February 2009

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 – 7:30 P.M.

COMMUNITY CENTER, OXFORD, NEWTON, GEORGIA

MEMBERS PRESENT: JERRY D. ROSEBERRY, MAYOR; JAMES H. WINDHAM, JR., MAYOR PRO-TEM; COUNCIL MEMBERS-GEORGE R. HOLT; EMMA LOU PATTERSON; HOYT P. OLIVER; FRANK J. DAVIS; AND TERRY A. SMITH

OTHERS PRESENT: DAVID STRICKLAND, CITY ATTORNEY; CLARK R. MILLER, POLICE CHIEF; LAURAN S. WILLIS, DEPUTY CLERK; DR. L.M. WILLSON; MICHAEL DALE; VIRGIL Y.C. EADY, JR.; AND MICHELLE FLOYD, STAFFWRITER FOR THE NEWTON CITIZEN

The February meeting was called to order by the Honorable Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor, and invocation given by Council Member Hoyt P. Oliver.

Pledge of Allegiance

A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Windham, to approve the February 2, 2009 Agenda to include an Executive Session to discuss personnel. The Council vote unanimous.

A motion was made by Oliver, seconded by Patterson, for the approval of the Minutes of the January 5, 2009 Mayor and Council Meeting. The Council vote unanimous.

A motion was made by Smith, seconded by Windham, for the approval of the Minutes of the January 20, 2009 Special Called Meeting. The Council vote unanimous.

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS/PETITIONS

Councilman Oliver reported that there were no permits in January for the Planning Commission to review.

Oliver further reported that James Patrick was appointed to replace Erik Oliver as the Secretary for the Planning Commission. Patsy Burke attended the meeting in January as a new member of the commission.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

Virgil Y.C. Eady, Jr.-1222 Wesley Street

• Eady informed the Mayor and Council that thirty (30) or so buzzards have begun roosting on the elevated water tower and are creating a nuisance with droppings. Eady asked if he could begin shooting the buzzards and was told that is not permissible because they are a protected species. Chief Miller told Eady that the Department of Natural Resources has been contacted and are looking into various methods for resolving the issue. Citizen Willson stated he had a similar situation and remedied the nuisance by the use of a loud horn.

• Eady asked what the city was doing to move forward with annexation of the unincorporated islands.

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Eady continued:

• Eady said he applauds the ordinance committee for efforts to include changes towards a city manager form of government.

• Eady further applauded the city for moving forward with plans for the new city hall.

• Eady said the city is to be commended for sound financial planning.

• Eady suggested the city implement an incremental plan to begin burying electrical lines throughout the city.

MAYOR’S REPORT

• The Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the permit for the Moore Street widening project. Work will begin within ninety (90) days.

• Treadwell Tamplin accountant firm will attend the February work session to discuss a new cash management system for the city’s investments.

• The City Attorney and Court Solicitor will be enforcing the ordinance requiring sewer taps where available.

• Mayor’s Parade Committee Assignment: Frank Davis, Chair; Emma Lou Patterson; and Terry Smith. The committee will report to the Council at the May meeting.

• Mayor’s City Manager Study Committee Assignment: Hoyt Oliver, Chair; George Holt; and Jim Windham. The committee will report to the Council at the June meeting.

• The Great American Clean-Up date will be scheduled in April and published on the city’s web page.

GENERAL

FEBRUARY WORK SESSION

The February work session was set for Monday, February 16^th at 6:00 p.m.

DAVID STRICKLAND, CITY ATTORNEY

Draft-Multi-Use Trails Ordinance

Strickland presented a draft ordinance entitled: MULTI-USE TRAILS for Council’s consideration. Several suggestions for inclusion were made. The Council will review and bring their recommendations to the February work session for further discussion.

OXFORD HISTORICAL CEMETERY FOUNDATION, INC. ANNUAL MEETING

The Oxford Historical Cemetery Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in the community center.

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ORDINANCE-DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITATION PROHIBITED

Councilman Oliver presented the first reading of the proposed Door-to-Door Solicitation Prohibited in the following particulars:

Chapter 31: GENERAL OFFENSES, ARTICLE II: OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 32-107: Door-to-Door Solicitation Prohibited

• Door-to-door solicitation for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited in all Residential and Public Institutional districts of the City of Oxford.

• In districts zoned Residential, advertising flyers for commercial or for-profit purposes, other than such material as is distributed through the United States Postal Service, newspaper delivery services, or parcel delivery services, may not be placed in or on mail boxes, on premises, or on street rights-of-ways.

CITY HALL PLANS

Oliver moved to approve construction documents as amended by Carter –Watkins Architects so bids may be let for construction of the new city hall building. It was determined that the amended plans had not yet been presented to the city for review. Suggestion was made to table the motion and schedule a called meeting to continue the motion. Oliver tabled the motion.

A Special Called Meeting was set for 7:00 p.m. on February 16^th, following the work session, for the purpose of approving the construction plans for the new city hall building.

STREET SWEEPING AGREEMENT

A motion was made by Davis, seconded by Windham, to enter into an agreement with the City of Covington for the purpose of monthly street sweeping of both sides of Emory Street from the traffic light at Palmer Stone School southward to the intersection of the Oxford city limits at a cost of $100.00 per sweep. The Council vote unanimous. Attachment A

OXFORD LIONS CLUB ANNUAL YARD SALE

A motion was made by Windham, seconded by Oliver, to approve the request from the Oxford Lions Club for the use of the city’s Emory Street vacant lot on May 2^nd (alternate date of May 9^th )for their annual yard sale. The Council vote unanimous.

ELECTRIC

Smith reported that the city’s contract for marketing and distribution services with the Electric Cities of Georgia has been executed and submitted. The contract excludes power line tree trimming services.

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INVOICE APPROVAL

Routine Monthly Bills Paid

Approved Contracts

Purchases

A motion was made by Davis, seconded by Holt, to approve the invoices for February. The Council vote unanimous. Windham asked that the dumping site for mulch be put on the February work session agenda for discussion.

EXECUTIVE SESSION-PERSONNEL

There being no further business, or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Poole

City Clerk, CMC

Attachment A: Covington Street Sweeping Agreement