Minutes from March 13, 2006

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

Guests present were Joe Johnston, Jeff Johnson, Ronnie Wood, Rudon Garner, Doug Peters and John Hewitt.

Mayor Burgess led the Pledge of Allegiance.

City Manager explained that Kemal Joseph had planned to be at the council meeting to ask if the City would be willing to waive permit and utility fees for a Habitat for Humanity home to be built in Social Circle (Baines Property). Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the request from Habitat for Humanity to waive City of Social Circle permit and utility fees. All were in favor.

Mayor Burgess announced that he and Senator John Douglas had planned a dinner for Freshman Senators on Wednesday, March 15^th at 7 PM at the Blue Willow. He invited Council and Planning & Zoning Chair, Joe Johnston to attend the event. Plans were made to have the Social Circle Transit buses available at the capitol at 5:30 PM to pick up the group.

Mayor Burgess announced that Representative Jeff May had been successful in getting a $256,000 commitment from DOT for the Solo Cup entrance road. (Estimated cost of road is $300,000.)

The agenda was approved as submitted.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to approve the February 2006 minutes as submitted. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to approve the Financial Statements for February 2006 as presented. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion; seconded by Council Member Price to approve Allen-Smith Consulting as Consultant for the Blue Willow Village Project (City received one other proposal from ALGA). All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to appoint Mary Kate Tribble and Richard Donaldson to the Historic Preservation Commission for a 2 year term. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to reappoint Tommy Brown and Rudon Garner to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a 2 year term. All were in favor. Mayor and Council will be looking for a replacement for the position held by Jarred Harris for appointment at the April meeting. Mr. Harris is moving out of the City.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to amend the budget to purchase a dump truck for $26,000. All were in favor. (Electric Franchise payment came in $37,000 over budget)

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve a $26,000 purchase for a dump truck. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White and City Attorney Joe Reitman discussed with Mayor and Council the Franchise Agreement recently presented by Georgia Power for execution. Mr. White explained that while GMA was once opposed to the agreement, negotiations between GMA and Georgia Power had produced this agreement and GMA was no longer opposed. Attorney Reitman warned Mayor and Council of the stipulation in the agreement about sidewalks indicating it could cost the City money should sidewalks interfere with electric lines in future projects. After more discussion Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to table this matter until the April meeting. All were in favor.

City Clerk Susan Roper reported to Mayor and Council that the City Personnel Policy allowed Mileage Reimbursement at the current rate from the IRS. IRS changed mileage reimbursement to 44.5 cents per mile January 2006.

Mayor and Council approve the effective date of July 1, 2005 for the Capitalization Policy adopted at the March 2006 meeting with no objection.

City Manager Doug White explained that a subject of conversation at the Walton Municipal Association on March 16^th would be a Fire Agreement with Loganville, Monroe and Social Circle. He said the agreement would outline the 3 Chiefs and their territorial support and that each territory pays for its own people and equipment. Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to enter into the agreement. All were in favor.

Council Member Price made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to approve an amendment to the City of Social Circle Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual to include reimbursement policy for Certification Testing. All were in favor.

City Engineer R. J. Wood reported to Mayor and Council that the North Metro Plan for Waste Water was set at 1.2 million gpd. The GEFA loan application was set at 1.4 million gpd. Because of the discrepancy EPD was holding approval on the GEFA Sewer Loan. Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to amend the application to reflect 1.2 million gallons per day. All were in favor.

Council Member Price made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to approve a bid from Mayland Southern Pump and Process, Inc. for an 8” Gravity Sewer Lift Station and Manhole for $27,357. All were in favor. (Second bid was from Flygt Pump for $31,820.)

Council Member Price made a motion, seconded by Council Member Peppers to go into executive session. All were in favor.

Council Member Price made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to enter Executive Session. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to exit Executive Session. All were in favor.

Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Price to enter regular session. All were in favor.

Mayor Burgess told Mr. White to advise Walton County that the City of Social Circle was still exploring their options and was not in a position to make a decision.

Mayor and Council agreed to use the Foster Holly tree for planting in the new sidewalk project.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.