OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 2013 COUNCIL MEETING

APPROVED BY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 7, 2013

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick giving the invocation. Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin, Kerby, Myrick, Rawlings, Attorney Dickey, City Administrator Akridge, Police Chief Pike, Fire Chief Tyler and Asst. City Clerk Diane Proudfoot were present.  

 

Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the January 3, 2013 council meeting.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Rawlings made a motion to approve the agenda of the January 17, 2013 meeting with the addition of litigation to the Executive Session.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. 

 

Administrative & Committee reports:

 

City Administrator Akridge reported on the following:

1.      A check was received from DOT for the LMIG for road resurfacing in the amount of $33,210.56 with a match of 30% ($9,900) – council will need to prioritize the list for the resurfacing in the spring.   

2.      A Coastal Incentive Grant for the “Future Growth Master Plan” was submitted meeting the deadline of January 18^th.

3.      Solid Waste transition seems to be going well.

4.      Georgia Municipal Association had a great article in the newsletter regarding the Museum and other events of the City.

Councilman Crosby reported on the following:

1.      The Planning Commission will be holding workshops on the second & fourth Tuesdays at 6:00pm to review the ordinances.  If agenda items are submitted the regular meeting with be on the second Tuesday at 7:00pm 

2.      The city limits signs are still in the works, a meeting with Terry Proctor from Southern Signs was held today. 

Councilman Myrick reported on the following:

1.      The Veterans Park is coming along great, the benches are being installed, the landscaping should be around the end of February or first of March and plans are to hold a Grand Opening around Memorial Day.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that a meeting will be held at City Hall on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 6:00pm to give citizens an opportunity to review the preliminary revisions to the FEMA flood maps.

 

The Mayor recognized the following employees for their years of service: 5 years of service: Ronald Coffman, Wayne Daniels, Christie Duran and Michael Melton; 15 years of service: Jerald Maddox, Randy Walker, Janice Williams, John Winters; 20 years of service: Roy Pike.  The Mayor also recognized the Building Inspector Dennis Baxter who has served the City for over 20 years and the City Attorney Raymond Dickey for 8 years of service

 

OLD BUSINESS:  None

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Consider setting Qualifying Fees for the 2013 General Election.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to set the qualifying fees for the November 5, 2013 election as: Mayor - $90.00 and Council - $54.00.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

2. Consider proposal for the Eternal Flame at the Veterans Freedom Park monument.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to accept a proposal from Burnsed Energy in the amount of $6,000 for the installation of a flame bowl and relight burner control for the eternal flame on the monument making note that the intent of this council is that the flame remain lite as long as there is a Veterans Monument. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

3. Consider a Home Occupation License application submitted by Jessie Lynn at 10 Patrick Avenue for an Accounting/Tax Service business.  Councilman Crosby made a motion to waive the public hearing and approve the issuance of a Home Occupation Tax Certification to Jessie Lynn to operate the “office only” of an accounting/tax business at #10 Patrick Ave.  Mayor Tipton pointed out that this is for an office only and there should be no traffic coming and going at the residence.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

4. Consider an amendment to the Personnel Policy to revise designated Holidays.  Councilman Baxter made a motion to approve an amendment to the Personnel Policy to set the designated holiday as Christmas Eve and to add Veterans Day as an observed holiday.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

5. Consider a request submitted by Jerry Swagert to operate an Open Air Market at Highway 80 and Jimmy DeLoach Parkway.  Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Zoning to Jerry Swagert to operation an Open Air Market for six months at Hwy 80 & Jimmy DeLoach Parkway making note that the certificate would be issued upon an inspection of the electrical service by Inspector Baxter.   Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with votes from Councilmembers: Crosby, Griffin, Kerby, Myrick and Rawlings.  Councilman Baxter declined to vote due to his involvement in the inspection.

 

Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Baxter made a motion to return to regular session and approve the execution of the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. NOTE:  The meeting was reconvened prior to Councilman Rawlings and Attorney Dickey’s return to the meeting.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that this concludes the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the Council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

 

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

 

There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 8:15pm.  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.