City Council

City of Bowdon Mayor and Council Meeting/Public Hearing Monday, May 13, 2024 7:00PM Mayor and Council Chambers, 182 Grammar School Road I.- VI. Agenda Items: The Mayor and City Council met for a regular meeting and Public Hearing on Monday, May 13th, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Randy Saxon at 7:00PM. The invocation was led by Councilmember Jan Johnson and was followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present: Mayor Randy Saxon Councilmember Jan Johnson Councilmember Wes McEntyre Councilmember Bobby Elliott Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson Staff present: Police Chief Mark Brock City Clerk Susan Pierce Interim City Manager Jim Triplett The minutes from April 8, 2024 meeting were approved with no objections. The agenda was approved with no objections. At this time, Gymnastics Coordinator Candis Bramble and Recreation Director Allan Fordham introduced the Bowdon GymStars, our Gymnastics team. They were recognized for their many accomplishments at the local, regional, state, and national levels. VII. Public Comments 1. Thomas Prather – 1401 Hillcrest Rd. – expressed his displeasure with Recreation Director Allan Fordham. 2. Jodi Labruzzo – 619 W. College St. – expressed her displeasure with Recreation Director Allan Fordham. VIII. Public Hearing 1. Conditional Use – 616 E. College Street – Arthur Cabinets, Ricky Arthur A. Public Comment: a. Matthew Eason – expressed concern about future use and asked if there could be a time limit or review period for the conditional use. b. Andrew Stewart, Planning Commission Chairman, gave the council an overview of the Planning Commission’s decision for the conditional use for this location. B. Motion: Motion by Councilmember Elliott to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation to grant a conditional use for 616 E. College Street, with the conditions being no outside storage in front of the buildings, a schedule to revisit the conditional use in 12 months, and any change in ownership results in the conditional use being discontinued; second by Councilmember Jan Johnson; motion carried unanimously. 2. Conditional Use – 85 Kids Peace Drive – Southeastern Supply, Wayne Bowen A. Public Comment:  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 a. Andrew Stewart, Planning Commission Chairman, gave the council an overview of the Planning Commission’s decision for the conditional use for this location. b. Wayne Bowen explained the type of building and type of fabrication that would take place at the location. B. Motion: Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation to grant a conditional use for 85 Kids Peace Drive as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. VIII. Business Session A. Liability Insurance Renewal – Mr. Triplett informed council that our liability insurance renewed on May 1 with an 8% increase in premium. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the liability insurance renewal as presented; second by Mayor Pro- tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. B. Charter/Ordinance Update Proposal – CVIOG (Carl Vinson Institute of Government) – Councilmember Jan Johnson remarked that it may be wise to start with just the Charter update to see how the process goes, then if we are pleased with the progress, go on to updating the ordinances. Ms. Pierce reported that for the Charter update, the quote is $17,899, and for the codes update, the quote is $26,428. These can be paid in increments as work is completed. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve updating the Charter by the CVIOG at $17,899 as presented; second by Councilmember Elliott; motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to table the ordinance update until the Charter update is evaluated; second by Councilmember Jan Johnson; motion carried unanimously. C. Industrial Development Authority Appointments – Mayor Saxon reported that the following persons had consented to serve on the Industrial Development Authority: Susan Prescott, Terrence Cooley, Roy Fuller and Gerald Wysoczynski. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the appointment of Susan Prescott, Terrence Cooley, Roy Fuller, and Gerald Wysoczynski to the Industrial Development Authority as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. D. Comprehensive Plan Review Committee Appointments – It is time to review the Comprehensive Plan for 2024-2044. The following people have been contacted and have consented to serve on the review committee: Daniel Holz, Paula Tant, Allison Key, Eddie Henley, Justin Richards, Phil Coley, Terrence Cooley, Jan Johnson, and Jan Gibbs. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to approve the appointment of Daniel Holz, Paula Tant, Allison Key, Eddie Henley, Justin Richards, Phil Coley, Terrence Cooley, Jan Johnson, and Jan Gibbs to the 2024-2044 City of Bowdon Comprehensive Plan Review Committee as presented; second by Mayor Pro-tem Marty Johnson; motion carried unanimously. E. Special Alcohol License – Key Farms/Strawberry Patch – application not received; no action taken F. Mayor’s Reports – Mayor Saxon heard today from Zac Bell Architects, contractor for the Gymnastics Center; drawings will be released Thursday May 23, bid opening Tuesday June 25, present bids at council work session Tuesday July 2, council vote to award bid Monday July 8, and proposed construction commencement date Monday July 15. Also, Flock Camera company is working on securing permits from D.O.T. to get the installation started. G. City Manager Reports – Mr. Triplett reported that taxes were coming in at a good rate. Rick Hartley, city accountant, has provided a schedule for audit work. Unpaid property tax is at $67,359.  City of Bowdon Mayor & Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 IX. Financial Session A. Property Tax Unpaid Balance Summary – no questions. B. April Financial Reports – no questions. C. Cash Balances as of 05/07/2024 – no questions. Motion by Councilmember McEntyre to adjourn the meeting; second by Councilmember Elliott; motion carried unanimously. X. Adjournment _________________________ ________________________ Mayor Randy Saxon City Clerk Susan Pierce