Work Session Notes Page 1
November 17, 2008
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilwoman Robin M. Root, and Councilman John Thigpen; STAFF: Operations Manager Robert Fields, City Clerk Debra E. Moore and City Attorney Stephen Brown; ABSENT: City Manager Jean R. Dove; VISITORS: Phil Turner, Denise Carter, Jerry Campbell, Seaborn Street, Miriana Robinson, Fred Fischer, Mark Whitaker, Tripp Lonergan, Mickey Lonergan, Mike Rorick, Andre Miller, Scott Johnson and Jerry Baldwin.
The Work Session was called to order by Mayor Culpepper at 6:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Culpepper.
City Hall Expansion: Operations Manager Fields reported that the project was moving along. There had been some issues with the tiles and lights. The manufacturer sent the wrong tiles and they were installed; they will have to be taken up and replaced with the correct tile. December 3, 2008 is the tentative completion date.
Head Start/Community Connections Building: Operations Manager Fields reported on the water/sewer tie-in. The sewer tie-in has been completed and the water will be tied in by the end of the week. The dedication has been set for December 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Ordinance-Speed Limit on Harlem-Grovetown Road: Will be presented at the Council meeting.
Ordinance-Annexation: Will be presented at the Council meeting.
Ordinance-Building Permit Fees: Will be presented at the Council meeting.
Other: There was none at this time.
The Work Session was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2467
November 17, 2008
Harlem City Hall
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Monday, November 10, 2008 at Harlem City Hall immediately following the Work Session scheduled at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Robert W. Culpepper presiding.
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilwoman Robin M. Root, and Councilman John Thigpen; STAFF: Operations Manager Robert Fields, City Clerk Debra E. Moore, and City Attorney Stephen Brown; ABSENT: City Manager Jean R. Dove; VISITORS: Phil Turner, Denise Carter, Jerry Campbell, Seaborn Street, Miriana Robinson, Fred Fischer, Mark Whitaker, Tripp Lonergan, Mickey Lonergan, Mike Rorick, Andre Miller, Scott Johnson and Jerry Baldwin.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Culpepper at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of the Minutes: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2008 Regular Meeting as written; that motion was made by Mayor Pro tem Dixon; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried all in favor.
Mr. Mickey Lonergan: Mayor Culpepper recognized Mr. Mickey Lonergan. Mr. Lonergan came before Council in reference to the expansion being done at Harlem Baptist Church. He wanted to talk to Council about getting a variance to be able to use EIFS on the building they are constructing. The EIFS would be placed on the gables of the building. This would save them $7,500.00 in construction costs. Mr. Lonergan gave the following reasons for Council to consider the request: The material will be used in the gable area only, their structures are very well maintained, it will not affect the general appearance of the building, they will be here for the long haul, it does not sacrifice the goals of the City and it is a better product than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Councilman Blalock questioned about how the Committee feels as a whole; the majority of the Committee is present and is in agreement. They are also representing the Church’s interest. Councilman Blalock spoke on one of the problems with EIFS (separation); Mr. Lonergan stated that there is a guarantee by the manufacturer. It also has to do with the installer. He also stated that he has a letter from their architect asking for the variance; he did not bring it tonight, but they are recommending usage of EIFS. Mr. Lonergan reiterated that the main point was a cost savings to the Church and that the EIFS would only be on the gable. Mayor Culpepper addressed Mr. Lonergan with the issue of the IGA store. They were told they were not allowed to use the EIFS and had referenced that the City would not allow the Baptist church to use it either.
Mayor Culpepper asked if there was action to be taken. City Clerk Debra Moore responded that currently variances are applied through Planning & Zoning and go before the Planning & Zoning Commission for approval. City Attorney Stephen Brown stated it
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Mr. Mickey Lonergan (cont’d): does not come before Council at all. Jerry Campbell addressed Council letting them know he was contacted by Mr. Lonergan about coming before Planning & Zoning, but because of recent actions by Council he spoke with City Manager Jean Dove and she suggested that he come before Council. City Clerk Debra Moore stated that no actions had been taken to change where variance requests go to or who approves; there were discussions only at Retreat. Mayor Culpepper stated that we had just changed the ordinance to include EIFS as a non-acceptable material. City Clerk Debra Moore stated that EIFS has been a non-acceptable material since the Dollar General project; EIFS was added to be more specific in that the City does not accept it as stucco. Mayor Culpepper did not feel that Planning and Zoning would approve as Council approved the ordinance banning it. He thanked Mr. Lonergan for attending.
