Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
March 13, 2008
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order
In the absence of Mayor Roberts, Frank Homiller, Mayor Pro Tem called the meeting to order.
Council Members Present: John Byrd, Ashley Holcomb, Frank Homiller,
Lee Prettyman & Andrenia Stoner
Staff Present: Darrell Caudill, City Attorney; Dana Davis, Police Chief;
Michael Chapman, Planner and Eric Wilmarth, City Manager & Karen Jordan, City Clerk
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Homiller
Item 3: Public Hearings, Comments & Recognition of Guest
Public Hearing to accept comments related to the issuance of a license for package sales of beer and wine by Dustin Thomas Hewatt at 3005 Canton Hwy, Ball Ground, Ga. 30107.
Hearing none the public hearing was closed.
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
The dedication of the New City Hall will be held in September rather than in April as previously announced.
Donations are now being solicited to fund the installation of a Commemorative Bell in the Tower of the newly built City Hall.
Item 5: Approval of Minutes
a) February 14, 2008 Regular Scheduled Meeting
Council Member Holcomb put forth a motion to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2008 regular meeting of Council as submitted in writing by the City Clerk. Council Member Stoner seconded the motion.
Motion approved unanimously. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Item 6: Old Business
a) Consider 2nd Reading of Annexation Petition 2008-A01 Barbara Edwards, Applicant
The property consists of 5.45 acres & is located at 8049 & 8051 Ball Ground Hwy. in Ball Ground, Georgia 30107. The property is described as all that tract or parcel of land lying and being Land Lot 138 of the 3rd District, 2nd Section Cherokee County, Georgia and further described as Cherokee County Tax Map 03N01, Parcel(s) 84 & 85. This property is presently zoned Light Industrial (LI) /grandfathered as heavy industrial. No change in zoning is requested at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller presented the annexation petition for discussion. There was none.
Motion to approve by Council Member Holcomb, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
b) Consider 2nd Reading of Annexation Petition 2008-A02 Lanier Ingram,
Applicant
The property consists of 1.44 Acres and is located at 9820 Ball Ground Hwy. in Ball Ground, Georgia 30107. The property is described as all that tract or parcel of land lying and being Land Lot 309 of the 4th District, 2nd Section Cherokee County, Georgia and further described as Cherokee County Tax Map 04N04B, Parcel011C. This property is presently zoned Light Industrial (LI). No change in zoning is requested at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller presented the annexation petition for discussion. There was none.
Motion to approve by Council Member Stoner, Seconded by Council Member Holcomb. Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Item 7: New Business
a) Award Bid for Construction of Valley Street
City Adm. Wilmarth presented a tabulation of bids from the February 14, 2008 bid opening for Mayor and Council review. The following bids were received:
- Weaver Grading & Hauling, Inc. – $387,1800.00
- G.E.M. Contracting, Inc. – $479,030.00
- Tritt Contracting – $431,660.00
- Butch Thompson Enterprise, Inc. – $744,128.00
- N. J. Wilbanks – $482,466.00
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion to accept the lowest bid of $387.180.00 submitted by Weaver Grading and Hauling, Inc. Council Member Stoner seconded the motion.
Motion Approved. 3 Yeas 0 Nays
Council Member Holcomb abstained from the discussion and voting.
City Adm. Wilmarth asked Council Members to approve an additional $10,000.00 to fund the hiring of a GEO Contractor to monitor and inspect the soil compaction of the road project.
Motion by Council Member Stoner, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the request to spend up to $10,000.00 to engage a GEO Contractor to monitor and inspect the soil compaction of the Valley Street Road Project.
Motion Approved. 3 Yeas 0 Nays Council Member Holcomb abstained from voting.
b) Presentation of Concept Plan by CSC General Contracting
No one from CSC General Contracting as present. No action taken.
c) Consider Toilet Retrofit Program
City Adm. Wilmarth provided an overview of the process for district water utilities to follow in order to participate in the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Rebate Program.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman stating that; The City of Ball Ground Water System will develop and implement a water conservation program within its service area and authorize the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District to coordinate and manage a District-wide Toilet Retrofit Program by providing administrative services as stated in the section titled Duties of the District in the agreement and that the City of Ball Ground agrees to provide rebate funding for up to 20 units.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
d) 1st Reading of Application for Retail Sales of Beer & Wine – Dustin Thomas Hewatt, Applicant
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller presented the application and stated no public comment was received.
Council Member Holcomb put forth a motion to approve the first reading of the application. Council Member Byrd seconded the motion.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
e) Consider the following properties for surplus
· Used Water Meters
· Itron Radio Read Units
· Utility Trailer
City Adm. Wilmarth recommended Mayor and Council consider the above listed properties as surplus.
Council Member Holcomb put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to declare the following properties as surplus: used water meters, Itron Radio Read Units and one (1) utility trailer
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
f) Zoning Map
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller presented the Official Zoning Map of the City of Ball Ground for comment.
Hearing none a motion was put forth by Council Member Byrd, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to adopt the Zoning Map of the City of Ball Ground as submitted.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Item 8: City Administrator Comments
Financial Report – City Adm. Wilmarth presented a statement of revenue and expenditures for all funds totaling $678,438.24 for period ended February 29, 2008.
A first draft of the 2008-2009 Budget has been prepared and presented to Mayor Roberts for his review. Council Members should receive a copy for review within the next couple of weeks.
Water & Sewage – Efforts to coordinate a date with the geologist and well driller to begin drilling at a potential well site are ongoing.
A letter of approval from the EPD to test the water quality at a well on the property known as the Leo Taylor Farm has been received. The cost to perform the test will be approximately $1,700.00
Water Department employees David Dean and Joey Ingram are preparing to test for their Class Two Water Licenses.
Parks and Recreation – Recent heavy rains have flooded the Community Building on several occasions causing staff to scramble for a solution to correct the problem. A company has been hired to install a french drainage system around the entire building in hopes of eliminating the flooding.
Public Works Crews have cleared debris from the walking trail in Calvin Farmer Park.
.
Public Safety – Courts are mandated to add an additional 10% fee to each ticket processed for the purpose of funding training for police officers. At some point and time those funds have been diverted to fund another program other than training. Because of this each individual department will now be responsible for the funding of their training classes.
Chief Davis provided Mayor and Council with a written report of the department’s monthly activity for period ending February 29, 2008.
Item 9: City Council Comments
Item 10: Executive Session
At this time a motion was made by Council Member Holcomb, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of discussing with legal council possible litigation.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Following discussion a motion was made by Council Member Holcomb, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to adjourn back into the regular meeting.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
Item 11: Adjourn
There being no further business for council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn.
Motion Approved. 4 Yeas 0 Nays
The Minutes of this March 13, 2008 Meeting of Council approved this 10th Day of April, 2008.
________________________
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller
__________________________ _________________________
Council Member Byrd Council Member Holcomb
__________________________ _________________________
Council Member Prettyman Council Member Stoner
Attest __________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk