COUNCIL MEETING

March 3, 2005

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Councilman Ray leading in prayer.  The minutes of the February 17, 2005 meeting were reviewed.  Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor stated that he did not have any new information regarding the lawsuit against EPD on water issues.  Attorney Dickey reported that he would like to discuss some legal issues regarding the lawsuit with council during the executive session to be held later in the meeting.

 

Attorney Dickey reported that he had been contacted by David Hicks regarding the City’s notice to him that he must remove the non-conforming mobile home located at #1301A East Hwy 80 and Mr. Hicks is scheduled to attend the March 17th meeting to discuss the issue with council.

 

Council was advised by Attorney Dickey that he had been contacted by Kenneth Sikes regarding the notification he received about the condition of the structure on his property located at #308 Pine Street.  Attorney Dickey stated that Mr. Sikes has requested that council provide him with the specific problems with the structure so he will know how to address their concerns.  After discussing the issue, council agreed that Attorney Dickey should notify Mr. Sikes that he must repair any unsafe portions of the structure, clean up the yard around it and since the residence is vacant it should be kept locked. 

 

The Mayor stated that the City has not received the construction plans and calculations from Southeast Engineering regarding the extension of sewer service to the pending PUD on Cheyenne Road and Councilman Wedincamp reported that the engineers were getting the plans together for review by the City’s engineer.

 

Councilman Johnson presented bid proposals on generators for Well #1 and the public safety building.  Council was advised that the bids from Cummins South were incomplete, so these bids would not be considered.  The City has received bids from Yancy Power Systems Sales and Precision Systems Design.  Councilman Tyler has presented the appropriate written notification to the City acknowledging his personal interest in Precision Systems Design.  The bids were as follows:  1)  Yancy Power Systems Sales:  a 60KW Caterpillar Olympian Natural Gas Generator for Well #1 - $13,735 and a 100KW Caterpillar Olympian Natural Gas Generator for Public Safety Building - $17,150; 2)  Precision Systems Design: a 60KW Generac Series 2000 Natural Gas Generator for Well #1 - $13,945 and a 100KW Generac Series 2000 Natural Gas Generator for Public Safety Building - $23,978.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Johnson made a recommendation to accept the bids from Yancy Power Systems for the two generators.  Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Tyler abstained from voting.

 

Councilman Myrick reported that after doing some cost comparisons of various utility vehicles, the Recreation Department purchased a John Deere Gator at a price of $5,259 to use at Taylor Park.

 

Mayor Rozier advised council that the City needed to establish procedures for the enforcement of the ordinance approved at the February 17th meeting regarding the obstruction of City rights of ways and/or easements by the placing of debris, trash, garbage, etc. in said areas.  Councilman Johnson pointed out that the maintenance department needs to know the specific procedures to follow when violations occur.  Attorney Dickey stated that the council can appoint a representative to enforce the ordinance on behalf of the City.  Attorney Dickey explained that there should be a warning submitted about the violation first and if the problem is not resolved, the police can be sent to the site to issue a subpoena to court.  Councilman Ray suggested the police department handle this process.  The Mayor pointed out that if the police were involved in the initial warning process, they would have appropriate records for reference if a subpoena becomes necessary.  Councilman Johnson made a motion that the Police Department handle any violations of this ordinance from the initial complaint and follow through with the appropriate actions needed to subpoena violators to court.  Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that he had suggested to Terry Coleman that he meet with the City’s zoning consultants, Lott Barber Architects, regarding zoning and development opportunities for the 44 acre tract located on Highway 80 east of the Ottawa Subdivision at Douglas Court and, apparently, they were able to answer the questions of his client because he has not heard back from them regarding a meeting with council.

 

Attorney Dickey stated that he had reviewed the documents presented by First Chatham Bank concerning the City’s participation in a pledging pool for the collateralization of public deposits that would replace the current dedicated method of securing securities and felt that if the City is able to obtain collateralization information that will satisfy our auditors, he could see no problems with the change.  The Mayor suggested that we delay any action on making the change until we made a decision on the auditing position so we could get their opinion of First Chatham Bank’s proposal and council agreed.

 

Attorney Dickey reported that he was still researching information regarding the ingress/egress issues on Morgan Road and was reviewing some maps Mr. Morgan had provided to him.

 

Mayor Rozier stated that at the last meeting we received a recommendation from Southeast Engineering & Environmental that the City consider paving Church Street without financial participation from DOT because there was only a 40’ right of way and without incurring additional costs related to curb and gutter, the City could not get DOT assistance.  Councilman Ray pointed out that, in the past, the City had been able to get waivers from the DOT on smaller rights of way if it would pose a hardship to the neighborhood to try to get more footage and requested that the Mayor talk with the DOT to see if this was a possibility.  Mayor Rozier advised council that he would contact the DOT to check on this matter.  The Mayor stated that since we had the right of way we needed for Lynn Street was the City ready to go ahead and proceed with the bidding process.  Although the City has received promise of right of way from property owners in the area, we do not actually have the legal documents executed so council felt we should not proceed with the bidding for this project until we had those documents in hand.

 

The Mayor reminded council that the City needs to set up a five-year capital budget for the SPLOST 2003/2008 funds.  Mayor Rozier asked that the Budget & Finance Committee prepare a budget for council’s consideration.

 

Council was advised that they needed to discuss who will be responsible for verification that the sewer main extension on Adams Road, as approved at the February 17th meeting, is constructed as presented on the plans reviewed by Southeast Engineering & Environmental.  Also, if Southeast Engineering & Environmental will handle this project on behalf of the City, council needed to determine who will be responsible for this expense.  The Mayor asked who had drawn the plans for Jimmy Kerby for the sewer main extension and was advised that Stephenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc. had prepared them.  Council agreed that the main would definitely need to be checked before it was covered up and although our water and sewer department would need to be involved in the inspection of the sewer main extension during construction, we needed to have an engineer’s certification that it was installed as approved on the plans.  It was also noted that since the main is being extended for one residence that the developer would need to pay the costs related to the City’s engineer confirming the construction was done according to the plans.  After additional discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion that before acceptance of the sewer main extension on Adams Road that Jimmy Kerby’s engineer must provide a letter to the City certifying that the sewer main extension has been constructed as shown on the plans and Mr. Kerby must pay the engineering costs related to Southeast Engineering & Environmental overseeing the project on the City’s behalf during construction to insure its compliance with the approved plans.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Rozier recognized Ryan Thompson with Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co. who stated that the City of Pooler was requesting council pass a resolution regarding the acceptance of the maintenance of the proposed improvements to Wildcat Dam Road.  Attorney Dickey stated that he had reviewed the resolution, but had some questions about the wording of certain portions that needed to be resolved.  Attorney Dickey asked Mr. Thompson if a certified copy of the minutes of the meeting in which council agreed to the maintenance of the roadway would be adequate, but he was not sure.  Since council had no objections to the content of the resolution if it reflects what was approved in the February 17th meeting, the Mayor asked that council authorize him and Attorney Dickey to get with Pooler’s attorney and Dennis Baxter to work out the specific wording of the document and sign the resolution on the City’s behalf.  Councilman Ray agreed that if the only change would be in the wording, he would make a motion to allow the Mayor to proceed with getting it changed and executing the resolution on the City’s behalf.  Councilman Wedincamp seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Fett Burke, Jr., Supervisor of the General Services Department, stated that he would like to get with Councilman Johnson before any final decisions were made on the maintenance of the proposed improvements.

 

Mayor Rozier informed council that the final revisions to the codification draft were sent to Municipal Code Corporation on January 24, 2005.  The City was advised at that time it would take approximately 30 to 45 days to complete the changes.  However, when MCC was contacted to check on the status of the project, they advised us that due to some personnel changes in that department it would probably be another two to three weeks before everything was completed so the adopting ordinance could be approved by council.  Council was advised that as soon as the information is received, it will be submitted to them for action.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor presented a request from Zeke Boatright, a resident of Bloomingdale and a member of the Bloomingdale Lion’s Club, for council’s consideration in providing a roll out garbage can to be placed at Main Street where the playground equipment is located in front of the school.  Mr. Boatright reports that the Lion’s Club has placed a 55 gallon drum there for trash, but it is very difficult for them to empty it when it gets full.  Council discussed the request with Mr. Boatright who stated that if the City could place a can at the park, the members would be responsible for rolling it out for pickup on garbage days.  It was noted that the can would probably have to be secured in some manner to keep it from being thrown in the ditches or disappearing and Mr. Boatright agreed to chain the can to nearby trees or posts.   Council agreed to place a garbage can at the park.  Mr. Boatright asked if there would be a charge to the Lion’s Club and the Mayor stated that he did not think there would be but if there was a charge he would personally pay the bill.  Mr. Boatright thanked the City for their help in this matter.

