COUNCIL MEETING

January 4, 2007

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick leading in prayer.  Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2006 meeting, Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda for the January 4, 2007 meeting, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor reported that Toss Allen with Southeast Engineering was in the process of preparing the bid package for Church & Lynn Streets and this information should be submitted to City Hall the first of next week.  Citizen John Purvis questioned the length of time this process has taken and was advised that there had been several changes made in the plans for the paving of these streets and DOT regulations required the preparation of new construction drawings.  Councilman Myrick pointed out that the process is lengthy when DOT is involved in the funding, but once the bid package is received and reviewed by Attorney Dickey, the City will be able to advertise the project.  Once construction bids are received, they will be reviewed by the engineer and the City will be in a position to award the bid with construction to begin soon after this process.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that after researching information related to the zoning of property owned by B & P Development located at Osteen Road & Main Street it had been determined that only 17.43 acres of the property was rezoned to R-3/Townhouses and the .52 acre tract that was in question in the recombination/minor subdivision request submitted to council at the December 7th meeting remains in an RA-1 zoning district.  Council was advised that Mr. Black had received a letter advising him of this information on August 22, 2006.  The Mayor stated that Mr. Black would need to go through the re-zoning process to make a change in the zoning of the 126.9’ x 178.76’ portion of Lot #1.  Being no further discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to execute the recombination/minor subdivision plat dated November 1, 2006 of property of B & P Development located at Osteen Road & Main Street into three lots with the stipulation that the 126.9’ x 178.76’ portion of Lot #1 abutting Osteen Road is in an RA-1 zoning district with the balance of Lot #1, Lot #2 & lot #3 being zoned R-3/Townhouses.  Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings abstained from voting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Council was advised that the City has received a request from the Metropolitan Planning Commission to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement form that is required as a part of the update to Chatham County’s Comprehensive Plan.  This form has been prescribed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and merely confirms our existing Service Delivery Strategy with Chatham County which requires no changes until October, 2008.  Mayor Tipton asked if there were any questions from council on this matter.  Councilman Rawlings commented that he felt that all of the councilmembers should sign off on the agreement.  The Mayor pointed out that the form only requires execution by the Chief Elected Official of the City.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the execution of the document by Mayor Tipton, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes from Councilmembers Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings voted against the motion.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that the audit report for FYE June 30, 2006 had been completed with copies of the report having been distributed to council last week for their review.  The Mayor asked if anyone had any comments or questions and being none, Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the adoption of the FYE June 30, 2006 audit as presented.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that council needs to appoint the City Police Judge and Judge Pro-tems for 2006 and set their compensation.  Councilmembers agreed that our current Judge and Judge Pro-tems are doing a great job.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to appoint Judge Tom Edenfield to serve as the City Police Judge for 2007 with a salary of $980 per month as included in the FY 2006/2007 budget and to appoint Bob & Brandon Galloway as Judge Pro-tems.  Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council was reminded that the City’s Personnel Policy provides for the designation of one (1) floating holiday each year and the requested holiday for 2007 is Monday, December 24, 2007.  The Mayor reported that since New Year’s Eve will fall on the following Monday, the request is to allow a second floating holiday for 2007 for December 31, 2007 and to waive a 2008 holiday.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to designated Monday, December 24, 2007 and Monday, December 31, 2007 as holidays for 2007 with no designated holiday to be assigned for 2008.  Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that as a result of emergency repairs that had been made to the Maple Street Lift Station and sewer interceptor line on December 9th & 10th, an amendment to the FY 2006/2007 water/sewer budget needed to be made to cover the $14,436 in expenses that were accrued.  Councilman Rawlings asked if bids were obtained for the work before it was done and the Mayor informed him that there was no time to obtain bids since the City’s lift station was shut down and service had to be restored without delay.  The Mayor pointed out that he attempted to contact everyone to advise them of the problem, but had not been able to reach Councilman Rawlings when the problem occurred.  Councilman Ray made a motion to make an amendment to the FY 2006/2007 water/sewer budget to reflect these unexpected expenses, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council was advised the City had received a request for a well permit from Terry Scott Jones to install an individual well at #110 Conaway Road.  It was noted that the City does not provide water to this area of Conaway Road; however, City ordinance requires approval from council before the issuance of a well permit.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the issuance of an individual well permit at #110 Conaway Road, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton recognized David Steinhauser who had made a request on behalf of the Westside Christian Church to construct a 20’ x 30’ storage building on their property located at #1014E Highway 80.  The Mayor stated that since the structure will include over 500 sq. ft. of enclosed area council must approve issuance of the building permit.  Copies of the information related to the building had been distributed to council for review.  Mayor Tipton reported that it was his understanding there had been some concerns regarding the location of the building in relationship to the floodway, but these issues had been resolved.  Mr. Steinhauser advised council that a concrete slab already exists that had been previously poured for this purpose, but it was currently being used as a basketball court.  Mr. Steinhauser also reported that the building would be used for dry storage only and would have a roll-up door on one end, but would not have any electrical power.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to approve the issuance of the permit, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that the City had received some recommendations and reports from the December 19, 2006 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission and asked Councilman Rawlings to present this information. 

