Official Minutes of the May 2, 2013 Council Meeting
Approved by City Council at the May 16, 2013 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick giving the invocation. Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin, Kerby, Myrick were present. Also present were Attorney Dickey, City Administrator Akridge, Police Sergeant Elliott, Public Works Superintendent Grizzard, Planning Commission Chair Dexter Shearouse and Asst. City Clerk Diane Proudfoot.
Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the April 18, 2013 meeting. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda of the May 2, 2013 meeting. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
The Public Hearing was opened by Mayor Tipton.
The only citizen input was from Mr. Gaddy Turner who questioned the placement of a berm and was advised the berm would be placed abutting the rear of the residential lots and would be a 10’ high vegetation/erosion control berm.
There being no further comments Mayor Tipton closed the Public Hearing.
Administrative and Committee reports:
Mayor Tipton stated that a luncheon and time of prayer was hosted today by the local churches in observance of the National Day of Prayer.
Councilman Baxter invited everyone the Trade Center on Monday, May 6th at 11:30am for the official announcement by Senator Buddy Carter of his intent to run for Congress. Also, Jack Kingston will be running for the seat held by Saxby Chambliss.
Councilman Crosby reported:
1. The Pump Car should be installed next week
2. The pouring of the “trail” of the Phase II Rails to Trails project has begun which will run from Chestnut Street going east for 4,000 linear feet – there has already been a lot of activity on the poured sections from citizens
3. There has been a lot of good comments from citizens regarding all the improvements taking place in the city with Recreation, the Museum and the Veterans Monument
Councilwoman Griffin reported:
1. Taylor Park is looking great with the awnings over all the bleachers
2. A 20 x 30 picnic pavilion has been installed
3. Baseball & Softball season is in full force
4. A Co/Ed church league is also in progress
5. Volunteers are always welcome and encouraged to participate
6. Five new trees were planted at the playground at the Poplar Street park and the “blue” mulch has been a great addition
7. A citizen approached her today at the Day of Prayer luncheon and complimented the maintenance department on the fine job they are doing
Councilman Kerby reported:
1. Thanked Ernie and the maintenance department for the cleaning of the roadways.
Councilman Myrick reported:
1. The granite for the Veterans Monument has been installed
2. Thanked City Administrator Akridge, Ernie Grizzard and the maintenance crew for all their work on the Veterans Monument project.
3. The dedication for the Monument is projected to be held on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013
4. Thanked Chief Pike for the handling of the vandalized sign and street on Conaway which resulted in the parents making restitution and also taking the kids to the site to scrub and clean the sign and the street as punishment.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Consideration of a rezoning request submitted by Herring Developers, LLC & Mr. Robert W. Lee to rezone 68.57 acres located at Jimmy DeLoach & Towles Road from RA-1 to I-2 (Intensive Industry). After discussion of this matter Councilman Baxter made a motion to table action to acquire additional information. NOTE: The public hearing has been conducted on this matter and would not need to be repeated. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
2. Consideration of the purchase of computer upgrades for the Police Department in the amount of $6,890.91 with CIP/SPLOST proceeds and declare the existing computers as surplus equipment. Councilman Baxter made a motion to purchase the computer upgrades for the Police Department with the funds being expended from Tech Fees instead of the CIP/SPLOST and to declare as surplus the items that cannot be used by other city departments. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
3. Consideration of an application for a well permit application submitted by Mr. Ricky Hearn for property located at #1511 East Highway 80. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the well permit to Ricky Hearn for property at #1511 E. Hwy 80. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
4. Consideration of Tipton Road Drainage Improvements. Mayor Tipton turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro-Tem Baxter as this item was related to maintenance work on property owned by Mayor Tipton and Brandon Paul. Mayor Pro-Tem Baxter informed council there is some maintenance work and widening of the ditch on Tipton Road and it will be necessary for the maintenance crew to be on the Mayor’s property in which he will issue a construction/maintenance easement and then entertained a motion. Councilman Kerby made a motion to approve the drainage improvements on Tipton Road and the portion of the property that is owned by Wayne Tipton and Brandon Paul with a regular maintenance agreement drawn up by the attorney. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Mayor Pro-Tem turned the meeting over to Mayor Tipton.
5. Consideration of application for a Home Occupation/Office Only submitted by Mr. Larry Patton at #1456 Pine Barren Road. Councilman Crosby made a motion to waive the public hearing and approve the Office Only Home Occupation Tax Certificate for a plumbing business to Mr. Larry Patton at #1456 Pine Barren Road. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
6. Consideration of a change order for the Rail Bed Trail project. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the change order to continue the Rail Bed Trail project to the city owned property at the old Singleton property in the amount of $29,470 to be expended from the Green Space Transportation Enhancement Fund with repayment over the next two years from the SPLOST as it is placed on the Capital Improvement Plan. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
Citizen Judy Kent questioned why the trail did not start at the school and was advised that the trail grant Phase II was a grant from the Department of Natural Resources and the funds were made available quickly but the area in front of the school Phase I was a federal grant and the funds will not be disbursed until 2015. The City would be able to move up on the distribution schedule if a grantee ahead of us was not ready to move forward with their approved project.
Mayor Tipton reported that this concludes the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the Council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, April 24, 2013.
The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.
There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 7:45pm. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five 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.