Town Of North High Shoals February 15 2010 Notes from Fred

Great notes from Fred Johnson, former Council member of North High Shoals

From: Fred Johnson 

Date: March 21, 2010 8:36:05 PM EDT

To: Fred Johnson 

Subject: TONHS February 15 2010 Notes from Fred

Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                          March 21, 2010

On Monday we will be welcoming Kim Kraeling as our new mayor and Jason Wiscneski as the new council member.  The election was not held because only one candidate signed up to run for each office.

The council touched on many items at this meeting.  They moved forward a bit on paving part of Plantation and building more sidewalks in town.  The controversy with PMW was discussed extensively, and documents pertaining to it will be attached to the town minutes for the public to examine.  The Council continues to open decisions to the public and move forward on many items.

At the meeting Monday, March 22, 2010 Kim Kraeling will be sworn in as Mayor and Jason Wiscneski will be sworn in for Post #1.   On April 10 a bike day will be held in the park along with the use of the park by the Tony Serrano Century Ride.  The public hearing for a cell tower in town will be April 19, 2010 before the April regular town meeting.  May 1, 2010 is a possible date for a Dog Day in the park…stay tuned.  We did have the park clean-up day this weekend, and at least 8 people came to help…THANKS.

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 15, 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, Jason Wiscneski, Mark Campbell, Chuck Horton, Sarah Donegan, Wes Donegan, Eric Eberhart, Kim Kraeling and Scott Wilson.

Call to Order Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:30 – 7:45pm

·        Chuck Horton was present and addressed the council and answered questions from all.

Agenda Setting

• Mayor Dawe asked for Bike Ride, April 10, 2009 be added to the agenda under new business and item 20 be moved to the top of the agenda
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to reorder the agenda as requested and 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.

Monthly Business:

• Presentation of Draft Minutes for month of January 18, 2010.  Motion to accept the minutes as corrected by Council Member Lawrence & 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.   
• Presentation of Draft Minutes for month of January 25, 2010.  Motion to accept the minutes as corrected by Council Member Lawrence; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.  
•  Presentation of Draft Minutes for month of February 1, 2010.  Motion to accept the minutes as corrected by Council Member Arnold; 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.   
• Presentation of Financial Statement for January, 2010: Motion to approve financial statements by Council Member Holzman; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 3-0.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items: No public comments were made.

Staff Resolutions:

• Resolution Thanking Karl Berg for his continued work for the town.  Motion made by Council Member Lawrence and  2^nd by Council Member Holzman. Approved 3-0.
• Resolution Thanking Fred Johnson for his service on the Town Council.  Motion made by Council Member Holzman and  2^nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 3-0.
• Resolution for budget allocation from law enforcement ($2,500) to election line item for the upcoming election.  Motion made by Council Member Lawrenceand 2^nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 3-0.
• Resolution for hiring Carter Engineering on an as needed basis to advise the town.  Motion made by Council Member Arnold and 2^nd by Council MemberLawrence.  Approved 3-0.

Old Business: 

1. Car repair shop in a residential zone, PMW Motors (citizen request)

• Fred Johnson expressed his concerns that a car repair shop continued to operate in a residential zone in violation of the town zoning ordinances.  He asked that the town request that the business move to a business district.
• Mayor Dawe read a previously designed agreement between PMW and another citizen of the town which was negotiated by the former mayor with guidance of the town attorney; it placed limits on PMW and required PMW to operate as a home occupation.  This was explained as a special case due to possible vested interest due to mistakes made by the previous mayor; the town attorney advised that a variance not be granted.  The agreement will be attached to the official town minutes. Problems were discussed such as the city having no record of the original business license issued to PMW.  Council members discussed the need to know more details on this situation because the city will be the final arbitrator of the agreement between PMW and its neighbors.
• Movement that the alleged zoning violation, the agreement, and previous business licenses be examined by the attorney.  No 2^nd. 
• Fred Johnson reiterated that the zoning ordinances were not followed when allowing this business to start operation and again asked the town to enter into talks with the business about how they could be helped to move.  Mike Beall, one of the parties in the agreement, pointed out that deliveries were being made in violation of the agreement and customers were present in a manner which also violated the agreement.   The PMW attorney argued that this was a home occupation and that the agreement by the former mayor on behalf of the city is central to this discussion and recognition of this business.  He said the violations of the agreement were minor in nature and do not violate the agreement.  PMW refused to answer any questions about possible violation of the agreement.  Discussion followed about how the city was to proceed on this issue.

2. City Code of Ordinances

• The Town Council expects to pass the code of ordinances at the next meeting.  The town attorney will be reviewing two sections, and the council is re-checking other sections.

3. City Park (D. Lawrence)

• Mr. White with the traveling team is working with the city on schedule and maintenance of the ball field.  Portable toilets will be added to the park.  Park maintenance is planned

4. Website Update (S. Holzman)

• There were 231 hits on the town's web site last month; updates continue to be made.

