July 2007

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2007 - 7:30 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, GEORGIA

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: WILLIAM H. MURDY, MAYOR; HOYT P. OLIVER, MAYOR PRO TEM; JERRY D. ROSEBERRY; GEORGE R. HOLT; AMMA L. GAITHER; JAMES H. WINDHAM; AND TERRY A. SMITH

OTHERS PRESENT: DAVID STRICKLAND, CITY ATTORNEY; SENATOR JOHN DOUGLAS; ROY EITNEIER, POLICE CHIEF; VIVIAN HARRIS; LATRELLE OLIVER; RICHARD WILLIAMS; DR. L.M. WILLSON; ERIK OLIVER; HARRIETTE GIBBONS; AND MICHELLE FLOYD, STAFFWRITER FOR THE NEWTON CITIZEN

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Gaither for the approval of the minutes of the June 4, 2007 Mayor and Council Meeting.  The Council vote unanimous.

A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Roseberry for the approval of the minutes of the June 25, 2007 Special Called Meeting.  The Council vote unanimous.

CHARLES GREEN, JR.
Mayor Murdy announced the resignation of Charles Green, Council Post #6 effective June 5, 2007.

TERRY A. SMITH
Mayor Murdy announced the reappointment of Terry Smith to fill the unexpired term of Charles Green and formerly Smith’s Post #6 effective June 25, 2007.

Oath of Office was administered by David Strickland.

SENATOR JOHN DOUGLAS
Douglas reported that the state tax collected on gasoline is currently eighteen cents ($.18) per gallon which was based on June and July cost.

Oliver asked Douglas to work with the city in introducing a local homestead exemption to the legislature.

GENERAL ELECTION
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Gaither to appoint Carol Poole, City Clerk as Election Superintendent and the Absentee Ballot Clerk for the November General Election.  The Council vote unanimous.

WALKING TRAIL
Erik Oliver informed the Council that the walking trail from West Clark Street to Moore Street is now open.  Oliver asked if August 16th could be set as the official opening date in conjunction with Smart Growth Newton County?  Oliver also asked for city mulch for the trail?  There were no objections to either request.

MAYOR & COUNCIL
JULY 2, 2007
PAGE 2

FINANCE

Software Support
A motion was made by Holt, seconded by Oliver for the Mayor to executive the agreement with Computers Software Innovations (CSI) for annual software support in the amount of $10,714.20.  The Council vote unanimous.

Copier
Holt reported that an order for the purchase of a new copier for city hall has been placed.

INVOICES


             VENDOR

        DESCRIPTION

             AMOUNT

Covington Window Cleaners

Lawn Maintenance 02/08-05/29

 $1,560.00

GMEBS

Employees Retirement Fund-June

   5,517.67

Hightower Consulting Engineers

Water/Sewer Engineering Fees-May

   3,829.71

N.C. Board of Commissioners

Landfill Fees-May

   1,252.20

N.C. Board of Commissioners

Wholesale Water Purchase-May

 12,570.00

N.C. Water & Sewerage Authority

Sewer Treatment Fees-June

   6,149.91

Northeast Georgia RDC

Dues-$2,156.00/Zoning Map Update-$581.04

   2,737.04

Strickland & Strickland, LLP

Attorney Fees-May

   2,752.58

Treadwell Tamplin & Co.

Interim Audit Billing-$8,000.00/Maintenance of Depreciation Information-$500.00

   8,500.00

U.S. Department of Energy

SEPA Power Purchase-May

   2,447.35

Woco Pep Oil Company

Gasoline Purchase-06/07

   4,706.68

 

A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Holt for approval.  The Council vote unanimous.

MAYOR & COUNCIL
JULY 2, 2007
PAGE 3

PLANNING/ZONING
Secretary Erik Oliver made the following reports on behalf of the Planning Commission:
1.  The Planning Commission will be in contact with Lee Carmon, NEGRDC to discuss the Comprehensive Plan update.
2.  The Planning Commission will be discussing zoning recommendation to allow Child Care in PI (Public-Institutional) zoning where it is only relegated to commercial properties 
                 now.
3.  The Planning Commission has discovered that the zoning for out-buildings has been                       inadvertently omitted in the new code.
4.  A Developmental Permit was approved for an in ground pool on Cindy Court.
5.  A Developmental Permit was approved for Thomas Ellis, 806 Emory Street(new
                 Construction).
6.  Oliver read in the Covington News that Palmer Stone Elementary School has plans for
     expanding the parking area.
7.  Zoning for group homes only allows for persons with disabilities. 

Occupational Tax Application: Things In The Now, Tracey Smith, 159 Longstreet Circle
Application for a customary home occupation license for an internet business of Tracey Smith was reviewed.  A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Gaither to approve the customary home occupation license for Things In The Now,Tracey Smith, 159 Longstreet Circle with conditions that there be no sells or storage of merchandise on the premises.  The Council vote unanimous.

Occupational Tax Application: Graceful Living, Harriette Gibbons, R. N., 160 Longstreet Circle
Harriette Gibbons came before the Council with a request for a license to operate a in-home health care with three (3) residents plus herself.  The property will maintain residential appearance with no signs or traffic.

