PRESENT: Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor; Councilmembers: George Holt; Jim Windham; Mike Ready; Jeff Wearing, Sarah Davis. Staff members present: City Manager Matt Pepper, City Clerk Connie Middlebrooks, Assistant Public Works Supervisor Scottie Croy, and Police Chief Dave Harvey. Councilmember David Eady and Utility Superintendent Jody Reid were not present.
OTHERS PRESENT: Hoyt Oliver, Dave Huber, Rev Tom Johnson, Cheryl Ready, Randy Simon from Oxford College, Eddie Sweat, and Dustin Sweat.
1. The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor
2. Invocation was delivered by Hoyt Oliver
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Motion to accept the Agenda for July 1, 2019 – Wearing – Second – Windham, approved unanimous 6/0.
5. Consent Agenda - Approved unanimous 6/0.
6. Mayors Report
Mayor Roseberry informed Council that Charles D. Strickland, the father of City Attorney C. David Strickland had passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019. The family would be receiving visitors on Monday, July 1, 2019 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at two o’clock on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church of Covington. The Mayor reminded Council of important upcoming events beginning with the annual picnic at Old Church on July 3rd at 6:30 PM, the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, at 10:00 AM and the grand opening of Asbury Street Park at 11:30 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
7. Planning Commission Recommendations/Petitions
None
8. Citizens Concern
Eddie Sweat (202 West Wade Street) addressed Council regarding a notice of violation requiring him to remove the camper serving as temporary housing from the property within twenty days. He requested that Council grant him permission to continue residing in the camper until the construction of his new home reaches completion in the next four to six months. Mayor and Council advised Mr. Sweat that city ordinances prohibit the use of campers as temporary housing and there is no provision for granting exceptions.
9. Moore Street Sidewalk Project
City Manager Matt Pepper advised Council the city had received three bids to construct the 5’ sidewalk on the southside of Moore Street. All three bids came in over the budget the city had set for the project. Councilmember Windham suggested the project be re-bid or requested that Jordan Engineering review the scope of work to see if it could be tweaked to get closer to the bids that had already been received. This item has been moved to the July 15, 2019 Work Session for further discussion.
10. Emory Street Sidewalk Project
Council was advised the city had received two bids for the 5’ sidewalk on the westside of Emory Street. It was recommended to Council the bid submitted by Tri Scapes, Inc. for $561,751.13 be accepted. The city has budgeted $700,000.00 for this project. Motion to approve bid submitted by Tri Scapes, Inc. Windham – second – Ready, approved unanimous 6/0.
11. Jail Services IGA
Mayor Roseberry confirmed with Chief Harvey that the necessary changes have been made to the revised Intergovernmental Agreement with Newton County to house the city’s inmates.
Motion to accept IGA with Newton County Ready – second – Wearing, approved unanimous 6/0.
12. 107 W. Clark Street Renovation Project
The architectural firm Carter Watkins Associates recommended Alcovy Surveying in Loganville come out and mark the location of trees on the property. Councilmember Ready questioned if Beryl Budd the city Arborist was qualified to complete this task. The Mayor advised Council the State Librarian Julie Walker visited the Yarbrough House on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Carter Watkins will meet with her at a later date to gather more ideas for the potential use of the property.
Motion to have Alcovy Surveying mark location of the trees Wearing – second Windham approved unanimous 6/0.
13. Planning Commission Appointment
Matt Pepper advised Council the Planning Commission has one vacant seat on the commission. The nominee recommended to fill that vacancy is Avis Williams (20 Wentworth Drive).
Motion to appoint Avis Williams to Planning Commission Windham - second Holt, approved unanimous 6/0.
14. Downtown Development Authority Appointment
Matt Pepper advised Council the DDA has one vacant seat on the authority. The nominee recommended to fill that vacancy is Ray Wilson owner of Atlanta Peach Management & Realty Inc.
Motion to appoint Ray Wilson to DDA Windham – second Holt, approved unanimous 6/0.
15. Invoice Approval
Motion to approve June invoices Holt - second Windham, approved unanimous 6/0.
Motion to adjourn regular session at 7:29 pm Windham– Second – Ready, approved unanimous 6/0.
Respectfully Submitted;
Connie Middlebrooks
City Clerk