Present: Fred Farley Jody Price Absent

TOWN OF ATLANTA

Town Council Meeting

105 E. Main Street

July 25, 2017

7:00 p.m.

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Present: Fred Farley Jody Price Absent:

John Phifer Pam Van Hook

Toby Benge

Others Present: Andy Emmert, Utilities and Street Superintendent, Building Commissioner

Murry Dixon, Code Enforcement Officer

Robyn Cook, Clerk-Treasurer

Deputy Doug Sanford, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department

Minutes: July 11, 2017: regular meeting, approved

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REPORTS

Water, Wastewater, & Streets: Andy Emmert

Attached

In addition, the council unanimously approved the purchase of red algae treatment for the sewer lagoons in the amount of $2500.00-$3000.00. Mr. Benge made the motion and Mrs. Price seconded.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

Regarding Street Sign Replacement: The Council unanimously voted to start replacing street signs a little at a time. Mr. Phifer made the motion and Mr. Benge seconded.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

Gate for Ball Diamonds. The Council unanimously approved this for approximately $2000.00. Mrs. Price made the motion and Mr. Benge seconded.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

House Demolition 315 S. Railroad. The Council unanimously accepted Steve Hartley’s bid to proceed with this before the Atlanta New Earth Festival. Mr. Phifer made the motion and Mrs. Price seconded.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

Building Commissioner: Andy Emmert

Attached

Code Enforcement: Murry Dixon

No written report.

Mr. Dixon reported that he has done one inspection for a chicken permit.

He also informed the Council that there is a resident on South Broadway who would like to plant 5 trees in the Town right of way. He stated they are some kind of a pear tree. The council unanimously voted NO to allowing this. Mrs. Van Hook made the motion and Mr. Phifer seconded.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

OLD BUSINESS

Benches for Caps. The Clerk asked the status of this as Mr. Nelson has been inquiring about this. Mr. Emmert will get the price per bench for the public to have the opportunity to sponsor a bench.

He will then make the trip to get them.

Festival Merchandise. Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Farley reported that there are two vendors wanting to sell stun guns. The rules do not address this. As the rules do prohibit guns and knives, the Council advised no stun guns as well.

Orange Youth Baseball Contract. Mr. Phifer motioned to table this until the meeting on August 22, 2017. Mr. Benge seconded and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

Fire Territory. Mr. Benge expressed frustration regarding this situation. He said that he was reviewing past meeting notes and that at one time the council voted to proceed with litigation. He stated that after that, Mr. Culp got involved and this fell by the way side. He stated that as it was voted on, the Town should proceed. The clerk explained that after many meetings and discussions with Town Attorney Manny Herceg that this would be extremely costly with very little hope of recouping. Mr. Benge was frustrated that these conversations with Mr. Herceg have not taken place with the entire council. The clerk stated that she would ask Mr. Herceg to attend the last meeting in August as Mr. Benge will not be present at the first August meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Hamilton County Animal Control Officer Doug Sanford attended the meeting in an effort to come to some sort of ‘hybrid’ agreement for animal control in the Town. Due to current local ordinances, HCSD technically has no animal control jurisdiction in Town limits other than certain State statutes.

After a lengthy discussion, he stated that the ideal situation would be for the Town to repeal the local ordinances which prevent the County’s authority in Town limits.

As a starting point, the Council will give Deputy Sanford access to the kennels at the water plant to hold animals found in town limits. This will prevent the County from having to pay the Humane Society to take these animals. Meanwhile, he asked that the Council continue to work towards some sort of agreement which will ‘untie’ the County’s hands and benefit all parties involved.

Leak Adjustment. The council approved the adjustment for Lee France, once Mr. Emmert verifies that it is repaired. Mr. Phifer made the motion. Mrs. Van Hook seconded and the motion carried with a unanimous vote.

AYE: Mr. Farley, Mr. Benge, Mr. Phifer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Van Hook

With no further business to discuss the claims were signed and the meeting adjourned.

______

Fred Farley, Council President

ATTEST: ______

Robyn Cook, IAMC, CMC

Clerk-Treasurer

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