Official minutes of the October 15, 2009
Council Meeting approved November 5, 2009
Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order with Councilman Ray leading in prayer. The council reviewed the minutes of the October 1, 2009 meeting with Councilman Myrick making a motion to approve said minutes with no changes. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the October 15, 2009 meeting agenda, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Under administrative and committee reports, Councilman Myrick stated that the Bloomingdale Bears would be celebrating Homecoming activities on October 31, 2009 at Taylor Park. A parade will be held that morning starting at 9:00am and three games would be played throughout the day. Councilman Myrick invited everyone to come out in support of these activities. Councilwoman Winn reported that the Planning Commission would hold a public hearing on November 10, 2009 for citizen input on a rezoning request submitted for property located on Highway 80 consisting of a large tract of land for development as a business park. The Mayor reported that AMB Properties is in negotiations with a possible tenant that would bring jobs to the area. Councilman Rawlings reported that he wanted the citizens to know that he did not vote for the water or sewer increases that were included in the current budget.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Tipton reported that council needed to discuss the naming of the private drive between #1203 E. Hwy 80 and #1205 E. Hwy 80 to provide location assistance for emergency “911” services. It was noted that at a previous meeting, council had named the roadway “Autrey Drive”, however, after complaints were received from residents living along the road, council voted to withdraw their action. The Mayor recognized Gene Autrey who stated that his mother had purchased the property over 40 years ago and he was deeded an easement for the roadway in 1973. Mr. Autrey pointed out that he was the one who paid to keep the roadway maintained and could not see why there had been a problem with the council naming it “Autrey Drive”. Councilman Strozier asked Mr. Autrey what his mother’s first name was and was advised that it was “Trudie”. Councilman Strozier then made a motion to name the private roadway “Trudie Lane” and Councilman Ray seconded the motion. Councilman Myrick suggested council meet with the other people living along the roadway to make sure they agreed with this name before approving it. Councilman Strozier stated that it was his understanding that the parties that had complained stated they did not care what the roadway was named as long as it was not “Autrey Drive”, so he felt “Trudie Lane” should be all right. After the discussion, the motion passed with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Ray, Strozier, Waller, and Winn. Councilmember Myrick voted against the motion and Councilmember Rawlings abstained.
The Mayor stated that after checking into the request for the Bloomingdale Fire Department to participate in the Block Party to be held on October 31, 2009 at #1109 E. Highway 80, concerns had been raised about possible political activity and the restrictions that applied to the fire department being involved in political event. Mayor Tipton recognized Latrelle Kling who reported that there would be no political forum, but candidates were invited to come out to mingle and talk with citizens. Ms. Kling advised council that the event was merely a chance for the citizens of the community to get together and enjoy the day. Councilman Myrick pointed out that the fire department would be involved in the homecoming activities that morning. It was noted that the Bloomingdale Fire Department would also be participating with the police department in their annual check of the candy collected by children during “trick or treat” activities. Ms. Kling stated that they did not expect the fire department to remain during the entire event that would last from 10am until 3pm, but felt that since it was not actually a political event the fire department should be able to be involved. Mayor Tipton asked Attorney Dickey for his input on the matter. Attorney Dickey asked Ms. Kling if there would be campaign literature or signs displayed at the event and she stated that the campaign signs that were already posted on the property would not be removed, but she was not aware of plans to post any others. Mayor Tipton pointed out that even tonight she, as well as several others in the audience, were wearing T-shirts in support of a particular political candidate although that was not a problem at the meeting, he felt the block party bordered a political event. Several elected officials voiced their concerns about involving a City-owned department in an event that was perceived as being political. After this discussion, Councilwoman Winn made a motion that the Bloomingdale Fire Department not be involved in this event. