Council Meeting
February 16, 2006
Due to the renovation of City Hall the meeting was held at the Bloomingdale Community Building.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Strozier leading in prayer. The minutes of the February 2, 2006 meeting were reviewed. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Councilman Strozier reported that the City’s application for an increase in our ground water permit has been submitted to EPD as instructed by the director, Dr. Carol Couch, and based on previous information from the department we should hear something on the request by the end of March, 2006.
Councilman Myrick advised council that the DOT was willing to participate in the base and paving for Lynn Street with a 40’ right of way on Lynn Street with the street to drain to one side and plans were underway to pursue this option.
Council was advised that they needed to determine the information to be sent to Kenneth Sikes regarding the condition of his property located at #308 Pine Street. Councilman Myrick pointed out that when he talked with Mr. Sikes about the recent complaints about the vacant house and the overgrown conditions, he was advised that although they plan to tear the house down and build on the lot they were not financially able to do it at this time. Council discussed the problems that could occur if the City required Mr. Sikes to demolish the house since there were numerous other properties that were in worse condition and we would need to be prepared to pursue the same action throughout the City. After discussing the issue, Councilman Myrick made a motion to advise Mr. Sikes that he must continue to keep the grass and weeds cut on the property. Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that the City had received three (3) bids for the surplus 1995 Ford F-800 truck and they were as follows: 1) McCorkle Sales - $8250; 2) Roberts International - $6000; and 3) Roberts Truck Center - $6500. After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to accept the bid of McCorkle Sales with Councilwoman Winn seconding the motion. The motion passed with five affirmative votes. Council agreed that the City would re-bid the truck if McCorkle Sales did not purchase it.
The Mayor recognized Lee Duke, a project manager for Utility Services, Inc., who presented information to council regarding the services they could provide the City if we entered into an agreement with their company for the placement of telecommunication towers on the water tank. Mr. Duke explained that they would handle the marketing of the site for potential clients, review the construction drawings and oversee the projects, make sure the telecommunications companies have the required insurance and permits, review their site safety plans as required by OSHA and if Utility Services handles the projects they will not require the City to pay any additional maintenance fees that may be incurred due to the installation of the towers on the tank. Mr. Duke explained that their contracts with the telecommunication company would have initial terms of five (5) years with four (4) or five (5) renewal terms and the City would receive 70% of the revenue with Utility Services receiving 30%. Attorney Dickey asked Mr. Duke for an average monthly rental figure per company and was advised that the national average is $1500 per month. It was noted that if there are multiple users on the water tank there would be individual contracts with each user. Mr. Duke provided council with some pictures showing water tanks with and without their involvement in the contracts and it was apparent from the photographs that the tank that was not involved in a contract with Utility Services would be most unsightly in the residential neighborhood where our water tank is located. Councilman Myrick asked if his company provided plan reviews and the overseeing of projects if they were not involved in a contract with the City and Mr. Duke advised him that they did, but the cost would depend on the size project. Mr. Duke stated that their review for the drawings would cost $750. After additional discussion with Mr. Duke the Mayor asked Attorney Dickey to obtain a copy of their agreement for his review and recommendation to council. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Duke for attending the meeting and providing this information to the City.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Tipton advised council that his appointment to the Ethics Committee was William McCarty.
The council was informed that Mayor Tipton did not want to receive the normal compensation of $250 per month for the office of Mayor, but would prefer to donate these monies to the Bloomingdale Benevolence Fund. According to the City’s auditor, Chris Lightle, council would need to approve a budget amendment to move $1,500 from line item 104000.0050 (Salaries, Mayor/Council) to 104000.3045 (Bloomingdale Benevolence Fund) to cover this expense for the balance of this fiscal year. It was noted that if the Mayor chooses to continue this donation, the council will need to approve the re-appropriation each year during the budget process. After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the Mayor’s request and the budget amendment, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Council was advised that the City’s Recreation Director, Joe Young, was requesting two appointments to the Recreation Executive Board as approved by its members. The individuals were David Milton, a resident of #138 Michael Street and James Jenkins who lives at #194 Wellington Drive. Mr. Young stated that criminal and drivers’ histories were currently being reviewed. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve these appointments pending the results of their background checks, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The terms for these two appointees will end on June 30, 2007.
Mayor Tipton stated that the council needed to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel & legal issues. Councilwoman Winn made the motion, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
After the completion of the executive session, Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to the general session, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. A copy of the signed affidavit was required by the Open Meetings Act is attached to the original minutes.
The Mayor reported that this concluded the items that were presented prior to the agenda deadline of Friday, February 10, 2006.
Mayor Tipton expressed his appreciation to Ms. Mitchell for her work on the “Keep Bloomingdale Beautiful” Campaign and encouraged everyone to get involved in the program.
There were no additional reports from Council committees.
After a review of the accounts payable, Councilman Waller made a motion to pay the bills. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 9:05pm. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton and council members Myrick, Rawlings, Strozier, Waller and Winn were present at the meeting.