City Council

Page 1 of 6 The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held in the Council room of West Point City Hall September 9, 2019 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Henry Hutchinson Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Mayor Tramell called Dr. Randy B. Kelley, Pastor Goodsell United Methodist Church for opening prayer. Mayor Tramell called Eagle Scout Cameron Tramell to lead the Pledge of allegiance. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order and welcomed everyone. Mayor Tramell thanked Troup County Commissioner Lewis Davis for his support. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the August 12, 2019 regular meeting. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2019 Special Called Meeting. Deedee Williams made a motion to amend the minutes with a document she provided by email to the City Clerk Richard McCoy. Richard McCoy provide the amendment document to Mayor Tramell which he read to the council. Mayor Tramell called for a vote on the amendment and the motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Tramell called for a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton The motion to approve the June 17, 2019 Special called meeting passed on a 4-1 vote Councilmember Deedee Williams voting No. 1 Page 2 of 6 FINANCIAL REPORT Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III presented the August financial report with the September cash position and forecast and made a motion to accept the report; motion seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter and passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III and passed unanimously. The Mayor and Council recognized West Point Vision for organizing and sponsoring a basketball game during the West Point Day Celebration. Richard Chapman and Gina Scott was in attendance. Richard Chapman stated West Point Vision also recognized Mike Pitt, George Greene and the late Reginal Gilliam for their work with the West Point Recreation Department. Councilmember Sandra Thornton stated the Organizers and the Basketball Game was a positive influence for our community.  ANNEXATION REQUEST BY JEAN MILLER, 2284 GA HWY 18 Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to annex into the city Land Lot 179 and 224 of the 5th Land District of Troup County, Georgia containing ten (16.0) acres. Said parcel is also known as Troup County Tax Map parcel number 07-63-000-042. The property is owned by Jean Miller. Councilmember Sandra Thornton seconded the motion; During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked about the annexation date. City Attorney Jeff Todd stated the effective date according to the terms of O.C.G.A. 36-36-2 will be October 1, 2019. The motion passed unanimously.  ZONING REQUEST BY JEAN MILLER, 2284 GA HWY 18 Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to amend the zoning map and ordinances of the city so as to classify the use zone of real estate to be annexed into the city. The zoning map and ordinances of the City of West Point be amended so as to classify as R1A (Residential Low Density) Land Lot 179 and 224 of the 5th Land District of Troup County, Georgia containing approximately 16.0 (16.0) acres. Said parcel is also known as Troup County Tax Map parcel number 07-63-000-042. The property is owned by Jean Miller. Councilmember Sandra Thornton seconded the motion; passed unanimously. 2 Page 3 of 6  REVOLVING LOAN FUND APPLICATION Councilmember Sandra Thornton made a motion to approve the City Manager to acquire assistance in the review of a Revolving Loan Application submitted by Michael and Kesha Coniglio. The assistance will be in the form of a bank or finance professional. Once the review is complete the final loan decision will be made by the City Council. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter. During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked if the City Attorney and the State of Georgia stated there were no conflict with the City processing the application why would we need to acquire outside assistance. City Manager Ed Moon stated it was a conflict with the City Staff reviewing an application of a potential Councilmember. The motion passed unanimously.  AGREEMENT REGARDING HOTEL MOTEL TAX Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to enter into an agreement with LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce to terminate the contract agreement that was dated November 1, 2016 per O.C.G.A. 48-13-50-2(2) defines “promoting tourism”. The contract agreement ended June 30 2019. Any Motel Hotel Tax funds remaining will be returned to the City after the chamber has met all programs obligations. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously  2019 MILLAGE RATE Councilmember Deedee William made a motion to adopt the 2019 Ad Valorem Tax levy for the City of West Point as follows: Gross Levy as follows: 13.206 Mills Local Option Sales Tax Credit 4.025 Mills Effective Levy 9.181 Mills City Tax for 2019 set at 9.181 Mills. