Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council
City of Ball Ground, Georgia
Ball Ground City Hall ~ 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
October 11, 2018
- Call Meeting to Order – Mayor Roberts
Council Members Present: Mickey O’Malley, Lee Prettyman and Andrenia Stoner
Council Members Absent: John Byrd and Frank Homiller
Staff Present: Darrell Caudill, Donna England, Bryon Reeves, Eric Wilmarth and Karen Jordan
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Appearances
Marie Harrington representing the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) appeared before council to invite them along with others to upcoming events sponsored by the VAC.
Mayor Roberts thanked Ms. Harrington for her attendance. He also expressed his appreciation to Ms. Harrington for her their involvement with the VAC. Mayor Roberts stated what the members of the VAC do for the senior community is very important.
- Announcements – City Manager Eric Wilmarth
October 20 – 5K Road race to support victims of domestic violence
October 26 – Annual Spooktacular Event
November 6 – Special Election
November 30 – Annual March of the Toys Parade for Toys for Tots
March 1-3, 2019 – The Tour of the Southern Highlands Bike Race
- Consider Approval of September 27, 2018 Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member O’Malley put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member Prettyman to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2018 Council Meeting as submitted in writing by the City Clerk.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Old Business
- Consider Second Reading of Application for New Alcohol License
Applicant: Ball Ground Convenience, Inc./Khuram Ramzanali
Location: 8615 Ball Ground, Hwy.
Council Member Stoner put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to approve the Application for New Alcohol License as submitted.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Second Reading of 2017/2018 Budget Amendments
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion, Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the second reading of the 2017/2018 Budget Amendments as presented.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- New Business
- Consider bids for Valley Streetscapes Project
Bids for the Valley Street project were received and opened at a formal bid opening on October 4, 2018. Bids from the following companies were received.
Excellere Construction, LLC – $334,600.
EMES, INC – $521,991.00
A1 Contracting, LLC – $510,000.00
Vertical Earth, Inc. – $422,157.33
Triscapes, Inc. – $431,187.75
City Manager Wilmarth reported that Excellere Construction, LLC submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $334,600.00. Cost of Alternate A, B, C, D, E, F are identified below for Council review and consideration.
| Item | Cost | Recommendation |
| Base Bid (Sidewalk, curb, gutter, storm Depot to Coy H. including Beck Street | $334,600 | AWARD |
| Alternate A (Street Lights) | $277,332.80 | NO |
| Alternate B (Shade Structure Including Brick Pavers) | $29,056.45 | AWARD |
| Alternate C (Sidewalk Coy M Holcomb to Howell Bridge) | $67,080.75 | AWARD |
| Alternate D (Sidewalk west side of stream @ school property) | $56,332.54 | NO |
| Alternate E (Decorative Brick Pavers around signs, around pull off parking areas) | $23,985.00 | NO |
| Alternate F (Landscaping) | $100,794.87 | NO |
City Manager Wilmarth explained the bid award of $430,737.20 goes against a grant of $560,000.00 and a match of $140,000.00. The City has presently spent $19,000.00 more than our obligation which will be added to the $430,737.20. An additional $43,553.38 is expected to be paid to the engineers, consultant and material testing adding to the $430,737.20. This amount is deducted from the $560,000.00 of grant funding. The balance of $66,709.42 is being designated as contingency funds. It is anticipated at the end of the project a change order can be issued to use the contingency monies to purchase landscape items. January 2019 is the anticipated start date of this project.
Discussion followed the report given by City Manage Wilmarth.
Following the discussion Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member O’Malley to accept the bid proposal from Exellere Construction, LLC as identified above in the report by City Manager Wilmarth.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- Consider Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Cherokee County on Magistrate/First Appearance Agreement (Municipal Court)
City Manager Wilmarth put forth an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cherokee County and the City of Ball Ground for consideration. The Agreement stated the City and County does hereby wish to enter into an Agreement for the Magistrate Court of Cherokee County to assist the City of Ball Ground Municipal Court with the conducting of first appearance bond hearings on criminal matters and other services as identified in the agreement.
Council Member Prettyman put forth a motion; Seconded by Council Member Stoner to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Ball Ground and Cherokee County for services identified in the agreement for Magistrate Court of Cherokee County.
Motion Unanimously Approved
- City Managers Report
A written and oral operational and financial report was presented to Council Members by City Manager Wilmarth.
A written report of the Police Department Activity was presented to Council Members by Chief Reeves.
- Mayor Roberts Comments
Mayor Roberts called for a work session to be held on October 24, 2018 to discuss the proposed Historic Preservation and Property Maintenance Ordinances.
- Council Members Comments
Council Member O’Malley commended Marshal Murphy for his hard work and dedicated service to the City.
- Public Comments
Mr. Harvey Satterfield, residing at Mound Street stated there is a drainage problem along the street and asked if the matter could be looked into. Mr. Satterfield also stated he viewed the vehicles that sometimes park on Mound St. at the intersection of Gilmer Ferry Road as an obstruction when entering and exiting onto Mound Street and Gilmer Ferry Road.
Mayor Roberts thanked Mr. Satterfield for his comments and asked City Manager Wilmarth and Chief Reeves to look into the issues.
- Executive Session
- Adjourn
There being no further business for Mayor and Council Members consideration a motion was duly made and seconded to adjourn at 7:45 PM.
The minutes of this October 11, 2018 City Council Meeting approved this 15th Day of November 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
