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CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Spencer Knight called to order the regular meeting of the Rutledge city council on the above date. Council members James Bratcher, Bill Spann, Brenda Thompson and Tom Strott were present as were members of the public. Mayor Knight advised the council that the agenda needed to be amended to add executive session. Tom Strott made motion to amend the agenda to add executive session. Brenda Thompson seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
Mayor Knight informed the council that the regular meeting for January will fall on Martin Luther King Day and would need to be rescheduled for Tuesday. James Bratcher made motion to reschedule the regular meeting to January 19, 2010 and stated that it would be published in the local paper. Bill Spann seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Brenda Thompson made motion that the minutes of the November 19, 2009 meeting be approved as submitted. James Bratcher seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Debbie Rutherford gave an update on the checking and utility billing balances. Mayor Knight advised that there were emergency repairs made on Nunnally Street due to flooding of the well house and lift station because of all the heavy rains. He said that Randy Jackson re routed the culvert and poured a base foundation. He said sandbags were placed around the well house. He stated that pumps in the well house had to be replaced because of being submerged in the flood waters. Grading work was done, grass was planted and straw was put down and ditches were fixed. He said this would fix our problem with the lift station having to be pumped. He said that the lift station had cost more than six thousand to be pumped in one night and this would fix that problem.
ANIMAL CONTROL PROCEDURES
Mayor Knight advised the council that animal control sent him their ordinance and the order in which they do things. He said when a citizen has a complaint they are to call animal control. The first time they come out they talk to the dog owner and can if they chose impound the animal. The second time they write a citation for $50.00 and can impound the animal. Third offense is a $75.00 fine and impound. He said that they would be faxing a form to city hall to hand out to citizens that will have all the information they need when reporting an animal at large.
GAZEBO SPECIFICATIONS
Mayor Knight stated that they needed to list the specifications for the gazebo before accepting bids. Tom Strott said it needs to be pressure treated except for the beams. It should be a metal roof and it should be bought from Georgia Roof here in Rutledge. There should be steps all around the structure. Mayor Knight asked Tom if he would type up the specs and send them to the clerk and he said he would. James Bratcher asked what is the expected time frame for completion. Mayor Knight said he would like to see it done by spring.
NEW CHURCH – WEST MAIN ST – WATER TAP
Mr. Richard Hubbard was present and addressed the council regarding the new church being constructed on West Main Street. He stated that they would be putting in a two inch tap and would appreciate it if the city could give the church some kind of reduction on the tap fee. Tom Strott stated that he didn’t believe a two inch tap would be necessary and Mr. Hubbard said they would need the two inch because they are expecting to expand the church. Tom Strott said my concern is that we will be setting a precedent if we lower your tap fee. Mayor Knight said there will also be an additional expense to bore under the road. He said the tap fee can’t be lowered or waived, but perhaps we could absorb the cost to bore under the road. Mr. Hubbard said any help you can give would be appreciated. James Bratcher made motion that the city would handle the labor and cost of boring under the road so that Union Springs Church may tap on to the cities water line. Tom Strott seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
Mayor Knight advised the council that there was only one application submitted to Morgan County Planning & Zoning Commission to represent the Rutledge district. He stated that his name is Robert Kevin Swanson and is well qualified. James Bratcher made motion to accept the application for Robert Kevin Swanson to serve as the representative on the Morgan County Planning and Zoning Commission in the Rutledge district. Tom Strott seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
SHIPPING CHARGES – SNOW MACHINE
Mayor Knight advised the council that Dr. Hughes had submitted an additional request to the city asking that we reimburse them for shipping charges of $195.13. Tom Strott said I think we should pay the shipping because Dr. Hughes paid for this himself. Tom Strott made motion that the city pay the $195.13 in shipping charges. James Bratcher seconded, Bill Spann voted in favor, Brenda Thompson voted against, motion carried with constitutional majority.
PARKING LOT DRAFT PLANS
Mayor Knight stated that the city had received the draft plans for the parking lot. He said it allows for ten additional parking spaces. The council reviewed the draft plans.
DEMETRIS GEDDIS, GAP TECHNOLOGIES – BROADBAND SERVICES
Mr. Geddis addressed the council and informed them that he worked as a research engineer and his area of research is fiber optic communications. He stated that since the recession congress is trying to create jobs and they want to invest in broadband capabilities. He said we are down at number fifteen in the world. This will significantly help our country. They are giving grants to build infrastructure in rural areas. Georgia recently won 33.5 million dollars. They are going to be giving one more round and they give points for certain things and Rutledge is a good candidate. Tom Strott asked what would the payback be for Rutledge. Mr. Gettis said economic development, housing markets and part of it could go to computer centers. Mayor Knight stated that Rutledge could not commit without having more information about the funding. He asked Mr. Gettis to get more information and bring it back to the council. Mr. Gettis thanked the council for their time and said he would get back with them.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Brenda Thompson made motion to exit regular session for the purpose of entering executive session to discuss litigation. Bill Spann seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried. Brenda Thompson made motion to exit executive session and enter regular session. James Bratcher seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
MEETING ADJOURNED
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