Monticello City Council

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES

JUNE 8, 2004

7:00 PM Budget Hearing

Mayor Holmes called the hearing to order with the following Council Members present: Otis Clark, Glenn Newsome, Scott Sauls, Jackie Smith and Bryan Standifer. Also present were City Manager Walter Smith and City Clerk Susan Roper. Guests present were Bill Hughes, Lex Jackson and Gene Mathis.

No parties wished to speak in favor or against the budget.

7:25 PM Zoning Appeal Hearing – Jerry Edge

Mr. Mathis presented the request to Mayor and Council stating that Mr. Edge wished to tear down an existing deck and build a sun room and master bathroom. Set backs would be reduced from 30’ to 27’ if the request is granted. The vote to approve was unanimous from the Zoning Appeals Board.

7:30 PM Regular Meeting

Mayor Holmes called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Otis Clark, Glenn Newsome, Scott Sauls, Jackie Smith and Bryan Standifer. Also present were City Attorney, R. R. Kelly, III, City Manager Walter Smith and City Clerk Susan Roper.

Guests present were Bill Hughes, Lex Jackson, Jerry Edge, Dan Norris, Jeanette Standifer, Richard Martin and Gene Mathis.

Mayor Holmes led the group in singing Happy Birthday to Councilor Sauls.

Mr. Mathis led the Invocation.

Mayor Pro Tem Clark made a motion, seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve the Agenda with one deletion: 15 – Executive Session – Pending Litigation. All were in favor.

Councilor Newsome made a motion, seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve the minutes for May 11, 17 & 24, 2004 as presented. All were in favor.

Councilor Standifer made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clark to approve the payables as presented. All were in favor.

Mrs. Jeanette Standifer, Director Monticello Get Ahead House gave the Mayor and Council an update on the Summer Program. The program lasts 7 weeks, from June 1 thru July 16. 102 students are enrolled. All students will take tennis lessons thanks to Tracy Trovillo with Family Connection and Nancy Stafford, Tennis Association. Mrs. Standifer mentioned that she was receiving a grant from the Grass Roots Arts Council to provide arts to each of the children this summer and a $1000 grant from Public Health with which she was planning to purchase a computer. Mayor Pro Tem Clark offered to Mrs. Standifer that Griffin Tech had just purchased new computers and could loan the GAH computers for the program.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Councilor Newsome explained the proposed Tree Ordinance. (attached) Attorney Kelly was instructed to advertise the ordinance for adoption in July 2004.

Mayor Pro Tem Clark made a motion, seconded by Councilor Standifer to uphold the recommendation of the Zoning Appeals Board and approve the request of Jerry Edge on Magnolia Street to change his rear setback from 30’ to 27’. All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Richard Martin, Superintendent of the Natural Gas Department gave Mayor and Council an update on his work to bring the city’s gas system into compliance with the Public Service Commission. Much work has been completed. All class 1 leaks have been repaired and the remaining 67 grade 2 or 3 leaks should be repaired within 6 months.

Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Martin for his report. Mayor Holmes asked the City Manager if they could have a department head report at every meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Clark made a motion, seconded by Councilor Sauls to declare the following items as Surplus Property:

ITEM / # / LOCATION / DEPT
FERRI SIDE ARM MOWER / 59192 / POLE YARD / STREET
TURNER SIDE ARM MOWER / 4372Y / POLE YARD / STREET
CURB MACHINE / LOT / STREET
BILLY GOAT VACUUM / LOT / STREET
WISCONSIN 4 CYL ENGINE / LOT / STREET
OLD CHIPPER, BUSH BANDIT / LOT / STREET
OLD LINE TRUCK / POLE YARD / ELEC
THREE POLICE CARS / GULFPLANT / PD
MIGHTY MOLE / GULFPLANT / GAS
HEAVY DUTY THREE AXLE TRAILER / GULFPLANT / GAS
FLAT BED TRUCK DUMP / POLE YARD / STREET
ROLL AROUND METAL BINS / WATERPLANT / WW
DUMP TRUCK / GULFPLANT / STREET
SMITH AIR COMPRESSOR
COMPUTER PARTS
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
GARBAGE CONTAINERS (900+-) / WATERPLANT / STREET

