COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 19

COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 19, 2000

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Strozier with Councilman Waller leading in prayer.

The minutes of the October 5^th meeting were reviewed. Councilman Waller made a motion to approve said minutes, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS:

Council was advised that copies of the Senior Citizens Center budget for 2001 have been distributed for their review. Mayor Strozier stated that the budget would be placed on next meeting’s agenda for discussion.

Mayor Strozier reported that the demolition of the structure at #9 Chestnut Street should be complete by the middle of December.

The Mayor stated that the case against Juni Ricketts is still in the hands of the courts and DNR is also involved in this matter.

Councilmembers were informed that the Planning Commission has set a date of November 14^th for a public hearing to receive citizen input on the proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow off-premise billboards/signs as a “conditional use”, with restrictions, in C-1 & C-2 zones.

Council was advised that George Henderson has paid the $300 fine imposed by Judge Edenfield for violation of the City’s zoning ordinance and he has until November 8^th to move the mobile home on his property at #68 Cheyenne Road.

Mayor Strozier reported that the John Deere backhoe/loader approved for purchase at our last meeting has been received.

The Mayor presented the “Telecommunications Ordinance” for the second reading and approval by council. He pointed out that this ordinance sets forth the procedure for granting a telecommunications or cable franchise. Councilman Tyler made a motion to adopt said ordinance, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Council was advised by Attorney Gerard that the ordinance regulating antennae & tower development for commercial wireless telecommunications services in the City includes some changes involving zoning issues that need to go through the Planning Commission and public hearing process. The Mayor pointed out that the first reading on the ordinance taken at the October 5^th meeting is no longer valid with the addition of these zoning issues. Councilman Johnson made a motion to submit the ordinance to the Planning Commission for review, Councilman Tyler seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Strozier stated that the City has received a copy of a letter sent to Congressman Jack Kingston by Commissioner Eddie Deloach regarding the proposed plans of Cypress Natural Gas to build a new natural gas pipeline from Chatham County to Clay County, Fla. Commissioner Deloach asked that he help initiate an opportunity for local folks to comment on this project prior to its construction. The Mayor pointed out that the correspondence received by the City on this proposed project included information that a public meeting would be held for this purpose.

Council was advised that Recreation Director Joe Young had met with parents regarding their complaints on the upcoming homecoming festivities they voiced at our last meeting and feels that these problems have been worked out. He also reported that steps have been taken to improve the condition of the bathroom facilities at Taylor Park.

Mayor Pro-tem Waller reported that he had attended a meeting with Commission Chairman Hair regarding his interest in having Chatham County pursue recognition as an “All American” community. Councilman Waller stated that he felt Bloomingdale has a lot to offer toward this goal including the fact that it is the birthplace of two Olympians, Cheryl Haworth and Lucinda Adams. Council will be advised of the progress on this project as it occurs.

NEW BUSINESS:

Council reviewed an update to the City’s Speed Ordinance as submitted by the DOT. Chief Anderson reported that the increase of the speed limit on Jimmy Deloach Parkway to 55mph and designation of a portion of Pine Street as a “school zone” were the two main changes to the ordinance. After a brief discussion, Councilman Waller made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Johnson made a motion to dispense with the second reading, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Waller then made a motion to approve the adoption of the Speed Ordinance as presented by DOT, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Strozier presented a recommendation from Planning Commission to approve the petition of Mike Wedincamp to rezone his property located at #90 & #98 Cheyenne Road from RA-1 to C-2. After a brief discussion on the matter, Councilman Tyler made a motion to approve said rezoning, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The Mayor reminded Mr. Wedincamp that access from Jimmy Deloach Parkway was a stipulation of the rezoning and the submission of site plans on any development of the property was a requirement of the zoning ordinance.

The Mayor stated that Ronnie Maddox of #9 Walnut Street is requesting permission to construct a 30’ x 45’ storage building on the lot behind him. Council was reminded that a permit on any building that includes over 500’ of enclosed space requires council’s approval. Mayor Strozier asked Mr. Maddox the status of the drainage problem created when the debris was removed from his property. Mr. Maddox reported that he plans to have Willard Phillips remove the debris and open the drainage ditch to about 8’ or 9’ from his property to the Pipemaker’s Canal. Mr. Maddox stated he wished that the property owners that had complained to council about this matter had talked with him first because he felt they could have worked the problem out without involving the City. Mayor Strozier stated that once this had been brought to the City’s attention, there was an obligation to see that the problem was resolved even though it involved private property. The Maddoxes assured the Mayor and City Council that the drainage problems would be handled. Councilman Waller made a motion to grant the permit for the storage building, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Mayor Strozier pointed out that this property is located in a flood zone and the structure must comply with the Flood Prevention Ordinance requirements.

The Mayor submitted a request from Gerry J. Giroux to operate a home occupation business from her residence located at #412 Ash Street. Ms. Giroux advised council that she plans to produce homemade spaghetti sauce to market to grocery stores. She pointed out that there is a building behind her house that is being considered for use in producing the sauce, but she could renovate the enclosed garage space in her home if necessary. Mayor Strozier stated that the renovation of the garage would best meet the requirements of the home occupation license since it was attached to the residence. He pointed out that the City has these provisions to allow persons with small businesses to operate from their home provided there is no evidence of a business being conducted within the home and there is no outside traffic. Ms. Giroux assured the Mayor that there would be no outside traffic since she would be making all the deliveries herself. It was also noted that the health department would be involved in the renovation of the enclosed garage to insure its compliance with health codes. After this discussion, Councilman Tuten made a motion to waive the public hearing requirement, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. Councilman Rawlins made a motion to issue the home occupation business to Gerry J. Giroux, Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Mayor Strozier reported that copies of the June 30, 2000 audit and management letter had been distributed to council for their review. He pointed out that if anyone has any questions about this information let him know at the next meeting and the auditors will be contacted about setting up a meeting.

Council was advised that our auditors, Whitfield & Butler, have submitted a proposal to prepare our 2000/2001 audit at a cost of $4600. The Mayor reported that this price is still below the bids received from other auditing firms in 1994 when we went through a bid process for our annual audit. After a brief discussion, Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve said agreement, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

The Mayor informed council that Representative Anne Mueller has advised us that the delegation has set aside October 25^th & 26^th from 10:00am until 3:00pm to receive presentations of requests for funding. These meeting will be held at the Savannah Technical College on White Bluff Road. Council discussed possible requests and agreed that if a proposal could be prepared, Mayor Strozier should make the presentation on behalf of the City. Councilman Waller made a motion to authorize Mayor Strozier to make a presentation, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The Mayor stated that councilmembers were invited to attend the meeting for the presentation.

Council was advised a public meeting would be held for the concept plan for the Savannah and Ogeechee Canal Corridor on Monday, October 23, 2000 from 7:00pm until 9:00pm at the MPC hearing room. The City of Savannah owns the canal corridor and Chatham County has a forty-year lease to develop the recreational potential of the corridor.

The Mayor stated that the City has received notice that the groundbreaking for Truman Parkway, Phase III will be held on November 3^rd at 2:00pm at the corner of Montgomery Cross Road & Varnedoe Drive.

Fett Burke thanked council for the new equipment that has been purchased for use by the maintenance department.

Councilmembers were reminded of the homecoming festivities to be held this Friday and Saturday and were encouraged to participate if at all possible.

The accounts payable were reviewed. Councilman Tyler made a motion to pay the bills, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn, Councilman Tuten seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes. The meeting adjourned at 7:40pm.

The Mayor and all councilmembers were present except Councilwoman Key who was out of town.