Official Minutes Council Meeting – April 21, 2011
Approved by council May 19, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Baxter leading in prayer. Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the April 7, 2011 minutes, Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes. Councilman Crosby made a motion to approve the agenda of the April 21, 2011 meeting with the addition of Fire Station discussion and action to the old business. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Administrative & Committee reports:
City Administrator Akridge advised council of the following information:
1) April 23, 2011 - Easter Egg Hunt at the Community Building/Pavilion and Chatham County will be holding an Earth Day Festival at Forsyth Park
2) April 29, 2011 – letters will be issued to customers with outstanding balances
3) May 3, 2011 – budget workshop at 6:00pm and budget proposals are in baskets
4) May 5, 2011 – meet & greet Savannah’s new City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney at the Civic Center
from 5:30 – 7:30
Public Safety - Councilman Baxter stated his report would be covered during old business
Seniors & Special Events - Councilman Rawlings reminded everyone of the Easter Egg Hunt and visit from Peter Cotton Tail Saturday at the Community Building from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Recreation - Councilwoman Griffin reported the new ball field is complete and the first practice on the new field was Friday, the recreation department is looking forward to the upcoming season.
OLD BUSINESS:
Councilman Baxter reported there have been some ongoing concerns related to the cracks in the slab at the fire station and recognized Engineer John Kern with Kern-Coleman Engineering. Mr. Kern reported that the cracks in the bay area were shrinkage cracks and the contractor had filled the cracks with epoxy filler which had been tested by Whitaker Laboratories. Mr. Kern made a recommendation, based on the results of the test and his years of experience as a structural engineer, that council allow the contractor to place the epoxy coating on the slab and require a $35,000/five year bond to protect the city from any issues that may occur but he stated that he felt there would not be any issues. Councilman Baxter made a motion that the slab in the bay area be removed and replaced in accordance with the original specifications and the contractor to provide a five year bond to cover the slab in the other areas. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion. After additional discussion, the motion passed with six affirmative votes.
NEW BUSINESS:
City Administrator Akridge reported that the Recreation Department had received a donation of $1,000 from Jonathan Wade of Johnson Controls. Councilwoman Griffin stated that Mr. Wade is a new member of the executive board and has already been a great asset to the department.
Councilman Myrick made a motion to designate Cherry Street & Highway 80 as the location of the proposed Veterans’ Memorial. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion. During discussion Councilman Myrick stated that securing the site for the memorial is the first step in moving forward with the site chosen they can move along with getting the blueprints drawn for that specific site and after that can compile the cost estimates in order to proceed with pursuing grants, fundraisers and donations. He further stated that the city has donated funds on hand which could be used toward the cost of the blueprint process. Councilman Myrick also stated that former State Representative Eric Johnson is now employed with Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung and is ready to assist the city in the acquisition of grants for this project. After additional discussion, the motion passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Crosby made a motion to repeal the Development Impact Fee Ordinance and refund all monies received to date with interest. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion. Mayor Tipton expressed concern that the cost incurred by the City of Bloomingdale to provide amenities for new growth without Impact Fees would become an expense our current citizens would be responsible for. After additional discussion, the motion passed with affirmative votes from Councilmembers Baxter, Crosby, Griffin, Kerby and Rawlings. Councilman Myrick voted against the motion.
Councilman Myrick made a motion to renew the “medical hardship” permit for the secondary mobile home to Kevin & Kay Heritage for their property located at #1230 Bloomingdale Road. Council was advised that according to information provided by Dr. Troy Murphy, the medical condition of Kay’s mother, Ho Shim Shaw, still exists and she requires daily assistance from her daughter. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Kerby made a motion to authorize Hussey, Gay, Bell and DeYoung to proceed with right-of-way acquisitions for Phase II of the drainage plan and to begin the bid process. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilman Crosby made a motion to set a public hearing for May 19, 2011 to receive citizen input on a request from Betty Edwards for a variance to the “Non-Conforming Use” section of the Code of Ordinances. Mrs. Edwards is requesting to replace the “Non-Conforming” mobile home located at #1108 E. Hwy 80 with a newer mobile home and has been advised that she will be responsible for all cost related to the variance request. Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the final payment to Indigo FG&G for work performed at Taylor Park in the amount of $13,830. Councilman Baxter seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance entitled “No Tobacco/ Designate Smoking” for City of Bloomingdale Parks, Community Building and Pavilion. Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
The Mayor advised an executive session had been requested for personnel issues and directed the City Attorney to advise council if the executive session request has met the criteria of the open meetings act. The Attorney reported that based on the information submitted it met the criteria of the open meetings act. Councilman Myrick made a motion to adjourn into executive session for discussion of personnel issues. Councilman Crosby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
At the conclusion of the executive session, Councilman Myrick made a motion to return to the general session and to execute the signed affidavit as required by the Open Meetings Act. Councilwoman Griffin 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, April 27, 2011.
The accounts payable were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.
There being not further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 8:35pm, Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative
Respectfully submitted, Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk
Mayor Tipton and all councilmembers were present for 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.