Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
July 15, 2021
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Roberts.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
Item 3: Approve Agenda
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the agenda with the following amendments: Remove Item 8(e) and move Item 12: Public Comments to Item 5.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 4: Appearances
Council Member Prettyman presented Chief Bryon Reeves with a Life-Saving Award for the life-saving measures he performed on a city resident on June 30, 2021. Council Member Prettyman stated that thanks to Chief Reeves the man is now home recuperating, and doing well.
Item 5: Public Comments
Jennie Byers resident of 490 Gilmer Ferry Road expressed to Council Members her support of the proposed, land exchange agreement with the Lynwood Development Group.
Vickie Holyfield resident of 166 N. Mountain Brook Dr. stated, she, personally was in favor of the proposed high-end development of townhomes, and single detached home planned for Old Dawsonville Rd. Ms. Holyfield stated she did have concerns about the traffic the development would create, but the proposed land swap would eliminate her concerns.
Kim Kelley resident of 200 Dear Lane expressed her support of the Farmer’s Crossing Residential Development. Kim stated that she is very thankful the way Mr. Snell is honoring the Farmer Family by naming the development after her family.
Kris Rogers resident of 217 Chestnut St. expressed her support of the Farmer’s Crossing Residential Development.
Mrs. Rogers also posed questions related to who is performing building inspections, types of fees being paid by development, and the rumor of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office taking over the Ball Ground Police Department.
City Manager Wilmarth replied that the City recently entered into an agreement with Macon E. Gooch Building Consultants, Inc. to begin inspections of all new developments. Building permit fees go into the City’s general operating budget. Water and sewage fees collected are used to purchase additional water and sewage capacity from the Cherokee County Water and Sewage Authority and for infrastructure improvements. City Manager Wilmarth further stated that it is anticipated that our police department will be able to provide 24/7 coverage in approximately eighteen months.
Mr. Bob Hosack is an associate of Woody Snell of Lynwood Development. Mr. Hosack assured Mayor Roberts and Council Members that Woody Snell was a top-quality developer and they would not be disappointed with the Farmer’s Crossing development. Mr. Hosack also encouraged Mayor Roberts and Council Members to consider the approval of the proposed land swap agreement.
Cherrie Martin of 350 Groover St. expressed her support of the Farmer’s Crossing Development. She stated it will be great to have the development within walking distance of downtown.
Woody Snell, President of the Lynwood Development Group, LLC, and also the developer of the Farmer’s Crossing Residential Development expressed his excitement to be working in Ball Ground. He stated the land swap between the City, and Lynwood Development Group, LLC is incredible. It will provide pedestrian connection to the downtown as well as easy access to the Roberts Lake Trail.
Item 5: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
Item 6: Approval of June 17, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2021, Council Meeting.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 7: Old Business
- Consider Second Reading of an amendment to Appendix A-Zoning; Division 104. – District Standards and Permitted Uses: Section 104.14 Valley Overlay District of The Code of The City of Ball Ground
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the amendment to Appendix A-Zoning; Division 104. – District Standards and Permitted Uses Section 104.14 Valley Overlay District of The Code of The City of Ball Ground as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Second Reading of Application for New Alcohol License:
Licensee: Nancy Ann Wurtz/Lora Mae’s
Location: 420 Old Canton Rd.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the application for a new alcohol license for Nancy Ann Wurtz/Lora Mae’s as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 8: New Business
- Consider opening a banking account for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the opening of a checking account in the name of the City of Ball Ground American Rescue Plan Funds. Authorized check signers of the account are Mayor Roberts, City Manager Eric Wilmarth, Police Chief Bryon Reeves, and City Clerk Karen L. Jordan.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Budget for American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member
Stoner to approve the following budget for the American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Funds:
Total Revenue: $409,846.50
Total Expenditures: $409,846.50
Proposed Projects and estimated cost:
Groover St. Drain Crossing $85,000.00
Storm Drain @ 372 Northridge Rd $11,000.00
Storm Drain @ 372 & Dean property $15,000.00
Storm Drain, Curb/Gutter Groover St. $30,000.00
Library $10,000.00
Purchase Water Capacity $150,000.00
Purchase Street Broom $20,000.00
Purchase Cellular Water Meters $88,846.50
This motion was unanimously approved.
