The Board of Commissioners of the City of Hawkinsville, Georgia met in a Regular Meeting, Monday June 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall with Chairman Shelly Berryhill presiding.
PRESENT: Chairman Shelly Berryhill,. Vice-Chair Henry Cravey, James Colson, Phil NeSmith and Wilson Credle.
Chairman Berryhill called the meeting to order.
James Colson gave a prayer. All pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
CITIZENS COMMENTS: Morgan Knowles asked about the mosquito spraying. The City continues to spray twice a month. He also asked the progress of the housing grant.
Commissioners explained there was a lot of paperwork involved and Sherry Kurtz, grant administrator had some issues with the contractors, due to the Board requesting she contact local contractors to possibly bid on the projects, but hopefully will start next month.
Manager Murkerson stated he had no response on the letter sent to DCA requesting special exception to pursue local contractors, even those related to City Board members.
He stated that he, Ms. Kurtz and Keith Carter would be meeting later.
MINUTES: Phil NeSmith motioned to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2011 Regular Meeting. Henry Cravey seconded. Shelly Berryhill stated needed to make one correction, on the election of GMA’s District 6 Officers for 2011-2012 he had abstained and with that change, motion passed.
MINUTES: Henry Cravey motioned to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2011 Called Meeting. Phil NeSmith seconded, motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
SIXTH STREET PARK: Manager Murkerson reported new basketball goals had been ordered, play ground fenced and sand installed and the used equipment donated from various sources would be refurbished.
BILL PAY BY CREDIT CARD PROPOSALS: Manager Murkerson explained he had received two proposals, one from NexCheck and one from EVO. His recommendation is to use EVO from Eastman, Georgia for the credit card processing with the administration done by Xpress-pay, with rates of 2.90% and .50 cents transaction fee, all of which will be passed back to the consumer as a convenience fee. They would provide software and a card reader to accept walk in payments, and these would pay a flat $2.50 convenience fee. The city would have a one time $25.00 gateway activation fee, a $10.00 monthly gateway fee and a $10.00 monthly maintenance fee for a total of $20.00 in monthly fees.
He would work on issues of online payments with this company also.
Henry Cravey motioned to approve EVO as the credit card processing company. Wilson Credle seconded, motion passed.
DOT MEETING: Manager Murkerson reported he had talked with Clinton Ford, DOT Representative from Thomaston. They will meet Thursday to discuss re-routing the truck traffic off Commerce Street onto Broad Street. He was not sure of the time of the meeting, but would let everyone know. Mr. Credle suggested all the downtown merchants be notified of this meeting and that they meet 30 to 40 minutes prior to get their ideas. He asked City Attorney David Walker to see what the legal options would be for the City to maintain Commerce Street. He also requested a large overhead projector.
RADAR SIGN ON COMMERCE STREET: Murkerson reported the radar sign was in place on Commerce Street just past the Post Office, but the battery was going dead and had to be replaced. Credle requested they order two extra 12 volt batteries, NeSmith requested they look into possible solar charging. Murkerson said this was discussed when purchased, but seemed rather expensive.
POST OFFICE CONTACT: Murkerson stated the regional representative is Eric Chavez and he had tried to contact him, but with no response.
Before continuing with new business Manager Murkerson presented the following.
RESOLUTION: Manager Murkerson read a Resolution in its entirety, renaming the Sixth Street Park as the “James A. Colson Park”. Phil NeSmith motioned approval. Henry Cravey seconded, James Colson abstained, motion passed. Mr. Colson was completely surprised, saying how much he appreciated it and thanked everyone.
NEW BUSINESS:
BUSINESS LICENSE: Henry Cravey motioned to approve the applications for a business license in the names of;
1. MOORING LANDSCAPE DESIGN
(564 Columbus Hwy.- landscape design- Chris Mooring, owner)
2. HAWKINSVILLE GOLD BUYERS
(72 Houston St.- buy gold, silver, coins, platinum- David C. Lindsey, owner/partner)
James Colson seconded, motion passed.
1ST READING ORDINANCE, THE UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO BE AMENDED BY ADDING IN SEC. 2.6.1 CONDITIONAL USE UNDER ZONING DISTRICT B-2 RESIDENTIAL- SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING: The ordinance was presented as a first reading. No action taken.
Murkerson stated the Planning & Zoning Board recommended this be a text change and the conditional use request would follow the same procedures when rezoning property, also State and local construction code guidelines would have to be met.
