TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AUGUST 4, 2016
LANE GRESHAM – TALLULAH FALLS SCHOOL – TWIN RIVERS CHALLENGE
JAMES WATTS – JAMES PAINT BODY & TOWING
WADE RHODES, JUDY TAYLOR – HABERSHAM CHAMBER – E SPLOST
PEPPER KELLY
ATTORNEY REPORT – HICKORY NUT MOUNTAIN ROAD – RADIO MAINTENANCE FEES – LEASE LISTING AGREEMENT
FIRE REPORT
POLICE REPORT
WATER REPORT FINANCIAL REPORT
STREET REPORT
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER REPORT
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
OPEN FLOOR
ADJOURN
*EXECUTIVE SESSION IF NEEDED
TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting for September 8, 2016 of the City Council of Tallulah Falls, Georgia was called to order at 6:00 0’clock p.m. by Mayor Hayes.
PRESENT WERE:
- Mayor Dan A. Hayes
- Councilperson Deb Goatcher
- Councilperson Bill Coldren Councilperson Larry Hamilton
- Police Chief Bill Goatcher
- Town Administrator/Clerk Marcia McKean Deputy Clerk Patti Polk
OTHERS PRESENT:
See attached sign-in list
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to accept the minutes of the August 4, 2016 meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Mayor Hayes recognized Lane Gresham with Tallulah Falls School who presented the 2016 Twin Rivers Challenge. The school is the primary sponsor of the annual cycling event and confirmed participation from the Tallulah Falls Police Department, along with other surrounding law enforcement, to assist with the one-day event. The school is anticipating an estimated 200 cyclists for 2016.
James Watts with James Paint Body & Towing publicly wanted to thank the Tallulah Falls
Police Chief, Bill Goatcher, for discussing the protocols for wrecker service rotations with him. Mr. Watts specifically addressed the incident that occurred on July 19, 2016 when an 18-wheeler overturned in the Tallulah Falls City limits. According to Mr. Watts, he was scheduled to receive the call, as outlined in the Rabun County wrecker rotation protocol. Because, for whatever reason he didn’t receive the call, he wanted to ensure Chief Goatcher would “handle it and make it right.”
Councilperson Bill Coldren, Public Safety Commissioner, followed up with comments that Tallulah Falls would abide by the wrecker protocols; and if there was confusion, it was not intentional.
Wade Rhodes and Judy Taylor, both representing the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the Council regarding E-SPLOST and requested the Town’s help to encourage favorable voter support. The tax would be for educational capital investments only and will not increase the overall sales tax above 7% since it is not a new tax; only a continuation of an existing tax.
William J. “Pepper” Kelly, a Commercial Broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers, asked for an opportunity to provide any clarity on the previously submitted standard lease agreement. Councilpersons Goatcher and Hamilton voiced concern over the current content.
Mayor Hayes suggested Attorney Allyn Stockton work directly with Mr. Kelly to ensure the lease agreement is in order with the marketing presentation that occurred and was agreed to during the August 4, 2016 Council Meeting.
Attomey Report:
Allyn Stockton gave an update on Hickory Nut Mountain road ownership. Mr. Stockton indicated a security deed would be required for the Town to take ownership.
Councilperson Hamilton made the motion for the Town to accept ownership of Hickory Nut Mountain Road and for Attorney Stockton to secure a properly executed deed from the current property owner. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Attorney Stockton gave an overview of the Habersham Radio Maintenance Fees and explained the Town has no legal obligation to pay the requested amount. It is reasonable for the Town to consider entering into an agreement with Habersham and pay the 3% increase for 2017 in the amount of $2250.00.
Mayor Hayes requested Attorney Stockton to contact Habersham County on behalf of the Town to redraft the agreement as outlined above.
Fire Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Hayes recognized the Fire Department with a “hat’s off’ for the work they do to assist the Town and State Park.
Police Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Police Chief Goatcher commented on the particular incident of an out of town visitor exposing himself in Town as being a mentally ill individual; not a security threat.
Water Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Chief Goatcher discussed the water leaks in Town and stated in the past 9 weeks, there have been 7 leaks. The leaks are attributed to a failing I-inch pipe on Hickory Nut Mountain Road. As such, Chief Goatcher has initiated bids from 6 separate suppliers to upgrade the line to a 2-inch pipe which is compliant with EPD requirements. Because the amount to complete the work will not be over $ 100,000.00, Attorney Stockton stated a formal advertised bid is not required.
Street Report:
Police Chief Goatcher announced no additional grant money will be received until the water issue between Rabun County and the City of Clayton is resolved. The Town will continue to work on any issues using the funds we currently have available.
Financial Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Hayes read through the Financial report and commented on available funds to repair road damage that resulted from digging for water leaks.
Public Safety Report:
None.
Police Chief Goatcher discussed the Animal Control Agreement received from HabershamCounty. Currently, if there is an animal issue, Chief Goatcher works through Paws for Life in Rabun County. Councilperson Hamilton requested to table the issue until further review of the Habersham Agreement.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Hayes announced Founder’s Day will be October 8th which will be an all-day fundraising event for the Tallulah Falls Volunteer Fire Department. A sample Founder’s Day t-shirt was displayed and will be priced at $15 per shirt.
Open Floor:
Tallulah Falls Business Association (BA) President, Mary Beth Hughes, discussed an annual fee of $75 for surrounding area businesses that do not reside in the Town of Tallulah Falls to have their business added to the tallulahfallsga.gov web site.
Councilperson Goatcher made the motion for the Town to allow local businesses who are members of the Tallulah Falls Business Association but outside of the Town to participate on the tallulahfallsga.gov web site at an annual rate of $75. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Patti Polk, Deputy Clerk, requested an executive session to discuss a personnel issue.
The Council entered Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue.
Mayor Hayes called the regular Council Meeting back to order at 7:50 p.m. and announced no action was taken.
Councilperson Hamilton made the Motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilperson Coldren. The Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.