Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
June 14, 2018
- Call Meeting to Order – Mayor Roberts
Present for the meeting were:
John Byrd, Council Member Lee Prettyman, Council Member
Andrenia Stoner, Council Member Donna England, Finance Officer
Bryon Reeves, Police Chief Darrell Caudill, City Attorney
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Michael Chapman, City Planner
Council Member Homiller and Mickey O’Malley was absent
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Appearances
Debra Garrard, President of the Ball Ground Business & Community Association & Community Association presented Mayor Roberts a check for $5,000.00 to purchase a sitting bench and trash cans for downtown. The funds were from a recent fundraiser held by the BGBCA.
Mayor Roberts thanked Debra and the association for the money and all they do for Ball Ground.
- Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
June 30, 2018 – Concert in the Park beginning at 7:30 followed by the annual fireworks show beginning at 9:45PM.
- Consider Approval of May 10, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the May 10, 2018 City Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Old Business – None
- New Business
- Consider first reading of Annexation Petition
Applicant: Mae, LLC/Chris Geist – 131 Old Canton Road
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the first reading of the Annexation Petition submitted by Mae, LLC/Chris Geist.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider approval of updated Zoning Map
City Manager Wilmarth stated it was brought to his attention that two properties had incorrect zoning classification on the City of Ball Ground Zoning Map. Therefore it was necessary to revise the map and for the Council to approve a revised map.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the revised City of Ball Ground Zoning Map.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Resolution to authorize and direct an officer of the City of Ball Ground to execute one or more Lease Supplements for a lease or leases under the GMA Direct Leasing Program; to designate such lease as qualified tax-exempt obligations; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes; the lease of a Dri-Prime CD 100M Diesel Back-up Lift Station Pump at a cost of $34,300.00. Payments would be $632.62 for 60 months.
City Manager Wilmarth stated the new pump would replace the existing 15 year old pump.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Byrd to approve A Resolution to authorize City Manager Eric Wilmarth to enter into a Lease Agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association for the purpose of purchasing Dri-Prime CD 100M Diesel Back-up Lift Station Pump at a cost of $34,300.00. Payments would be $632.62 for 60 months.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Amendment to The Code of the City of Ball Ground Sec 4-65.(d) as related to Ancillary Wine Tasting License-Conditions of License Issuance
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman 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.
- Consider Approval of Tentative Millage Rate for 2018 City Property Tax
Council was asked to consider the levy of a proposed millage rate of 5 mills for the 2018 City Property Tax Assessments. The 5 mills is an increase of 11.98% over the previous year’s millage rate. Per O.C.G.A. §36-81-5 and §48-5-32, three public hearing must be held prior to final adoption. City Manager stated the meetings will be scheduled and properly advertised as required.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to Stoner to approve the levy of the proposed 5 mills tax rate for the 2018 property tax.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Surplus of City Equipment
City Manager Wilmarth proposed Council Members consider the surplus of the following equipment. Said equipment is to be listed on the GovDeals Website and sold to the highest bidder. Equipment not sold is to be disposed at the discretion of city staff.
1 – GMC Canyon Pickup Bad transmission
1 – Unidentified Motor Motor blown
1 – 3.5HP Edger Does not run
1 – 5.5HP Husqvarna Push Mower Does not run
- – 22” 158cc Yard Machine Push Mower Does not run
- – Ryobi Blower Does not run
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to surplus the above listed property, list on GovDeals sold to highest bidder, items not sold to be disposed at staff discretion.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- City Managers Report
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
On June 13, 2018 the ribbon cutting signifying the official opening of the new Ball Ground Senior Center was held. Mayor Roberts along with Council Members Stoner, Byrd, Prettyman, city staff and county officials attended.
We are in receipt of grant fund from Georgia Department of Transportation to begin construction on the Groover Street railroad crossing.
Georgia Department of Transportation has announced plans to construct round-a-bouts at the Howell Bridge Road Entrance/Exits. Tentatively opening date is 2022.
Council Members were given a draft of the City Capital Improvement Plan for review and to provide feedback to city staff. Once completed a the plan will be presented to Council Members for final adoption.
City Manager Wilmarth stated as required by the Georgia Department of Natural Resourced Environmental Protection Division the annual Consumer Confidence Report has been mailed to each water customer of the City of Ball Ground. The report must be provided to each of its customers by July 1st of each year.
Staff is considering implementing a cloud based software program for public use to reserve city facilities.
A written operational report of the Police Department’s activity for the month ended May 31, 2018, was presented by Chief Reeves.
- Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts announced the Livable Center Initiative Study will be presented at the August Council Meeting for Council review.
Mayor Roberts announced the City will be participating in the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Mayors’ Recycling Challenge. The event is aimed at sparking continued awareness surrounding community recycling while spurring a little friendly competition among the cities involved.
On behalf of the City of Ball Ground Mayor Roberts was presented the Award of Distinguished Service by the Ball Ground Garden Club. Mayor Roberts stated the City was presented the award for having made a significant contribution toward the advancement of the goals and purposes of Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. The award will be displayed in City Hall.
Mayor Roberts announced the City will receive its recertification as a Certified City of Ethics at the Annual Georgia Municipal Association Conference in June. He along with Council Members Byrd, O’Malley, Prettyman, City Attorney Darrell Caudill and City Clerk Karen Jordan will attend the conference.
- Council Members Comments – None
- Public Comments
- Executive Session – No Executive Session was held.
- Adjourn
There being no further business for Council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 7:50 PM.
The minutes of this June 14, 2018 City Council Meeting approved this 12th Day of July, 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
