Official Minutes of the February 19, 2015 Council Meeting

Approved by City Council March 5, 2015

 

The council meeting was called to order by Mayor Rozier with Dexter Shearouse giving the invocation.   Councilmembers Griffin, Grizzard, Kerby, Myrick, Otto, Attorney Raymond Dickey, City Administrator Charles Akridge and Asst. City Clerk Diane Proudfoot were present.  Councilwoman Key was out sick.

 

Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the draft copy of the minutes of the February 5, 2015 council meeting.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the agenda of the February 19, 2015 meeting with a change in the wording of item #5.  Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE & COMMITTEE REPORTS:

City Administrator Akridge reported there are several new businesses preparing to open in the City – at Park Center; Bloomingdale Convenience Store, Pooler Appliance and Elite Nails - at Douglas Plaza; Sarah Jane’s Kitchen will be at the old Krispy Chic location.  Dollar General will be building on the site where Pooler Appliance is currently located.

Chatham Municipal Association will be meeting on March 4th at Grayson Stadium 

Mayor Rozier reported that he and Councilwoman Griffin talked with Principal Colby at Bloomingdale School regarding the fifth graders participating in writing an essay on the topic “If I was Mayor for a Day, what would I do”.  The winner will be invited to sit alongside of the Mayor and participate in a regular council meeting.

Councilwoman Griffin reported that Principal Colby at Bloomingdale Elementary School has requested that Council consider participating in the “Business Partner Program” with the school and stated there would be more information on this later.

Councilman Otto reported there is a concern over speeding on Michael Street and speed bumps will be installed to help with this issue.  Employee Bubba Shearouse will be having hip replacement surgery within the next month.

  

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Consider changing the Personnel Pay Scale from 12 years to 25 years.  City Administrator Akridge recommended approval of this change with an effective date of July 1, 2015 and those employees that are maxed out will be brought up to the proper year of service.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to change the pay scale from 12 years to 25 years with an effective date of July 1, 2015.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.
  2. Consideration of the purchase of landscaping services from Bloomingdale Nursery in the amount of $5,817 for Rails to Trails Phase II. (TE Account)  City Administrator Akridge stated this is part of the landscape service in the Rails to Trails Phase II project for the enhancement of the trail.  Councilman Grizzard made a motion to approve the purchase of landscaping service from Bloomingdale Nursery for the Rails to Trails Phase II project in the amount of $5,817 being expended from the TE Account.   Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.   Mayor Rozier questioned the status of the Federal TE Grant in which Administrator Akridge reported a letter was sent and we still do not know when the grant funds would be released.  
  3. Consider entering into an agreement with the City of Tybee Island for the use of off-duty police officers.   Councilman Kerby made a motion to approve the agreement with the City of Tybee Island for the use of off-duty police officers subject to the City Attorney’s recommendations of the agreement.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.
  4. Consider purchase of a Gateway sign in the amount of $3,130. (CIP/SPLOST)  City Administrator Akridge stated this is for a replacement sign at the Pooler line and stated we could get a discount by purchasing two signs which could be placed at the Effingham County ling sign on property owned by Karl Johnson family.  Mayor Rozier stated that Mrs. Johnson has agreed to donate a portion of property to place the sign on but there has been a change in the county line and the portion of property she would donate is located in Effingham County and City Attorney Dickey advised against placing the sign on the property until the city had a legal right to do so, Mrs. Johnson doesn't currently have a legal right to allow the city to place the sign on her property.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to purchase the two signs with the expenditure coming from CIP/SPLOST.  Councilman Grizzard seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.
  5. Consider a recombination/subdivision plat submitted by Jordon Trotter Commercial Real Estate to reconfigure three parcels of property located at 208 E. Hwy 80 identified as #8-0010E-01-008 consisting of 2.23 acres will become 1.23 acres; 8-0010E-01-009 consisting of 4.15 acres will become 5.59 acres; and 8-0010E-01-009A consisting of 2 acres will become 1.89 acres which includes a 10’ utility easement along the road frontage.  Mayor Rozier recognized Del Ferguson, property owner and Jay Maupin, Engineer and agent for Jordon Trotter.  Mr. Maupin stated the purpose of the action is to reconfigure property boundaries for the construction of Dollar General.  Attorney Dickey stated that based on the Hwy 80 Corridor District there should be interconnectivity between the lots and both parties agreed there would be interconnectivity at the time other development is considered.  Councilman Grizzard made a motion to approve the recombination/subdivision.  Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.      
  6. Consider purchase of new phone system.  Councilman Otto made a motion to table this item.  Councilwoman Griffin seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.

 

Mayor Rozier reported that this concluded the items presented for consideration for inclusion on the Council agenda prior to the deadline of Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

 

The accounts payables were presented with Councilman Otto making a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Kerby seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.

 

There being no further business, Councilman Kerby made a motion to adjourn at 7:26pm.  Councilman Otto seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.

 

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.