January 2007

1.  When the City of Oxford was laid out by the Methodist Church in 1836 the central avenues of the city were Fletcher Street and Wesley Street which is the symbolic center of the town. It would be wrong to change the nature of Fletcher Street, which along with Wesley Street are 165 foot wide  MAYOR & COUNCIL
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Oliver continued:
boulevards.  So, it is a central historic focus.  The symbolic center of the town.
2.  In 1979, when that property, and much of Emory Street, was zoned commercial, there was a proposal to tear down the house, build a convenience store and gas station.  A great number of citizens brought suit against the city, that that not be done, and at that time, in 1979, the decision was very clearly made by the city to pull in our commercial district to its present size, and the line was very definitely drawn so that 1015 Emory Street was made residential.  And as Mr. Eady has pointed out, in every Planning decision made since that time, and in accordance with the present land use plan,  it is very clear that the intention of the city is that be residential.
3.  We have had ample expression of the citizens of the community that its the desire and the will of the citizenry that that property be residential.
4.  I see no advantage whatsoever in any form, shape, or fashion, no benefits what so ever to the City of Oxford in having that property operate office professional.  It might benefit the company.  It might benefit those who do not live in Oxford, but there is almost no chance that citizens of Oxford would benefit from that operation.

The Council voted five (5) yes to deny the request, with Council member  Windham abstaining.  The motion carried.

Derk Whitsitt asked if any action was going to be taken on All Star Homes & Land for continuing to operate a business at 1015 Emory Street?

MAYOR PRO TEM

Motion was made by Gaither, seconded by Smith to elect Council member Hoyt Oliver to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2007. The Council vote five (5) yes, with Oliver abstaining.  The motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS

City Attorney
Motion was made by Smith, seconded by Holt, to re-appoint David Strickland as City Attorney for the year 2007.  The Council vote unanimous.

Municipal Court Judge
Motion was made by Windham, seconded by Roseberry, to re-appoint Steven A. Hathorn as Municipal Court Judge for the year 2007.  The Council vote unanimous.

City Clerk/Treasurer
Motion was made by Holt, seconded by Oliver, to re-appoint Carol A. Poole as City Clerk/Treasurer for the year 2007.  The Council vote unanimous.

Police Chief
Motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver, to re-appoint Roy Eitneier as Police Chief for the year 2007.  The Council vote unanimous.

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Ailia Gilbert - 15 Cody Circle
Gilbert reported that she is the owner of rental property located at 15 Cody Circle in Victoria Station Sub-Division.  Gilbert informed the Council that she had requested services be made active at the  vacant property on December 6, 2006.  Gilbert further stated that she was told that if the water meter was turning, the utility men would shut it back off.  Gilbert informed the Council that  she received a bill in January in the amount of $367.00 where thirty thousand gallons of water/sewer charges had been assessed due to an upstairs faucet being left open.  Gilbert requested the bill be reduced to that of  normal consumption or be reduced to a percentage of the current amount due.  The City Clerk had also informed Ms. Gilbert that she could anticipate a similar bill in February after reviewing usage not yet billed.

Councilman Smith informed Ms. Gilbert that it is not the responsibility of the city to remain on site to monitor the meters.

Councilman Holt stated, that if the city had told her they would turn the meter back off if it was spinning, then maybe the city is responsible.

The Council requested no penalties be applied to the account at this time.  The Utilities Committee will perform an investigation and make a determination.

FINANCE

2006 Audit
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Gaither to contract with Treadwell, Tamplin and Co. to perform the 2006 annual audit not to exceed $16,750-$18,750 for audit services and $1,500 for other reporting (DCA report)  The Council vote unanimous.

Reginald C. (Charlie) Sweat
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Gaither to pay the health insurance premium for Charlie Sweat through February to allow for Medicare to become effective March 1st.  The Council vote unanimous.

BUILDINGS/GROUNDS/TREE BOARD

Building Maintenance
Councilman Roseberry reported that Covington Janitorial Services will be cleaning the city buildings on a 60 day contract.

Monitoring Services
Roseberry reported that Intek has given a cost to monitor the security systems of three city buildings and one fire system at a cost of $25.00 per month per building with a 15% discount if prepaid on an annual basis.  In addition to the 15% discount, the first month will be at no cost.

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Tree Board
A motion was made by Roseberry to pre-authorize a purchase of new trees not to exceed $5,000 upon review of the Chairman of Finance, and the Tree Board Committee, to allow trees to be placed during the planting season.  The Council vote unanimous.

PLANNING/ZONING

Town Meeting
Oliver announced that the Planning Commission will be conducting a Town Meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd to introduce plans for the proposed city center.

Planning Commission Appointments

Oliver informed the Council that Frank Davis and David Eady's terms on the Planning Commission have expired.  Art Norred has also resigned, with one year remaining, for family reasons.

Oliver reported that the following citizens have expressed an interest in serving on the Planning Commission:  Mike Rogers, Curtis Jackson, Ron Manson, Erik Oliver.  David Eady would like to be reappointed.  These five citizens each spoke to the Council about their interest and qualifications on the Planning Commission.

The Mayor and Council voted by secret paper ballot for the following citizens to be appointed:
David Eady (reappointed), Erik Oliver(to fill the position of Frank Davis), and Ron Manson  Manson  (One year unexpired term of Art Norred).

PUBLIC SAFETY

Court Solicitor
Windham informed the Council that letters of request for a Court Solicitor have been mailed.

Judges Salary
A request from Judge Steven A. Hathorn for an annual increase of $200.00 will be reviewed at the next work session.

UTILITIES/PUBLIC WORKS

Clark Street Sewer Project
Smith reported that twenty four (24) sewer taps have been installed to date.  Four residents have been connected to sanitary sewer.  Completion date is expected in February.

Oliver reported that a storm water culvert has been installed in front of his house at the Olivers’ expense.

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RESOLUTION

Compensation of Mayor and Council
Smith read a resolution, pursuant to O.C.G.A Section 36-35-4, Oxford Municipal Charter Article II. Paragraph 5 (p.vi) Oxford Code of Ordinances Chapter 3, Article I, Section 3-106 (p. 3-9), setting Monday, February  5th for the second and final reading and consideration for adoption of an increase in the compensation level of the Mayor and Council.

RESIGNATION

Terry Smith-Council Post #6
Smith informed the Mayor and Council and citizens that at the completion of the January meeting he will be stepping down from Post #6 due to an incurable lung disease.  Smith was  placed on the
McKelve lung transplant list on December 21st.  Smith stated that the Mayor and Council was made aware of his decision back in October in order to search for a replacement.  Smith expressed a special thank you to the employees during his nine year term, and a special thank you to Carol for giving of her time with concerns of utility needs.

Mayor Murdy, on behalf of the Mayor and Council, expressed sincere gratitude to Smith for his nine years of service to the city.  Smith's leadership in the utilities has placed Oxford in a very good financial position.  Murdy wished Terry, Kathie and family the very best.

Water & Sewer Authority Board
Smith said he would still like to continue as the City of Oxford's representative on the Water and Sewer Authority Board.  A Motion was made by Holt, seconded by Gaither to nominate Terry Smith as the City of Oxford's representative on the Water & Sewer Authority Board.  The Council vote unanimous, with Smith abstaining. 

The citizens stood and applauded Councilman Smith.

POST # 6 REPLACEMENT
Mayor Murdy informed the citizens that the Council met in a Special Called Meeting Executive Session to discuss replacement of Terry Smith.  The consensus is to elect Charles Green to fill the position.  Motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Gaither to elect Charles Green to fill the unexpired term of Terry Smith, Post #6.  The Council vote unanimous.

OATH OF OFFICE
Attorney David Strickland administered the Oath of Office to Charles Green.

The now vacant seat on the Planning Commission will be addressed in February.

WORK SESSION
The January work session was scheduled for Monday, January 29th -6:00 p.m.