OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008 – 7:30 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, NEWTON, GEORGIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: WILLIAM H. MURDY, RETIRING MAYOR; JERRY D. ROSEBERRY, MAYOR ELECT; HOYT P. OLIVER, RETIRING MAYOR PRO-TEM; COUNCIL MEMBERS GEORGE R. HOLT; TERRY A. SMITH; JAMES H. WINDHAM; EMMA LOU PATTERSON; AND FRANK J. DAVIS
OTHERS PRESENT: DAVID STRICKLAND; CITY ATTORNEY; STEVEN A. HATHORN, MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE; SENATOR JOHN DOUGLAS; COUNTY COMMISSIONER J.C. HENDERSON; DOUG BOLTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-HANDS ON NEWTON; PAT ROSEBERRY; SARAH DAVIS; AMMA L. GAITHER; LATRELLE OLIVER; ERIK OLIVER; CLAUDE AND EVA SITTON; CLARK MILLER; DR. L.M. WILLSON; VIRGIL EADY, JR.; VIVIAN HARRIS; JOHN P. GODFREY, JR.; CORY MULKEY; CAROL MADDEN; KELLY ELLIS; FIRE CHIEF, JASON STRIBLING; SAM TRAINA; NORBERT THOMPSON; MICHAEL DALE; POLICE OFFICERS AMANDA POOLE AND CHRIS CASS; UTILITIES SUPERVISOR, JODY REID; NORMA JOHNSON; TYLER SMITH, STAFFWRITER FOR THE COVINGTON NEWS; AND MICHELLE FLOYD, STAFFWRITER FOR THE NEWTON CIIZEN
OLD BUSINESS
The January meeting was called to order by retiring Mayor William H. Murdy and invocation given by Councilman Hoyt Oliver.
Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW BUSINESS
OATH OF OFFICE
The Honorable Steven A. Hathorn administered the oath of office to recently elected Council members Patterson, Oliver, Holt and Davis.
Hathorn also administered the oath of office to newly elected Mayor Jerry Roseberry.
Mayor Roseberry expressed appreciation to retiring Mayor Murdy for his service.
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Holt for the approval of the minutes of the December 3, 2007 Mayor and Council meeting. The Council vote unanimous.
MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Roseberry asked for nominations for the election of Mayor Pro Tem for 2008. A motion was made by Oliver to elect George Holt to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2008. The motion was seconded by Smith. The Council votes five (5), with Holt abstaining. The motion carried.
MAYOR & COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 2008
PAGE 2
MAYOR’S COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Streets/Sidewalks/Solid Waste Chair: Frank Davis
Member-Jim Windham
Member-Mayor
Finance/Audit/Public Safety Chair: George Holt
Member-Terry Smith
Member-Mayor
Personnel/Planning/Zoning/Storm Water Chair: Hoyt Oliver
Member-George Holt
Member-Mayor
Parks/Trees/Cemetery Chair: Emma Lou Patterson
Member-Hoyt Oliver
Member-Mayor
Utilities/Public Works Chair: Terry Smith
Member-Frank Davis
Member-Mayor
Buildings/Grounds Chair: Jim Windham
Member-Emma Lou Patterson
Member-Mayor
PETITIONS
City Attorney
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Windham to reappoint David Strickland to the position of City Attorney for the year 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
Municipal Court Judge
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Smith to reappoint Steven A. Hathorn to the position of Municipal Court Judge for the year 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
Municipal Court Solicitor
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Holt to reappoint Tiffany Jones Ellenberg to the position of Municipal Court Solicitor for the year 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
City Clerk/Treasurer
A motion was made by Davis, seconded by Windham to reappoint Carol A. Poole to the position of City Clerk/Treasurer for the year 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
MAYOR & COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 2008
PAGE 3
Appointments continued:
Police Chief
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Holt to appoint Clark R. Miller to the position of Police Chief for the year 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS
Erik Oliver, Secretary
Vacancy
Recommendation was made by the Planning Commission to appoint Forrest McCanless to serve the unexpired term for one year of Emma Lou Patterson on the Commission. A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Patterson to approve the appointment of Forrest McCanless to the Planning Commission.
The final draft of the ten-year comprehensive plan update has now been forwarded to the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center for review. Next it will be forwarded to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for approval in March.
Resolution
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Holt to adopt a resolution to submit the Comprehensive Plan update to the Northeast Georgia RDC for review and comment. The Council vote unanimous. Attachment A
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Roseberry attended the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia’s Mayor’s Summit in Greensboro Georgia on December 1st. Summary report attached.
Attachment B
Mayor Roseberry recommended that the monthly work sessions be scheduled for the third Monday of each month, 6:00 P.M. to allow for preparation of agenda. January’s work session was set for the fourth Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
The Mayor and Council agreed to allow their pay frequency to be made monthly.
Work Hours
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Smith to change the city’s working hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. effective February 4, 2008. The Council vote unanimous.
