Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
May 10, 2018
- Meeting called to order by Mayor Rick Roberts
Present for the meeting were:
Frank Homiller, Mayor Pro Tem John Byrd, Council Member
Mickey O’Malley, Council Member Lee Prettyman, Council Member
Andrenia Stoner, Council Member Bryon Reeves, Police Chief
Darrell Caudill, City Attorney Eric Wilmarth, City Manager
Karen L. Jordan, City Clerk
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Appearances – None
- Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
Upcoming Events
May 19th – Summer Concert Series kicks off. “Fly Betty” band will Rock the Park beginning at 7 PM
June 22-26 – City Officials will attend the GMA Annual Convention in Savannah
June 30th – Annual Fire Works show begins at 9:45 PM
- Consider Approval of April 12, 2018, Meeting Minutes
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the minutes as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Old Business
- Consider 2nd Reading of FY 2018/2019 Budget
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the second reading of the FY 2018/2019 Budget.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider 2nd Reading of Annexation Petition
Applicant – Josh Briggs/Cedar Ridge Services, LLC
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Homiller to approve the second reading as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- New Business
- Consider a proposal for change of City’s Liability Insurance provider
City Manager Wilmarth stated the current carrier of the City’s Liability Insurance has steadily increased prompting the search for cheaper rates. The City engaged the Credas Company to search the market for a provider to provide both liability and workers compensation.
The search revealed AmGuard could fill the City’s need for insurance at a cost of $45,653.00 per year. This would result in a 14% decrease in premiums or a savings of $7,735.00 per year.
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to approve the change in the provider of the City’s Liability and Workers Compensation Insurance to the AmGuard Insurance Company.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider a request for Special Use Permit for Used Car Lot at 8615 Ball Ground Hwy
City Manager Wilmarth read a proposal from Khuram Ramzanali for a Special Use Permit to allow a car-lot at 8615 Ball Ground Highway for Council consideration. Mr. Ramzanali was not present.
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to table this request for 90 days because of insufficient information and the absence of Mr. Ramzanali.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Bid Award for sale of one acre on Church St.
City Manager Wilmarth stated the one acre of property located on Church Street had been advertised on GovDeal for the past 21 days. Two bids were submitted for the property. The highest bid was submitted by Josh Briggs in the amount of $60,000.00.
Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Byrd to accept the bid of $60,000.00 from Mr. Griggs.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Resolution to Contract for Funding under the Transportation Equity Act between the City of Ball Ground and Georgia Department of Transportation
A Resolution authorizing the City of Ball Ground, Georgia and the Georgia Department of Transportation to contract for funding under the Transportation Equity Act for the 1st Century for the construction of CS791/Valley Street from Depot Street to Howell Bridge Road Project; authorizing the Mayor to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution; Authorizing the City Clerk to attest signatures and affix the Official Seal of the City as necessary; provide for severability; repealing the City of Ball Ground Inconsistent Resolutions; providing for an effective date; and for other purposes was presented to Mayor and Council for consideration.
City Manager Wilmarth stated this resolution brings us another step closer to the beginning of the Valley St. Streetscape Project. It also ensures the City has secured matching funds and will abide by the State and Federal regulation that applies to TEA-21, purchasing ADA and Disadvantaged Business Contracts. Upon signing this Resolution and it is sent back to GDOT for their signature we anticipate the Notice to Proceed will be issued allowing the City to solicit bids for the project.
Council Member Byrd put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to authorize Mayor Roberts and City Clerk Karen Jordan to execute any and all documents related as required in the Resolution.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- City Managers Report
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
Council Member Homiller and City Manager Wilmarth began discussion of the Corridor of Influence along Hwy 5.
Council Member Homiller stated he felt some current zoning classification in this area was not uniform. A 90-day moratorium on the issuance of any type permits was discussed. Following discussion Council Member Homiller put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to impose a 90-day moratorium on any permits along the Canton/Ball Ground Rd., SR 372 and Valley St. so to review the different zoning classifications and establish continuity.
Motion Unanimously Approved
A written operational report of the Police Department’s activity for the month ended April 30, 2018, was presented by Chief Reeves.
- Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts stated he continues discussions with Senator Beach concerning the truck traffic through downtown.
Mayor Roberts commended the Ball Ground Garden Club for their hard work and dedication working to make the Botanical Garden a destination. He encouraged everyone to take a walk through the garden.
Mayor Roberts, Council Member Byrd, and Homiller along with City Manager Wilmarth and several others took a trip to view the ruins of Roberts Dam located on Long Swamp Creek. Each commented on the beauty of the property and potential for recreational development.
- Council Members Comments
Council Member O’Malley reported the resurfacing of the basketball courts was complete and back in use, drainage problems at Lions Field had been repaired and the Creekview JR. Grizzles softball teams would use Field 2 for their season practice.
Council Member Prettyman commended Chief Reeves and his department for the success of the Active Shooter Class they did recently.
- Public Comments
A resident of the Sage Hill Subdivision thanked City Manager Wilmarth for his assistance with the drainage problem that was discussed at the April Council Meeting.
- Executive Session – No Executive Session held.
- Adjourn
There being no further business for Council consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 8:15 PM.
The minutes of this May 10, 2018 City Council Meeting approved this 14th Day of June, 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
