September 2007

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 - 7:30 P.M.
COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, GEORGIA

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: WILLIAM H. MURDY, MAYOR; HOYT P. OLIVER, MAYOR PRO-TEM; GEORGE R. HOLT; AMMA L. GAITHER; AND TERRY SMITH

ABSENT: JAMES H. WINDHAM

OTHERS PRESENT: CURTIS AND SHERRY JACKSON; EMMA LOU PATTERSON; VIRGIL Y.C. EADY, JR.; CLAUDE AND EVA SITTON; TOBY MALCOLM; ERIK OLIVER; LATRELLE OLIVER; JERRY ROSEBERRY; JASON STRIBLING, FIRE CHIEF; MIKE READY; AND MICHELLE FLOYD, STAFFWRITER FOR THE NEWTON CITIZEN

The September session of the Mayor and Council was changed due to the Labor Day Holiday.

The September meeting was called to order by the Honorable William H. Murdy, Mayor and invocation given by Hoyt Oliver, Mayor Pro-Tem.

Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Oliver for the approval of the minutes of the August 6, 2007 Mayor and Council Meeting.  The Council vote unanimous.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS

Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Councilman Oliver informed the members that the Planning Commission, during review, discovered that the description of Accessory Uses. B had been omitted in the print, possibly during electronic transmission from the attorney.  There being no changes to existing ordinance, only an omission error, a motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Gaither to correct the error of omission and insert the following description to Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, B.  Accessory Uses. 2.  Structure for the storage of equipment and supplies used in maintaining the principal building and its grounds; however, the structure shall be located at least fifteen feet (15') from rear and side lot lines, with a floor area of no more than four hundred square feet (400ft.2); twenty by twenty  feet (20' x 20') and a building vertical height of no more than twenty feet (20').  The Council vote unanimous.

James Windham, 1737 North Emory Street -Application for Development Permit
A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Smith to grant a minor variance to James Windham, 1737 North Emory Street to locate a movable storage building 10' from side lot line instead of 15' (5' variance) The Council vote unanimous.

MAYOR & COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
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PERSONNEL

Employee Dental Insurance
Oliver informed the Council that, although the city offers no dental insurance to its employees, the majority have indicated a desire to pay for the premium for dental coverage through payroll deductions in order to have dental coverage.  Oliver reported the only cost to the city would be the time it takes one accounts payable employee to go on line to authorize an ACH transfer to pay the monthly premium.  A motion was then made by Oliver, seconded by Smith authorizing the City Clerk to enter into negotiation with the insurance carrier and insurance company to set up, at no expense to the city, dental insurance for those employees who are interested.  The Council vote unanimous. 

UTILITIES/PUBLIC WORKS

Bids for Concrete Work at Maintenance Facility
The following bids were received and opened for concrete work at the maintenance facility:
Base Bid Alternate #1 Additive
1.  Outdoor Inspirations, LLC $32,467.00 $4,817.00
2.  Parkman Construction Co., Inc.   64,590.30   5,040.00
3.  Complete Curb, Inc.   61,047.10   2,867.20

Oliver made a motion to accept the bid of Outdoor Inspirations in the amount of $32,467.00, but that the Mayor, Utilities Committee and Finance Committee, if necessary, bring back information for further discussion if bid specifications were  misinterpreted.  The motion was seconded by Gaither.  After a brief discussion, Oliver amended his motion to state we accept the bid from Outdoor Inspirations in the amount of $32,467.00, provided that it meets the specifications.  The amended motion was seconded by Gaither.  The Council vote unanimous.

Curtis Jackson Vacant Lot - 509 Emory Street
A request from Curtis Jackson was heard to allow conditional use of property located at 509 Emory Street to be used for parking of construction workers personal vehicles while working on the new dormitory for Oxford College.  Jackson also asked that two (2) construction trailers (plumbers office and electricians office) be allowed to park on the same lot.  Jackson further asked that a fence for security be allowed and also remain after construction has been  completed.

A motion was made by Oliver to grant Curtis Jackson a conditional use for parking and limited storage of construction materials on the property located at 509 Emory Street through the construction period of the dormitory, not to exceed eighteen (18) months.  The motion was seconded by Smith.  After a brief discussion, Oliver amended his motion to grant Curtis Jackson a temporary conditional use permit for 509 Emory Street to allow parking of trucks and other personal vehicles during construction of the Oxford College dormitory, and to allow for a temporary fence not to exceed six feet (6') for a period no longer that eighteen months.  The motion was seconded by Smith.  The Council vote unanimous.

 

MAYOR & COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
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Utilities/Public Works continued:

Municipal Competitive Trust Fund Amendments
A motion was made by Smith to adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of the First Amendment of the Declaration of Trust- The Municipal Competitive Trust.  The motion was seconded by Holt.  The Council vote unanimous. Attachment A

Wholesale Water Increase
Smith stated that in 2004 a statement was recorded in the minutes with the intent that whenever wholesale cost for water purchases increased, the intent was to increase the retail rate the equivalent amount.  Smith then made a motion that whenever wholesale cost of buying water increases the retail rate shall automatically increase the same.  The motion was seconded by Holt.   The question was asked if this was permissible to make commitments for future Elected Officials?  Smith stated he would table the motion until a legal opinion is obtained from the City Attorney.

New Construction Guidelines
Smith informed the Council of the problems associated with utilities being installed before plans were submitted and approved for the new dormitory.  Smith suggested that the guidelines adopted in 2002 be made a part of the Planning Commission developmental process for any future development.

Wentworth Sub-Division Street Lighting 
Clarification was requested of Wentworth residents for determining who was responsible for the maintenance of the five (5) Charleston street lights installed throughout the sub-division off of city rights of ways.  Smith will further investigate the covenants and speak with the electrical superintendent to determine who is also responsible for the unmetered power.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

Virgil Eady stated the attorney fees were excessive and should be monitored.

Claude Sitton stated that you can not renegotiate bids without violation of the bid process.

There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carol A. Poole
City Clerk, CMC

Attachment A: Resolution and Amendment to the Declaration of Trust, The Municipal Competitive Trust