Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
January 9, 2020
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Rick Roberts
Council Members and Staff Present:
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 and John Byrd
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
Item 3: Appearances
James Bence, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC – Presentation of Financial Audit for Period Ended June 30, 2019. Mr. Bence stated the firm has issued an unmodified audit report (i.e., “clean opinion’). The financial statements are considered to present fairly the financial position and results of cooperation as of, and for the year ended June 30, 2019.
Mr. Bence commended Donna England, Finance Director, City Manager Wilmarth and Staff for their excellent recording keeping and corporation during the audit.
Mayor Roberts and Council Members also commended Donna and her staff for their continued efforts to ensure our receipt of the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Eric Rife appeared before Mayor and City Council to address the issue of outdoor storage at his business located at 2950 Canton Hwy. Mr. Rife stated he had received a letter stating he was in violation of several ordinances. He stated he was working to correct the problems
Mayor Roberts thanked Mr. Rife for attending the meeting and stated this matter would be discussed at the upcoming council retreat.
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
January 13, 2020 – Mayor and City Council Planning Retreat will be held at the Cherokee County Airport Terminal 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Beginning March 14, 2020, live music will be held at the downtown food court.
Item 5: Approval of November 14, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes
(December meeting cancelled)
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner, to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2019 Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 6: Old Business – None
Item 7: New Business
Consider Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to appoint Council Member John Byrd as Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Appointment of 2020 Department Heads, Committees and Board Members
The following Department Heads were appointed by Mayor Roberts and confirmed by Council Members Byrd, O’Malley, Prettyman and Stoner.
City Clerk Karen L. Jordan
Chief of Police Bryon Reeves
Public Works Eric Wilmarth
City Attorney Roach, Caudill & Gunn
City Auditor Mauldin & Jenkins
Engineer G. Ben Turnipseed Engineers
Architect Mark Robillard
Elections Supervisor Karen L. Jordan
Clerk of Court Kim Forman
Assistant Clerk of Court Karen L. Jordan
Municipal Court Judge Gary Markwell
Tree Board Appointments
Karen Jordan, Chairman
Jennie Byers
The sitting president of the Ball Ground Garden Club
Zoning Board of Appeals
David Kubala
Daniel Sisson
Jennie Byers
Jeremy Parker
Ellen Goldberg
Council Committees Chair Other Staff
Finance, Insurance & Personnel Andy Mickey & Frank Donna
Parks & Recreation Mickey Andy & Lee Karen
Roads, Streets & Sidewalks Frank John & Andy Eric
Water, Sewer & Sanitation John Lee & Frank Eric
Public Safety Lee John & Mickey Chief Reeves
Mayor Roberts serves as an ex officio member of each committee.
Executive Committee
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
City Manager
Council Member O’Malley will serve as an alternate to the Executive Committee in the event of a members absent or if there is a conflict of interest among one of the members.
Downtown Development Authority Appointments
Kathy Day Term Expires Dec. 31, 2022
John Byrd Term Expires Dec. 31, 2022
Brent Richardson Term Expires Dec. 31, 2022
Cherokee County Planning Commission Appointment: Council Members unanimously agreed to appoint Lee Lusk to serve a one-year term on the Cherokee County Planning Commission.
Reaffirm Check Signers for any/all banking/checking accounts
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to authorize Mayor Roberts, City Manager Eric Wilmarth, City Clerk Karen Jordan and Police Chief Bryon Reeves as check signers for any/all banking/checking accounts. Two of the named signers are to sign any and all checks $500.00 and over.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Establishing and Fixing Qualifying Fees for Municipal Elections per O.C.G.A. §21-2-131(1)(a)
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the qualifying fee of $35.00 for the office of City Council and $108.00 for the office of Mayor.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Adoption of Zoning Map
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the City of Ball Ground Zoning Map as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Adoption of Schedule of Service Fees
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the Schedule of Service Fees as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Arbor Day Proclamation
Mayor Roberts presented Proclamation 2020-001 proclaiming February 21, 2020 as Arbor Day in The City of Ball Ground. A tree planting will take place at a time to be determined on this date.
Consider Proposal for Solid Waste Services
City Manager Wilmarth stated the current solid waste provider, Santek proposed a contract extension with a 53% increase. Staff met and decided it to advertise for RFP’S.
Proposals were accepted for a three-week period and opened on Friday, January 3. Proposals were received from Advance Disposal and Waste Pro.
Advance: Residential Service: $18.09 per month for Garbage, Scheduled Bulk Waste, Yard Waste Services and Recycling. Individual pricing. Residents have the option to subscribe to garbage service only. Recycling is optional and can be added for an additional fee.
Waste Pro: $15.25 per month for Weekly Solid Waste, Recycle, Yard Waste & Bulk collection services.