 

Mayor Rozier advised council that the City had received home occupation licenses requests from Dixie Williams at #445 Adams Road and Gregory J. Van Group, Sr. at #366 Wallace Circle.  However, neither of these citizens was present at the meeting, so their requests were tabled until they could be available to address any questions that council may have about their applications.

 

Council was advised that the City also received a request for a home occupation license from Robert L. Clayton at #311 Oak Street to operate the “office only” of a plumbing repair and maintenance business from his residence.  Mr. Clayton’s application indicates that he will have one employee other than himself who will be living at the residence.  Mr. Clayton reported that there will be one truck used for the business and stated that he understands the stipulation that there can be no outside traffic related to the business coming to the residence.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Tyler made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mr. Clayton to operate the office of his plumbing business from his residence at #311 Oak Street.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor recognized David Clifton who had requested an opportunity to address the Mayor and Council regarding the removal of trees in the unopened portion of Poplar Street that abuts his property.  Mr. Clifton’s request also included discussing his concerns with council about the running of water and sewer to the Amerson property.  Mr. Clifton stated that when he had attended a previous council meeting to discuss the status of the unopened portion of Poplar Street that joins his property, he was advised by the City that according to the research of the attorney the unopened portion of the roadway did not belong to the City, but the owners had the right to use the roadway for access to their property.  Mr. Clifton pointed out that if that was the case, he wondered how the City could give the Savannah Electric and Power Co. that authority to run power lines to the Amerson property along the unopened portion of the road.  Mr. Clifton stated that according to information that he received from Mark Holcombe with the Savannah Electric and Power Co. the Mayor had authorized the extension of the power lines and had advised Mr. Holcombe that “he wanted to get power to the boy no matter what it took”.  Mr. Clifton raised the question that if the roadway was not public, shouldn’t they (the Cliftons) at least be contacted before electric power, water and sewer was run along their property.  Mr. Clifton asked council what their rights as citizens would be.  Ms. Clifton stated that there were holes dug on their property and a power pole installed.  The Mayor stated that he had been contacted by the Savannah Electric and Power Co. and he advised them to let him know what their procedures would be to get power to the property, but he did not have the authority to give them permission to go onto anyone’s private property.  Councilman Myrick stated that he felt the property owners should have been notified before any of this took place and if any of the work was done on private property the power company should have gotten permission.  Attorney Dickey pointed out that if the Savannah Electric & Power Co. has easements on the property they could cut or trim trees without permission.  Mr. Clifton asked about the water and sewer service being extended to the Amerson property.  It was noted that the water and sewer service had already been run.  Councilman Tyler raised the question of who gave permission for these services to be extended, but received no response from the Water and Sewer Department Supervisor, Ernest Grizzard.  Councilman Ray pointed out that the adjoining property owners could not cut off the Amersons access to their property.  Councilman Johnson agreed that they should have been notified by the power company before the work was done. 

 

Councilman Tyler raised the question during the discussion with the Cliftons about who actually owns these unopened roads.  Councilman Tyler stated that he would like to see the City start with this road and find out who owns it so we will know how to handle other unopened roads in the future.  Attorney Dickey stated that if the City would give him the authorization, he could do a title search to find out who owns this unopened portion of Poplar Street.  Billy Strozier stated that it is his understanding that these unopened roads are not private roads and that, in the past, the City had instructed the potential developers that they would have to obtain quit claim deeds from property owners on either side before they could open the roads and before the City would consider accepting ownership after the roads were improved.  Attorney Dickey pointed out that it appears that in the past when the owners developed some of these properties they created roads but never opened them probably hoping that the county would open them in the future.  Attorney Dickey also stated that each situation may be different and the findings on one unopened road may be different than that of another one.  Councilman Myrick stated that he would like to see the City give Attorney Dickey approval to do research on this roadway to see exactly who owns it and council agreed that he should proceed with the title search on Poplar Street.

