Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
April 8, 2021
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Roberts
Council Members participating via Zoom: John Byrd, Mickey O’Malley
In-person participation: Mayor Roberts, Lee Prettyman, Andrenia Stoner
Staff in person: Eric Wilmarth, Karen Jordan, Darrell Caudill
Donald Campbell, Cherokee Tribune participated via Zoom
Item 2: Approve Agenda
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the agenda as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 3: Appearances – None
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
Farmers Market begins on May 15, 2021, and continues every other weekend until October in City Park.
The Ball Ground Garden Club will hold its Annual Spring Plant Sales on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 10AM to 4PM in the Botanical Garden.
The City’s annual fireworks display will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021.
Item 5: Approval of March 11, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 6: Old Business
- Consider Second Reading to amend The Code of the City of Ball Ground Appendix A – Zoning Division 105.-Supplementary District Regulation; Sec. 105.4 Fences and Walls
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the second reading of the amendment to the code as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 7: New Business
- Consider First Reading of Budget Effective July 1, 2021
City Manager Wilmarth submitted the FY 2021/2022 Budget for Council consideration.
- In the General Operating Fund Budget, the projected total revenue of $1,399,810.00 is an increase of 8.8% over the previous year. This budget anticipated the increase of ten million dollars (at the 40% value) to the tax digest and an increase to the reserve fund of twenty thousand dollars.
- SPLOST is projecting total revenue of $582,100.00 based on receipts for the first 6 months of 2021. SPLOST currently has a debt owed to the General Fund of approximately $130,000.00 for an advance to complete a project.
- Water and Sewage Budget project revenue of $2,053,400.00 for the coming year. While this budget does not project a rate increase to the average customer, it does provide a significant rate increase on specific users such as customers using over 20,000 gallons per month and customers with a 2 inch or larger water meter.
- Storm Water Utility Fund expects revenue of $42,250.00 for the coming year. These funds will provide for the initial inspection of all detention ponds.
- Solid Waste Fund reflects a 12.3% increase over the previous year due to the anticipated growth within the City.
- Total budget reflects a 20.3% increase over the previous FY 2020/2021 Budget.
Budget totals are as follows:
General Fund $1,399,810.00
Fire District Tax $ 392,750.00
SPLOST $ 582,100.00
Water/Sewer $2,053,400.00
Storm Water $ 42,250.00
Solid Waste $ 262,200.00
Total $4,732,510.00
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the budget as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Mayor Roberts announced a budget hearing would be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers.
- Consider Resolution Declaring April as National Safe Digging Month
Council Members unanimously approved a Resolution declaring April as National Safe Digging Month in the City of Ball Ground.
- Consider Adoption of City Official Zoning Map
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the 2021 City Zoning Map as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Purchase of Police Vehicle
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to authorize the purchase of a 2021 Ford Explorer from Akins Ford. The vehicle will be purchased through the Georgia Municipal Association Direct Leasing Program.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley.
- Transfer of Alcohol License
Licensee: Guadalupe Fuentes/Pueblo Grill 2, LLC, 10150 Ball Ground Hwy
City Manager Wilmarth stated Mr. Guadalupe Fuentes submitted his application for a change in partnership in Pueblo Grill 2, LLC. The business has been operated by a partnership until recently. Per City Ordinance in the event of a change of ownership of a business for which an individual has been issued a license, the new owner, if desiring a license, meets the qualifications, files an application, and tender with the application all the administrative and investigatory fees as provided in this division as well as any license fee that may be due, a license can be issued.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the transfer of the alcohol license to Mr. Guadalupe Fuentes.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 8: City Manager Comments
City Manager Wilmarth provided Council Members with an unaudited report of account balances, and a statement of revenues and expenditures for the month ended March 31, 2021. The report showed cash on deposit totaled 1,902,231.62.
City Manager provides updates on the progress of several ongoing projects around the City.
Chief Reeves presented a written report of the Police Department’s activities for the month ended March 31, 2021.
Chief Reeves updated Mayor Roberts and Council Members on the status of the Risk Reduction Certificate Program the department is participating in. The program is a cooperative effort between the Georgia Municipal Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency to help local law enforcement agencies mitigate potential liability. Chief Reeves said the 6-Step Process is nearing completion and is scheduled to be reviewed for approval within the month.
Item 9: Mayor Roberts
Mayor Roberts spoke on the “It’s Worth a Shot” campaign the Georgia Municipal Association is using to encourage Georgians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The goal of the campaign is to reach a 70%-80% vaccination rate so as to achieve herd immunity in 2021.
Mayor Roberts announced he would propose a plan to separate the Downtown Development Authority from the Main Street Board for council members to consider at the May Council meeting.
Item 10: Council Comments
Council Member Stoner thanked Chief Reeves and his department for their assistance in a recent incident she was involved in.
Item 11: Public Comments
Michele Evans, business owner and resident of 106 Covington Drive said she is thankful for the police department and the work they do in the community. She said Ball Ground is a great place to live and work. Ms. Evans is the owner and operator of Ball Ground Beauty Spot located at 140 Valley St.
Item 12: Adjourn
There being no further business for consideration Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to adjourn at 7:50 PM.
Motion Unanimously Approved
The minutes of this April 8, 2021, City Council Meeting approved this 20th Day of May 2021.
_______________________________
- R. Roberts, III, Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
