01-19-12 council meeting

Official Minutes of Council Meeting – January 19, 2012

Approved by Council February 2, 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.

Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the January 5, 2012 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 19, 2012. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Administrative & Committee reports:

City Administrator Akridge gave the following report:

1. Mid-year financial report – with 50% being the standard; the GF revenues are at 43.12%, the expenditures are at 50.57% - the W/S revenues are at 46.37%, the expenditures are at 30%.

2. Approximately seventy (70) certified letters were sent out to customers with delinquent debts of approximately $30, 500 for garbage and fire protection service.

3. We will be working with Republic Waste to implement a “Keep Bloomingdale Beautiful” program through the “Keep Georgia Beautiful/Keep America Beautiful” program.

Councilman Rawlings reported on the following:

1. The Bloomingdale History Society will hold their sixth annual meeting on Friday, February 10, 2012 at the Community Center at 7:00pm. There will be a chili cook-off with cash prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. A tasting fee of $2.00 will be collected with voting between 7:00 & 7:30pm. Two outstanding citizens will be recognized at the meeting as well. To register your chili or for more information contact Barbara Rawlings at 748-4680 or Myra Crosby at 748-0186. Councilman Crosby added that the history museum is at the final stages of painting and about twenty-one citizens stopped by the museum on Wednesday and were very impressed with the progress.

Councilman Crosby reported on the following:

1. The Planning Licensing Committee held a meeting on January 17, 2012 to discuss three items:

1. Reviewed consultants for the TE/Rails to Trails project and reviewed the SOQ's (Statement of Qualifications) from Keck & Woods, Inc., Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung and Kern-Coleman & Co. Engineering firms

2. Reviewed the Alcohol Ordinance with these changes: the off-premises and on-premises consumption time will be 6:00pm to 12:00midnight, Sunday times will be 12:30pm to 10:00pm and outside consumption will only be issued to a licensed eating establishment/restaurant which occupies a standalone lot or building

3. Discussed the matter of abandoned vehicles and will advise the Code Enforcement Officer to enforce the Abandon Vehicle ordinance

Mayor Tipton stated that he felt Republic Waste has made some improvements in their service and he was please to hear they are working on the Keep Bloomingdale Beautiful program.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Consider the second and final reading of the alcohol ordinance. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the second and final reading of the alcohol ordinance with the changes as stated in the administrative reports. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion. Ragesh Patel asked about the fees and City Administrator Akridge stated the Monday thru Saturday sales fee will be $1,000, the Sunday sales will be $500 and the application fee will be $100 which will be in addition to the Occupational Tax Certificate. The motion passed with six affirmative votes.

2. Consider appointments to the Ethics Committee. Councilman Baxter made a motion to remove

Item #2 from the table. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative

votes. Councilman Baxter made a motion to appoint Roland Waller as the council’s choice to serve

on the Ethics Committee. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton stated that his choice to service is Martin Collins. The two appointed members will decide on a third member and will bring their recommendation to council for approval.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discuss proposed revisions to the Personnel Policy and Pay Scale. Mayor Tipton stated that the Personnel Committee and City Administrator Akridge have been working on the personnel policy and pay scale which was included in the council meeting packets tonight for review and feedback.

2. Consider pay request #2 from Southern Champion for work on Phase II of the drainage project. Councilman Kerby made a motion to approve the pay request in the amount of $82,816.96, as approved by Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, from Southern Champion for work on Phase II drainage project.

3. Discuss field lighting at Taylor Park. Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to authorize the bid process for lighting of the newest ball field at Taylor Park and to allocate $12,500, as a down payment for the lighting, from the de-annexation funds. City Administrator Akridge stated the bid specs would have two options; 1) a lease purchase option and 2) a purchase out-right option and to help move the process along he will set a tight time frame on the bid date. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

4. Consider the selection of a Consultant for the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Rails to

Trails project. Councilman Crosby made a motion to select Kern-Coleman & Co. as the

Consultant for the Rails to Trails project. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Citizen Buddy Burke spoke to council regarding the amount he has been paying for flood insurance but he feels he is not in the flood zone. Mr. Burke was advised that once the drainage project is complete a request for a map amendment will be submitted to FEMA for the Bloomingdale area. City Administrator Akridge stated that he has made several contacts this week regarding Mr. Burkes matter but has gotten conflicting information.

5. Consider Mr. Johnny Barnes as an appointment to the Recreation Executive Board.

Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the appointment of Johnny Barnes to the

Recreation Executive Board, pending a background check. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion

and it passed with six affirmative votes.

6. Consider a request from David Morvatz for a well permit for his property located at #380

Adams Rd. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the well permit for #380 Adams Road

as there is no city water service in that area. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed

with six affirmative votes. Mayor Tipton welcomed Mr. & Mrs. Morvatz to the city.

7. Consider declaration of surplus property list. Councilman Myrick made a motion to table action

on this matter for further review by council. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

8. Discussion of grant opportunities for the Recreation Department. City Administrator Akridge

reported the City received information from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources regarding

a Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Cycle that helps state & local governments acquire

recreation lands to develop and rehabilitate outdoor recreation facilities. Councilwoman Griffin

made a motion to authorize City Administrator Akridge to apply for the grant in the amount of

$50,000. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn into executive session. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Crosby made a motion to return to regular session and approve the execution of the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Baxter reported that upon hiring the City Administrator there would be an evaluation at the sixth month and at the twelfth month. At the twelfth month evaluation a salary change would be considered, Mr. Akridge has done a fine job and keeps a good eye on the finances of the city and worked with the department heads to achieve a balanced budget.

Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

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 7:50pm. 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.