COUNCIL MEETING

December 6, 2001

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-tem Waller who led in prayer.  Mayor Pro-tem Waller stated that Mayor Strozier was working and could not attend tonight’s meeting.

 

The minutes of the November 15, 2001 meeting were reviewed.  Councilman Tuten made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller reported that the City, along with assistance from Reverend Darrell Bailey of the First Baptist Church, has made contact with the Metro NY Baptist Association and located three families that they feel need some financial assistance as a result of the September 11th attacks.  As previously discussed, the council agreed to divide the $6300 in proceeds from the Barbecue/Bake Sale Benefit held in October between at least three families who were affected by this tragic event.  After a brief discussion, Councilwoman Key made a motion to release the $6300 to this agency to disburse in equal amounts to these three families.  Councilman Rawlins seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

Council was advised that the TLC Communications agreement was still under review.

 

After a brief discussion, Councilman Johnson made a motion to delay action on the proposed sign ordinance until after the first of the year to allow time for the newly elected officials to review said ordinance.  Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

Councilman Johnson reported that he had met with Ray Butler concerning the problems with the height of the concrete he poured for the driveway at #308 E. Garvin Street.  He stated that he has decided to wait until we have had a hard rain to see if the water will run to the back of the property as Mr. Butler insists it will, but he has agreed that if there is a problem with the drainage he will make the necessary corrections to the driveway either with a French drain or a swell.  The matter was tabled for future discussion.

 

Council was advised that construction on the 2001 paving projects is still underway and the DOT will review and approve this work before the release of any additional funds.

 

Chief Anderson reported that he will work with the maintenance department on getting the gate installed at the entrance to the Harden Canal at Wildcat Dam Road.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller stated that the City has received complaints from Nolan Faircloth about the operation of the business located at #4E. Hwy 80.  Mr. Faircloth’s residence is located in the same C-1 zone as the business.  He was instructed to attend tonight’s meeting to discuss his complaints with council, but is not here.  The matter was tabled until he attends a meeting to provide details on his complaints to council.

 

Councilman Johnson submitted the following recommendations from the Personnel Committee:

1)      Recommends approval of a resolution amending the City of Bloomingdale’s Defined Benefit Retirement Plan to allow employees with 25 years of service to retire at age 57.  Councilwoman Key made a motion to approve said resolution.  Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

2)      Recommends that Diane Proudfoot be designated as the Assistant City Clerk.  Councilman Rawlins made a motion to approve said appointment, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller advised council that Margel Winn has resigned as police clerk effective December 31, 2001.

 

Council was advised that Dennis Baxter has agreed to handle the plumbing inspections for the City until after December 31, 2001 until a replacement can be found.  Also, Donny Tuten has agreed to serve as a backup for Mr. Baxter on the building/electrical/plumbing inspections until other arrangements can be made.  Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve the temporary appointment of Dennis Baxter as the City’s plumbing inspector, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.  Mayor Pro-tem Waller and council expressed their appreciation to Councilman Tuten for agreeing to serve as backup for the inspector.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller stated that the council needed to determine a sanitation rate for D.K. Morgan’s mobile home parks for 2002.  He pointed out that Mr. Morgan normally pays these fees in advance and he paid a rate of $12.00 per month, per occupied lot for 2001.  Since there has been no sanitation rate increase in 2001, council agreed to approve a rate of $12.00 per month, per occupied lot (as of January 1st) for 2002 with the stipulation he pay the full amount in January.  Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve the $12.00 rate as outlined above, Councilwoman Key seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

The clerk reported that since the 2001 Occupational License fees were no more than those collected in 2000, council will not be required to conduct a public hearing on distribution of these fees.

 

Chairman Wayne Tipton presented a recommendation from the Planning Commission not to approve the text amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow a “private school” as a “conditional use” in an R-1 zone.  Mr. Tipton explained that the members were concerned that making this change would open the door to other schools in R-1 zones and felt that it would be better to rezone the property as commercial rather than change the R-1 zone.  Councilman Johnson stated that the concern of council was that the rezoning of this one tract would be spot zoning and would have a domino effect on surrounding properties.  After additional discussion on the matter, Councilman Johnson made a motion to table a decision on this issue until the January 3, 2002 council meeting.  Councilman Rawlins seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.  Councilman Tuten made a motion to extend the temporary permit for the Life Springs Worship Center’s private school until this matter is resolved.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller advised those present that the December 20, 2001 council meeting has been cancelled and the City Hall will be closed on December 24th and December 25th, as well as on January 1st.

 

Council was reminded of the CMA meeting to be held on December 10th and the Christmas party to be held on December 17th.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Waller announced that the inauguration ceremony for Mayor and Council will be held on January 3, 2002 at 6:00pm here at the City Hall.

 

Council was advised that there were no accounts payable invoices to be approved at tonight’s meeting.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Tuten made a motion to adjourn, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.

 

                                                             

THOSE PRESENT:  Mayor Pro-tem Waller, Councilman Johnson, Councilwoman Key, Councilman Rawlins and Councilman Tuten