Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
Minutes
March 14, 2019
Call Meeting to Order – Mayor Roberts
Present for the meeting were:
John Byrd, Council Member
Mickey O’Malley, Council Member
Lee Prettyman, Council Member
Donna England, Finance Officer
Bryon Reeves, Police Chief
Chris Lully, City Planner
Darrell Caudill, City Attorney
Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
Absent: Council Members Frank Homiller and Andrenia Stoner
Pledge of Allegiance
Appearances – None
Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
Consider Approval of February 7, 2019, Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2019, Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Old Business
Consider Second Reading of Amendment to Ball Ground Municipal Code of Ordinances Chapter 105 Title Floodplain Management; Section 105-4 Applicability.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the above-stated ordinance.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Second Reading of Amendment to Ball Ground Municipal Code of Ordinances Chapter 28 Titled Utilities to Which to regulate fees and charges for storm water utilities services, define the scope of responsibility, establishes an enterprise fund, credit and appeal policies, billing and collection policies, and other policies and procedures related to establishing the storm water utility.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the above-stated ordinance.
Motion Unanimously Approved
New Business
Consider Purchase of Water Dept. Vehicle: 2019 Ford F-250 Pickup
City Manager Wilmarth presented Mayor and Council Members with a Resolution to lease/purchase a 2019 Ford F- Series SD under the Georgia Municipal Association Direct Leasing Program. This vehicle will be entered into the Public Works Fleet of vehicles. The cost of the vehicle is $29,964.00. As stated in the Resolution an appropriation in the City’s current operating budget has previously been made, which shall be sufficient to pay the “Rentals” and the “Termination Payment” during the “Starting Term” under such Lease Supplements.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to authorize City Manager Wilmarth to move forward with the purchase of the 2019-Ford F-Series SD vehicle for the Public Works Department.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider the Surplus of Public Works Vehicle 1993 F-350
Council Member Wilmarth informed Mayor and Council Members that this vehicle was no longer in operation due to costly maintenance issues.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to surplus the vehicle and advertise the sale of said vehicle as is on GovDeals.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider First Reading of Annexation Petition
Applicant: David W. Shirley & William R. Shirley
Located 370 & 374 Roy Haynes Drive
City Manager Wilmarth presented an annexation petition from applicants David W. Shirley and William R. Shirley for 3.377 acres located at 370 and 374 Roy Haynes Drive. The property is currently zoned Single Family Residential (R-40). He further stated Cherokee County had no objections to the application.
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to accept the annexation petition of David W. Shirley and William R. Shirley as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved
Consider Resolution Declaring April as National Safe Digging Month
The Cherokee County Local Utility Coordinating Committee sent a letter to Mayor Roberts asking that Ball Ground by Resolution proclaim the month of April as Safe Digging Month. Council Members unanimously passed the resolution signed and presented to Cody Averett by Mayor Roberts.
City Managers Report
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
City Manager Wilmarth noted that the Downtown was busier than usual last weekend due to the filming of another movie. Fayleure Productions Inc. filmed scenes for the movie AIRBORNE. The Burger Bus and City Gym was the locations used for filming.
City Manager Wilmarth announced that Chief Reeves and his department was recently recognized by the Cherokee County Board of Education as the “Partner of the Year”. The Police Department has built an outstanding relationship with students, parents, and staff. Chief Reeves and his officers have also been extremely active and present at school functions.
Chief Reeves presented a monthly report of the Departments activity for the month ended February 28, 2019, for Mayor and Council review.
Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts reported on the Cherokee County Municipal Association Meeting he along with City Manager Wilmarth and City Clerk Karen Jordan attended the previous evening. He stated Michael Brown of Brown Pelican Consulting LLC gave a presentation regarding Service Delivery Strategy. Mr. Brown discussed the history of the topic, applicable laws, mediation, and litigation. Mayor Roberts stated negotiations with the Cherokee Board of Commissioners would be ongoing until an agreement could be reached.
Council Members Comments
Council Member O’Malley reported the improvements to the tennis courts have not been completed due to the weather. It is hoped this project will be completed soon.
Public Comments – None
Adjourn
There being no further business for Mayor and Council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 7:40 PM.
Motion Unanimously Approved
The minutes of this March 14, 2019, Council Meeting approved this 25th Day of April 2019.
_______________________________ _____________________________
Mayor A. R. Roberts, III Mayor Pro Tem John Byrd
______________________________ _____________________________
Council Member Frank Homiller Council Member Mickey O’Malley
______________________________ _____________________________
Council Member Lee Prettyman Council Member Andrenia Stoner
Attest: _____________________________
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
