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Budget Hearing/Called Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                            Page 2400

Harlem City Hall

January 3, 2008

 

The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for a Budget Hearing/Called Meeting on Thursday, January 3, 2008 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 and City Clerk Debra E. Moore; ABSENT:  Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon and City Attorney Barry Fleming; VISITORS:  None.

 

Purpose:          2008 Budget Approval

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 7:03 p.m.

 

The Invocation was given by City Manager Dove.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilwoman Root.

 

Approve 2008 Budget:  The budget for 2008 is set at follows: 

General Fund              $1,704,357.00

Water Fund                 $1,062,000.00

Total                            $2,766,357.00

 

Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the proposed 2008 as presented; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen.  Discussion:  The floor was opened for comments.  Being none, Mayor Dean closed the floor for comments.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn the meeting; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root.  Motion carried; all in favor.  The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra E. Moore

City Clerk

 

  

Work Session Notes                                                                                        Page 1

January 17, 2008

 

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 Steven Brown; VISITORS:  Penny Salley, Misty Hamb, Nancy Mulheron, Fred Fischer, Rick Hammonds, Ethel Strang, Leeann Myer, Robert Fields, Jenna Martin (Columbia News Times), and Jerry Baldwin.

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 6:00 p.m.

 

The Invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Blalock.

 

TE Project:  City Manager Dove gave an update.  The traffic signals, including turn signals, should be delivered by the 25th.  The street lights will be turned on when the traffic signals are put in operation.

 

City Hall Expansion:  City Manager Dove reported that the Pre-bid Construction meeting is scheduled for January 29 at City Hall at 10:00 a.m. and the Bid Opening is scheduled for February 5 at City Hall at 2:00 p.m.

 

Head Start/Community Connection Building:  City Manager Dove reported that the Pre-construction meeting is set for January 24 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.

 

Proclamation-Star Student:  City Manager Dove reported that this will be the 47th year that the Harlem Woman’s Club has sponsored this program.  Council will need to approve the Proclamation.

 

Proclamation-Arbor Day:  City Manager Dove reported that this has been set for February 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.  The City of Harlem will receive its formal recognition as a “Tree City, USA” at this same time.  Council will need to approve the Proclamation.

 

2008 Council Committees:  The Council Committees for 2008 will be the same as 2007.  They are:                     Administrative Committee                 Councilman Thigpen

                                    Public Safety Committee                    Councilman Blalock

                                    Public Works Committee                    Mayor Pro tem Dixon

                                    Community Services Committee        Councilwoman Root

 

Council will serve as the Committee Chairs and Mayor Dean will serve as the Co-Chair.

 

 

 

Work Session Notes                                                                                        Page 2

January 17, 2008

 

2008 Mayor Pro tem:  Council will need to nominate and approve someone for this position.

 

Ordinance-Franchise Fee for Cable and Video:  City Manager Dove reported that an Ordinance must be in place in order to receive the Franchise fees for Cable and Video.  She has prepared an Ordinance for Council to approve and have the Mayor sign.

 

Resolution-Retirement Plan Update:  City Manager Dove reported that the proposed changes are as follows:

 

Council will need to approve the Resolution.

 

2008 Election and Qualifying Fees:  This year the positions of Councilman Blalock and Councilwoman Root are up for election.  The qualifying fee will be set at $108.00 as per state elections law.  Qualifying will be August 25 to 27 starting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday and ending at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

 

Other:  There was none at this time.

 

Being no further items for discussion, Mayor Dean adjourned the Work Session at 6:10 p.m.

 

Debra E. Moore

City Clerk

 

   

Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                    Page 2401

January 17, 2008

Harlem City Hall

 

The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Thursday, January 17, 2008 immediately following the Work Session scheduled at 6:00 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 Steven Brown; VISITORS:  Penny Salley, Misty Hamb, Nancy Mulheron, Fred Fischer, Ethel Strang, Leeann Myer, Robert Fields, Jenna Martin and Jerry Baldwin.

 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 6:10 p.m.

 

Approval of the Minutes:  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the December 13 Executive Session and the December 17, 2007 Regular meeting; that motion was made by Mayor Pro tem Dixon; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

Public Comment:  There was none at this time.

