Town Council Regular Meeting

Town of Tyrone Council Meeting Minutes March 7, 2013 Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ken Matthews Council Member Ryan Housley Council Member Linda Howard Town Manager Kyle Hood Finance/HR Manager Penny Hunter Town Attorney Dennis Davenport Town Clerk Dee Baker Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Dial called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The invocation was given by Pastor Greg Mallett with Way of Life Community Church. The invocation was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Approval of Agenda Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the agenda with the change to number 3 to read as follows; Request for the use of the Handley Baseball fields. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Approval of Minutes, February 1, and February 7, 2013 Consideration of hiring Sonja Lewis for the part-time Public Works Housekeeping position. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 1|Page PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITION: American Red Cross. Eric Dial, Mayor Mayor Dial presented the proclamation to American Red Cross representative Sara Prince. 2012 Annual Fayette County Public Safety Report. Fayette County Deputy Chief Bartlett Representatives from Fayette County Departments of Fire and Emergency spoke. They included Fire Chief Allen McCullough, Deputy Chief Bartlett, Chief Marshal Ed Collins and Department Head Fred Sisson from Fayette County Animal Control. Marshal Collins stated that the four main duties of the Marshal’s office are code enforcement, community service, risk management/administration and law enforcement. He then proceeded to itemize each duty among which were; licensing personal care homes, alcohol licensing, serve citations for code enforcement, assisting in the “Safe Kids” program, assist sheriff and city police departments, run back ground checks on employees, process insurance claims from accidents, investigate workmen compensation, answer alarms for all county buildings, enforce state traffic and criminal laws. Mr. Sisson spoke next and stated how important it is to spay and neuter your animals, especially cats. He stated that animal control calls are now dispatched through the 911 call center 24 hours, 7 days a week. He indicated that among 2,439 calls last year, 62 calls were from Tyrone and half of the calls regarded cats. He ended by inviting citizens to visit their state of the art shelter located on Hwy 54. Chief McCullough gave a report for the county’s 911 call center. He stated that the center has recently upgraded their computer-aided dispatch system. The system assists in shorter respond times. Currently 98% of calls are answered on the first ring and allows the staff to operate with mobility. He invited citizens to visit their facility starting in April-May. Chief Bartlett gave a comparison of response times. For the Town of Tyrone for 2012 598 calls were received, the average response time was 4 minutes and 35 seconds. The county-wide average was 5 minutes and 20 seconds. The dollar amount of property lost for Tyrone was $11,725. The leading cause of injuries in Fayette County was auto accidents and the leading medical complaint was difficulty breathing. The average call age was 52 years, 10 years ago it was 42. Chief McCullough ended the report by stating that he will give an update regarding the R.F.P for Fire Station #3 in the next couple of weeks. PUBLIC HEARING: OLD BUSINESS: 2|Page 1. Consideration and Recommendation of Text Amendment to the Tyrone Zoning Ordinance Articles I§ 1-2 item 61, Article VI § 6-17 and Article VII § 7-1 B item 40 regarding Livestock. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mr. Hood and Mr. Davenport briefed Council regarding the changes proposed. The discussion encompassed the definitions on livestock and the required acreage and setbacks when keeping livestock. Mr. Davenport stated that currently there are no definitions regarding livestock in the zoning ordinance. He then reviewed the livestock definitions and discussed the exclusion of small animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. He stated that if anyone owns any more than 4 animals it is considered a kennel. At that point other regulations apply. He stated that the other issue was that the code of ordinances states setback requirements for keeping animals from property line to property line is 150 feet. In the zoning ordinance it reads 200 feet. Council Member Matthews made a motion to accept the definition of livestock as presented. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-1 with Council Member Housley in opposition. Council Member Furr made a motion to amend Section 6-4 of the zoning ordinance by declaring the keeping of livestock anywhere other than the AR district a nuisance, and by listing the requirements for the keeping of livestock in AR that are currently found in the zoning ordinance. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. NEW BUSINESS: 2. Amendment to the Sanitation Contract with Republic Services. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mr. Hood briefed Council. He stated that the sanitation customer has the option to pay $2 extra per month for a 65-gallon recycling bin or $3 per month for a 95-gallon recycling bin. Mr. Hood stated that the amendment to the sanitation contract was inclusive to the recycling containers only. Larson Richardson and Justin Young from Republic Services were in attendance. Council Member Furr asked if this was mandatory. Mr. Hood stated that it is solely up to the sanitation customer whether or not to remain with the containers they currently have or to pay $2 or $3 a month to receive larger recycling containers. Council Member Housley made a motion to authorize Mayor Dial to execute the amendment to the contract as outlined, and allow staff to begin preparatory work for marketing and managing the added options. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 3. Request for the use of Handley Baseball fields. Jennifer Patton, Recreation Director Matthew Robinson and Jennifer Patton briefed Council regarding the fundraiser for St. Jude’s Hospital. The fundraiser will not interfere with Tyrone Youth Baseball Association and will be self-sufficient. Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the use of the Handley Baseball fields for Matthew Robinson to raise monies for St. Jude’s Hospital on November 9, 2013. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 3|Page 4. Consideration of the use of Shamrock Park by Power in Christ Church. Jennifer Patton, Recreation Director Mr. and Mrs. Richardson with Power in Christ Church asked Council for the use of Shamrock Park on March 16th from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm for a free kite event which includes free food, a 5K walk, fishing, and face painting. The Richardsons also request use of the park for June 8 th as well for Jazz night from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm. Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the use of Shamrock Park for Power In Christ Church for Family Kite Day on March 16th and Jazz night on June 8th. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 5. Consideration of a bid approval for the striping on Valleywood Road. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mr. Hood shared the solicited bids and discussion ensued. He stated that each bidder submitted 2 quotes, one for paint striping and one for thermoplastic striping. The lowest bid for paint type striping was Tight Strips, LLC for $1511.40. The lowest bidder for thermoplastics was Highway Markings, LLC for $2750. Mr. Hood stated that the engineer and road department recommend that we choose thermoplastic striping due to the 3 times longer shelf life than paint. Mayor Dial asked if additional monies were available if the more expensive striping was chosen. Ms. Hunter stated that there are funds available. Council Member Housley made a motion to accept the bid from Highway Markings, LLC for $2,750, and authorize staff and engineer to coordinate work to be performed immediately following road paving. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 6. Consideration of approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Fayette County for the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT). Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mr. Hood stated that House Bill 386 was passed by the General Assembly in 2012 changing the tax collection/distribution procedures for motor vehicles in Georgia. Beginning March 1, 2013 there will no longer be a sales tax charged on the sale of new and used motor vehicles. This tax will be replaced with a Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT). Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve any requested documents and authorize Mayor Dial to execute on the Town’s behalf to participate in the newly updated processes. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. FINANCE REPORT: 7. Finance Report for the month ended January, 2013. Penny Hunter, Finance, HR Manager. Ms. Hunter presented the finance report for the month ended January, 2013. 4|Page Revenue: She stated that the Town has completed 58.33 % of its budget year. Revenue realized to date is $1,970,880 against a budget of $3,629,100; this amount represents 54.31% of budgeted revenue. Revenue is down $48,477 for the same month one year ago ($2,019,356 for January, 2012) Property tax receipts are currently $122,683 lower than at the end of January, 2012. Business taxes are currently at 92.46% of budget or $435,578 compared to $419,780 from the prior year. Expenditures: Total expenditures to date are $1,587,150 (43.73% of budget) compared to $1,661,564 for the same month one year ago. This is a decrease in overall expenditures compared to last fiscal year of $74,414. Of the eight (8) capital projects budgeted, the recreation air conditioning has been completed at $26,030. In addition, there has been an initial accounting software payment of $5,625 and several small start-up expenses for the Shamrock Park upgrade and Gateway Signage project. These expenditures put total capital improvement costs up to $31,795 for a total of 6.16% of budgeted projects. Available Cash: The Town currently has 15.31 months of operating revenue for the General Fund in Reserves against 2013 budgeted monthly expenditures of $302.425. Public Comments None. Staff Comments Chief Perkins stated that last August a police vehicle was T-boned on Highway 74. The other driver’s insurance company has offered a settlement of $34,210.42 for the replacement of the police vehicle and equipment which total $36,000. He commented that the settlement is a fair price. Chief Perkins stated that his request was for Mayor Dial to sign documents for the acceptance of the settlement. The paperwork will also be submitted to the finance department. A percentage of the vehicle was purchased with federal drug money in 2008 and that percentage needs to be replaced. Chief Perkins presented the power of attorney form and the title to be signed by the Mayor. Council Member Matthews made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the power of attorney and the title for submission to the insurance company. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Chief Perkins recognized Mika’ele Castro a Boy Scout from Troop #208 that was in attendance working on his merit badge. Mr. Hood recognized Sandy Beach who is a part of the Finance/HR department. He stated that he has had several staff members inform him of her ability to perform several tasks with employees, vendors and citizens and stops what she is doing at that time to help individuals. He 5|Page stated that Environmental Technician Beth Vaughn called her a “selfless workhorse” who will always make time to help an individual no matter what she is doing. Mr. Hood stated we appreciate her great work ethic and attitude. Mr. Hood stated that the surrounding cities have adopted the state of Georgia residency requirements rather than the Town’s requirements of Fayette county residency for an alcohol application. He stated that this issue has recently come to our attention it could potentially hinder a business from entering the Town. Mayor Dial stated that the application change would be business friendly and more efficient. Council Member Furr made a motion to change the geographic requirement from “Fayette County to “Georgia”. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Mr. Hood informed Council of the bidding process for the removal of the Public Works building. There were only 2 inquiries and one bid. Mr. Tom Davis from Aurora Colorado, his firm owns property in Columbus Georgia. Mr. Davis has asked for an extension which has been granted due to our time constraints on cleaning out the building. This should all take place the last week in March. It should all be completed the first week in April. Mr. Hood stated that he is also working on having the metal building at Town Hall removed. Council Comments None. Executive Session Adjournment Council Member Matthews made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. By:________________________ Attest:______________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk 6|Page