Minutes of Hahira Council Meetings for July, 2009
HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
JUNE 29, 2009
6:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
Mayor and Council met for a Work Session June 29, 2009 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, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, Director Donnie Warren, City Clerk Belinda Chappell.
ABSENT: Police Chief Terry Davis
Proclamation for Cooper Family (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard will read the Proclamation for the Cooper Family at the Council Meeting on Thursday night.
REVIEW/CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
A.) June 01, 2009 Work Session
B.) June 04, 2009 Council Meeting
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the minutes. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she would like a revised copy of the June 04, 2009 Council Meeting minutes that included the additions to the text amendment to zoning for multi-family housing. City Manager Sumner stated he would provide Council with a new copy of the minutes.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A.) Application from Kelly Stanfill (Packhouse Market) for the Sale of Wine (Chief Davis)
City Manager Sumner stated Chief Davis provided a memo to Council which stated that a background check was performed on Mr. Stanfill and everything was found to be in order for Mr. Stanfill to receive his license to sell wine at the Packhouse Market.
REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGET OVERAGES:
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the bills. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she had reviewed the fiscal report for the first half of fiscal year 2009 and found everything to be in order other than the franchise fees being on the lower end. City Manager Sumner stated the franchise fees would increase toward the end of the year. Councilman Clendenin stated the department heads were doing a great job staying under budget for the first half of fiscal year 2009.
DISCUSSIONS:
A.) Presentation from Metropolitan Planning Organization (Corey Hull, South Georgia RDC)
Mr. Corey Hull, with South Georgia Regional Development Center gave a lengthy presentation regarding the Metropolitan Planning Area in South Georgia.
B.) Roll-Off Container Proposal (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated Griffin Waste was interested in handling all roll-off containers for the City and in return the City would receive five percent of the roll-off fee from Griffin Waste. Mayor Bullard stated all contractors building inside the City limits who needed a roll-off container would be required to use Griffin Waste for the service. Mayor Bullard stated there were several different size roll-off containers that were priced accordingly.
C.) Tap Fees (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated the tap fees were decreased from $5000 dollars to $3000 dollars at the beginning of fiscal year 2009 until July 31st. Mayor Bullard stated the tap fees have not picked up since the decrease in fees and requested extending the decreased tap fee until December 31st 2009.
D.) Recycling Center Location and Service (City Manager- Marshall Ingram)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council the recycling center the City maintained on South Hall Street was being abused by residents living outside the City limits of Hahira. Sumner stated people were not putting their trash inside the containers and the recycling center was becoming an eyesore to residents residing near the center. Sumner stated several alternatives for the recycling center. Sumner requested putting a privacy fence around the center or maybe moving the center to a location that was not as visible to the public or maybe discontinuing the center completely and require citizens to purchase the $100 dollar permit to dispose of their garbage. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she thought the citizens of Hahira should have access to the recycling center on Union Road since the City owns the land. Sumner stated he would research this and report back to Council.
E.) Charter (Mayor Pro Tem Adams)
Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated to Mayor and Council the Charter was discussed in the Retreat this year. Adams stated she would like to work on completing the Charter as soon as possible.
F.) Mid-Year Fiscal Report (City Manager)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council the mid-year fiscal report was in balance with expenditures not exceeding revenue for each department. Sumner stated this was due to the department heads and conservative spending. Sumner stated the tap fee revenue had not increased so for this year due to the decrease in housing construction. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she was concerned with the City increasing the tap fees in the past of $1000 dollars. Adams stated she was unclear on why the City decreased the tap fee back to $3000 dollars from $5000 dollars if the tap fee revenue had not increased since the reduction of fees. City Manager Sumner stated this was due to the decrease in housing construction.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
________________________
Mayor, Wayne Bullard
________________________
City Clerk, Belinda Chappell
CITY OF HAHIRA
COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 02, 2009
7:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE
Mayor and Council met for a Council Meeting July 02, 2009 at the Courthouse with Mayor Wayne Bullard presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Wayne Bullard, Councils: Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Terry Benjamin, Bruce Cain, Ralph Clendenin, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, Director Donnie Warren, City Clerk Belinda Chappell.
ABSENT: Police Chief Terry Davis
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wayne Bullard
ESTABLISH QUORUM: Mayor Wayne Bullard
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wayne Bullard
INVOCATION: Mayor Pro Tem Adams
Proclamation for Cooper Family (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard read the proclamation for the Cooper Family.
