COUNCIL MEETING
July 17, 2008
Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order and Councilman Myrick led in prayer. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2008 council meeting and the called council meeting held on July 1, 2008. The motion was seconded by Councilman Strozier and passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Strozier made a motion to approve the agenda of the July 17, 2008 meeting with the addition of a recommendation from the Planning Commission on property owned by Joey Jones that was not included on the agenda.
Under administrative and committee reports Mayor Tipton welcomed Chief Gossett back to work. The Mayor noted that it was with mixed emotions that he supported the Chief’s efforts to secure the position as the Sheriff of Effingham County, but he was happy to have him continue as Bloomingdale’s Chief of Police. Mayor Tipton recognized Fire Chief Tyler who presented information to council regarding the upcoming ISO inspection and the regulations the fire department must meet to pass the inspection. Fire Chief Tyler commented that one of the decisions council needs to make was whether to construct the new fire station with three (3) or four (4) bays. Fire Chief Tyler informed council that the material he had distributed to them included sketches of both size bays as well as information on departments in our area both paid and volunteer. Council was advised that with the growth expected south of I-16, there might be a need for a substation in that area in the next two to five years and a three (3) bay station may be adequate at the Highway 80 location if a substation is constructed in the near future. Fire Chief Tyler reported that if the City’s ISO rating dropped even one (1) point there would be a reduction in the insurance rates. Councilman Strozier asked if he had any information on the amount of the rate reduction and Fire Chief Tyler stated that he did not have an exact dollar figure but pointed out that the commercial rates would drop more than the residential rates. Mayor Tipton asked if a one-point drop in the rating was realistic and was assured by Fire Chief Tyler that it could be obtained with just a few changes in the equipment for the department. Fire Chief Tyler stated that the department plans to convert the old fire truck to a service truck and the volunteers were working on updating the fire department’s records on the computer. Fire Chief Tyler also stated that with the AMB development, the City might need to start making plans for the purchase of a ladder truck. However, the Chief pointed out that since the City of Pooler already has a ladder truck and is within the 1½-mile distance from the station to the AMB site, the need for this type truck would not be immediate. Fire Chief Tyler noted that one advantage of having a sub-station would be in the event of a disaster there could be problems in one area of the City that left one station without power, but the other station may be operational. Councilman Myrick commented that he supported the City taking a pro-active stance on the fire department. Fire Chief Tyler stated that with the larger hoses now being used by the department they were able to meet the ISO’s requirements regarding the water supply that was needed for a lower rating. Fire Chief Tyler advised council that Bloomingdale’s fire department had the largest number of volunteers on the westside. Councilman Rawlings asked who was serving on the committee appointed by the Mayor to work on the fire department building and the Mayor advised him that it consisted of himself, Fire Chief Tyler, Councilman Waller, and Buddy Burke. The Mayor asked for comments from council regarding whether to pursue a 3 or 4 bay station, but several council members stated that they needed more time to study the material presented to them tonight by the Fire Chief. Mayor Tipton stated that he would like to have their input as soon as possible so a recommendation could be presented at the next meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Tipton recognized Dexter Shearouse, Chairman of the Planning Commission, and Joey Jones, the owner of property located on Bloomingdale Road, who was seeking a change in his site plan and approval of Phase 3 & 4 of his development plan. Mr. Shearouse stated that Mr. Jones had provided the Planning Commission with details of his current and future plans for the buildings at this location and a public hearing was held on July 8, 2008 for citizen input on his request. Mr. Shearouse explained that Mr. Jones had requested a reduction in the buffer between his building and Bloomingdale Road from 85’ to 50’ with the parking to be moved from the rear of the property to the front of the buildings. Council was advised that due to the lack of space between the building and the drainage canal along the back of the property the Planning Commission felt the request was reasonable. Mr. Shearouse also stated that Mr. Jones had presented site plans for Phase 3 & 4 of the development of his property. Council was advised that the Planning Commission was recommending the approval of a request from Joey Jones to reduce the size of the buffer from 85’ to 50’ between his building and Bloomingdale Road, the relocation of the parking from the rear to the front of the buildings, and the approval of the site plans for Phase 3 & 4 of the development of his property. Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Planning Commission, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Mr. Shearouse informed council that a public hearing is scheduled for August 12, 2008 to receive citizen input on a request from G. M. Ortega to rezone his property located on Pine Barren Road from an RA-1 zone to a PUD. Mr. Shearouse stated that he had informed the owner and the developer that prior to the approval of any rezoning, a water and sewer agreement must be worked out with the City.