5. Insurance update, including additional "tail coverage" (S. Arnold)

• The new insurance policy is being put into place.  Council Member Arnold led the Town Council in a discussion of "tail coverage."

6. Election Update (C. Pritchett)

• Qualifying continues for the election

7. Adopt a Stream Update (D. Lawrence)

• HSES has approved the students moving forward with this program.  Funding costs and possible grants were discussed.

8. Water Line Update (V. Dawe)

• Water lines by the private citizen have not been planned yet on Plantation.

9. Update on Park Barn  (D. Lawrence; S. Holzman)

• Council Member Holzman examined the barn to report to the Town Council.  Sign posting around the barn and extensive repair being needed was discussed. None of this is planned by the Council due to extensive costs.

10. Shadyfield Lane Update (V. Dawe)

• Tree work in the right of way was completed

11. Sidewalk – Bids, Survey, Grants, Etc.  (V. Dawe; Fred Johnson)

• Fred Johnson presented the summary of the survey which shows a large amount of support for more sidewalks in the community
• Mayor Dawe reported that she met with a Mr. Ferguson of the DOT about sidewalks along State Hwy 186 to get advice on the building sidewalks in the city.  She reported the details of building sidewalks along state highways; the floodplain along the road increases the cost of the sidewalks in those areas to over $500,000. Other ways of connecting areas of the city with walking paths are being explored due to the above cost.  Opportunities to create more sidewalks along Elder Roadconnecting the entrances of Hickory Lake and extending the existing sidewalk were discussed.

New Business: 

12. Business Licenses – Occupational Tax Certificate

• Motion made by Council Member Holzman and  2^nd by Council Member Arnold to approve Top's Tree Service & Deaton Electric.  Approved 3-0.
• Motion made by Council Member Lawrence and  2^nd by Council Member Arnold to approve all insurance company licenses.  Approved 3-0.
• The town has been informed by the County that Family Life is not in the town and will be charged business tax by Oconee County.  Concerns were raised about boundary issues for the town.

13. City Work Day for the Park and for the Town Hall (D. Lawrence; V. Dawe)

• March 20 from 9 – Noon was set for the next park work day.
• Mayor Dawe will generate a list of items to repair for Town Hall

14. Streets – painting speed tables and replacing reflectors (D. Lawrence)

• Council Member Lawrence asked for advice for painting and marking speed bumps.

15. Bike Ride April 10, 2010 (V. Dawe)

• NHS Park would be used as a station for the Tony Serrano Memorial Ride.
• Motion made by Council Member Lawrence to have the park on this date and  2^nd by Council Member Holzman.  Approved 3-0.

16. Safe Deposit Box at Oconee State Bank (D. Lawrence; V. Dawe)

• Mayor Dawe reported that the town safe deposit box has been sealed and they are awaiting the return of the key from the former mayor.  Neither Jeff Thomas norEddie Cape has turned in their keys.  Jeff Thomas has been asked by the town attorney to return all keys and documents; Eddie Cape has not been asked yet.  Both will be asked to return all keys.
• Motion made by Council Member Lawrence for Jeff Thomas to return the keys to the safe deposit box or pay the fee to have it opened and  2^nd by Council Member Holzman.  Approved 3-0.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman change they locks to Town Hall and  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

17. Speed Limit Ray's Church Road (S. Arnold)

• Council discussed possible changes to the speed limit on Ray's Church Road with citizens.

18. Appointment to Oconee Planning Commission (V. Dawe)

• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to reappoint Karl Berg to represent NHS on the Oconee Planning Commission and  2^nd by Council MemberLawrence.  Approved 3-0.

19. Lawn Service Bid (D. Lawrence)

• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to bid out lawn service for the park and  2^nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 3-0.

20. Road Repair Bids for DOT (V. Dawe)

• The Town Council discussed several bids for repairing a small section of Plantation.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to accept the bid from All About Asphalt and  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to accept the bid from All About Asphalt to patch a pot hole on Jefferson and  2^nd by Council MemberLawrence.  Approved 3-0.

21. New Building Permit Form Suggestions  (V. Dawe)

• Mayor Dawe asked Town Council members to examine the building permit form and prepare suggestions for the next meeting.

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, March 22, 2010.)

• Mayor Dawe reported that the town continues to monitor a case in town of a failing septic system.  She has looked for sources of help for this resident.
• Mayor Dawe reports that the town has fielded several requests for building permit copies which the city cannot provide because records were not kept by the former mayor/building inspector.
• DOT has asked the town to make sure action is not taken in the right of way.
• Georgia Cities Week in April will be on the agenda in April.
• The town is in need of a fax machine, and the clerk will look into this.
• A cell tower in town is before the Oconee County Planning Commission.
• Council was asked to examine zoning maps.
• Requests were made for agenda items for next month.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn and  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.