the guidelines and present them back to council for review at a later date.

The Mayor presented a recommendation that the council approve the closing of the City Hall, maintenance department and police offices on Friday, December 26^th to allow those employees who are normally scheduled to work that day additional paid leave time to spend with their families. Those police officers who are scheduled to work on December 26^th would also qualify for this paid leave; however, employees not on the work schedule for this date would not receive additional leave pay. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the Mayor’s recommendation. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Rozier suggested council consider approving adjustments to the City’s Personnel Policy regarding reimbursements for mileage and meals. He pointed out that the City’s current mileage reimbursement is 30 cents per mile with the daily allowance for meals at $25 for a full day and $10 for partial days. With the 2003 federal rate allowing reimbursements of 36 cents per mile and up to $35 per day for meals, the Mayor feels our reimbursements rates are low. Mayor Rozier recommended that the council approve reimbursements at the current federal rates of 36 cents per mile and $35 reimbursement for meals per day for full days and $15 allowance for meals for partial days effective immediately. Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the Mayor’s recommendation regarding these reimbursement rates. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The Mayor pointed out that reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to today will be paid at the rates existing prior to the approval of this amendment.

Mayor Rozier stated that Councilman Wedincamp had asked to be placed on tonight’s agenda regarding the possibility of developing a City owned cemetery. Council was advised that prior to Councilman Wedincamp’s request to add this item to the agenda, the City received a written request from Vernon Gordy to be placed on a future agenda to present to council their ideas of transferring title to the 22+ acres located on Adams Road known as Westside Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Gordy has since asked that this matter be placed on the November 6^th council agenda. Councilman Wedincamp asked that discussion of this matter be postponed to a later date because he had been advised of some liability issues that the City may face with the ownership of a cemetery.

Council was advised that the City had received correspondence from Chatham County regarding property access for Ms. Vernell McNeil to her property located on the Central of Georgia right-of-way off Wildcat Dam Road. Apparently, her property is in the City of Pooler, but Dennis Baxter, Pooler’s City Administrator, has advised the county that the City of Bloomingdale has partial jurisdiction. Councilman Johnson stated that he and Fett Burke, Jr. had tried to determine what type access problems existed, but were not able to find out exactly where her property was located. After discussing the matter at length, the Mayor stated he would contact Commissioner Dean Kicklighter to see if he could get more details on exactly how the City of Bloomingdale could assist Ms. McNeil.

Council was informed by Mayor Rozier that on September 11, 2003, the City received notification from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that the City is in violation of the Rules for Safe Drinking Water because we failed to report the required number of drinking water samples during the period of July 1, 2003 to July 31, 2003. Water/Sewer Supervisor, Ernest Grizzard, reports that the samples were sent, however, they were dated June 30, 2003 rather than July 1, 2003. Since the sampling did not occur during the required period, the EPD advises us that the City must publish notice of the violation in the newspaper, notify our water customers by direct mail of this violation, and include this information in the City’s CCR report. The Mayor stated that the clerk’s office was handling these notifications.

The Mayor stated that Councilman Myrick had requested council adjourn into executive session to discuss a legal issue. Mayor Rozier asked that council approve the addition of a personnel matter to the agenda and include this discussion in the executive session. Councilman Myrick made a motion to add the personnel matter to the agenda, Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Tyler made a motion to adjourn into executive session. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

A copy of the signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Law is attached.

After completion of the executive session, Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to the general meeting of City council. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Mayor Rozier stated that during the executive session, discussions had been held on both legal and personnel matters.

Councilman Tyler asked Ernest Grizzard if the scrubber at the lift station had been repaired and was advised by Mr. Grizzard that it had been fixed.

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

Mayor Rozier presented donation checks on behalf of Nathan Nadel who lives on Boulevard Street to the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department and the Bloomingdale Police Department in the amount of $100 each.

Mayor Rozier notified council that the 1995 Ford Garbage Truck that was being leased to Waste Systems of Savannah had been involved in an accident this week and according to preliminary information received by the clerk’s office, Mr. Anderson had lost his insurance coverage on July 23, 2003. The Mayor stated that although the City of Bloomingdale had been listed as an “additional insured” party on the policy, the company failed to notify us in a timely manner. The Mayor stated that according to Mr. Anderson the accident was caused by a county employee and a claim will need to be made against Chatham County for expenses related to the recovery and repair of the vehicle. Mayor Rozier reported that he had gotten a call from Buddy Sapp with Sapp’s Wrecker Service who stated that the truck was parked on his yard and was causing problems because it was full of garbage. Council discussed the matter at length and decided that, if necessary, the truck could be brought to our yard where we could attempt to remove the garbage so it could be properly disposed of. Councilman Myrick stated that with some mechanical adjustments the garbage could be dumped at the shop and loaded into another truck. The Mayor stated that he would follow up with Sapp’s regarding the disposal of the garbage in the truck. Councilman Johnson stated that before the truck is put back on the road the engine needed to be check by a professional mechanic to determine the extent of the damage and council agreed.

Being no further business, Councilman Ray made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.

Mayor Rozier and Council members Johnson, Ray, Myrick, Tyler and Wedincamp were present at the meeting. Councilman Waller was out of town.