 

Department Reports:  The following departments gave reports for the month of December 2007:

 

Family Connections                                        Misty Hamb, Americorp Clerk

Planning & Zoning                                          Robert Fields, Asst. Public Works Director

Public Works                                                   Daniel Cason, Public Works Director

Public Safety                                                   Jerry Baldwin, Public Safety Director

Administrative                                                            Jean R. Dove, City Manager

Museum                                                          Nancy Mulheron, Volunteer

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

TE Project:  City Manager Dove reported that the traffic signals, including a turn signal, will be delivered by the 25th.  The project is estimated to be complete in six weeks.  We are waiting on the Notice to Proceed from the Department of Transportation on the parking lot.

 

City Hall Expansion:  City Manager Dove reported that there is a Pre-Bid Construction meeting set for January 29 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall and that the Bid opening has been set for February 5 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.

 

 

 

Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                    Page 2402

January 17, 2008

Continued from page 2403

 

Head Start/Community Connection Building:  Public Works Director Cason reported that the waterline should be completed next week and that the construction site has been cleared.

 

Other:  There was none at this time.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Proclamation-Star Student:  Mayor Dean presented the Proclamation to Council.  This will be the 47th year that the Woman’s Club has sponsored the Star Student program and will present the award on February 14, 2008.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the proclamation and his signature of same; that motion was made by Mayor Pro tem Dixon; 2nd by Councilman Blalock.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

Proclamation-Arbor Day:  Councilman Blalock presented the Proclamation to Mayor and Council.  February 19, 2008 will be recognized as Arbor Day and there will be a program at City Hall at 4:00 p.m.  The City will also be recognized as a “Tree City USA” and the Garden Club will present two trees for planting.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the Proclamation and his signature of same; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

2008 Mayor Pro tem:  Mayor Dean called for a motion to reappoint Mayor Pro tem Dixon to the position of Mayor Pro tem; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

2008 Council Committees:  Mayor Dean presented the Committees for 2008; they will be the same as 2007’s.  They are:  Administrative Committee-Councilman Thigpen, Public Safety Committee-Councilman Blalock, Public Works Committee-Mayor Pro tem Dixon, and Community Services Committee-Councilwoman Root; Mayor Dean will be Co-Chair for each Committee.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the appointments for the 2008 Council Committee Chairs; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

2008 Election & Qualifying Fee:  By State law the qualifying fees are set at 3% of the total yearly income Council receives.  There are two Council positions up for election this year and the fee will be set at $108.00.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the qualifying fee of $108.00; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root.  Discussion:  Qualifying will be held August 25 to August 27.  Motion carried; all in favor. 

 

 

 

Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                    Page 2403

January 17, 2008

Continued from page 2402

 

NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):

 

Ordinance-Franchise Fee Cable & Video-1st and 2nd Reading:  Mayor Dean read the Ordinance.  The Ordinance is to amend the code of ordinances of the City to establish a Franchise Fee applicable to holders of cable or video franchises issued by the State of Georgia; to designate an Agent; to provide for codification; to repeal conflicting ordinances; to provide an adoption date; to provide an effective date and for other purposes.  The City will collect a franchise fee of up to 5% of each cable or video provider’s gross revenues generated within the City.  Mayor Dean called for a motion for this to constitute as both the 1st and 2nd readings and for the approval of his signature to said Ordinance; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

Resolution to Update the City Retirement Plan:  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the updates to the City Retirement Plan.  The updates are as follows:

That motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

Announcements:

January 21                   Holiday-Martin Luther King Birthday Observance

January 22                   City Council Work Session-Proposed Historic District 5 p.m.

January 24                   Pre-Construction Conference-Headstart Bldg 10 a.m. City Hall

January 26                   GMA Mayor’s Day Conference

January 28                   City Council/HPC Work Session-Proposed Historic District 7 p.m.

January 29                   Pre-Bid Conference-City Hall Addition-10 a.m. City Hall

January 31                   Community Breakfast 7 a.m. Harlem Middle School

February 2                   Miss City of Harlem Pageant 7 pm Harlem High School (tentative)

February 5                   Bid Opening-City Hall Addition-2 p.m. City Hall

February 11                 Trail of Trees-9 a.m. Harlem Middle School

February 14                 Work Session 7 p.m. City Hall

Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                    Page 2404

January 17, 2008

Continued from page 2403

 

Announcements (cont’d):

February 18                 President’s Day-City Offices Closed

February 18                 Regular Meeting 7 p.m. City Hall

 

Other:  March Council Meeting Date Change:  Due to the City Manager being out of town, a request was made to change the Council meeting date for March to be held on March 13, 2008 immediately following the Work Session.  The Work Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the Regular Meeting will follow immediately after.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the change of the March Council meeting; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock.  Motion carried; all in favor.

 

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 6:33 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Debra E. Moore

City Clerk