Called Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2478
January 6, 2009
Harlem City Hall
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for a Called Meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at Harlem City Hall 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: City Manager Jean R. Dove and City Clerk Debra E. Moore; VISITORS: Ann Blalock.
Purpose: Oaths of Office-Councilman Tom Blalock
Councilwoman Robin M. Root
Approval of 2009 Budget
Resolution-EIP Grant
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Culpepper at 9:00 a.m.
The Invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Dixon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Culpepper.
Oaths of Office-Councilman Tom Blalock and Councilwoman Robin M. Root: Mayor Culpepper administered the Oaths of Office for Councilman Tom Blalock and Councilwoman Robin M. Root.
Approve 2009 Budget: City Manager Dove presented the 2009 Budget to Council as follows:
General Fund:
Administrative $ 479,015
Public Safety 664,640
Streets & Drains 358,200
Garbage 190,000
Museum 42,950
Total General Fund Expenditures $1,734,805
Total General Fund Revenues $1,734,805
Called Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2479
January 6, 2009
Continued from page 2478
Approve 2009 Budget (cont’d):
Water and Sewer Fund:
Revenue $1,133,100
Expenditures $1,133,100
Total All Funds: $2,867,905
Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the budget as presented; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Mayor Pro tem Dixon. Discussion: City Manager Dove reported that the budget reflects the proposed 5% increase in water, sewer, and garbage rates and the changes to the Public Safety Department. Motion carried; all in favor.
Resolution-EIP Grant: Mayor Culpepper presented the Resolution to Council. The Resolution is for the support of the application for CDBG/EIP (Community Development Block Grant/Employment Incentive Program) funds to loan to Lucky Lady Pecans, Gifts and More, Inc. to purchase equipment to further expand their business in the City of Harlem. The loan proceeds will establish the City’s Revolving Loan Fund for future economic development projects.
The funds come to the City to be loaned out to businesses for the help in the creation of jobs. It is a revolving loan program. The City will provide the funding for the required audit. It is an $180,000.00 grant; the City will always administer the money.
Mayor Culpepper called for a motion for the approval of the Resolution for the EIP Grant; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
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.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk
Work Session Notes Page 1
January 15, 2009
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, 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 Pro tem Rudolph Dixon; VISITORS: Valerie Rowell, Denise Carter, Jerry Campbell and Robert Fields.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Culpepper at 6:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Councilman Blalock.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Culpepper.
City Hall-Carpet Quote: City Manager Dove reported that she had received a quote for the replacement of the carpet in the main room of City Hall. The quote was in the amount of $4,740.00. This was for the carpet and the placement of “strips” in the doorways of Council’s office, the hallway and the entrance to Penny’s office. The existing carpet was exposed to the weather during construction of the addition; it had not been rolled back. Mayor Culpepper feels that it is the responsibility of the contractor to replace the carpet. The re-carpeting would be from the tile floor to the front door. Mayor Culpepper feels that we should not have to pay the overhead and profit portion of the quote. City Manager Dove to address the issue with the contractor.
Proclamation-Star Student: City Manager Dove reported that this is the 48th year and is presented annually. Council will need to approve the proclamation.
February Council Meeting Date: City Manager Dove reported that February’s Council meeting date falls on President’s Day; this is a City holiday. It was discussed at retreat to move the meeting to Thursday, February 12, 2009 the normal Work Session schedule date. Work Session would move to 6:00 p.m. with the Council meeting to follow immediately after. Council would need to approve the change.
Annexation Ordinance: P & Z Clerk Jerry Campbell presented one annexation for the month. The property is as follows:
Sarah & Alford Barnett, 6330 Harlem-Grovetown Road, Map & Parcel 042
166, Zoned
R-1 and A-1, 1.5 acres
2009 Mayor Pro tem: Council will need to make nominations and approve the appointment.
2009 Council Committee’s: City Manager Dove reported that the Committee’s
will be the same as 2008; the Councilmember will preside as Chairman and the
Mayor will preside as Vice-Chairman on each Committee.
Work Session Notes Page 2
January 15, 2009
Housing Authority Commission: City Manager Dove reported that Council will need to approve the re-appointment of Eddie Germany and the appointment of Leeann Meyer. Both have agreed to serve or continue to serve on the Commission. This will be for the term of 2009 to 2013.
Planning and Zoning Commission: City Manager Dove reported that Council will need to approve the re-appointment of Tim Farr and Franklin Jennings to the Planning and Zoning Commission; both have agreed to continue serving. This will be for the term of 2009 to 2012.
Other: There was none at this time.
Being no further business before Council, Mayor Culpepper adjourned the Work Session at 6:17 p.m.
