Monticello City Council s5

MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 10TH, 2006

7:20 PM PUBLIC HEARING – SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR MUNITIONS ASSEMBLY PLANT AT 239 INDUSTRIAL PARK DRIVE

Mayor Holmes called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Glenn Newsome, Bryan Standifer and Scott Sauls. Also present were City Manager, Hugh King and City Clerk, Belinda Whirley.

Guests present were: Rusty Bullard, George Eckerle, David Dyer, Gene Mathis, Rev. William Gibson, Tina Litz, Lottie Norris, Bertha Montford, Bobby Jacobs, Charles Forsythe, Rachel Torrence, Scott Kelly, and Tracy Trovillo.

Economic Development Chairman, Rusty Bullard appeared before Council to explain that the plans are to locate Polywad Munitions Assembly Plant in the Monticello Industrial Park. The plant will manufacture shells for the Department of Defense.

David Dyer appeared before Council to give a presentation displaying the type shell casings that the plant will produce.

Mr. Charles Forsythe appeared before Council to oppose of the plant. He advocated for increased public awareness of the proposal. His concern was about the possibility of an explosion within the plant and asked Council to postpone action on zoning application until further information to the public was provided.

Councilor Newsome was not opposed to the project but declared that we want to proceed with caution until state regulations regarding placing such a facility near a school have been reviewed. Griffin Tech will be within close proximity to the new plant.

7:25 PM PUBLIC HEARING – ZONING AMENDMENT FOR 951 COLLEGE ST. FROM OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL TO COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL, TO ALLOW RETAIL PLANT AND SHRUBBERY SALES.

No opposition.

7:30 PM REGULAR MEETING

Mayor Holmes called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Glenn Newsome, Bryan Standifer, and Scott Sauls. Also present were City Manager, Hugh King and City Clerk, Belinda Whirley. Guests present were: Rusty Bullard, George Eckerle, David Dyer, Gene Mathis, Rev. William Gibson, Tina Litz, Lottie Norris, Bertha Montford, Bobby Jacobs, Charles Forsythe, Rachel Torrence, Scott Kelly, and Tracy Trovillo.

INVOCATION

Rev. William Gibson gave the invocation.

AGENDA APPROVAL

Mayor Holmes requested that item twelve be changed to item eleven and item eleven be changed to item twelve in sequence. Councilor Standifer made a motion, seconded by Councilor Sauls to approve the agenda with these changes. All were in favor.

MINUTES

Councilor Newsome made a motion, seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve the minutes of regular meeting September 12th, 2006. All were in favor.

PAYABLES

Councilor Standifer made a motion, seconded by Councilor Sauls to approve the payables as presented. All were in favor.

FINANCIAL REPORT

None.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

City Manager, Hugh King reported on the Balloon and Jazz Festival held on the square last Friday. The second annual event was a major success with approximately 200 people in attendance.

Mr. King informed Council that the 2007 LARP List has been submitted. The City Manager with the assistance of Public Works Director, Monte Roper developed the list of streets based on their condition and the number of residents served.

King presented submission of an inquiry to The Department of Natural Resources regarding funds for tennis courts in the next phase of Funderburg Park. The response from D& R is positive.

Updates on other grants included the USDA Grant for police cars. The completed application package was sent on August 10th from the USDA Macon office for processing. Patricia Simmons of USDA will be attending the November 14th , Council meeting to present the grant agreement and assurances.

Mr. King reported that he and several other City Department Heads have completed three courses related to the homeland security training requirements. Also reported was the reply from The Department of Justice on September 21st in response to our earlier request to have the Mayor Pro-Tem election polling moved to the Jasper County Courthouse. The cost estimate for having this added to the regular ballot and processing the returns is approximately $200.00.

In other business, Council was informed that Georgia Municipal Association indicated that there will be no increases for the City’s life and health insurance costs for 2007.

Due to significant internal problems at Permatherm an energy audit was conducted by Doug Moore, Energy Services Program Manager of MEAG. An energy audit is also being done for one of the restaurants on the square. As a reminder, John Lansing of MEAG will be doing a Cost of Service Study for Monticello as soon as the 2005 and 2006 audits are completed.

In response to the report that was provided at the September meeting on the 439 Hillsboro zoning compliance issue; they were given 30 days to abate or appeal to the Zoning Appeals Board. At this point, there is no equipment on the site. We will continue to monitor the site for any non compliance issues.

In addition, an update was given on the City’s monthly fixed costs.

OLD BUSINESS

UPDATE ON WATER RESTRICTIONS

Due to insufficient rainfall our reservoir has dropped seven feet. Therefore, it is recommended all outside irrigation be banned for the rest of this year. Councilor Newsome made a motion seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve the ban of outside irrigation for the remainder of this calendar year. All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS

DISCUSSION OF MEAG

MEAG Representative, Stuart Jones gave a presentation on his plans to review Generation Resource Planning. In addition, he informed Council of a proposed amendment to the Municipal Competitive Trust as well as a proposed nuclear power plant.

ZONING AMENDMENT FOR 951 COLLEGE ST., FROM OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL TO COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL, FOR RETAIL SALES OF PLANTS, SHRUBS, AND TREES

Councilor Sauls made a motion seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve zoning amendment for 951 College St. from office/industrial to community commercial for retail sales of plants, shrubs, and trees. All were in favor.

SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR MUNITIONS ASSEMBLY PLANT AT 239 INDUSTRIAL PARK DRIVE IN M-2 (HEAVY MANUFACTURING DISTRICT)

No action taken at this time. A public hearing was set for Monday, October 30th at 7:20 for further discussion. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT POLICIES FOR FINANCE, TRAVEL, AND FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Council was provided copies of draft policies for finance, travel, and the Family Medical Leave Act. This subject was tabled until a later date for further review.

APPROVAL OF 2006 JASPER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE

Councilor Sauls made a motion seconded by Councilor Standifer to approve of the Jasper County High School Homecoming Parade. All were in favor.

DISCUSSION OF 2005 AUDIT

City Auditor, Mark Hardison will meet with the City Manager, City Clerk, City Financial Consultant, and City Finance Committee on Wednesday, October 18th to discuss the draft of the 2005 Audit.

CITIZENS INPUT

Mrs. Tina Litz appeared before Council to ask that improvements be made to Westview Park. Council directed City Manager, Hugh King to develop a plan for improvements of the park, making safety a first priority.

Mrs. Lottie Norris appeared before Council to express her concern about the munitions plant in the industrial park but her first concern was over her utility billing. She indicated an increase in the bill over the past few months. Council suggested that energy audit be performed to determine what the problem is.

Rev. William Gibson appeared before Council to voice disappointment with city for disconnecting service of a 90 year old citizen on a fixed income.

Mrs. Bertha Montford appeared before Council to inform Council that her utility bills are continuing to be too high. In addition, she implied that the city needs to create jobs instead of doing beautification projects in the City.

In other business, Mr. Bobby Jacobs commended Council for the performance of their job as elected officials.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilor Standifer commended Sage Edwards and Nancy Arnold-Wood for the success of the Balloon and Jazz Festival.

Councilor Sauls commented on the upcoming Deer Run Festival.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm on a motion made by Councilor Sauls and seconded by Councilor Standifer. All were in favor.