Regular Council Meeting  

May 4, 2010 

7:00pm 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Harley at 7:00pm. 

Present were Mayor John R. Harley, Councilman Cameron Andrews, Councilman Randall Wright, Councilman Edward Tucker, and Councilman Robert Smith, Jr.  Also present City Administrator Patrick Eidson and City Attorney Rebecca Tydings.   

Invocation given by Councilman Tucker 

Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Wright 

Welcome extended to all by Mayor Harley and recognized Commissioner Jay Walker. 

Adoption of Minutes:  Blanket motion made by Councilman Smith to adopt minutes as written; seconded by Councilman Tucker.  Motion carried. 

·         April 1-2,  2010 Planning Retreat ( Lake Blackshear Resort) 

·         April 6, 2010 Pre Council Meeting 

·         April 6, 2010 Regular Council Meeting 

·         April 20, 2010 Council Work Session 

·         April 26, 2010 Special Council Meeting 

Old Business 

None 

New Business 

Ordinance amendment – Sections 204 &405 (Budget adoptions and amendments by resolution):  City Administrator Eidson strictly correction of an administrative error during the re-codification process.  The change would go back to the City’s normal practice of adopting the budget by resolution instead of ordinance.  Also, revisions to the budget would go back to being made by resolution. Motion to adopt ordinance as written by Councilman Wright; seconded by Councilman Smith.  Motion carried.  See Ordinance 2010-5. 

Energy Among Us v. City of Centerville – adoption of settlement agreement:  City Attorney Tydings provided copy of agreement.   Motion made to adopt agreement as written by Councilman Wright; seconded by Councilman Smith.  Motion carried.  Original signed agreement attached and made part of official minutes. 

Ordinance Amendment - Recission of City Ordinance 85-1 (Section 6-1, Centerville Code of Ordinances):  City Attorney Tydings provided copy of Ordinance to be rescinded. (Note for the record  - this action repeals Ordinance 1985-1 SEC 6-1 A & B).  This ordinance becomes effective immediately upon adoption.  Motion made by Councilman Wright to adopt Ordinance as written, rescinding Ordinance 1985-1; seconded by Councilman Tucker.  Motion carried.  See Ordinance 2010-6. 

Approval of Invoice for Title Work – Margie Drive Right of Way Acquisition – GLP Title and Abstract Company:  City Administrator Eidson seeking motion to approve payment of invoices$$1,176.75, for title work on the Margie Drive right of way parcels to be paid out of the General Fund Contingency Fund.  City Attorney Tydings requested City Accountant Williams to provide a 1099 to the vendor.  

Houston County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Resolution:  Motion made by Councilman Wright to adopt resolution as written; seconded by Councilman Tucker.  Motion carried.  See Resolution 2010-3. 

FY 2010 – 2011 Budget Sub-Committee Update: Councilman Tucker stated that the city is working on sources of revenue to cover the $536, 376.00 projected short fall.  The Council has a couple of options: (1) revisit the budget with Department heads to find additional ways of trimming budget (which will be done anyway on Thursday); or (2) The other proposal would be to raise water and sewer rates.  The proposal is to raise the rates by 10 percent.  The budget committee considers this a viable option because it applies to all who use city services, whether they own property or rent; residential or commercial.  This would bring in about half of the shortfall.  Councilman Tucker thanked the departments for their budget presentation and their hard work in preparation.  

Councilman Tucker stated that this is where he lives (in Centerville) and that everyone on council calls home.   The decisions are made for the betterment of the community/ citizens.   Councilman Tucker is asking for support during this process.   

Councilman Tucker recapped the meeting that Council had with the employees.  Reaffirmed that even though there will be no raises again this year, that no jobs will be cut.  Councilman Tucker said that he would resign his post before voting to lay off any employees - that he will not be a part of anything like that.  Cuts will not come from jobs/personnel. 

Councilman Cameron Andrews arrived at 7:19pm. 

2001 SPLOST Expenditures:  City Administrator Eidson recapped proposed purchases as explained during the Pre Council meeting:  stapler component for the city hall copier - $1200.00; and $1,113.00 for a lap top for the Municipal Court.  Expenditures would come from the 2001 SPLOST fund. These funds were earmarked for the city hall building equipment and can only be spent that way.   Motion made by Councilman Tucker to expend funds as explained from the 2001 SPLOST fund in the amount of $2313.00; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried. 

City Administrator stated that the remaining balance of 2001 SPLOST funds after these purchases will be $2389.00.   

Phase Two Sentry Oaks Sanitary Sewer Extension Contract Award:  City Administrator Eidson stated that the low bidder, Rockdale Pipe Line, was vetted by both the city’s engineer, who conducted reference checks and City Attorney Tydings who had financial feasibility checks done.  Rick Saunders (Saunders Engineering) is recommending Rockdale Pipeline for the Phase II Sentry Oaks Project.  Motion made by Councilman Andrews to award contract to Rockdale Pipe Line in the amount of $328,029.75; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried. 

Councilman Andrews asked if this project was bigger than Phase I.  Utilities Superintendent Brumfield stated that the projects were about the same size.   

Fire Truck Transfers to The Historical and Preservation Commission of Centerville, Georgia: Mayor Harley reported that the organization will be accepting transfer of ownership of the two fire trucks, as well as taking over maintenance, insurance and storage.  Motion made by Councilman Wright to transfer ownership of a 1945 and 1970 fire truck to the historical and preservation commission; seconded by Councilman Andrews.  Motion carried.  Agreement attached to and made a part of the official minutes.   

City Attorney Tydings will meet with Frank Wadsworth (currently out of town) to execute document for finalization of transfer. 

Discussion: FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application: City Administrator Eidson seeking authorization to submit application and authorization to expend 5% match component ($1,750.00) on a   $ 35,000 grant. The funds would be used to purchase fire hose, connectors and adapters.   

Motion made by Councilman Wright authorizing submittal of grant for technical assistance request to the Middle Regional Commission, apply for grant and for the City Administrator be designated as the signatory on grant application; seconded by Councilman Smith.   Motion carried.  

Work Ready Program Acknowledgement Form: Mayor Harley briefly recapped from prior meeting. No motion or action taken - point of information to Council. 

Discussion: Keep Centerville Beautiful Affiliate: Mayor Harley requesting more information and directed City Administrator Eidson to research cost of past due fees and provide Council the information.  Councilman Wright has requested that City Administrator contact Lynn Cobb (Keep America Beautiful) and meet with Council to discuss as a quorum (would require special called, duly advertised meeting) or meet with committee.  The dues are delinquent as of 2008 and recommendation to pay to make current. Motion made by Councilman Wright to pay dues to bring current; seconded by Councilman Andrews.  Motion carried. 

Comments from Council 

Councilman Andrews apologized for being late due to prior commitment (came in at 5:57 p.m.). 

Comments from Audience 

Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm. 

_____________________________ 

Mayor John R. Harley 

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Attest by:  City Clerk Krista Bedingfield 

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