Minutes of Hahira Council Meetings for January, 2010
HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JANUARY 04, 2010
6:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
Mayor and Council met for a Work Session January 04, 2010 at the Courthouse with Mayor Wayne Bullard presiding.
PRESENT:
Mayor Wayne Bullard, Councils: Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Terry Benjamin, Ralph Clendenin, Bruce Cain, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Police Chief Terry Davis, Director Donnie Warren, City Clerk Belinda Chappell.
ABSENT: Fire Chief Dwight Bennett
REVIEW/CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
A.) November 30, 2009 Work Session
B.) December 03, 2009 Council Meeting
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the minutes. There were no questions concerning the minutes.
REVIEW OF BILLS/ BUDGET OVERAGES:
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the bills. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she had a question regarding the bill from IT Awarez and the payment to them in the amount of $600 dollars and an additional check for $300 dollars was also paid to IT Awarez. Adams stated she was concerned with why the payment was more than what the City normally sends them. Sumner stated he would pull the invoices and have them for Council to review at the Council meeting on Thursday night. Adams also was concerned with the overage in the BHT budget. Sumner stated the main account was supplemented by the BHT account, and when both of the accounts were compiled together it looked like it was an overage in the budget but it evens out when the BHT account received checks from local businesses for advertising and other events. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned with the budget for promotional items in the BHT account. City Manager Sumner stated the advertising for events comes out of the BHT budget but was reimbursed by local businesses. Sumner stated he would ask Emily Newkirk to provide Council with a breakdown of the money spent and received through the BHT account. Clendenin was also concerned with the bill from Alltel and the amount of the bill. City Manager Sumner stated he would research the bill and report back to Council at the Thursday night Council meeting. Councilman Cain stated he was concerned with whom the Lewis Company was and what they did for the City. Sumner stated the Lewis Company was the company who performed the monitoring of the fresh water for the City.
DISCUSSIONS:
A.) Presentation from Housing Resource Solutions (Kelley Thomas)
Kelley Thomas, with Housing Resource Solutions stated to Mayor and Council that they were partnered with USDA Rural Development to help families with affordable housing. Thomas stated the program was currently looking for areas to build in, and the house would have to be located in a rural area of the county. Thomas stated the houses built through the program would range from $108,000 to $115,000 dollars. Thomas stated that Housing Resource Solutions held a housing fair in the City of Hahira on November 28, 2009 to help with questions and concerns of families looking to build a house through the program, and there would be another housing fair coming to Valdosta on February 6th 2010. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned if the financing for the house was 100% financing through USDA. Thomas responded that USDA did provide 100% financing. Councilman Benjamin stated he was concerned if there were any plans in the future to hold another housing fair in Hahira. Kelley Thomas responded they had a great turnout at the first housing fair and did plan on holding another housing fair in Hahira.
B.) Purchase of Tickets for Bird Supper (City Manager)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council the annual Bird Supper was on February 3rd 2010 in Atlanta Georgia. Sumner stated the Mayor had requested trying to attend several meetings the following day, including the Gateway Project meeting, which would require an overnight stay in Atlanta. Sumner stated he felt he could get some good rates on hotel rooms for whoever was interested in attending. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned with the costs of the Bird Supper. Sumner responded the tickets were $50 dollars per ticket and just needed to know how many people were planning on attending. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated as a member of the Gateway Committee, there were grants available to the City, but the City would have to work to try and get a grant. Adams felt the Mayor and the City Manager needed to attend the meetings to represent the City of Hahira.
C.) Mayor’s Attendance at GMA Mayor’s Day (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated he would like to attend the conference at GMA Mayor’s Day in Atlanta Georgia from January 22nd through January 25th 2010. City Manager Sumner stated the Mayor would be receiving a certificate for qualifying in the next level of education for elected officials. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned with the total cost of the Mayor attending the conference. City Manager Sumner stated the total costs would be around $1100 dollars for the Mayor to attend the conference. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she felt it was very important for the Mayor of Hahira to represent the City at the Mayor’s Day conference in Atlanta.
D.) Tap Fees (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated the tap fees were decreased from $5000 to $3000 dollars last year and was to remain that way until December 31, 2009. Mayor Bullard stated he needed to know if Council wanted to keep the tap fees at $3000 or raise them back to the original $5000 dollars. City Manager Sumner stated the City only received around 10 taps last year and suggested leaving the fee at $3000 dollars. Sumner stated this fee was just for the ¾ inch taps. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated in the event the low income apartments are built in 2010, there would be 64 units’ times the $3000 dollar taps fee. Sumner stated the apartments were not approved but the developers were going to re-submit for approval and if approved, then yes, there would be 64 units’ times the $3000 dollar tap fee which would be $192,000 dollars for taps installed. Councilman Clendenin suggested doing the tap fee increase or decrease in six month intervals, like Council decided last year regarding the tap fees.
City Manager Sumner touched base on the DDA (Downtown Development Authority). Sumner stated there would be more discussion regarding the DDA at the February meetings.
DEPARTMENT REQUESTS:
A.) Purchase of Lightening Detectors (PWD Warren)
Public Works Director Donnie Warren stated to Mayor and Council the City needed to purchase lightening protectors for the generators that keep the wells running in the City in case of a lightning storm. Warren stated there were 6 generators total plus two wells that could benefit from the lightening protection system. Councilman Clendenin highly recommended getting the protectors for the generators. Sumner stated the costs of the lightening protectors were around $900 dollars each, which included installation.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
________________________
Mayor, Wayne Bullard
________________________
City Clerk, Belinda Chappell
HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 07, 2010
7:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
Mayor and Council met for a Council Meeting January 07, 2010 at the Courthouse with Mayor Wayne Bullard presiding.
PRESENT:
Mayor Wayne Bullard, Councils: Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Terry Benjamin, Ralph Clendenin, Bruce Cain, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Police Chief Terry Davis, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, Director Donnie Warren, City Clerk Belinda Chappell.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wayne Bullard
ESTABLISH QUORUM: Mayor Wayne Bullard
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wayne Bullard
INVOCATION: Reverend Ken Morgan
OATHS OF OFFICE:
A.) Councilmember, District 1
Terry Benjamin was sworn in by Michael Bryant and took oath of office to serve the City of Hahira for an additional four years as Councilmember for District 1.
B.) Councilmember, District 4
Rose Adams was sworn in by Reverend Ken Morgan with the support of her husband John Adams and took oath of office to serve the City of Hahira for an additional four years as Councilmember for District 4.
C.) Mayor
Wayne Bullard was sworn in by his son David Wayne Bullard Jr. and took oath of office to serve the City of Hahira for an additional four years as Mayor.
COUNCIL ELECTIONS:
A.) City Clerk
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to keep Belinda Chappell as the City Clerk of Hahira. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
B.) Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to keep Councilperson Rose Adams as the Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Benjamin, vote was unanimous.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS (Mayor):
Mayor Bullard stated Councilman Clendenin would be overseeing the Fire Department, Councilman Cain would be overseeing the Parks and Rec, Nutrition and Streets Departments, Councilman Benjamin would be overseeing the Police Department, Mayor Pro Tem Adams would be overseeing the Water, Sewer and Sanitation Departments, and the Mayor stated he would be overseeing the Administration Department.
REVIEW/CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
A.) November 30, 2009 Work Session
B.) December 03, 2009 Council Meeting
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the minutes. There were no questions concerning the minutes. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:
Mr. Wilmon Stanley residing at 308 S. Washington Street Hahira. Stanley addressed Mayor and Council with the concerns of the re-opening of the recycling center on Union Road. Stanley was concerned with the days and times the center would be open to the Hahira residents.
Mrs. Sandra Warren residing at 8178 Smith Road Hahira. Warren addressed Mayor and Council with thanks for their concerns and attendance at her nephew’s funeral in Brunswick Georgia.
REVIEW OF BILLS/ BUDGET OVERAGES:
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the bills. City Manager Sumner stated the finance clerk had sent a breakdown of information to Council regarding the questions with bills at the work session. Sumner stated he would answer any further questions Council may have, if any. There were no further questions regarding the bills. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSIONS:
A.) Removed
B.) Purchase of Tickets for Bird Supper (City Manager)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council the Bird Supper was an annual event sponsored by Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta for Legislative Delegation and the officials of the State of Georgia. Sumner stated the event would be held in Atlanta on February 03, 2010 and the tickets for the Bird Supper were $50 dollars per ticket. Sumner stated there were several other meetings that would be held in Atlanta for whoever wished to attend. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned if there was money in the budget for this event. Sumner responded there was money to attend the Bird Supper in the budget. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she was concerned if the Mayor would be attending the meeting for the Gateway Project. Adams stated she felt the Mayor should attend the meeting because she knew there were grants available to help the City of Hahira with the Gateway Project. Sumner stated he needed a count of who would like to attend the Bird Supper in Atlanta. Mayor Bullard stated he would like to purchase at least 3 tickets for the supper. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain. Councilman Benjamin, Mayor Pro Tem Adams, and Councilman Cain were in favor; Councilman Clendenin was opposed, motion carried.
