Town Of North High Shoals April 2010 Notes from Fred

Begin forwarded message:

From: Fred Johnson <ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com>

Date: May 16, 2010 9:53:21 PM EDT

To: Fred Johnson <ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com>

Subject: TONHS April 2010 Notes from Fred

Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                          May 16, 2010

 

During the past month North High Shoals has successfully hosted a regional bike tour and dog day at the park.  Over 100 people attended each of these events at our park.  Congratulations to the citizens and council members who made those things happen.  New businesses are opening in town as well as building permits being issued.  Council members are seeking out training and information so that they can serve the town more effectively for the town.  Things are happening, and we all hope more people like John MacKay and others step forward to lead the town along with our elected leadership; they love the help.

 

The focus of the April 19^th meeting was the cell tower hearing along with extensive discussion during the council meeting before the vote to approve the tower. We had a surprise blast from the past with a water bill for $237 with over $200 of being fees and fines due to the bill not being paid in 2007 and the County cutting off the service to the town as a result of non-payment.  The Council needed to wrap up that matter so groups could have access to water in the park.  In the two April meetings the Council issued a provisional license to PMW which all the parties seem to have both positive and negative views of.  One could say that indicates a compromise was reached by our new leadership.  The Council has taken up a host of other issues which are detailed below.

 

The big issue of this time of year the Council is battling with is setting the annual budget for next year.  They spent quite a bit of time at both April meetings working on the budget, and they plan to do the same over May and June.  They repeatedly ask for input from all.

 

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

April 19, 2010

By Fred Johnson

 

Council Members at the Meeting:  Mayor Kim Kraeling, Council Members Jason Wisniewski, David Lawrence, Steve Arnold, Violet Dawe, and Clerk Carolyn Pritchett.

 

Citizens and Guests: Mike Beall, Suzanne Beall, Mark Campbell, Wes Donegan, Sarah Donegan, Eric Eberhart, Jeff Thomas, Jeffry Thomas,  John MacKay, Jessica Tiller, Lee Moody, Steve Tucker, Wade Thomas, Reporter for AB Herald, Susie Garrett, Jerry Garrett, Corinne Stiving, Don Dawe, David Kirk, Tyler Mann, Lannie Green, Scott Wilson, Heike Mueller, Brett Thomas, Molly Swann, Dr. Streetman, and Fred Johnson.

 

Public Hearing on Cell Tower

• Mayor Kraeling opened the public hearing with a presentation from Verizon.  The Town Council and citizens asked many questions and discussed issues relating to the cell tower for an hour.  Concerns over the height of the tower and the grounds around the tower were highlighted by the Council.

 

Public Hearing on Annual Budget

• Mayor Kraeling asked the public and Council for input on the budget and led discussion.

 

Old Business: 

1. Soldier Support ( Lt. Brett Thomas and Steve Arnold)

• Lt. Thomas thanked the Town Council for sponsoring a Christmas care package drive and answered questions from the Council and public about the packages.

 

Agenda Setting

• Mayor Kraeling asked for suggestions about the agenda.  Motion by Council Wisniewski to reorder the agenda as requested.  2^nd by Council MemberArnold; approved 4-0.

 

Monthly Business:

• Presentation of Draft Minutes for month of March, 2010.  Motion to accept the minutes as corrected by Council Member Lawrence.  2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 4-0.   
• Presentation of Financial Statement for March, 2010.  The Town had to pay about $200 in fines for the failure to pay a very small water bill to Oconee Countywhich was not paid in 2007 for water in the town park.  Motion to approve financial statements by Council Member Lawrence.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 4-0.

 

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items: Scott Wilson asked about the progress on the code of ordinances.  Mayor Kraeling and Council Member Arnold explained that in the transition the last few months the Council has been overwhelmed with many issues.  Lawrence explained that several new council members want to better understand the code before they vote on it.

 

New Business: 

1. Cell Tower (D. Lawrence)

• Motion by Council Member Dawe to postpone the vote on the tower until the balloon test has been completed.  No 2^nd was made.
• The Town Council had extensive discussion from Verizon and the public.  Motion by Council Member Lawrence to approve the application with provisions.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 3-1(Dawe).

 

*Steve Arnold had to leave the meeting at this point due to the pending birth of his grandchild.

 

2. Occupational Tax Certificate Applications

• R2 zone - PMW (Wesley Donegan) – 202 Plantation Rd.  Town Council Member David Lawrence recused himself for this item, so a quorum was not present to act. - Tabled
• A! Zone – ATL LLC (Bill Kraeling) – 2401 Rays Church Rd. Motion by Council Member Dawe.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 3-0.
• B2 zone – High Shoals Wellness Center (Molly Swan) – Alternative Health Products and Massage Therapy – to be located next to the Post Office.  Motion by Council Member Wisniewski.  2^nd by Council Member Dawe; approved 3-0.

 

3. "May Day is Dog Day" at the Park (J. MacKay)

• John MacKay described plans for the event and encouraged all to attend.  The Town Council discussed advertisement for the event and agreed to put flyers in the HSES students' Friday folders.

 

4. Steeplechase (J. MacKay)

• John MacKay informed the Town Council of the problem with a horse trail in Steeplechase which the city approved in perpetuity.  The Council has  addressed the situation in the past with the town lawyer and multiple meetings to ensure that zoning and plat decisions are followed.

