Town Of North High Shoals January 18 2010 Notes from Fred

Another well written description of the governmental goings on in the town at the confluence of Walton, Oconee and Morgan county lines by now former council member Fred Johnson. After three months (or longer) of municipal business not being done, it is understandable how North High Shoals could not get everything caught up in one work session

From: Fred Johnson

Date: January 24, 2010 10:39:24 PM EST

To: Fred Johnson

Subject: TONHS January 18 2010 Notes from Fred

Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                    January 24, 2010

All the Town Council members showed up!  I don't think that's going to be a story anymore; these council members are ready to do the business of the town.  The Town Council carefully worked through the backlog of items in a very well prepared meeting.  Mayor Violet Dawe and Clerk Carolyn Pritchett have done a fantastic job getting everything in order for the town.  Their many hours of work is evident by their through making sure resolutions were prepared, the Council was given information before the meeting, and problems were researched and possible solutions mapped out before the meeting.  Requests by two citizens were carefully fulfilled with resolutions and permits they prepared ahead of time.  Additionally they are leading the effort to organize the town records and correct past practices of not keeping records and not responding to requests by citizens or county and state offices.  The town has come a long way putting its house in order the past two years, and Violet and Carolyn are putting the finishing touches on this effort.

The Council spent some time figuring out their course of action to fill the two open Town Council positions.  Due to the resignation last month of Jeff Thomas and last week of Eddie Cape, an election will have to be held.  The next election dates set by the state are in March and July.  The town was unable to hold an official meeting in December or earlier in January because Eddie Cape refused to attend.  His refusal left the town unable to take action on this item; now he and others are demanding that the town rush forward with a March election.  The town faces a problem of appointing an election superintendent because the town of Bishop has already set an election for that date using our election superintendant.  Finding a new person to hold that post or finding people to train to assist Carolyn at this point will be very difficult.  The council is very concerned about spending about $2,000 to hold an election and making one mistake which would invalidate the election.  Additionally, the election superintendent must meet certain deadlines set by the state for advertising the election, printing ballots, absentee voting, and pre-voting to meet deadlines set by the state. Her efforts were severely hampered by Cape's refusal to allow the council to meet before January 18, 2010.  Several Council members and people attending the meeting commented that it was ironic that the person who prevented the Town Council from meeting to organize the election is now complaining that we might not be able to meet the requirements from the state for holding a March election.  I have to agree.

Despite running into problems with the election, most of the Town Council's time was spent doing those basic functions of the town like the building permits and communications to the County over water and land division mentioned above.  Several citizens worked in the park on projects to celebrate MLK Day as reported by Council Member Lawrence.  The town funded a water testing project for Frazier Creek at HSES.  A public hearing was held on the code of ordinances in preparation for them being passed next month.  Council Member Arnold reported on the success of the town sending 14 boxes to two young local men serving in Afghanistan and their positive replies to the town.  All the regular January business was conducted.  These are just a few of the initiatives which will be the mainstay of the Town Council in the coming years.

Thanks for your support of North High Shoals; I'll see you at the next meeting.

                                                                                    Fred Johnson

Unofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting Notes

January 18, 2010

By Fred Johnson

Council Members at the Meeting:  Council Members Steve Holzman, David Lawrence, Steve Arnold, Mayor Violet Dawe, and Clerk Carolyn Pritchett.

Citizens and Guests: Mike Beall, Mark Campbell, Horst Klein, Heike Mueller, Fred Johnson, Jason Wisniewski, Kathleen McGuire, Dave Evans, Sarah Donegan, and Scott Wilson.

Call to Order

• Mayor Dawe acknowledged the efforts of people who worked in the park on MLK Day and read from the writings of President Lincoln.
• Mayor Dawe declared that we had a quorum.

Regular Monthly Meeting

Agenda Setting

·        Council Member Holzman made the motion to move the agenda items of Kathleen McGuire to the top of the agenda as well as moving rules of order to the bottom of old business.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

Staff Resolutions:

• Motion to approve the Resolution as read accepting the resignations of Treasurer George, Council Member Cape, and Mayor Thomas by Council Member Holzman, Second by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 3-0.
• Resolution for Appointing a Presiding Officer.  Motion made by Council Member Lawrence to appoint Council Member Holzman..  2^nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 2-0-1(Council Member Holzman abstains)
• Resolutions for Annual Appointments: Clerk, Election Superintendent, Treasurer, Poll Manager

and Attorney.  Motion to appoint Pritchett Town Clerk by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.  Motion to appoint Pritchett Election Superintendent by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0. Motion to appoint Julie Sanders Town Treasurer by Council Member Arnold ; 2^nd by Council Member Holzman; approved 3-0. Motion to appoint Julie Sanders Poll Manager by Council Member Lawrence & 2^nd by Council Member Holzman; approved 3-0.  Motion to appoint Joe Reitman Town Attorney by Council Member Lawrence & 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.

Monthly Business:

• Presentation of Draft Minutes for months of September, October, November, and December, 2010:  Motion to approve September minutes by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.   Motion to approve October minutes by Council Member Holzman  2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.  Motion to approve November minutes by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0. Motion to approve December 7, 2009 minutes by Council Member Lawrence ; 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.  Motion to approve December minutes by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.
• Presentation of Financial Statements: Motion to approve financial statements by Council Member Lawrence & 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.

Public Hearing on Code of Ordinances – 7:45 – 8:15 p.m.

• Council Members and those present discussed the final version of the code to be voted on at next month's meeting.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items: Horst Klein commented that Eddie Cape should have stuck with the council although he disagreed with others, and he commended Violet Dawe for staying with the council through past periods of adversary for her.

