Minutes for June 17, 2008

Mayor Burgess called the meeting to order with the following Council Members present: Angela Porter, David Terry and Anne Peppers. Also present were Doug White and City Clerk Susan Roper.

Mayor Burgess led the pledge of allegiance.

City Manager Doug White introduced a New Zoning Text Amendment for AG2. Mayor Burgess opened a public hearing giving both sides 10 minutes to speak. There being no parties present to speak for or against the Text Amendment AG2, Mayor Burgess closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the New Zoning Text for AG2. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White presented a zoning application from Henry Funeral Home at 291 N. Cherokee Road from R15 to O&I. He stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission had met and along with Staff recommends approval. Mayor Burgess opened a public hearing giving both sides 10 minutes to speak.

Paul Rosenthal, Counsel for Wayne Ewing and Henry Funeral Home gave Mayor and Council an overview of the plans the Henry’s have for the property. Planning to hold very small viewings in the front downstairs section of the home and living in the rest. He also presented Mayor and Council with a list of 10 conditions that would be met by the property owners. Mr. Rosenthal concluded reserving his balance of 1 minute for rebuttal if necessary.

Vice Mayor Terry asked how we would enforce the number of people attending the funerals. Mr. Rosenthal said that would be enforced by 29 parking spaces and maximum seating of 30. No chapel services viewing only. Vice Mayor Terry also asked that coordination with the SCDPS be added to the condition list.

Mayor Burgess asked if there was anyone present wishing to speak against. Mr. Robert Howard, 188 Juniper Street spoke in concern of the use of Juniper Street and stated that approval would be a mistake with the current growth in Social Circle.

Mr. Rosenthal stated that the request was reasonable and a good example of transitional zoning. Mr. Henry reassured Mayor and Council that he had been in the business for 40 years and knew traffic as it related to funerals. He also stated that viewings are usually held from 6 to 8 in the evening and they always close by 9.

Vice Mayor Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve the request from Henry Funeral Home at 291 N. Cherokee Road from R-1 to O&I with 11 conditions as outline in the June 9, 2008 memo from the applicant. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White presented a final plat for Ash Street Development and stated that staff recommended approval. Mayor Burgess opened a public hearing giving both sides 10 minutes to speak. There being no parties present to speak for or against Mayor Burgess closed the hearing. Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Terry to approve the final Plat for Ash Street Development as presented. All were in favor.

Vice Mayor reported that the City of Holly Springs was imposing a $12 fuel cost on fines and suggested we look into the possibility for the next meeting.

The agenda was approved as submitted.

Minutes for May 2008 were approved as submitted without objection.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the financial statements for May 2008. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White presented the 2008-2009 Budget. He reported that General Fund was up about $125,000. Water was down a bit and included some transfers in for debt service payments. Gas is essentially the same as last year with the exception of the cost of gas and that the Sold Waste remained flat. He reported no utility rate increases and no tax millage increase were included in this budget proposal.

Mayor Burgess opened a public hearing giving 10 minutes to speak for each side. There being no parties present to speak for or against Mayor Burgess closed the public hearing. Mayor Burgess reported that a meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2008 at 7PM to consider adoption of the budget.

Council Member Porter made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Terry to approve the purchase of a van to deliver meals to the seniors from Akin Ford for $5,822. and instructed City Manager White to pursue funding from the Walton Foundation. All were in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.