OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2008 – 7:30 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, NEWTON, GEORGIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: JERRY D. ROSEBERRY, MAYOR; GEORGE R. HOLT, MAYOR PRO-TEM; EMMA LOU PATTERSON; HOYT P. OLIVER; FRANK J. DAVIS; TERRY A. SMITH; AND JAMES H. WINDHAM
OTHERS PRESENT: DAVID STRICKLAND, CITY ATTORNEY; CLARK MILLER, POLICE CHIEF; CLAUDE AND EVA SITTON; LEE PAYNE; JOHN P. GODFREY, JR.; ERIK OLIVER; LATRELLE OLIVER; AND MICHELLE KIM, STAFFWRITER FOR THE COVINGTON NEWS
The August meeting was called to order by the Honorable Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor, and invocation given by Council member Hoyt Oliver.
Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Smith, to approve the Agenda of August 4, 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Oliver, for the approval of the Minutes of the July 7, 2008 Mayor and Council Meeting. The Council vote unanimous.
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Windham, to accept the Minutes of the June 17, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting. The Council vote unanimous.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS
Erik Oliver-Secretary
Oliver reported Jacob Lunt informed the Planning Commission, at the July meeting, that he has recently signed a contract to purchase the property located at 912 Emory Street. Lunt asked the Commission about the possibility of having a Bed and Breakfast at that location. The Planning Commission advised Mr. Lunt that the request could be made possible with the evolution of the town center plan.
The Planning Commission discussed the zoning requirements for partially destroyed structures, referencing Sherry Jackson’s property located at 1002 Emory Street. Zoning requirements are: in the event any non-conforming building or other structure and any building containing a non conforming use suffers damage by fire or other causes and such damage does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the then current cost to rebuild the entire building or structure, the building or other structure may be reconstructed and used in the same manner as existed prior to such damage if such reconstruction is completed within twelve (12) months from the time such damage occurred. (Section 40-403) Oliver suggested Sherry Jackson be notified of the city’s requirements.
Oliver presented an update of the meeting last week with Carter-Watkins Associates Architects. Oliver stated he is confident that Carter-Watkins will keep in mind the city’s needs as well as the esthetics of its historic surroundings. Residents along Asbury Street also expressed concern to the Planning Commission of traffic flow. The first preliminary draft will be presented at the August 12th Planning Commission meeting.
MAYOR &. COUNCIL
AUGUST 4, 2008
PAGE 2
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Lee Payne-1005 Asbury Street
Payne informed the Mayor and Council that in conversation with Ed Crudup, City Attorney for Covington, and Steve Horton, City Manager, Payne learned that the City of Covington still needs to obtain easements across State Highway #142 from property owners in order to allow for the take off of corporate jets from the airport.
LaTrelle Oliver-312 West Clark Street
Oliver asked the members if they had received the manipulating and usury e-mail from a former council member seeking public office.
Erik Oliver-402 West Clark Street
Oliver requested Coke Street right of way be added to the regular mowing list.
OLD BUSINESS
Report-Mayor Roseberry
• Announcement: The City of Oxford has been awarded a 2008 Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission. The $17,000.00 project will provide three tree board development sessions, three community-wide, public, tree care workshops, coordination of a regional community forestry roundtable, and will assist the community in developing a tree planting program for Oxford Homeowners in order to maintain Oxford’s impressive tree canopy.(Tree City since 1998) Award date: August 11th
• Clark Street sewer project update: no contact from Emory University, 207 West Clark Street; Melvin Speight, 1105 Emory Street; Lee Atchison, 107 West Clark Street. Post Office (Robert Fowler property) 907 Emory Street has tapped in but has not paid the sewer tap fee.
NEW BUSINESS
Snapping Shoals Electric Membership Corporation Common Use Agreement
A joint agreement between Snapping Shoals E.M.C. and the City of Oxford was presented. The agreement includes attachment to seventeen (17) City of Oxford poles located along West Soule Street and Williams Road in order to attach fiber to existing poles for Newton County School System (Palmer Stone Elementary School); and, attachment to twelve (12) City of Oxford poles located along Moore Street to attach fiber to existing poles for Newton County School System (Cousins Middle School). In exchange, Snapping Shoals E.M.C. will replace any/all poles as deemed necessary. A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Davis, to accept the Common Use Agreement with Snapping Shoals Electric Membership Corporation. The Council vote unanimous. Attachment: A
Janitorial Services
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Smith, not to renew the Janitorial Service Agreement with Wagner Service Solutions, Inc. at this time and to advertise for request for proposals for building maintenance. The Council vote unanimous.
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AUGUST 4, 2008
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New Business continued:
Moore Street Widening Project
Mayor Roseberry is working on obtaining an easement from Curtis Jackson, property located at the corner of Moore Street and Highway #81, as a requirement from the Department of Transportation for the widening of Moore Street.
