COUNCIL MEETING

November 15, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick leading in prayer.  Councilman Ray presented the Outstanding Citizen Award to Mr. J. H. Lynch for his dedication and assistance to many citizens throughout the city. 

 

The Mayor presented the minutes from the November 1, 2007 meeting for approval.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Myrick, Ray, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings abstained.

 

Mayor Tipton presented the agenda for the November 15, 2007 meeting for approval which included a request to give committee reports prior to council adjourning into executive session.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda with this change, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings voted against the motion.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

None

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Tipton presented a request from Republic Waste Services for an extension of the 4% fuel charge originally approved in September, 2005 as an addendum to their contract.  The extension would apply until the current contract expires in February, 2008.  Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the extension of the 4% fuel charge, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilman Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings voted against the motion.

 

Mayor Tipton excused himself from the podium for the next agenda item.

 

Mayor Pro-Tem Ray presented an application for a well permit from Wayne Tipton for his property located at #30 Tipton Road.  The City does not provide water service to this location but council must approve the issuance of the well permit.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the issuance of the well permit, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor returned to the podium and presented a request from David Wingate for his property located at #9 Osteen Road to be used for a residence.  The property is currently zoned C-1 with a residence being a “conditional use”.  The property had been used for a residence but has been vacant for several years.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the conditional use permit for a residence but with the understanding that mobile homes could not be placed at this location since mobile homes are not allow in a C-1 zone.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council reviewed a request from Gerald Cook for the placement of a street light at the corner of Osteen Road and Highway 80.  Council was advised that there had been a street light at this location, but it was deemed a hazard by the state and had been removed.  Mayor Tipton advised Public Works Superintendent Grizzard to contact the state to clarify this matter.

  

Mayor Tipton recognized Jenny Mullis and Sheryl Floyd, leaders of Girl Scout Junior Troop #519, who presented their request to use the Bloomingdale Community Building each Tuesday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm for their meetings and for council to waive the rental fees.  The troop currently meets at the Alpha Methodist Church but needed to relocate to a larger area and wanted to stay in Bloomingdale.  Discussion was held concerning the waiving of the rental fee at which time citizen Jimmy Kerby questioned the amount of the fee and was advised the hourly fee was $25.00 per hour for non-residents and $20.00 per hour for residents with a three hour minimum.  Mr. Kerby advised council that he would like to take care of the rental fee for the troop.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to set the rental fee for the Girl Scout Troop at the minimum rate of $60.00 for the three hour time period.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council reviewed a recommendation from Planning Commission for approval of the updated zoning/boundary/street map.  Councilman Rawlings questioned if the issue with Osteen Road had been corrected.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table this matter to allow the City Administrator to verify the correction and Councilman Strozier seconded the motion.  The motion passed with affirmative votes from Councilman Myrick, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn.  Councilman Rawlings voted against the motion.

 

Council was advised that the Planning Commission had set a Public Hearing for December 11, 2007 to receive citizen input on a rezoning request received from Joey Jones for his property located on Bloomingdale Road.

 

The Planning Commission’s recommendation of a minor subdivision submitted by Mr. Chris Carroll for his property located at #219 John Carter Road was reviewed.  During council’s review and discussion there appeared to be a discrepancy in the front lot size.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table the approval of the subdivision to allow Mr. Carroll to contact his engineer to clarify the lot size.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council reviewed a recommendation from Planning Commission on amending the zoning ordinance for the sale of used vehicles to be a conditional in a C-1 zone for up to 50 vehicles per standard commercial lot of 15,000 square feet.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the amendment.  The motion died for the lack of a second. 

 

The Planning Commission submitted for council’s review & consideration a Commercial Overlay District Ordinance which covered all highway corridors leading into Bloomingdale.  After discussion Councilman Ray made a motion to table this recommendation.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council was advised that the Planning Commission is preparing a draft copy of a Land Clearing and Tree Protection Ordinance that will be distributed soon for their review.  The Planning Commission has requested that council submit any questions or comments, in writing, to the commission or attend their meeting when the final draft is reviewed.

 

The Mayor reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Friday, November 9, 2007.

 

During committee reports Councilman Myrick advised that the Recreation Department would be having a Fundraiser Golf Tournament/Hole Sponsorship on December 1st at Lost Plantation in Rincon.  The Mayor advised that the 2nd Thanksgiving Dinner would be held at the Community Building on Thanksgiving Day from 12:00noon until 2:00pm and that citizens were welcome to attend.  Council was advised that repairs to the roof at the maintenance shop was completed.  Councilman Rawlings advised that the History Society would like to assist in the gathering of names for the veteran’s memorial.  Chief Gossett advised that the Police Academy had approximately 20 graduates from it’s seventh class and the department had been involved in supporting several activities with the area churches such as senior citizen day, kids fingerprinting and have also assisted in training other agencies.  Chief Gossett stated that Investigator Elliott has been busy on burglary cases, has broke up a theft ring at Hwy 80 storage and was involved in leads to an old missing person case from 1989.  In the absence of Fire Chief Tyler, Assistant Fire Chief Reece gave a report on fire department activities that have taken place since the last council meeting. 

 

Mayor Tipton stated that an executive session for personnel issues was the next agenda item.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to adjourn into executive session for the discussion of personnel issues, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to the general session, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Ray made a motion to execute the signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act and make it part of the record.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

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

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:45pm.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

                                                                       

Mayor Tipton and all Councilmembers 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 present to council.  The statements of individuals are not verbatim and may be summary in nature.