Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
March 11, 2021
In order to limit the number of individuals present in Council Chambers and to provide for social distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Council Members O’Malley, Prettyman, and Stoner participated via teleconference call.
Other staff participating via teleconference: Finance Director Donna England and Chris Luly, Planning and Zoning and City Attorney Darrell Caudill.
Mayor Rick Roberts, City Council Member John Byrd, City Manager Eric Wilmarth, and City Clerk Karen Jordan were present in Council Chambers for the meeting.
Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Roberts.
Item 2: Approve Agenda
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the agenda with the omission of Item 7 (f) and (g).
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 3: Appearances – None
Item 4: Announcements/Informational Items/Project Updates – City Manager
City Manager Wilmarth announced that the Ball Ground Farmers Market would begin in April. The event would be held in City Park every other Saturday.
Item 5: Approval of January 14, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes (February meeting canceled)
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2021, Council Meeting as submitted by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 6: Old Business
Consider Second Reading of Ordinance to designate Valley Street as a “No through truck street.”
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the second reading of this Ordinance.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 7: New Business
- Consider Possible Lease with Georgia Northeastern RR for Downtown Parking
A Land Lease Agreement between the Georgia Northeastern Railroad Company LLC and the City of Ball Ground Downtown Development Authority for consideration of the rents hereinafter agreed to be paid by Lessee, and of the covenants and agreements herein to be kept and performed by Lessee, Lessor hereby leases unto Lessee solely for the purpose herein expressed certain land abutting the eastern edge of the .2737 acre parcel comprised of lots 4 and 5 and extending seventy-five feet (75′) into Lessor’s right-of-way (hereinafter the “Premises”), shown in Plat Book 118, Page 1900, City of Ball Ground, County of Cherokee, Georgia, attached and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, and on the terms and conditions as specified in the Land Lease Agreement was presented to council for consideration.
Mayor Roberts stated this property would create an area for much-needed downtown parking.
City Manager Wilmarth asked Council Members to consider entering into the Land Lease Agreement for a term of five (5) years commencing on May 1, 2021, in the amount of $5,456.07, payable annually in advance with the first payment commencing upon May 1, 2021, pending final review by City Attorney Caudill.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to enter into the Land Lease Agreement pending final approval by City Attorney Caudill.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Employment Contract for Chief of Police
An agreement between Robert B. Reeves, Chief of Police, and The City of Ball Ground for employment was presented to Council for consideration. The contract states Robert B. Reeves, Chief of Police shall continue for a term beginning the 1st Day of April 2021 and end on the 31st Day of March 2024 unless extended or terminated sooner as provided in the agreement.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the Chief of Police Contract as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approve.
- Consider Employment Contract for City Manager
An agreement between Eric Wilmarth, City Manager, and The City of Ball Ground for employment was presented to Council for consideration. The contract states Eric Wilmarth, City Manager continues his employment with the City as of July 1, 2021, and may terminate on June 30, 2025.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the City Managers Contract as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved.
- Consider Declaration of Surplus Property (2014 Dodge Charger)
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to declare police vehicle #1 identified as a 2014 Dodge Charger, vehicle identification number 2C3CDXAT1EH186139 as surplus and sold on GoveDeals.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider First Reading to amend The Code of the City of Ball Ground Appendix A – Zoning Division 105.-Supplementary District Regulation; Sec. 105.4 Fences and Walls
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the first reading to amend The Code of the City of Ball Ground Appendix A – Zoning Division 105.-Supplementary District Regulation; Sec. 105.4 Fences and Walls as proposed.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Intergovernmental Agreement for Cherokee County to Conduct City Elections
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve entering into an Agreement between the City of Ball Ground and Cherokee County to conduct City Elections under terms and conditions contained in the agreement.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Item 8: City Manager Comments
City Manager Wilmarth provided Council Members with an unaudited report of account balances, and a statement of revenues and expenditures for the month ended February 28, 2021. The report showed cash on deposit totaled 1,98,243.16.
City Manager Wilmarth requested Council consider approval of The FIRST AMENDMENT (hereinafter “First Amendment”) to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Transportation Improvement Projects entered into on or about October 20, 2020 between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground.
The Amendment stated that in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein the sufficiency of which are acknowledged by both Parties, the Parties would agree to amend the Agreement as follows:
AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3 OF AGREEMENT. The City will agree to reimburse the County for all material costs and fuel costs associated with such resurfacing potions of Northridge Road, Lowery St., and Densmore St. Specifically, City agrees to provide County financial compensation in the amount of $25,944.00. The City will appoint a Project Manager who will work with the County to obtain any and all needed approvals necessary to complete said Project.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement for Transportation Improvement Projects entered into on or about October 20, 2020, between Cherokee County and City of Ball Ground to include the resurfacing or portions of Northridge Road, Lowery St. and Densmore St..
Motion Unanimously Approved.
Chief Reeves presented a written report of the Police Department’s activities for the month ended February 28, 2021.
City Manager Wilmarth also updated Mayor and Council Members on other ongoing projects throughout the City.
Item 9: Mayor Roberts
Mayor Roberts briefed Council Members on his weekly participation of the Georgia Municipal Association conference call which provides a comprehensive update on COVID-19. The information provided to elected officials provides detailed statistics on cases, hospitalizations, infection rates, deaths, trends, and other pertinent information specific to Georgia.
Mayor Roberts stated that state statistics show, Cherokee County has the least number of people vaccinated and the greatest number of COVID cases. He encouraged staff to encourage others to do their part and get vaccinated.
Mayor Roberts stated we had not received the final count of the 2020 Census. However, the preliminary numbers being circulated show the population count for Ball Ground at 2300. It is anticipated we will have an approximately 50% increase in population over the 2010 Census.
Mayor Roberts stated he had discussed with Eric the possibility of splitting the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Main Street Board. Mayor Roberts stated he would like for the DDA to be more focused on marketing the downtown. Consideration of this proposal would be put forth to Council at the April meeting.
Mayor Roberts thanked City Manager Wilmarth for his dedicated service to the City during the past year. Mayor Roberts said the City faced some challenges throughout the Pandemic. But, thanks to our city manager none of the challenges slowed the City down.
City Manager stated we have a staff second to none. Their longevity counts for our success.
Mayor Roberts announced that Council would have a work session on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 7:00 PM via Zoom.
Item 10: Council Comments
Council Member Byrd reported that the Water Committee is reviewing the existing water rate structure. Once they have completed the study a draft of the new rate structure will be presented to the council for review.
Item 11: Public Comments
Item 12: Adjourn
There being no further business for Council consideration, a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 7:45 PM.
The minutes of this January 13, 2021, City Council Meeting approved this 8th Day of April 2021.
