Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
- Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Pro Tem Frank Homiller in the absence of Mayor Rick Roberts
Present for the meeting were:
John Byrd, Council Member Mickey O’Malley, Council Member
Lee Prettyman, Council Member Andrenia Stoner, Council Member
Donna England, Finance Officer Bryon Reeves, Police Chief
Darrell Caudill, City Attorney Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
2. Pledge of Allegiance
- Appearances
- Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
April 21, 2018 – Ball Ground Business & Community Association Fundraising Event
April 23, 2018 – Congressman Barry Loudermilk host Local Government Services Day at Chattahoochee Tech’s North Metro Campus
April 26, 2018 – Downtown District Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study Public Meeting at 6 PM in City Hall
April 26, 2018 – Ball Ground Police Dept. will host an Active Shooter Class at BGUMC beginning at 6 PM
- Consider Approval of March 8, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2018 meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Old Business
- Consider 2nd Reading Sign Ordinance
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the Sign Ordinance as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider 2nd Reading of Solid Waste Ordinance
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the Solid Waste Ordinance as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- New Business
- Consider Professional Services Agreement between Brown Pelican Consulting, LLC and City of Ball Ground for the purpose to prepare, agree upon and submit to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) a Service Delivery Agreement
City Manager Wilmarth informed Council Members that the Mayor and City Manager of each City met and decided to contract with an outside firm for the purpose of providing consulting services solely to the cities for services pertaining to Service Delivery Agreement and other issues facing cities in Georgia. The Firm shall perform other services as determined by the Cities from time to time and as outlined in the Services Agreement. The cost of services is split by population.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve entering into an Agreement between Brown Pelican Consulting, LLC, (“the Firm”) and the municipalities of Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Mountain Park, Nelson, Waleska, and Woodstock (“the Cities”) for services such as development of written reports as will aid the Cities in their negotiations with Cherokee County in the preparation of a new Service Delivery Agreements and other services as outlined in the Agreement.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider 1st Reading of FY 2018/2019 Budget
City Manager Wilmarth submitted the FY 2018/2019 Budget for Council consideration.
- In the General Operating Fund Budget, the projected total revenue of $1,042,735.00 is an increase of 12% over the previous year. Significant changes deal with personnel cost and benefits.
- SPLOST Revenue reflects a 66% increase because of several grants awarded for City projects.
- Water and Sewage Budget shows an increase of 2% due in part to the .10 cent per thousand increases on all tier levels of water and sewer consumption in January 2018.
- Storm Water Utility Fund has been added to the budget in anticipation of the adoption of a Storm Water Utility Ordinance. Funds would be generated by applying a fee of $48.00 per year on each residential equivalent unit within the City.
- Solid Waste Fund reflects an 8% increase over the previous year due to the anticipated growth within the City.
- Total budget reflects a 28% increase over the previous FY 2017/2018 Budget.
Budget totals are as follows:
General Fund $1,042,735.
Fire District Tax $ 256,000.
SPLOST $1,280,020.
Water/Sewer $1,172,800.
Storm Water $ 33,850.
Solid Waste $ 175,000.
Total $3,960,405.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the first reading of the FY 2018/2019 Budget as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider 1st Reading of Annexation Petition
Applicant: Josh Briggs/Cedar Ridge Services, LLC
Applicant is requesting annexation of 2.27 acres at 674 Old Dawsonville Rd.
Current zoning is AG
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the first reading of the Annexation Petition submitted by Josh Briggs/Cedar Ridge Services, LLC.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Appointment to Sequoyah Regional Library Board of Trustees
Mayor Pro Tem Homiller stated The Sequoyah Regional Library System is overseen by the Regional Library Board of Trustees that is composed of nine members from the local county boards. Appointments to the Regional Board include five members from the Cherokee Board, two members from the Pickens Board and two members from the Gilmer Board.
The County Boards oversee the operations of the local library or libraries and reports to the Regional Board.
Mayor Pro Tem stated Beth Hall has served six years on the board and does not wish to be reappointed for a third term. He further stated that Mayor Roberts has recommended Council confirm the appointment of Sharon Morse to fill the seat of Mrs. Hall.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to appoint Mrs. Sharon Morse to the Sequoyah Regional Library Board of Trustees.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Rezone Request Applicant: Stefanie Joyner
Applicant is requesting to rezone 1,54 acres at 153 Commerce Lane and 995 Old Canton Road from R-40 to R-40 and R-20. If rezoned, the property will continue to be used as single family residential.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the request for change of zoning from R-40 to R-40 and R-20 for property located at 153 Commerce Lane and 995 Old Canton Road as submitted by Stefanie Joyner.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider request by Diamond Head Development for Special Use Permit to allow for a solid waste transfer station in Light Industrial (LI) Zoning
City Manager Wilmarth presented a Proposal for Waste Transfer Station and Services by Diamondhead Development, LLC for Council consideration. He stated this is a permitted use within the City Development Code provided a special use permit is granted by the City Council.
The proposal states Diamondhead Development, LLC is requesting a land use permit from the City of Ball Ground in order to build a solid waste transfer station located on Stewart Way. The waste transfer station would handle both MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) and C&D (Construction and Demolition).
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Council Member Byrd, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to move forward with negotiations between the City of Ball Ground and Diamondhead Development, LLC to draft an ordinance governing solid waste transfer station(s) operating within the City of Ball Ground.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- City Managers Report
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
A written operational report of the Police Department’s activity for the month ended March 31, 2018, was presented by Chief Reeves.
- Mayor Roberts Comments
- Council Members Comments
Council Member O’Malley reported the lighting system of field 2 was back in operational order. He also reported the backboard on the basketball court had been repaired.
- Public Comments
Jim McCain and Kyle Wolfel, residents of Sage Hill Subdivision addressed Council asking for help with a drainage issue behind their houses. Mr. Wolfel, President of the Sage Hill HOA stated the water draining off of South Sharp Mountain Church Lane is causing damage to the homeowner’s backyards. Mr. Wolfel said he doesn’t feel it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to fix the problem. He further stated he felt the fault lies with the city and county.
City Manager Wilmarth told Mr. Wolfel that he would contact EPD to find out if the Notice of Termination had been issued to the developer. City Manager Wilmarth further stated he would forward the response from EPD to Mr. Wolfel and to Jeff Morton, Director of Cherokee County Public Works and Engineer. Mr. Morton would also be informed of the residents’ issues with the road, South Sharp Mountain Church Lane.
- Executive Session (If Needed)
- Adjourn – There being no further business for consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:00 P.M.
The minutes of this April 12, 2018, City Council Meeting approved this 10th Day of May 2018.
______________________________ ________________________________
Mayor, A. R. Roberts, III Mayor Pro Tem Frank Homiller
______________________________ _______________________________
Council Member John Byrd Council Member Mickey O’Malley
______________________________ ______________________________
Council Member Lee Prettyman Council Member Andrenia Stoner
Attest: _____________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
