Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
January 10, 2008
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Rick Roberts
Council Members Present: John Byrd, Ashley Holcomb, Frank Homiller & Lee Prettyman
Council Member Andrenia Stoner was absent due to sickness.
Staff Present – Darrell Caudill, City Attorney; Dana Davis, Police Chief; Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk; Randy Westbrook, Finance Director; Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Lee Prettyman
Item 3: Public Comments – Recognition of Guest
Raymond Edwards of 503 Goss Lane, Ball Ground, Ga. asked if the location of the new school had been announced.
Mayor Roberts replied that hopefully within the next several weeks the Cherokee County Board of Education would be ready to announce the location.
John “Shorty” Jordan asked the status of the Downtown Streetscape Project.
Mayor Roberts replied that the contracts have been sent to GDOT and that we are waiting on their response.
Jennie Way, owner of Packrat’s Daughter asked Mayor and Council to consider selling the old City Hall Building at 301 Gilmer Ferry Rd. rather than tearing it down. Ms. Way stressed that the building held tremendous historic value to the City and that it would be a shame to tear it down.
Mayor Roberts stated he and council are very much aware of the historic significance the building holds and would discuss the fate of the building at an upcoming work session.
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates reported by City Manager Eric Wilmarth
City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 21st in observance of MLK
Valley St. Extension – Land Disturbing Permit Fees in addition to our notice of intent have been sent to Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The City should receive approval from EPD within 30 days. Upon completion of the “bid packet” by the engineer a notice to bid will be announced. A tentative bid opening date of Thursday, February 14, has been set.
Downtown Streetscape Project – The Contract for construction of Downtown Streetscape Project No. TEE-0006-00 (584), P.I. No. 0006584, Cherokee County approved by council last month has been signed and returned to GDOT engineers. It is anticipated the City will receive the notice to proceed on or about February 15, 2008.
We hope to soon receive notification from GDOT concerning our application for an additional one million dollars in TEE grant.
Alternate Power Source for Well House – A backup generator has been purchased for the Water Department’s Well House at a cost of $30,300.00. A grant totaling $17,500.00 from the Department of Community Affairs will assist the city in this purchase. The City received an initial, partial amount of the grant in October in the amount of $13,125.00. The remaining grant amount will be disbursed when the City has spent or contractually obligated the Initial Payment in full and has delivered to DCA its “Request for Final Payment”.
Radio Read Water Meter Project – 52 old meters still to be changed out. The system is working extremely well. This project considered completed.
City Hall – Lighting fixtures for parking area are scheduled to be installed next Thursday. Delivery problems of furniture continue. Landscape design plan submitted to contractor for pricing.
Item 5: Approval of Minutes of the December 13, 2007Regular Scheduled Meeting
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2007 regular Scheduled Council Meeting.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Item 6: Old Business – None
Item 7: New Business
a) Appointment of 2008 Department Heads, Committees and Board Members
Mayor Roberts recommended the following appointments for council approval.
City Clerk Karen L. Jordan
Chief of Police Dana Davis
Clerk of Court Doreen Hobbs
Assistant Clerk of Court Karen L. Jordan
Municipal Court Judge Gary Markwell
Associate Municipal Court Judge Robert Dyer
City Attorney Roach, Geiger and Caudill
City Auditors Mauldin & Jenkins
Mayor Pro Tem Frank Homiller
Council Member Holcomb moved to approve the appointments as presented by Mayor Roberts. Council Member Byrd seconded the motion.
Vote 4 Yeas 0 Nays Motion Approved
Mayor Roberts recommended the following board appointments for council approval.
Zoning Board of Appeals: David Kubala, Daniel Sisson, Scott Barnes, Amanda Jobe & Judson Roberts
Tree Board: Karen L. Jordan, Jerrie Hall, Jennie Byers & Mayor Roberts
Downtown Development Authority: Frank Homiller, Wes Latimer, Brent Richardson, Judson Roberts , George Westbrook, Patrick Day & Janice Prather
The terms of Patrick Day and Janice Prather will expire in 2014.
Council Member Holcomb moved to approve the appointments as presented by Mayor Roberts. Council Member Byrd seconded the motion. Vote 4 Yeas 0 Nays
b) Consider 1st Reading of Amendment to City of Ball Ground Comprehensive
Development Code Division 104.13 Titled The Valley Overlay District
City Manager Wilmarth summarized the ordinance amendment.
Council Member Byrd moved to accept the 1st reading of an Amendment to City of Ball Ground Comprehensive Development Code Division 104.13 Titled the Valley Overlay District. Council Member Prettyman seconded the motion.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
c) Consider Contribution for Matching Grant to purchase back up power generator for
Well house.
Mayor Roberts outlined the “Special Project Grant” and further requested Council Members approve the expenditure of $12,800.00 to complete the funds need to purchase a back up power generator to be placed at the City’s Well house.
Council Member Holcomb moved to expense the funds from the City’s Water and Sewage Fund to assist in the purchase of the back up power generator. Council Member Homiller seconded the motion. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
City Manager Wilmarth stated the notice to proceed with the project will be issued January 11, 2008.
d) Consider 1st Reading of Annexation Petition 2008-A01 Barbara Edwards, Applicant
Council Member Holcomb moved to table this item of business. Council Member Prettyman seconded the motion. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
e) Consider 1st Reading of Application for Retail Sales of Alcoholic Beverages – Amerioil Inc./DBA Chevron Ball Ground, Zayray Dutta, Applicant
Mayor Roberts presented the application for public comment.
No comments received.
Council Member Holcomb put forth the motion, seconded by Council Member Byrd to accept the 1st reading of the Application for the retail sales of alcoholic beverages from applicant, Zayray Dutta. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
f) Consider 1st Reading of City of Ball Ground Code Title 10 “Environment”, Chapter 8, Titled Floodplain Management/Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Mayor Roberts presented the ordinance for Council discussion.
Council Member Holcomb put forth a motion, seconded by Council Member Homiller to accept the ordinance as presented. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
City Manger Wilmarth stated the adoption of this ordinance is required by the Water Planning District and upon it adoption the “City” will be eligible for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Item 8: Financial Report for Period Ended 12/31/2007 – Finance Director
Finance Director Randy Westbrook presented a statement of revenue and expenditures for all funds totaling $732,137.29 for period ended December 31, 2007.
Item 9: City Manager Comments
Item 10: Mayor Roberts & City Council Comments
Item 11: Executive Session (If Needed)
Item 12: Adjourn
There being no further business for Council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn.
The minutes of this January 10, 2008 Meeting of Council approved this 14th Day of February, 2008.
____________________________ _______________________________
Mayor A. R. Roberts, III Council Member Frank Homiller
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Council Member John Byrd Council Member Ashley Holcomb
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Council Member Lee Prettyman Council Member Andrenia Stoner
Attest __________________________
City Clerk Karen L. Jordan