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn. Councilmembers Myrick and Rawlings abstained from voting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Tipton recognized David Downs who had submitted a request for a home occupation license to operate the office only of a home repairs and yard maintenance business from his residence at #332 Adams Road. Mr. Downs stated that he would be the only employee. Councilman Ray asked if he would be bringing any surplus items or debris from the job to this residence and he stated he would dispose of everything at the site and no waste materials would be brought home. Mr. Downs was informed that if electrical work were done on the repair jobs it would have to be performed by a state-licensed electrician and required a separate license. Mr. Downs stated he understood that stipulation. Council also advised Mr. Downs that there could be no outside traffic related to the business coming to the residence. Councilman Ray made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement and issue the home occupation license as requested by Mr. Downs, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor recognized Scotty Fletcher with Remax Crossroads who stated that he had two clients whose homes were built in C-1 zones which allows residences only as “conditional uses”. Mr. Fletcher reported the properties were located at #4 Walnut Street owned by Jeff & Ellen Duggar and at #13 Cherry Street owned by Loraine Knowles. The property owners are seeking written documentation from the City assuring them that the homes would be allowed to be built back should they be destroyed. Attorney Dickey informed Mr. Fletcher that although the current council would probably have no problem with granting that request, they could not bind future councils to that action. It was noted that the residence on Cherry Street was “grandfathered-in” when the comprehensive zoning for the City was adopted and the Walnut Street residence had recently been issued a conditional use permit. After additional discussion, Attorney Dickey pointed out that, if council agreed, he could assist the City in providing the property owners something in writing that would satisfy a lending agency by confirming that the current use of the property meets the City of Bloomingdale’s Zoning Ordinance requirements. The Mayor and Council agreed for Attorney Dickey to provide the owners with that documentation.
Council was advised that the City has an air compressor at the maintenance shop that is not currently being used and needs to be declared surplus before it can be sold. It was noted that the unit is a Wayne compressor, 250 psi with an 11 ½ horsepower, 3 phase motor. Public Works Supervisor Ernest Grizzard is recommending the sale of the equipment with a minimum bid of $500. Council was advised that the bids could be submitted to council at the November 5, 2009 meeting. Councilman Myrick made a motion to declare the Wayne compressor as surplus equipment to be sold “as is” with a minimum bid of $500.00. Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that during a recent rainstorm, the roof of the City Hall started leaking and water was coming into the building through the ceilings and doorways of the council meeting room and the Judge’s office. It was noted that there had been no previous problems with the roof. Councilman Strozier reported that after the leak was checked by a couple of roofers it was determined that the problem was probably in the valley of the roof and three bids were obtained to do the work. Walter Sapp submitted the lowest bid of $1,000 to make the repairs in the valley of the roof and take the shingles out to the gable and he was available to do the work on Saturday. Councilman Rawlings questioned how we could know if the leak was in that part of the roof and stated he thought we should wait until another rainfall so we could be sure we were repairing the correct area before we spent the money since it may not fix the problem. Councilman Strozier pointed out that Mr. Sapp had actually gone up on the roof and checked it while it was raining and although he could not guarantee it was in the valley, all indications were that this area was where the problem was occurring. Councilman Myrick asked if we knew the number of years the current roof should last and was advised that Mr. Sapp indicated it should last another fifteen years. Councilman Myrick stated that he felt this was the best action to take to avoid additional damage to the roof and City Hall. Councilman Strozier made a motion to accept the bid of $1,000 from Walter Sapp for the repairs to the roof with Councilman Myrick seconding the motion. The motion passed with six affirmative votes.
Council was informed that the City-owned residence at #8 Pine Street would be ready for occupancy by November 1, 2009 and we needed to establish a monthly rental fee. Councilman Myrick stated that he had been in contact with someone who was interested in renting the house and since he knew the potential renters personally, he felt he should recluse himself from this decision. It was noted that the residence contained two bedrooms and one bath. After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to charge a rental fee of $650.00 per month. Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn. Councilman Rawlings abstained from voting.
Mayor Tipton stated that concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Friday, October 9, 2009.
The accounts payable were presented with Councilman Ray making a motion to pay the bills, Councilwoman Winn seconding the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40pm, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Respectfully submitted, Sandra Jones, City Clerk
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 presented to council. The statements of individuals are not verbatim and may be summary in nature.