REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

December 2, 2013

PRESENT: Mayor Jennifer Scott, Councilmembers Arthur Craft, Billy Ethridge, Tony Haynie, Tray Hicks, Mike MacNabb and Bill Griggs. Others present included City Manager David Aldrich, City Attorney Rob Leverett, City Clerk Jean Turner, Members of the Media/Press, and Interested Citizens.

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Hartwell City Council was held on Monday, December 2, 2013 in the council chambers of city hall, 456 E. Howell Street, Hartwell. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jennifer Scott at approximately 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag was led by Mayor Scott, followed by a moment of silence. The invocation was given by City Manager David Aldrich.

At this time, councilmember-elect Bill Griggs was sworn into office by the City Manager.

Mayor Scott announced that the month of December was an exciting month in downtown Hartwell and across the county, and asked that everyone participate in the area events as they could.

Hearing no additions or corrections to the minutes of the November 4, 2013 public hearing and regular council meeting, a motion was made by Councilman Hicks to approve as recorded. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ethridge and carried unanimously.

Upon request by the Mayor, a motion was made by Councilman Haynie to allow an extra half day off for city employees during the Christmas holidays beginning at noon Monday, December 23, 2013, and resuming normal work schedule Thursday, December 26, 2013. Motion was seconded by Councilman MacNabb and carried unanimously.

Following the second reading of Ordinance No. 13-04-11, a motion was made by Councilman Hicks to adopt the Ordinance, approving the City’s fiscal year 2014 budget. Motion was seconded by Councilman Craft and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Ethridge, and carried unanimously to approve an amendment to the Tower Lease Agreement with New Cingular Wireless (AT&T). As explained by the City Manager, AT&T wishes to upgrade equipment to a 4G system on the existing leased space on the City’s tower behind the Public Works building on Fairview Avenue. He further stated that this state-of-the-art technology would be extremely beneficial to the community, which will also provide the City with an additional $1,000.00 per month above the amount currently provided for in the Agreement for rent of tower space.

A motion was made by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Griggs, and carried unanimously to approve all applications for 2014 alcohol license renewals as submitted.

A motion was made by Councilman Haynie to approve a joint Cooperating Agreement with Hart County to jointly apply for a CDBG/EIP Grant. Motion was seconded by Councilman MacNabb and carried unanimously. The City Manager stated that Hart County would be the lead agency due to an opportunity existing in the unincorporated area, with the City to provide water and sewer services. He further stated that the Hart County Industrial Building Authority had been working on this proposed opportunity, but he was not at liberty at this time to divulge further information.

Mayor and Council heard the first reading of Ordinance No. 2013-03 regarding coin operated game machines. City Attorney Rob Leverett explained that this Ordinance brings the City into compliance with changes in state law.

A motion was made by Councilman Hicks, seconded by Councilman Craft, and carried unanimously to accept the Zoning Board’s recommendation to approve the rezoning request of the YMCA to rezone approximately 12.73 acres near the intersection of Opal Street Ext. and South Jackson Street from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to B-2 (General Business) District. The purpose of this rezoning is to accommodate state requirements for licensing of childcare afterschool programs.

A motion was made by Councilman Haynie to adopt Hotel/Motel Tax Resolution No. 2013-12-02, Fee Resolution No. 2013-12-01-1, and Election Resolution No. 2013-12-02-2. Motion was seconded by Councilman MacNabb and carried unanimously.

In considering quotes received for a backup portable generator for pump stations, a motion was made by Councilman Griggs to accept the lowest quote of $101,336 from Caldwell Electric. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hicks and carried unanimously.

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Interim Director Henley Cleary reported that it was the recommendation of the DDA Board that Mr. Sharif Farhan be appointed to serve on the DDA Advisory Board at the present time rather than the Executive Board, in an effort to become more familiar with the goals of the DDA, and with the intention that he would later be moved to the Executive Board. She further stated that a letter of recommendation would be submitted by the DDA, recommending the appointment of Ms. Debbie Ray to the Executive Board. As discussion ensued, Councilman Hicks asked if Ms. Ray owned a business in the city, to which Ms. Cleary replied that she was a city resident, but not a business owner. It was the feeling of Councilman Haynie that the DDA would be better served by including business owners on the Board. Following discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Hicks to appoint Mr. Farhan to the DDA Executive Board. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ethridge and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Councilman Haynie to appoint Mr. Lenford Smith as a member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion was seconded by Councilman MacNabb and carried unanimously. Councilman Hicks reported that he had spoken with Mr. Smith, who had agreed to serve on the Commission if approved by Council.

In discussing the streets submitted for Council’s approval for resurfacing under the Department of Transportation (DOT) Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program, the City Manager explained that the City tries to evaluate the streets and objectively rate each street most in need of resurfacing. A motion was made by Councilman Ethridge, seconded by Councilman Griggs, and carried unanimously to accept the streets listed for submittal to the DOT.

Following discussion, a motion was made by Councilman Hicks to authorize the City Manager to seek bids for a John Deere Backhoe for the Water/Sewer Department. Councilman Ethridge stated that he would like the backhoe to come with a multi-purpose loader bucket and hydraulic jack hammer. The City Manager replied that the City already had a jack hammer which could be utilized. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ethridge and carried unanimously.

Speaking on behalf of business owner Mr. George Chiang, former Mayor Matt Beasley explained that Mr. Chiang was seeking assistance in his dilemma. He stated that Mr. Chiang had received a letter in August from Fire Chief/Building Inspector Terry Vickery, deeming Mr. Chiang’s China Palace Restaurant structure as unsafe, with a time limit for compliance. Work plans and permits were later approved, with the Historic Preservation Commission preferring that Mr. Chiang leave the wood above the front door and not replace with metal roofing as Mr. Chiang had requested. In an effort to apply for a small grant, Mr. Chiang also met with the Downtown Development Authority, but a member of the DDA did not like the metal door that had already been approved with his permit and already ordered. Mr. Beasley presented a powerpoint of other deteriorating businesses in the downtown area, questioning why Mr. Chiang was being singled out while other properties were not condemned. Following Mr. Beasley’s presentation, a motion was made by Councilman Hicks to allow Mr. Chiang to continue with the building permit issued on 10/14/13 and the approval of the Historic Preservation Commission on 10/8/13. Motion was seconded by Councilman Haynie and carried unanimously.

Council Comments:

·  Councilman Hicks wished citizens of Hartwell a Merry Christmas. He also commended the Fire Department, Street, Gas, and Water Departments for their efforts conducted during the recent fire which destroyed the Enigma Customs structure on Franklin Street, owned by Mike Hurley. To this comment, Mayor Scott stated that the City had the best employees in the state, with City Manager David Aldrich also commenting that it was clearly a team approach.

·  Councilman Craft stated that the Health Department still had flu shots available during normal business hours.

·  Councilman Haynie extended appreciation to retiring Police Chief Cecil Reno for his many years of service to the city, and also appreciation to Mayor Jennifer Scott for her four years of service to the city.

City Manager Comments:

·  Recycling center being utilized and still working well. However, citizens are asked to empty items from plastic bags and not deposit the plastic into the recycling container.

·  Still having problems with leaves and limbs being placed on sidewalks and in ditches.

·  Sidewalk work on Franklin Street has begun but not complete.

Public Comments:

·  Mary Beth Focer questioned why the DDA had events such as the summer “First Saturdays” at the Hartwell Marina rather than downtown. She stated that the DDA’s responsibility was to promote downtown, and those events were promoting the Hartwell Marina and not downtown. Ms. Henley Cleary replied that there was not a location in the downtown area for such events at present, but the DDA was open to suggestions.

There being no further business to come before Mayor and Council, a motion was made by Councilman Craft to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:55 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilman Griggs and carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Turner

City Clerk