 

The Mayor presented a request from B & P Development for the recombination of three tracts abutting Main Street and one tract abutting Osteen Road into two lots.  The rear property line of the lot abutting Osteen Road will be moved to create a lot consisting of .52 acres with the balance of the property being combined into one tract consisting of 17.43 acres with frontage on Main Street.  Council was advised that the 17.43 acre tract is proposed for development as a major subdivision with information on the subdivision to be presented in the next order of business.  Council reviewed the recombination plat submitted by B & P Development and, after a brief discussion; Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the recombination request.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Wedincamp asked Mr. Black why he was considering the development of this .52 acre tract since the plan shows the proposed path of Jimmy Deloach Parkway running right through the middle of the property.  Mr. Black stated that there was a duplex located on the property next to this tract and he wanted to go ahead and make use of his property until final decisions were made as to exactly where the parkway was going to be developed.

 

The council was advised that the City had received a request from T.R. Long Engineering, P.C. on behalf of B & P Development to be placed on the agenda to address the Mayor and City Council on development issues.  It was noted that the City had received a proposed subdivision plat from B & P Development for submission to the Planning & Zoning Commission at their March 15, 2005 meeting.  The subdivision is to be located off Main Street near Osteen Road with Phase I consisting of twenty-two (22) single family lots to be served by City water and sewer.  Mr. Black advised council that the lots would be developed with duplex units rather than single family units.  Mr. Long, the developer’s engineer, stated that he had failed to include the information related to the duplex units on the plan and also had to make some changes to the front and rear yard setbacks shown on the plat.  Councilman Johnson expressed his concern about whether the City would have to get approval from the EPD to extend the water and sewer service to this subdivision and Attorney Dickey stated that he felt the City would have to make application for these extensions.  The Mayor stated that there should be no problem with approval on the extension of the sewer service because we still have 130,000 gpd on our capacity.  Attorney Dickey pointed out that one of the reasons that the City had been encouraged to pass the well ordinance was to allow for the installation of wells by developers for these type situations.  Attorney Dickey stated that the City’s well ordinance allows for ten (10) residents to be served per well and, in this case, one well would serve five (5) duplex units.  Mr. Black stated that when he had originally presented his sketch plan for consideration, questions had been raised about the City’s ability to serve the development with water, so he had made arrangements with Sunbelt to provide water for the subdivision.  Council was advised that the developer was also planning to serve the subdivision with a gravity system rather than individual grinder pumps and would install two lift stations to pump the waste to the City lines.  Ernest Grizzard, Supervisor of the Water and Sewer Department, raised questions about the use of lift stations since the City would be able to maintain individual grinder pumps but the cost for repairs and replacement of lift stations would be very costly.  Councilman Tyler asked if the City would be able to see some conceptual drawings of the type duplex units that would be constructed on the property.  Mr. Black stated that he did not have these type drawings available, but similar units were located in Richmond Hill.  After additional discussion of the proposed subdivision, the Mayor suggested that the developer and his engineer get in touch with Southeast Engineering & Environmental who handles water and sewer issues for the City and provide them with information on the lift stations so they could advise the City as to whether their proposal for the use of gravity flow instead of grinder pumps would work in the area and they could inform council as to what type maintenance would be involved. 

 

Mayor Rozier stepped down from the podium for the next order of business.