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE CITY OF HAWKINSVILLE/PULASKI COUNTY 2008 JOINT URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PLANS AS AMENDED: Phil NeSmith motioned to adopt the resolution to amend the Urban Redevelopment Area boundary to include a parcel, which as illustrated on the maps associated with the plan, found to contain an error that excluded this parcel specifically described within the plan as contributing to the negative conditions within the area. James Colson seconded, motion passed.
RESOLUTION ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HAWKINSVILLE AND THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A STATE GRANT FOR THE HISTORIC SITES GUIDE, HAWKINSVILLE HERITAGE PROJECT: Henry Cravey motioned to adopt the resolution. James Colson seconded, motion passed. The total project cost is $12,170.00 with the grant amount of $7,302.00 and the City’s 40% matching amount of $4,868.00.
RENEWAL OF (SAVE) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements PROGRAM, (MOA) Memorandum of Agreement, WITH OBLIGATED BUDGETED FUNDS OF $300.00 PER YEAR, TO EXPIRE JUNE 30, 2012: Phil NeSmith motioned to approve the agreement. James Colson seconded, motion passed. This program is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security for the purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-citizens and naturalized or derived U.S. citizen applicants, intergovernmental information-sharing initiative designed to assist Federal, State government agencies and non-government agencies in determining an individual’s immigration status.
DISCUSS PROPOSAL FROM PONTEM SOFTWARE ON PROFESSIONAL CEMETERY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: Phil NeSmith questioned how many lots were left for sale in the cemeteries. Clerk Herrington stated there were 5 lots left with 4 grave spaces in each at a cost of $500.00 per grave space. NeSmith stated if that was all left he was not sure why the city would need this software program. He also stated the City may need to look for additional sites. Clerk Herrington explained it was mainly for history of the records already on hand, with maps that are almost unusable and deeds that don’t spell out exactly where the lot purchased is. She understood what NeSmith was talking about, but felt the next person put in charge of the cemetery records would have a better chance at helping others locate where a family member is buried.
Manager Murkerson stated the software was a state of the arts program and if decided to purchase would put the City’s cemetery records into the 21st century.
Henry Cravey was concerned about the annual support fee and would it be necessary to continue it once all the information was compiled. Though the Commissioners made their approval it was decided we would look at this again in 2 or 3 months.
AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLE GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION SERVICES: Henry Cravey motioned to renew the agreement for the annual fee of $1,000.00 for this service. James Colson seconded, motion passed.
RENEW LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CONNER’S CLEANERS ON PARKING LOT:
James Colson motioned to renew the annual lease agreement for the parking lot space behind the City Hall at a cost of $200.00 per month. Shelly Berryhill seconded, motion passed.
DISCUSS FUNDING UNITED PULASKI, INC.: Wilson Credle recommended the $10,000.00 budgeted funds for United Pulaski, Inc. be allocated as $5,000. UP’s general fund and $5,000. specified for contact firm production cost. He stated the City was UP’s largest contributor, due mainly to the Spec. Bldg. and should have a say in how the funds are to be used. He said of course there were no guaranties the firms would produce any businesses, but through contact firms programs site selectors, Hawkinsville/ Pulaski County would have greater exposure. This would not replace any State program.
There was some controversy between Credle and Lee Slade as to what the consultants wanted. Slade stated that what Mr. Credle is talking about is what he does everyday for United Pulaski, Inc.
Credle wants the contact firms, but not change anything UP is already doing.
Shelly Berryhill stated he liked the idea of contact firms and recommended earmark funds and asked UP to help the City through the process. Mr. Slade said if the UP Board directs him to help with the process then he will.
Phil Nesmith stated need to look at expanding to a more regional joint venture with other communities. He said the textile miles are gone, with the federal and state governments sending jobs to other countries, we all need to lobby if we want to make things happen.
DISCUSS OWNERSHIP OF THE OLD HEAD START PROPERTY LOCATED ON NORTH LUMPKIN STREET: Manager Murkerson explained that County Commissioner Bailey wants the City to take over the property located on North Lumpkin Street. The property was deeded to Hawkinsville School Systems and then to the Pulaski County School System and recorded for government use activities only. Commissioners did not fill there was any use for the property at this time. No further discussion or action was taken.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATES:
Manager Murkerson gave a report from Codes Enforcement on the dilapidated housing, also an unclean lot report with the locations that are being addressed.
