Watkinsville City Council Minutes of Meeting - 11/10/08 Called Council Meeting and 11/12/08 Regular Council Meeting
Woven brightly, 
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr. Subject: Minutes of Meeting - 11/10/08 Called Council Meeting and 11/12/08 Regular Council Meeting
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:46:03 -0500
The "draft" minutes from the Nov. 10th called Council meeting and the Nov. 12th regular Council meeting are attached. These minutes have not been read or approved by Council. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments regarding the attached. Thank you.
Julie
Julie A. Sanders, CMC
City of Watkinsville
191 VFW Drive
P. O. Box 27
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
706-769-5161 (office)
706-769-4760 (fax)
wkvcityhall@charter.net
MINUTES OF MEETING
OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL
CITY OF WATKINSVILLE
CALLED MEETING
November 10, 2008
PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh and Walter
VISITORS: Adam Thompson, Athens Banner Herald
QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present.
OLD BUSINESS: (1) SPLOST Considerations: Mayor Luken explains this meeting is to consolidate the list that we want to use the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for if it is approved. Mayor Luken notes that with this economy, we may not achieve all that we want to achieve. Winterville has done an excellent job with their SPLOST funds. Our SPLOST will be voted on in the spring of 2009. Oconee County is asking for $40 million in a six year SPLOST. The City of Watkinsville’s population is eight (8) percent of the County’s population; however, the actual percentage of 7.99% is how SPLOST will be calculated for our portion. SPLOST has to be used for capital items. We can use SPLOST funds for road maintenance and public safety. Mayor Luken recommended setting aside $206,000 for public safety and $856,000 for Parks and Recreation. Mayor Luken adds that one of our patrol cars has been wrecked and we expect it to be “totaled”. Mayor Luken summarizes the SPLOST breakdown, which includes $15,000 for cameras for the police department. Councilman Brodrick questions technology costs. Lee O’Dillon, Police Chief, explains that $15,000 will not provide a camera for every police car. Cameras in all cars will cost about $25,000. Councilman Brodrick suggests going ahead with five cameras. Mayor Luken reads off the recommended list as following: Water and Sewer $833,000; Parks and Recreation $846,000; Transportation $1,305,000; Public Safety and Equipment $216,000. Mayor Luken explains the sewer system will pick up Southwire, LAD Trucking and down the center of the Industrial Park. This Council has done good things, extremely good, Mayor Luken adds. Councilwoman Purcell asks if this will pick up Stone Shoals. Mayor Luken states that Stone Shoals would be a logical next step. After further discussion, Mayor Luken asks all council members to take the information home to review it and get back to him as our request has to be turned in to Oconee County by December 1, 2008. Councilman Link asks about the parking lot here at City Hall. Mayor Luken states that he brought that up about a year ago that it needs to be resurfaced and regraded. No action taken or necessary at this time.
Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to go into Executive Session at this time to discuss a personnel matter. Motion carried unanimously.
(See signed Affidavit: Closure of Open Meetings Form.)
Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to exit executive session and return to regular meeting status. Motion carried unanimously.
Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to adjourn the November 10, 2008 Called Council Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
JULIE A. SANDERS, CMC
MINUTES OF MEETING
OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL
CITY OF WATKINSVILLE
November 12, 2008
PRESENT: Mayor Luken, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Walsh and Walter
VISITORS: See attached sheet.
QUORUM CHECK: Mayor Luken acknowledges a quorum is present. All speakers are asked to approach the lectern and address Council.
MINUTES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to approve the October 8, 2008 Minutes as presented. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
JOHN WALSH’S PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the Mayor, City Council and the people of Watkinsville for my recent actions. I’m very embarrassed and ashamed for my poor judgment in this matter. I ask for your forgiveness and to please not judge me entirely on this one wrong incident. I have worked very hard for the people of Watkinsville and wish to continue to do so until the end of my term. I sincerely thank the many people who have called and come to my support and for those people who feel differently, I again ask for your understanding, for I promise to work as hard as I can for you and our city. Thank you.”
Mayor Luken states that John Walsh immediately reported to us after he received the DUI. He further explains John is very aware of the gravity of this situation and is genuinely remorseful. Please hold all comments until citizen’s comments time on the agenda.
STEPHEN COPE: Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the business license for Ultimate Car Care at 1061 Camden Park Drive conditional upon no more than one vehicle at a time at the residence for service. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Cope explains there will be no more than one car at a time and there will be no vehicles held overnight.
