Town Of North High Shoals August 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred Johnson

From: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com

Date: August 15, 2010 9:44:26 PM EDT

To: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com

Subject: TONHS August 2010 Meeting Notes from Fred

Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                          August 15, 2010

Mayor Kraeling continues to do a good job of leading the Council to wrap up past business and plan for the future.  It's great to see the length of the agenda dwindle and the Town Council come to the meetings obviously well informed of the issues they are dealing with at their meeting.

Council Member Lawrence has completed most of the work in the park on water lines, parking timbers, and a horse shoe pit.  He also reported how he was successful in making changes for trash pick-up for the park.  Council Member Lawrence has put together a team of volunteers who are helping him with all this work. They are volunteering their time, materials, and machines for these projects.  Dave is doing a great job using the resources of his community to get things done for our park.  Contact him if you are willing to join his crew.

Council Member Arnold continued leading the Town's effort to send care packages to U.S. soldiers overseas.  Please contact him or the town clerk if you or your organization would like to participate this next fall.

The Town Council spent a great deal of time talking about the various needs for road repair in the town.  The discussed ways to gather citizen input on the selection of road projects for use of SPLOST funds.

Farmers Market in Watkinsville…………………………Every Saturday morning

Next Public Council Meeting ……………………………August 16^th

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

                                                                                    Peace, Fred Johnson

Unofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting Notes

June 21, 2010

By Fred Johnson

Council Members at the Meeting:  Mayor Kraeling, Council Members Jason Wisniewski, Stephen Arnold, Steve Holzman, and Clerk Carolyn Pritchett.

Citizens and Guests: B. J. Ivie, Jennifer Wilson, Tom Brown, Mark Channell, Ginny Channell, Morgan Wheeler, Sarah Donegan, Wade Thomas, Jodi Nikkio, John MacKay, & Molly Swan

Public Hearing on Frazier Hill Road

• Mayor Kraeling explained that three years ago the Town Council voted to abandon a portion of this road and turn the property over to the adjacent property owners; she explained how the correct process was not followed to close the road and no follow-up occurred after the Council's decision to close the road.  Mayor Kraeling asked the public and Council for input on abandoning Frazier Hill Road to be turned over to adjacent property owners; many people spoke favorably about abandoning the road as a city street.   Mayor and Council discussed how they could proceed on the matter which is up for vote later in the meeting.

Agenda Setting

• Council Member Holzman asked for Frazier Hill Road to be added to the agenda.
• Motion by Council Member Holzman to add Frazier Hill as the first item under New Business and Building inspection as the top item under old business.  2^nd by Council Member Lawrence; approved 4-0.   

Monthly Business:

• Presentation of Draft Minutes for June 2010.  Motion to accept the minutes by Council Member Holzman.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 4-0.   
• Presentation of Financial Statement for June 2010 and Financial Statements Audit Material Sent to accountant Hawkins.  Motion to approve financial statements by Council Member Holzman.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski; approved 4-0.

Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:

• Tom Brown, Principal of HSES, and Mark Channell, director of plant services for the BOE thanked the town for continued support for the school.  Mark Channell expressed BOE support of using HSES trash bins for disposing of town trash and future plans for trails in the park being used by the school.  They answered questions about future plans for school property around the school and traffic.

Old Business:

1. Frazier Hill Road

• Motion to abandon the section of Frazier Hill road in question and take steps to turn it over to the adjacent property owners at no expense to the town by Council Member Wisniewski.  2^nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 4-0.

2. Building Inspector Position

• Council heard a presentation from Morgan Wheeler about his qualifications to be building inspector.

3. Soldier Support Update (S. Arnold)

• Council Member Arnold reported that the town has shipped four more boxes overseas to troops in addition to the seven that were shipped last month.  Plans for continuing this with more of the community were discussed.

4. Steeplechase Subdivision Update (J. MacKay)

• Mayor Kraeling updated the town on letters which were sent to the homeowner to open the trail on his property to other landowners.

5. Park Lawn Maintenance

·  Council Members discussed maintenance of the park.

6. City Park Update (D. Lawrence)

·Council Member Lawrence explained his plans to work with community members to run the lines for water for the park pavilion.

7. Sidewalk Update (S. Arnold)

• Council Member Arnold reported the schedule for completing the bid process for the sidewalks planned for parts of Elder Road is well in place.

8. Speed Rumble Strip Modification

• The Council plans to gather cost estimates through bids for removing some of the rumble strips before acting on this item.  The town Council and citizens discussed several traffic problem areas of town.

New Business:

1. Milage Rate Information & Possible Vote (K. Kraeling)

• Mayor Kraeling explained that the current milage rate is 1.245 which will is the current 21,898.00.  She explained that the milage rate could be raised to 1.300 without increasing taxes due to the devaluation of property values in the city.
• Council Member Lawrence made a motion that the milage rate be set at 1.245; 2^nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 4-0.

2. Code Update & Possible Vote (S. Holzman)

• Council Member Holzman explained that he is waiting on one item of wording from the town lawyer. 

3. DOT Program – LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Plan)

• The Council discussed how the town could use this service.  They decided to gather more information on how they want to use this resource.  Council discussed road issues in town.
• Motion made by Council Member Holzman to have the town clerk write a letter to have the LIMG investigate Jefferson and Plantation Roads; 2^nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 4-0.

4. Resolution Process (K. Kraeling)

• Mayor Kraeling presented a plan for the Council to use a resolution form as presented to the Council.
• Motion made by Council Member Lawrence to approve the form; 2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski.  Approved 4-0.

5. RDC Solid Waste Management Resolution (K. Kraeling)

• Mayor Kraeling explained the resolution from the County requesting her signature.

6. Bridge Safety Update (J. Wisniewski)

• Council Member Wisniewski reported the findings of a DOT inspection on the Highway 186 bridge across the Apalachee River.

7. Speed Monitor (use by Sheriff's Department and Leaflet)

• The Council discussed the use of speed monitoring devices in the city.

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, August 16, 2010.)

• Mayor Kraeling informed the Council of training opportunities.
• Mayor Kraeling pointed out that the publication Georgia Backroads featured High Shoals in its December issue.
• Mayor Kraeling informed council members that the NE Georgia Regional Development is asking for a representative for the County.
• Motion made by Council Member Lawrence to adjourn.  2^nd by Council Member Wisniewski.  Approved 4-0.