Official minutes of Council Meeting

Official minutes of Council Meeting - May 6, 2010

approved by council on May 20, 2010

Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order with Councilman Crosby leading in prayer. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the adoption of the draft copy of the minutes of the April 15, 2010 council meeting Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the agenda of the May 6, 2010 meeting with the removal of the request from Chief Gossett for replacement of bulletproof vest at a cost of $7,000 as a non-budgeted item to be purchased from Public Safety SPLOST. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

During administrative and committee reports, Councilwoman Griffin recognized Chloe Bukowiec a student who has a school project that required her to attend a city council meeting. Councilwoman Griffin advised that the new ball field at Taylor Park has been leveled and they are now ready to move forward with this project. The addition to the concession building should be painted next week and the playground equipment was to be delivered on Friday and installed during the week of May 24^th. Councilman Myrick informed that a preliminary plan of the Veteran’s Memorial has been provided by EMC Engineering and is available for review. He stated that the newly purchase property at #205 E. Hwy 80 with the brick house is being favored as a site for the Veteran’s Memorial. Councilman Baxter requested that Chief Tyler give an update on the ISO inspection. Chief Tyler reported that the inspection was completed in one (1) day and the official report should be available within sixty (60) days but an unofficial report was that the city would be at a 5 rating with the possibility of being a 4 or 3. Councilman Kerby commended Ernest Grizzard on the job of completed the bay enclosure and getting the trees removed from the park at the Community Building. Councilman Rawlings gave a report that the History Society, the Garden Club and possibly the Lion’s Club are looking to hold a first time event on July 17, 2010 to known as “Evening in the Park” with fellowship, entertainment and local donated talent. The newly formed Seniors and Special Events Committee are looking to plan an event on an annual basis that would draw visitors to our city.

OLD BUSINESS:

Councilman Kerby advised council that after a closer look at the upgrades to #8½ Pine Street the cost is substantially more than the initial $1000 for the cosmetic upgrades. The upgrades would include handicap accessibility, repair a leaking roof and upgrade the heat/air system. After discussion Councilman Myrick made a motion to table any action on the upgrades to this structure to allow it to be considered in the upcoming budget process. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

NEW BUSINESS:

Councilman Kerby excused himself from the meeting to allow the next matter of business.

Mayor Tipton recognized Mark Crapps with Kern-Coleman & Co., LLC who informed council that the bids for the site work & building for the Bloomingdale Fire Station were reviewed and Kern-Coleman recommends the City of Bloomingdale accept the low bids from Groundworks Contracting, Inc. for the site work at a cost of $190,370.00 and Marchese Construction, LLC for the building at a cost of $637,529.28. Mr. Krapps acknowledged that both companies have good reputations and have met all the bid specifications. After a brief discussion Councilman Baxter made a motion award as recommended the low bid from Groundworks Contracting, Inc. for the site work at a cost of $190,370.00 and Marchese Construction, LLC for the building only at a cost of #637,529.28. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it received affirmative votes were from Councilman Baxter, Crosby, Griffin and Rawlings. Councilman Myrick opposed and Councilman Kerby was excused.

Councilman Kerby returned to the meeting.

The Mayor advised the city had received the utility easement from Georgia Power related to the construction of the Bloomingdale Fire Station. Councilman Baxter made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the utility easement. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Mayor Tipton recognized Ira Parker who had submitted a request to operate the “office only” of a charter boat business located from his residence at #107 Walnut Street. Mr. Parker stated he is the only employee and there would be no traffic coming to his residence. Councilman Crosby made a motion to waive the public hearing and issue the license. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

The Mayor presented a request from Chief Gossett to take any offered price for the excess vehicles located at the impound yard. After a brief discussion, Councilman Baxter made a motion to table action on this matter to allow the value and vehicle information be provide to council at the next meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Mayor Tipton advised council that the purchase of clay for the new ball field at Taylor Park will be dispersed from the funds designated for the ball field from the 2003-2008 SPLOST on hand.

The Mayor informed council that with developers looking to come into the City of Bloomingdale there needed to be an amendment to the city’s Beer and Wine Ordinance. The amendment would give regulations on the sale of beer and wine only and would not allow package or pouring. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the first reading of the amendment to the beer and wine ordinance. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Mayor Tipton advised council EMC Engineering had provided cost related to alternatives for providing water/sewer service to the proposed development at U.S. Highway 80 and Stagecoach Road. Council expressed concerns if we use the city’s ground water to supply developers it would leave less for the established lots already located in the core of the city. Council discussed the option of running down Jimmy Deloach Parkway to Hunt Club to show the state that the city is trying to get off ground water therefore could help preserve the 100,000 gallons on loan to allow future growth.

The Mayor presented a recommendation from the Planning Commission to rezone the Meyers property located at U.S. Highway 80 and Stagecoach Road from residential RA-1 to commercial P-C-2. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the rezoning request with the following stipulations: 1) Execution of water/sewer agreement, 2) Acquisition of all easements, 3) Funds being provided to the city for costs of infrastructure, and 4) Approval by the city of the site plan. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it received affirmative votes from Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin and Myrick. Councilman Rawlings opposed.

Council scheduled a budget workshop to be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 6:30pm at City Hall.

Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn to executive session for the discussion of real estate. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Crosby made a motion to return to the general session and to execute the signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Councilman Myrick made a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 8:20pm. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Respectfully submitted, Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk

Mayor Tipton and all councilmembers were present for 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.