REVIEW/CORRECTION OF MINUTES:
A.) June 01, 2009 Work Session
B.) June 04, 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. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
Public Hearings
A.) Application from Kelly Stanfill (Packhouse Market) For the Sale of Wine (City Manager)
City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council Mr. Stanfill had applied to sell wine at the Packhouse Market which was approved for the previous owners of the Packhouse Market. Sumner stated a background check was performed on Mr. Stanfill and everything seemed to be in order for him to sell wine at the business. Mayor Bullard asked if there was anyone wishing to speak against. There was no one wishing to speak against. Mayor Bullard asked if there was anyone wishing to speak in favor. Mr. Stanfill residing at 409 N. Church Street Hahira, Georgia 31632. Mr. Stanfill stated he was the owner of the business and the hours of operation would be from Thursday through Saturday from 12 pm to 7 pm and on Sundays from 12 pm to 2 pm. Mr. Stanfill stated he was planning on being open from Tuesdays through Saturdays in the near future. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:
Mr. Wilmon Stanley residing at 308 S. Washington Street Hahira, Georgia 31632. Mr. Stanley addressed Mayor and Council with the concern of the permit price to take off garbage at the Union Road Recycling Center. Mr. Stanley was concerned if the City of Hahira would receive any benefit from Lowndes County for the $100 dollar permit price since the City is the owner of the recycle site location. Mayor Bullard stated he would contact the County regarding this issue. Mr. Stanley stated it was a great idea for the opening of the seafood market at the Packhouse Market. Stanley also thanked Director Warren for his prompt attention to any water issues in the City.
REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGET OVERAGES:
Mayor Bullard asked if there were any questions concerning the bills. There were no questions concerning the bills. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Benjamin, vote was unanimous.
DISCUSSIONS:
A.) Recommendation for MPO Citizens Advisory Committee (Mayor Bullard)
Mayor Bullard stated he had contacted Burt Chancy to see if he was interested in serving on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Committee. Mayor Bullard asked Council if they had anyone in mind for the Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she had also thought Burt Chancy would be a good candidate for the committee. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
B.) Moved to Consent Agenda
C.) Moved to Consent Agenda
D.) Removed
E.) Removed
F.) Removed
CONSENT AGENDA:
A.) Roll-Off Container Proposal
City Manager Sumner stated this was discussed Monday night at the Work Session and he would entertain any questions Council may have regarding Griffin Waste handling the roll-off containers... Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she was concerned if the fees were compatible with other roll-off container businesses. Sumner stated they were compatible. Councilman Clendenin stated he was concerned if this was a one year agreement with Griffin Waste. Sumner stated the agreement was renewable every year. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
B.) Tap Fees
City Manager Sumner stated this was an extension to the decreased tap fees of $3000 dollars that the City was offering to the builders for tap fees. Sumner stated the extension would last until December 31st 2009. Sumner stated he would entertain any questions. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated she was concerned if the apartment complex coming into the City would have individual taps for each apartment. Sumner stated each apartment would be required to have a separate tap. Councilman Clendenin stated the decreased tap fees had not produced a surge in building by contractors since the reduction. Clendenin stated he thought this was the time to bring the tap fees back up to the price of $5000 dollars. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain. Councilman Benjamin, Councilman Cain and Mayor Pro Tem Adams were in favor, Councilman Clendenin opposed. Motion was carried.
REPORTS:
Councilman Clendenin stated the business after hours was a success and thanked everyone involved in bringing that together. Councilman Clendenin thanked Mr. Stanley for his concern on the recycle site. Clendenin thanked all department heads for doing a great job.
Councilman Cain thanked City Manager Sumner for looking into the issue of the recycling center. Cain thanked all the department heads for continuing to do a great job and keeping the City operating smoothly. Cain stated the Council and Mayor for their support and doing a good job.
Councilman Benjamin thanked the City Manager for the fiscal report and also the City Clerk and Finance Clerk for helping with the reports. Benjamin thanked all the departments for staying responsible on the spending. Benjamin stated he agreed that something needed to be done with the issue of the recycling center location. Benjamin stated he appreciated working with the Mayor and Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Adams thanked the departments for keeping the City beautiful and stated there were several other plants she wanted to add around the City. Adams stated she would like the Fire Department to help, if they had the equipment to do so, with the pipes under the driveways that were full of dirt which made it impossible for the rain water to pass through. Adams thanked Mr. Stanley with his concerns about the recycle center and also stated she was glad to see the Packhouse Market re-opening. Adams thanked all departments, Mayor and Council for continuing to do a great job.
City Manager Sumner stated he would like to thank the department heads and front office staff for the conservative spending to keep the first half of the fiscal report in balance. Sumner thanked Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve.
Mayor Bullard thanked everyone for doing a great job. Mayor Bullard asked that everyone put City Clerk Belinda Chappell’s father on the prayer list. Mayor thanked all departments for the conservative spending and hoped they would continue to do so to keep the fiscal report in balance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to come out of the regular meeting and enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing property matters. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to come out of executive session and enter back into the regular meeting authorizing the Mayor to sign the affidavit saying the only thing discussed was property matters. Councilman Benjamin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.
There being no further business to discuss. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Clendenin made a motion, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
______________________
Mayor, Wayne Bullard
______________________
City Clerk, Belinda Chappell