Council Work Session 

March 16, 2010 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Harley at 5:30pm.  

Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Harley. 

Welcome extended to all by Mayor Harley. 

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

Old Business: 

Sentry Oaks Project Update/Expansion – Phase Two: City Administrator Eidson provided packet to include letter dated March 3, 2010 from project engineer Rick Saunders that Phase I is complete.  In addition, Utilities Superintendent Brumfield notified residents by letter dated March 5, 2010 notifying all residents that the sewer project is complete and available for connection; reduced tap on fee information included.  

A letter from Houston County Health Department to include requirements regarding the connection and proper abandonment of septic tanks, included with packet.  

Copy of letters attached and made part of official minutes. 

City Administrator Eidson stated that the packet included documentation from GEFA granting permission to expand project to Phase II.  Also included in the packet was a copy of the scope of Phase II of the project.   

Mr. Eidson and Utilities Superintended Brumfield will be working together to gather required information and prepare ad for acceptance of bids.   

New Business: 

Motion made by Councilman Wright to add the following item to the agenda:  Google Fiber for Communities Program; seconded by Councilman Tucker.  Motion carried. 

Google Fiber for Communities Program:  1Lt Nathan Waters-Google Fiber Project Lead provided a handout that defined the proposed program.  This request was brought to his attention by a group of concerned citizens who would like to look into this project.

Google is looking at a number of communities to pilot the fiber optic program.   1Lt Waters seeking participation to experiment and deploy the fiber optic program. 

City Attorney Tydings asked about Infrastructure.    Lt. Walker stated that there is a packet of information provided by Google, inquiring about the number of Utility poles, regulations about gaining access to infrastructure, and required permits if necessary. 

City Administrator Eidson questioned the total amount that Google would be funding for project?  The total estimate for the project is between $730 million and $1.6 billion.    

Lt Walker stated that Google’s top selection criteria was how quickly and inexpensively a community could make it possible for them to deploy this network.  He also stated that the Middle Georgia area really fits Google’s criteria:  geographic terrain, climate, infrastructure, IT professionals, Engineers.  Lt. Walker informed Governing Authority that the Robins Region fits everything that Google is seeking.  

Councilman Tucker questioned how the Google project will benefit Centerville and the surrounding area?  Lt Walker reported that Google will take all of the information and share with others in the industry to build network and breed innovation.    

Councilman Andrews asked what they need from the City.  Lt Walker stated, the City will be asked in the RFI to provide a contact to respond to any questions that Google has and respond to the questions within the RFI.   The point of contact would be appointed to work with all organizations of the project team as a coordinated effort to put together a regional package to include each contact.   

Councilman Tucker asked who secures Google.  Lt Walker stated Google secures their own network.   

City Administrator Eidson stated that he would volunteer to serve as the representative/contact on the project for the City of Centerville. 

Copy of handout attached and made part of official minutes.   

BTI Cleaning Service: 104 Eldorado Avenue, (owner: Ivy Strawder): Councilman Wright made motion to approve home based business license; seconded by Councilman Andrews.  Motion carried. 

Master Gardner’s Presentation: Centerville Butterfly Gardens: City Administrator Eidson recognized Ms. Jeanne Bauer.   Ms. Bauer introduced Teddy Berry and Janice Williams whom gave brief presentation. PowerPoint presentation attached and made part of official minutes.

Authorization to Submit Flint Energies Foundation, Inc. Grant: City Administrator Eidson stated that he is seeking authorization from Mayor and Council to authorization to submit a grant application to Flint seeking funding for gardens on property on east side of city hall.   Broad discussion among City Administrator Eidson, Jeanne Bauer (consultant), Mayor and Council about the grant details and the amount to request for funds.

Motion made by Councilman Andrews to authorize City Administrator Eidson to sign and submit application grant package requesting $10,000 on the behalf of the City of Centerville; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried. 

Draft Centerville Safety Manual: City Administrator Eidson provided draft Centerville safety manual document to the Mayor and Council to review and provide feedback.   City Attorney Tydings had reviewed document prior to submitting draft to Mayor and Council; risk management tool suggested by GIRMA.  In addition, copies were provided to all Department Heads for review/feedback to verify procedures and implementation.  No motion or action taken will revisit at the April 20, 2010 Council Work Session. 

April 1 & 2 Planning Retreat Agenda Items: City Administrator Eidson provided draft agenda to Governing Authority for upcoming planning retreat; put together by UGA Carl Vinson Institute Facilitator Walt McBride. 

Motion made by Councilman Andrews to approve agenda as written; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried.  Copy of agenda attached and made part of official minutes. 

Council Appointment of Budget Sub-Committee: City Administrator Eidson provided copy of FY2011 Budget preparation calendar to Mayor and Council; seeking (2) Council members to serve on sub-committee.   Budget prep calendars distributed to all Department Heads.  Motion made by Councilman Wright nominating Councilman Tucker and Councilman Smith to serve on the FY2011 Budget sub-committee; seconded by Councilman Andrews.   Motion carried.

Funds Transfer to Centerville Senior Citizens Group: Councilman Andrews reported that the City has received a letter requesting the transfer of funds to the Senior Citizens group.  The letter included proper documentation of 501(3) c –recognizing Senior Citizens group as a non-profit organization.  The Senior Citizens group is requesting all funds be transferred from both Senior Building Fund Checking Account ($45,399.93) and Senior Operating Fund Checking Account ($2,480.75). (City Accountant Williams stated amount can change due to interest bearing account).

Motion made by Councilman Andrews to transfer funds from the Building Fund Checking Account ($45,399.93) and Senior Operating Fund Checking Account ($2,480.75) estimated total of transfer $47,880.68; seconded by Councilman Wright.   Motion carried. 

Accounts will be closed once all transactions/checks have cleared accordingly.   

Right of Way Easement Agreement Flint Energies (Dunbar / Fire Dept. Training Grounds):  Utilities Superintendent Brumfield stated that this is a basically a generic easement agreement to run electrical power to the Dunbar Fire Department training grounds. Seeking authorization to sign right of way easement agreement.

Motion made by Councilman Smith designating Mayor Harley as signatory on the right of way easement agreement; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried. 

Eagle Springs Homeowner Association Request for Crosswalks:  Utilities Superintendent Brumfield stated that he has visited all requested sites for potential crosswalks and agrees with request.  The cost of materials would be $150.00 each; total of five crosswalks.  See proposed list:

Corner of Eagle Parkway and Eagle Springs Drive, Grove Pointe Gate, Autumn Trace Entrance, and Waterland Way / Eagle Springs Drive Intersection. 

Motion made by Councilman Andrews to add (5) crosswalks as listed above; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried.  See list attached and made part of official minutes. 

Executive Session (Discussion Possible Land Acquisition/ Personnel):  Councilman Tucker made motion to enter into executive session at 7:06pm; seconded by Councilman Wright.  Motion carried.   

City Administrator Eidson and City Attorney dismissed at 7:40pm.   

Executive session adjourned at 8:40pm; Mayor and Council did not reconvene.    

__________________________ 

Mayor John R. Harley 

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Attest by:  City Clerk Krista Bedingfield 

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