Committee Members met to discuss the proposals. It was their decision to recommend council members select Waste Pro.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to select Waste Pro to provide residential garbage service. The cost to residents will be $16.50 for Garbage, Scheduled Bulk Waste, Yard Waste Services. Residents have the option to add recycling if they choose at the cost of $23.00.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider GMA Lease/Purchase Agreement for Electronic Message Board
City Manager Wilmarth presented a proposal from A1 Signs of Atlanta to purchase a double-face custom aluminum monument with column and internal LED illumination. Included will be 8mm electronic message center with a 5-year parts warranty and 1-year labor warranty. The cost of the electronic message board is $34,430.00. Funding of this purchase will be through the Georgia Municipal Association Lease/Purchase Program.
A Resolution to authorize the purchase of the electronic message board 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 Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve A Resolution to authorize the purchase of the electronic message board 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 Inmate Housing Agreement between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground
An Inmate Housing Agreement between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground was presented to Mayor and Council for consideration. Per the agreement, the intent in the pursuance of law enforcement in and for the City and the County, the County and the Sheriff will accept, book and house inmates for the City, subject to the terms disclosed in the agreement.
The City previously adopted and adheres to the “Jail Construction and Staffing Act’ requirements as presented in O.C.G.A ⸹15-21-90 and recognizes that ten percent (10%) of all fines shall be paid to the County for the maintenance of the County Jail.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to enter into the Inmate Housing Agreement between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground. The Agreement may be terminated by either Party, with or without cause, at any time upon sixty (60) days’ notice in writing delivered by certified mail to the proper official(s) identified herein.
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 December 31, 2019. The report showed cash on deposit totaled $1,106,755.61.
Chief Reeves presented a written report of the Police Department’s activities for the month of December 2019 and a yearly report.
Valley Street Streetscape Project is 100% complete.
Three crosswalks located downtown have been equipped with flashing signals to notify motorist of pedestrians entering the crosswalks.
Tour of the Southern Highlands bike racing event will once again be held in Ball Ground February 29th and March 1st. The race is the only Pro/Am stage race east of the Rockies that doubles as a Junior National selection race. The race draws more than 500 pro/elite, masters and amateurs for up to three days of racing and boasts more than $12,000 dollars in cash and prizes. ToSH also offers young athletes a chance for selection to represent the United States on an international stage.
Item 9: Mayor Roberts announced Council Members will hold their 2020 Planning Retreat on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the Terminal of the Cherokee County Airport. The retreat will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude a 4:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public.
Item 10: Council Comments
Council Member O’Malley reported City Gym is in high demand and completely
booked for the next several months.
Council Member O’Malley stated he would like ideas on how the gym could be better utilized during the day. He stated he would be discussing ideas with council members at the planning retreat.
Council Member Prettyman stated today is National Law Appreciation Day. He asked Council Members to join him in declaring this day as National Law Appreciation Day in the City of Ball Ground.
Mayor Roberts along with Council Members Prettyman, Stoner and O’Malley expressed their appreciation to Chief Reeves and his department for the work they do.
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 believed to be in violation of a number of city ordinances. She asked Mayor Roberts and Council Members to drive around to look at the properties she spoke of. She asked that properties in violation adhere to enforcement and to give consideration to revising some of the ordinances.
Mayor Roberts thanked Mrs. Rogers for her comments and stated they would discuss her concerns at the planning retreat.
Wyatt Holcomb, resident of 360 Old Canton Road, addressed Mayor and Council Members concerning the clean up of the vacant lot across from his residence. He asked what the process is for approving a site plan.
City Manager Wilmarth told Mr. Holcomb that at this time there is no site plan for the property. The use of the property has not been decided. When the owner has a plan for the property, the property owner will submit a plan to the City for review. At present time the property owner is removing debris and cleaning up the property. A site plan is not necessary for the work being done.
Tony Parrott, owner of Old Iron Rides located at 2955 Canton Hwy., stated he had received a letter from City staff notifying him that he is in violation of several ordinances. He stated he is working to bring his property into compliance with city code as weather permits. He stated he has a vision for improving the location of his business, but it will take time to make those adjustments.
David Arthur, resident of 343 Old Canton Road, asked if the developer of the property adjacent to his property still had plans to plant trees along the property line.
City Manager Wilmarth told Mr. Arthur per the property owner the trees are to be planted within the week.
Dennis Holt, resident of 335 Old Canton Road. requested Mayor and Council Members consider designating Tatum Circle as a one-way street. Mr. Holt stated at one time the street was one way. He said the street is narrow and unsafe for two vehicle traffic.
Mayor Roberts told Mr. Holt that Council would give consideration to his request.
Mr. Holt also asked Mayor Roberts and Council Members give consideration to allowing golf carts the ability to cross Gilmer Ferry Road.
Mr. Bob Walk, a representative from Waste Pro Solid Waste Services, asked for clarification of the process used to determine which solid waste service company was awarded the contract to provide service.
City Manager Wilmarth told Mr. Walk to call for an appointment to meet with him to discuss the matter.
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 8:45 PM.
Motion Unanimously Approved
The minutes of this January 8, 2020 City Council Meeting approved this 20th Day of February 2020.
_______________________________
A.R. (Rick) Roberts, III, Mayor
Attest: ______________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
