Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
February 20, 2020
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Rick Roberts
Council Members and Staff Present:
John Byrd – Council Member
Mickey O’Malley – Council Member
Lee Prettyman – Council Member
Andrenia Stoner – Council Member
Chris Luly – City Planner
Darrell Caudill, City Attorney
Donna England, Finance Director
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Donald Campbell – Cherokee Tribune
Council Members Absent: Frank Homiller
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to pull Agenda Item 7(a).
Motion Unanimously Approved
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the Agenda.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member O’Malley
Item 3: Appearances
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
Item 5: Approval of January 9, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2020 Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 6: Old Business – None
Item 7: New Business
Consider Surplus of Property 420 Gilmer Ferry Road (Vacant Lot)
City Manager Wilmarth stated that this parcel of land was acquired several years ago. It has been used to access a 6-acre tract of city property behind the Community Center. Recently a new entrance was constructed eliminating the City’s need for the property.
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to surplus property located at 420 Gilmer Ferry Road and advertising for sale on GovDeals.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider Bids Received on Surplus Property 301 Gilmer Ferry Road
Consider Bids Received for Surplus Property located at 301 Gilmer Ferry Road
The City advertised to accept sealed bids for four weeks in the Cherokee Tribune for the sale of surplus property located at 301 Gilmer Ferry Road (Old City Hall). The City received 7 bids on the property with the highest bid being $103,929.00 from Jill Mirabella.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to accept the bid of $103,909.00 for the sale of 301 Gilmer Ferry Road from Jill Mirabella.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider Amendment to Section 104.12.E(2)e) of the Ball Ground Development Code (2 story buildings)
Now be it and it is hereby ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Ball Ground, that the CITY OF BALL GROUND CODE OF ORDINANCES Appendix A. Zoning. Division 104 District Standards and Permitted Uses. Section 104.12 (1)(e) is hereby amended by deleting the word two in said Section 104.12 (1)(e) and replacing it with the word three. From here forward the sentence shall read: Building shall not exceed three stories in height. When fronting a street or square, buildings shall be no less than three stories in height.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to adopt the change as stated.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider Amendment to Section 107.3.C of the Ball Ground Development Code (Sidewalks)
Now be it and it is hereby ORDAINED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Ball Ground, that the CITY OF BALL GROUND CODE OF ORDINANCES Appendix A. Zoning. Division 107 Traffic and Parking Standards. Section 107.3 (c) is hereby amended deleting said section and replacing it with the following:
New Development containing at least one commercial structure shall install sidewalks along the road frontage of the property being developed.
New developments containing at least two (2) adjoining residential units shall install sidewalks along the road frontage of the property being developed.
New developments containing at least six (6) residential units shall install sidewalks along the road frontage of the property being developed, and within the development itself, unless all units are facing the public right of way and connected via the sidewalk installed on the road frontage.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to adopt the change as stated.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider of GMA Lease Purchase for Patrol Vehicle
City Manager Wilmarth presented a proposal to purchase a 2020 Ford Explorer Police Vehicle with equipment in the amount of $52,078.47.
Funding of this vehicle will be through the Georgia Municipal Association Lease/Purchase Program.
A Resolution to authorize the purchase of the police vehicle and direct an officer of the City to execute one or more lease supplements for a lease or leases under the GMA Direct Leasing Program; to designate such leases as qualified tax obligations; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes was presented to Council for consideration.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve A Resolution to authorize the purchase of the 2020 Ford Explorer Police Vehicle with equipment and direct an officer of the City to execute one or more lease supplements for a lease or leases under the GMA Direct Leasing Program; to designate such leases as qualified tax obligations; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Transfer of Alcohol License
Applicant: 10 Paperclips, LLC / DBA Les Bon Temp Louisiana Kitchen
Licensee/Owner: Christopher Brett Ruffino
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the transfer of alcohol license to applicant 10 Paperclips, LLC/DBA Les Bon Temp Louisiana Kitchen and whose owner is Christopher Brett Ruffino.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider Resolution 2020-R01 Supporting Legislation for the Georgia Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority Act
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve Resolution 2020-R01 Supporting Legislation for the Georgia Local Government Infrastructure Finance Authority Act.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Consider a third SDS extension approved by the Board of Commissioners in its regular session of February 4, 2020.
City Manager Wilmarth stated the negotiations between the County and Cities have continued without coming to an agreement. By not coming to an agreement the County and Cities remain out of compliance with the Department of Community Affairs Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) and loose their Qualified Local Government Status (QLG). The County asked each City to consider approval of a third extension which would bring each back into compliance.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to join with the County to request an extension the existing SDS,
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 8: City Manager Comments
City Manager Wilmarth provided Council Members with an unaudited report of account balances, and statement of revenue and expenditures for the month ended January 31, 2020. The report showed cash on deposit totaled $1,297,986.25.
Staff is working with the County Marshal’s Office to draft an intergovernmental agreement to provide code enforcement within the City.
Recently the staff at the Senior Center expressed their desire to expand the facility. Although the facility is only two years the number of residents who attend activities at the center has grown. Staff will be working to prepare and submit an application for grant funding to expand the facility.
Work on the Roberts Lake Park Project has stalled due to the excessive amount of rain recently received.
A written report of the Police Departments activity for the month ended January 31, 2020 was presented to Mayor and Council Members for review.
Item 9: Mayor Roberts
Mayor Roberts gave a recap of the Council Planning Retreat held on January 13, 2020. One of the items discussed was a revision of the Sign Ordinance. An Ad hock committee comprised of Council Members John Byrd and Lee Prettyman along with Karla Weaver and Eric Wilmarth was appointed by Mayor Roberts.
Mayor Roberts stated he hoped to have the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Board of Commissioners signed so to begin Code Enforcement on or before July 1.
Item 10: Council Comments
Council Members Byrd, O’Malley, Prettyman and Stoner, each commended City staff for the excellent job they do each day.
Item 11: Public Comments
Christine Rogers resident of 217 Chestnut Street, appeared before Mayor and Council to express her thoughts of the number of properties that she believes continue to be in violation of a number of city ordinances.
Mrs. Rogers also commented on the 18 wheelers that are using Chestnut Street. She stated they are damaging the sidewalk and question if they are not responsible for a water leak that occurred. She questioned why ordinances were not being enforced.
City Manager Wilmarth stated Chief Reeves and his department is currently handling a number of complaints received. Once a complaint is filed proper steps must be taken before a citation is issued.
Mrs. Rogers requested something be done to stop the water from draining onto her daughter’s driveway located on Tatum Circle.
Item 12: Executive Session (If Needed)
Item 12: Adjourn
There being no further business for Mayor and Council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:15PM.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
The minutes of this February 20, 2020 City Council Meeting approved this 12th Day of March 2020.
___________________________
A.R. (Rick) Roberts, III, Mayor
Attest: _________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
