Official Minutes of Council Meeting – July 21, 2011
Approved by City Council August 18, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Baxter leading in prayer. Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Myrick, Rawlings, City Administrator Charles Akridge and City Attorney Raymond Dickey were present. Councilmembers Griffin and Kerby were on vacation.
Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the June 16, 2011 council meeting minutes, Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the agenda of the July 21, 2011 meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
Administrative & Committee reports:
Mayor Tipton reported that construction has begun on the new high school on Little Neck Road and with this being a community based school it will be great for the Bloomingdale children; he also reported that a depreciation account has been set up by City Administrator Akridge.
Chief Tyler reported that the bay floor in the fire station has been re-done, there were a few minor issues on the outside punch list, the inside punch list has been review with the contractor and a walk through is scheduled for Monday at 10:00am with the contractor, Engineer, Public Safety Committee, City Administrator and staff.
City Administrator Akridge reported on the following:
1. Year End June 30 closed with General Fund revenues at 86.21%; Water/Sewer revenues at 90%; General Fund expenditures were 94.4% with an unencumbered fund balance of $150,017.02; Water & Sewer expenditures were at 92.66% with an unencumbered fund balance of $44,283.79
2. The water tank was inspected in June and is in good working order
3. A new Bloomingdale business “Bluegrass BBQ” was recognized on the front page of the Savannah News Paper
Councilman Crosby reported on the following:
1. City Administrator Akridge, a Kern-Coleman representative and himself will be attending a mandatory T-Project Management workshop in St. Simons on July 28, 2011 in conjunction with the approved $700,000 grant for the Rails-to-Trails park
2. The Museum renovation application with Home Depot has been accepted for approximately $5,000; the drywall has been completed
3. Bingo has been averaging about 100 in attendance and has proven to be a very successful fundraiser
Councilman Myrick reported on the following:
1. The Veterans’ Memorial Committee met with the Engineer and will be producing another drawing with more details of the monument which is expected to be available for review by the next council meeting
2. Thanked everyone for their participation, attendance and ideas related to the Phase II drainage project.
OLD BUSINESS: None to report
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Approve/Disapprove 1st reading of an amendment to the Solid Waste Ordinance increasing sanitation penalties from 10 to 15% and dispense with the second reading. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the 1st reading and dispense with the second reading of an amendment to the Solid Waste Ordinance increasing sanitation penalties from 10 t o 15%. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
3. Approve/Disapprove second reading of an amendment to the Utility Ordinances increasing water and sewer penalties from 10 to 15%. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the second reading of an amendment to the Utility Ordinance increasing the water and sewer penalty from 10 to 15%. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
4. Approve/Disapprove request from the Special Events Committee for the allocation of funds not to exceed $850 to sponsor a “Citywide Employee Family Appreciation Bingo Night.” Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the allocation of $850 from the Community Promotion Fund to sponsor a Citywide Employee/Volunteer Family Appreciation Bingo Night on August 27, 2011 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
5. Approve/Disapprove request by Ms. Denise Dixon for the “office only” for a home occupation license at #1205 E. Hwy 80 for a fence company. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the issuance of a home occupation license for the “office only” of a fence company at her residence at #1205 E. Hwy 80. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
6. Approve/Disapprove request by Mr. Gene Allen for the “office only” for a home occupation license at #7 Oak Street for a mobile small engine repair service. Mr. Allen was detained out of town and did not make the meeting. This item will be placed on the next council agenda.
7. Approve/Disapprove Resolution of alcoholic beverages by the drink to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve a resolution for alcoholic beverages by the drink to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
8. Approve/Disapprove Resolution for Sunday sales of alcohol by the drink to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve a resolution for Sunday sales of alcohol by the drink to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
9. Approve/Disapprove Resolution for Sunday package sales of Beer/Wine to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve a resolution for Sunday package sales of Beer/Wine to be placed on the November 8 Special Election Referendum pursuant to Georgia State Law. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
10. Approve/Disapprove authorization to begin the Bid Process for Phase II Drainage Improvements. Councilman Myrick made a motion to authorize City Administrator Akridge to begin the bid process for Phase II of the Drainage Improvements once the easements are executed. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
11. Approve/Disapprove request by Mr. Thomas Greene for a permit for a 30 x 50 storage shed on his property located at #1336 W. Hwy 80. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the issuance of the permit to Mr. Greene for the 30 x 50 storage shed on his property at #1336 W. Hwy 80. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
12. Executive Session for personnel issues - Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn into executive session. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
13. Reconvene into regular session and execute affidavit – Councilman Baxter made a motion to reconvene into regular session and execute the Affidavit as required by the Georgia Open Meetings Act. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items present for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
There being no further business, Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn at 7:30pm. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk
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.