COUNCIL MEETING

March 6, 2008

 

 

Mayor Tipton called the meeting to order with Councilman Waller leading in prayer.  The Mayor reported that Councilman Billy Strozier had a presentation to make to a citizen of Bloomingdale.  Councilman Strozier asked Madison Jenkins to join him and introduced her to the audience.  He informed the citizens that Madison was the 2008 Savannah-Chatham County Spelling Bee Champion.  Councilman Strozier pointed out that this was quite an accomplishment since Madison, a ten-year-old fourth grader, was competing against elementary and middle school students.  Councilman Strozier encouraged Madison to keep up the good work, because being a good speller and using proper grammar was very important.  Councilman Strozier advised her that he had gotten a letter just this week written by someone that was apparently not a good speller and it also contained some very poor grammar.  Councilman Strozier then presented Madison with a plaque that noted that not only was she the youngest Outstanding Citizen of Bloomingdale, she was probably the smartest.  Madison also received a City pin and a bouquet of pink carnations.  Mayor Tipton recognized Madison’s parents and family members and expressed his appreciation for their attendance at tonight’s meeting.

 

The Mayor presented the minutes of the February 21, 2008 for council’s consideration.  Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the minutes, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Mayor Tipton requested approval of tonight’s agenda with Councilwoman Winn making a motion to approve said agenda.  Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that City Administrator Brady would not be at tonight’s meeting due to a death in the family and was on his way to Texas, Chief Tyler had a new grandchild and would not be here tonight, and Councilman Myrick had a work related problem and could not make the meeting.

 

Under administrative and committee reports, Councilwoman Winn asked that the Mayor consider appointing a committee to begin preparations for the Patriotic Celebration to be held on Memorial Day, May 26th.  Mayor Tipton stated that he felt the previous committee had done a commendable job and felt the same members would do fine.  Councilwoman Winn stated that she would serve on the committee but would prefer someone else to be the Chairman.  Councilman Strozier agreed to serve with her on the committee.  The Mayor asked for volunteers from council and the citizens, but there were no one responded.  Councilman Strozier asked Roland Waller to be on the committee since the program would include a salute to veterans and he was involved in that organization.  Mr. Waller agreed to serve. 

 

Councilman Strozier reported that at the request of Mayor Tipton he had been working with City Administrator Brady on the concerns that were raised about the condition of Douglas Court from Highway 80 to the back of the Douglas Plaza building.  Councilman Strozier stated that they suggested a meeting be set up between the property owner(s) of Douglas Plaza along with the tenants of the building to discuss the need to make improvements in the roadway.  Councilman Strozier commented that this road would not handle the loaded trucks that are patronizing the restaurant in the building, but if the property owner(s) would bring it up to grade the load limit signs could be moved down past their building, but if not, the City would have to begin enforcing the load limits on the roadway.  Mayor Tipton stated that he had the telephone number for the owner of the Krispy Chic and he definitely felt this owner should attend the meeting.  Citizen Mary Mitchell commented that there was a DOT study done before the building permit was issued that encouraged the driveway to the building to come off Highway 80, but council chose to allow them to use Douglas Court.  Councilman Strozier reported that Ernie had obtained permission to clean out the ditch behind the building and the drainage has improved.  Council was also advised that the maintenance department would be doing some painting on the exterior of the sign and on the shutters at the Bloomingdale Community Building.

 

Mayor Tipton stated that Attorney Dickey had requested an executive session for discussion of personnel issues and possible litigation.  Councilman Ray made a motion to adjourn into executive session, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  At the completion of the executive session, Councilman Strozier made a motion to return to the general session, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Ray made a motion to execute the affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act and to make it a part of the permanent record.  Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Tipton reported that prior to council taking action on the request for the rezoning of the Meyers property located at Stagecoach Road and Highway 80 from R-A to P-C-2, a water and sewer service agreement must be resolved.  Based on this information, Councilwoman Winn made a motion to table action on the rezoning request until the water and sewer service agreement has been prepared and approved.  Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Council reviewed a request for a well permit submitted by Martin Collins for his property located at #369 Adams Road.  Mayor Tipton pointed out that although there is no City water available at this location, the ordinance requires council approval for the issuance of the well permit.  Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the issuance of the well permit, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor stated that the next agenda item was the re-appointment of Attorney Earle Duncan to serve as the Public Defender in the Recorders’ Court of Bloomingdale.  Mayor Tipton advised council that Attorney Duncan has been serving in this capacity for two years with the current term to run from March 2008 through February 2009 with twelve court appearances.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Strozier made a motion to appoint Attorney Earle Duncan as the Public Defender for the Recorders’ Court of Bloomingdale for a fee of $3700 per year to include twelve (12) court appearances.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham advised the City that due to shortfalls in State Aid for project commitments, the DOT is in the process of reforming their project selection and delivery process for State Aid funds.  The Mayor informed council that until the new process is in place, the state is only accepting requests for projects that are either an emergency or critical in nature.  In response to their letter, the Mayor provided the DOT an update on the Stagecoach Paving Project on February 28, 2008 advising them that the City has obtained the necessary rights of way, the Corp of Engineers have advised us we would have our wetlands permit within 30 days and the engineers have completed the construction drawings.  In addition, plans and cost estimates will be submitted to the district office.  Mayor Tipton stated that he hoped the DOT would keep the funding of this project on their priority list as he felt it was an important link between Chatham and Effingham Counties and it would be very difficult for the City to fund this project without State Aid.

 

Under citizen comments, D.K. Morgan asked about the status of the occupational license request from Henry Jimenez for the metal recycling business to be located at #1710B East Highway 80.  Mr. Morgan stated that his tenant was at tonight’s meeting because he understood the issue would be discussed tonight.  Mayor Tipton advised him that Mr. Brady was doing some research on the request, but had to go out of town unexpectedly due to a death in the family, so we did not have a recommendation from him to consider.  After a brief discussion, the Mayor stated that we would attempt to contact Mr. Brady to get his recommendation on the request and would have a called council meeting on Monday morning to consider Mr. Jimenez’s application.  After checking with several councilmembers to see who would be available to attend, the Mayor stated the called meeting would be held at 10:00am.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that this concludes the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Friday, February 29, 2008.

 

After a review of the accounts payable, Councilman Waller made a motion to pay the bills. Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 7:35pm.  Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

                                                                             

Mayor Tipton and Councilmembers Rawlings, Ray, Strozier, Waller and Winn were present at the meeting.  Councilman Myrick was working and could not attend.

 

 

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 present to council.  The statements of individuals are not verbatim and may be summary in nature.