Official Minutes of Council Meeting – December 1, 2011

Approved by Council January 5, 2012

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Crosby giving the invocation. Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin, Kerby, Myrick, Rawlings, City Administrator Akridge and City Attorney Dickey were present.  Mayor Tipton recognized Councilman Baxter and wife Linda as they celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary today.  

 

Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the November 17, 2011 council meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda for the December 1, 2011 meeting with the addition of item #7, pay request from Southern Champion for work on Phase II of the drainage project.  Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Administrative & Committee reports:

 

City Administrator Akridge gave the following report:

1.      SPLOST submittal was received in the amount of $46,544

2.      Marchese Construction has submitted the letter of credit and surety bonds completing the Fire Station project 

3.      GMA Fall meeting is Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Civic Center at 12:30pm

4.      CMA hosted by Garden City will also be held on December 7, 2011 at Carey Hilliard’s at 6:30pm

5.      A Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at noon with line-up being held behind the Elementary School

6.      Following the parade will be the annual Children’s Christmas Party at the Fire Station from 2:00-5:00pm

7.      A thank you was extended to Joey Jones, owner of Aerotech Machining, Inc. for his donation of $100 toward the Children’s Christmas party

Councilman Rawlings reported on the following:

1.      The bio-filter that was recently purchased for the lift station is working great

2.      Thanked everyone for the help in making the 1st Annual Christmas Tree lighting a huge success 

Councilman Crosby reported on the following:

1.      Planning Commission will be meeting on December 13, 2011 at 7:00pm for review of a drainage plan

 

OLD BUSINESS:  None

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1.      Audit Report presented by Chris Lightle of Karp, Ronning and Tindol.  Mr. Lightle reported that the City was doing well and pointed out several pages that reflected improvements over the audit from last year.  He emphasized the most important statement in the audit which was located on page #1, paragraph #3 which stated “the audit ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”   

2.      Consider a request by Mr. Harold Yellin, Attorney for Cortland Partners, to de-annex 4.2 acres on Pine Barren Road.   Councilman Baxter made a motion to de-annex the 4.2 acre tract on Pine Barren Road, to adopt the ordinance, to approve the first reading, to execute the agreement and to dispense with the second reading.  Councilman Baxter noted:  Cortland Partners is donating $112,500 as compensation to the City for lost revenues due to the de-annexation of this property. Citizen Billy Strozier asked council if there were any plans for the distribution of the funds and stated that the word on the street was that plans have been made for the funds.  Councilman Baxter gave a report of the discussions with Cortland Partners noting that an amount of $100,000 was originally proposed, which they accepted, further discussion was held and a request for an additional $25,000 was proposed which would be designated to the Veteran’s Monument and the History Museum but Cortland Partners returned with an additional amount of $12,500 instead of the $25,000 requested.  Councilwoman Griffin stated that it would be premature to discuss distribution of the funds without council discussion.  Councilwoman Griffin further stated that it is not in her favor to de-annex any property but knows the owner of this property has been held up since the City can not supply water and feels this is the only fair way for the owner to move forward with his plans for his  property.   

Councilman Baxter amended his motion to add, that $12,500 of the $112,500 compensated funds be set aside for the Veteran’s Monument and $12,500 be designated for the History Museum and the attorney would work up an agreement detailing this information.  Councilman Crosby seconded the amendment with affirmative votes from Councilman Baxter, Crosby, Kerby, Myrick and Rawlings.  Councilwoman Griffin opposed the motion.

3.      Consider a proposal to increase the Base Fee for Home Occupation Licenses from $125 to $250 effective January 1, 2012.  Councilman Crosby made a motion to increase the base fee for home occupation license from $125 to $250 effective January 1, 2012.  Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

4.      Consider approval of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Georgia Municipal Employee Benefits System (GMEBS) Trust Agreement, Ordinance and Participation Agreement and execute the Employer Declaration Pages.  Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the agreements and execute the Employer Declaration pages. Councilman Myrick stated that there will be a meeting with all employees, council and GMA regarding the rate increase for insurance. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. 

5.      Consider a request from Stephanie Barnes for a “conditional use” in R-1 Zoning District for livestock to own a pot belly pig at 107 Oak Street.  Councilman Kerby made a motion to approve the conditional use in R-1 zoning district for livestock.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Baxter stated this is a “conditional use” and wish to make the owner aware that should there become a nuisance; it would have to be addressed.

6.      Consider the cancellation of the December 15, 2011 City Council meeting.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to cancel the December 15, 2011 meeting and also close City Hall at noon on December 23, 2011.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

7.      Consider the payment of pay request from Southern Champion for work on Phase II of the drainage project.  Councilman Kerby made a motion, due to there not being a council meeting on December 15, 2011, to pay the invoice from Southern Champion upon approval from Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung.  Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, November 23, 2011.

 

The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 7:25pm.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six 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.