 

Mayor Pro-tem Johnson advised council that Mayor Rozier was requesting that City Council, as the board of appeals, issue him a “conditional use” permit for the construction of a single-family residence on his property located at #14 Osteen Road.  The property is zoned C-1, Central Business District, and residential use is listed as a “conditional use” in this zone.  Councilman Wedincamp asked Attorney Dickey if a residence was placed on the commercially zoned property would the zoning of the property change or would the zoning still be considered commercial.  Attorney Dickey stated that the request was merely to issue a “conditional use” permit, not to change the zoning, so as he understands it the zoning of the property would remain the same.  Attorney Dickey was asked if the residence could be converted to commercial use and Attorney Dickey stated that if that was the primary use, he felt it could be used for a business.  Councilman Johnson asked the Mayor about the use of the property in the same general area and was advised that all of the property around his was being used for residences.  Mayor Rozier stated that he may want to sell the property, but the buyer wants to make sure he can use it for a residence.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the “conditional use” permit for the C-1 zoned property at #14 Osteen Road to be used for a residence.  Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Rozier returned to the podium.

 

The council was reminded that in February, 2004, they approved a resolution supporting a Joint Land use Study for the Fort Stewart/HAAF sites should base closure become a reality and agree to consider funding of its local matching share of the cost of the study once the amount is determined by the policy committee.  At that time, the Mayor indicated that the anticipated cost to Bloomingdale would run less than $1,000, but that council would have the opportunity to approve the City’s share prior to payment of the expense.  The City has received a request from Coastal Georgia RDC to participate in the funding for the Fort Stewart/Hunter AAF Joint Land use Study and the City of Bloomingdale’s share is $500.00.  Councilman Wedincamp made a motion to approve payment of the $500 fee.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor stated that the MPC was requesting assistance in filling one (1) vacant position on the CUTS Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).  The two-year term for the vacant position ends on June 30, 2006 and members can be reappointed to successive terms.  The City of Bloomingdale is allowed to appoint two (2) members, but at this time, the City’s only representative is William Grainger.  Council was informed that the Citizens Advisory Committee has contact Mr. Grainger concerning his lack of attendance at the meetings and asked that he become an active member or resign so the City can appoint another representative.  The Mayor stated that he had tried to contact Mr. Grainger to see if he was still interested in serving, but had not been able to reach him.  Mayor Rozier asked if anyone on council was interested in serving on the committee, but no one volunteered.  Citizen Andrew Rawlings asked when this committee met and Mayor Rozier advised him it met bi-monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:00pm.  Citizen Andrew Rawlings volunteered to serve on the committee.  Councilman Wedincamp made a motion to approve the appointment of Andrew Rawlings to the CUTS Citizen Advisory Committee to serve in the position that ends on June 30, 2006.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Rozier reported that the City anticipates receiving a request from Krispy Chic Restaurant in the next couple of days for the release of a certificate of occupancy for their business located at Douglas Plaza.  Council was advised that the final inspection of the construction of the building as well as the restaurant portion has been performed and approved and the health department has also issued approval for the operation of the restaurant.  It was noted that construction of the screening for the dumpsters is underway, but due to the recent rains, the contractor has not been able to pour some additional concrete needed for the pad.  The Mayor stated that he had talked with Forrest Floyd about the screening of the dumpsters and he advised him that this should be completed by the first of next week.  Mayor Rozier reported that according to Mr. Floyd the Krispy Chic was trying to open this Monday.  The Mayor recognized Citizen Mary Mitchell who expressed her concerns about the height of the landscape buffer that was planted.  Councilman Johnson stated that it may take a little while but the type shrubbery

 

that was planted will grow to be a nice looking, green landscaping barrier between the properties.  Mayor Rozier recognized Mr. Mitchell who stated that with the drive-thru window the traffic was going to back up on Douglas Court.  Several council members pointed out that these issues had already been discussed during the site plan review and citizens were assured that if a traffic problem occurred, the police department would get involved.  Councilman Wedincamp asked what would happen if cars started backing up and the Mayor asked the Chief if he would be able to handle the traffic control and was assured the department could take care of any problems.  Citizen Sherry Mast asked why the City could not address problems before they existed rather than after the fact.  Councilman Johnson pointed out that we don’t know if there are going to be any problems and we can’t stop the business before it even starts.  The Mayor noted that there are lots of parking spaces in the front of the building and if the drive-thru traffic backs up the customers can park and go inside.  Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Rawlings stated that the sign that was on the property was not in compliance with the sign ordinance because it did not meet the specifications of a plaza sign that was recommended by the commission when the site plan was approved.  It was noted that the permit was issued for a stanchion sign and it met the sign ordinance requirements for this type sign.  After additional discussion regarding the sign, the Mayor stated we would check the ordinance just prior to going into the executive session and advice council if there are problems with the sign before taking a vote on the certificate of occupancy. 

