Work Session of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 6:00 P.M.
Minutes
August 8, 2019
Mayor Roberts called the meeting to order.
Present for the meeting
John Byrd – Council Member
Lee Prettyman – Council Member
Andrenia Stoner – Council Member
Donna England – Finance Director
Chris Luly – City Planner
Abby Roach, City Attorney
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Donald Campbell – Cherokee Tribune
Council Members Absent: Frank Homiller and Mickey O’Malley
City Manager Wilmarth presented a copy of the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement to each council member for review. Each of the forms included in the document was explained by City Manager Wilmarth.
No Action taken.
Adjourn
There being no further items for discussion the meeting was adjourned.
Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
August 8, 2019
Mayor Roberts called the meeting to order.
Present for the meeting
John Byrd – Council Member
Lee Prettyman – Council Member
Andrenia Stoner – Council Member
Donna England – Finance Director
Bryon Reeves – Chief of Police
Chris Luly – City Planner
Abby Roach, City Attorney
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Donald Campbell – Cherokee Tribune
Council Members Absent: Frank Homiller and Mickey O’Malley
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances
Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather presented the department’s annual report on Fire/EMS services for the City of Ball Ground and Cherokee County.
Mayor Roberts commended Chief Prather and his department for the services they provide to the residents of Ball Ground and Cherokee County.
Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
Consider Approval of July 11, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2019 City Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Old Business
Consider Second Reading of Wireless Facilities and Antennas (Small Cell) Ordinance
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the second reading of the proposed ordinance.
Motion Unanimously Approved
New Business
Consider relinquishment of unused sewer easement
City Manager Wilmarth stated that in 2001 a construction easement was acquired from Valley Street property owner Mrs. Margaret Stancil to install a sewer line across a portion of her property. During construction, the line was installed without involving Mrs. Stancil’s property. The property is now for sale and the owner is requesting relinquishment of the easement.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to relinquish the easement granted to Mrs. Stancil.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of policy regarding bidding by employees on surplus property/equipment
City Manager Wilmarth presented the proposed policy for Council consideration. He stated the purpose of this policy is to outline the position of the City of Ball Ground pertaining to the ability to bid on surplus property/equipment. No employee, elected official, nor member of any board or committee of the City of Ball Ground shall bid on, nor cause to be bid on by a third party, of any surplus property outlined in the policy.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to adopt the proposed policy as submitted regarding employees bidding on city owned surplus property or equipment.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of Sewer Capacity Fee Schedule
City Manager Wilmarth submitted for Council consideration a Sewer Capacity Fee Schedule. The fees are for commercial business and are calculated based on their projected consumption.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the Sewer Capacity Fee Schedule as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of Service Delivery Strategy Agreement
City Manager submitted for Council consideration the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement between Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and the City of Ball Ground.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the agreement as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground regarding MHz Radio System
City Manager Wilmarth presented an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee County and the City of Ball Ground regarding a Cherokee County Simulcast Remote Radio Site to be constructed and located on property owned by the City of Ball Ground. Also, outlined in the IGA Cherokee County will implement a Voice Trucked Wide Area Radio System replacing the current system. Terms of this agreement are outlined in the IGA.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve entering into the Intergovernmental Agreement with Cherokee County and authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the document.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of an Intergovernmental Funding Agreement for the Cherokee Office of Economic Development
An Intergovernmental Funding Agreement for of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development was presented to Council Members or consideration. The City of Ball Ground will provide an annual payment of $5,000.00 and an additional $1,000.00 Cherokee Office of Economic Development GIS contribution on February 1 of each year. Additional terms of the agreement are outlined in the IGA.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve entering into the Intergovernmental Funding Agreement with Cherokee County and authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the document.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider adoption of Inmate Housing Agreement between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground
City Manager Wilmarth stated the intent of the agreement will be for the Sheriff’s Department to accept, book, and house Inmates for the City, subject to the terms outlined in the Agreement.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to enter into the Intergovernmental Inmate Housing Agreement with Cherokee County and authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the document.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider adoption of Storm Water Fee Schedule
Per the City’s Storm Water Utility Ordinance Section 28-103 Titled Establishment of a stormwater utility and enterprise fund the City Council from time to time may establish fees for such service. Therefore, it is proposed by the City Council to establish a fee of $4.00 per month and such fee shall be include in the monthly water bill of each city water customer. The $4.00 fee per month shall be billed annually to non-water customers.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to establish a $4.00 per month fee for each city water customer to be include on their monthly water bill and the $4.00 fee be billed annually to non-water customers.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider InterDev Agreement for GIS Services
City Manager Wilmarth presented to council members for consideration a proposal from InterDev to continue providing GIS services to the City of Ball Ground. This is a 3-year agreement with a 4% escalator per year beginning on the first anniversary from the effective date of the agreement. The escalation fee schedule is as follows: Year 1: $29,120.00 Year 2: $30,285.00
Year 3: $31,496.00.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the 3-Year agreement for GIS services from InterDev as submitted and to authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the document.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Annexation Notification and Land Use Dispute Resolution
City Manager Wilmarth stated the Annexation Notification and Land Use Dispute Resolution is part of the Service Delivery Strategy Agreement and is to be submitted with the annexation notice to Cherokee County.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the Annexation Notification and Land Use Dispute Resolution and to authorize Mayor Roberts to execute the document.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
City Managers Report
City Manager Wilmarth provided Mayor Roberts and Council Members with an unaudited report of account balances, statement of revenue and expenditures for the month ended July 31, 2019. The report showed cash on deposit totaled $774,015.28.
Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts commended City Manager Wilmarth for his hard work and dedication in making the Roberts Lake Project a reality. This will be a tremendous asset to the City of Ball Ground for many years to come.
Mayor Roberts commented that his great uncle once operated a power plant on the property that once supplied power to the city. Remains of the operation are still visible today.
Council Members Comments
Council Members each commented on the growth of the City and commended the employees for the work they do each day.
Public Comments
Scott Barnes, who has represented the City of Ball Ground on the Cherokee County Planning Commission for the past 13 years submitted his resignation to Mayor Roberts and City Council. Mr. Barnes stated his place of employment no longer allowed him to serve on this board because of potential conflict of interest. Mr. Barnes stated October 2, 2019 would be the last meeting he would attend.
Mayor Roberts extended his sincere appreciation to Mr. Barnes and presented him
with a plaque for his thirteen years of service.
Executive Session (If Needed)
Adjourn
There being no further business for Mayor and Council Members consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn.
The minutes of this August 8, 2019, City Council Meeting approved this 12th Day of September, 2019.
Mayor A. R. Roberts, III
Attest: Karen L. Jordan
City Clerk
