COUNCIL MEETING

March 16, 2006

  

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Ray leading in prayer.  The minutes of the March 2nd meeting were reviewed.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor advised council that the agreement with Utility Communications Services for their management of telecommunications installations on the water tower has been signed.

 

Councilman Strozier reported that the flow meter for the Maple Street lift station has been ordered and should be shipped in about four (4) weeks.

 

Mayor Tipton recognized Mary Mitchell who gave an update on the Keep Bloomingdale Beautiful Campaign.  Ms. Mitchell stated that the plans are going well, but we still needed more volunteers and donations.  The Mayor asked her if the committee had completed preparation of a budget for the campaign and Ms. Mitchell advised him that they anticipated a cost of approximately $1700, but were still getting prices for some of the items.  Mayor Tipton thanked Ms. Mitchell for the committee’s work on the campaign.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that he had received some concerns and complaints about damage that is occurring to Osteen Road due to the hauling of dirt from a pit on property owned by Ferman Tyler.  The Mayor stated that since the issuance of a mining permit is handled by the state, the City had not been involved in this operation, but felt that the issuance of an occupational license was warranted.  Mayor Tipton advised council that he felt the City should require the person or persons who were actually operating the dirt hauling business to obtain a license since they are conducting this business within our city limits.  Council agreed that there should be an occupational license obtained for this type business.  The Mayor reported that he had talked with Mr. Tyler who advised him he had leased the dirt hauling to a third party.  Fett Burke had talked with the person overseeing the dirt hauling operation and had been assured that any damage that was caused by the trucks would be repaired.  Mr. Burke informed council the company was looking into mucking out portions of Osteen Road and replacing it with good dirt.  Fett Burke reported that there were some portions of the pavement that had been damaged due to the trucks cutting the corners, but was advised this would also be repaired.  Councilman Strozier pointed out that the paved portion of Osteen Road had been developed as a residential street with weight limits set by the state.  Mayor Tipton stated that he felt the City should develop some criteria for this type business regarding their use of City streets and may even want to consider a regulatory fee.  Councilman Rawlings asked who would handle this matter and after a brief discussion council agreed that the General Services Committee should be involved in the development of the criteria and the monitoring of this type business.  The Mayor stated that he would talk with Councilman Myrick about setting up a meeting to discuss this matter.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor recognized Chris Watson who lives at #21 Douglas Court and is requesting a home occupation license to operate the “office only” of a carpentry business from his residence.  Mr. Watson informed council that the contractors that he had been working with were now requiring that he have a business license, but the only part of the business that will be handled from his residence is some paperwork and telephone calls.  Council was advised that the property is located in an RA zone.  Mr. Watson stated that he would be the only employee and there would be no storage of materials on the property and no traffic related to the business coming to the residence.  Based on this information, Councilman Ray made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement, Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Strozier made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mr. Watson, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton advised council that the City had received a request from Johnny Whitsell to operate a heating & cooling business from his residence located at #208 Conaway Road.  Council was advised that the property was zoned RA and the application indicated there would be five employees.  Mr. Whitsell stated that he would only be operating the office of the business from his residence and all other work related to the business would be done at the jobsite.  The Mayor asked him if the employees would be coming by for their assignments or checks and was assured by Mr. Whitsell that all of this would be handled at jobsites or by telephone.  Mr. Whitsell advised council that he had two trailers for his business and one of them would be parked inside of his storage building and the other one would be parked outside.  Mr. Whitsell also stated that there would be no materials delivered to or stored at the residence.  Councilman Strozier asked Mr. Whitsell if someone were to ride by his residence would they be able to tell that there was a business being operated from this location and was assured by Mr. Whitsell that there would be no evidence of a business.  After this discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Strozier made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mr. Whitsell, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that council needed to go into executive session to discuss legal and personnel issues.  Councilman Ray made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  After completion of the executive session, Councilman Waller made a motion to return to the general session.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the execution of the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Law, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  A copy of the signed affidavit is attached to the original council minutes.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items that were presented prior to the council agenda deadline of Friday, March 10, 2006.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that committee reports had been handled during the meeting. 

 

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

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  The meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.

                                                                       

 

Mayor Tipton and Council members Rawlings, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn were present at the meeting.