CALL TO ORDER
Mayor James Bratcher called the regular meeting to order on the above date. Council members Brenda Thompson, Tim Smith and Bruce Altznauer were present, as were members of the public. Council member Chad Cook was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Brenda Thompson made motion to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2014 minutes as submitted. Tim Smith seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
AGENDA AMENDMENT
Brenda Thompson made motion to amend the agenda to add Joellen Artz to item number seven concerning taxation. Bruce Altznauer seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
BUSINESS LICENSE APPROVAL – WILLIAMS / DOLLAR GENERAL
Mayor Bratcher stated that city had received two business license applications. One application was for a company called Great Southern Lawn and Landscape and the other was for Dollar General. He informed the council that both uses were allowed. Brenda Thompson made motion that the business license for Dollar General be approved. Tim Smith seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried. Tim Smith made motion that the business license for Great Southern Lawn and Landscape be approved as a home office use. Brenda Thompson seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
ALCOHOL LICENSE APPROVAL – SHERRILL
Mayor Bratcher advised that an alcohol license application had been submitted for Rutledge Wings by Greg Sherrill. He stated that it should open within the next 45 days. All required paperwork has been submitted for the license. Brenda Thompson made motion to approve the alcohol license. Tim Smith seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
FALLS SUBDIVISION
Mayor Bratcher advised the council that the owners of the Falls Subdivision were in the process of obtaining their road bond for the subdivision. They issued a check to the City for $125,000.00 for the road bond until the paperwork could be completed at which time the City would refund the money to them once we had the bond.
SOLAR PANELS – ORCHARD SUBDIVISION
Stafford Green addressed the council and explained that Georgia Power allows you to enter a lottery for individual solar panels. He stated that they were looking at buying some land at an area that was called Orchard Subdivision. He said we would put up solar panels like on top of a shed. Mayor Bratcher explained that the procedure would be to go through Planning and Zoning first and then it would come back to the Council. Bruce Altznauer stated I have objections. That is in a residential area. Brenda Thompson asked if anyone had talked to the people in the area. James Bratcher stated no but that Greg Harris would be checking with some people. Mr. Green said there is no guarantee we would win. If we did then we would come back. We just wanted to get a good feel of how Rutledge feels about it. Bruce Altznauer asked if there would be any financial benefits to the city. Mayor Bratcher stated only property taxes. Bruce Altznauer said once that is established it locks it out for any other uses. Debbie Kilgore advised the council that an accessory permit could not be issued without a primary use; it would have to go before planning and zoning. Brenda Thompson said it is in a residential area, it is a bad location.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR – TAX EXEMPTION
Debbie Kilgore explained to the council that the tax exemption for seniors had passed the house and senate. She said that Doug Holt requested that the city write a polite letter asking the governor to sign the bill. She stated that they all received a draft letter that she wrote and if there were no objections she would mail it. The council agreed to have her mail the letter.
Joellen Artz addressed the council to talk about hotel / motel tax. She explained that Hard Labor Creek produced the largest amount of the tax in all of Morgan County. She explained that she would like to talk to the county about Rutledge receiving some of the funds but did not want to do it without their knowledge. She talked about the process of becoming a Main Street / Better Hometown City and the steps you have to take and the benefits of becoming one. She said it takes two years to be approved. It is a national program. The money goes to the state and the state funnels it on down. I am just asking can I start the process, there is no guarantee we will get it. I am going to meet with Ann Huff tomorrow. We may be able to get help with the jail and depot. The council all agreed that it was a good idea and appreciated it.
PROCLAMATION CAMP SUNSHINE
Mayor Bratcher received a letter from a volunteer at Camp Sunshine asking to make a proclamation for June 23rd or the week of June 23rd “Camp Sunshine” week in Rutledge. The council gave Debbie Kilgore to get a proclamation ready for the May or June council meeting.
APPROVAL COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE UPGRADES
Ouida Autry went over the expenses and deadlines for software and hardware upgrades. She explained that three of our computers run off XP and if we don’t upgrade it would jeopardize our whole system. She also went over budget numbers and stated it would put us over on some items but needs to be done. The total cost is $2734.90. Brenda Thompson made motion to approve the expenditure for the computer upgrades. Tim Smith seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
DAVE BELTON –CANDIDATE – GA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Dave Belton thanked the council for letting him come and stated his priorities for his campaign. He said there had not been a representative from Rutledge in 30 years and would appreciate their support. He said he had always admired Rutledge. He said he was for quality growth, wants our children to get the jobs at Baxter and wants to protect our farmers.
ORDINANCE TO TEMPORARILY PROHIBIT ZONING ACTIONS AND PERMITS RELATED TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Bruce Altznauer made motion to approve and accept the first reading of the ordinance to temporarily prohibit zoning actions and permits related to assisted living facilities, personal care homes, nursing homes and similar facilities within all zoning districts in the City of Rutledge. Brenda Thompson seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
CROSS WALK REQUEST AT W. DIXIE AND NEWBORN ROAD
Mayor Bratcher stated that a request had been made to install a crosswalk from the sidewalk of West Dixie over to the sidewalk on Newborn road. He advised that he did not see any reason why we should not do this and should be able to do it ourselves. Brenda Thompson made motion to install the crosswalk at West Dixie and Newborn Road. Tim Smith seconded, all voted in favor and motion carried.
Tiffany Alliston a new recruit with the Sheriff’s Department was introduced to the Council. Mayor Bratcher welcomed her to Rutledge. Bruce Altznauer thanked them for their presence in Rutledge.
Brenda Thompson made motion to adjourn at 7:45pm. Tim Seconded all voted in favor and motion carried.
MEETING ADJOURNED
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