Official Minutes of Council Meeting – January 5, 2012
Approved by Council January 19, 2012
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick giving the invocation. Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin, Kerby, Myrick, Rawlings, City Administrator Akridge and City Attorney Dickey were present.
Mayor Tipton opened the Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed Alcohol Ordinance. Ragesh Patel, representing Niti Convenience store, questioned the fees that will be charged. City Administrator Akridge reported that they were charged an Occupational Tax Certificate fee of $70 which covered two (2) employees, an administration fee of $75 and a regulatory fee for beer & wine of $250, since there was no alcohol ordinance in place. Mr. Akridge stated once the adoption of the alcohol ordinance takes place the fee will be $1,000 which is set at council's discretion but he can petition council that they be lowered. Mr. Akridge further stated that the ordinance will not be adopted for another two weeks, so there was time to discuss this matter. With that said, Mr. Patel requested to meet on Friday and Mr. Akridge set a meeting with him for 2:00pm. Bonnie with Roma Pizza stated they are interested in serving beer and wine at their restaurant. With no additional discussion, Mayor Tipton closed the Public Hearing.
Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the December 1, 2011 council meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the agenda for January 5, 2012. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Administrative & Committee reports:
City Administrator Akridge gave the following report:
1. An annexation petition was received from Carlos Bland on John Carter Road for approximately 20 acres that the City Attorney will forward to the Department of Justice.
2. The City Attorney Dickey explained the annexation steps will be to forward a notice to accounting, a petition will be brought to council for adopting an ordinance annexing the property, will establish the zoning and then a petition will be sent to the Department of Justice confirming we should be allowed to annex.
3. Requested that Chief Tyler give a report on a Georgia Ports safety grant. Chief Tyler explained the grant is a federal communications grant for pagers for fire protection to the Ports Authority from 2008. The disbursements went mainly to the cities of Garden City and Savannah since they abutted the ports but about $100,000 of the grant funds were left over and this is what is being offered to all the fire departments in the county. Chief Tyler stated that he had budgeted funds for pagers this year but is requesting the consensus of council to apply for this grant. Council was in agreement to apply.
4. SPLOST was received in the amount of $42,360.47 which went straight to the 03-08 SPLOST fund for the fire department. Mayor Tipton questioned the amount owed on the fire building; which Mr. Akridge reported was, as of today, approximately $352,000. The Mayor questioned what the total cost of the fire building was which Mr. Akridge advised was approximately $878,000. The Mayor requested that a list of all the new SPLOST funds received as of this date be distributed next week.
5. Friends of Jack Kingston will host a family BBQ on Saturday, January 14th from 11:00am-2:00pm
6. Introduced Christian Rumptz, new customer service clerk in City Hall.
Councilwoman Griffin reported on the following:
1. The recreation sign-ups are under way for T-ball, baseball & softball, ages 4-14, on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm and on the first and third Saturdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Taylor Park. Signups can also be made at City Hall during regular business hours.
Councilman Kerby reported on the following:
1. The drainage project is underway which started at Maple Street and will now be moving to Moore. If any citizens have any complaints please contact Mr. Akridge or leave a message on Councilman Kerby's cell phone. Citizen Bobby Thompson expressed concern regarding the tie-in to the ditch that runs by his house which he feels will drain more water on his property. Mr. Kerby stated he would meet with him on Friday.
Councilman Crosby reported on the following:
1. Bingo resumes Friday night at 7:00pm. Last year was a very successful year with the Bingo. A
lot of work has gone into the Museum as a result of this fund raiser all the wood has been sanded down to the natural finish, the original windows have been refurbished and salvaged, Mary Mitchell
has done a great job on the mural and the painting should be complete by this weekend.
2. Planning Commission will be reviewing the zoning ordinances at their upcoming meetings.
Mayor Tipton reported on the following:
1. The City had a good holiday season with Christmas and New Year Holiday's being safe and smooth
for Chief Gossett and the public safety department.
3. Chief Tyler, the fire department and members of council participated in the parade this year.
4. The Fire Department Children’s Christmas party activities was well attended.
5. Councilman Crosby and the History Society had great decorations at the Museum.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Consider a variance request by Marcus Grant at 17 Douglas Court for a 5' side yard setback
and a 6' rear yard setback to construct a garage. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the 5' side yard setback and 6' rear yard setback and also stated that the Planning Commission had reviewed a drainage plan submitted by Mr. Grant. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
2. Consider a request from Marcus Grant at 17 Douglas Court for a building permit to construct
a garage exceeding 500 square feet. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the issuance of
a permit to Mr. Grant for a garage which exceeds 500 square feet but will not exceed 675 square feet
at 17 Douglas Court. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative
votes.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Consider the first reading of the proposed Alcohol Ordinance. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the first reading of the proposed alcohol ordinance. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion. Citizen Patrice Russell questioned what the ordinance was exactly, City Administrator Akridge stated this is a regulatory ordinance that pertains to distances and fee structures and offered Ms. Russell a copy which she stated she would like a copy. With no other discussion the first reading passed with six affirmative votes.
2. Consider appointments/reappointments to the Ethics Committee. The Mayor stated that current committee members; Roland Waller and Martin Collins have expressed their desire to continue serving but member William McCarty has withdrawn from the serving. Councilman Crosby made a motion to appoint Pat Stanfield to the vacant seat and to reappoint Mr. Waller and Mr. Collins. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion. After discussion and a little confusion as to the proper appointment of the members, Councilman Crosby withdrew his motion, Councilman Baxter withdrew his second. Councilman Baxter made a motion to table action on this matter and to extend the terms of the three members presently serving until the next council meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
3. Consider the designation of the floating holiday for 2012. Councilman Myrick made a motion to set the floating holiday as December 24, 2012. Councilman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
4. Consider setting the reimbursement of business travel reimbursement. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the reimbursement for use of personal vehicle on city business at 55.5 cents per mile as set by the IRS. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
5. Consider bid award for a motor grader for public works and designate the expenditure of the funds. Councilman Kerby made a motion to: a) approve the purchase of the motor grader from the low bidder, Brown Equipment, at a cost of $32,000 plus approximately $700 for delivery, b) the expenditure to come from funds on hand c) authorize the Mayor to execute the wire transfer. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton thanked Councilman Kerby and Public Works Superintendent Grizzard for their diligence in searching for a great price which saved the city a lot of money.
6. Consider purchase of a 5 ton heat pump for City Hall. Councilman Myrick made a motion to purchase the replacement heat pump for City Hall from the low bidder, Burnsed Energy, with the cost being expended from the emergency fund. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
7. Consider a request to appointment of seats #5, #6, and #7 of the Planning Commission. Councilman Crosby made the motion to approve the re-appointment of Seat #5 to Betty Burke, Seat #6 to Jarod Waller and Seat #7 to Midge Winn to serve an additional two year term. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
8. Consider compensation of Mayor and Council. Councilman Myrick made a motion to continue the compensation for Mayor at $250 and for Council at $150. 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, December 28, 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 8:00pm. 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.