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2480
Harlem City Hall
January 15, 2009
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2009 immediately following the scheduled Work Session at Harlem City Hall with Mayor Robert W. Culpepper presiding.
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, 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 Pro tem Rudolph Dixon; VISITORS: Same as Work Session with the addition of Phil Turner and Officer Kelvin Hartwell.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Culpepper at 6:27 p.m.
Approval of the December 15, 2008 Regular Meeting and December 30, 2008 Budget Hearing Minutes: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the December 15, 2008 Regular Meeting and the December 30, 2008 Budget Hearing as written; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
Special Presentation: Phil Turner of the Historic Preservation Commission came before Council to present Certificates of Appreciation to four of the commercial properties located downtown in the Historic District. There were to the following businesses or property owners: Dr. Ron Owens, My Sisters Loft, Mark Barrs and Bobby Culpepper.
Public Comment: There was none at this time.
Department Reports: The following departments gave reports for the month of December 2008:
Public Works Department Robert Fields, Operations Manager
Planning and Zoning Department Robert Fields, Operations Manager
Public Safety Department Tom Blalock, Committee Chair
Community Connections Jean Dove, City Manager
Administrative Department Jean Dove, City Manager
Museum Jean Dove, City Manager
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
City Hall-Carpet Quote: Due to some questions with the quote, Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to table this issue; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2481
January 15, 2009
Continued from page 2480
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (cont’d):
Other: There was none at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Proclamation-STAR Student: Mayor Culpepper presented the Proclamation to Council. This is the 48th year that the Harlem Woman’s Club has sponsored the Columbia County STAR Program. February 12, 2009 will be designated as the “Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Day” for 2009. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Proclamation as presented; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor.
February Council Meeting Date Change: City Manager Dove made the recommendation to move the February Regular Meeting date from February 16, 2009 to February 12, 2009 due to the 16th being a holiday for the City. The Work Session scheduled for that night would be moved to 6:00 p.m. with the Regular Meeting following immediately after. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the recommendation as presented; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Annexation Ordinance-1st and 2nd Reading: Mayor Culpepper read the Ordinance to annex in the following property owned by Sarah & Alford Barnett, located at 6330 Harlem-Grovetown Road, Map & Parcel 042 166, Zoned R-1 and A-1, and 1.5 acres. The effective date of the Annexation would be February 1, 2009. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion for the approval of said Ordinance and for this to constitute as the 1st and 2nd Reading; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
2009 Mayor Pro tem: Mayor Culpepper called for any nominations. Councilman Thigpen made the nomination to re-appoint Councilman Dixon as Mayor Pro tem and to close the nominations; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
2009 Council Committee Appointments: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Council Committee Appointments for 2009; that motion was made by Councilwoman Root; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Discussion: The Committee’s would be the same as 2008 with the Mayor presiding as Vice-Chairman and the Councilmember would preside as the Chairman. Motion carried; all in favor. The Committees are as follows:
Administrative Committee: Councilman John Thigpen, Chairman
Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Vice-Chairman
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2482
January 15, 2009
Continued from page 2481
NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
2009 Council Committee Appointments (cont’d):
Emergency Services Committee: Councilman Tom Blalock, Chairman
Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Vice-Chairman
Public Works Committee: Mayor Pro tem Rudolph Dixon, Chairman
Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Vice-Chairman
Community Services Committee: Councilwoman Robin M. Root, Chairman
Mayor Robert W. Culpepper, Vice-Chairman
Housing Authority Commission Appointments: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the re-appointment of Eddie Germany and the appointment of LeeAnn Meyer to the Housing Authority Commission; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Planning and Zoning Commission Appointments: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve the re-appointment of Tim Farr and Franklin Jennings to the Planning and Zoning Commission; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
Announcements:
January 19 City Hall Closed; Martin Luther King Birthday Observed
January 20 Garden Club 4:00 p.m.
January 30 Customer Service Class 9:00 a.m. Woman’s Club
February 4 Community Breakfast, 7:00 a.m., Harlem Middle School
February 12 Harlem Woman’s Club 4:00 p.m.
February 12 Work Session
Executive Session-Legal: Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting to go into Executive Session to discuss legal matters; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.; Executive Session convened at 6:55 p.m.
Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to adjourn Executive Session and to re-convene the Regular meeting; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. Executive Session adjourned at 8:03 p.m.; the Regular meeting re-convened at that time.
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2483
January 15, 2009
Continued from page 2482
NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
Executive Session-Legal (cont’d): Mayor Culpepper called for a report from the City Attorney. City Attorney Fleming reported that three legal issues were discussed and that no final action was taken. Mayor Culpepper called for a motion to approve his signature to the Affidavit acknowledging this report; that motion was made by Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor.
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 Councilman Blalock; 2nd by Councilwoman Root. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk