Official Minutes of the July 17, 2014 Council Meeting

Approved by City Council August 14, 2014

 

The council meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Recreation Director George Foley giving the invocation.   Councilmembers Griffin, Grizzard, Key, Myrick, Otto, Attorney Raymond Dickey, City Administrator Charles Akridge and Asst. City Clerk Diane Proudfoot were present.

 

Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the June 12, 2014 council meeting and the minutes of the Budget Public Hearing held on June 10, 2014.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda of the July 17, 2014 meeting with the following addition:

Item 19– Consider cancellation of the August 14, 2014 council meeting.

Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. 

 

Administrative & Committee reports:

 

Recreation Director Foley recognized the U-12 Girls softball team who: 1) took first place in the CAA; 2) was the only all-star team and 3) finished undefeated in the City’s first Fireball Classic Tournament.  He, Mayor Rozier and Councilwoman Griffin presented the team with certificates and also vouchers for Happy Days ice cream. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1)      Mayor Rozier recognized Garden City Police Chief David Lyons, who was here to make a presentation to the Police Department as President of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.  Chief Lyons congratulated Chief Pike and the Bloomingdale Police Department for meeting the standards established in the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program; he then presented the Chief Pike with a “State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification” plaque for the period of April 1, 2014 thru March 31, 2017.   Chief Lyons also recognized Christie Duran who had taken on the responsibility of making sure the department met all the standards required to pass the certification program for the Bloomingdale Police Department and presented her with a “Certificate of Appreciation” plaque acknowledging her dedication and efforts to the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program as Certification Manager.

2)      Chief Pike presented Detective Sergeant Alan Elliot with a “Distinguished Service” plaque in recognition of his professionalism and dedication efforts in a four year murder case which had recently resulted in a conviction.

3)      Mr. Pete Waller of Ottawa Farms informed the Mayor and Council he was planning on hosting a Professional Circuit Rodeo which would be similar to the Strawberry Festival.  Mr. Waller noted there would be no alcohol at the event and it would be on Friday and Saturday night the 26th and 27th of September beginning at 7:30pm with participants coming from Texas, Canada and Arkansas.   The Mayor and Councilmembers expressed their agreement and blessing on the event coming to the City and look forward to what this will mean to the City.   

4)      Consider entering into a Letter of Agreement for planning services with the Coastal Regional Commission.  Councilwoman Key made a motion to enter into an agreement with Coastal Regional Commission for planning services on an as needed basis.  Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

5)      Consider approval of a Fitness Center to be located at the Fire Department.   City Administration Akridge stated the Public Safety Committee has reviewed the proposed fitness center and recommends approval.  Councilman Grizzard made a motion to approve setting up a fitness center at the Fire Department.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

6)      Consider Declaration of Surplus Property.  City Administrator Akridge stated there is a chainsaw and shotgun to declare as surplus.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to declare these two items as surplus and to allow Savannah Auction to dispose of these items.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.     

7)      Consider purchase of a Trailer for Public Works in the amount of $7,000. (CIP/SPLOST proceeds)  Councilman Otto stated the trailer currently being used to haul the excavator is not adequate to handle that load and made a motion to purchase the trailer for the public works department in the amount of $7,000.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

8)      Consider a Resolution in support of a Lease-Purchase agreement with Government Capital Corporation.  Councilman Grizzard made a motion to execute the Resolution in support of a Lease-Purchase agreement with Government Capital Corporation for water meter replacement.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. 

9)      Consider entering into a Lease-Purchase agreement for a loan for the purpose of purchasing water meters in the amount of $400,000. (CIP/SPLOST proceeds)  City Administrator Akridge stated the loan would be $400,000 over seven years at 3.108% interest with a monthly payment of $5,407.36 guaranteed by SPLOST that was approved for the next six years.  Councilman Otto stated that we have already been putting aside a portion of the SPLOST check with approximately $30,000 set aside so far.  Attorney Dickey stated that Georgia Law requires that the agreement be renewed each year.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to enter into the Lease-Purchase agreement with Government Capital for the purchase of water meters in the amount of $400,000.  Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

10)  Consideration of entering into a Water and Sewer Agreement with Mr. Herb Black for Main Street Village Continuous Care Retirement Community.  City Attorney Dickey stated that several discussion meetings were conducted to come to the final agreement before them tonight.  Councilman Otto made a motion to approve the water and sewer agreement with Main Street Village CCRC, LLC.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

11)  Consider a recommendation from the Planning Commission for a Minor Subdivision for the Estate of W.H. Rawlins located on Conaway Road.  Attorney Richard Metz, Executor of the Estate of Mr. Rawlins, stated the family was seeking this subdivision in order to satisfy the closing of the estate.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the subdivision as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Mayor Rozier questioned what the intention is for the sub-division and was advised by Mr. Metz that there were no intentions at this time other than closing out the estate and this would take care of dividing the remaining asset of the estate.  Councilwoman Key seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

