City Council

City of Bowdon Mayor and Council Meeting and Public Hearing Monday, March 13, 2023 7:00PM Mayor and Council Chambers, 182 Grammar School Road I.-IV. Agenda Items: The Mayor and City Council met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 13th, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Chaffin at 7:00PM. Roll call was conducted by City Clerk Susan Pierce. Members present: Mayor Jim Chaffin Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson Councilmember Wes McEntyre Councilmember Randy Saxon Councilmember Marty Johnson Staff present: City Manager Gary Bullock City Clerk Susan Pierce Police Chief Mark Brock Main Street Director Jan Gibbs The Invocation was led by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson and was followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. V. Approval of Meeting Agenda Agenda was approved with no objections. VI. Approval of Minutes Minutes of Mayor & Council Meeting on February 13th, 2023 were presented for approval. Minutes of February 13th, 2023 were approved with no objections. Mayor Chaffin asked for Public Comments. Jonathan Lancaster spoke concerning his variance request for 311 Tarpley Street. He handed out copies of his plat to mayor and council. Mr. Bullock noted that the Zoning Appeals Board had reviewed the request and had recommended approval by council. Public Hearing: A. Alcohol application from O’Berry’s Pies & Pints – new location 139 City Hall Avenue Nick and Olivia O’Berry were present to answer questions. B. Variance request for 311 Tarpley Street Jonathan Lancaster already made comments for his request.  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 VII. Public Comments None. VIII. Business Session A. Mayor Chaffin asked for a motion on the alcohol application for O’Berry’s Pies & Pints at their new location, 139 City Hall Avenue. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the alcohol application for O’Berry’s Pies & Pints at their new location, 139 City Hall Avenue, as presented; second by Councilmember Saxon; motion carried unanimously. B. Mayor Chaffin asked for a motion on the variance request from Jonathan Lancaster for 311 Tarpley Street. Motion by Councilmember Saxon to approve the variance request from Jonathan Lancaster for 311 Tarpley Street as presented; second by Councilmember McEntyre; motion carried unanimously. C. DDA Appointment – Olivia O’Berry Members of the Downtown Development Authority recommended appointing Olivia O’Berry to serve on the DDA, filling the spot left open by Cindy Moss, whose term expired December 31, 2022. This will be a 4-year term, ending December 31, 2026. Motion by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson to approve the appointment of Olivia O’Berry to the DDA as presented; second by Councilmember McEntyre; motion carried unanimously. D. Residential Sanitary Collection Service – Mr. Bullock asked for approval for the new rate for our residential sanitary collection service. The new rate will be $26.50 per cart, per month, which is a $10.50 increase from the current rate of $16.00 per cart, per month; however, the revenue for the city will be less than with the current service provider. The cost to the city will be $24.00 per cart, per month. Motion by Councilmember Saxon to approve the new rate for our residential sanitary collection service as presented; second by Councilmember Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. E. Grass Cutting Contract – Mr. Bullock asked Council to consider temporary use of the proposed grass cutting service with WRY Lawncare out of Roopville, which was discussed at the last work session, rather than going ahead with a contract. He proposed using them for a month, then voting on a contract at a later date if we were satisfied with their service.  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to table voting on a contract with WRY Lawncare, and instead vote to use the grass cutting service temporarily for a month as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson; motion carried unanimously. F. City Manager Reports – Public Works has been busy with new water connections and sewer taps. We are still considering options for the parking concerns downtown. The financials are in good shape. Recreation Department participation has increased – Mr. Bullock handed out a graph showing participation over the last 3 years. Gymnastics participation has increased to the point that we have a waiting list for availability. The Recreation Department has also just started a new line dancing class. The tree removal is almost complete at the gymnastics building, which will help to alleviate the water drainage situation. The 14-U basketball team finished 2nd in the State. The library renovations are under way. The meeting room has been painted and the crepe myrtles have been removed. New landscaping will begin soon. Mayor Pro-tem Jan Johnson complemented the success of Bowdon in Bloom over the weekend. G. Department Reports – No questions. XI. Financial Session A. Property Tax Unpaid Balance Summary – no questions B. February Financial Reports –no questions C. Cash balances as of 03/03/2023 – no questions Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to adjourn the council meeting; second by Councilmember Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. X. Adjournment _________________________ ________________________ Mayor Jim Chaffin City Clerk Susan Pierce