 

Note:  After returning from executive session, it was noted that the sign complied with the current ordinance requirements and the site met the recommendations that were presented by the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Attorney Dickey pointed out that if the developer had met all these requirements the City would be bound by law to allow the business to open.  Councilman Tyler asked if the Krispy Chic had installed a grease trap and Ernest Grizzard stated that they had installed one between the building and the connection to the grinder pump.  After additional discussion, Councilman Johnson made a motion that a certificate of occupancy be issued to the Krispy Chic Restaurant with the stipulation that the developer have the screening of the dumpsters completed by March 11, 2005.  Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with affirmative votes from Council members Johnson, Myrick, Ray, and Waller.  Councilman Wedincamp voted against the motion and Councilman Tyler abstained from voting.   

 

The Mayor reported that council needed to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues.  Councilman Johnson made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  A signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act is attached.  After completion of the executive session, Councilman Waller made a motion to return to the general session.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Rozier stated that the City had received two bids from attorneys to serve as the Indigent Defense Attorney for the Bloomingdale Recorders Court.  One bid was received from Carol Bacon Miller in the amount of $2,000 per year and the other bid was from Cail & Cail for $6800 per year.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to accept the bid from Carol Miller and appoint her as the Indigent Defense Attorney for the Bloomingdale Recorders Court for a fee of $2,000 per year.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that a Personnel Committee meeting will be held on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 7:00pm to interview the applicants for the City’s auditing position.  The committee will also discuss the code enforcement position and review the applications that have been received. 

 

Councilman Tyler requested that the City make sure that the sewer ordinance addressed the issues related to grease traps being required for businesses that would generate wastes that could cause problems to the system.  Attorney Dickey stated that he had a good ordinance that could be incorporated into our current one to cover grease traps.  The clerk stated she would get him a copy of the City’s sewer ordinance to see how it addressed this issue.

 

Mayor Rozier stated that this completes the items received by the agenda deadline of Friday, February 25, 2005. 

 

The Mayor stated that City Council Committees would be making their reports at this time:

 

Councilman Ray had nothing to report from the Budget & Finance Committee. 

 

Councilman Johnson stated that the track hoe recently purchased for the maintenance department was doing a good job. 

 

Councilman Waller reported that there would be a Personnel Committee meeting held on March 14th at 7:00pm. 

 

Councilman Wedincamp stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission was having problems with members showing up to their meetings and wanted to know how to handle this situation.  Mayor Rozier suggested that the members come up with some suggestions on how to handle the problem and present these to council for consideration.   It was suggested that the commission members review the by-laws recently developed by the Recreation Executive Board because they addressed this same attendance problem in their by-laws.  Attorney Dickey pointed out that council would want to make sure that their proposal complied with the ordinance related the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Councilman Wedincamp also reported that the commission was considering two meetings a month. 

 

Mayor Rozier advised council that the Citizens Police Academy started classes again on March 1st and reported that Chief Gossett’s son was being sent to Iraq and asked for everyone’s prayers for him and all members of our armed forces.

 

Councilman Myrick reported that the Recreation Department was working on the removal of some trees at Taylor Park.

 

Councilman Tyler stated he did not have anything to report from the water and sewer committee, but Thomas & Hutton was currently working on our drainage plans and would be making a report to council soon. 

 

Councilman Tyler asked if council could start the budget process a little sooner this year so we could have our budget in place before the start of the next fiscal year.  The Mayor asked if the department heads could begin work on their budgets and have them available in the next few weeks.

 

Councilman Tyler also requested that council consider requiring architectural renderings for signs, buildings, additions, etc.  Attorney Dickey stated that this would probably require revisions to the City’s ordinances.  Some questions were raised about the additional costs this may impose on individuals. 

 

The accounts payable were reviewed.  Councilman Waller made a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  The meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.

                                                                    

Mayor Rozier and all council members were present at the meeting.