COUNCIL MEETING
April 3, 2008
Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order and Councilman Mike Ray led in prayer. The Mayor presented the March 20, 2008 minutes for council’s consideration. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve these minutes; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Winn and passed with six affirmative votes. Council reviewed the agenda for the April 4, 2008 meeting. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve said agenda, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor recognized Chief Frank Waits with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police who presented a plaque of recognition to Chief Rick Gossett in acknowledgement of the Re-certification of the Bloomingdale Police Department as a State Certified Police Department. Chief Waits outlined some of the standards the department has to meet and maintain to keep their certification and noted some of the benefits to the City, such as reduced insurance premiums and public confidence in the local department. Chief Waits also presented a plaque to Jody Sheffield who serves as the Certification Manager for the Bloomingdale Police Department and Chief Gossett expressed his appreciation to her for her hard work to keep the department in compliance with the regulations of this certification.
Dennis Hutton with the Metropolitan Planning Commission addressed the Mayor and Council on the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program and stressed the importance of the City’s continued participation in the process. Mr. Hutton expressed his appreciation in Bloomingdale’s involvement thus far and noted that Diane Proudfoot had attended the recent training session on behalf of the City. Mr. Hutton asked that one person be appointed by the City to be responsible for the reporting of any new addresses or changes in existing addresses to the MPC in order to maintain an accurate database. Mr. Hutton stated the designees would probably meet once a month and the next meeting will be held on May 13th. Mayor Tipton asked Mr. Hutton to meet with City Administrator Brady and advise him of exactly what he needs from the City. The Mayor thanked him for attending tonight’s meeting and stated that the City would provide whatever was needed to keep this information up to date.
Under administrative and committee reports, council was advised that preparations were underway for the Patriotic Celebration to be held on Memorial Day and more information would be provided at a later date. Councilman Myrick noted that the maintenance department had been working on repairs both inside and outside at the Bloomingdale Community Building and it is looking much better. Citizens were also advised that repairs are scheduled for the outside of City Hall.
OLD BUSINESS:
Tim Baumgartner with EMC Engineering presented information to council on the bids that were received for the Bloomingdale Elementary School Lift Station project. He stated that the engineer’s original cost estimate did not include some items that had to be added to the project some of which were site constraints, additional costs related to the extension of three phase power to the site and the school’s requirement of a fence around the lift station. Mr. Baumgartner advised council that the low bid of $120,972.50 had been received from BRW Construction Group, Inc. and after a follow-up of the company’s references; EMC recommends the awarding of the contract to this company. Several Councilmembers raised concerns about the increase in the cost of the project and the feasibility of spending this much money when it will take years to recover it from user fees from the school. Mayor Tipton stated that the City is responsible for the maintenance of the lift station and he expressed his concern that if the work is not done soon it may fail. Mr. Baumgartner pointed out that when council originally discussed the project there were three different options available and after considering the options council decided to pursue replacement of the lift station. Mr. Baumgartner answered questions from councilmembers about some of the other options. Councilman Myrick asked how long the project would take from start to finish and he was advised that after the shop drawings were completed it would take about two months. Council discussed this matter at length. Councilman Ray made a motion to table this issue until the April 17, 2008 meeting so Mr. Baumgartner could bring back some other alternatives for council to consider. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Attorney Dickey asked Mr. Baumgartner how long the bids would be good and was advised they were available for 90 days.
Mayor Tipton stated that Mr. Baumgartner had some cost estimates to share with council on the park at Moore & Poplar Streets. Mr. Baumgartner stated that the estimates were based on the City contracting out the entire project at one time and included a covered shed, bathroom facilities, sidewalks, grills and a paved parking lot. The total estimate was $179,246. Council was advised that the project could be done in phases with some of the work being done with City forces. Mr. Baumgartner informed council that the estimate needed to be adjusted for the use of wood rather than steel for the shed in order to maintain a more natural look for the area. Councilmembers discussed the possibility that with the number of local contractors in the City, we could probably get some of the work donated or at least done for less than the normal contractor’s price. Council asked that the engineer work with City Administrator Brady to review the estimate to determine what portions of the project could be done in-house or through donated labor and prepare a schedule for doing the work in phases. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table this matter until this information could be brought back to council. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor recognized Mr. Coster Livingston who had submitted a “conditional use” permit request on behalf of his daughter to operate a barbershop from the residence located at #1509 East Highway 80. Council was advised that the property was zoned R-1 and a barbershop is allowed as a “conditional use”. Mr. Livingston stated that it would be a two-chair shop and there would be no one living at the residence. Mr. Livingston also advised council that there was sufficient parking available on the property and it is easily accessed from Highway 80. Based on the information provided by Mr. Livingston, Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the issuance of a “conditional use” permit for the operation of a barbershop from #1509 East Highway 80. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Citizen Mike Wedincamp presented a request for the operation of an open-air produce stand on property owned by the Oetgens located at U.S. Highway 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway. Mr. Wedincamp explained that the stand would consist of two 30’ x 30’ open carport structures installed end to end. Council was advised the property was located in a C-2 zone. It was also noted that the list of permissible and conditional uses in the City’s Zoning Ordinance does not address temporary retail sales, but Section 1104.3 of the ordinance allows for the operation of a fruit/vegetable stand with a temporary use permit not to exceed 45 days. Councilman Myrick pointed out that Mr. Wedincamp has indicated the stand would be open approximately eight months out of the year, so this provision may not adequately cover what he has requested to do. Council discussed the access to the property and was advised that there are already driveways off Highway 80 and Jimmy Deloach onto the property. Mr. Wedincamp provided council with a letter from James Oetgen, the owner of the property, stating that he was leasing the property to Mr. Wedincamp. Councilman Myrick asked how he planned to dispose of the waste and stated he had someone lined up to pick it up to feed their hogs. Councilman Ray pointed out that the Department of Agriculture does not allow this practice if the meat from the animals was going to be sold, so Mr. Wedincamp stated he would get a dumpster from the City. Mr. Wedincamp stated that he planned to put a portable toilet on the site and fence the area around the shelters. Council discussed the request and agreed that we needed to consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance to address this type business and include some regulations for their operation. Since Mr. Wedincamp wanted to go ahead and prepare the site, council agreed to approve the issuance of a temporary permit for the open-air produce stand for 45 days at a cost of $50 and to allow for a 45-day extension at a cost of $25. Councilman Myrick made a motion to take this action, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Ray made the motion to adjourn into executive session for the discussion of personnel issues. Councilwoman Winn 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 and approval to sign the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act and make it part of the permanent record. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor presented an ordinance for council’s consideration creating the position of City Administrator and outlining the powers, duties and functions of the position. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance as presented, to waive the second reading, and to approve passage of the ordinance. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Ray made a motion to create a paid Fire Chief’s position with a job description and salary range to be approved by council. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton asked that City Administrator Brady have the job description and salary range information for council’s consideration at the next meeting.
The Mayor recognized Citizen Willie Mitchell who questioned why he had not received a response to the letter he had submitted to the City in March and Attorney Dickey stated that a response had been sent, but if he had not received it he would provide him with another copy of the letter.
Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Friday, March 28, 2008.
After council reviewed the accounts payable, Councilman Ray make a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilwoman Winn made a motion to adjourn at 9:00pm, Councilman Strozier 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.