Minutes from November 14, 2005 0 6PM

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

Guests present were: Jamie Peterson, Jarred Harris, Alicia Bailey, Charles Bell, Franklin Bell, Rudon Garner, Paul Posner, Bill Misueca, Joe Johnston, Frank Sherrill, Dr. Bez, John Douglas, Jeff Caise, Ambulance Driver, Chauncey Dixon, Quinton Clifford and Bob Minnett.

Mayor Burgess led the pledge of allegiance.

Dr. Bez presented a proposal to Mayor and Council regarding the temporary use of the visitor’s center as the legacy center until their facility could be built. Mayor and Council agreed to have the City Attorney move forward and draw up a draft contract to consider at a called session.

Senator Douglas commended Mayor and Council on their annexation efforts, getting $800,000 for engineering for the completion of the bypass and for updating the City’s Charter. Senator Douglas noted that he had recently been named to the Banking & Finance Committee. He stated that the Social Circle High School band had been invited to perform at the capitol during the next legislative session and would like to have more participation and suggested “Social Circle Day”.

Rudon Garner commended Col. Harris for the Veterans Program held on the 11^th. Mayor Burgess asked City Manager Doug White to draft a resolution for Col Harris.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Price to approve the minutes for October 2005 as presented. All were in favor.

Council Member Porter made a motion, seconded by Council Member Terry to approve the financial statements as presented. All were in favor.

Public Hearing scheduled was cancelled to take the annexation matter back to Planning & Zoning. A new advertisement to be placed in the paper for December 5, 2005 hearing. This matter will come back before Mayor and Council at the regular December meeting.

Mayor and Council received a request from Emory Thompson and A C Coleman to deed or sell a portion of Hill Avenue (abandoned road bed). City Attorney Joe Reitman suggested the matter be deferred to the next meeting to allow time to notify the public of the proposal.

City Clerk Susan Roper presented a schedule (attached) of budget amendments for General Fund for the 2004-2005 budget. Council Member Peppers made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the amendments as presented. All were in favor.

Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to appoint Richard Westrick, Jr. to the Historic Preservation Commission to fill the unexpired term of Dorothy Kelly (recently resigned). His term will end February 2009. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White reported that the Tree Board was short 2 members, Roger Dennington and Scot Simpkins. Mayor Burgess asked if any of the HPC members were interested in serving. Staff was instructed to get information on who was on the board and when they meet. Matter will come up at the December regular meeting.

The Pay Classification Plan was deferred to a work session to be announced.

City Manager Doug White recommended to Mayor and Council that the City subscribe to the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia for requirements recently implemented by the Public Service Commission for Gas. Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the City Managers recommendation. All were in favor.

City Manager Doug White presented proposals for Water Plant Operations to Mayor and Council from the following:

Woodard and Curin

Optech

Jordan, Jones & Goulding

After some discussion and a recommendation from the City Engineer R. J. Wood and City Manager Doug White, Council Member Terry made a motion, seconded by Council Member Porter to approve the proposal from Optech for Water Plant Operations. All were in favor.

City Attorney Joe Reitman reported that research had been done and concluded that there were no hours of operation restrictions in our ordinance. (24 hour operation is allowed)

City Attorney Joe Reitman presented to Mayor and Council a draft contract for Rental of the Library Rooms and Community Room. Mayor Burgess suggested the matter be deferred to a work session.

Mayor Burgess reported that the apartment adjoining Lakewood Cemetery was for sale and he had gotten an agreement from the property owner not to sell until the City could decide if they were interested. He had spoken with the Social Circle Development Authority Chairman; Grady Lemons regarding the Authority’s interest to purchase the property and rent out until such time the City needs the property for expansion of Lakewood Cemetery. Council Member Porter indicated she was not in favor of taking on the property. Council Members Peppers and Terry would like more information. Council Member Price suggested that too much focus was on Lakewood and not enough on Bennie Hill Cemetery. Reminded that Bennie Hill Cemetery needs upgrade.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

__________________________________ ____________________________________

James V. Burgess, Jr., Mayor Susan M. Roper, City Clerk