Minutes of Hahira Council Meetings held during the month of September 2007

HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
WORK SESSION
6:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE

Mayor and City Council met for a work session on Monday September 4, 2007, at the Courthouse with Mayor Wayne Bullard presiding.

PRESENT:

Mayor Wayne Bullard, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Councils, Rose Adams, Terry Benjamin, Temple Ogundu, Ralph Clendenin, Police Chief Terry Davis, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, PWD Donnie Warren, City Clerk Diane Bellflower.

Mayor Wayne Bullard called the meeting to order.

REVIEW/CORRECTIONS OF MINUTES:

  1. July 30, 2007 Work Session
  2. August 2, 2007 Council Meeting
  3. August 22, 2007 Budget Workshop

Councilman Benjamin stated that he had a question but he would get with the City Clerk.

REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGETS OVERAGES:

There was no discussion of the bills or budget.

DISCUSSIONS:

Coastal Plain EOA Presentation: (Work Session only)

An official from the Coastal plains EOA gave a presentation on some of the programs that they provide for the citizens of Hahira. He also gave the Council some information on the programs they have for low income families and the elderly. Mayor and Council were also informed of the low prescription cost at Wal-Mart, and some of the free prescription drugs you can get at Publix.

RAISE TAP FEES (Mayor)

Mayor Wayne Bullard stated that due to rising cost in the Proprietary Fund, tap fees must be raised. He stated that at this time the total fee for a water and sewer tap fee is $3000.00. He stated that he would like to raise this to a total of $5000.00. He stated that this would be voted on Thursday night at the Council Meeting. Mayor Wayne Bullard stated that if this is voted on and passed at the Council Meeting Thursday night, the new fees would go into effect on Friday morning September 7, 2007.

CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY (City Manager)

City Manager Jonathan Sumner stated that in Councils packet under item 8c that there was a policy on Continuing Education. He stated that in order to encourage City employees to prepare for development and to improve their job skills, the City would, within its fiscal ability, reimburse full-time employees meeting eligibility requirements for tuition and textbook expenses. There was some discussion on the grades involving A, B, or C. Councilman Ogundu had some concern if an employee received a grade C that this is a passing grade for a college student. His concern was that if an employee receives an A, B, or C grade that they should receive 100% reimbursement. Councilman Benjamin also reminded Council that these employees are working and a grade C made be the best they can do. Councilman Clendenin suggest to keep a grade C at 50% reimbursement, to give employees an incentive to work harder for a better grade. City Manager Sumner also stated that the coursework either must be related to the employee’s current position or be related to the ability of an employee to advance within a city career path in which the city reasonably foresees the employee attaining in the future. City Manager Sumner also explained the Separation of Employment, which states that an employee leaving fewer than twelve months upon completing reimbursed coursework must repay the City.

Acceptance of Streetlights in Woodbridge Subdivision (City Manager)

City Manager Sumner stated that the streetlights were completed in Woodbridge Subdivision. Mayor Wayne Bullard stated that a certain percentage of the subdivision had to be completed before we can accept the streetlights. Mayor Bullard asked the City Manager to check into this.

DEPARTMENT REQUESTS:

  1. Authorization for Lodging Expenses to Conference (Chief Davis)

    Chief Terry Davis stated that on October 13th thru October 17th the International Association of Chief’s of Police convention is going to be held in New Orleans. Chief Davis is only asking the City to pay for his lodging, which comes to a total of $238.00.

  2. Spray for the Holding Pond (PWD Warren)

PWD Warren stated that he had a quote for the duckweed problem in the holding pond. He stated that there is money in the W/S repair line item for this expenditure. The Public Works Department would like to submit a request for Thomas Aquatic Weed Control Company (Licensed and Bonded) to spray the City’s holding pond for weed control at a cost of $1800.00.

Budget Workshop II:

In other business, City Manager Sumner stated that the hospital has received a clean bill and no asbestos has been found on that property. He stated that D.K. Hollis was ready to close on this property. City Manager stated that he had called DCA and we should receive approval within a week. He also stated as soon as we receive this we should be able to close on this property within mid September. Councilman Clendenin asked the City Manager about the caboose. City Manager Sumner stated that we had received three different quotes on striping the paint off the caboose, repaint it, and re-letter it. The quotes were all in excess of $5000.00. City Manager Sumner stated that he talked with PWD Donnie Warren about pressure washing it and put a new coat of paint on it. Warren’s estimate was $650.00. There were several detailed discussions concerning the budget. After discussion concluded, Council decided to resume discussion at the regular meeting Thursday.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

        _____________________
        Wayne Bullard, Mayor

        _____________________
        Diane Bellflower, City Clerk

HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
7:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE

PRESENT: Mayor Wayne Bullard, Councils Terry Benjamin, Temple Ogundu, Ralph Clendenin, Rose Adams, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, City Attorney Rob Plumb, Police Chief Terry Davis, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett, PWD Donnie Warren, City Clerk Diane Bellflower.

