COUNCIL MEETING

February 2, 2006

  

Due to the renovation of City Hall the meeting was held at the Bloomingdale Community Building

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Ray leading in prayer.  The minutes of the January 19, 2006 meeting were reviewed.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Tipton asked Councilman Strozier to give us an update on the water permit issue.  Councilman Strozier reported that an application had been submitted to EPD by our engineers requesting an increase in our Upper Floridan Permit to .500 MGD.  The request included an estimate on the City’s water needs for the next two years and a water conservation plan as required by the permit process.  The City submitted all of this information to the EPD as instructed by Director Carol Couch in a recent meeting held with City officials.

 

Councilman Myrick reported that a meeting had been held last week with property owners on Lynn Street and the City was trying to work out the details related to the paving of this street.  It was noted that all but two of the property owners were present at the meeting and additional information related to this project should be available by the next meeting.

 

Councilman Myrick stated that, as requested by council, he had talked with Kenneth Sikes about the complaint we had received on his property located at #308 Pine Street.  Mr. Sikes informed him that when he had been advised by council last year that there was a problem with the property he had taken care of the overgrown conditions and boarded up the vacant residence as instructed by the City.  Councilman Myrick reported that Mr. Sikes plans to build on the property in the future, but at this time, he is financially unable to have the building demolished.  Mr. Sikes stated that he was willing to take care of the overgrown conditions and anything else within reason, but would like for council to outline specifically what he needs to do.  Councilman Myrick suggested that council come up with this information as soon as possible so he can advise Mr. Sikes. 

 

Councilman Myrick reported that he had met with the DOT regarding some drainage problems with a section of the drainage ditch at the Pipemaker’s Spur and he had talked with Karl Johnson, Jr. about getting the right of way needed for City crews to take care of the work.  Councilman Myrick advised council that Mr. Johnson stated the property belonged to his sister and he would get with her about providing the right of way to the City.

 

Council was advised that a representative with Utility Services, Inc. will be at the February 16, 2006 meeting to present information related to the placement of telecommunication tower(s) on the water tank and to provide cost estimates for the renewal of the maintenance contract.

 

The Mayor reported that the surplus 1995 Ford F-800 Dump Truck has been advertised for sale with bid openings to be held on Thursday, February 16, 2006 during the regularly scheduled meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor stated that the City had received a request from Timothy Gaylor to be on tonight’s agenda to discuss the possibility of rezoning a six acre plot of land at West Haven Street to accommodate a landscaping and irrigation company.  Council was advised that the property is currently zoned RA-1 and plans are to construct a 6,000 sq. ft. metal building to accommodate the business.  Mayor Tipton recognized Mr. Gaylor who explained that he was representing Turf Services Unlimited, Inc. which is a small company that specializes in sprinkler systems and landscaping work for residential and commercial customers.   Mr. Gaylor stated that the current owner of the property, Mr. West, will not accept a contract with any contingencies as to zoning or wetlands, so Gaylor Contracting, Inc. has been employed prior to purchase to explore the possibilities for the use of this property for his client’s needs.  Mr. Gaylor advised council that the company plans to purchase the lot that borders West Haven Street for access to the six acre tract, but there will be nothing built on this access lot.  Councilman Ray pointed out that all of the traffic related to the business will be traveling through residential areas.  Mr. Gaylor advised council that the company has 10 to 12 employees with the average number of employee vehicle traffic in the morning and the afternoon of 6 to 7.  The company has approximately six (6) pickup trucks and six (6) 16’-20’ trailers pulled by trucks.  Each truck will make one round trip per day. 

 

Councilman Strozier asked if our zoning ordinance allows for this type business in a residential zoning district.  After a review of the zoning ordinance it was determined that the only listing

similar to this would be a “florist, greenhouse, nursery” which is allowed in an RA-1, however, a “Professional Office” is permitted in this zoning district.  Councilman Strozier pointed out that a “Storage Warehouse” and a “Storage yard, equipment” are both allowed as “conditional uses” in an RA-1 zone and he was not sure that the property would have to be rezoned for the uses that are being proposed.  After discussing the request, council agreed that the matter should be forwarded on to the Planning & Zoning Commission with as much information as possible on the proposed project along with a site plan as required by the zoning ordinance.  Mr. Gaylor was advised of the agenda deadlines for upcoming meetings and he stated that he would get with his client to determine which meeting they would attend.

