MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor; and Councilmembers: David Eady; Sarah Davis; Mike Ready, Jim Windham, George Holt, and Jeff Wearing.
OTHERS PRESENT: Matt Pepper, City Manager; Stacey Mullen, Deputy City Clerk; Jody Reid, Utility Superintendent; Dave Harvey, Police Chief; Daryl Welch with the Covington News; Teresa Welch, Michael McQuaide, Peggy Madden, Allyson Epps, from Oxford College; Laura McCanless, Teresa Eady, Hoyt Oliver, Cheryl Ready, Louise Eady, Terri Fullerton, Scott Fullerton, Audrey Fullerton, Sara Vinson, Dave Huber, Tim Wilkinson, Nick Cole, Theodosia Wade, Jill Kyser, Lawrence Pittman, with Pittman Solar; Christine Carling and Chau Nguyen from ECG; Randy Simon, Danielle Miller, James Johnson, Staff from Oxford College, and Chris White.
Agenda – Attachment A
Mayor’s Announcements
Mayor Roseberry announced future strategy to reduce paper copies effective 8/20/2018.
Campus Life Center Project
Representatives from Oxford College presented a design concept for the Campus Life Center project with a request for variance to build within the setback for the Oxford College property at the intersection of Pierce and Wesley Streets. Attachment B
Solarize Newton-Morgan
Representatives from Solarize Newton-Morgan presented a study of their organization’s work on cooperative purchasing of solar power installations in Newton and Morgan counties. Attachment C
ECG Rate Structure Discussion
Representatives from Electric Cities of Georgia gave a presentation on the cities electric utility rate structure. With an explanation of where the city purchases its power and the breakdown of percentages.
ECG Pole Attachment Service Contract with Charter Communications
Christine Carling said that Charter Communications has expressed interest in updating our 1983 Pole Attachment Agreement to the Statewide Model Agreement. The Agreement was most recently executed in
Covington, and is in place in eight other cities. Updating agreements is included in our Pole Attachment Service with ECG. Christine Carling, Pole Attachment Specialist with ECG, discussed the agreement in greater detail. Attachment D
ECG Pole Attachment Service Contract with MCImetro Access
Christine Carling with ECG said this agreement is similar to the situation with Charter Communication, ECG has been working with MCI to sign the Statewide Pole Attachment Agreement as well. Attachment E
Annual Mayor and Council Retreat
Mayor Roseberry said we will need to select a date and place for the Annual Mayor and Council Retreat. He said we are proposing that the retreat focus on the long-term financial health of the city. CPA Charles Hall will join us as well as representatives from the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission. The date selected for the retreat will be October 26, 2018 at Oxford City Hall Community Room.
107 W. Clark Street Renovation Project
Councilmember Jeff Wearing presented a revised roofing quote for a standing seam metal roof from JACO Contracting. This item was tabled from the August 6th Regular Session pending cost clarification on certain items listed in the quote. Wearing said he feels the city should sensationalize on the renovations by advertising the before and after progress of the Yarborough House.
A motion was made by Eady, seconded by Ready to approve the revised quote from JACO for the roof repairs and other specific items listed for a total cost of $36,800. The motion passed 7/0.
Review Recommendation to Amend Code Section 40-536. – Livestock and Fowl
The Planning Commission recommended an amendment to Sec. 40-536. – Live Stock and Fowl to allow for the keeping of up to six chickens in the R-30, R20, and R-15 residential zoning districts. Per the proposed amendment,
The chickens must be contained within the property at least 20 feet from all property lines. Councilmember Ready questioned the setbacks and expressed there should be more than 20 feet. This item will be moved to the September work session for further discussion. Attachment F
Handicap Ramp for Old Church
Mayor Roseberry said that he, Matt, Jody and Mr. Williams have reviewed the area around old church for a potential location for a handicap ramp. They recommended a removable metal ramp. It was suggested the northern side would be best. Due to the aesthetics Windham suggested a door be installed at the back of the church. This item will be on the September work session for further discussion.
Mosquito Spray CDC Information
Councilmember Windham requested that Council discuss whether or not the city should continue using environmentally-friendly methods to spray for mosquitos. City Manager Matt Pepper said that this has been reviewed for a matter of months. Some suggestions that were made were to encourage citizens and or the city to install bat-houses. Council asked Matt to follow-up with the college to get ideas regarding alternative spraying and to continue research and bring some recommendations to the work session in September.
Rezoning Request
City Manager Matt Pepper made a recommendation that Council approve the request to rezone the following city-owned lots from “R-20” to “Institutional” in preparation for the construction of the city park: 102 W. Watson Street, 104 W. Watson Street, 106 W. Watson Street, 1307 Emory Street, 1311 Emory Street, Parcel X012 002 (located on Asbury Street), and Parcel X012 006 (located on Emory Street). A public hearing will be scheduled pending a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Service Delivery Strategy
Mayor Roseberry said that state law requires the county and its municipalities to have a Service Delivery Strategy current and approved by DCA. The county is responsible for submitting the document to the state. The county missed the deadline causing it and its municipalities to be “unqualified local governments”. An extension has been granted until October 31, 2018 and the county and its municipalities have been re-instated as “qualified local governments” until that time.
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by J. Wearing to adjourn at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stacey Mullen, CMC
Deputy City Clerk
Typed by: Lauran Willis, MMC/FOA
City Clerk