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Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2109 September 8, 2003 Harlem City Hall
The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for the Regular Meeting on Monday, September 8, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall with Mayor Scott Dean presiding.
Present: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Scott Dean, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilman Rudolph Dixon, and Councilman John Thigpen; City Manager Jean R. Dove and City Clerk Debra E. Moore; Attorney Drew Demott. ABSENT: Mayor Pro tem Robin M. Root and City Attorney David Dekle. VISITORS: See attached list.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Dean.
The Invocation was given by Councilman Dixon.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Blalock.
Approval of Minutes-A motion was made by Councilman Dixon to accept the minutes of the August 11, 2003 Regular Meeting and the August 25, 2003 Public Hearing; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor.
Reports-The following reports were given for the month of August 2003: Police Department-Chief Jerry Baldwin Fire Department-Chief Raymond Fulcher-Chief Fulcher thanked Mayor and Council for allowing the purchase of the new fire truck. They are in the process of doing extensive training on driving and the operation of the the new truck. Administrative Department-City Manager Jean R. Dove Historic, Trade, & Tourism-Department Head Kathy Ham Public Works Department-Public Works Superintendent Daniel Cason
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Project Updates- a. Equalization Pond at Wastewater Treatment Plant-Superintendent Cason and Engineer Raymond Fulcher reported that the contractor still had a long way to go. They only have one person working. They have shown some progress in the last two weeks. Ridge Environmental has been given a firm deadline of October 31, 2003 for completion.
b. Shady Grove Subdivision/McArthur Drive/Douglas Street-Council needs to authorize Turnipseed Engineers to proceed and design with this sewer project. Councilman Thigpen made a motion for Turnipseed Engineers to proceed with designing this sewer project for the repairs needed at McArthur and Douglas Street, the slip line to the sewerage treatment plant and the installation of sewer for Shady Grove; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2110 September 8, 2003 Continued from page 2109
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (cont’d):
Project Updates (cont’d): c. TE Project-Project is moving along. Engineer McClellan is meeting with John Harris on September 10, 2003 to go over easements.
Fire Study Project-Chief Fulcher reported that he and Assistant Chief Mike Baldwin met with the consultant for the Master Fire Study Plan. He gives his viewpoint of what should be or should not be done. He told Chief Fulcher they like his recommendations. Chief Fulcher reported that as of January 1, 2004 they would start manning the fire station 24/7; on weekends on a volunteer basis. The front office at Station #1 would be changed to sleeping quarters, etc.
Other-None at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Building Permit Request from Antioch Church-City Manager Dove reported that the building plan request was given to Columbia County for approval before the Resolution was passed that places certain restrictions on commercial businesses concerning their existing buildings, any new buildings, and their facades. Discussion-Councilman Blalock asked about the original date. City Manager Dove responded that the original plans were submitted at the end of May as a Print Shop; Columbia County Inspections did not pass these plans. The second set of plans was for a storage and supply building and they were brought in around August 28; these had been approved. Councilman Dixon stated that he does not feel we should go against the Resolution that had been passed. Councilman Blalock stated that we need to look at our procedures for doing permits. Councilman Thigpen made a motion to accept their request for a building permit to construct a building to be used for storage and supply only and if any changes are made to the building they are to be in accordance with the passed resolution; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried by a vote of 2-1; Councilman Thigpen and Councilman Blalock for and Councilman Dixon against.
October Regular Meeting Date Change-Councilman Blalock made a motion to change the date of the October 2003 Regular meeting to Tuesday, October 14 as Monday, October 13 is a holiday; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
Blue Bird Sanctuary Proclamation-Councilman Blalock read a Proclamation put forward by Ann Blalock of the Pioneer Garden Club stating that the City of Harlem would be designated as a Bluebird Sanctuary. Mrs. Blalock presented Mayor and Council with a sign for placement and a birdhouse to be place in the gardens behind City Hall. A motion was made by Councilman Dixon to accept the proclamation as read; 2nd by Councilman Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2111 September 8, 2003 Continued from page 2110
NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
Bluebird Sanctuary Proclamation (cont’d)- Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor. Mayor Dean expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Pioneer Garden Club.
City Hall Gardens-Councilman Blalock has received a proposal from David Frails in the amount of $1600.00 for the removal of everything but the larger stumps located behind City Hall. This area will be used in the long term as a memory garden. Any citizen can use; he has had a favorable response to the idea. The citizens would donate a plant and it would be labeled. Mr. Frails can have the job completed within the next three weeks. Councilman Dixon made a motion to accept the proposal and designate the funds from contingency; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor.
Transportation Enhancement Grant-Council will need to approve to proceed with the submission of applications for Streetscape and Historic Preservation use. It was recommended to apply for both in the hopes of receiving one. The Streetscape application would have to include numbers for matching. Councilman Thigpen made a motion for City Manager Dove to proceed with the submission of applications for both the Streetscape project and Historic Preservation project; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
Parking Lots-A motion was made by Councilman Thigpen to proceed with the paving of the downtown parking lot upon receipt of the 2nd bid and receipt of funding from the County; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
A motion was made by Councilman Dixon for Daniel Cason to proceed with getting a quote for the paving of the Library parking lot and proceeding with said paving upon release of funds from the County; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor.
Announcements- September 9-Oliver Hardy Comm. Mtg. 6:30 pm September 12-Ribbon Cutting Sassafras 10:00 am September 13-Car Wash @ Museum 9:00 am September 15-Regional Library Meeting 3:30 pm September 16-Ground Breaking New County Library 5:00 pm September 16-Berthmarks Tent Meeting 6:30 pm September 19-3rd Grade Walking Tour 9:30 am September 24-1st Things 1st Follow-up 11 am – 2 pm September 25-SPLOST Public Meeting 7 pm October 3-City Hall Closed for Festival Preparation October 4-Oliver Hardy Festival Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2112 September 8, 2003 Continued from page 2111
NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
Announcements (cont’d)-
October 9-Work Session 6:30 pm October 13-City Hall Closed-Columbus Day Holiday
Public Comment- Chief Raymond Fulcher asked for permission to investigate the possibilities of building a new station; possibly a community center. He is to work with the Fire Department Committee; SPLOST item.
Executive Session-Real Estate & Legal-Councilman Dixon made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session after a 5 minute recess; 2nd by Councilman Blalock. Motion carried; all in favor. The Regular Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.; Executive Session began at 7:45 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilman Blalock to adjourn from Executive Session; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor. Executive Session adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilman Thigpen for the Mayor to sign the Affidavit stating that there were no decisions and only those items listed were discussed; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
A motion was made by Councilman Blalock to allow City Manager Dove to negotiate a contract up to $57,000.00 on unstated property; 2nd by Councilman Thigpen. Motion carried; all in favor.
A motion was made by Councilman Blalock to amend the budget for the Fire Department to purchase a vehicle in the amount of $10,000.00 to come from Reserves; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
A motion was made by Councilman Thigpen to accept a position swap for the City Attorney’s position from Attorney David Dekle to Attorney Barry Fleming; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor.
Regular Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia Page 2113 September 8, 2003 Continued from page 2112
NEW BUSINESS (cont’d):
A motion was made by Councilman Thigpen to adjourn the meeting; 2nd by Councilman Dixon. Motion carried; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore City Clerk
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