Work Session Notes
July 12, 2007
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon, 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 Barry Fleming; ABSENT: Mayor Scott Dean; VISITORS: Nancy Mulheron, Jerry Baldwin, Fred Fischer, Christine W. Tingle, Robert Fields, Phil Turner, Moses Beard, Earnestine Beard, Willie Beard, Jimmy Tankersley, Rick Hammonds, Rosemary Dixon, Carmellia Samuels, Gennice Hampton, Diane Hawkins, Cynthia Hamblin, and John Willis.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro tem Dixon at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Thigpen.
Mr. Fred Fischer-Cornerstone Creek Covenants: Mayor Pro tem Dixon recognized Mr. Fischer. Mr. Fischer addressed Council on the issue of Covenants and Homeowner’s Associations. He spoke for six minutes. He had information for Council pertaining to these items. Mr. Fischer is not in favor of having Homeowner’s Associations. Council informed Mr. Fischer that the City does not require sub-divisions to have Covenants; that is their option. If there are Covenants, they are to be presented at time of approval of the final plat.
Project Updates:
· TE Project-Currently working on parking lot behind the police station; should be completed in about four weeks. Georgia Power is working on getting the bores done.
· Sewer Rehab-Robert Fields-met with John McClellan on the patching and grassing.
· Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion-Robert Fields-the GEFA application has been submitted (6/28). Turnipseed working with Aquaerobics on plans; 50% to 60% complete. When the plans are 100% complete, they will be ready to go to bid.
Pedestrian Crossing Request-New Holt Church: There has been a request for a crosswalk between New Holt Church and their fellowship building across the road. This is for the safety of the members. The cross walk can be put in place with the passing of an ordinance by Council. The cross walk will need to be done to legal standards and correct signage similar to the school crosswalks.
Other: Rick Hammonds of N. Bell Street wanted to address Council on the designation of the Historic District. Mr. Hammonds stated he has spoke to most residents in and out of the proposed district and that the majority of them were against what was being proposed. Mr. Hammonds was informed by Council that the Historic District designation
was not on the agenda for the evening and that no vote would be taken at this time. There would be notifications in the City newsletter and the Columbia News when that would occur. Mr. Hammonds was under the impression that it would be taken tonight because of Mayor Pro tem Dixon being in attendance at the meeting. Councilman Thigpen brought up the notice that someone had been distributing around town telling people that this would be happening and that there was more misinformation in the notice than correct information and that he would be open to meeting with anyone who might have any questions.
As there was no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2375
July 16, 2007
Harlem City Hall
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Harlem City Hall with Mayor Scott Dean presiding.
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Scott Dean, Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon, 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 Barry Fleming; VISITORS: Fred Fischer, Daniel W. Cason, Phil Turner, Charles and Brenda Sanford, Julie Miller, Dee Tapley, Claude Stevens, and Rosemary Dixon.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Blalock.
Approval of Minutes: Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the June 18 Regular Meeting and the June 27 Called Meeting as written; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
Department Reports: The following departments gave reports for the month of June 2007:
Police Department Sergeant Claude Stevens, Public Safety
Fire Department Sergeant Claude Stevens, Public Safety
Public Works Department Daniel Cason, Public Works Director
Planning and Zoning Department Dee Tapley, Department Head
Community Connections Julie Miller, Director
Museum Robin M. Root, Committee Chairman
Administrative Department Jean R. Dove, City Manager
Public Comment: There was none at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Streetscape Project: City Manager Dove reported that the contractor is currently working in the parking lot behind the police station and Masonic building and are working in front of Heather’s. Georgia Power should have their contractor in tomorrow morning to begin work.
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2376
July 16, 2007
Continued from page 2375
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (cont’d):
Sewer:
· Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion-Turnipseed Engineers is 60% complete with the plans; go to bid upon completion.
· Sewer Rehab-the contractor is doing check lists on patches; some work is still ongoing on the south side. There is some Contingency money available. It has been proposed to be used in the Stone and Evelyn Street area with Council’s permission. John McClellan of Turnipseed Engineers is working on some numbers for Council. Council will need to approve this proposal. Mayor Dean called for a motion to allow City Manager Dove to work with Engineer John McClellan on this project. The total of the project should not be anymore than what is available in Contingency. The project will consist of point repair, line replacement and tie-in’s. That motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Other: There was none at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
2007 Tax Mill Rate-Final Approval: Council held three mandatory hearings on the tax mill rate for 2007. The proposed tax mill rate is 5.35; down from 5.42 in 2006. Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the proposed tax mill rate of 5.35 for 2007; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
Ordinance-1st and 2nd Reading-Crosswalk at New Holt Church: The ordinance is establishing a crosswalk on Verdery Street at New Holt Baptist Church and their Fellowship Hall located directly across the street to provide for the safety of its members and the citizens in the area. Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve this as the 1st and 2nd reading of this ordinance and the approval of said ordinance establishing this crosswalk; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Discussion: Councilman Thigpen spoke on the existing signage in the area (25 mph, Church Zone, Slow Children Playing, etc.) and wanted to add the signage “Pedestrian Crossing”. The crosswalk should follow all legal guidelines. Motion carried; all in favor.
Announcements:
July 19 Community Services Quarterly Meeting 9 a.m. Admin. Office
July 31 Oliver Hardy Festival Committee Meeting 4 p.m. City Hall
Aug 2 Administrative Quarterly Meeting 10:00 a.m. Admin. Office
Aug 14 Planning and Zoning Hearing 7 p.m. City Hall
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2377
July 16, 2007
Continued from page 2376
Announcements (cont’d):
Aug 16 Work Session 7 p.m. City Hall
Aug 20 Council Meeting 7 p.m. City Hall
Aug 24 Quarterly Council Review Meeting 9 a.m. Library ** Tentative
Aug 31 Employee Quarterly Luncheon Meeting
Other: There was none at this time.
Being no further business before Council, Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn the meeting; that motion was made by Mayor Pro tem Dixon; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk