COUNCIL MEETING
May 1, 2008
Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order. The Mayor expressed his appreciation to the local churches for the luncheon held today for the elected officials and city personnel in celebration of National Day of Prayer. In recognition of the event, Mayor Tipton read a Proclamation designating May 1, 2008 as “National Day of Prayer” in the City of Bloomingdale. Reverend Darrell Bailey then led in prayer. After the prayer, the Mayor led in the pledge to the flag.
The Mayor presented the minutes of the April 17, 2008 meeting for council’s approval. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton presented the agenda for the May 1, 2008 meeting. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of discussion of attorney/client issues to the executive session. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Myrick expressed his appreciation to Ernest Grizzard and the City’s maintenance workers for the work they had done at the Bloomingdale Community Building with the flowerbeds and the painting of the sign and trim on the building. He also thanked them for painting the concession building at Taylor Park. Mayor Tipton stated that the City was fortunate to have such dedicated employees in our maintenance and police departments and in the City Hall. These employees made their jobs as elected officials much more pleasant. The Mayor noted that the employees were professional and worked very hard for the City. Councilman Strozier reported that he and Mr. Brady were working on obtaining prices to repair the wet well at the Bloomingdale Elementary School using a stainless steel insert. Mayor Tipton congratulated Councilwoman Margel Winn on being named “Georgia’s Homemaker of the Year” for 2008. Councilwoman Winn pointed out that Linda Strozier had provided assistance to the maintenance department with planting of the flowerbeds at the community building.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council reviewed a request from Rickey Pitts for a home occupation license to operate the office only of a plumbing contractor business from his residence at #430 Adams Road. Mr. Pitts stated that there would only be one vehicle used in the business and he was the only employee. Councilman Strozier pointed out that one requirement of a home occupation license was that there would be no evidence to the neighbors that a business was being operated from the residence and Mr. Pitts assured him that would be the case in this situation. Based on the information provided by Mr. Pitts, Councilman Strozier made a motion to waive the public hearing and issue the home occupation license as requested by Mr. Pitts. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton recognized Hector Lopez who had submitted a request for the operation of Lopez Construction, Inc. from the accessory building on property located at #1220 Bloomingdale Road. Mr. Lopez stated that he had purchased the property about a year ago and was currently renovating the residence. Councilman Ray asked if he planned to live in the residence, but Mr. Lopez stated that he would not be living in the house. It was noted that the property was zoned RA-1 and a “Professional Office” is a permissible use. Mr. Lopez stated there were four employees in the business. He advised council that he and his wife were two of the employees and the other two were part-time. He further explained that the office hours were from 9:00am until 5:00pm during the week and there would be no construction equipment or materials stored on site. Mr. Lopez was advised that the City’s zoning ordinance only allows one primary structure per lot and if he used the accessory building as an office, no one could live in the residence. Mr. Lopez stated that he understood this stipulation and agreed that no one would live in the residence. Councilman Strozier made a motion to allow the issuance of an occupational license for Lopez Construction, Inc. to be operated from the accessory building located at #1220 Bloomingdale Road provided no one would be living in the residence on the property. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton stated that an executive session to discuss personnel, real estate, and attorney/client issues was the next item on the agenda. Councilman Ray made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Ray made a motion to return to the general session and to execute the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the Friday, April 25, 2008 deadline.
The accounts payable were presented with Councilman Ray making a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:50pm. 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.