Happy Wednesday!!
I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. Let's get into the recap of last night's meeting.
Unfinished Business
A. SPLOST Project Planning - project recommendations. Council approved the project list for upcoming SPLOST and Stormwater projects. They include resurfacing Ridge Ave, Sheppard Cove/Court drainage repair, Stonedraw Ct drainage, and Rockborough Trail drainage. Administration will move forward with obtaining engineering documents and construction bids to be presented to council for final approvals.
New Business
A. Discussion continued on the request for conveyance of City property on Ferndale. The requestor asked for the property to create a private drive to deter people from turning on their property at the dead end. The City has installed additional signage indicated the road is a dead end and will explore other measures to mitigate the problem before moving forward with conveying property.
B. Approval was given for Clark Patterson Lee to perform the FY2020-21 MS4 Annual Report as required by the EPD. This is an annual report that the City is required to conduct on its stormwater infrastructure.
New Ordinances and Resolutions
A. The revised Resolution 2020-17 FY2020 budget resolution was adopted. Resolution included increases in legal services, general liability deductible, special events, small equipment, and overtime pay. Decreases in contingencies, computers, and group health insurance. The budget remains balanced.
B. Adopted Resolution 2020-18 Continued Emergency Management During the Public Health State of Emergency Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Resolution includes mandating face masks/coverings in Public with a max fine of $50 and does allow for those who have bona-fide reasons to not wear a mask. City Facilities will require masks. The mask mandate will not be enforced at voting/polling locations. Turning away some one from voting because they are not wearing a mask would be voter suppression, in my opinion. Resolution gives the City authority to make emergency purchases and decisions as they are related to COVID-19. And allows for a employee Telework Policy. Resolution is in accordance with the current governors executive orders and the Statewide Judicial Emergency order.
C. Adopted Resolution 2020-19 for the appointment of a Personnel Hearing Officer - Michael L. Sheridan. The city's personnel policy allows for some grievances if elevated to be heard by a personnel hearing officer. They serve in a contract basis and are paid hourly only for the time in which they are providing a service. Rarely has the hearing officer been needed in the past but the City still needs to have on available.
Committee Discussion Items
HPC and Planning and Zoning - council extended the deadline to receive applications for both committees until September 9th. Under the previous deadline the City did not receive the minimum required interested applicants. The next step will be for the Council to compile a short list of candidates to the Mayor who will then bring them to Council for final appointment.
Updates were given on DDA and Parks and Rec.
Disclaimer: This City Council Recap is taken from my personal notes and memories of the meeting. For the official minutes of the meetings please visit the City web page.