He included a work order synopsis for the month of April from the customer service system. These are completed work orders only.
He provided a 30,60,90 days arrears report listing commercial customers who are behind on their bills. Mitchell Woods, Finance Director explained that the last customer on the list would be charged 10% if not paid by 20th of month.
Murkerson included a collection policy for consideration. If you approve this policy as the standard for all accounts, staff flexibility on collections will be limited as this policy would be enforced for every account regardless of circumstance.
He presented some recommendations to the Commercial Collection Policy and the Residential Collection Policy. The Commercial Collection Policy shall be amended to read Businesses with 2 months outstanding balance will be notified of termination of service via certified mail. The total balance owed must be paid within 10 days. Service will be terminated 10 days after notification, (payment arrangements?).
COMMERICAL COLLECTION POLICY AMENDED: Henry Cravey motioned to amend the Commercial Collection Policy with all recommendations, with the payment arrangement stating, in order to initiate payment arrangements must pay 50% of balance due. Phil NeSmith seconded, motion passed.
The Industrial Park infrastructure project is on schedule. The wastewater system is about 95% complete. The distribution system will be available at front of Spec. Bldg.
The contractor for the CDBG project that started in Orchard Hill and includes Forest Hill has now moved to Markel and Mitchell Streets. Completion is expected in the next few weeks.
There is work being done at the community market building. The two commercial spaces are being framed up. (completion 120 days from April 11 or August 8).
City employees and our DOC detail are doing a good job keeping the community looking good. We will also start clearing and marking the walking trails north of the Uchee Trail boat landing very soon.
Better Hometown and the Chamber of Commerce are making plans for a Harvest Festival on September 24, 2011. They are requesting that the section of Commerce Street between Veterans Memorial Drive and Lumpkin Street be closed to vehicle traffic from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Per your agreement I will work with DOT to see this accomplished.
As directed by the Public Service Commission, the City of Hawkinsville should enter into a joint consent agreement concerning a county wide safety plan. The agreement stipulates, through the appendixes, procedures for safety concerning the operation of the Natural Gas distribution system located in the county.
JOINT SERVICE AGREEMENT: Phil NeSmith motioned to approve the agreement. Henry Cravey seconded, motion passed.
LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT: He handed out the reports for May 2011. Investigator Robert McGriff was present to answer any questions.
BETTER HOMETOWN REPORT: Karen Bailey was on vacation, but a written report of the many projects through Better Hometown was presented.
Board of Directors meet June 28, 2011 at 11:00 in Opera House.
Promotions Committee, 2011 Harvest Festival set for Saturday September 24, 2011, in honor of Agricultural Heritage.
Design Committee Hawkinsville Historic Preservation will meet June 21, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in Opera House.
Organization Committee, partner in the Community of Opportunity (COOP) project.
Recycling Committee plans to promote recycling and partner with city and county to assist in implementing future recycling program.
River Parks Advisor Council partner with city and county to plan events and coordinate projects for Mile Branch Landing-Hawkinsville Pulaski County Park. Paddle groups scheduled some up coming dates to tent camp. The annual Pulaski Rivers Alive cleanup schedule for Saturday September 24, 2011.
Economic Restructuring Committee Hawkinsville Downtown Development Authority visited Downtown Macon Farmers Market to observe gather information for the DDA and make contacts with potential vendors for the new Ocmulgee Market to be located in the old cotton mill when it opens.
DDA members, City Manager Murkerson and City Commission Chairman Shelly Berryhill attended the Fitzgerald Farmers Market June 1st.
ARCHWAY PARTNERSHIP REPORT: Michelle was at a conference, but presented a written report of the many projects of Archway.
She reported on the Economic Development, Community of Opportunity (COOP) by the Georgia Dept of Community Affairs project enhancement of the community’s web presence, work to audit existing community institution websites, recommend specific changes to increase the community’s’ web presence and establish an award-winning community website. Branding sub-committee is producing a set of multi-media DVDs, will develop a short “y-Tube” style video and a longer economic development video designed to communicate the unique features and benefits of the community to potential business interests, DDA and BHT, UGA students creating an inventory of existing downtown retail space, complement to the retail inventory the Executive Committee approved an over/under retail study that was initiated by the Applied Research Division of UGA’s Small Business Development Center.