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously.  GARBAGE COLLECTION PRESENTATION BY MIKE CRIDDLE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR City Public Works Director Mike Criddle gave a presentation on Waste Management. He talked about the different types of waste and why the different types should be separated when placing it out for pickup. The city picks up just over 100 tons per month. He stated 3 Page 4 of 6 Landfill cost are increasing. LaGrange closed its facility on June 30, 2019 so there are added expenses to transport the waste to MSW in Hogansville, Ga or Salem, Al. He stated the City of West Point current Waste Management provided C&C is not providing adequate service and is recommending to seek another vendor.  GARBAGE COLLECTION Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to authorize city staff to move forward with notifying C&C Sanitation of a material breach of contract with the City of West Point for garbage and recycling service. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; During the Discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked about the process of choosing another vendor. City Manager Ed Moon stated he would do research and present a recommendation to the Mayor and Council for approval. The motion passed unanimously.  SALE OF CITY PROPERTY Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made a motion to sale two narrow strips of land that are so small they cannot be used independently under the current city ordinance to the First Baptist Church of West Point. The Church will pay all cost associated with the sale of the property. Councilmember Sandra Thornton seconded the motion; During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked about the maintenance of the land and whether an adjoining property owner Ms. Kathryn Payne would have access to her property. Rev. Tom Tucker, Pastor of First Baptist Church stated the church intends to deed a potion of the land to Ms. Payne for access to her property. The motion passed on a 4-0 vote Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III abstained citing he was a member of First Baptist Church.  DEPOT EVENT CENTER / VIRGINIA COOK ACTIVITY CENTER RENTAL RATE Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to reduce the rental fees for the Depot Event Center based on Option 2 and reduce the rental fees for the Virginia Cook Activity Center based on Option 2. These reductions are intended to allow for a more affordable use of the facilities. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. 4 Page 5 of 6 Depot Rental Rates Depot Rental Rates Option 1 Reduce Weekend Option 2 Reduce All Rates Rate Only 20% Current Reduce 20% Proposed by 20% Current Reduce 20% Proposed Friday, Saturday or Sunday $1,010 20% $808 Friday Saturday or Sunday $1,010 20% $808 Non Profit $700 $700 Non Profit $700 $700 2-day Rental $1,400 20% $1,120 2-Day Rental $1,400 20% $1,120 Weekdays Full Day $440 20% $352 Non Profit $390 20% $312 Lunch Meeting $220 20% $176 Non Profit $220 20% $176 Week nights $320 20% $256 Non Profit $320 20% $256 Virginia Cook Rental Rates Virginia Cook Rental Rates Option 1 Reduce Weekend Option 2 Reduce All Rates Rate Only 20% Current Reduce 20% Proposed by 20% Current Reduce 20% Proposed Friday, Saturday or Sunday Friday, Saturday or Sunday 8am -12am $500 20% $400 8am -12am $500 20% $400 Friday, Saturday or Sunday Friday, Saturday or Sunday 8am -6pm $250 20% $200 8am -6pm $250 20% $200 Two Day Rental $750 20% $600 Two Day Rental $750 20% $600 Weekend Birthday Under 12 (4-hours) $75 $75 Weekend Baby Shower Wedding Shower or Dinner $125 $125 Weekdays Full Day (8-hours) $200 20% $160 Lunch (5-hours) $100 $100 Birthday Party Under 12 $50 $50 Baby Shower, Wedding Shower or Dinner $125 20% $100 Weeknights $100 $100  EASEMENT REQUEST FROM AT&T Councilmember Sandra Thornton made a motion to provide AT&T Georgia with an easement from Kia Parkway to a cell tower located on city property. The easement is 5- feet wide and 510-feet long. AT&T will pay a one-time fee of $5,000 for the easement. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III seconded the motion; During the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked if this option for a one-time fee better than a continuous easement payment. City Manager Ed Moon stated the easement agreement is comparable to other easement agreements the City of West Point has entered into. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER Fire Chief Milton Smith stated the Fire Department will have T. Shirts on sale for $20.00 over 2X is $25.00 proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer Awareness. 5 Page 6 of 6 ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor 6