12)  Discussion of Christmas Holidays for City employees.  Councilman Myrick stated that Christmas Eve & Christmas Day are approved holidays but this year Christmas Day will fall on Thursday and recommended that the City close Friday, December 26, 2014 and allow employees to take a personal time for the extra day off.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to close City Hall on Friday, December 26, 2014 and employees use personal time for this day.   Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

13)  Consider correction to City Council’s vote to participate in the City’s insurance plan.  City Administrator Akridge stated at the last council meeting a vote was taken to offer health insurance to elected officials and part-time employees but has since been informed that part-time employees were not eligible for coverage by Georgia Municipal Association and the vote needed to be amended.  Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to amend the previous vote to remove part-time employees and offer the health insurance to Elected Officials.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  

14)  Consider approval or denial of granting a Conditional Use for an Ice Storage Vending Machine in a C-1 Zoning District at #2 West Highway 80 or schedule a Public Hearing.  Mayor Rozier recognized Ken & Clarissa Slivka who stated they own an ice storage vending machine and are working with the owner of #2 W. Hwy 80, Juan Arias to place the ice machine on his property pending the approval from City Council.  Councilman Otto made a motion to approve the “conditional use” for the ice storage vending machine at #2 W. Hwy 80 to Mr. & Mrs. Slivka provided the electrical and plumbing inspections were approved by the building inspector.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

15)  Consider provision of water service to Adams Road residents.  City Administrator Akridge informed council of two (2) cost estimates for materials only to extend water down Adams Road:  1) To extend from Well #2 to the first canal for approximately 700’ at a cost of $18,000; 2) To extend from Well #2 to Perry Road for approximately 2,600’ at a cost of $40,000.  Councilman Otto stated there are citizens in the area that are experiencing problems with their private wells he also reminded council there is an established water extension fund available.  Councilman Otto made a motion to extend the 8” water service down Adams Road to Perry Road as Phase I to the canal and Phase 2 would extend to Perry Road with cost being expended from the water/sewer extension fund and to replenish the fund as SPLOST proceeds are received.  Councilwoman Key seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

16)  Discussion of potential DOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) projects.   City Administrator Akridge stated it is time to process the LMIG projects, advising that Moore Street and Pine Barren Road were the streets in need of resurfacing but the greater need is Pine Barren Road.  The cost estimate Pine Barren Road is $65,000 and would go out through the sealed bid process.  There would be a 30% match at a cost of approximately $10,500.  Council was also informed there were three (3) bids received for the patch work at the end of Pine Street and restriping of Little Neck with the low bid coming from Crossroads Construction at $2,600 for the Pine Street patchwork and $3,700 for the Little Neck Road restriping.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to choose Pine Barren Road from Cherry Street to Taylor Park for the LMIG resurfacing project and to accept Crossroad Construction as the low bidder for the Pine Street repair and Little Neck Road restriping projects.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

17)  Consider a well permit application to supply water for Michael Wedincamp development at 300 Highway 80.  Mayor Rozier questioned if Mr. Wedincamp wished to still pursue the well permit request since the City had voted to extend water down Adams Road to Perry Road.  Mr. Wedincamp stated he was concerned of the timing of the extension and felt he should keep the well as an option for his site.  After discussion, Councilman Otto made a motion to deny the well permit.  After additional discussion, Councilman Otto withdrew his motion to deny.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the well permit for irrigation purpose only and to enter into a water/sewer agreement to provide water/sewer to his property by October 15, 2014.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.   

18) Consider purchase of Dell laptop and desktop computers for the Police Department in the amount of $5,036.52.  Councilman Grizzard made a motion to approve the purchase of the computers for the Police Department in the amount of $5,036.52.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

19) Consider cancellation of the August 21, 2014 regular scheduled council meeting.  Mayor Rozier stated that there is a conflict for some of the councilmembers with the August 21, 2014 council meeting.  Due to the conflict Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to cancel the August 21, 2014 regular council meeting.  Councilman Myrick seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Councilwoman Griffin and Councilman Myrick took a moment to thank everyone involved in making the Patriotic Celebration such a great success.  Councilman Myrick also reminded everyone that the 2nd Annual Senior Citizen Day luncheon will be held on August 21, 2014 at noon at the Community Building.   

 

Mayor Rozier reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the Council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, July 9, 2014.

 

The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Myrick making a motion to pay the bills.   Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

There being no further business, Councilwoman Griffin made a motion to adjourn at 7:53pm.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diane Proudfoot, Asst. City Clerk

 

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.