PRESENT: Jerry D. Roseberry,
Mayor; Council members: George Holt, Jim Windham, Mike Ready, Jeff Wearing.
Sarah Davis was not present. Staff
members present: City Manager Matt Pepper, Deputy City Clerk Stacey Mullen,
Utility Superintendent Jody Reid, Police Chief Dave Harvey, City Attorney David Strickland.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Laura Gafnea of Oxford College, Peggy Madden, Art & Laurie Vinson, Dave
Huber, Dana Payne, Patsy Burke, Cheryl Ready, David Eady, Judy Greer, Juanita
Carson and Nicholas Cole.
1. The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D.
Roseberry, Mayor
2. Invocation was delivered by Chief Dave Harvey
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Motion to accept the Agenda for September
9, 2019 – Ready- Second- Wearing, Approved unanimous 5/0. Attachment A
5. Consent
Agenda - Approved unanimous 5/0. Attachment
B
6. Mayor’s
Report
Mayor Roseberry
announced that Hoyt Oliver, who has been recovering from pneumonia at Riverside
Health Center, is now recovering from home.
Mayor Roseberry reported that the Police Department had issued 72
citations, 49 warnings and made 10 arrests for the month of August. Mayor Roseberry recognized Deputy City Clerk
Stacey Mullen and expressed appreciation for her current role of managing the additional
duties of the City Clerk until the position is filled.
7. Planning
Commission Recommendations/Petitions
None
8. Citizen
Concerns
None
9. Annual
Mayor and Council Retreat
Mayor
Roseberry stated this year’s Mayor’s Retreat will be scheduled for October 11th
at The Center in Covington. During the Mayor’s Retreat, the Mayor and Council
will discuss projects completed dating back to 2006 until the present. In addition, they will set goals for the
upcoming year for the city. More
information will be provided later.
10. Traffic
Control on Williams Road
Chief
Harvey made recommendations on where to place the speed tables on Williams
Road. He advised the speed tables would
actually be placed in two places on E. Soule Street (within the city limits),
as the street name changes from Williams Road once entering the city
limits. Chief Harvey explained the
average speed on E. Soule Street is 48 mph, while the city speed limit is only
30 mph. He stated that some drivers’
speed has been detected at 40 or 50 mph, and on one occasion, even 60 mph.
To slow
down the speed of drivers entering the city limits, Chief Harvey suggested installing
speed humps similar to the one at Old Church. Councilmember Holt questioned the
placement of the first speed hump (depicted on the map demonstration), which he
believed would be 20 ft from the city limits.
His concern
was that this placement would not give drivers enough time to reduce speed
safely. Chief Harvey clarified that a
warning sign would be 20 ft ahead of the first speed hump, and that the speed
hump would actually be 115 ft away from the city limits. This will give drivers adequate time to adjust
to the speed decrease. The second speed
hump will be placed within 1300 ft of the first. He further noted signage would be placed 20
ft before each speed hump, as well as at each location.
Councilmember
Wearing questioned the size of the speed humps (per a quote from Designed
Installations), which resembled the same size speed humps as those located in
front of Old Church. He inquired whether
the width of the speed humps could be condensed by 5-10 ft to save costs. Mayor Roseberry advised that GA Department of
Transportation (GDOT) states that speed humps, like the type used on Godfrey
Street, could be used for this project. Jody Reid provided Mayor Roseberry with a
price on one for $700, which would be cheaper than the other design for
$7000. Councilmember Holt described
speed humps made of asphalt that he witnessed in an upscale area in Atlanta,
with reflective arrows on top. Councilmember Windham mentioned other entities
(Jersey, Social Circle, Gwinnett) who also used the asphalt speed humps. Windham also questioned the decision of not having
a speed hump at Mitchell Street (located off Soule St), to coincide with the
sidewalk and aid the safety of its users.
Mayor Roseberry advised that such placement would not agree with GDOT requirements,
which states speed humps should not exist within an intersection. This matter will be placed on the agenda at a
later date pending the research of a cost-efficient solution. Attachment C
11. 107 W.
Clark Street Renovation Project
The ad hoc Yarbrough
House Renovation Committee reported on the progress of the 107 W. Clark Street
renovation project. The Committee met
with the architects from Carter Watkins, to discuss the details of the
renovation work. The Director of the
Newton County Library Systems (Lace Keaton) and Chairman of the Board of
Trustees for the Newton County Library Systems (Steve Whatley) came out to view
the Yarbrough House and to discuss options for its development. After discussion, it was determined there
were stumbling blocks that prevented its development as a library, mostly due
to financial restraints on the County’s behalf.
The city will continue to seek opportunities along the way, which may result
in a sole venture. Currently, the matter
will be on hold.
Councilmember Wearing discussed
that Great Estates Landscaping provided a quote to complete lawn enhancement
work on the Yarborough House property.
The proposal is to temporarily prune the front of the house, which would
include removal of brick, bushes and monkey grass, as well as an aesthetic
overhaul. Councilmember Wearing
suggested Matt Pepper provide a purchase order to allow Great Estates to
complete the proposed work. Councilmember
Holt questioned the need to request proposals for unwarranted projects as there
is currently no defined plans for the Yarbrough House. Councilmember Wearing further implied the
need to at least keep the property maintained and in suitable condition until
the construction commences. Though Councilmember
Holt suggested the city maintenance department handle the upkeep of the façade,
Councilmember Wearing countered that the maintenance department may not have
the availability to commit to such projects at this time.
Motion was made to
approve the proposal. Windham-Second-Wearing, Approved unanimous 5/0.
12. Planning
Commission Appointment
Council approved the nomination
for a member of the city’s Planning Commission.
Councilmember Windham expressed the city’s intent in having more
geographic diversity, which prompted him to nominate Ms. Kibbie Hatfield of
Stone Street.
Motion was made to approve
to nominate Ms. Kibbie Hatfield as a member for the Planning Commission-
Windham-Second-Holt, Approved unanimous 5/0.
13. Invoice
Approval
Motion was made by
Wearing-Second-Holt to approval the invoices, approved unanimous 5/0.
Regular Session Adjourned at 7:25pm
Executive Session
Motion to go into
an Executive Session at 7:28 pm – Ready – Second – Wearing, approved
unanimous
5/0.
City Attorney David Strickland
updated Council on ongoing litigation.
Council discussed
personnel matters regarding appointment for David Eady (Post 4).
Motion to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:36 pm – Wearing– second – Ready,
approved
unanimous 5/0.
Motion to adjourn
Regular Session at 7:36 pm – Wearing – Second Ready Approved unanimous 5/0.
Respectfully submitted;
Stacey Mullen
Deputy City Clerk