Called Council Meeting

July 1, 2008

6:00pm

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tipton with Councilman Waller leading in prayer.  Councilwoman Winn made a motion to approve the agenda of tonight’s called council meeting.  Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with four affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton presented an ordinance for council’s approval creating the City of Bloomingdale Fire Department.  The Mayor pointed out that, in the past, the City had obtained their fire protection through a contract agreement with the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department, but were, by approval of this ordinance, creating a City of Bloomingdale Fire Department.  Note:  Councilman Rawlings arrived during the discussion of this ordinance.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, to dispense with the second reading, and to adopt the ordinance creating the City of Bloomingdale Fire Department.  Councilman Strozier seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.

 

The Mayor presented an ordinance establishing monthly user fees for fire protection with the fees to be established by resolution of the city council and published in the office of the city clerk.  Note:  Councilman Ray arrived during the discussion of this ordinance.   Councilman Rawlings expressed his concern that the ordinance did not specify that the monthly user fee would be a flat rate until January 1, 2009 and then it would change to a fee based on the value of the property.  After a discussion of this issue, Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance as presented, to dispense with the second reading, and to adopt the ordinance.  Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with five affirmative votes.  Councilman Rawlings abstained from voting.

 

Mayor Tipton presented an ordinance for consideration by council establishing the method of billing fire protection fees in the same manner and on the same monthly invoice on which water, sewer and/or garbage services are billed.  Citizen Martin Collins expressed his concern about hardship cases.  Mayor Tipton pointed out that the fire department would respond to all fires, however, Fire Chief Tyler stated that by law, the fire department can bill the property owner and/or their insurance company for all expenses related to the fighting of a fire.  A discussion was held regarding other ways and means of obtaining funds to operate the fire department, but it was noted that grants and SPLOST monies could be used for capital purchases only and could not be used for operating expenses.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance, to dispense with the second reading, and to adopt the ordinance outlining the method of billing fire protection fees.  Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Council reviewed a resolution to extend workers’ compensation coverage for the volunteer firefighters serving with the City of Bloomingdale Fire Department to the City’s policy with GMA’s Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.  Councilman Myrick made a motion to adopt the resolution, Councilman Waller seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Mayor Tipton presented a resolution for the adoption of the budget for FY 2008/2009 that includes an increase in garbage rates effective July 1, 2008; the addition of a flat rate fire protection user fee effective July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008; and a user fee for fire protection based on the value of the property effective January 1, 2009.  City Administrator Brady commented that there had been a change in the budget since the public hearing to add $10,000 to contractual fees, but the garbage rates and the fire user fees as discussed at the public hearing had not changed.  After this discussion, Councilman Ray made a motion to approve the resolution adopting the budget for FY 2008/2009 as noted, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

The following minimum bids for items declared as surplus at the June 19, 2008 meeting were submitted for council’s consideration:  1984 Chevy C-10, 4x4 pickup truck (blown engine) - $100; 1985 Midmark power Trencher, Serial #2022273 - $1,000; 1992 120 gallon propane tank – ¾ full, Serial #25A0-00211 - $250; Wisconsin Engine, Model VG4D, Serial #4130612 (formerly at well @ Poplar Street) - $250; Sulaire Generator (formerly at lift station – hit by lightning & replaced) - $400; 2000 John Deere, 1435 Mower, TC14350010270 - $4,000; and a 1996, 1230 Massey Ferguson, Model MF1230H, Serial #030501 - $2,000.  After a review of the information, Councilman Strozier made a motion to approve these minimum bids as presented.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.  It was noted that Chief Gossett had requested that council delay action on the two surplus police vehicles presented at the June 19th meeting because he had two additional vehicles he wanted them to consider as surplus items at the July 17th meeting.  Based on this information, council agreed to delay the bidding process for these surplus items until after the July 17th council meeting.

 

City Administrator Brady presented for council’s review and consideration a proposal from Ecological Planning Group for the Development of a Water Conservation & Efficiency Plan as required by EPD for all groundwater permit holders.  A description of the programs to be implemented by the City to meet the requirements of the Georgia EPD Guidance Documents is due by August 31, 2008.  The proposal from EPG is $10,000 to complete all tasks required by EPD and this figure is included in the FY 2008/2009 budget.  Councilman Ray made a motion to accept the proposal from Ecological Planning Group as presented by Mr. Brady, Councilwoman Winn seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

 

Being no further business, Councilman Waller made a motion to adjourn at 6:45pm.  Councilman Ray seconded the motion and it passed with six affirmative votes.

                                                                                          

Mayor Tipton and all councilmembers 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.