Mayor Wayne Bullard called the meeting or order. A quorum was established.

Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman Terry Benjamin

INVOCATION: Mayor Wayne Bullard

REVIEW/ CORRECTIONS OF MINUTES:

  1. July 30, 2007 Work Session
  2. August 2, 2007 Council Meeting
  3. August 2, 2007 Budget Workshop I

Councilman Terry Benjamin stated that he had one correction and would get with the City Clerk concerning this matter. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept the minutes. Councilman Ogundu made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.

REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGET OVERAGES:

There were no questions. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked a motion to accept the bills. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to accept the bills, seconded by Council Ogundu. Vote was unanimous.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:

Karen Camion of West Stanfill Street stated that her main concern was we needed a fire station, fire truck, etc., on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Quida Lane of Randall street also stated that her main concern was having a small fire department on the other side of the railroad tracks. She also stated to the Fire Chief, Dwight Bennett what a good job they did by putting the fire out, and also commended him in there response time of getting there.

Mr. Stanley of Washington Street also spoke on the behalf of having some kind of fire protection on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Faye Chachere on Union Road also spoke concerning having a fire department or fire truck, etc, on the other side of the railroad tracks.

DISCUSSIONS:

  1. Raise Tap fees

    Mayor Wayne Bullard stated that the Water and Sewer department would like to raise tap fees due to increasing costs. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked a motion to accept the raising of the tap fees. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to raise the tap fees, seconded by Councilwoman Adams, Councilman Clendenin opposed, motion was carried.
     

  2. Continuing Education Policy:

City Manager Sumner stated to Council that this was the same policy that was discussed Tuesday night at the Work Session. Councilman Benjamin suggested that if an employee receives a grade C there reimbursement should be 100%. Councilman Ogundu also agreed with Councilman Benjamin. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked a motion to accept the Continuing Education Policy. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to accept this policy as written, second by Councilwoman Adams, vote was unanimous.

Department Requests:
  1. Authorization for Lodging Expenses to Conference:

    Chief Terry Davis:

    Chief Davis explained to Mayor and Council about a conference he would like to attend in October in New Orleans. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept Chief Davis be reimbursed for lodging. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to accept, seconded by Councilman Ogundu, vote was unanimous.
     

  2. Spray for the Holding Pond:

Public Works Director Donnie Warren stated that he had a quote from Thomas Aquatic Weed Control Company to spray the City’s holding pond for weed control at a cost of $1800.00. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked a motion to accept this. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to accept, seconded by Councilman Ogundu, vote was unanimous.

REPORTS:

Councilwoman Adams stated that two employees from Coastal Plains came to the Work Session on Tuesday night and explained the different types of programs that they offer to help the citizens in Hahira. She also stated that it would be very helpful if they could come back and talk to all the citizens of Hahira.

Councilman Benjamin stated that he would like to thank everyone for coming out to the meeting. He also thanked the citizens for bringing out the fact that the City does need a fire station across the railroad tracks.

Councilman Ogundu also thanked the citizens for coming to the Council meeting, and to the concerned citizens spoke on behalf of the fire station on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Councilman Clendenin stated that he would like the citizens of Hahira to receive information on the drug programs that are available in our area. He would like the citizens to be aware of the free prescriptions from Publix and the discount medications from Wal-Mart.

City Manager Jonathan Sumner thanked the Council for voting on the Continuing Education Program.

Mayor Wayne Bullard thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and showing their support. He also thanked all employees for doing a good job. He also reminded the public about the street dance September 22, 2007, in downtown Hahira.

Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion for Council to go into Executive Session. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilman Ogundu, vote was unanimous.

Councilman Benjamin made a motion that they return from Executive Session and authorize the mayor to sign the affidavit confirming that we discussed personnel matters. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to return to the Council Meeting, seconded by Councilman Ogundu, vote was unanimous.

Budget Workshop:

City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that they could preminarily adopt the budget tonight. He stated to Council that they had until September 30, 2007 to tentatively adopt the budget. If Mayor and Council wish to adopt the budget tonight, we must advertise for a Public Hearing. He stated that he would recommend that we hold the Public Hearing on October 11, 2007, at the Council Meeting. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept the Budget. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to accept the budget, seconded by Councilman Benjamin. Vote was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

__________________
Mayor Wayne Bullard

_____________________
City Clerk, Diane Bellflower

Created And Maintained by
 Hahira Web Creations
Last modified: 10/30/09