OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
WORK SESSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2017 – 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry
D. Roseberry, Mayor; Councilmembers: Sarah Davis; George Holt; David Eady; Melvin
Baker; Mike Ready; Jim Windham.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Schwartz, City Manager; Dave Harvey, Chief; Stacey Mullen,
Deputy City Clerk; Jody Reid, Utility Superintendent; Randy and Sarah Vinson,
Erik Oliver and sons Simon, Lucus, and Arthur, Grady Spradley, Juanita Carson,
Theresa Eady, Mary Carter, Don Henderson, Kendra Mayfield, Louise Eady,
Anderson Wright, Todd Cain, Danny and Sarah Standard, Jeff Wearing, J.P.
Godfrey, Hoyt Oliver, Terri Fullerton and daughter Audrey, Laura McCanless,
Michael and Sheena Thomas, Georgette Izen.
The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D.
Roseberry, Mayor.
Agenda – Attachment A
Mayors Announcements:
Mayor Roseberry announced the honorary councilmember for February is Lisa
Dorward as nominated by Councilmember George Holt. Mr. Holt introduced Lisa and
gave a brief biography of Lisa’s life in Oxford.
Attachment B
2011 SPLOST - Mayor Roseberry said, the county has confirmed that the 2011
SPLOST base amount has been collected as of December 2016. The current 2011
SPLOST expires June 30, 2017. Roseberry
said that the Mayors and Newton County Tomorrow are discussing ways to promote
the upcoming 2017 SPLOST. Voting will be March 17, 2017.
2017 SPLOST - Mayor Roseberry said he is appointing Hoyt Oliver to chair a
citizen’s committee to lead the 2017 SPLOST efforts in Oxford. The city cannot contribute funds or employees
but can offer meeting space and access to records that are normally available
to any citizens.
Inspections of Rental Properties
Mayor Roseberry said that Council has discussed the need for inspections of
rental properties and said he will ask the city attorney to draft ordinances that
will be presented to Council next month for a first reading. The idea of this
ordinance is before the city will turn on utilities the home must be inspected
to assure the safety of the occupants and citizens.
Mayors Notes – Attachment C
Minor Subdivision
City Manager Bob Schwartz said the Planning Commission received a request
from Danny and Sarah Standard for a minor subdivision at the corner of Fletcher
and Wesley Street. The request is to divide the lot in half to construct a new
house for their brother and sister in law.
Schwartz presented a plat of the property based on the recommendations
of the Planning Commission. Due to the questionable position of a shed at the
corner of the property a new plat will be drafted. The Planning Commission is recommending
approval. This item will be on the agenda for February 6th for a
vote. Attachment D
Development:
City Manager Bob Schwartz introduced Randy Vinson, Landscape Architect,
Land Planner and Urban Designer who will present ideas and concepts for
development in Oxford. Vinson presented
the ideas and explained these ideas are based on studies from the University of
Georgia Metropolitan Design Studio from the past years. Vinson said that the revisions from the plans
a decade ago shrinks the total scope of the project to incorporate only the properties
the city owns such as the farmers market lot and the East Clark Street
expansion. After giving citizens a chance to ask questions and express their
concerns, Mayor Roseberry reminded everyone that this is just a proposal that
no decisions have been made at this time.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Roseberry said he would like to implement the adoption of a consent
agenda starting with the February meeting.
This is to consolidate motions and reduce time spent during the
meetings.
Police Department Software
Chief Harvey presented discussion regarding an upgrade to new software for
ticket writing and request to increase the court fines to fund the new upgrade.
This upgrade will require a printer for each patrol car. The cost of the
printers is $2608.00. Schwartz suggested to amend the capital budget
contingency fund. After discussion the
decision was to wait until the FY2018 budget for the printers. Chief Harvey
said he would like to proceed with the software upgrade, maintenance cost for
the upgrade will come from the Courtware budget per ticket issued. Chief Harvey said that history shows our fine
amounts have not been increased in 10 years.
Mayor Roseberry suggested he research to see what it will take to change
the fine amounts. Attachment E
Longstreet Circle
City Manager Bob Schwartz said we have received one bid of $1,000 for the
property located at 101 Longstreet Circle.
Council expressed no interest in selling the property based on this
bid. The request was declined.
Surplus Property Bids
The city has received bids on 2 city vehicles; 1 on the 1994 GMC Truck, bid
given by Archie Ballard in the amount of $501.50; 2 bids for the 2008 Chevrolet
Impala, bid received from Jeffrey Brooks in the amount of $1001.00 and 2nd
bid received from Khamis Mohamed in the amount of $755.00.
A motion was made by Windham,
seconded by Eady to approve bids of Ballard and Brooks. The motion was approved
7/0. Attachment F
DDA (Downtown Development Authority)
City Manager Bob Schwartz explained a DDA and its functions. Schwartz explained
how a DDA can effectively manage, while the city still has control. The DDA
consist of seven members of who must have ties to Oxford. In addition a council
member can participate as a member of the DDA if appointed by Council. Mayor Roseberry said the process of having a
DDA is to provide future access for revenue. The ad hoc DDA committee will decided the proposed area to be covered
by the DDA and present the decisions to Council. This will be a part of the
Resolution at the February meeting that will activate the DDA.
Electrical
System
Utility Superintendent Jody Reid requested guidance on
the electrical system upgrade for the FY2017 budget. After reducing locations
we have reduce the cost to approximately $102,000 ($117,000 including
equipment). After discussion City
Manager Bob Schwartz said they will review the project and cost again and try
to reduce the cost not to exceed $117,000.00.
Attachment G
Oxford Walks through History
Councilmember Windham presented pamphlets designed to give detailed history of
Oxford along trail paths. The pamphlets will be available to people when
visiting Oxford. Attachment H
Farmers Market
Councilmember Eady said he is currently waiting on information from Daniel
Parson, head of Emory Organic Farm to write a draft of rules for City Council
to review.
Future Development Plan
City Manager Bob Schwartz said the Planning Commission is recommending an
amendment to the zoning ordinance section 40-349 future development plan
requirements at the request of Oxford College. The amendment would require a
public hearing. Attachment I
Fiber
Councilmembers Windham and Eady presented a status report from their
meeting with Corning RG Fiber. Eady said the numbers on the marketing analysis
would make investment viable. He said RG Fiber specializes in small
communities. Attachment J
Projects Status and Engineer’s Progress
Reports
This item was tabled due to time restraints. City Manager Bob Schwartz
announced that the Arbor Day celebration will be held at the new dining hall of
Oxford College on February 11th at 10:00 am.
A motion was
made by Windham, seconded by Ready to adjourn at 7:54 pm. The motion was approved 7/0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauran Willis, CMC/FOA
City Clerk