City Council Minutes February 6, 2017 Regular Session

OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Schwartz, City Manager; David Strickland, City Attorney; Lieutenant Jeff Novak,

Lauran Willis, City Clerk; Jody Reid, Utility Superintendent; Hoyt & LaTrelle Oliver, Cheryl Ready, Mary Carter, Peggy Madden, Jeff Wearing, Loren Roberts, Mike & Sheena Thomas, J.P. Godfrey, Sarah & Danny Standard, Don Henderson, Georgette Izen, Nita Carson, Jason & Kristi Thomas, Darryl Welch with Covington News, Terri & Scott Fullerton and daughter Audrey, Lisa Dorward. 

The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor and the invocation given by Hoyt Oliver.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Honorary Councilmember of the Month – Mayor Roseberry announced Lisa Dorward as Honorary Councilmember for February as appointed by Councilmember George Holt. Mayor Roseberry presented her with a proclamation as appreciation for her participation. 

Consent Agenda
               a. Motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 9, 2017.
               b. Motion to approve the Minutes of the Work Session January 23, 2017.
               c. Motion to accept the Minutes of the Planning Commission for December 14, 2016.
Majority vote adopted 2/6/17    Attachment A

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS

None.

CITIZENS COMMENTS/CONCERNS

None.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Roseberry said he met with other Mayors last week regarding the 2017 SPLOST.  He said Oxford has appointed a committee to work on the 2017 SPLOST project.  Roseberry announced that the city will not advocate voting for or against the SPLOST proposals.  He asked Chairman Hoyt Oliver to give an update on the committee reports. Oliver explained that the committee is drafting a notice that will be mailed to citizens of Oxford. They are putting together bumpers stickers, yard signs and other promotional ideas to encourage citizens to get out and vote.  Oliver clarified that the 1% sale’s tax will be an extension of the 2011 SPLOST and not in addition to our current taxes. Oliver invited anyone interested in participating and or making donations for funding of the project to contact him.  

Other announcements:

The annual Arbor Day celebration sponsored by the City of Oxford Tree Board and the Oxford College Tree Board will be Saturday, February 11^th from 10 until noon beginning in the new Dining Hall and concluding in the new Science Building on campus.  Attachment B

Everyone is invited to attend the annual Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation meeting on Sunday, February 12^th beginning at 2 PM in City Hall.

2017 is an election year. The election is in November for the Councilmembers for Posts 4, 5, and 6. Qualifying is Monday, August 21^st through Friday, August 25^th.

Minor Subdivision
City Manager Bob Schwartz said the Planning Commission recommends the approval of a minor subdivision for Sarah and Danny Standard at the corner of Fletcher and Wesley Street. He presented a revised plat based on the recommendations of the Planning Commission.  Schwartz presented a request to subdivide their lot into two lots recommending approval of their request.
A motion was made by Baker, seconded by Windham to approve the request to subdivide their property into two lots. The motion was approved 7/0.  Attachment C  

2017 SPLOST

City Manager Bob Schwartz said we have received a minor revision to the intergovernmental agreement for the 2017 SPLOST that the County attorney would like for Council to approve.  He presented the memo from the County attorney handling the issue, a revised 2017 SPLOST agreement and the call for the special election.

A motion was made by Baker, seconded by Windham to approve the revised intergovernmental agreement as requested. The motion was approved 7/0.  Attachment D

Downtown Development Authority
City Manager Bob Schwartz presented a Resolution to create the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Oxford (DDA).  Schwartz explained the purpose of the DDA and said that two major requirements are to have a geographical area for development and a Board of Directors, appointed by Council which must be made up of seven members.

A motion was made by Ready, seconded by Windham to approve the Resolution as presented. The motion was approved 7/0.  Attachment E

Farmers Market
Mayor Roseberry asked Councilmember David Eady to give a report on the status of the Farmers Market Committee.  Eady said they have looked at several Farmers Markets from other cities to get a feel of their rules and regulations and how to market and promote utilization of the cities Farmers Market.  Eady said the city could implement further restrictions or continue to focus exclusively on local made and grown items.  Roseberry referring to the city ordinance section 32-106 item 4-E1 states that farm and garden produce offered for sale must have been grown by residents of Newton County and/or of those Counties contiguous with Newton County.  Due to inconclusive findings Roseberry said this item will be moved to the next work session for further discussion.   Attachment F

Unfit Buildings
Mayor Roseberry asked City Attorney David Strickland to give a report on his research regarding control of unfit buildings. Strickland said he has researched the state law for county and other cities and reviewed codes of what is allowed.  He said there is enough in the city ordinance that would cover the cities concerns with some minor amendments.  Due to his findings and other concerns Mayor Roseberry asked Strickland to continue his research and this item will be moved to the next work session for further discussion.

Invoice Approval

INVOICES OVER $1,000.00

A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Ready to approve payment of the invoices.  The motion was approved 7/0.

Mayor Roseberry announced there will be an executive session to discuss real estate and personnel matters following the regular session after a short recess.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Ready to go into the executive session at 8:00 pm. The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Eady to adjourn the executive session and return to the regular session at 8:36 pm.  The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Eady, seconded by Davis to authorize the city attorney to proceed with the contract on the property at 106 W. Watson Street at the approved amount of $65,000. The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Eady to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm.  The motion was approved 7/0.

Respectfully submitted,