Unapproved Watkinsville City Council minutes from March meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING

OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL

CITY OF WATKINSVILLE

March 10, 2010

PRESENT: Mayor Walter, Council members Link, Purcell, Brodrick, Norman, Smith and Attorney Reitman.

VISITORS: See attached sheet.

QUORUM CHECK:  Mayor Walter acknowledges a quorum is present.  He asks for all non-emergency cell phones and pagers to be turned off or silenced.   

MINUTES:  Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to approve the February 10, 2010 Minutes as presented.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

JAN & HEATHER WEISENBORN:  Mayor Walter reads the concerned citizen letter (see attached).  Councilman Link asks if any activities will be at the school such as parent education nights?  Heather Weisenborn explains any parent education classes can be held at the library; however, the most cars to be parked at 26 School Street at the same time will be 15.  There will be no on street parking.  Citizen, Judy Allison, asks if this is a sanction Montessori School.  Heather Weisenborn explains she is a certified Montessori instructor.  “We plan to be an asset to the community”, states Ms. Weisenborn.  Councilman Link states he went to school there and this has been a school zoned area forever.  The ball field has always been a ball field.  Councilman Link notes that he understands the parking concerns; however, he feels the square footage required by the State may be the problem for them.  The Weisenborns are aware and understand.  Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilman Norman seconded the motion to approve the business license for Generations Montessori to be located at 26 School Street.  Opportunity for discussion.  Motion carries 4 to 1.  Councilman Link opposed.

DAVID SPARR:  Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Smith seconded the motion to approve the business license for Oconee Sports Center to be located at 1260 Greensboro Highway.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

TAMARA MADDOX:  (1) Ms. Maddox explains all concerns regarding her business have been addressed.  She thought it was ok for her son and his friend to live there while they worked on the remodeling of the building.  Mayor Walter explains there should be no residence in a commercial building.  Councilman Brodrick notes that he talked to a parent that uses the facility who says this is a very positive business and they are as good as advertised.  Councilman Brodrick doesn’t have an issue with reviewing and transferring the license as long as we have Ms. Maddox’s commitment to continue to work with us.  Chief Lee O’Dillon is satisfied with the clean up that has taken place at the location.  He will continue to monitor the business.  Councilman Norman moved and Councilman Brodrick seconded the motion to approve the business license for Zion Skate Park LLC located at 1051 Business Boulevard with conditional approval for 90 days and upon full compliance with all local and state regulations final approval of the license can be made after review by Robert Hegge, Code Enforcement Officer.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously. 

(2)  Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilwoman Purcell seconded the motion to approve the business license for Skateboarding, LLC located at 1051 Business Boulevard.    Opportunity for discussion.  Motion carries 4 to 1.  Councilman Link opposed.

Councilman Brodrick explains we may look at a change to the zoning ordinance to allow some retail at a certain level in that district if we can do so without legal concerns. 

RECONCILIATION REPORT:    Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilman Smith seconded the motion to approve the February 28, 2010 Reconciliation Reports for General Fund as well as the SPLOST Fund as presented.  Opportunity for discussion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Walter suggests Council get in touch with GMA regarding HB1203, which if passed states utility franchise fees will go to the counties instead of the cities. 

MAYOR’S REPORT:  In April we will conduct our first public hearing for the fiscal year 2011 City Budget.  Approximately four years ago the City contracted with the NEGRC to update and codify our City ordinances.  The ordinances were updated and delivered to the City for review.  We are putting this project back into a priority status.  Approximately 75% of the actual cost of $2800.00 has already been paid.  Consequently, completing this project will have a minimal impact on our budget, but will provide the City with court tested, up-to-date ordinances. Attorney Reitman agrees and notes that we have worked well with Lee Carmon.  Several trees were planted at Harris Shoals Park by Cub Scout, Bear Den 3, Pack 80.  They did a great job and also picked up litter along the trails within the park.  Arbor Day Free Tree Giveaway went exceedingly well this year.  300 little trees all found new homes within the City.  Two large pine trees will be taken down at the park next week.  We have requested three ordinances from surrounding jurisdictions and have received two back.  As soon as we receive the third, the Ordinance Committee can begin work formulating one that fits our needs.  Joe Reitman is reviewing the new personnel manual.  Once complete, we will schedule a meeting with the Personnel Committee for final mark ups.  At that time, draft copies will be produced for all Council members to review prior to the first public hearing.  Attorney Reitman states this is a very comprehensive law related document, which he is working with a gentleman that specializes in personnel law regarding several comments.  The review is conditioned on his comments to ensure legal compliance.  Toby Smith is working on an Ethics Ordinance for elected officials.  Attorney Reitman will be reviewing the Ethics Ordinance also.  Travis Pruitt completed the review of the revised Concept Plan for Streetscape II and submitted to Georgia Department of Transportation.  The meeting regarding the concept plan will be in the next couple of weeks.  Encourage two council members to attend this meeting, which will be announced soon. 

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:  None.

OLD BUSINESS:  (1)  Public Hearing #2 & Consideration of the Bird Sanctuary Ordinance:  Mayor Walter opens the public hearing.  Judy Allison, citizen, explains 50 years ago there were signs posted around Watkinsville showing Watkinsville as a Bird Sanctuary.  Councilwoman Purcell explains we are not aware of this ever being made an official ordinance.  This ordinance will make it official.  Mayor Walter closes the public hearing.  Councilman Brodrick moved and Councilwoman Purcell seconded the motion to approve the Bird Sanctuary Ordinance as noted with a change in Section 6-53 changing the word “take” to “approve” in the last sentence.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.  Councilwoman Purcell adds that Athens Seed Lawn & Garden donated a bird feeder and feed, which will be placed outside city hall. 

(2) Crosswalk repair update:  Councilman Norman moved and Councilman Link seconded the motion to replace the existing failing brick crosswalk with asphalt and painted crosswalk.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

(3)  SPLOST Management Update:  The three finalists are:  (a) Armentrout, Roebuck & Matheny, b) Williams & Associates and (c) Carter Engineering Consultants.  All presentations were good; however, Carter Engineering’s Presentation stood out with creativity, explains Councilman Brodrick.  The City has worked with both Carter Engineering as well as Williams and Associates in the past.  Councilman Smith recused himself to avoid any conflict since he has working relations with both Carter Engineering as well as Williams & Associates.  Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Norman seconded the motion to appoint Carter Engineering as the SPLOST Manager for the City of Watkinsville SPLOST Program.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carries 4 to 0. 

NEW BUSINESS:  (1)  Public Hearing #1: Subdivision Regulations Amendment:  Mayor Walter opens the public hearing regarding the subdivision regulations and reads the changes.  Councilman Brodrick notes that his biggest fear would be Simonton Bridge Road being changed to a four-lane super highway.  This change will protect this area to be developed more as a street instead of a four-lane.  Opportunity for discussion. Public hearing was closed.  No action taken or necessary at this time.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Councilman Link moved and Councilman Smith seconded the motion to move into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.  Motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Smith seconded the motion to exit executive session.  Motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN:  Councilwoman Purcell moved and Councilman Norman seconded the motion to adjourn the March 10, 2010 Council Meeting.  Opportunity for discussion. Motion carried unanimously.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

JULIE A. SANDERS, CMC