Council was advised that Chief Gossett was requesting that four vehicles be declared as surplus property with the minimum bids as shown. The vehicles include the following: 1) 1999 Ford Crown Vic, VIN #7269-minimum bid $2,000; 2) 2001 Ford Crown Vic, VIN #9567 – minimum bid $2,000; 3) 2001 Ford Crown Vic, VIN #6468 – minimum bid $2,500; and 4) 2002 Ford Crown Vic, VIN #3532 – minimum bid $2,500. After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to declare said vehicles as surplus and to set the minimum bids as suggested by Chief Gossett. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
NEW BUSINESS:
The following home occupational license requests were submitted:
1) Gregory A. Rowland requested a home occupation license for the office only of an electrical contracting business to be operated from #210 Oak Street. Councilman Ray asked about the vehicles that would be needed for the business and Mr. Rowland advised him that he would be the only employee and would use his personal vehicle in the business. After this discussion, Councilman Ray made a motion to waive the public hearing and issue the home occupation license as requested. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
2) Wayne Newton presented his request for a home occupation license for the office only of a window & siding business to be operated from his residence at #122 Michael Street. Mr. Newton informed council that he would be the only employee. Mr. Newton stated that he had gotten approval for the home occupation license once before, but had decided to go to work for someone else. Councilmembers reminded him that there should be no outside storage of materials. Councilman Myrick made a motion to waive the public hearing and issue the home occupation license to Mr. Newton. Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
3) Nathan Bragg requested a home occupation license for the office only of a landscape design/build business to be operated from his residence located at #128 Michael Street. Mr. Bragg advised council that he would be the only employee. Mr. Bragg explained that he designed the landscaping of property for residential and commercial locations, provided cost estimates, and then actually installed the plants, materials, etc. in the plan. Mr. Bragg advised council that any equipment or supplies he used would be stored inside his garage, but he did have a cargo trailer that would be parked outside. After this discussion, Councilwoman Winn made a motion to waive the public hearing and issue the home occupation license as requested, Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council reviewed a request from Mike Wedincamp for an extension of his temporary use permit for an open-air produce stand at Highway 80 and Jimmy Deloach Parkway. It was noted that the original permit had been issued on April 3rd for 45 days with the agreement to provide another 45 day extension, but the permit expires on July 18, 2008. It was noted that Mr. Wedincamp has the dumpster and a portable toilet as required by council when the initial permit was granted. City Administrator Brady suggested that the temporary use permit be extended until December 31, 2008 for a fee of $75 to allow the City Attorney the opportunity to prepare an ordinance addressing the issuance of permits to this and similar type businesses. After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to extend the temporary use permit until December 31, 2008 at a cost of $75 with the stipulation that all fees owed to the City are paid prior to the issuance of the extension. Councilman Ray seconded the permit and it was approved with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that the City had obtained two (2) bids for the clearing/debris removal of approximately two acres of property located at Taylor Park on Pine Barren Road. City Administrator Brady opened and presented the bids as follows: 1) Crossroads Construction, Inc. - $13,200; and 2) S. Loyd Williams - $13,500. After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to accept the low bid of $13,200 from Crossroads Construction, Inc. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor advised council that six (6) bids had been received for the cutting and stump removal of twenty (20) trees from the park area located at Moore & Poplar Streets. City Administrator Brady opened and presented the following bids: 1) Triplett Clearing - $7,900; 2) Southeastern Tree Service - $6,300; 3) Coastal Tree Service - $6,450; 4) WM Tree Service - $3,800; 5) Shuman’s Tree Service, Inc. - $2,500; and 6) Bartlett Tree Experts - $16,520. Councilman Myrick made a motion to accept the low bid of $2,500 from Shuman’s Tree Service, Inc., Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council was informed that the Chatham County Purchasing & Contracting Department advised the City that on June 22, 2008, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners agreed to a one (1) year extension to the current gasoline & diesel fuel contracts with The Sommers Company and Barrett Oil Distributors with all prices, terms and conditions of the contract remaining the same. Since Bloomingdale is included in the contract, council needs to approve a one (1) year extension on our gasoline and diesel fuel purchases from Barrett Oil Distributors with the same conditions as the previous contract. It was noted that the current price is $.12 @ gallon above OPIS. After a brief discussion, Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the extension as presented, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council reviewed a change order request from J Hiers Construction, the contractor working on the drainage project, for additional Type C silt fencing and the expansion of the 11-acre site for a total cost of $31,710. It was noted that the 11-acre tract is owned by the City and is located at Wildcat Dam Road and the old railroad bed. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the change order, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton stated that an executive session had been called for discussion of personnel and attorney/client issues. Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilman Ray 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 approve the execution of the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. A copy of the affidavit is attached to the original minutes. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Council took the following action as a result of the executive session:
1) Councilman Myrick made a motion for all department head positions to be salaried which includes the City Clerk, Chief of Police, Fire Chief and the Public Works Superintendent. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
2) Councilman Ray made a motion to allow all departments to initiate four-day workweeks for its employees. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. It was noted that the City Hall would continue to be open Monday through Friday except for holidays.
Mayor Tipton stated that this concluded the items that were presented for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the Friday, July 11, 2008 deadline.
The accounts payable were reviewed and 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 9:00pm. 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.