City Council Minutes May 1, 2017 Regular Session

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor; and Councilmembers: Sarah Davis; George Holt; David Eady; Melvin Baker; Jim Windham and Mike Ready.

OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Schwartz, City Manager; David Strickland, City Attorney; Chief Dave Harvey,

Lauran Willis, City Clerk; Jody Reid, Utility Superintendent; Hoyt & LaTrelle Oliver, Kendra Mayfield, Todd Cain, Josh Roberts, Darrel Welch, Cheryl Ready, Judy Greer, Peggy Madden, John Wayne Cody, Jan Lewandowski, Louise Eady, Carol & Neil Penn, Anderson Wright, Shannon and Donna Sneed, James Smith.

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

Pledge of Allegiance:

A motion was made by Eady, seconded by Ready to accept the Agenda for May 1, 2017 Mayor and Council Regular Meeting.  The motion was approved 7/0. Attachment A

Honorary Councilmember
Mayor Roseberry announced John Wayne Cody as the Honorary Councilmember for May appointed by Councilmember Melvin Baker. Mayor Roseberry presented him with a Proclamation as appreciation for his participation. Attachment B

Consent Agenda
               a. Motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 3, 2017.
               b. Motion to approve the Minutes of the Work Session April 17, 2017.
               c. Motion to accept the Minutes of the Planning Commission for March 14, 2017.
Majority vote adopted.   Attachment C a-c

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS

None.

CITIZENS COMMENTS/CONCERNS

None.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Roseberry made the following announcements.
  1.  The City now owns the entire block of property at West Watson Street which is the site for the new City
        Park.
  2.  The Park Committee will meet on May 15, 2017 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. They will present drawings
       showing the plans of the new park. The public is invited to attend.
  3.  Roseberry thanked the Lions Club and reminded Council of the Council and Employee luncheon on Thursday
        May 4^th from 12:00 – 1:30, hosted by the Oxford Lions Club.              
                

Funds Transfer
City Manager Bob Schwartz presented a recommendation for a combined transfer of $277,670 to the Capital Projects Fund.  Schwartz said this is based on accumulated depreciation payments for FY2016 of $188,997 in the water and sewer fund and $88,673 in the electric fund. He said this request is to take the accumulated depreciation and transfer it to the Capital Projects fund.

A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Davis to approve this transfer as defined. The motion was approved 7/0.

Pierce Street
Kendra Mayfield presented a revised concept for the Oxford College, Entrance Development Project for approval from Council. The first concept depicted Emory Street to Haygood Street with designs for a new main entrance, Pierce Street, Whatcoat Street and the intersection of Haygood and Pierce. The second concept depicted plans for Haygood Street to Asbury Street with details for Pierce Street and a concept for Asbury Street. The third concept was for Asbury Street to Wesley Street explaining the details of Pierce Street and the intersection of Pierce Street and Wesley Street. Attachment D
A motion was made by Eady, seconded by Windham to table this request for the work session on May 15, 2017 for further discussion. The motion was approved 7/0.

North Emory Sewer Project
City Manager Schwartz said as part of the GEFA funded project we will need to acquire 28 easements along Emory Street.  Schwartz said on past projects Council offered discounts for those citizens who connected at the time of the project and in some instances offered free taps in exchange for an easement. Mayor Roseberry proposed a plan where the citizen would pay the $3,600 sewer tap, if they pay up front they will receive a 10% discount bringing the cost of the tap to $3,240. If they cannot pay the full fee up front they can make monthly payments of $65.00 for 60 months (includes $5 service fee).  And in exchange for the easement, the city will pay for connection to the sewer and septic closure up to $1,800.00.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Davis to approve this proposal and authorize City Manager Bob Schwartz to proceed with this project. The motion was approved 7/0.

I-20 Pedestrian Bridge and Sidewalk
Mayor Roseberry gave an update of where the county is with this project in relation to cost and funding of the project and the cities position on the cost and funding.

Operating Budget and Capital Budget for FY2018
City Manager Bob Schwartz presented the Operating and Capital Budgets for FY2018 and announced the Public Hearing on the budget will be held at the May 15^th work session.  Attachment E

Invoice Approval

INVOICES OVER $1,000.00

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

Executive Session
At 7:51 pm Mayor Roseberry announced we will have a 5 minute break and then go into an executive session.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Baker to go into an executive session at 8:01 pm.  The motion was approved 7/0. 

After discussion regarding Personnel and Real Estate.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Holt to leave the executive session and return to the regular session at 8:33 pm. The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Ready to offer James Smith the position of City Manager.  The motion was approved 7/0.

Mr. Smith indicated he would like to discuss the position with his wife before making a firm commitment.  Smith asked if he could get back to the Mayor in a couple of days with his decision.  This is pending as of 5/1/2017.

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Eady to authorize City Attorney David Strickland to notify Attorney Ted Meeker to prepare the documents for the additional funds assessed from the updated appraisal and the accrued interest for the Jackson Condemnation on E. Clark Street in order to current our records and stop any accumulation of additional surcharges through May 10^th, 2017. The City will pay an additional $18,400 plus 664 days interest for a total of $20,743.92. The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Baker, seconded by Davis to authorize City Attorney David Strickland to proceed with the purchase of the property at 107 W. Clark Street.  The motion was approved 7/0.

A motion was made by Eady, seconded by Ready to adjourn at 8:37 pm. The motion was approved 7/0.

Respectfully submitted,