Citizens Input

Mr. Lex Jackson, 277 Fred Jordan Street –

Mr. Jackson told Mayor and Council about a fire in his neighborhood on Memorial Day weekend. He said that the closest fire hydrant to his house is next to Mrs. Catchings house on MLK and next to the old swimming pool in the park on Sands Drive. He said that during the fire he and his neighbors were hosing down their houses to keep them from flaming up as the debris was floating from the fire over to them. He said he knew that this Council did not create this problem, but they have inherited it. Mr. Jackson presented a petition from his neighbors asking for a fire hydrant. Mayor Pro Tem Clark stated that as a new Council 8 years ago an effort was made to correct such problems, but thanked Mr. Jackson for bringing to their attention. Obviously this one was missed.

Mayor Holmes reminded everyone of the budget meeting scheduled for June 15, 2004 at 8AM.

City Manager’s Report – attached.

Chief Dan Norris was asked to give Mayor and Council an update on the potential move of the Police Department to the 1st floor of the Government Complex. When asked the estimated cost to move Chief Norris indicated that he had provided those figures to the City Manager, but since he did not know why he had been called to the meeting he was not prepared to answer that question, but would get them the information by email in the morning. Councilor Smith also added that since the Police Department was her responsibility that she would appreciate knowing if the Chief was asked to attend in the future and why. Chief Norris said the largest issues to deal with were security, parking, GCIC and space for the officers. Mayor Holmes reminded all that we can’t necessarily afford all we want or even what we need. We must do what it takes. We have no other choices. She also said that many say we don’t need a police department. Chief Norris stated that if we get to the point that the department is cut such that it puts the safety of the public and the officers at risk then maybe you will need to consolidate.

Mayor Holmes suggested a committee of herself. Mayor Pro Tem Clark and Councilor Newsome as well as City Manager and Clerk to interview for the financial analyst. Mayor Pro Tem declined his position to Councilor Smith.

Council Comments

Councilor Standifer expressed his concern of the lack of fire hydrants as addressed by Mr. Jackson. It sure needs to be looked into. He said he would work with City Manager and Fire Chief. He also thanked Jeanette Standifer for her good work at the Get Ahead House.

Councilor Sauls – None

Mayor Pro Tem Clark – Invited all to Griffin Tech graduation Saturday at 10AM in Griffin. He said that Jasper County had the top graduate and 6 honor graduates in the GED program.

Councilor Smith – stated that the Funderburg Park Committee had received a $200 donation to the park from George and Lois Funderburg and Jacqueline Smith in honor of Holsey Tinsley. She asked where we were on getting a new auditor. She felt that the current auditors had not informed Mayor and Council as they should have been. City Manager said the RFP should go out within the next 10 days. She stated that miscellaneous items in the budget should be spelled out. Mr. Reggie Grant from Trinity Advisors has sent a scope of services. She suggested they be part of the interviews. Their scope includes an initial audit of finances. She thanked Jeanette Standifer for a good job at the Get Ahead House. She also agreed with Chief Norris on his comments concerning safety of the public and the officers.

Councilor Newsome – pointed out that current sewer rates are 71% of water for the 0-2000 bracket but only 33% on the per 1000 rate above 2000. He proposes to raise all rates over 2000 gallons to 71% of water. The funds to be designated for payment of water/sewer bond. Consider possible adoption in July.

Mayor Pro Tem Clark – Asked the City Clerk about a notice from MEAG concerning a resolution for 2 voting delegates.

Mayor Holmes – entertained a motion to commend the Water Authority Board for their hard work. Mayor Pro Tem Clark made a motion, seconded by Councilor Standifer. All were in favor.

Attorney Kelly pointed out that he had received a decision (judgment) from Judge George regarding the Police Department law suit; however he was waiting on clarification.

Councilor Smith reported that she had spoken to Attorney Kelly regarding the 2.6 bond on this building. She asked about a statement in the February 8, 2000 minutes regarding a bid from GMA for $180,000. Mr. Kelly informed all that the financing required that GMA actual be deeded the property and it was just part of the process for that type bond.

Meeting adjourned.