- Consider First Reading of Annexation Application 2021-A05
Applicant: Lee Lusk – Mineral Springs Road (04N02-018, 020, & 021)
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the first reading of annexation application 2021-A05 with conditions, which will be read into the minutes at the August 12, 2021, City Council Meeting.
Council Members O’Malley, Byrd, & Prettyman voted aye in favor of the motion.
Council Member Stoner voted nay against the motion.
The ayes have it, the motion carries
- Consider First Reading of Annexation Application 2021-A06
Applicant: Lee Lusk – Mineral Springs Road (04N02-004A)
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the first reading of annexation application 2021-A06 with conditions, which will be read into the minutes at the August 12, 2021, City Council Meeting.
Council Members O’Malley, Byrd, & Prettyman voted aye in favor of the motion.
Council Member Stoner voted nay against the motion.
The ayes have it, the motion carries
- Consider a Land Exchange Agreement with the Lynwood Development Group
City Manager Wilmarth stated that in the proposed agreement the City would give 5.28 acres of City property valued at $401,700. to the Lynwood Development Group. In exchange, the City of Ball Ground would receive 12.03 acres valued at $665,700. from the Lynwood Development Group. The appraisal to determine property values was performed by Manning Appraisal Service, LLC on May 28, 2021. A full copy of the report and survey specifically identifying the property locations is available for viewing City Hall.
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to move forward with entering into the Land Exchange Agreement.
Following discussion, Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to rescind the motion.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to initiate the Land Swap Agreement between the City of Ball Ground and
the Lynwood Development Group in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Establishing Qualifying Dates for the November 2, 2021, Municipal Election
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to call for a Municipal Election to be held Tuesday, November 2, 2021, to elect a mayor and two council members. Qualifying for the office of Mayor (Incumbent A. R. (Rick) Roberts, III); Council Member Post 4 (Incumbent John Byrd); and Council Member Post 5 (Incumbent Mickey O’Malley) will begin at 9:00 AM on Monday, August 16, 2021, and conclude at 4:30 on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Adoption of Millage Rate of 4.633 mills for 2020 Property Tax
Mayor Roberts opened the floor for any public comments prior to adopting the 2021 property tax millage rate. No comments received.
Mayor Roberts attributed the ability to roll back the millage rate to the increase in property values and growth.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to levy a millage rate of 4.633 for the 2021 property taxes.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Adoption of Fire Tax for 2021
City Manager Wilmarth stated that each year the Fire Tax is set by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, which we adopt. This year the BOC has not yet set the millage but recommended we adopt the same rate.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion Seconded by Council Member Stoner to adopt the Fire Tax Millage Rate as set by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Appointment to City of Ball Ground Board of Zoning Appeals
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to appoint city resident Stephanie Joyner to serve a three-year term on the City of Ball Ground Board of Zoning Appeals.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Appointment to the Sequoyah Regional Library System Board
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to appoint city resident Julie Arthur to represent the City of Ball Ground on the Sequoyah Regional Library County Board for a term of three years.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Appointment to the Cherokee County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Committee
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to appoint city resident Josh Briggs to represent Ball Ground on the Cherokee County Comprehensive Transportation Plan Committee.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 9: City Manager Comments
City Manager Wilmarth provided Council Members with an unaudited report of account balances, and a statement of revenue and expenditures for the month ended June 30, 2021. Accounts on deposit totaled $1,593,548.96.
Chief Reeves presented a written report of the Police Departments’ activity for the month ended June 30, 2021, for Mayor and Council Members review.
Chris Luly was introduced as the City’s first Director of Planning and Zoning. Chris stated he is a native of Cherokee County and happy to be in Ball Ground.
Item 10: Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts commented on the success of the City’s pre 4th of July fireworks display held on June 26, 2021. It was the biggest crowd of people we’ve ever had. The attendance was estimated at around 7000. I’m very excited to see Ball Ground alive and doing well said Mayor Roberts. Mayor Roberts also extended his appreciation to Eric and the staff for their work in making the event a success.
Item 11: Council Comments
At the request of the local pickleball league, Council Member O’Malley asked council members to consider converting one of the tennis courts into a pickleball court at an estimated cost is $10,500.00
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the expenditure to convert one of the tennis courts into a pickleball court.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Item 12: Public Comments
Item 13: Adjourn
There being no further business for consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:10 PM.
The minutes of this July 15, 2021, City Council Meeting adopted this 12th Day of August 2021.