ANGELA DEWBERRY: Councilman Link moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to approve the business license for Fat Cat Salon & Gifts at 1 School Street. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
DANA SEERLEY: Alice Bruckner represented Dana Seerley. Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the business license for Nature’s Alternatives at 2 South Main Street, Suite 103. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
BRIAN BRODRICK: Councilman Link moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to approve the business license for New High Shoals Properties, LLC at 117 South Main Street. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried. Councilman Brodrick abstained.
DWAYNE WILKES: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the demolition permit for the existing mobile home and house located at 25 Barnett Shoals Road. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
MIRKO DIGACOMANTONIO: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to approve the Beer and Wine Pouring License for Mirko Pasta at 2 South Main Street, Suite 101. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried 4 to 1. Councilman Link opposed.
RECONCILIATION REPORT: Councilman Link moved and Councilman Brodrick seconded the motion to approve the September, 2008 Reconciliation Report as presented. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
BUDGET AMENDMENT: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to approve the following budget amendment:
MOVE $21,000 from General Fund, Fire Department, Capital Outlay
TO $6,000 to General Fund, General Government, Building Inspector
$5,000 to General Fund, Police Department, Repairs & Maintenance Computers
$1,000 to General Fund, Police Department, Dues & Subscriptions
$9,000 to General Fund, Street Department, General Supplies & Materials
Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Link gives a vehicle report on the new Fire Department Ford F250 Pickup.
MAYOR’S REPORT: Friday, December 5 is the City Christmas Tree lighting next to Eagle Tavern. Oconee County High School coral group, Santa, Hot chocolate, etc. The tree stand was fabricated by EFI – Horst Klein. The tree will be donated by Ted Evans. Georgia Power, Mike Lewis, provides bucket truck and power support. Our street department and our tourism director, Peggy Holcomb, are instrumental in the whole process. Saturday, December 6, the annual City Christmas Parade through the courtesy and hard work of the Oconee Enterprise. Starts at 11:00 a.m. OCAF Holiday Market will be held Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. All City events are provided courtesy of Watkinsville and the Watkinsville City Council. For about four years, the City has been providing courtesy trash receptacles and free pickup for small businesses. The Code Enforcement Officer, Robert Hegge, has recommended waiving the fee for new signs in this economically difficult time to further assist small businesses. Mayor Luken also explains that after the holidays, Southwire will begin downsizing that will likely affect about 80 employees from early January until early spring. The plant will remain open, but personnel reductions are in many cases permanent. The plant will upgrade with new machinery. Southwire has been a top 5 producer of revenue to Oconee County and a great neighbor. Reductions will include severance packages for employees. We are extremely happy that the Plant will remain open. Thanks to Councilman Brodrick for replacing one of the few trees that have died. He replaced it with a striking maple tree at Barnett Shoals Road and Main Street. Last our heartfelt congratulation to Joe Walter on his reelection to City Council. Joe chairs the Personnel, Finance and Police Department committees. He is also a member of the Fire and Street Department committee as well as the Ordinance and City Property committee.
Councilman Walter moved and Councilman Walsh seconded the motion to waive the sign fee for new signs for the rest of the fiscal year. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
CITIZEN’S COMMENTS: Dan Matthews thanks Julie Sanders for allowing him and his son to sit in on the counting of the votes on the evening of the election.
Bill Wright expressed concerns about a house on VFW, where the resident is selling fire wood. Mr. Wright is concerned because he is putting the firewood in the front yard as well as a sign. After discussion, Mayor Luken states we will get a certified letter out to the resident.
OLD BUSINESS: (1) Durham Street Final Payment Consideration: Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to have Mayor Luken work with Wayne Craig and Joe Reitman write a letter to Oconee County indicating we do not wish to pull out of the project; however, we would like to delay payment of the final $28,333 pending notification that the project is moving forward. Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS: (1) Storm Water Annual Update: Mark Campbell gives the annual report update. This is the third report that Mark has handled for the City. This report is to help make sure the City is in compliance. It also helps with education of developers and citizens as well, requiring enforcement of ordinances and requires good housekeeping. Most of our housekeeping efforts are handled by the street department. After further discussion, no action was taken or necessary at this time.
Mayor Luken announces that Julie Sanders is now a Certified Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Chief O’Dillon announces that Sgt. Lopatin Slaymaker has completed the TIPS Training (alcohol training program). Councilman Link suggests getting certified reflective vests for all our street department employees. This is an actual requirement, which goes into effect on November 24, 2008. Mayor Luken agrees we will purchase those vests.
ADJOURN: Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Walter seconded the motion to adjourn the November 12, 2008 Council meeting at approximately 8:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
JULIE A. SANDERS, CMC
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