--- date: "2002-06-12" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2002-06-12" source: "2002-06-12-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING 2002-2003 BUDGET HEARING June 12, 2002 Attended: Leonard Wolf, Mayor Karen Jacobs, Councilor Marvin Casebeer, Councilor Anna Bass, Councilor Roger McKinley, Councilor Lance Delgado, Councilor Diane Clingman, City Recorder Dave Welch, Chief of Police Joe Hitz Steve Close Mayor Wolf called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. The roll was called, Mort Rennels being absent. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the May 22, 2002 regular meeting were considered for approval. MSP: To approve the minutes of the May 22 meeting as written, Marvin Casebeer/Anna Bass. Mayor Wolf opened the public hearing for the 2002-2003 budget and asked for public comment. No one from the public was present for the hearing. He explained the hearing would remain open while the Council proceeded with the regular meeting. It was noted that the amount of hours for summer help in the Public Works Department has been reduced to 800 hours (from 1040) but that there was a misunderstanding about it by Bob Titus. It was explained that there is not enough work to keep all three students busy full time due primarily to age requirements. Mayor Wolf recommended giving it a try at the reduced hours. He said he had talked with Public Works and that Georgia had been able to work out a modified schedule for the three employees. The Council agreed to stay with the amount budgeted for 800 hours. Donita Adams was not present at the meeting. 6:15 p.m. Mayor Wolf recognized Steve Close who addressed the Council regarding his proposal to have the City bill him the equivalent of City tax in lieu of double water and sewer rates. Anna Bass noted that it is common practice for cities to bill double rates for residents outside city limits. Mr. Close argued that when the sewer rate was increased, the double rate became excessive. He was reminded that by residing outside the city limits he has the option of drilling a well and installing a septic system instead of using City services. Mayor Wolf noted the City attorney does not recommend using a formula Minutes June 12, 2002 to calculate charges. The City Recorder also noted that the City would be, in effect, lowering rates and that could be a violation of the water and wastewater financing contracts. It was noted that there are other residents outside the city limits who may or may not be willing to convert to an alternate billing formula because depending on property values, the rates could actually be higher. Mr. Close said the City could just do it for him, but the Council disagreed. Discussion followed. Mayor Wolf asked for two Councilors to research the legalities and feasibility. No one volunteered. Mayor Wolf asked Lance Delgado who said he would try but is extremely busy during this time of year. No other Councilor could commit the time so Mayor Wolf said he would work with Lance to gather the information. Mayor Wolf also said he would not be present at the June 26 meeting but would be in contact with Close. 6:40 p.m. Action List: New Business  The City Recorder said she had talked with the insurance agent and that people working with the fireworks would be covered. Planning: No Report Public Safety: Dave Welch addressed the Council with concern over the Budget Committee’s decision to not provide funding of $500 for federal surplus fees and asked the Council to reconsider. He explained that he could acquire items such as bullet proof vests for free through the program. In other business, he noted that residents near the baseball field had voiced complaints about parking during the games. Landfill Inspection Report: Bob Titus was not present to give a report. Karen Jacobs expressed concern over (possibly) underage employees working on the garbage truck. The City Recorder said at one time Officer Wood had looked into the situation. Dave Welch said he would do some checking. Public Works: No Report. Office: The audit contract was considered for approval. MSP: To authorize Mayor Wolf to sign the audit contract, Anna Bass/Roger McKinley. Anna Bass addressed the Council with a concern about the City continuing to do business with Gary Reigel of Blue Mountain Tel-Com. While talking with the City Recorder on the telephone, she overheard Mr. Reigel yelling and making unreasonable demands for a check. It was noted that due to past performance and other similar issues with Mr. Reigel, City employees had been discouraged from doing business with him. She suggested Bob Titus be told not to use his services. Discussion followed regarding whether or not Mr. Reigel is properly licensed to work on and install radio equipment. Mayor Wolf said he would tell Bob to no longer deal with Reigel. Minutes June 12, 2002 Accounts Payable: MSP: To pay the June bills, Marvin Casebeer/Roger McKinley. 7:15 Other Business: Mayor Wolf said Scott Nebeker of Anderson Perry had contacted the City regarding a request by Bob Titus to have Gary Limbaugh review the sewer line video tapes and provide a summary. He said the cost to do so is estimated at $3,000 to $4,000 and suggested it would be a good (winter) project for Bob. It was generally agreed by the Council that the task could be handled internally. Mayor Wolf said Gary Limbaugh of Anderson Perry and the sub-contractor providing the telemetry system were to be in town Friday and Saturday. He said he would try to schedule a meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and encouraged interested Council members to attend. He also said all public works employees should be there as well. 7:25 p.m. Mayor Wolf asked Joe Hitz about his progress on the well sites. He said he had nothing new to report because he had been working on the street project. He said he needed some answers from Bob and had brought some information for Roger McKinley to review. Mayor Wolf said to get more than just Bob’s approval on some of the issues. He reminded Joe that a decision needs to be made soon on the second well site. 7:30 p.m. There being no further input on the 2002-2003 budget, Mayor Wolf closed the public hearing. 7:30 p.m. MSP: To adjourn the meeting, Roger McKinley/Karen Jacobs. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Leonard Wolf, Mayor Minutes June 12, 2002