City Council

Minutes FORSYTH CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 18, 2022 CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, INVOCATION, AND ROLL CALL Mayor Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Goolsby gave the invocation. In attendance for the meeting was Mayor Eric Wilson, Councilmembers John Howard, Chris Hewett, Melvin Lawrence, Greg Goolsby, Julius Stroud, and Mike Dodd. Also in attendance for the meeting was City Manager, Janice Hall, City Attorney, Bobby Melton, and Executive Administrative Assistant, Lisa Cannon. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/ZONING OFFICER CODY ELLIS Mr. Cody Ellis introduced himself as the City’s economic development/zoning officer. He reviewed his military, college, and work background. APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (BEER/MALT- POURING, AND WINE-PACKAGE AND POURING) – APPLICANT HENRY HAMLIN, III FOR HHF, LLC dba HAMLIN HILLS AT 477 DAMES FERRY ROAD Mr. Melton stated the application is for a license for the sale of alcoholic beverage (beer/malt-pouring, and wine/package and pouring). The applicant is Henry L. Hamlin, III at the premises of HHF, LLC d/b/a Hamlin Hills at 477 Dames Ferry Rd. The notice has been published in the Monroe County Reporter on April 6, and 13, 2022. Mr. Stroud offered a motion to approve the license application as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION TO APPLY TO DCA UNDER THE CDBG PROGRAM FOR WATER LINE REPLACEMENT IN SUNSET, BROOKWOOD, AND UNION HILL AREA. Ms. Hall reviewed the resolution with the three conflicts of interests indicated within (Howard, Lawrence, and Dodd). The resolution states the city agrees to apply for funding from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs under the Community Development Block Grant program for an amount of up to $1,000,000 for water line improvements in the Jackson Heights, Brookwood Drive, and Union Hill neighborhoods. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence; the motion carried unanimously. Ms. Hall reiterated that Mr. Dodd, Howard, and Lawrence should abstain from voting due to the conflict of interest with the streets affected with the CDBG. Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; four votes in favor (Goolsby, Stroud, Hewett, and Mayor Wilson). Three abstentions (Dodd, Howard, and Lawrence). RECONSIDER MATTER PREVIOUSLY TABLED – THREE OAKS CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INC, OWNER MATT GILBERT FOR WITHDRAWAL OF ANNEXATION APPLICATION AND RESCIND OF ORDINANCE ADOPTED MARCH 21 TO ANNEX WITH R1 ZONING CLASSIFICATION. Mr. Melton reviewed the prior actions regarding the approved annexation ordinance for the 35 acres, tax parcel 054 022A. The developer expressed in writing to withdraw the annexation request as he does not agree with the R1 zoning. Mr. Melton stated State law states annexations are effective at the end of the month in which the ordinance was adopted. The withdrawal request was received prior to the end of the month. Mr. Melton further stated the matter was previously tabled as the prior meeting. Mayor Wilson stated currently the property is zoned AG in Monroe County. Ms. Hall stated Mr. Gilbert provided a concept for the property to planning and zoning; he requested the zoning as R3. Planning and Zoning at that time request zoning as R1. Mr. Melton stated Monroe County was not opposed to annexation, requested R1 zoning.  P age |2 Ms. Hall further stated the developer has several processes before final approval would be granted for the new subdivision. Ms. Hall had spoken with Mr. Gilbert regarding the layout of the houses with driveways on Montpelier Road. and he was receptive to making changes to the layout. No recent conversations have occurred regarding the layout. Mr. Hewett offered a motion to retain the property within the city limits as R1 zoning; to not accept the withdrawal request. Seconded by Mr. Stroud. After some discussion regarding the zoning, and possibly de-annexing the property in the future Mayor Wilson called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO RECERTIFY FORSYTH AS A CITY OF ETHICS UNDER THE GMA CERTIFIED CITY OF ETHICS PROGRAM Mr. Hewett offered a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Seconded by Mr. Dodd; the motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF REQUISITIONS GREATER THAN $5,000 Mr. Goolsby offered a motion to skip this item on the agenda as there are no requisitions to be approved. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. REPORTS CITY MANAGER REPORT Ms. Hall provided the following report: - Davenport has submitted a draft RFP for the financing for City Hall and Park Plan. If all goes well we will have closing on financing May 26. - Responses on RFP for items approved for parks are due this Friday. (Country Club – playground equipment, adult exercise equipment, and benches. Kynette – bleachers, covering/shade for bleachers and playground). - Ainsley Hall with Sterling Appraisers will be providing the appraisals needed for the blighted properties. As previously approved to do so, I signed an engagement letter with her for $500 per appraisal and she will begin those this week. We will have to use someone else in her office for the two commercial properties on the blighted list as she only handles residential. I have provided the listing that Officer Malone was working on in priority order beginning with the burned structure on Stroud Street and the ones on Milledge Circle. As she completes the appraisal for a property, she will submit that information for Bobby Melton to include in the file to present to Municipal Court. - The large order of ¾ and 1” water meters has been delivered; still waiting on MXU’s for those but at least we have the meters; delivery time was 7 months and continues to be that long so we will be placing another order after mid-year. Received some of the residential electric meters that we ordered but not the commercial meters. - River Forest water tank will be drained for maintenance this week. This is part of our multiyear contract with American Tank. - With pricing increases on everything, department heads have asked if we can increase the approval thresholds. With chemicals alone, Craig must enter the requisition, let me know that it is ready for approval, and then I approve. Those have been just under $5,000 for each order but with price increases will go over the $5,000 threshold. Would like to amend that portion of the City Policy to allow department heads to approve up to $3,000 and city manager approve up to $6,000. - Mauldin & Jenkins have wrapped up their site work for the 2021 audit and will begin finalizing the reports. - It is my understanding that Monroe County will be contacting the city to begin discussions regarding LOST in May. - Spoke with Gwen King and she said to schedule the plaque unveiling on our schedule as everyone that will attend is local so it will not be a problem for them to attend. - City Hall will close Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to allow employees to attend a funeral. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT Mr. Melton had no further business to report. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Wilson had no further business to report. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Mr. Goolsby provided an overview of the recent Downtown Development Authority meeting. Frank Wilder is working on grants for city signage by Tift College. A vote was done to move the Farmers Market to Old Mill Market on a trial basis. After some discussion regarding location options, it was mentioned that the vendors prefer the shade at the current location. Mr. Goolsby stated the Façade Grant of $1000 has been very successful in year’s past. PUBLIC COMMENTS No one came forward for public comments. Forsyth City Council – April 18, 2022  P age |3 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Stroud offered a motion to enter executive session at 6:36 p.m. to discuss personnel and land acquisition. Seconded by Mr. Hewett; the motion carried unanimously. Executive session concluded at 7:44 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Forsyth City Council – April 18, 2022