Official Minutes of the December 2, 2010 Council meeting
approved January 6, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Brad Proudfoot leading in prayer. The draft copy of the minutes of the November 18, 2010 was reviewed with Councilman Myrick making a motion for approval. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the agenda of the December 2, 2010 meeting, Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The Mayor reported that Councilwoman Griffin was not able to make tonight’s meeting as she was recovering from foot surgery.
Mayor Tipton stated that he had been given the honor of recognizing employees of the City of Bloomingdale by presenting them with service pins. The pins the Mayor presented were for years of service in five year increments and ranged from five to twenty-five years of service. There were eighteen employees recognized and those employees, with their actual years of service, were as follows: Five years: Alan Elliott (6), Michael S. Foune (7), Thomas Richard Gossett (7), Neal Malphus (6), Julian Mobley (7); Ten years: Robert Lyle Chapman (10), Jerald Maddox (14), Diane Proudfoot (10), James Sikes (14), Dexter Shearouse (10), Randy Walker (14), Janice Williams (14), John Winters (13), Joe Young (10); Fifteen years: Roy Pike (18), Judge Tom Edenfield (19); Twenty years: Ernest Grizzard (21); and Twenty-five years: Sandra Jones (29). The Mayor, along with other elected officials, congratulated them for their many years of service and expressed their appreciation to all of the employees for taking care of the day to day operations of the City of Bloomingdale.
Under administrative and committee reports, Councilman Kerby thanked the public works employees for putting up the Christmas lights and stated that it was his understanding that new bulbs had been ordered and should be in tomorrow to replace the ones that were not burning. Councilman Crosby stated that there would not be a Planning Commission meeting held on December 14th, but there would be a get together for the members at his home on December 10th. Councilman Crosby also noted that a Christmas party for the volunteers serving on the Planning Commission, the Bloomingdale Fire Department, and the Bloomingdale Recreation Executive Board was scheduled for December 14th at Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant on Hwy 80 in Garden City. Mayor Tipton asked Councilman Crosby to give an update on the status of the museum project. Councilman Crosby stated that members of the Garden Club and History Society had contacted Home Depot about sponsoring the repairs to the structure on Highway 80 to be used for the museum and were advised that funding for the project would be considered after the first of the year. Councilman Baxter commented that the fire building was still moving along. Mayor Tipton reported that Jackie Lowman, a former City official and Planning Commission member had passed away this week and the City’s condolences went out to her family. Mayor Tipton reported that the Personnel Committee had decided on the final three applicants for the City Administrator’s position and interviews will be scheduled for the entire council to meet and interview the applicants. The Mayor presented the following names to council: Charles D. Akridge, Moultrie, Ga.; Alice C. Derian, Hilton Head, S.C.; and Tre Wilkins, Guyton, Ga.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Mayor stated that council needed to decide whether to hold the second meeting in December. After a brief discussion, Councilman Baxter made a motion to cancel the December 16, 2010 council meeting. Councilman Johnny Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Council was advised that Brad Lariscy had requested that he be allowed to install a driveway at his property located at #12 Ray Street. Mr. Lariscy stated that he worked for a contractor and is able to get the materials and labor at a reduced price. After discussing the request, Councilman Kerby made a motion to allow Mr. Lariscy to install the driveway provided it met City specifications and was inspected by the Public Works Department. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton presented a request submitted by Dwain and Reggie Edwards to obtain an occupational license to operate a used car sales business from property owned by Forrest Floyd at #1716 E. Highway 80. Council was advised that the property was zoned C-2 and an auto/truck sales business is a “conditional use” in this zone, but requires council approval before a license can be issued. It was also noted that before they can obtain their Georgia State License to sell used motor vehicles, they must obtain an executed zoning certification form from the City that indicates the property is zoned to operate the auto/truck sales business and a permanent sign can be placed on the property advertising the business. Councilman Myrick stated that the owner of the property, Forrest Floyd, could not attend tonight’s meeting, but wanted to assure council that if the business was allowed, he would make sure that there were no unsightly vehicles parked on the property and that he had advised the prospective tenant that he did not want more than six to eight vehicles on the property at one time. Reggie Edwards informed council that he was actually a broker and would not have but a few vehicles for sale at one time from this sight and his customers would be by appointment so he did not expect very much traffic. Councilman Crosby made a motion to authorize the execution of the zoning certification as requested for an auto/truck sales business to be located at #1716 E. Highway 80 with a limit of ten (10) vehicles to be displayed for sale at a time and once they have obtained their State of Georgia license and provided a copy to the City, a “conditional use” permit and an occupational license can be issued for the business. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The council was advised that the Department of Transportation had submitted a proposed list of roadways with applicable speed limits within the City of Bloomingdale for council’s approval. It was noted that council will need to authorize the Mayor to execute the list of roadways with noted speeds to be approved for the use of speed detection devices. Council was informed that Chief Gossett had reviewed the information and he had stated that it was correct. Councilman Baxter made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the list of roadways as presented by the DOT. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Councilman Crosby reported that the State of Georgia was requiring that cities adopt an ordinance to revise the standards for outdoor watering of landscape to include watering only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Councilman Crosby pointed out that since the state is mandating that the ordinance be in effect by January 1, 2011, we will need to adopt it tonight. After a brief discussion, Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the first reading of the amendment to the City’s code of ordinances to revise the standards for outdoor watering of landscape with an effective date of January 1, 2011, to dispense with the second reading, and to adopt the ordinance. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton expressed his appreciation to the City Council members and employees for their dedication and hard work this past year. He also thanked the citizens who attend the council meetings for their interest in their City and wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
The accounts payable were reviewed. Councilman Myrick made a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 7:30pm. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Respectfully submitted, Sandra Jones, City Clerk
Mayor Tipton and Council members Baxter, Crosby, Kerby, Myrick, and Rawlings were present at the meeting. Councilwoman Griffin was out due to foot surgery.
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.