Old Business:

1. Plat Revision, Kathleen McGuire

• Motion to approve a letter from the town approving this division to the county by Council Member Holzman ; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.

2. Resolution - Right of way for County Water Lines to 140; 130 Plantation Road

• Kathleen presented the need for water to this residence and answered questions from the council.
• Mayor Dawe read a prepared resolution to provide Kathleen with the permission she needed to allow the County to bring water lines down the city's right of way.. Here's a great example of how your council is better serving citizens.  Due to the requirement that people on the agenda submit documentation to the council ahead of time, Mayor Dawe was able to do her research and provide exactly what the citizen needed while preserving the rights of all citizens of the town.
• Motion to provide right of way for the county water line by Council Member Lawrence ; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.

3. City Code of Ordinances

• No vote was taken tonight; vote will be the 3^rd Monday in February.  People can still check the final copy on the web site.

4. City Park Update – David L

• Council Member Lawrence thanked all the people who came to the park today to plant irises, cut dead trees, and work on paths in the back of the park.  He also reported that he has talked to people about following the rules of the park.  Council Member Lawrence would like to have a work day in the park in March.
• Council Member Holzman asked about the invoices for park maintenance, and was told that they are being given in more detail.  He also asked that the park be placed out for bid in the future.
• Council then discussed how the town should deal with the park.  Mayor Dawe asked that Council Members Holzman and Lawrence prepare a report for the council about what should be done for the barn.

5. Website Update – Steve H.

• Council Member Holzman reported that the web site is up to date.

6. FEMA Update – Violet D.

• Mayor Dawe reported that maps were corrected and available for people to view in the town hall.

7. Census Update – Violet D.

• Mayor Dawe reported that the city has completed all forms required.

8. Adopt a Stream – David L.

• Council Member Lawrence asked the town for funds for testing Frazier Creek by students at High Shoals Elementary.
• Council Member Holzman made a motion for funds designated for environmental protection of the town to be used to fund this project up to $400.  2^ndby Council Member Arnold.  Approved 2-0-1(Lawrence)
• Questions and suggestions from Mike Beall and Jason Wisneski followed.  Mayor Dawe offered to personally teach a training session for water quality testing in the town. 

9. Serviceman Project Update – Stephen A.

• Council Member Arnold reported that the town was able to send 14 boxes with the help of many citizens, local papers, tax commissioners office.  Positive feedback was heard from both soldiers in Afghanistan.  Council Member Arnold asked the council to consider continuing this effort in the future.

10. Update on ADA grant

• Clerk Pritchett reported that grant funds were received for the paving of the parking space for the election.  Kate George was thanked for her efforts to complete this item for the town.

11. Annual Renewal for hardship exemption trailer

• Debbie Tiller wrote a letter the council to request that the hardship exemption for a caretaker trailer be extended another year under similar circumstances.  Council members asked about the original papers for the 2004 exemption; Mayor Dawe reported that the city did not have a copy although the item was detailed in the minutes.  She also commented that the city has very few original records of city business because these things were not kept in the past.  Council Member Holzman asked if other exemptions exist in the city, and Mayor Dawe responded that she did not know of any.  Mayor Dawe read a resolution prepared for this item to grant a non-conforming use on the site.
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to approve the resolution.  Second by Council Member Lawrence..  Approved 3-0.

New Business

12. Rules of Order

• Council Member Holzman motioned that the Rules of Order be approved for the year and a 2^nd was made by Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

13. Resolution for Town Meeting; Set continuance meeting

• Mayor Dawe read the resolution for council meetings to be held on the 3^rd Monday of the month with details about holding other meetings

14. Building Permit, Dave Evans

• Dave Evans presented his plans for building an addition on to his house and discussed the addition with the council.
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to approve the building permit.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

15. Business Licenses – Occupational Tax Certificates

• Various Insurance Companies at $15 each,  Ivie's Elite, Berry Coating, Inc., and Top's Tree Service

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to approve these business licenses.  Second by Council Member Arnold.    No vote was taken.
• Council and those present discussed whether each of these applicants have been vetted for following the zoning ordinances they are located in.
• Council Member Holzman proposed that the council postpones this agenda item and all agreed.

16. Property and Liability Insurance

• Council Member Arnold reported that progress is being made on gathering bids for the town's insurance.

17. Park – Use of Softball Field

• Council Member Lawrence presented a request for use of the softball field for several Saturdays; conflicts with Little League were discusses..  The Council decided to contact Little League to talk about conflicts.

18. Qualification Fees Set

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to set qualifying fee at $25.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0. 

19. Election Possibilities

• Clerk Pritchett informed the council the Bishop has set an election date for March; she will be running that election.  Mayor Dawe pointed out that we have been stopped from holding a meeting to set an election due to lack of quorum..
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to set election for July 20, 2010.  Second by Council Member Arnold. 
• Council and those present then discussed what they should due the conflict with Bishop, the requirements of the charter to hold an election, inability to train a new election superintendant, the threat by Eddie Cape to challenge the town for not holding a March election, contacting the town attorney with more questions on this item, the irony that the person complaining refused to come to meetings to allow the council to set elections or appoint a superintendent of elections, and the problems of the conflict with Bishop.
• Council Member Holzman withdrew his motion.
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to explain the situation to the town attorney and ask for clarification on elections and filling the two seats.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  No vote was taken.  All council agreed.

20. Appointment of a Mayor Pro Tempore

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to elect Violet Dawe as Mayor Pro tempore.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

21. Setting Meeting date

• Council decided to set a meeting to finish all unfinished agenda items on Monday, January 25^th, 2010.

22. Adjournment

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to adjourn.  Second by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.