City Council

Minutes Forsyth City Council Meeting October 21, 2019 Call to Order Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation and Roll Call Mr. Goolsby gave the invocation. Present for the meeting was Mayor Eric Wilson, Councilmembers Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, Mike Dodd, Melvin Lawrence, Chris Hewett, and John Howard. Also present was City Attorney, Bobby Melton; City Manager, Janice Hall; and City Clerk, Regina Ivie. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of the Minutes from the October 7, 2019 Council Meeting Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried with five (5) votes (Hewett, Stroud, Goolsby, Howard, Lawrence). Mr. Dodd abstained as he was not in attendance for the October 7, 2019 meeting. Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition – Ray Clark Mr. Clark stated during his presentation the purpose, and the benefits of the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition for Monroe County, and City of Forsyth. He requested continued participation in the clean air coalition. He further stated that certain approved projects are funded up to $5000 that improve the air quality, and reviewed some past projects that Forsyth has been awarded. He invited Mayor and Council to attend Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition meeting November 14, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing – Road Name Change to Julius Stroud, Jr. Lane Mr. Melton stated this application was initiated by City Council. It was advertised October 9, and October 16, 2019. Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing for comments for or against the street name change. Hearing no comments, Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing. Mr. Howard offered a motion to approve the road name change as stated. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing – Consider application of Steven Stembridge for sign variance Mr. Melton stated the sign variance to be considered is for height and area of the sign. It’s for the Zaxby’s location. Planning and Zoning recommend approval. It’s was advertised October 2 and October 9, 2019. Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing for comments for or against the sign variance. Hearing no comments, Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the sign variance application. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Stembridge stated expected opening date is late January 2020. Review Park Master Plan with TSW Adam Williamson and Sarah McColley with TSW reviewed the Park Master Plan. After a lengthy discussion about the preferred implementation/ phasing of projects, TSW stated they would revise the Plan and send it to Ms. Hall. Forsyth City Council – October 21, 2019  Page |2 Revocation of previous lease and Approval of New Lease with Public Finance Strategies Ms. Hall reviewed the need to revoke the previous lease, and to approve a new lease for the two vehicles 2018 Ford Taurus and 2017 Ford Explorer. She further stated that payment to Public Finance Strategies would be $25.00 of each court fine paid that was written by an officer driving one of the leased vehicles. The City has no obligation in addition to this payment from court fine payments. Once the lease term has expired the City has the option to purchase the vehicles. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to revoke the previous lease and to approve the new lease for the two vehicles. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Electric Cities of Georgia Board Nomination – Tabled at Oct. 7, 2019 Council Meeting After discussion by Mayor and Council no nomination was given. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to proceed with no nomination. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. Award Bid for Demolition of Building at New City Hall Location Ms. Hall discussed with council the recommendation letter received by Clark Nexsen in which they recommend Tristar America, LLC for the demolition of the existing building at the new City hall location with a base bid of $74,000 and an alternate bid of $7,500 for a total bid of $81,500. The letter states the due diligence that was done to verify that Tristar America, LLC is the lowest responsible bidder. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to accept the recommendation from Clark Nexsen and award the bid to Tristar America, LLC. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Approval of Accounts Payables Invoices $254,320.13 Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the accounts payables invoices for payment. Seconded by Mr. Dodd. Mr. Hewett withdrew his motion. Mr. Dodd offered a motion to approve the accounts payables invoices for payment. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried with five (5) votes (Goolsby, Stroud, Howard, Dodd, and Lawrence). Mr. Hewett abstained from voting. City Manager’s Report  Employee appreciation luncheon this Friday, October 25th at 11:45 – 1:15; we will close city hall to allow all employees the opportunity to attend  Update on water restrictions Tobesofkee Creek Reservoir Report  Stream flow has INCREASED significantly – Stream flow is good to very good – Increases in the level of the reservoir are expected for the remainder of this week.  Today’s measurement at the reservoir yielded 34.5 inches below full pool – Thursday’s measurement, Oct. 17th, yielded 50.5 inches below full pool - The lowest measurement during the drought was 53 inches below full pool – A 16 inch increase since last Thursday – All rainfall has yielded an increase of 20 inches overall.  Use of the Interconnection has been suspended until further notice – Moving forward, daily measurements of the reservoir will be performed to determine when/if the Interconnection will be needed for conservation purposes.  Under current conditions, approximately 40 days of withdrawal have been gained by the level increase in our reservoir – This is expected to increase daily while stream flows are currently good.  It is recommended to maintain Drought Level Response 2 until the reservoir is at full pool.  Once again city water customers have responded to our call for conservation measures and demand has decreased along with some much needed rainfall.  Key to the City request forms – as requested, have written similar application for Key to City as was approved for Proclamations. Will send that out to all for review and approval at next meeting  Page |3  Cities United Summit (Mayors Day) registrations – everyone is registered for training. Need to know if we will hold council retreat as in previous years; if so, need to get room reserved.  Hometown Connection will be on November 12 during lunch time, noon to 2:00. Representatives Dickey and Washburn along with Senator Kennedy have confirmed attendance, waiting on Representative Holmes for confirmation of attendance. GDOT VP Project Director, David Flanders will also attend. If renovations are complete, we will meet in City Hall Annex. As you will recall, council requested this Hometown Connection meeting with representatives from State and GDOT to discuss the Commercial Vehicle Lane project that will impact Forsyth.  Kickoff meeting with Department of Community Affairs for CDBG is tomorrow at 10:00; Regina and I will meet with them to get the project moving  Regina and I will meet with Clark Nexsen tomorrow afternoon to begin materials review for interior of building  Distributed Generation policy and rate study review – Mr. Leverett and Mr. Hewitt will review their proposal for changes at the November 4 council meeting  Athens Housing Authority Resolution is being advertised and will be on November 4th agenda  Amendments to Administration ordinance governing Planning & Zoning is being advertised and will be on November 4th agenda for public hearing. City Attorney Report Mr. Melton had no further business to report. Mayor’s Report Mayor Wilson stated the City was awarded the CDBG Grant for the Blount Street waterline replacement project in the amount of $447,000. The City’s application as a Rural Zone was also approved by Department of Community Affairs and this is to excite business development by giving state income tax credits for jobs created. We are one of the early recipients of that; we are excited to have that. We are appreciative of the work involved by the City Manager, Regional Commission, and Tammy Pierson to obtain that designation. Mayor Wilson further stated he attended a lunch recently with state representatives, and GDOT staff. Mr. Flanders spoke to the group and stated that GDOT doesn’t expect to have a definitive route plan for the 475 HWY truck lane until late 2020. Mayor Wilson expressed his concerns to the group regarding the City; how it will affect property taxes, sales taxes, hotel/motel taxes, businesses and property owners. Council Comments Mr. Hewett requested the corner at 83 and Frontage Rd be cut. Ms. Hall stated we could cut the City’s property but a lot of that property is private property. Mr. Stroud mentioned near Patrol Rd there’s a lot of trash, and bagged trash. Mr. Lawrence mentioned he would like a traffic light be installed at Frontage Rd and Lee St. Ms. Hall stated GDOT has that on the Safety Plan list they are currently working on. Mr. Dodd thanked Council and staff for the flowers received, and prayers while he was recovering from surgery. Public Comments No one came forward. Executive Session Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss pending litigation and land acquisition. Seconded by Mr. Stroud; the motion carried unanimously. Mayor and Council adjourned into executive session at 7:46 p.m. Mayor Wilson called the meeting into open session at 8:15 p.m. Adjourn Mr. Stroud offered a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.