 

Councilman Rawlings reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission was recommending the approval of the revised sign ordinance.  Citizen Barbara Griffin asked for an explanation of any changes that may be included in the ordinance.  Councilman Rawlings pointed out that most of the ordinance had not changed, but as had been explained to Ms. Griffin at the public hearing on December 19th, the ordinance would provide for a more consistent look for new permitted signs and would limit their heights.  Councilman Rawlings also stated that there would be more controls in the brightness of signs and limits on pole signs.  It was noted that the ordinance did include a clause to grandfather in existing signs, but if there were any major changes in the signs they would have to comply with the new ordinance.  After a discussion by council regarding the effective date and whether to approve the adoption at tonight’s meeting, it was agreed to have the ordinance become effective March 1, 2007 and to dispense with the second reading and approve the ordinance tonight.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the first reading of the revised sign ordinance, to dispense with the second reading, and to adopt the revised sign ordinance.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. 

 

Citizen Barbara Griffin asked for some clarification regarding the directive from the City for the removal of the sign on property located at #1109E. Highway 80.  Councilman Rawlings pointed out that the sign was erected without a permit and Attorney Dickey also advised Ms. Griffin that the sign ordinance does not allow a sign of its size in a residential zone.  Alton Griffin asked about for sale and rental signs and he was advised that these type signs are allowed in residential zones.

 

Councilman Rawlings excused himself from discussion of the next Planning & Zoning Commission issue because of a personal conflict and he left the podium.  The Mayor presented a recommendation from the commission for the approval of the revised site plan as presented by John Humphries on behalf of the Richard T. Turner Lodge for the construction of their building on Bloomingdale Road.  Councilman Strozier made a motion to accept the commission’s recommendation and to approve the revised site plan, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes from Councilmembers Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings abstained from voting.  Councilman Rawlings returned to the podium.

 

Councilman Rawlings presented a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission to approve the site plan submitted by Kern-Coleman & Co. for the construction of a commercial building on property located on the north side of U.S. Highway 80 between Broughton Street and the entrance to Magnolia Lane Apartments.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to accept the commission’s recommendation to approve the site plan as presented by Kern-Coleman & Co.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.   

 

Councilman Rawlings advised council that the Planning & Zoning Commission was requesting that Attorney Dickey review and respond to the letter received from JDH regarding questions related to a proposed shopping center on a 10.93 acres tract at the northwest quadrant of the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway.  After a brief discussion, Attorney Dickey stated he would get with Mayor Tipton to review the letter and proceed as directed by the Mayor.

 

Council was advised that the Planning & Zoning Commission will be conducting workshops on the 4th Tuesday of each month with the first workshop to be held on January 23, 2007.  Councilman Rawlings asked Ms. Mitchell to report on plans for the January 23rd workshop and she stated that Mr. Bedi with the Metropolitan Planning Commission would be making a presentation regarding the duties and responsibilities of the commission and she felt that the workshops would create a more informed group.  The Mayor commented that when the Planning & Zoning Commission started working on the commercial overlay district ordinance that it was his understanding that some discussions would be held regarding implementation of a tree ordinance as part of the plan.  Councilman Rawlings stated that there would probably be some landscaping issues discussed in the preparation of the site plan guidelines with an emphasis being placed on the preservation of native trees whenever possible.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that Recreation Director Joe Young was working with the Recreation Committee to obtain prices for the vehicle that was included in the budget.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table this matter until the next meeting when information should be available for discussion by council.  Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that he had gotten a letter from the county engineer and he had talked with County Engineer Al Bungard regarding the drainage ditch and the maintenance easement issue.  Mayor Tipton stated that he felt City officials needed to meet with county representatives to discuss the project and Councilman Myrick agreed that this would be a good idea and wanted the meeting to include Commissioner Dean Kicklighter.  Council also discussed having our engineers attend.  The Mayor advised council he would get with the county and report back to them on a date for the meeting.  Barbara Griffin stated that she would like to know when the meeting was going to be held.  Mayor Tipton informed her that he did not know when the meeting would be held until he had a chance to get with the county to schedule it.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that this concluded the items received by the council meeting agenda deadline of Friday, December 29, 2006.

 

Under committee reports Councilman Myrick reported that the agreement with EMC for the design work on the plans for the paving of Stagecoach Road had been executed and forwarded to the engineering firm.  Councilman Rawlings stated that there were two alternate positions available on the Planning & Zoning Commission and he had a couple of nominees in mind.  Councilman Rawlings reported that if there were citizens interested in these positions they could submit some information about themselves to either himself or a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission for consideration.

 

Councilman Ray made a motion to approve payment of the accounts payable, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:35pm, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton and all council members were present at the meeting.

 

Note:  Section § 50-14-1 of the Official Code of the State of Georgia Annotated requires that the minutes shall, as a minimum, include a description of each motion or other proposal made, and a record of all votes.  These minutes meet the minimum requirements.  However, in an attempt to provide as much information as possible to the citizens, the recording clerk has included additional background data and discussion on the subjects presented to council.  The statements of individuals are not verbatim and may be summary in nature.