City Council

. City of Margaret June 1, 2021 6:00 P.M. In attendance: Councilman Jonathan Ray, Councilman James Chapman, Councilman Matthew Tortorice, Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre, and Mayor Jeffrey Wilson Absent: Councilman Justice Carter Prayer: Mr. Barker Mayor Jeffrey Wilson called Meeting to order Discussion Mayor Jeffrey Wilson asked the Council to approve Council Minutes for May, 18 2021 Meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre made the Motion to approve Minutes Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the Motion. Motion passed with Councilman Chapman and Mayor Jeffrey Wilson abstaining because they were not present at that meeting. Harvey Mcwhorter of Brookhaven Development Partners addressed the Council concerning the harvesting of timber in Brookhaven and Ridgefield Subdivisions. Mr. McWhorter informed the Council that he had entered into a contract with Mr. Pettus who then contracted the work to logging company owned by Derrick Campbell, all of which promised that the roads would be fixed if damaged. Mr. McWhorter also stated that he met with Ridgefield HOA President Brandy. Mr. McWhorter doesn’t agree with the $750,000.00 road bond on both roads that the Council passed because Mr. McWhorter feels he could redo the whole road for $180,000.000 - $190,000.00. Mr. McWhorter told the Council that it would only take the logger 4 weeks to harvest the timber and that they have a 2 million liability insurance policy. So, Mr. McWhorter would like for the Council to revisit the road bond issue. Councilman Jonathan Ray asked Mr. McWhorter have any work been done since the road agreement in Ridgefield. Councilman Tortorice informed Councilman Ray that the City will see the same results because the same person built the roads. Ron Gross an associate of Mr. McWhorter stated that all green spaces will remain in place, in response to Ridgefield residents’ concerns of their green space. Councilman Jonathan Ray stated that Brookhaven has gotten pool, sewer and road repairs. Councilman Ray would also like to know the status of the proposed fire station for Brookhaven. Mr. McWhorter informed the Council that the fire station is being considered. Councilman Tortorice would like Mr. McWhorter and his partners to keep the parks on the radar as well. Councilman Tortorice asked if money could be placed in escrow in order to avoid the road bond fees. Mr. McWhorter stated that you can’t touch money in escrow. Councilman Matthew Tortorice thinks that the road agreement should be revisited and add Brookhaven Ln. and Rolling Ridge Cir to the agreement. Councilman Ray made a Motion to require Mr. McWhorter and Brookhaven Development Partners to put up a $300,000.00 road bond in an irrevocable letter of credit for both roads for 90 days to repair Rolling Ridge Cir and Brookhaven Ln if they are damaged during the timber harvesting. Motion died because lack of second. Councilman Matthew Tortorice made a Motion for Mr. McWhorter and Brookhaven Development Partners to put $200,000.00 in escrow to repair Rolling Ridge Cir and Brookhaven Lane if they are damaged during the timber harvest. And also add Rolling Ridge Cir and Brookhaven Ln in current road agreement with Brookhaven Development Partners. Motion died because lack of second. Councilman Matthew Tortorice made the Motion to place $250,000.00 in escrow for 90 days and add Rolling Ridge Cir and Brookhaven Ln to the current road agreement between the City, and Harvey McWhorter and Brookhaven Development Partners. Councilman James Chapman seconded the Motion. Roll call vote: Councilman James Chapman – Yes Councilman Jonathan Ray - No Councilman Matthew Tortorice – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre - Yes Motion passed by majority ruled. Councilman Matthew Tortorice made the Motion to rescind passed Motion to require the developer to put up a $750,000.00 irrevocable road bond on the roads in Ridgefield Subdivision and Brookhaven Subdivision that are affected by the logging of timber from start of work for the logging until the removal. (9 months). Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. Roll call vote: Councilman James Chapman – Yes Councilman Jonathan Ray - No Councilman Matthew Tortorice – Yes Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre - Yes Motion passed by majority ruled. Mayor Jeffrey Wilson informed the Council that he would like to supply fireworks for the City’s fourth of July celebration. The Council is in full agreeance. Mayor Jeffrey Wilson informed the Council that David Parrish thinks that Wilson Park flooding can be fixed in house by building up a flood wall. Councilman James Chapman made a Motion to allow David to get prices and bring back to Council. Mayor Pro-Tem McIntyre seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Jeffrey Wilson informed the Council that he would like to hire a person that is interested in local government for the summer in the office, starting them out at minimum wage. Mayor Jeffrey Wilson would like for the Council to vote on this position at the next Council Meeting. The pipe work in Hunters Crossing was discussed next, Councilman Matthew Tortorice would like for the City to use one concrete pipe instead of 3 plastic pipes. Mr. Barker would like for Dan, the County Engineer to look into the matter. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre made the Motion to table pipe discussion until Dan has had time to look into the matter. Councilman Matthew Tortorice seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Jeffrey read Councilman Justice Carter’s resignation from his seat on the Council. Councilman Justice Carter has recently gotten engaged and will be moving to Hwy 280 in Birmingham. Mayor Pro-Tem Daryl McIntyre made the Motion to accept the resignation of Councilman Justice Carter. Councilman James Chapman seconded the Motion. Motion passed unanimously. The City of Margaret will be accepting letters of interest from potential Councilmember for district 2 starting June 2, 2021 – July 2, 2021. All letters of interest will be opened at the July 6, 2021 council meeting.  Mayor Jeffrey Wilson asked for any more comments: Councilman Matthew Tortorice informed the Council that the new garbage Rate will be $13.36. Councilman James Chapman made the Motion to adjourn. Councilman Jonathan Ray seconded the Motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM. ___________________________ Jeffrey Wilson, Mayor Attest: ___________________________ Teja McIntyre, City Clerk