Minutes of Hahira Council Meetings for the month of May 2008

HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 28, 2008
6:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE

　

Mayor and City Council met for a Work Session Monday April 28, 2008, at the Courthouse with Mayor Wayne Bullard presiding.

PRESENT:

Mayor Wayne Bullard, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, Councils, Terry Benjamin, Rose Adams, Ralph Clendenin, Bruce Cain, City Clerk Diane Bellflower, PWD Director Chris Stephens, PWD Director Donnie Warren.

REVIEW/ CORRECTIONS OF MINUTES:

March 31, 2008, Work Session

April 3, 2008, Council Meeting

Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that there were two changes that needed to be made in the minutes. One was in the Work Session and one in the Council Meeting. Since this the corrections have been made.

REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGETS OVERAGES:

There were no questions at this time concerning the bills.

DISCUSSIONS:

Elimination of Ad Valorem Tax for Senior Citizens (Councilman Clendenin): Councilman Clendenin stated to Mayor and Council that he would like to see the City of Hahira eliminate Ad Valorem taxes for seniors. City Manager Sumner stated that he had talked with Mary Nell Robinson of the tax office in Valdosta. The tax elimination for the 65 years or older in the City of Hahira would be approximately $53.80 per property owner. The total effect on the digest would be approximately $5,918. That was based on the senior homestead which is the 10,000 exemption and the City of Hahira 2007 millage. Councilman Clendenin stated that he would like to see Mayor and Council consider this option. City Manager Sumner stated that he would talk with some other cities and see what they are doing concerning this issue. City Manager also stated he would find out how many senior citizens are in Hahira.

　

　

Consideration of Arbitration for Service Delivery (City Manager)

City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that the City does have a Service Delivery Agreement that could be adopted that could buy us some time. Sumner stated that Council had given the Mayor permission to sign that extension if the other small cities were in agreement to meet for arbitration. Sumner stated that the City of Dasher did not sign, Lake Park did sign, Remerton signed. Sumner stated that the City has an extension until June 30, 2008 for Service Delivery. An arbitration is coming up May 19, 2008. The County is expecting a notification from the small cities and the City of Valdosta to find out if the City of Hahira wants to enter into that arbitration, because there is a $8000.00 non-refundable deposit, out of this there would be a portion that the small cities would have to pay. Mayor Bullard stated that he would talk to the other cities to see if they are going to sign. There were some concerns about Hahira not having any authority over its parks.

　

　

　

　

Teachers Luncheon May 28, 2008 (City Manager)

Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that the
Teachers Luncheon would be May 28, 2008 at the Methodist Church Dining Room. Sumner stated that last year the cost was approximately $700.00 and we anticipate the same expense this year. Sumner stated this amount is budgeted. Mayor Pro Tem Adams was going to find out if the City could have the luncheon at the Methodist Church.

　

Engineering Request for Proposals

(City Manager)

City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that there were proposals sent out that covered five areas which are (1) The expansion of a wastewater treatment sprayfield; (2) The expansion of a wastewater treatment system to include a reclamation distribution to an adjacent plant nursery; (3) The expansion of the water and wastewater system to a newly annexed winery and 150 unit subdivision; (4) The completion of a watershed assessment; (5) A water and wastewater permit modification to account for items 1-4. Sumner stated that the City had received six proposals. After a discussion with Mayor and Council, Sumner asked them to choose a least two that they would like to consider to do the work. The majority of Council was in favor of Stephenson & Palmer. Councilman Cain requested that he would also like to consider Lovell & Associates. Sumner stated that maybe Mayor and Council should consider only one contractor to do the work. Sumner stated to Mayor and Council they do need to choose a firm so that the work can be started. Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that he needed a recommendation on all five of these items.

City-County Water/Wastewater Agreement

(City Manager)

City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that this issue had been discussed at our last called meeting. Sumner stated that there were some differences in this contract that Mayor and Council did not agree with. Sumner stated that he would like to meet with the County here in Hahira on what we would like in this agreement. After a lengthy discussion Mayor and Council decided to postpone this issue until the retreat in June.

　

　

　

DEPARTMENT REQUEST:

Attendance at Conference (Chief Davis)

City Manager Sumner stated that this conference was for the Chief to attend over the summer.

　

Volunteer Week: Recognition of Nutrition

Volunteers:

City Manager Sumner stated that all of the

Volunteers for the Nutrition program would

Be recognized on Thursday night at the

Council Meeting.

　

Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.


 

 

        __________________________
        Mayor Wayne Bullard

________________________________
 Diane Bellflower, City Clerk

HAHIRA CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 1, 2008
7:30 P.M.
COURTHOUSE

PRESENT: Mayor Wayne Bullard, City Manager Jonathan Sumner, City Attorney Rob Plumb, Councils, Rose Adams, Ralph Clendenin, Terry Benjamin, Bruce Cain, City Clerk Diane Bellflower, PW Director Donnie Warren, PW Director Chris Stephens, Fire Chief Dwight Bennett.