 

Mayor Tipton recognized Councilwoman Winn who stated that she would like to see the City hold the “Patriotic Celebration” on May 29, 2006 this year.  Councilwoman Winn pointed out that since the event includes a “Salute to Veterans” she felt that it would be appropriate to hold it on “Memorial Day”.  Councilman Strozier pointed out that the budget included $3500 for expenses related to this event and felt that this should cover any costs related to the celebration.  It was noted that it should be cooler in May and, hopefully, the late afternoon showers will not be a problem.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to proceed with plans for the celebration to be held on Memorial Day.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor reported that in mid-January, he had received some information from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs regarding the “Keep America Beautiful-Great American Cleanup” program and had asked Mary Mitchell, a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, to work on this project on behalf of Bloomingdale.  Mayor Tipton recognized Ms. Mitchell who distributed a calendar of various events that she is proposing during the month of April to encourage Bloomingdale’s citizens to become more involved in the beautification of the City and to participate in recycling and cleanup activities.  The proposal includes a Kick-off event at Taylor Park on April 1st, the collection of recyclable materials on April 8th & 15th, a cleanup walk on April 22nd and a City-wide garage/thrift sale and cook out on April 29th.  Also included is a “Town Meeting” scheduled at the Bloomingdale Elementary School on April 20th.  It was noted that this date will need to be changed since the Mayor and City Council will be meeting on April 20th.  Ms. Mitchell stated that efforts will be made to get donations and supplies from area businesses for these activities and asked that the City provide a memo on City letterhead for use by the volunteers when they are soliciting donations.  Ms. Mitchell explained that if the City plans to participate in the “Great American Cleanup” program and receive support materials free of charge, we would need to submit our application by February 17th.  Councilman Rawlings pointed out that since our maintenance department does such a good job of keeping the roadways free of trash and debris the litter pickup activities will not be as difficult in our area.  Mayor Tipton asked Fett Burke if the City would have any way to dispose of old tires if they were collected and Mr. Burke stated that he felt we could handle about 50 tires.  Councilman Myrick stated that he could probably dispose of some of the tires.  Councilman Myrick suggested that the committee also should get the churches involved in these activities.  Ms. Mitchell advised council that another suggestion for continued litter control would be to have sections of the roadways throughout the City registered with the DOT under the “Adopt a Highway” program.  Councilman Strozier stated that he would like to see the Mayor appoint a committee to work on the City entrance signs and council agreed they needed attention.  Before the end of the meeting, Councilman Strozier made a motion to authorize the submission of an application on behalf of the City of Bloomingdale to participate in the “Great American Cleanup” program in April, 2006 with the understanding that the date for the “Town Meeting” will be rescheduled since April 20th is a council meeting night.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that council needed to adjourn into executive session for the discussion of personnel and legal issues.  Councilman Ray made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  A copy of the signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Law is attached to the original minutes.

 

After completion of the executive session, Councilman Ray made a motion to return to the general session.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Councilman Waller, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, presented a recommendation from the committee for the promotion of Officer Michael Foune to Corporal with an effective date of January 30, 2006.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that this concluded the items that were presented prior to the council agenda deadline of Friday, January 27, 2006.

 

The Mayor recognized Mike Wedincamp who stated that it was his understanding a meeting had been held with the DOT regarding Cheyenne Road and asked why the citizens were not invited to attend.  Councilman Myrick advised Mr. Wedincamp that a meeting had been held with the DOT in regards to the possibility of installing another culvert along Highway 80 near Cheyenne Road, however, officials were informed that the DOT was not going to approve the installation of another culvert between Cheyenne Road and the existing culvert at the Meyers property located near the intersection of Highway 80 and Stagecoach Road.  Mayor Tipton pointed out that without DOT’s agreement to install another culvert the property owners were going to have to settle this as a civil issue rather than a City issue. 

 

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

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 8:15pm.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

                                                             

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