Minutes from July 10, 2006, 6PM

Mayor Burgess called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Angela Porter, Anne Peppers and David Terry. Traysa Price arrived at 6:15 PM. Also present were City Attorney Joe Reitman, City Manager Doug White and City Clerk Susan Roper.

Guests present were: Barney Rogers, Rose Rogers, Sybil Thompson, Betty Bledsoe, Jim Marston, Bob Wade, Bob Bray, Ray Desjardins, Susan Desjardins, John Anchors, Marilin Edwards, Donna Pressley, Mary A. Burt, Charles M. Bettis, Ann Brewer, Ann Parker, Don Garner, George Devar, Carolyn Clodfetter, Jacob Clodfetter, Joe Johnston, Linda Hapner, Billy Smith, Jackie Smith, Frances Straight, Anne St. Clair, Virginia Cromer, Christy Cromer, John St. Clair, Barbara Lundy, John R. Lundy, Dan Harry, Mary Kate Tribble, Dennis Kieringer, Nellie Hall, Jim Hall, Susan Stephens, Jim Metcalf, Ginny Metcalf, Glen Darby, Clire Bez, Samantha___________, Phillip Pendley, Sarah Ross, Doug Peters, Kevin _________, Hannah _________, Amy Scarborough, John Miller, Kathlene Miller, Rosie Crawford, Rosie Smith, Charlotte Hill, Tony Dorsey, Mary Dorsey, Jamie Peterson, Mabel Standridge, Bob Standridge, Judy Mauldin, Mary Ray Walder, Sally Thornton, Adrian Ogletree, Kelly Dally, Rob Dally and Bill Thornton.

Mayor Burgess led the pledge of allegiance.

City Manager Doug White read a resolution to present to the Social Circle Redskin Baseball Team for their outstanding performance as a team this past season.

Jim Metcalf presented to Mayor and Council a copy of an ordinance recently adopted by Walton County that limits the number of non family members living in one house. Attorney Reitman instructed that the item should come before the Planning and Zoning Commission as a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. At such time the Planning and Zoning Commission approves the ordinance or its revision it will come back to Mayor and Council for approval.

The agenda was approved as submitted.

Council member Price made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the minutes for June 12, 2006, June 14, 2006, June 20, 2006 and June 26, 2006 as presented. All were in favor.

Mayor Burgess opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing Public Comment regarding a rezone application from Little River Ventures, Carolyn Penland, Charles Bettis, Brad Bettis, Thomas Campbell and MAB Holding Company. Mayor Burgess explained that each side (for and against) would be given 10 minutes total. Mayor Burgess asked if anyone present would like to speak in favor of the rezone application? Attorney Jim Alexander representing the applicants presented a map and explained the project to the Mayor and Council and public present. Mayor Burgess asked if there were any others present to speak in favor. Hearing none Mr. Alexander was told he could reserve his 3 minutes for rebuttle.

Speaking against the rezone application were:

Bobby Bray, Surrey Chase. Concerned about traffic on Hwy 11. Sleepy town – like it that way.

John St. Clair, N of Surrey Chase. Also concerned about traffic but needs more information to determine his position. Stressed quality growth not uncontrolled growth. Wants to know Social Circle’s plan.

Barney Rogers, Surrey Chase. Moved to the country 5 times. Tired of moving. Concerned about traffic. Next move will be out of Georgia.

Mayor Burgess stressed to the audience that Social Circle is not trying to pull anyone into the City. Annexation is by petition only. Growth is coming and there is a lot of pressure on elected officials to maintain our small town quality. It is important that we protect the gateway to our community. He explained the process currently underway between Newton County and Social Circle regarding the annexation request.

Betty Bledsoe. Expressed concern for the environment.

John Miller. Growth is difficult to stop. How will the architecture in Social Circle be maintained?