 

5. City Park Update (D. Lawrence)

• Council Member Lawrence reported that the 100 mile charity bike Ride in the park on April 10 went very well; over 100 people used the park for this event in various ways from participating in the ride to all the support functions.  He also said the trail committee for the park has looked at the park for bike and horse trail possibilities; they think there is plenty of space for a trail to be built for all types of traffic to use at the park.  The Council also discussed the continuation of baseball teams using the park and the management of this use.
• Motion by Council Member Lawrence to allow a 2^nd travel ball team to use the park baseball field until mid-June with them continue.  2^nd by Council Member Dawe; approved 3-0.

 

6. Clean-Up Day (S. Holzman)

• Council Member Wisniewski said, in Council Member Holzman's absence, that Council Member Holzman has gotten some prices for a dumpster.  Council Member Wisniewski spent a morning cleaning around town hall to get a better understanding of how to use a larger group of people; he'll work on planning a future clean-up around the Town Hall.

 

7. Greenway Update (S. Holzman)

• Council discussed the general efforts of people in the county to develop greenways.

 

8. GMA Listening Session  (D. Lawrence)

• Council Member Lawrence reported that that he would be attending this session and invited other council members to join him.

 

9. Building Permit Applications (remodel; garage)

• Council discussed specifics concerning a possible application on 146 Jefferson Road.

 

10. Building Permit Rate Structure

• Motion made by Council Member Dawe to move this item to the next meeting and  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.

 

11. Treasurer Position

• Mayor Kraeling explained the process the town will be following to fill this position.

 

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, May 17, 2010.)

 

• Motion made by Council Member Dawe to table lawn bids until they can be compiled.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 3-0.
• Council decided to meet again on Thursday, April 22, 2010 to complete tonight's agenda.
• Mayor Kraeling reported that Bill Sosbee met with her to formalize an understanding with the town that the town fence does not follow the property line between the town park and his property.
• Mayor Kraeling thanked everyone for attending the meeting.  Motion made by Council Member Lawrence to adjourn.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 3-0.

 

 

Unofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting Notes

April 22, 2010

By Fred Johnson

 

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

 

Citizens and Guests: Mike Beall, Suzanne Beall, Mark Campbell, Wes Donegan, Eric Eberhart, Susie Garrett, Jerry Garrett, Scott Wilson, Dave Evans, John Westman, Joey Westman, and Fred Johnson.

 

Agenda Setting

• Mayor Kraeling asked for suggestions about the agenda, and the Council discussed reordering to assist those present.

 

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

 

New Business: 

1. Building Permit Applications (remodel; garage)

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to approve the application at 1131 Arborwood Ridge for a storage building in accordance with subdivision and town ordinances.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 5-0.

 

2. Building Permit Applications (remodel; garage)

• Council discussed Lee Moody's application for on 146 Jefferson.
• Motion by Council Member Dawe to approve the application with plumbing, electrical, and foundation inspections.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 5-0.

 

3. Lawn Service Bids (J. Wisniewski)

• Council Member Wisniewski presented all the bids in a table he had prepared.  After extensive discussion of the bids the Council decided to accept the help from Karl Berg to design an RFQ for bid applicants to complete.
• Motion by Council Member Dawe to request applicants to complete an RFQ.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 5-0.

 

4. PMW Occupational Tax Certificate

• Motion by Council Member Holzman to have the PMW case handled by Mayor Kraeling with past documents and town practices as her guidance.  No 2^nd.
• Council Member Lawrence recused himself on this issue again due to his ties to both parties.
• Extensive discussion followed the motion about the past agreement under which PMW operates as a home occupation; issues with the zoning questions arising from a garage operating in a residential zone, and the precedent set by the issuance of past business licenses by the former mayor.
• Motion by Council Member Dawe to approve the application with stipulations that it be a provisional application and along with the attachment of the previously designed agreement of March 10, 2009, and the letter of understanding by the town attorney.  2^nd by Council Member Holzman; approved 4-0.

 

5. Sidewalk Proposal Ideas

• Sidewalks and Greenways were discussed
• Motion by Council Member Lawrence to put-off further discussion of sidewalk proposals until the next session.  2^nd by Council Member Arnold; approved 5-0.

 

6. Park Horse Trail

• Motion by Council Member Lawrence to approve remove the item from the agenda.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 5-0.

 

7. Steeplechase – Oconee County code enforcement

• Tabled due to lack of new information.

 

8. Building Permit Rate Structure

• Council discussed possible avenues for the rate structure.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to have the clerk start converting the Oconee County rate structure into a form NHS can use for discussion. 2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski.  Approved 5-0.

 

9. Budget Revisions for 2010-2011

• Mayor Kraeling presented a budget to the Council with comparisons to past spending and revenues.  She then led the Council and public in discussion of how to set the budget in light of economic conditions and town needs.  Discussion by the Council and public on this issue lasted almost an hour.

 

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, May 17, 2010.)

 

• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to allow question from the public about PMW  2^nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 5-0.
• Council then answered questions from Dave Evans about the zoning code, PMW garage, and home occupations.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 5-0.