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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 Brenda Thompson, Bill Spann, Chad Cook and James Bratcher were present as were members of the public.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
James Bratcher made motion that the minutes of the November 18, 2013 meeting be approved as submitted. Bill Spann seconded all voted in favor and motion carried.
BUSINESS LICENSE APPROVAL
Mayor Knight advised the council that a business license application was received from William Sheppard for a lawn and yard care landscaping business which would be cutting grass, trimming bushes and small paint jobs. He said this would just be a home office located at 225 Hollis Street and according to the zoning home office is allowed. Chad Cook made motion to approve the business license application submitted by William Sheppard for the lawn service located at 225 Hollis Street. Bill Spann seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
APPROVAL FOR CIVIL WAR HERITAGE TRAIL MARKER
Mayor Knight advised the council that markers are being put up all over Georgia marking Sherman’s march to Atlanta. He said a temporary right of entry and maintenance agreement needed to be approved for Whitfield County to put it in the park and maintain it for 20 years. He said the sign would be handicap accessible. He said it would be placed near the sidewalk in the park near the shuffle board court. Brenda Thompson made motion to approve the right of entry and maintenance agreement for the marker. Chad Cook seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
APPROVAL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION – BILL GRANTING HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Mayor Knight advised the council that the City attorney drew up the resolution to grant senior citizens the homestead exemption that was discussed at last month’s meeting. He said if approved it would go before the legislature then is put on a ballot for citizens to vote on and if it passes would not take effect until 2015. Brenda Thompson made motion to adopt the resolution for the bill granting senior citizens a homestead exemption. Chad Cook seconded all voted in favor and motion carried.
APPROVAL OF ALCOHOL LICENSE RENEWALS
There were no alcohol license renewals turned in for approval.
APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER
Mayor Knight recused himself from the meeting at this time and turned this item over to Mayor Pro-Tem Brenda Thompson. Mayor Pro Tem Brenda Thompson stated that ads had been run in the paper for applications for the Rutledge Planning Commission member on the Morgan County Planning & Zoning Board. She stated only one application was turned in and it was from Spencer Knight who’s mayoral term ends December 31st and this appointment will take effect January 1, 2014. She said he is self-employed and has 8 years mayoral experience. James Bratcher made motion to accept the application from Spencer Knight and appoint him as the Rutledge Planning Commission member. Chad Cook seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES
Brenda Thompson addressed outgoing council member Bill Spann and thanked him for all the work he had done for the City of Rutledge and its citizens. She presented him with a plaque for eight years of service from 2006 to 2013 as a council member. She also thanked him for the time he served as mayor prior to 2006. Brenda Thompson addressed Mayor Spencer Knight and thanked him for his eight years serving as Rutledge’s mayor. She thanked him for everything he had done for our town and said he was very much appreciated. City employees were there and thanked them also.
SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS – JUDGE CHARLES MERRITT
Judge Charles Merritt was present to swear in the newly elected officials as follows for Mayor, James Bratcher, Council Member Post # 3, Bruce Altznauer and Council Member Post # 1, Timothy Smith. All officials were sworn in individually with the Oath of Office “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully perform the duties of Mayor or Council Member of the City of Rutledge and that I will support and defend the charter thereof as well as the constitution and laws of the State of Georgia and the United States of America.” Pictures were taken of each official being sworn in and all were congratulated. The terms of the new officials begin January 1, 2014.
INFORMATION ON MEETING DATE FOR JANUARY
City Clerk Debbie Kilgore stated the meeting for January 20, 2014 would be rescheduled for January 21, 2014 due to the Martin Luther King holiday.
Brenda Thompson made motion to adjourn at 7:18pm. James Bratcher seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
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