City Council

City of West Point Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 8, 2020 @ 5:30 PM Via teleconference The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held by Teleconference February 8, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. with Mayor Steven M. Tramell presiding. Members Present: Members Absent: Mayor Pro-Tempore Gloria R. Marshall Councilmember Joseph R. Downs III Councilmember Alanteo “Henry” Hutchinson 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. MINUTES Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the January 11, 2021 Regular Business Meeting. Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed 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 January Financial report. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. AGENDA Mayor Tramell reviewed the agenda and asked for a motion to approve. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gloria R. Marshall passed unanimously. • UPDATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2020-2040 Mayor Tramell stated the Council has received copy of the proposed update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He stated the City is required to update its Comprehensive Plan every five (5) years or as scheduled by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. He stated Staff recommends approving the Submittal Resolution for Three Rivers review and Georgia Department of Community Affairs submittal, review, and approval. The Page 2 of 3 deadline for approving a Comprehensive Plan is February 28, 2021. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to approve the plan with a caveat the plan will be revisited and completed within the next 9 months. City Attorney Alex Dixon stated the plan will need to be approved or disapproved as presented. He stated the Council could not approve the plan and complete the plan later. He stated the plan could be revised whenever the Council desire to do so. After a lengthy discussion Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to adopt the plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. Councilmember Deedee Williams made a motion to add the discussion about updating the Comprehensive Plan to the next work session. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. • MOTORIZED CARTS Mayor Tramell stated in the council packet there is a proposed amendment to the City’s Ordinance to allow motorized carts to be operated on certain city streets. Motorized cart is every motor vehicle having not less than (4) wheels and an unladen weight of one thousand three hundred (1,300) pounds or less and which cannot operate at more than twenty (20) miles per hour. The proposed ordinance includes decals issued by the City and cannot be transferred to other carts, all occupants must wear seatbelts at all times, the carts shall not be operated on the sidewalks, restrictions placed upon licensed motorists shall apply in the same manner as if they were operating a motor vehicle, and motorized carts cannot be operated on any street with a posted speed limit above (30) thirty miles per hour or on State Routes but motorized carts may cross State Routes on city streets, registration fees, decals, driver’s registration, time of operations, and age of person applying for registration, age of persons operating the cart, and liability insurance. Mayor asked for a motion to amend the City of West Point Code of Ordinance to allow motorized carts within the City. The ordinance will become effective 60 days after adoption by the mayor and city council. Councilmember Sandra Thornton made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter; passed unanimously. • UTILITY AID AGREEMENT Mayor Tramell stated the Utility Aid Agreement between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the City of West Point is in the Council packet. The construction of three roundabouts on State Route 18. GDOT PI 0009975 and construction of a replacement bridge over Long Cane Creek GDOT PI 0013999. The City has utilities located in the GDOT right-of-way in both projects including water, sewer, electric and gas. The City has submitted a utility aid package and plan and has met with GDOT and consultants requesting assistance. GDOT has agreed to pay 100% of the water and sewer relocation work at a cost of $300,430. The City will be responsible for 100% of the electric and gas relocation work at a cost of $353,749. Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to approve the resolution that gives the Mayor the authority to sign all documents 2 Page 3 of 3 associated with these projects. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter made said motion; seconded by Councilmember Henry Hutchinson; passed unanimously. OTHER Councilmember Sandra Thornton stated the Miss Southwest Pageant will be May 21st and 22nd at the New Horizon Theater. Councilmember Thornton also stated because of the COVID 19 pandemic, plans for this year Black History Program will be virtual. The program is February 25, 2021. The speaker is Dr. Lawrence Brack, MD from LaGrange, Georgia. She also asked for sponsors for the program because of the cost associated with having it virtual. Councilmember Deedee Williams asked about the time frame and process of implementing levelized billing for utilities. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter stated the goal for implementation is this spring. Councilmember Williams will contact City Manager Ed Moon to further discuss levelized billing. Mayor Tramell stated Troup County Health Department will be at the Tech Center on O.G. Skinner Drive on Friday from 9:00 -2:00 administering the COVID 19 vaccination. The vaccinations will be for Level A which includes First Responders and people 65 and older. ADJOURN Mayor Tramell asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Gerald W. Ledbetter 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 3