City Council

Page 1 of 3 The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held by Teleconference June 8, 2020 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Participated: Members Non-Participate: Mayor Pro-Tempore Henry Hutchinson Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter Councilmember Sandra Thornton Councilmember Deedee Williams Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter gave the opening prayer. Mayor Tramell called the meeting of the Council to order and welcomed everyone. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2020 meeting, March 21, 2020 Special Called meeting, March 25, 2020 Special Called meeting, and April 13, 2020 Regular meeting. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion and was seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; the minutes were approved unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORT Mayor Tramell stated the financial report for approval is in the Council packet. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the May Financial report. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III made said motion and seconded by Mayor Pro-Tempore Henry Hutchinson and passed unanimously. 1 Page 2 of 3 NEW BUSINESS  BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPOINTMENT Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made a motion to appoint Jothaniel Zeigler to the Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously.  CITY ATTORNEY APPOINTMENT Councilmember Sandra Thornton made a motion to appoint Alex L. Dixon, P.O. 313 Greenville Street, LaGrange GA, Attorney for the City of West Point. The effective date is July 1, 2020. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; passed unanimously.  SPLOST V 2019-2024 TROUP COUNTY Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the City Manager to move forward with the Troup County SPLOST V projects. Total estimated cost $1 million dollars.  Intersection improvements at 10th Street and Martin Luther King Drive, new sidewalk along 10th Street between Dogwood and O.G. Skinner Drive.  6th Avenue Park Renovations  Renovate small fields City Park  New sidewalks, crosswalk improvements, new signage in and around John Hoggs Field and City Park Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III; during the discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams asked if any land acquisitions will be required. City Manager Ed Moon stated it is a possibility a small section may need to be acquired. The City will know for sure when the surveying is complete. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF THE WEEDS AND HIGH GRASS ORDINANCE Mayor Tramell asked for a discussion of Weeds and High Grass Ordinance. Councilmember Deedee Williams went through the ordinance and had some concerns about enforcing an ordinance that was adopted in 1967 and haven’t been consistently enforced. She also questions the notification process. City Manager Ed Moon, Sandra Thornton, and Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter stated ordinance have been enforced. The enforcements of the ordinance have been mostly driven by complaints. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson stated the Ordinance should be revised and the Council should give adequate notice before going forth with the lien process. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall stated property owners whether they live locally or out of town should know they have to maintain their property. Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III suggested sending emails about suggestions to update the ordinance and 2 Page 3 of 3 Mayor Tramell stated council members can bring suggestions on updating the ordinance to the next work session.  OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton stated the Miss Southwest Pageant will be August 7 & 8 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the New Horizon Theater. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall extended congratulation to Deedee Williams grand child for graduation. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall also stated her grandson finish 3rd in his class. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson asked the Mayor and Council to pray for our country and to ask ourselves what we can do to bring about better Race Relations and improve our Community. Councilmember Sandra Thornton asked the Council to be silent for 8-9 seconds representing the 8 minutes and 46 seconds the Officer had his knee on George Floyd neck before he died. She also asked that we pray for our community and country. ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Henry Hutchinson made said motion and seconded by Councilmember Sandra Thornton; passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ______________________ Richard McCoy Steven M. Tramell City Clerk Mayor 3