Councilman Oliver stated he had looked over the zoning ordinances, and there are three (3) issues:
1.  Is this request for a customary home occupation; or,
2.  Is this request considered as a group care, which falls under Section 410. Institutional-Residential      Uses; or
3.  Section 410 B-1. Permitted Zoning Districts for Specific Uses, which is allowable in all zoning.
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Gaither to approve the application for occupational tax license from Graceful Living, Harriette Gibbons, R.N., 160 Longstreet Circle under Section 410, B (1) Group Homes for persons with disabilities, for six or fewer residents (not including resident staff) and subject to the development standards applicable to zoning classification in which they are located; and, providing Ms. Gibbons meets the state requirements.  The Council vote unanimous.

 

 

MAYOR & COUNCIL
JULY 2, 2007
PAGE 4

 

PERSONNEL

Utilities/Public Works Worker I
Oliver reported twenty two (22) applicants have applied for the recently advertised position of Utilities/Public Works Worker I.  Interviews will be scheduled in the up coming week.  Oliver made a motion that the Council authorize the Mayor, Personnel Committee, and Jody Reid to interview and select the best qualified candidate and make a job offer.  The motion was seconded by Windham.  The Council vote unanimous.

Personnel Policies
Oliver made a motion to schedule a Called Meeting for Monday, July 30th, in conjunction with the monthly work session,  for the first reading of proposed changes and additions to the personnel policies, and the second reading and adoption at the August 6th regular session.  The motion was seconded by Gaither.  The Council vote unanimous.

UTILITIES/PUBLIC WORKS

Oxford College New Dormitory
Roseberry reported that engineers with the college dormitory project are looking at alternatives of constructing sewer trunk lines from Oxford’s Dried Indian Creek line.  A motion was made by Roseberry, seconded by Windham, to authorize the Mayor and the Chairman of Finance and Utilities to meet with the engineers and negotiate the sewer tap fees.  The Council vote unanimous.

Cable Television Franchise Agreement
Roseberry informed the Council that the city attorney is reviewing the cable television franchise agreement between the City of Covington and Oxford to affirm that the responsibilities of the contract agreement remains in order prior to the sale of the cable company.  Oxford also has a contract with GMA to negotiate its franchise agreements.

Bids for concrete work at the Maintenance Facility
1.  Collins Asphalt Paving, Inc. $52,312.50
2.  Mr. Concrete   36,000.00
3.  Parkman Construction   50,791.00
4.  Outdoor Inspirations   37,759.00

A motion was made by Windham to allow the Mayor, Chairmen of Finance, Buildings, and Utilities to review the specifications and bring a recommendation to the Called Meeting scheduled for Monday, July 30th.  The motion was seconded by Oliver.  The Council vote unanimous.  Bids will be asked to extend their bid dates until then.

 

MAYOR & COUNCIL
JULY 2, 2007
PAGE 5

STREETS

Bids for tree removal West Bonnell Street
1.  Monroe Tree Works $1,850.00
2.  Newton County Tree Service   3,500.00
3.  787-Tree Service   2,400.00
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Holt to accept the bid of Monroe Tree Works in the amount of $1,850.00 to remove eleven trees on the recently acquired property on West Bonnell Street.  The Council vote unanimous.

Bids for the purchase of a lawn mower
1.  B&B Small Engines $8,295.22
2.  Madison Rentals, Inc.   9,865.00
3.  Stananco   no bid received
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver to accept the bid of B&B Small Engines in the amount of $8,295.22 for the purchase of a lawn mower.  The Council vote unanimous.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT

Oliver reported that the first five years of storm water management is near an end.  A new notice of intent will for the next five years will be prepared by Oliver and submitted by due date of July 31st.

TREE BOARD

Appointment
A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver to appoint Eve Mullen as a member of the Oxford Tree Board Committee.  The Council vote unanimous.

Tree Removal
Mayor Murdy informed the Council that Monroe Tree Works has been contacted to remove a hazardous tree behind Old Church before the 4th of July celebration at a cost of $1,800.00.

POLICE

Complaints
Gaither reported concerns of residents off of Clearview (adjacent to Carlton Trail in the City of Covington) of drug houses, juveniles walking and using profanity, and trash on the streets.

Chief Eitneier stated the police department can monitor the area of Moore Street and the College Walk Apartments which are in the city limits, but Clearview and Carlton Trail are not in their jurisdiction.  A suggestion was made to involve East Metro Drug Task Force.

 

MAYOR & COUNCIL
JULY 2, 2007
PAGE 6

Police continued:

Richard Williams
Williams complained to the Mayor and Council about the new police officer harassing the Godfrey Street  neighbors about their dogs.  Williams added that he(the police officer) had written his daughter a citation.

Chief Eitneier informed Williams that the lease law was very strict, and he was with the understanding that the officer had talked with his daughter on two or three occasions about the dog running at large before a citation was ever written.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

LEGAL

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver to approve whatever funds necessary for the Mayor to spend on legal fees.  The Council vote unanimous.

There being no further business, or discussion a motion was made by Windham, seconded by Holt to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.  The Council vote unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carol A. Poole
City Clerk, CMC