City Council

CITY OF EUHARLEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA MARCH 16, 2021 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Planning and Zoning Public Hearing Update Steve Gray 2. Osborne Delegation Update James Stephens  CITY OF EUHARLEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 16, 2021 Mayor Steve Worthington called the meeting to order. A prayer was led by Mayor Worthington and followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. The following were present Mayor Steve Worthington, Council Members Tim Abbott, David Duncan, Greg Free, Joe Turner and City Manager James Stephens. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Planning and Zoning Public Hearing Update – Steve Gray Steve Gray, P &Z Commission Member stated they had a very good meeting at the last planning and zoning meeting and the public hearing. Several people came with concerns and asked good questions. The atmosphere after answering the questions was incredibly positive and why have they had not started yet. After the meeting he had the pleasure of meeting members from Troop 54 and currently present. They helped him design and approved the two group sites on the map the council received through email. He stated the maps were accurate in distance. They also approved the watercraft extraction. It will be 140 feet up creek from the intersection of the river. He stated that he and Seth Gobbi, public works staff member, walked the property line and the property line is flagged for the mulching when the weather is proper for him to come in with equipment. The campground has been flagged and the park. He opened the floor for questions. Council Member Turner asked if he said the extraction point for the kayaks had been approved and by whom. Mr. Gray said no one approved it, the watercraft extraction point is 140 up the creek from the river. On the map you will see it moved the location from the original location. He spoke with Euharlee Creek Outfitter’s that said it was not acceptable. They explained the reason, it was impossible to go up the creek 200-feet because of the velocity of the water and not acceptable. Council Member Turner asked who approved it and if he had talked to the Core of Engineers. Mr. Gray said yes, and they approved it. If, he digs it by hand and put the post in. He said he spoke with them a month ago. As long as, they go over 200-feet, they do not have to get a settlement permit. With the approval of the primitive camping, which is parallel to the river, and if, it is less than 1-acre from the river and, mulching does not count as soil disturbance, they are good. Those are the EPD rules. He has a name and phone number if the council would like to call. Council Member Turner asked if they gave him a permit number. Mr. Gray said the city of Euharlee is the issuing agent. Council Member Duncan asked if the green spots on the map primitive camping. Mr. Gray said they were the group primitive sites. He added that the long green one next to the river was primitive camping. He explained the map in detail to the council. Council Member Greg Free stated that Mr. Gray did a great job at the public hearing. He asked if they would have a professional engineering company come in and plat the property out as he has done to make sure they are maximizing the use of space. Mr. Stephens said he had a quote coming from a company called Integrated Science Services which is an entity he has used to help with the storm water program. The quote will come from the civil engineering department and he will email council once received. He had no idea what the number would come in at but obtaining the cost for that detailed information. Mr. Stephens said to Council Member Turner, they confirmed what Mr. Gray heard from the people about the boat extract, based on the way it is contrasted the city is not required to have a permit from the core of engineers. Mr. Gray said he had given an invitation to the gentleman from the EPD, once Phase 2 has started, to make sure he had given the council the correct information. Mayor Steve Worthington and Council Member Abbott both commended Mr. Gray on a job well done. Osborne Delegation Update – Greg Free Council Member Greg Free stated that he and Mr. Stephens met with the Bartow County School Board for about an hour, and it was a good meeting. Council Member Free shared the following Information that was discussed. • The future plans for the school system; and a continued partnership with the city. • To prioritize for the children and what is best for them. • Scenarios to use Joe Cowan Park, why Osborne Park and what prohibits from using Joe Cowan Park. • After school events and transportation challenges. • Not hosting home games due to the number of courts. • The great points about Joe Cowan Park and the park conducive to what the school needs. • Shared information about property ownership. • Briefly discussed what Euharlee’s plans look like and no plans had been made. • Campground discussion and to be the first informed about any decisions made. • Osborne Park gathering spot for students and for school emergencies. • No decisions set in stone just preliminary discussions. Council Member Free stated they left the meeting with 3 scenarios they would look into; using what they have and reinvesting some of the monies to get things up to par, the basketball courts and tennis courts, and using everything at Joe Cowan park. The information was gathered to take back to Dr. Page. They will meet again on March 31, 2021 at 2:00 pm as a follow-up meeting. They hope to have input from Dr. Page and the rest of the minds involved before the next council meeting on April 6th. Mr. Stephens stated that Mr. Satterfield from the central office explained how the school systems are paying out of a budgetary item and potentially for them to find money to pay for some of the upgrades. He made it clear to them it was not the reason they set the meeting to ask for that but may not be totally beyond the realm of possibility and they will know more when they meet again. Mr. Stephens said he would also have some pricing on the galvanized fence. The initial prices submitted to council included the black coated fence like at Joe Cowan and the school system said there was not any compliance with the accreditation sports program. He should have a figure less than the $178,000 initially submitted by Mr. Varvel. It was a positive meeting. Council Member David Duncan mentioned a letter the council received from Mrs. Smith about the fence that does not need replaced. Mr. Stephens said the communication was very well. She read an article in the newspaper and she walks in the park. He said the fence needs repair more than she realize, but it was a constructive letter, and it would be appropriate for the council to draft a united response. Mayor Steve Worthington shared when the park was built back in the 1970’s the back field was built on the property that now belongs to the school board. It was a handshake deal and they probably do not even know about it. A handshake deal for the kids to use it. Michael Howren sold the property to the school board, but no one never paid it any attention. The school uses the property and part of the property belongs to the school anyway; the back stop on the small field belongs to the school. Council Member Greg Free asked about how much and if less than ¼ of an acre. Mayor Worthington said the trail runs through the property as well. Council Member Greg Free stated the sewer was briefly discussed and they understood the process. They left the meeting stating, there would continue to be a strong relationship between the city and the schools. Council Member Joe Turner motioned to adjourn the meeting. Council Member David Duncan seconded the motion. The motion carried with Mayor Worthington, Council Members, Abbott, Duncan, Free, and Turner all voting in favor. With no further discussion the meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.