Official Copy of March 3, 2011 council meeting

approved on April 7, 2011

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Myrick leading in prayer.  The Mayor presented the draft copy of the minutes of the February 17, 2011 meeting for action by council. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the minutes, Councilman Rawlings seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda of the March 3, 2011 meeting with the addition under new business of discussion about the cancellation of the March 17, 2011 council meeting to the agenda item addressing council meetings to be held during the summer months.  Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Under administrative and committee reports, Councilwoman Griffin stated that baseball/softball signups were underway and invited everyone out to enjoy a game when the season begins.  City Administrator Akridge reported that the development of a progressive discipline policy was underway and the budget process will begin in about two weeks with a budget to be ready for adoption at the June 23, 2011 council meeting.  Mr. Akridge stated that a letter had been sent to Siemens about the issues we were having with the bio-filter at the Maple Street Lift Station and problems with the paving on Stagecoach Road were being discussed with R.B. Baker Construction.  Mr. Akridge requested a consensus from council to allow the public works crews to return to their four, ten-hour days with daylight savings time coming up and council members agreed for the change to occur.  Councilman Baxter noted that the City expected to receive a pay request from Marchese Construction Co., Inc. in mid-March and noted that there were still questions about the work on the concrete floor.  Councilman Baxter expressed condolences on behalf of the City to City Administrator Akridge on the recent loss of his mother.  Councilman Crosby reported that the planning commission would be conducting a training workshop this month and thanked council for allowing commission members to attend additional training throughout the year.  Councilman Rawlings stated that the Bloomingdale History Society had held their annual meeting on February 21st and it was well attended.  He reported that the History Society would host a yard sale on March 12th from 8:00am until 12:00pm with proceeds going toward the renovation of the proposed museum on Highway 80.  Councilman Rawlings informed everyone that a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt would be held at the Bloomingdale Community Park on April 23rd and invited everyone to attend.  Mayor Tipton announced that there would be a flag retirement ceremony at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum on March 13th at 2:00pm.

 

There was no old business on the agenda.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor recognized Bryan Smith who was requesting the issuance of a home occupation license to operate the “office only” of a tree care business from his residence located at #1418 Pine Barren Road.  Mr. Smith advised council that there would be no large machinery, signs, or traffic related to the business at the residence and no chemicals would be stored on the property.  It was noted that Mr. Smith had provided written approval from the owner of the property, Kenneth Selman, to operate the office of this business from the residence. After the discussion, Councilman Myrick made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement and issue the home occupation license to Mr. Smith.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton advised council that the City needed to take action on a proposal from Attorney Earle Duncan to continue representing indigent defendants as the Public Defender for Bloomingdale’s Recorders’ Court for the twelve month period from March, 2011 through February, 2012 at a cost of $5100 per year.  Councilman Baxter made a motion to accept Attorney Duncan’s proposal, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council reviewed a recommendation submitted by Kern-Coleman & Co., LLC on behalf of Marchese Construction, LLC for payment of Pay Request #7 in the amount of $103,496.75 for work performed on the fire station for the period through February 21, 2011.  After a brief discussion, Councilman Baxter made a motion to pay the contractor the requested amount, Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

City Council discussed a proposal, as submitted by the water and sewer committee, for the adoption of a Water Leak Adjustment Credit Policy to address excess water usage caused by leaks.  After a review of the policy, Councilman Rawlings made a motion to adopt the policy as submitted, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  (Note:  A copy of the Water Leak Adjustment Credit Policy as adopted is attached to the original minutes)

 

Councilman Rawlings requested, on behalf of the Special Events Committee, council’s consideration of the City hosting a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt at the Bloomingdale Community Building/Pavilion on April 23rd.  Councilman Rawlings also requested the City provide funds up to $500 to help with expenses.  After council’s discussion of the request, Councilman Rawlings made a motion for the City to provide up to $500 toward expenses for a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt with these monies to come from the Mayor’s contingency fund.  Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council was advised that a payment in the amount of $29,670 had been made toward the work performed to date by Indigo FG&G on the ball field at Taylor Park at the recommendation of Attorney Dickey and with approval from the Recreation Committee.  The payments were made by two party checks to Indigo FG&G and the following contractors:  Indigo FG&G/Sheppard Well & Pump - $4,200; Indigo FG&G/Murdaugh & Son Fencing - $25,000; and Indigo FG&G/Premier Concrete - $470.  The council was advised that these payments leave a balance owed on the construction contract with Indigo FG&G of $13,816.66 and the engineers have assured us that this amount is sufficient to finish the project.  After a brief discussion, Councilwoman Griffin made a motion for council to affirm this action by the Recreation Committee.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

City Administrator Akridge requested council’s consideration for the submission of a “Baseball Tomorrow Fund Grant” application for monies to pay for the lighting of the new ball field at Taylor Park.  Mr. Akridge noted that since there is a minimum match of 50% generally required for consideration of the application, council will need to approve the submission of the grant and the commitment of the funds.  After a brief discussion, Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to authorize City Administrator Akridge to pursue the grant.  Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Councilman Myrick stated that council needed to address the meeting schedule for the summer months and noted that City ordinance allows for only one council meeting during the months of June, July, August and September to be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month provided council votes to initiate this change.  Council discussed the cancellation of the March 17, 2011 meeting because several members were involved in other activities due to St. Patrick’s Day.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to hold only one regularly scheduled council meeting during the months of June, July, August and September as outlined in the ordinance and to cancel the March 17, 2011 council meeting.  Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

 

The accounts payable were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills.  Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 7:40pm, Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Respectfully submitted,  Sandra Jones, City Clerk

 

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

 

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