Jim Alexander rebuttle: Reminded that this development is not happening overnight. Each time a parcel gets developed, the developer will have to come back to the City and its boards for permits. He reminded that Social Circle had a strong zoning ordinance in place and all involved had a mind to make this development as good as it can be.

Mayor Burgess closed the rezone public hearing.

Mayor Burgess opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing Public Comment regarding an annexation petition from Little River Ventures, Carolyn Penland, Charles Bettis, Brad Bettis, Thomas Campbell and MAB Holding Company. Mayor Burgess explained that each side (for and against) would be given 10 minutes total. Mayor Burgess asked if anyone present would like to speak in favor of the annexation petition?

Attorney Jim Alexander speaking in favor of the annexation petition representing the applicant stated that Newton County was not serving sewer to the nearby college. The land owners had no choice but to go to Social Circle for services. He reminded that this property was on the County line of Newton County. It was not as interesting to Newton County as to Social Circle. More important for Social Circle not to mess it up.

Mayor Burgess asked if anyone present would like to speak against the annexation petition?

Jim Marston, President River Cove. Don’t want to be annexed. Why would you respect the wishes of 4 or 5 property owners over 100’s of property owners?

Phillip Pendley, Little River Road – Newton has a fire station right across the street.

Amy Scarborogh asked if maps could be placed in City Hall so citizens could see the project.

Unidentified Lady asked if it will pull in people who don’t want to be annexed?

John St. Clair – How is property contiguous to the City (Hwy 278)

Jeff Moon, Surrey Chase – Moved from Lithonia to Conyers to Social Circle. Would like it in writing that you won’t annex except by petition.

Mayor Burgess stated that Mayor and Council would adopt a resolution saying we won’t annex unless you ask.

John Beasley. Concerned about dumping more traffic on Hwy 11 from the bypass. Mayor explained that DOT has to circle back to 11 to make it a bypass.

Adrian Ogletree, W Hightower. Concerned about the size of the zoning signs. Mayor concurred that they were too small.

Mayor Burgess closed the Public Hearing.

City Manager Doug White explained the budget. Mayor Burgess opened the public hearing asking if anyone present had questions regarding the budget.

John Anchors asked with the rising cost of health insurance had or will the City consider cost sharing with the employee? Mayor agreed health costs are on the rise and may have to look at this in the future.

Kelly Dally asked about the impact fees. Doug White explained that they would be for Public Safety and roads and that developer’s would pay the fees.

Unidentified woman asked if taxes would drop since the fire station was paid off and the city hall was fixing to be. Mr. White said total expenses are always considered and if taxes could be lowered then they would be.

Bob Standridge asked what we are paying the pipeline for gas. If you are not making money on the gas system then why keep the system? Response was that City is highly competitive and good service is a good value for businesses and citizens

Doug Peters asked what the difference was in what the city was paying employees to run the water plant compared to privatizing with Optech. Contract is in the budget and competitive with labor costs when city was running the plant.

Mary Kate Tribble stated her concern for Social Security citizens with the rate increases.

Mayor Burgess closed the budget hearing.

Mayor Burgess explained the SPLOST – Leve 2 project List. Jim Metcalf asked if the road (Wildwood extension) could be postponed and use the 3.2 million SPLOST money for sewer instead. Mayor indicated that both were top priority.

Mrs. Wright asked about how much money the city received in grant money.

Genny Metcalf stated concern about HPC grants and that all of the necessary paperwork had not been furnished by the City for HPC to apply.

City Clerk Susan Roper reported to Mayor and Council that there were 2 vacancies on the Social Circle Development Authority Board and that Chairman Grady Lemmonds had given Mayor and Council a list of possible appointees at the last meeting. After some discussion Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to appoint John Anchors and Jackie Rainwater to the Social Circle Development Authority. All were in favor.

City Clerk Susan Roper presented to Mayor and Council a contract for Banking Services for 3 years with Georgia Central Bank. Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to approve the contract. All were in favor except Council Member Peppers abstained.

Meeting adjourned.