COUNCIL MEETING

May 19, 2005

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Councilman Waller leading in prayer.  Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 5th meeting.  Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor recognized Ben Price who stated that he appreciated the opportunity to meet with City officials to provide them with some information regarding the Savannah Area Geographic Information System (SAGIS) program.  Mr. Price explained that the program was initiated by a joint effort between the private sector and public officials to provide mapping data for use in the development plans for this area.  Mr. Price introduced John Brannen, the Director of the SAGIS program, who is also employed by SEPCO.  Mr. Brannen stated that a committee consisting of the city manager, county manager, director, and a representative from MPC currently oversees the program and advised council that use of this program is a great economic development tool.  The SAGIS program is being used for providing various data to government and private agencies through layered mapping.  The data includes, but is not limited to, flood zones, wetlands, zoning, water/sewer infrastructure, tax parcels, traffic flows, etc.  Mr. Brannen pointed out that although the cities would have access to the data that has already been developed, there would be expenses incurred on the local level for computer hardware and software, as well as a full-time employee dedicated to managing the program and obtaining and entering the local data.  Mayor Rozier thanked them for attending the meeting and sharing this information with the City.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Attorney Dickey advised council that there were no updates to report on the pending lawsuit with EPD.

 

Mayor Rozier stated that a public hearing was scheduled for tonight’s meeting to receive citizen input on the issuance of a home occupation license for a one-chair beauty shop to be operated from the residence of Glenda Key at #305 Miller Street.  Ms. Key has indicated that she will provide off-street parking for customers and the shop will be open two and one-half days a week.  There were no comments or discussion from citizens regarding this request.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Tyler made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Glenda Key for a one-chair beauty shop at her residence at #305 Miller Street.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Council was advised that due to the problems that the City has been experiencing in the last several months with the garbage pick-up service, Councilman Johnson asked Steven Walden with Republic Waste to attend tonight’s meeting to discuss the issues with council.  Councilman Johnson pointed out that he realized there were often problems when there was a change in drivers, but lately it has been taking two days for the drivers to get through the route.  Councilman Johnson stated that if there needs to be a change in the pickup days, the City will need time to notify the citizens.  Mr. Walden stated that Republic Waste wants to maintain Bloomingdale’s pickup day as Thursday and apologized for the problems that have been occurring with the service.  Mr. Walden advised council that he had made some personnel changes in the organization and felt that these changes would improve the service the City has been receiving.  Councilman Johnson asked if someone goes with a new driver when he is learning the route and Mr. Walden assured him that they did.  Several council members pointed out that they do not want to continue getting calls from citizens that their garbage is not being picked up and they were assured by Mr. Walden that Republic Waste was committed to getting back on track with the pickup schedule and providing better service for Bloomingdale.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor recognized Jimmy Kerby who was requesting a well permit to serve his residence being constructed at #208 Adams Road.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to issue the permit, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Mr. Kerby was questioned about his progress on running the sewer line to the property.  Mr. Kerby stated that he hoped to begin the work about two weeks and he would be contacting the engineer and City employees before starting the project.

 

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

 

Mayor Pro-tem Johnson stated that Mayor Rozier had submitted a request for a home occupation license for the “office only” of a general contracting business to be operated from his residence located at #450 Adams Road.  It was noted that Mayor Rozier already runs one home occupation business from the residence.  Council was advised that they have the option to waive the public hearing requirement provided there will be no outside traffic related to the business coming to the residence and Mayor Rozier stated that there would be no outside traffic.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Ray made a motion to issue the home occupation license to Mayor Rozier as requested.  Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Rozier returned to the podium.

 

Council was advised that the City has received a request from CEMA to approve by resolution the 2005 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan.  The purpose of the plan is to consolidate and organize data from natural hazard assessments and prioritize mitigation actions in order to make Chatham County eligible for project grants that reduce the impact of natural disasters.  It was noted that a copy of the adopting resolution was forwarded to Attorney Dickey for review.  Attorney Dickey reported that he had reviewed the resolution and found it to be in order.  Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve the adoption of the 2005 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. 

 

The Mayor presented a request from CEMA Director Phillip M. Webber to appoint an Emergency Management liaison to serve as a single point of contact between CEMA and Bloomingdale for all Emergency Planning issues and activities that include but are not limited to, representation on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Emergency Management Program Committee (EMPC).  Council was advised that this person will receive all pertinent information related to funding and training opportunities, local, state, and federal regulations, initiatives, and plan development.  A copy of the request was reviewed by council.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Ray made a motion to appoint Chief Rick Gossett to serve in this capacity on behalf of the City of Bloomingdale.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

The council was informed that the Letter of Credit issued by First Chatham Bank to the City of Pooler for Bloomingdale’s portion of the cost of the upgrade to the waste treatment plant is being renewed for a six month period with the funds that are serving as collateral for the loan being invested in the CDARS program.  It was noted that the original letter of credit was for one year; however, the project is nearing completion and the payments on the loan should start before the end of the six month period.

 

Mayor Rozier reported that the CMA quarterly meeting will be held on June 1, 2005 at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum and will be hosted by the City of Pooler.  Those planning to attend must R.S.V.P. by May 27th.

 

The Mayor stated this concluded the items received by the Friday, May 10, 2005 agenda deadline.

 

During committee reports Councilman Tyler advised council that committee members were checking into options regarding sewer treatment facilities.  Councilman Johnson stated that the resurfacing of Cypress Street had been completed.  Councilman Ray reported that the next budget workshop was scheduled for June 6, 2005. 

 

Mayor Rozier reported that the next City Council meeting would be held on June 16, 2005.

 

Council reviewed the accounts payable and Councilman Ray made a motion to pay the bills.  Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 8:00pm.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

                                                          

The Mayor and Council members Johnson, Myrick, Ray, Tyler and Waller were present at the meeting.