Public Comment: There was none at this time.
Department Reports: The following departments gave reports for the month of October 2008:
Public Safety Department Jerry Baldwin, Public Safety Director
Planning and Zoning Department Denise Carter, Permits Clerk
Public Works Department Seaborn Street, Public Works Foreman
Community Connections Miriana Robinson, CC Clerk
Museum Robert Fields, Operations Manager
Administrative Department None given
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
City Hall Expansion: No further update since Work Session.
Headstart/Community Connections Building: No further update since Work Session.
Other: There was none at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance-Speed Limit on Harlem-Grovetown Road: Mayor Culpepper presented the Ordinance to Council. The Ordinance is extending the 35mph speed limit on Harlem-Grovetown Road to the current city limit boundaries. All future expansion of the city limit boundaries on this road will be designated as a 35 mph speed zone upon final approval of all annexations. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve this as both the 1st and 2nd Reading and for the approval of said Ordinance as written; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried by a vote of
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NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
Ordinance-Speed Limit on Harlem-Grovetown Road (cont’d): 3-1 with Mayor Pro tem Dixon voting against. The ordinance will become effective December 15, 2008.
Ordinance-Annexation: Mayor Culpepper presented the Ordinance to Council. The Ordinance is for the annexation of the following properties:
Robert & Lynn Kline, 6342 Harlem-Grovetown Road, Map & Parcel 042 167,
Zoned R1-A, 1.95 acres
Benny V. & Peggy Bennett, Sr., 835 Appling-Harlem Hwy., Map & Parcel
031 037, Zoned R1-A, 18.73 acres
Benny V. Bennett, Jr., 839 Appling-Harlem Hwy., Map & Parcel 031 037A, Zoned
R1-A, 1.0 acres
Benny V. Bennett, Jr., 839 Appling-Harlem Hwy., Map & Parcel 031 037B, Zoned
R1-A, 1.67 acres
Benny V. and Jennifer Bennett, Jr., 821 Appling-Harlem Hwy., Map & Parcel
031 037C, Zoned R-1A, 5.0 acres
Benny V. Bennett, Sr., Benny V. Bennett, Jr., and Gina Bennett, Appling-Harlem
Hwy., Map & Parcel 031 066A, Zoned R-1A, 12.34 acres
This ordinance will become effective December 1, 2008.
Mayor Culpepper called for a motion for the approval of this being the 1st and 2nd Reading and to approve said ordinance as written; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Mayor Pro tem Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
Ordinance-Building Permit Fees: Mayor Culpepper presented the Ordinance to Council. The Ordinance is for the adoption of the fees charged by Columbia County for the building, inspections and review of new or existing structures. Currently the City contracts with the County for inspection services. The Ordinance is also including that any increase made by the County, the City will also increase their fees. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion for the approval of this being both the 1st and 2nd Reading and to approve said ordinance as written; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. This ordinance will become effective on the date of adoption.
Announcements:
November 18 Bingo, Harlem Woman’s Club 7-9 p.m.
November 21 Thanksgiving Employee Luncheon, Harlem Woman’s Club
12 Noon
November 25 6th Annual Feed-A-Soldier, HUMC, 5 and 7 p.m.
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Announcements (cont’d):
November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 4 Tree Lighting, 6:00 p.m.
December 6 Grovetown Christmas Parade
December 8 Headstart/Community Connections Building Dedication,
10:00 a.m.
December 11 Work Session, 7:00 p.m.
December 13 Christmas in Downtown Harlem, Harlem Christmas Parade
December 12-14 Walk Thru Bethlehem, HBC and HUMC
December 15 Regular Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
December 19 Christmas Employee Luncheon, 12 Noon, HWC
Other: There was none at this time.
Being no further business before Council, Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to adjourn the meeting; that motion was made by Mayor Pro tem Dixon; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk