Town Of North High Shoals, Oconee County: January Notes from Fred on municipal matters

Always great to read what is going on in the lovely little town of North High Shoals. Thanks to Fred Johnston for the notes

Woven brightly, 
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.




Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:39:08 -0800
From: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Subject: TOHA January Notes from Fred
To: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com


Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                                          February 16, 2011

The Council completed their charter obligations by setting resolutions for the year for employees.  They also took care of the town insurance.  Street and park business were the most discussed items.  Council Member Lawrence continues to stay on top of issues in the park like water, trash, and repairs.  The council is also very concerned over the condition of Jefferson Road and plan to take steps to repair this road; they discussed the major impact winter storms have had on the road and are looking into bids for patching repairs for when the weather warms up.  These meetings are getting efficient and boring….just the way I like to see them.

Next NHS Council Meeting ………………………………………February 21st  
Dog Day at the NHS Park ………………………………………April 23  

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
January 17, 2011
By Fred Johnson

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

Citizens and Guests: Eric Pozen, Ms. Pozen, Horst Klein, and Heike Meuller.

Agenda Setting
  • Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept agenda.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 5-0.

Monthly Business:
  • Presentation of Draft Minutes for December, 2011.  Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the minutes with edits.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 5-0.
  • Presentation of Financial Statement for December, 2011.  Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the financial statements.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 5-0.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
  • Motion to move business license request to the top of the agenda by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.

Old Business:
1. Street Update
  • Council discussed the placing of more reflectors on city streets and getting bids on repairing cracks developing in Jefferson.  Council also discussed general road needs in the town and potential months to have a community meeting on roads.

2. City Park Update
  • Council Member Lawrence reported on water issues in the park and some damage to the horse shoe pit by 4-wheelers in the park during the snow.  He explained his plans to ask the individuals to help make repairs.
  • Council Member Wisniewski described another opportunity for the town to apply for a grant for greenway trails in the park this July.
  • Council Member Lawrence explained an idea brought to him to provide bags in the park for people to clean up after their dogs.  Council members discussed different ideas, and Horst Klein offered to make a receptacle for providing bags for dog owners.
  • The Council discussed ways to manage trash in the park


3. Soldier Support Update
  • Council Member Arnold explained plans to complete the latest mailing and his efforts to locate more soldiers from the area.  The town will be sending about 10 boxes from the community.

4. MLK Day Observation Update
  • Council Member Lawrence discussed plan for advertising this work day as well as the work the group will be asked to do.

New Business:

1. Business License Request
  • Motion to approve the home based business license for Ms. Pozen by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.

2. Resolutions
  • Resolution to approve the appointment of Carter Engineering to advise the town on an as needed basis by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 5-0.
  • Resolution to approve the appointment of Carolyn Pritchett as Town Clerk and Election Superintendent by Council Member Wisniewski.  2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
  • Resolution to approve the appointment of Joe Reitman as town attorney by Council Member Lawrence.  2nd by Council Member Holzman. Approved 5-0.
  • Resolution to appoint Violet Dawe as Mayor Pro Tempore and Council Member Holzman to act as an alternate by Council Member Lawrence.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.

3. Outdoor Landscape Watering Ordinance
  • Mayor Kraeling explained the state requirement for the town to pass this ordinance.  The town then had the second reading of this ordinance.

4. GMA Insurance
  • Council Member Arnold reported that he completed the updated report for the town's insurance company, talked to the insurance carrier, and faxed them documents they required.

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, Febrary 21, 2011.)
  • Mayor Kraeling pointed out that three positions on the Council are up for election this year: Mayor, Post 1, and Post 2.
  • Mayor Kraeling thanked Tops Tree service and Tara Clarke on Shady Field Lane for plowing city streets.
  • Mayor Kraeling told the council that we are still waiting for paperwork to be completed on Frazier Hill Road.
  • Mayor Kraeling asked council members to join her at a regional meeting for local government on February 2, 2011; Dawe and Arnold offered to go.  Council discussed other meetings they could attend to gather information on zoning and water quality.
  • Council Member Dawe asked the Council to move forward on a park maintenance bid.
  • Council Member Wisniewski reported that two people have asked him about the building of the cell tower in town.  Mayor Kraeling reported that final plans are being brought to the council and the process is being followed.
  • Council Member Holzman asked the Council to expect questions about abandoned buildings and junk vehicles in town at the February meeting.
  • Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn.  2nd by Council Member Arnold.  Approved 5-0.

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