Ordinance
1st Reading-Chapter 11: Traffic Control; Section 11-103 Through Trucks
Code of Ordinance Review
In response to request from Erik Oliver at the July Meeting to assist the city in grant writing, Mayor Roseberry reminded the Council of the following codes:
• Section 3-102 Code of Ethics (I.)Appointing or voting for the appointment of any person related to him by blood or marriage to fill an office, position, employment, or duty, when the salary, wages, pay, or compensation is to be paid out of public funds.
• Section 4-502 Vendors Interest of City Officials in Expenditure of Public Funds. The City shall not use a vendor who is a member of the immediate family of the mayor or Council, City Attorney, department head, personnel officer, or payroll clerk.
Ordinance
2nd and final reading-Chapter 11: Traffic Control, Section 11-108: Designated Stop Streets
A motion was made by Davis, seconded by Oliver, for the adoption of revisions to City of Oxford Code of Ordinance Chapter 11: Traffic Control, Section 11-108: Designated Stop Streets. The Council vote unanimous. Attachment B
Multijurisdictional Solid Waste Management Plan
Oliver informed the Council that the adoption of the Multijurisdictional Solid Waste Management Plan has been put on hold pending additional requirements of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Credit Card Pay
The Mayor and Council discussed the use of a credit card pay system for utility and fine payments.
George Street Park Easement-Teri Williams
Mayor Roseberry informed the Council that he is trying to make contact with Teri Williams, 904 Wesley Street in efforts to obtain an easement for the George Street park project.
September Regular Session
The regular session of the Mayor and Council for Monday, September 1st was changed to Monday, September 8th due to the Labor Day Holiday.
August Work Session
Monday, August 18th-6:00 p.m.
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AUGUST 4, 2008
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Bids for Tree Removal (Williams Street and Palmer Stone School – two trees)
• Monroe Tree Works, Inc. $2,250.00
• North American Tree Service 2,350.00
• Safeco Tree Service 2,600.00
A motion was made by Patterson, seconded by Oliver, to accept the bid from Monroe Tree Works, Inc. in the amount of $2,250.00 to remove two (2) trees. The Council vote unanimous.
INVOICES
Purchases/Contract Labor
|
VENDOR |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
Dawg |
Safety Rider Speed Humps |
$3,534.00 |
|
Clark Miller |
Reimbursement Chief’s Conference-$253.42 to be reimbursed to the city Net cost: $751.52 |
1,004.94 |
|
Strickland & Strickland |
Attorney Fee-July |
5,117.75 |
|
Woco Pep Oil Company |
Gasoline Purchase-July |
7,450.65 |
Routine Monthly Bills Paid
|
VENDOR |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
City of Covington |
Sewer Treatment Fees 2nd Q |
$5,320.03 |
|
GMEBS/Retirement Trust |
Employees Retirement-July |
5,559.59 |
|
N.C. Board Of Commissioners |
Wholesale Water-June |
6,542.00 |
|
N.C. Board Of Commissioners |
Landfill Fees-June |
1,265.88 |
|
N.C. Water/ Sewerage Authority |
Sewer Treatment Fees-July $7,096.05 Consumer Confidence Reports-$414.00 |
7,510.05 |
|
United Health Care of Georgia |
Employee Health Ins.-August |
6,867.68 |
|
U.S. Department of Energy |
SEPA Power-July |
3,961.11 |
Approved Contracts/Agreements
|
VENDOR |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
Tiffany Jones Ellenberg |
Court Solicitor-April-July |
$1,500.00 |
|
Treadwell Tamplin & Company |
2007 Financial Report |
5,000.00 |
|
Utility Service Company, Inc. |
Water Tower Quarterly R/M |
2,053.18 |
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Patterson, for the approval of invoices. The Council vote unanimous.
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AUGUST 4, 2008
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CEMETERY
Ellen’s Garden Ceremony
Patterson announced that the ceremony for the dedication of Ellen’s Garden, held on July 26th in the Oxford Historical Cemetery, was a success. An estimated twenty five guests were present including guest of honor Ellen Schattschneider as well as Kim Carter, Mayor of the City of Covington.
John “JP” Godfrey thanked all those that prepared for the event.
WATER/SEWER
A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Windham, to approve the cost from Reed and Shows Large Meter Repair for the testing, recalibration, and repairs of the large 2”, 3”, and 4” compound water meters. The Council vote unanimous.
PRODUCE SALES
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Davis to adopt a Release Form, prepared by Attorney Strickland, and to allow for local Newton County, and only those counties contiguous to Newton County farmers and produce growers, to participate in a “Farmers’ Market” located on the city’s green space lot on Emory Street. Furthermore, those sales are prohibited on Sundays and after dark. The Council vote unanimous.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Patterson for a brief Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Real Estate. The Council vote unanimous.
SOLICITOR
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Windham, to contract with Qader A. Baig for the position of Court Solicitor for the remainder of 2008. The Council vote unanimous. The annually appointed positions salary was set at $4,800.00.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Davis to authorize the Public Safety Committee and the Mayor to negotiate with Newton County for the Fire and Emergency Medical Services for the city. The Council vote unanimous.
There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Poole Attachment A: Snapping Shoals EMC Common Use Agreement
City Clerk, CMC Attachment B: Ordinance-Chapter 11 Traffic Control