C.) Mayor’s Attendance at GMA Mayor’s Day (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated to Council he would like to attend the GMA Mayor’s Day in Atlanta and meet with other City Officials from Georgia as well as the GMA staff. Mayor Bullard stated the event would be held the weekend of January 22, 2010 and he would be furthering his education. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that she agreed the Mayor needed to attend the event. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Benjamin, vote was unanimous.
D.) Tap Fees (Mayor Bullard)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council he recommended that Council consider leaving the tap fee rate at $1500 dollars for water and $1500 dollars for sewer for a ¾ inch residential tap. Sumner stated he felt the City should at least leave these rates until June 30, 2010 due to the decrease in residential building. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she was concerned with what the City Manager recommended regarding the taps. City Manager Sumner stated he recommended extending the $3000 fee until the end of 2010. Sumner stated he felt it would take at least 12 months for the housing construction to pick back up again. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to extend the existing tap fee until June 30 2010, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
DEPARTMENT REQUESTS:
A.) Purchase of Lightening Detectors (PWD Warren)
Director Warren stated to Mayor and Council he would like to purchase lightening detectors for the wells that maintain the City’s water flow. Sumner stated the City would need to purchase eight detectors for the wells and generators. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned if the detectors would be purchased out of SPLOST. Sumner stated the detectors would be a SPLOST purchase. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Cain made a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
Recognition of Honeybee Festival Committee (Mayor Pro Tem Adams)
Mayor Pro Tem Adams asked the Honeybee Committee members to stand, while the Mayor and Council thanked them for their donations to the Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works Department and the Administrative Department. Mayor Pro Tem Adams thanked the Honeybee Committee for the hard work they all do for the City and stated they were greatly appreciated.
Mayor’s State of the City Address
Mayor Bullard read the Mayor’s State of the City Address.
REPORTS:
Mayor Pro Tem Adams thanked all the citizens for attending and a special thank you to Pastor Ken Morgan for attending. Adams thanked the citizens for their honor and support in the past and stated she would continue to support the citizens in the next four years as their Council member. Adams thanked the David Hollis family for providing the venue for the City Christmas party. Mayor Pro Tem Adams thanked everyone again for coming to the meeting.
Councilman Terry Benjamin stated it was a pleasure to serve the citizens of Hahira in the past and stated he looked forward to serving the citizens in the next four years as their Council member. Benjamin thanked everyone for attending the meeting and allowing him the opportunity to serve the City of Hahira. Benjamin thanked all the departments for staying within the budget and doing a great job and looked forward to working with them another four years.
Councilman Cain congratulated the Mayor, Councilman Benjamin, Mayor Pro Tem Adams, and City Clerk Belinda Chappell for continuing to serve the City of Hahira. Cain thanked all the departments for saving money, spending wisely and staying within the budget. Cain thanked all the citizens for attending the meeting.
Councilman Clendenin thanked all the departments for spending wisely and buckling down to stay within the budget and doing a great job. Clendenin congratulated all the newly elected officials on four more years and the City Clerk for another year of service to the City.
City Manager Sumner congratulated the newly elected officials and the City Clerk. Sumner stated he appreciated the opportunity to work with Mayor and Council. Sumner stated he felt there were great things getting ready to happen for the City of Hahira in the upcoming years.
Mayor Bullard thanked the citizens for their trust in him to hold the office of Mayor for another four years. Mayor thanked the departments for their hard work and great job. Mayor Bullard thanked Council for doing a great job for the City of Hahira. Mayor Bullard congratulated the newly elected officials and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Adams, vote was unanimous.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
________________________
Mayor, Wayne Bullard
________________________
City Clerk, Belinda Chappell