Town Of North High Shoals February Notes from Fred

Former Duke University wrestler and North High Shoals city council member Fred Johnson gives great updates on the town on the river and shoals.
Woven brightly, 
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.




Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:53:36 -0700
From: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Subject: TONHS February Notes from Fred
To: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com


Dear Fellow High Shoalers,                                                                              March 21, 2010

            Flowers are blooming in the park.  I am especially enjoying the Carolina Jasmine that David has been nurturing on the fence in the park. You may have noticed the rise of the cell tower in the center of town; all aspects of its construction were monitored by the town.  The Council has been discussing hosting a community meeting to gather input about priorities for roads.  If you have any strong opinions about where the town should focus their next road project, let the Council know.  There's more going on below in the notes.

Plans are proceeding very well for the 2nd annual Dog Day in the park.  This event was a huge success for our city last year, and John McKay expects to improve attendance and activities this year.  Please let everyone you know who has a dog about this and encourage them to attend. 

 Next NHS Council Meeting ……………………………March  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
February 21, 2011
By Fred Johnson
 Council Members at the Meeting:  Council Members, Kim Kraeling, Jason Wisniewski, Steve Holzman, Violet Dawe, Stephen Arnold, and David Lawrence.
 Citizens and Guests: Cory Tiller, Jessica Tiller, Eddie Tiller, Karl Berg, Mike Beall, John McCay, Tony Glenn, and Chuck Horton
 Agenda Setting
  • Motions were made by Council Member Holzman to move bike ride and building permits to the top of the agenda to accommodate people who were attending the meeting.  Both motions were approved 5-0.
Monthly Business:
  • Motion to accept minutes as edited by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
  • Motion to accept minutes as edited by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
  • County Commissioner Chuck Horton offered his help to the town and advised the council to let the County know our needs.  Chuck has consistently attended our council meetings one to two times a year since becoming a member of the County Commission.
New Business:
1. Bike Ride Park Request for May 7 Kim Kraeling
  • The Council was asked for permission to route the ride on May 7 through Plantation and use the park for a rest stop.  The route has been approved by the Sheriff's department.
  • Motion to approve the route and use of the park by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 5-0.
2. Building Permit Discussion and Any Building Permit Requests
  • Motion to approve the building of a detached garage and storage building for Cory and Jessica Tiller by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence.  Approved 5-0.
  •  Motion to approve a residential gas permit to the Tiller property by Council Member Arnold.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski.  Approved 5-0.
  • The Council made plans to review their building code guidelines for the next meeting.
Old Business:
1. Street Update (including Dickens Lane) Kim Kraeling
  • The Council reviewed work on Dickens Lane and Jefferson Road.  The Council also reviewed the impact of garbage collection and traffic patterns on Dickens and Jefferson Roads and the need for a community meeting to set road priorities.
2. City Park Update (including updated park usage fees) David Lawrence
  • Council Member Lawrence led discussion on writing the parameters for putting the park maintenance out for bid, park pavilion reservation rules, volley ball court, and pot luck dinner and softball game.
  • Motion to set park reservation fee of $10 for city residents and $20 for non-city residents by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Dawe. Approved 4-1 (Lawrence).
 3. Dog Day, April 23 Kim Kraeling
  • John MacKay described plans thus far for the 2nd annual Dog Day in the park.  All is going well with activities,
 4. Soldier Support Update Steve Arnold
  • Council Member Arnold announced the mailing of more boxes to soldiers overseas.  He was especially appreciative of the many notes sent by students at HSES.
5. Logging Permit Process Violet Dawe/Kim Kraeling
  • Council Member Dawe presented a letter and recommendation drafted by the town lawyer concerning a company failing to file papers and pay timber tax.
  • Motion to and letter imposing a fine for logging without a permit as recommended by the town attorney by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence . Approved 5-0.
6. Frazier Hill Road Deed Progress Update Kim Kraeling
  • Mayor Kraeling reported that all forms have been finalized to complete the process of changing the deed to this property.
 7. Cell Tower Update Kim Kraeling
  • Mayor Kraeling reported that town engineer Mark Campbell requested documentation on the completion of this tower.  He visited the site and reports that everything is proceeding according to permits.
 8. Code Enforcement (Options/Amending 1.4.3 of NHS City Code) Kim Kraeling
  • Mayor Kraeling reported on her research on how other towns in our area manage code violations and presented several options to the council.  Council will revisit this issue at the next meeting.
New Business:
 1. Business License Request and Annual Renewals Kim Kraeling
  • Motion to accept business occupation tax application from Tops Tree Service as provisional by Council Member Dawe.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 5-0.
 2. Resolutions (Morgan Wheeler, Building Inspector) Kim Kraeling
  • Motion to approve resolution appointing Morgan Wheeler as building inspector by Council Member Dawe.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.
 3. Solid Waste Management Ordinance (Oconee County) Kim Kraeling
  • Motion to approve the Solid Waste Management Ordinance by Council Member Holzman.  2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 5-0.
 4. Animal Control Ordinance (Oconee County) Kim Kraeling
  • First Reading by Council Member Holzman of the Oconee animal control code the town is considering for adoption.
 5. Budget Review and Reallocation Resolution Kim Kraeling
  • Mayor Kraeling reported that the town budget is in good shape.
6. Park Maintenance Bid Process David Lawrence
  • Covered during park discussion in old business.
7. Upper Oconee Water Plan and Development Update Violet Dawe
  • Council Member Dawe reported information she gathered about grant application from a Northeast Georgia Regional Development meeting and a watershed 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 21, 2011.)
  • Mayor Kraeling asked Holzman to provide information about street distance.
  • Georgia Power has informed the town of a rate increase.
  • Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn.  2nd by Council Member Wisniewski.  Approved 5-0.

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