Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
July 12, 2018
- Call Meeting to Order – Mayor Roberts
Present for the meeting were:
John Byrd, Council Member Lee Prettyman, Council Member Bryon Reeves, Police Chief Darrell Caudill, City Attorney
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Council Member Frank Homiller participated in the meeting by telephone
Council Member Andrenia Stoner was absent
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Appearances
Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather presented the 2017 Report of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services.
Mayor Roberts and Council Members thanked Chief Prather for his informative report.
Lori Jones, Cherokee County SPLOST Construction Inspection Manager
Mayor Roberts read and presented Ms. Jones with a Proclamation declaring August 11, 2018, as 811 Day in the City of Ball Ground. Mayor Roberts urged contractors and homeowners to call 811 to locate utilities prior to digging.
- Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
Upcoming Events: July 14 – Movie in the Park
July 28 – Concert in the Park
- Consider Approval of June 14, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2018, Council Meeting as presented in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Old Business
- Consider second reading of Annexation Petition
Applicant: Mae, LLC/Chris Geist – 131 Old Canton Road
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of this annexation petition as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider second reading of Amendment to The Code of the City of Ball Ground Sec 4-65.(d)
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley That section 4-65(d) of the Code of the City of Ball Ground, Georgia, is hereby amended to read as follows: 4-65(d) Ancillary wine tasting license-Conditions of license issuance. Samples shall not exceed two ounces or less and no customer shall consume more than eight ounces in any two-hour period. The new provisions shall then be set out in full.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- New Business
- Consider 1st Reading of Application for New Alcohol License
Applicant: Sanvi Business, LLC/DBA Chevron Food Mart-Mikramdip Sign
Location: 155 Howell Bridge Rd
Motion by Council Member Byrd, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the first reading of the Sanvi Business, LLC/DBA Chevron Food Mart-Mikramdip Sign request for a new Alcohol License package sales only at 155 Howell Bridge Road East.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider An Ordinance Amending Article II (Alcoholic Beverage Dealers)
Division 3 (Operational Rules) Section 4-111 (Hours of Operation of the Code of the City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Motion by Council Member O’Malley, Seconded by Council Member Byrd that Article II (Alcoholic Beverage Dealers) Division 3 (Operational Rules) Section 4-11 (Hours of Operation of the Code of the City of Ball Ground, Georgia is hereby amended by deleting the following Section 4-11(b):
“(b) Licensees for the sale of malt beverages, wine or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises shall not engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages except the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday and between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and midnight on Sunday. Licensees shall not allow members of the public to remain on the premises for more than one hour beyond the prohibited hours of sale.”
Section 2. That the Code of Ordinances, City of Ball Ground, Georgia is hereby amended by inserting the following as Section 4-111(b):
“(b) Licensees for the sale of malt beverages, wine or distilled spirits by the drink for consumption on premises shall not engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages except between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday and between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and midnight on Sunday. Licensees shall not allow members of the public to remain on the premises for more than one hour beyond the prohibited hours of sale.
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption; provided however that the revisions to the Code shall not take effect until the approval of a referendum I the affirmative. In the event the referendum is not approved in the affirmative, this Ordinance shall be void and of no effect.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Call for Referendum of Special Election to be held November 6, 2018
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to Call for a Municipal Election to be held in the City of Ball Ground on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, for the purpose of the following question:
( ) Yes Shall the governing authority of the City of Ball Ground, Georgia be
authorized to permit and regulate Sunday sales of distilled spirits or
( ) No alcoholic beverages for beverage purposes by the drink from
11 A.M.To 12:30 P. M.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Call for Municipal Election to elect three council members on November 6, 2018
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to Call for a Municipal Election to be held in the City of Ball Ground on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, for the purpose of electing three (3) council members. Those elected will serve a four-year term. The term of Council Members Andrenia Stoner (Post 1), Lee Prettyman (Post 2) and Frank Homiller (Post 3) will expire.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Levy of Millage Rate 5 Mills for 2018 Property Tax
City Manager Wilmarth reported three public hearings were advertised and held in accordance with O.C.G.A §48-5-32 to notify residents of a property tax increase. City Manager Wilmarth stated no one attended the scheduled meetings with the exception of the last one, which Council Member Prettyman attended.
City Manager Wilmarth stated the millage rate of 5 mills, is an increase of 11.96% over the previous year. The taxes derived from the increase would fund a full-time position in the Public Works Department and add an additional police officer.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to levy a 5 mills property tax for the 2018 year.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve a levy of 3.269 mills Fire Tax for the 2018 year.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider the quote from National Meter Automation
City Manager Wilmarth presented a quote of 15,200.00 from National Meter and Automation to purchase 24 Beacon Cellular 4GLTE Endpoints w/Twist Tight Connector along with other various fees associated with the installation of these devices.
Mr. Wilmarth stated this will be the initial start of converting our water system to cellular automated meter and control. Our current meter reading system has become outdated and cost wise better to convert to the cellular system than upgrade the existing system.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the transfer of $15,000.00 from the contingency fund to the general operating expense account to purchase the 24 Beacon Cellular 4GLTE devices from National Meter Automation.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- City Managers Report
Chief Bryon Reeves reported he had received several emails recently from drivers who had traffic stops performed by Officer Stuart Gonzalez. Each of the emails commended Officer Gonzalez for his professionalism in the manner which he conducted himself during the traffic stop.
After hearing the emails read by Chief Reeves Council Members also commended Officer Gonzalez on his professionalism and stated it was good to hear positive comments about the officers.
Chief Reeves was congratulated for his completion of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Training. Chief Reeves completed 84 hours of executive leadership training.
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
- Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts reported that he along with Council Members Byrd, O’Malley, Prettyman, City Attorney Darrell Caudill, and City Clerk Karen Jordan attended the Georgia Municipal Association Annual Training Conference.
Mayor Roberts reported while at the conference Ball Ground was recognized for their recertification as a Georgia Certified City of Ethics. Mayor Roberts stated the governing authority subscribes to strict principles and pledges to conduct themselves and affairs accordingly.
Mayor Roberts congratulated City Clerk Karen Jordan for being sworn in to serve on the Georgia Municipal Association Board of Directors. Mrs. Jordan will serve on the Legislative Policy Committee for the ensuing year. Mrs. Jordan is currently serving as President of the Georgia Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association.
At this time Mayor Roberts left the meeting. Council Member John Byrd presided over the remainder of the meeting.
- Council Members Comments
Council Member Byrd commended city staff for their ability to always do more with less. Council Member Byrd stated the time had come to approve an increase in property tax. He noted this is the first increase of property tax in many years.
Council Member Prettyman spoke of the training he received at the Annual GMA Conference. He stated the training is very important in his role as a council member.
Council Member O’Malley expressed his appreciation of being able to attend the Annual GMA Conference. The conference provides a wealth of information and resources for elected officials.
Council Member Homiller expressed excitement of an agreement with a kayak/canoe outfitting group coming to Ball Ground in late September to sponsor a “float down the Etowah River.” He spoke of how Long Swamp Creek and Etowah River are a treasure to the community.
- Public Comments
- Executive Session (If Needed)
- Adjourn – There being no further business for consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:15 PM.
The minutes of this July 12, 2018 Council Meeting approved this 16th Day of August 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
