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Work Session Notes Page 1 April 12, 2007
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Scott Dean, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilwoman Robin M. Root, and Councilman John Thigpen; STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore and City Attorney Lee Bennett; ABSENT: Mayor Pro tem Dixon. VISITORS: None.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 7 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Councilman Blalock.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilwoman Root.
Project Updates:
TE Grant Application-2007: City Manager Dove reported that the applications are now available online. They are due the first week of June. City Manager Dove asked if Council was interested in applying and if so, what area would they like to include. Mayor Dean suggested doing the area from the red light to IGA; use the current plans that we already had, but cut them down because of costs. He would like to see the west side done first due to this will be the area that the development will be coming first.
Tree Committee Appointments: Mayor Dean asked if Council had come up with any appointments for the committee. Councilman Blalock stated that Jean Turner has expressed an interest; Councilman Thigpen stated that Gary Holland had confirmed that he would be interested in serving on the committee. Councilman Blalock suggested Steve Camp, Mike Simons and maybe Randall Cook; he will speak with Steve Camp and Mike Simons; Mayor Dean will speak with Randall Cook. Councilman Blalock stated that this was the last phase in getting the Tree City USA designation.
EMT Building: City Manager Dove reported that the building has been abandoned by Gold Cross EMS; they have moved outside of the City. Family Connections (Julie Miller) has expressed an interest in using the building for storage. This will be for short term use; at least until their building has been erected. There was some discussion on the response time of the ambulance service now that they are out of town. Councilman Thigpen was going to check into the possibilities of having the ambulance service located in Dearing to respond in Harlem.
Work Session Notes Page 2 April 12, 2007
Soil and Erosion-Enforcement Officer-Official Checklist: City Manager Dove reported that we are currently doing 99% of the enforcement on Soil and Erosion; Robert Fields and Jerry Campbell have both received their certifications. She will have this for Council’s approval in the form of a Resolution for Monday night; Council will need to review over the weekend.
Intergovernmental Agreements: Mayor Dean reported that these will be for Executive Session on Monday night; there are copies included for Council’s review. Councilman Thigpen stated that he did have some items he would like to address, including the pump station. Mayor Dean addressed some of this with Councilman Thigpen. There were some questions concerning the property at the park for the location of the new Community Center.
Ordinance Approval-Crosswalk at Harlem Baptist Church: Mayor Dean reported that the Church is requesting a crosswalk be placed between the new play ground that they have installed and the church.
Other: Councilman Blalock questioned if we had an official tree ordinance in place; City Manager Dove responded that we did. Councilman Blalock reminded Council that we needed to have the Board in place in order to send in the application for the Tree City USA designation. He reported that there are grants for planting trees and plants; can use up to 20% to cover plants. The grants do require matching monies and in-kind.
City Manager Dove and Mayor Dean had a discussion on the existence of Covenants for Cornerstone. Mayor Dean had been approached by one of the new residents with questions concerning the Covenants. They pertained to who would enforce them; will the City have to adopt the Covenants. City Manager Dove stated that the Covenants read “declarence” (Brush and Associates) or the land owner. Seventy percent of the properties should be sold and then the Association should be formed. The City will not be the enforcer. City Attorney Bennett stated that he had never heard where the City was ever responsible. The City would only become involved if it had something to do with setbacks, etc. City Manager Dove reported that their Covenants are more restrictive than our Planning & Zoning guidelines. She felt that maybe the new residents were not receiving copies of the Covenants. Mayor Dean suggested to City Manager Dove that she should have Dee Tapley (P&Z) remind the builders to give copies of the Covenants to the new home owners.
Councilwoman Root reported that there was no facility to be used for Camp Hardy this year. They will be meeting with Ms. Shelton, the new Middle School principal this week on this issue. They have met with the Family Y and they would possibly like to use Dearing. There are issues with transportation. There is a need for the Camp in Harlem. Mayor Dean suggested that Ms. Shelton be told of the different items that the City has
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Other (cont’d): done to support the school including helping with the purchase of the bleachers, grass cutting, etc.
City Manager Dove reported that City Clerk Debra Moore had completed her Level 1 training in Finance and received that certification. Council expressed their congratulations.
Being as there was no further business for discussion, the Work Session closed at 7:30 p.m.
Debra E. Moore City Clerk
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2356 April 16, 2007 Harlem City Hall
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Harlem City Hall with Mayor Scott Dean presiding.
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Scott Dean, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilwoman Robin M. Root, and Councilman John Thigpen; STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore and City Attorney Lee Bennett; ABSENT: Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon; VISITORS: Jerry Baldwin, Daniel Cason, Robert Fields, Tanga Inglett, Jerry Campbell, Valerie Rowell, Dee Tapley, Terri Casteel, Alex Casteel, Brenda Sanford, Heaven Thompkins, Bianca Frails, Brittany Jefferson, Jackie White, Lacey White, Kathy Coleman, Heather Coleman, Amy Irby, and the Asterita Family.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by City Manager Jean R. Dove.
Recognition-Beauty Pageant Winners: Mayor Dean recognized the following young ladies as the winners of the Miss City of Harlem Pageant:
Abrianna Asterita-Wee Miss Lacy White-Junior Miss Amelia Asterita-Tiny Miss Heather Coleman-Teen Miss Avery Irby-Little Miss Brittany Jefferson-Miss City of Harlem
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Miss City of Harlem Pageant winners.
Approval of the Minutes: Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the March 19, 2007 Regular Meeting as written; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Recognition of Employee-1st Quarter 2007: Mayor Dean recognized Terri Casteel of the Public Safety Department as the Employee of the 1st Quarter 2007. She was presented with a plaque and a certificate for a $100.00 Savings Bond.
Department Reports: The following departments gave reports for the month of March 2007:
Community Connections Tanga Inglett, Administrative Assistant Police Department Jerry Baldwin, Public Safety Director Fire Department Jerry Baldwin, Public Safety Director Public Works Department Daniel Cason, Public Works Director Planning & Zoning Dee Tapley, Department Head Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2357 April 16, 2007 Continued from page 2356
Department Reports (cont’d): Museum Scott Dean, Mayor Administrative Department Jean R. Dove, City Manager Note: HPC Hearings scheduled for May 22 at 7 p.m. and May 23 at 10:00 a.m. at HMS Council and Staff Quarterly Review May 3 at 9:30 a.m. at the Library
Public Comments: There was none at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Project Update:
TE Grant Application 2007-Approval to Submit: Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve for City Manager Dove to work with Ann Floyd of the RDC on the grant application for submittal; the application will cover the area from the current IGA and the red light. That motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Tree Board Member Appointments: Mayor Dean reported that Councilman Blalock has submitted a list of recommended citizens for the board. Mayor Dean called for a motion to accept the recommendation of the following five citizens: Gary Holland, Jack Hatcher, Jean Turner, Mickey Lonergan, and Robert Zipperer. That motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
Other: Councilman Blalock asked Council if they would consider as we have taken the final step in getting the Tree City USA designation approving for the City Manager to submit the application for said designation and make application for any grants available. Mayor Dean called for a motion for the approval to authorize City Manager Dove to submit the application for the Tree City USA designation and submit the applications for any grants; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2358 April 16, 2007 Continued from page 2357
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinances-1st and 2nd Readings:
EMT Building-Approval of Temporary Use by Community Connections: Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the temporary use of the abandoned EMT building for storage; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Discussion-Councilman Thigpen asked about setting a date to review this; he suggested six months. Councilwoman Root felt that would be appropriate. City Manager Dove suggested that maybe it should be until the new building is constructed. Councilwoman Root made the motion to amend the original motion to include the use of the building until the construction of the new Community Center has been completed; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
National Day of Prayer: Mayor Dean reported that May 3 has been designated as the “National Day of Prayer” and that Rev. Roger Vest has asked Council to be involved. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:30 a.m. at the Performing Arts Center. He would also like to hold a Prayer Service in front of City Hall at 7:00 p.m.; will have prayer requests for each Councilmember.
Announcements: April 17 Garden Club 4 pm-Barbara Murray, North Bell April 19 Planning & Zoning 7 pm City Hall April 20/21 Relay for Life April 24 Oliver Hardy Committee Meeting 7 pm City Hall April 26 Berthmarks 6:30 pm Gary Russeths May 3 National Day of Prayer May 3 Council Quarterly Meeting 9:30 am Library May 5 Dearing May Fest Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2359 April 16, 2007 Continued from page 2358
Announcements (cont’d): May 10 Harlem Woman’s Club 4 pm May 15 Garden Club 4 pm May 17 Work Session 7 pm
Executive Session-Legal/Real Estate: Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn to Executive Session after a 5 minute break; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.; Executive Session convened at 7:36 p.m.
Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn Executive Session; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. Executive Session adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Mayor Dean called for a motion for the approval of his signature to the Affidavit stating that only one Real Estate and one Legal issue were discussed and that no final action was taken; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve his signature of the Intergovernmental Agreement with Columbia County on the purchase of the Louisville Road waterline and pump station for the sum of $286,000.00; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried by a vote of 2 to 1 with Councilman Blalock and Councilwoman Root voting in favor of and Councilman Thigpen voting against.
Mayor Dean called for a motion to authorize for the City Manager to enter into negotiations for a said piece of property from Executive Session discussions; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Discussion: This is not for approval of purchase only negotiations; this will have to come back before Council. Motion carried; all in favor.
Other: Mayor Dean asked about moving some of the funds into some CD’s; the rate we are currently receiving on the checking accounts is higher than the CD rates.
As there was no further business before the Council, Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn the meeting; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore, City Clerk |