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wayne Bullard

ESTABLISH QUORUM: Mayor Wayne Bullard

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Wayne Bullard

INVOCATION: Mayor Wayne Bullard

REVIEW/CORRECTIONS OF MINUTES:

March 31, 2008 Work Session

April 3, 2007 Council Meeting

There were two corrections that have been made. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept the minutes. Councilman Cain made a motion to accept the minutes, second by Councilman Clendenin, vote was unanimous.

REVIEW OF BILLS/BUDGET OVERAGES:

Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that she had reviewed the bills and expenses seemed to be down. Mayor Bullard asked for a motion to accept the bills. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion to accept the bills, seconded by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD:

Mr. Wilmon Stanley of 308 S Washington Street Hahira, Georgia stated that he was concerned about the fees being instituted at the Recycling Center. Mayor Bullard responded that the County handled this site, and that he had relayed citizen’s concerns about the new charges to the Commissioners.

　　

DISCUSSIONS:

Consideration of Property Tax Abatement for Senior Citizens; Based on the Senior Homestead:

Councilman Clendenin stated that he would like to see Mayor and Council vote for the Property Tax Abatement for Senior Citizens. City Manager Sumner stated that the City of Hahira has a Hundred and ten Senior Citizens that are on the Homestead Exemption list. Sumner also stated that the City of Dasher, Lake Park, and Remerton do not offer an exemption of property tax for Senior Citizens. Sumner stated that Valdosta does offer this option. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept the Property Tax Abatement for Senior Citizens. After a lengthy discussion Councilman Benjamin, Councilman Cain, and Mayor Wayne Bullard wanted to postpone this until more information could be received on the 2009 digest. Councilman Clendenin made a motion to accept, second by Mayor Pro Tem Adams, Councilman Benjamin opposed, Councilman Cain opposed. Mayor Wayne Bullard opposed. Motion was not carried.

Engineering Request for Proposals:

City Manager Sumner stated to Mayor and Council that they had decided on two firms, they were Lovell & Associates and Stevenson and Palmer. City Manager Sumner stated that he talked with Ronnie Dudley of Stephenson And Palmer about travel time and they stated that they would charge fifty (50) cents per mile and exclude billable hours during travel time. City Manager Sumner recommended Stevenson and Palmer due to their expertise and familiarity with the City system. Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept Stephenson and Palmer to do the work for the City. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to accept, second by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Attendance at Police Conference:

Teachers Luncheon May 28, 2008:

　

Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to accept to accept the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Adams made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda, second by Councilman Benjamin, vote was unanimous.

　

VOULTEER WEEK: RECONGNITION OF NUTRITION VOLUNTEERS:

Mayor Wayne Bullard recognized the Volunteers with a certificate. They were Carol Jacobs, Ann Hagood, Charles Hagood. Carol Jacobs of Hahira stated that they could always use volunteers.

　

REPORTS:

COUNCIL:

Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that she would also like to thank all the volunteers for all the hard work that they do. She also stated that Hahira is the place where people make a difference. She also thanked the Mayor and Council for all the work that they do. Also also thanked everyone for helping her and Mr. Adams out when he collapsed. She stated she was very proud of the citizens, Fire Department, and EMT’s. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated the bottom line is Hahira is the place where people make a difference.

Councilman Benjamin also stated that he would like to thank the volunteers for what they do and all their hard work. He also stated that he believes the Mayor and Council had worked very hard on spending money and still giving the citizens quality service. He also stated Hahira is growing and we may have to spend more revenue.

Councilman Cain stated that he would also like to thank the volunteers for their hard work. He also encouraged others to help volunteer. He also stated that he would like to do some more research on the property tax for senior citizens before he decides which way to vote. He also thanked all the employees and Department Heads for doing a doing a good job. Councilman Cain also thanked the Mayor, City Manager, and Council for all the hard work that they do.

Councilman Clendenin stated that he would like for the Mayor and Council to consider the property tax for Senior Citizens. He also thanked all the volunteers for all the hard work that they do. Councilman Clendenin also thanked the Police Department during the recent road block for all the hard work that they did.

City Manager Sumner stated that he would also like to thank the volunteers for all the hard work that they do everyday. Sumner also stated to Mayor and Council that he appreciated all their help during his eighteen months of service as City Manager. He also thanked all the Department Heads for a great job that they do everyday. He also thanked the staff.

Mayor Wayne Bullard stated that he appreciated all the volunteers. Bullard also stated that he would like to see other people volunteer. Mayor Bullard thanked all the Department Heads, Staff, and all employees for all the hard work that they do everyday. He also stated that the City had hired a new Down Town Coordinator, her name is Emily Grace Newkirk. She will start her new job on Monday May 5, 2008. Mayor Bullard also commented on the article in the Valdosta Daily Times under Rant and Rave. He stated that it was a very good article.

　

Mayor Wayne Bullard asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Benjamin made a motion to adjourn, second by Councilman Cain, vote was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

　　

 

__________________________
 Wayne Bullard, Mayor

________________________________
 Diane Bellflower, City Clerk

 

 

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