Town Of North High Shoals Feb 1, 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred

Once again our correspondent and former Duke wrestler Fred Johnson reports exhaustively about the town where he calls home and formerly served as City Council member.


From: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Date: February 3, 2010 9:48:52 PM EST
To: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Subject: TONHS Feb 1, 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred



Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                          February 3, 2010
The council discussed the town's insurance needs and the merits of different bids with those present.  Through discussion it was revealed that GIRMA, an insurance group run through the Georgia Municipal Association, insured many more items to much higher levels than the other two offers and at a significantly lower price.  In the end, the Town Council accepted the GIRMA policy for more than twice the insurance coverage for less than half the price of last year.  Last year the town paid $9,373 for insurance, and this year the town will pay $4,375.  That's a $5,000 savings for more and better coverage!!!!! 
The council then purchased workman's compensation insurance after it was reported by Council Member Arnold that the town has not had this type of insurance. The policy covers all town employees as well as council members.  Great job to Steve Arnold for all the work he did to get the town's insurance in order and save the town a huge amount of money.
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
February 1, 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, Joey Westman, John Westman, and Horst Klein.
Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:00 – 7:45pm
Agenda Setting
·        Mayor Dawe stated that there would only be one item on the agenda: town insurance.
Old Business: 

1. Property and Liability Insurance
  • Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept GIRMA bid for the town's insurance & 2nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.
  • Council Member Holzman asked for the previous cost and coverage of the town's insurance.  Last year the town's insurance cost $9,373.00.   The Trident and Scottsdale Insurance bids excluded many areas of coverage which were covered by the GIRMA Policy.  GIRMA's cost for insuring the town was $4, 375 which covers all of the property's in town which were not covered by the previous policy.  The GIRMA policy is half the cost of last year's policy and offers much more than twice the insurance coverage.
  • Council Member Arnold reported that he checked with two references for GIRMA and was given great reviews from Lavonia and Bostwick which have participating in the GIRMA insurance going back to the 1980s.
  • Several citizens complimented Council Member Arnold's work and asked questions to help understand the offers.
  • Discussion then focused on worker's compensation coverage for the city.  Council Member Arnold discovered that the city does not have workers compensation coverage because we have fewer than 3 employees, but the city is still responsible for these type of liabilities.  GIRMA offered the city their minimum workers compensation plan for $750 which would cover all employees and town council members when on town business.
  • Motion by Council Member Arnold to purchase GIRMA workman's compensation insurance for the town employees and council & 2nd by Council Member Holzman; approved 3-0.
  • Discussion from citizens and council members was very positive about adding this insurance.
Mayor's Update:
(All requests to be on the agenda must be submitted at least 7 days before a meeting.  Direct your agenda items to Town Clerk Carolyn Pritchett or any Town Council Member.  Look for the agenda for the next council meeting on the town's web site one week before the next meeting.  The next council meeting will be held at 7: 30 pm on Monday, February 15, 2010 to discuss the Town's insurance policy.)
  • Motion by Council Member Holzman to adjourn. Second by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 3-0.


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