JANUARY 7, 2008
PAGE 4
George Holt, Chairman
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Windham to set the Police Chief’s salary for 2008 at $50,000.00. The Council vote unanimous. Miller will not be enrolled in the city’s health insurance or retirement plans, and, will not have a take home vehicle.
Holt asked the members to review the information distributed on cable franchise and prepare discussion for the January work session.
A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Holt to engage with Treadwell, Tamplin and Company for preparation of the 2007 financial report. The Council vote unanimous.
INVOICE APPROVAL
|
VENDOR |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
Consolidated Disposal |
Repairs Sanitation Truck |
$ 1,000.00 |
|
GMEBS/Retirement Trust |
Employee’s Retirement -Dec |
5,517.67 |
|
Hightower Consulting Eng. |
Contract Labor W/S-Nov |
3,570.55 |
|
N.C. Board of Commissioner |
Wholesale Water -Nov |
10,762.00 |
|
N.C. W/S Authority |
Sewer Treatment Fees-Nov |
6,622.98 |
|
Northeast GA RDC |
Comprehensive Plan Update |
4,806.61 |
|
Rehrig Pacific Company |
Inventory-Roll Carts |
5,878.00 |
|
State of Georgia DNR |
Drinking Water Test Fees |
3,200.00 |
|
Strickland & Strickland |
Attorney Fees-Nov |
2,770.00 |
|
Tiffany Jones Ellenberg |
Municipal Court Solicitor |
1,125.00 |
|
Treadwell, Tamplin, & Co. |
Auditors Fees-Software Assistance |
3,895.00 |
|
United Health Care of Ga. |
Employees Health Ins-Jan |
7,515.58 |
|
U.S. Dept of Energy |
SEPA Power-Nov |
3,031.10 |
|
Woco Pep Oil Company |
Gasoline Purchase-Dec |
4,885.98 |
|
N.C. Board of Commissioner |
Landfill Fees-Nov |
1,223.31 |
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Windham for approval. The Council vote unanimous.
Oliver informed the Mayor and Council that the committee working on the Multi-Jurisdictional Solid Waste Plan will call for a vote for approval in February. A copy will be available at the January work session for review.
JANUARY 7, 2008
PAGE 5
Hoyt Oliver, Chairman
Oliver informed the Council that the Storm Water Management Report update was submitted on December 16th for approval. Oliver extended appreciation to the city crew for their assistance in storm water management.
The Mayor and Council was informed that Kay Fincher’s husband had recently passed away and she would not be working the school crossing for a while. The officers will fill in for the time being.
Terry Smith, Chairman
Smith asked the members to review the MEAG information for the final terms of the West Georgia Transaction Supplemental Contract amendments and prepare for discussion at the January work session.
Smith will meet with Erik Oliver this month to discuss Oxford College’s electrical growth needs and prepare recommendation for a twenty year contractual agreement with MEAG for the purchase of long term reserve power.
Jim Windham, Chairman
Windham reported a request has been made from Charlie Davis, Newton County Flyers (model airplanes) Club for the use of the Oxford Community Center for the following dates: Tuesday, February 5th, Tuesday, March 2nd, and Tuesday, December 2nd. Discussion followed, with no decision. Recommendation was made to determine which non-profit organizations would be allowed to use the center.
Windham recommended that an appraisal be performed along Highway 81 and acquisition of rights of ways be made for the installation of a sidewalk. No action was taken.
Windham suggested that the pine trees be removed from the city lot at the intersection of Dowman and Bonnell Streets and clean up to make a park. No action was taken.
JANUARY 7, 2008
PAGE 6
Douglas informed the Mayor and Council that the Legislature would begin their session next Monday. Key items for discussion include tax bills, water conservation and a new gun bill.
Claude Sitton read an open letter of concern for the non-reappointment of Police Chief Roy Eitneier. Attachment C
Erik Oliver reported that Curtis Jackson is no longer allowing construction workers to park on the vacant lot at the corner of Emory and Moore Streets.
Erik Oliver stated it was confusing to proceed with the widening of Moore Street while dormitory construction was still underway.
Erik Oliver informed the Council that Ride Across Georgia bicyclers would be coming through Oxford once again in June.
Virgil Eady informed the Council that District Four Commissioner J.C. Henderson will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, January 8th at the Newton county Historic Courthouse to discuss: 1. Senior taxes, 2. Victoria Station, 3. Wal-Mart noise, and 4. D&D zoning request on Marble Drive.
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Smith for a brief executive session to discuss land acquisition. The Council vote unanimous.
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Holt to engage in an appraiser to look at the properties discussed in Executive Session. The Council vote unanimous.
There being no further business or discussion, a motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. The Council vote unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol A. Poole
City Clerk, CMC
Attachment A: Resolution-Ten Year Comprehensive Plan Update
Attachment B: Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Mayor’s Summit Report
Attachment C: Claude Sitton, Open Letter