Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground Library ~ 7:00 PM
Minutes
November 8, 2007
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order Mayor Roberts
Council Members Present: John Byrd, Ashley Holcomb, Frank Homiller, Lee Prettyman
Council Members Absent: Andrenia Stoner
Staff Present: Darrell Caudill, City Attorney; Dana Davis, Police Chief; Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk; Randy Westbrook, Finance Director; Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Also Present: Nick and Ryan Worcester, Ball Ground Boy Scout Troop No. 1755
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Roberts
Item 3: Public Comments – Recognition of Guest
Heidi Pryor of 3936 Cherry Grove Road commented on the lack of information related to the Council Meeting on the City website.
Mayor Roberts thanked Mrs. Pryor for her comment and stated that it is critical that the website be kept up to date.
Sue Urbaitis of 107 Preserve Parkway thanked everyone for the information she received by mail related to the water crisis.
Jackie Roland of Cherry Grove Road asked Mayor and Council about the status of the City’s Growth Boundary Agreement.
Mayor Roberts stated that the City had not had any further dialog with the County Commissioners.
Item4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Update
Announcements
City Manager Eric Wilmarth announced that City Hall would be closed November 12, 2007 for the observance of Veteran’s Day and November 22 & 23 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
The arrival of Santa Clause on November 30, 2007 at 6:30 PM was also announced by City Manager Wilmarth.
Project Updates City Manager Wilmarth reported on the following:
City Hall Construction – The new city hall building is almost complete and ready for occupancy. Staff has begun moving files and non essential records in to the new building. Delivery of furniture is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, November 9, 2007.
Streetscapes – All project related documents have passed through GDOT’s level four review. The next step of the project should be the contract agreement to bid the project.
Mound Street Sidewalk Project – A new sidewalk has been constructed along Mound Street.
Radio Read Meter Project – The installation of the radio read meters project is 99% complete.
Ball Ground Elementary School – The Cherokee County BOE had contracts to purchase 34 acres within the city limits to construct a new elementary school. The first round of soil testing has been completed with additional testing to begin soon.
Council Member Homiller asked City Manager Wilmarth if the city could proceed with the clearing of right of way before the notice to proceed with the streetscape project had been given. Council Member Homiller specified several building with broken window glass posed a danger to passers by and asked that property owners be given a notice to repair within 30 days or be issued a citation.
City Manager Wilmarth stated he hoped to have the problem corrected within 30 days.
Item 5: Approval of Minutes
a) October 11, 2007 Regular Meeting
b) October 25, 2007 Work Session
Council Member Holcomb made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2007 Regular Scheduled Council Meeting and October 25, 2007 Council Work Session as submitted in writing by the City Clerk. Council Member Homiller seconded the motion. Motion approved 4-0. 1 Absent
Item 6: Old Business (Items a – d were tabled at the October Meeting for 30days)
a) 2nd Reading Annexation Petition No. 2007-A015 from Dale Turner, Cherry Grove Properties, LLC. The property consists of 1011.47 acres & is located on the Northwesterly side of Cherry Grove Rd. The property is described as that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 257, 258, 277, 278, 279, 295, 296, 313, 314, 315, & 333 the 4th District, 2nd Section of Cherokee County, Georgia and further described as Cherokee Co. Tax Map No. 04N05, Parcel 033B & Tax Map No. 04N06, Parcel No 001A. This property is presently zoned AG. No change in zoning is requested at this time.
Mayor Roberts presented the application for second reading.
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion to approve the second reading of annexation petition No. 2007-A015 from Dale Turner, Cherry Grove Properties, LLC. Council Member Holcomb seconded the motion.
Council Member Prettyman opened the floor for discussion by stating it bothered him that the property was so far out and what advantage would the property be to the City if annexed.
Council Member Holcomb stated that he felt the property would be very much part of the community.
Following further discussion, Mayor Roberts called for the vote. Council Members Byrd, Holcomb, Homiller & Prettyman voted in favor. Motion carried.
b) Annexation Petition No. 2007-A016 from Gary R. Burrows. The property consists of 90.42 acres & is located on the Northwesterly side of Cherry Grove Rd. adjacent to the Cherry Grove Properties, LLC. The property is described as that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 295 of the 4th District, 2nd Section of Cherokee County, Georgia and further described as Cherokee Co. Tax Map No. 04N06, Parcel 003. This property is presently zoned AG. No change in zoning is requested at this time.
Mayor Roberts presented the petition for second reading.
Council Member Holcomb put forth a motion to approve the second reading of annexation petition No. 2007-A016, Gary R. Burrows, applicant. Council Member Homiller seconded the motion.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Mayor Roberts stated he would feel more comfortable with the City of Ball Ground in control of the zoning of the property if and when it is developed.
Council Member Byrd stated he would have liked for the County to have been more forthcoming to discuss a growth boundary agreement.
Following further discussion, Mayor Roberts called for the vote. Council Members Byrd, Holcomb, Homiller & Prettyman voted in favor. Motion carried.
c) Finance Director Request Approval to Open Checking Account at United Community Bank.
Finance Director Randy Westbrook presented Mayor and Council with a banking cost comparison for services from both Regions and United Community Bank. The report showed United Community Bank providing some of the same services we are currently receiving at Regions but at a reduced rate or at no cost at all Therefore, Finance Director Westbrook recommended Council consider his request to move the City’s General Operating Account and Water Department Operating Fund to United Community Bank.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion to move both the General and Water Department Operating Accounts to United Community Bank. Council Member Holcomb seconded the motion. Council Members Byrd, Holcomb, Prettyman voted in favor. Council Member Homiller abstained.
d) Finance Director Request Approval to Secure Funding for the Construction Valley Street.
City Manager Wilmarth recommended Council approve a $600,000.00 loan through the Cherokee County Development Authority for the construction of Valley Street and the purchase of necessary right of way.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Homiller, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve borrowing $600,000.00 from the Cherokee County Development Authority for the construction of Valley Street and acquisition of right of way associated with the construction of Valley Street. Council Members Byrd, Holcomb, Homiller & Prettyman voted in favor. Motion Carried.
Item 7: New Business
a) First Reading of Annexation Petition 2007-A019 Gerrell and Slatton, LLC, Applicant. The property consists of 4.9516 acres & is located on the northeasterly side of Commerce Lane. The property is described as that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 309, 4th District, 2nd Section of Cherokee County, Georgia and further described as Cherokee Co. Tax Map 04N04B, Parcel 0311A. This property is presently zoned LI. No change in zoning is requested at this time. (This property is formally part of the Ingram Truck Body Property).
Mayor Roberts presented the application for first reading and opened the floor for discussion.
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, seconded by Council Member Holcomb to approve the first reading of annexation petition 2007- A019. Council Members Byrd, Holcomb, Homiller & Prettyman voted in favor. Motion carried.
b) Approval to Declare Certain Parcel(s) of City Owned Property Surplus
This item of business will be discussed at a work session to be held Monday, November 19, 2007.
Item 8: City Manager Comments
Water and Sewer – For the month of October 3,411,000 gallons of water was produced by the City’s well and 997,230 gallons of water was purchased from CCWSA. Our loss rate was 17%, down 3% from the month of September.
Comparing our usage to the four month winter average, we still need to reduce our consumption by approximately 12,000 gallons per day to meet compliance with our new permit issued in November. A letter requesting exemption from the mandatory 10% water reduction has been sent to EPD. This based on the fact we added 104 new customers since the data were complied for which the 10% reduction is based.
The flow meter at the well house is out of order. Attempts to find parts to repair he meter have been unsuccessful; therefore a new mag meter has been ordered and should be on site in approximately 10 – 14 weeks. The water flow has been rerouted through a 2′ meter, which reduces the flow but allows us to properly measure production.
The attempts to secure an agreement from Mr. Dean Myers to drill test wells on his property has failed. Mr. Myers proposed that the City drill first and agree on a price for the purchase of the property should the well be successful.
Water lines installed along Denny Hill Road and Holcomb Road have received negative results for Bacteria. The project is nearing completion with the lines now ready for use.
Administration & Finance – A report of account balances, statement of revenue and expenditures for the period ending October 31, 2007 was presented in writing by Finance Director Randy Westbrook. Cash on deposit as of October 31, 2007 totaled $821,437.14.
Property Tax bills have been mailed.
The City has received an agreement from Georgia Power requesting to place a utility poll on City Right of Way on Valley Street.
A motion was made by Council Member Homiller to empower the Roads and Streets Committee to further discuss the matter and act in the best interest of the City. Council Member Prettyman seconded the motion. Motion approved 4-0.
City Manager Wilmarth stated he, City Attorney Darrell Caudill and Jeff Watkins are continuing efforts to draft a contract for the joint city/county planner.
Roads and Streets – City Manager Wilmarth requested Mayor and Council accept William Court into the City’s Street inventory.
A Motion was made by Council Member Holcomb, seconded by Council Member Byrd to accept William Court into the City’s Street Inventory. Motion Approved 4-0.
Public Safety – City Manager Wilmarth reported that the list of candidates for the position of police officer has been narrowed to four. Chief Davis is now conducting background investigations on the potential candidates.
Chief Davis conducted the following training session for the department last month: Firearms, use of force and policy and procedure for pursuit. To date the department has completed a total of 358 hours of training.
Item 9: Mayor Roberts & City Council Comments
Mayor Roberts encouraged Council Member to continue the review of the Master Plan compiled by Lew Oliver and to plan to adopt the plan by the end of the year. Mayor Roberts expressed his desire for Council to consider the possibility of creating a Tax Allocation District in 2008.
At a meeting between the Mayors of Cherokee County and the Legislative Delegation, Mayor Roberts stated he expressed his desire for financial assistance from the State to assist in the City’s pursuit of an alternate water source. Mayor Roberts stated he appreciated the support the City has received in the past from the Delegation.
Mayor Roberts announced a ribbon cutting would be held at the new City Hall on December 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM. A dedication of the building would follow in the spring of 2008. Donation to purchase an Anniversary Bell in celebration of the City’s 125 Anniversary Celebration is currently being solicited stated Mayor Roberts.
Item 10: Executive Session (If Needed)
No executive session was held.
Item 11: Adjourn
There being no further business for Mayor and Council consideration, a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:30 PM.
The minutes of this November 8, 2007 Meeting of Council approved this 13th Day of December, 2007.
____________________________ ___________________________
Mayor A. R. Roberts, III Council Member Frank Homiller
____________________________ _____________________________
Council Member John Byrd Council Member Ashley Holcomb
____________________________ _____________________________
Council Member Lee Prettyman Council Member Andrenia Stoner
Attest __________________________
City Clerk Karen L. Jordan
RSS