Official Minutes of Council Meeting – June 16, 2011
Approved by City Council July 21, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick leading in prayer. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the draft copy of the May 19, 2011 minutes, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda of the June 16, 2011 meeting. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Administrative & Committee reports:
City Administrator Akridge reported on the following items:
1) The Financial report as of June 15th with 94.65% being the standard; the General Fund expenditures are at 89.68% with revenues at 81.09% and the Water/Sewer expenditures are at 81.09% with the revenues at 81.63%.
2) The responses from citizens regarding the option of on-line bill payments/electronic billing as of today we have received a total of 206 responses with 120 of those in favor of the e-payment and 113 in favor of the e-billing and 89 did not want to participate in the e-payments and 93 did not want to participate in the e-billing.
3) The City received documentation from DOT advising that an upgrade to the traffic signal at Jimmy Deloach & Hwy 80 will be taking place in the near future
4) Certification from Mark Mobley with EMC Engineering was received certifying that all the work has been completed on the Stagecoach Road paving project
5) The LMIG-“Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant” (formerly the LARP fund) list for resurfacing will be submitted by July 1, 2011 and will include: the 400 to 500 block of Oak Street, the 700 block of Boulevard, Cregor Street from W. Haven to Cypress Street, Church Street from Moore to Main Street and Pine Street from Hwy 80 to Cregor Street
6) A Regional Economic Outlook Update luncheon will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 11:30 at the Holiday Inn in Pooler with Dr. Michael Toma, Director of the Center for Regional Analysis and Economic Professor at Armstrong Atlantic who will be speaking on the subject of “Regional Impact for West Chatham”
Planning & Licensing – Jerry Crosby
Councilman Crosby reported, as a matter of information, that the Transportation and Enhancement Funding Committee selected Bloomingdale to receive a grant in the amount of $718,571 for the Bloomingdale Heritage Park along the old railroad bed from Cherry Street toward Ash Street.
Recreation – Barbara Griffin
Councilwoman Griffin reported that on Monday, June 13, 2011 the church softball league began their season with 8 teams participating and have put the new ball field to good use although it does not have lights, she reported that City Administrator Akridge has applied for a lighting grant for the park and we are hoping the City will be hearing from this in the near future.
Seniors & Special Events – Andrew Rawlings
Councilman Rawlings reported that on Friday morning citizens may experience some fluctuation in the water pressure between 9:00am and 12:00noon due to the cleaning of the water tank. The BINGO night has proven to be very successful with approximately $1600 raised toward the History Museum. Councilman Rawlings thanked several workers, with a special thank you to Mr. John Carter of JCB for serving as the “caller” for Bingo night and thanked everyone for making this a successful event. The next night will be June 24, 2011 at 7:00pm. Councilman Crosby reported that a grant has been applied for through Home Depot for approximately ten to thirty thousand dollars. Councilman Crosby reported that approximately $3000 has been raised for the History Museum through the fund raisers that have taken place thus far.
Mayor Tipton requested an update from Mrs. Winn on the Veteran’s Memorial which she advised she was under the impression that the city would move forward with the cost estimate process after the site location was voted on. After a brief discussion, it was determined that the city would move forward and obtain a cost estimate for the design which can be covered through the donated funds on hand.
Mayor Tipton made an apology that the flag was not lowered to half-staff on Memorial Day and stated this be a practice in the future.
OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business on the agenda
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approve/Disapprove the purchase of the bio-filter for the Main Street lift station at a cost of $13,650: Councilman Rawlings made a motion to purchase the Main Street life station bio-filter, which has been on lease, at a cost of $13,650 and pay $1800 for two months rental to Siemens Industry. Councilman Rawlings stated that the lift station is running at approximately 50% capacity which allows room for growth. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
2. Approve/Disapprove an adjustment to the water/sewer fee charged for reconnection of services to $50 for water & sewer customers and $50 for sewer only customers. Councilman Baxter made a motion to adjust the reconnection charge as stated. Councilmen Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
3. Approve/Disapprove an increase to the deposit for the water/sewer/sanitation services from $160 to $200. Councilman Rawlings made a motion to approve the increase to the water/sewer/sanitation deposit to $200. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
4. Approve/Disapprove 1st reading of an amendment to the Utilities Ordinance to increase water & sewer penalty from 10% to 15%. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the first reading of the amendment to the utility ordinance to increase the water & sewer penalty from 10% to 15%. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
5. Approve/Disapprove increasing the rental rate of the Community Building to $150 for residents and $200 for non-residents. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve a rate increase for the Community Building rental to $150 for residents and $200 for non-residents. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
6. Approve/Disapprove increasing the hourly rate of the Community Building to $40/hour for residents and $50/hour for non-residents. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve a rate increase for the hourly rental of the Community Building to $40/hour for residents and $50/hour for non-residents. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
7. Approve/Disapprove entering into a Franchise Fee Agreement with Canoochee Electric Membership Corporation for 71 housing units in the City of Bloomingdale. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the franchise fee agreement with Canoochee EMC. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
8. Approve/Disapprove a request submitted by Buck Walker for a well permit for his property at #81 Godley Road. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the issuance of a well permit to Buck Walker for his property at #81 Godley Rd. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
9. Approve/Disapprove an amendment to the fee schedule to assess a fee of $250 for a “Variance” petition request as recommended by the Planning and Licensing Committee. Councilman Crosby made a motion to amend the fee schedule to assess a fee $250 for “Variance” petition request. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
10. Approve/Disapprove an amendment to the fee schedule to increase the fee for “Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance” request to $250. Councilman Crosby made a motion to amend the fee schedule to increase the fee for “Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance” request to $250. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
11. Approve/Disapprove an amendment to the fee schedule to increase the fee for an appeal to the “Board of Zoning Appeals” to $250. Councilman Crosby made a motion to increase the fee for appeals to the “Board of Appeals” to $250. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
12. Approve/Disapprove appointment of Recreation Executive Board members as: 1) Debbie Shearouse, Chairperson; Debra Brune, Co-Chairperson; and Jonathan Wade, Secretary. Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the appointments as listed above. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
13. Approve/Disapprove amendments to the By-Laws for the Recreation Executive Board as submitted by the Recreation Executive Board as part of their annual review. Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the amendments to the Recreation Executive Board By-Laws as submitted. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
14. Approve/Disapprove appointment of City Administrator, Charles Akridge and Assistant City Clerk, Diane Proudfoot as Trustees to the City of Bloomingdale Defined Benefit and Trust Retirement Plan. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the appointment of City Administrator, Charles Akridge and Assistant City Clerk, Diane Proudfoot as Trustees to the City of Bloomingdale Defined Benefit and Trust Retirement Plan. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
15. Approve/Disapprove the issuance of a temporary certificate of zoning to David Frizzell for an open lot sale of fruits and vegetables at #704 W. Hwy 80. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the issuance of a temporary certificate of zoning for forty-five (45) days to David Frizzell for the operation of an open lot sale of fruits and vegetables at #704 W. Hwy 80. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
16. Approve/Disapprove a pay request submitted by Kern-Coleman for Ground Works Contracting, LLC in the amount of $11,959.20 for work performed at the Fire Station. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the pay request in the amount of $11,959.20 to Ground Works Contracting, LLC for work at the fire station. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
17. Approve/Disapprove a pay request submitted by Kern-Coleman for Marchese Construction, LLC in the amount of $22,285.63 for work performed at the Fire Station. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the pay request in the amount of $22,285.63 to Marchese Construction, LLC for work at the fire station. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
18. Approve/Disapprove the resolution for the adoption of the budget for FY 2011-2012. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the resolution for the adoption of the budget for FY 2011-2012. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton presented City Clerk Sandra Jones with a plaque to honor her upcoming retirement on June 30, 2011 after thirty valuable years of service to the City of Bloomingdale. Mayor Tipton expressed his appreciation to Sandra for the service and valuable knowledge she has provided him during his seven years with the City. The Mayor opened the floor for anyone wishing to make any comments. Former Mayor & City Councilmember Billy Strozier and Councilman Myrick took a moment to express their appreciation and gratitude to Sandra for a job well done, serving four Mayors and many Councilmembers, during her thirty years of employment. City Administrator Akridge also expressed his appreciation to Sandra for her support and assistance to him since his employment with the City and announced that there would be a reception in the council chambers at the end of the meeting and invited everyone to participate.
Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, June 8, 2011.
The accounts payable were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 8:45pm. 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.