Pre Council Meeting
May 5, 2009

Meeting called to order by Mayor Edwards at 6:00pm.

Present were Mayor Harold M. Edwards, Jr., 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.

Discussion: Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition Grant:  Mayor Edwards reported Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition is holding a special called meeting, May 6, 2009 at 9:00am (City of Macon- Mayor Reichert’s office).  They (MGCAC) have been awarded a 4 million dollar grant to improve air quality by addressing mobile source pollution.  This is a Title 23 fund grant which requires a 20% local match.  All the money has to be spent up front using local funds with application for 80% reimbursement.   Mayor Edwards briefly talked about replacing diesel switch engines for school buses, traffic mitigation, and replacing railroad switch engines with a the new GENSET technology.  The GENSET technology would provide the greatest positive impact on local air quality.  

Mayor Edwards also spoke about another discussion, led by Jimmy Johnson (Georgia EPD), at the April 9 MGCAC meeting.  Mr. Johnson reported that our current air quality, plus the new attainment standards, has resulted in an EPD recommendation that all of Bibb County and a portion of Southern Monroe County be placed on non-attainment status.  In addition, Mr. Johnson reported that Houston County initially qualified for non-attainment status, but was ultimately able to avoid that designation due to local mitigation efforts.  Mr. Johnson reported that the remaining counties in our coalition, while they did not initially qualify for non-attainment status, may end up being included in that designation by the EPA because of the regional implications of the Bibb and Monroe designations.  Efforts between now and 2013 will determine whether non-attainment restrictions will be imposed on some or our entire region.

Mayor Edwards stated that he is looking for Council support and direction as he represents the City when he attends tomorrow’s MGCAC meeting with the intention of supporting Macon Mayor Reichert’s effort and recommendations on how to spend the grant funds.

Councilman Andrews asked if the EPD takes into consideration that the City is proactive re: air quality issues.  Mayor Edwards stated no, EPD grades the city in an area that may not meet the standard.  The questions and analysis revolve around the health effects and impacts resulting from the ozone and particulates in the atmosphere.

City Administrator Eidson added that during his employment with the MGRDC, similar questions (to Councilman Andrews’) were raised pertaining to air quality.  The Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition was created to address issues on air quality and show that Middle Georgia was sensitive to the ramifications related to BRAC in full support of Robins Air Force Base.  

In closing, Mayor Edwards reiterated his desire for support and direction from this Council in the form of an authorization to act on the behalf of the city in voting to fund the GENSET project at MGCAC meeting tomorrow.  All indicated their positive support.

Discussion: Houston County Detention Facility Inmate Fee Increase:  Mayor Edwards reported to Council as a point of information, that he had included a letter from Commission Chairman Ned Sanders indicating that the City’s per day inmate housing cost was going to increase $5.00 per inmate per day for a new total cost of $59.00 per inmate per day.  

City Administrator Eidson reported that the city has 1,363 inmate days for March.  City Attorney Tydings stated that the maximum imprisonment penalty that may be imposed by the Municipal Court Judge is 6 months.  

City Administrator Eidson stated that the new fees will take effect in the new budget year (FY2010) and that increased expenditure has been included in the new budget.

Fire Department Engine I Update:  City Administrator Eidson stated that Engine I has been repaired; total cost $1,490.27(Alternator & Belt).  Mr. Eidson will provide a written notification concerning the repair and all final cost to Council by the end of the week.  

Mayor requested City Administrator Eidson gather information pertaining to the down time of Engine 1, cost of repairs, and verify warranty and consider purchasing extended warranty.   City Administrator Eidson will provide update to the Mayor and Council at the Council Work Session May 19, 2009.  

Thomson Road Utility Line Relocation:  City Administrator Eidson stated that he had received a letter from Houston County Commissioners (Chairman) Ned Sanders; copy provided to Mayor and Council.   The letter stated that the Thomson Road SPLOST widening project is underway.  The letter informed Mayor and Council of a pending issue regarding the city’s 6” water main along the project route.  The County recommends alleviating future drainage problems by relocating the utility lines throughout the length of the project.  An estimated cost for relocation and upgrading the water main to an 8” line of $168,113.00 was included with Chairman Sanders’ letter.  The cost for relocation would be Centerville’s responsibility.  If the line stays in the current location, “spot” relocations would still be necessary so as not to impede the widening improvements.  Additionally, Utilities Superintendent Brumfield pointed out that the changes would make the utility line take on a twisting, turning direction going under the road, back and forth, instead of forming a straight line in the City’s right of way.  Future repair work on the twisting line would require tearing up and repairing the road, whereas, relocation and upgrade would allow repairs to take place in the City’s right of way are in agreement with Counties recommendation.   Utilities Superintendent Brumfield informed Governing Authority that the County will provide all engineering; city would be responsible party for payment.  This is basically considered a change order to the existing contract, moving the utility line.  

Mayor Edwards asked where would the funding come from, to pay for project.   City Administrator Eidson stated that currently he is reviewing alternatives: SPLOST 2006 (Bridges and Utilities) and Enterprise Fund and anticipates making a recommendation of a combination of funds from both sources to pay for the relocation.

Crime Stoppers Donation:  City Administrator Patrick Eidson reported that he had researched the regulations pertaining to the Confiscated Funds account and donations and found that this would be an acceptable use of those funds.  Chief Cooper plans to donate $1000.00 from the confiscated funds account to Crime Stoppers. No motion or action taken.

City Administrator Eidson reminded Mayor and Council of the upcoming event “National Day of Prayer”, Thursday May 7, 2009 at 12:00pm, 300 E Church Street (City of Centerville); in case of rain, event will be held at Centerville First Baptist Church gymnasium. 

City Administrator Eidson also stated, as a point of information, that surplus City property sold on the Govdeals.com website brought in a total of $8,818.25 and provided a list of items sold and their final sale price.  The revenue from these sales was deposited as follows: $3,602.00(General Fund) $3,090.00 (Confiscated Fund) $2,126.25 (Water & Sewer/Enterprise Fund).

Meeting adjourned by Mayor Edwards at 6:35pm.