TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
May 4, 2017
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting for May 4, 2017 of the City Council of Tallulah Falls, Georgia was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Terri Dobbs.
- Mayor Terri Dobbs
- Pro-Tem Deb Goatcher
- Councilperson Bill Coldren
- Councilperson Larry Hamilton
- Councilperson Robbie McCutcheon
- Police Chief Bill Goatcher
- Acting Fire Chief Mike Early
- Town Administrator/Clerk Patti Polk
OTHERS PRESENT:
See attached sign-in list. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Preacher James Turpen of Tallulah Falls United Methodist Church to open the meeting with prayer.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to accept the minutes of the April 6, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and Executive Sessions. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the agenda for the May 4, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs requested Council review of the Beer and Wine License application submitted by Michelle Halpern, owner of the Artists Kava House Grill.
Police Chief Bill Goatcher commented a successful background check had been completed for Ms. Halpern but the process of getting results from fingerprints could be several weeks.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to approve the application request pending no negative results of the fingerprints check. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed. Councilperson Hamilton abstained since he is the owner of the building being rented by Ms. Halpern.
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Attorney Report:
No Attorney Report
Fire Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Police Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Chief Goatcher discussed the Rabun and Habersham County Health Department rules for non-profit events like the Town’s weekend bluegrass event, festival, and church events proposing the Town accept responsibility as the authority to issue non-profit food service permits at temporary events of 120 hours or less.
A Motion was made by Councilperson McCutcheon to authorize Chief Goatcher as the Town representative to issue non-profit food service permits at temporary events of 120 hours or less. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Water Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs noted the Town is in process of responding to EPD on the permit application. She and Consultant, Willard Ferguson, have met with all seven (7) surrounding cities in Habersham. All are in favor of the filing by Tallulah Falls for the water withdrawal permit. Two cities are interested in partnering financially.
Financial Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs reported on the letter received from the Department of Audits and Accounts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. The letter summarizes the results of their review of the original audit report and corrective action plan. One technical item for correction was address with Mixon & Associates.
Mayor Dobbs referenced the Habersham County GIS Mapping presentation by Mike Beecham in the earlier workshop and asked for a motion to approve. For the first year, the price will be $1,458 and subsequent year will be $1,250.
Councilperson Hamilton questioned the duplication of services since he thought we received these same services for free from the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission (GMRC).
The motion was tabled pending further investigation of GMRC versus what Habersham GIS Mapping services and the cost associated with each.
Mayor Dobbs discussed adding Workers Compensation benefits for the Mayor and Council under the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) as had been done in the prior month’s Council meeting for all part-time policemen. The cost is an additional $14 month to the current premium.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to approve the GMA Workers Compensation for the Mayor and Council. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Chief Goatcher noted several water meters needing replaced and asked for approval to purchase a case of new meters costing approximately $350 per case.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to authorize the purchase a case of water meters. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs gave an update from Tallulah Falls Rabun County Water Authority representative, Dallas Taylor. Mr. Taylor’s report referenced a new building under consideration for payments and other customer needs and indicated the County and City are in discussions to resolve their water disputes which will allow for finalization of the Rabun County Service Delivery Agreement.
Chief Goatcher stated the Town Hall parking area needs asphalting. He is currently getting bids and will come back to the Council with a cost.
Street Report:
Chief Goatcher stated he needs to follow up on bids for the Town Hall parking area and other small areas needing asphalting. He will come back to the Council with a cost.
Public Safety Report:
None
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Dobbs commented on a recent 2-day seminar she recently attended. The seminar was presented by the Department of Community Affairs at Unicoi State Park on comprehensive planning.
Mayor Dobbs noted the contract for the sale of the Terrora Building has been signed by all parties and is scheduled to close within 90 days.
Mayor Dobbs noted the MuniCode project and the city ordinances currently under review by the Council. A meeting to review said ordinances is being held with the Town Attorney on May 12, 2017, 2-5p.m.
Mayor Dobb reviewed the offering to attend the Georgia Academy for Economic Development at a cost of $265. The Academy is a four-day course designed to enhance community leaders’ skills and knowledge so that more communities in Georgia may remain or become successful.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to authorize the $265 payment for Mayor Dobbs to attend the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs commented on the kitchen remodel that is underway and one of the next steps would be replacing the kitchen cabinets.
Councilperson Hamilton had commented he could use the cabinets for a personal project he is working on if they were just being thrown out and there was no objection from the public.
A Motion was made by Councilperson McCutcheon to donate the old cabinetry to Councilperson Hamilton. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed. Councilperson Hamilton abstained.
Mayor Dobbs referenced the workshop discussion of changing the workshop meeting date and time. The discussion ended with the options of changing the date and time back to the week prior to the Council meeting or keeping with the same date of the Council meeting but changing the time to 5:00 p.m.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to keep the workshop meeting to the same day as the Council meeting but change the time from 5:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs announced the dates for “His Last Days” will be Labor Day Weekend, September 2-3, 2017.
Chief Goatcher asked for the Council to approve a $250 budget to pay security personnel for assisting with event parking.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to approve a $250 budget to pay security personnel for the “His Last Days” event. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs announced the Archway Group graduation will be the end of June 2017. Several projects came out of the Archway projects including the development of the Tallulah Falls Vision/Mission Statements, the Water Work Group, Bi-Centennial Work Group, 365 Project, and the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Mayor Dobbs called for an Executive Session at 6:47 p.m. for the Council to discuss real estate, possible litigation, and personnel. The Town Attorney, Allyn Stockton, will be available by phone during the executive session.
Mayor Dobbs called the regular Council Meeting back to order at 8:15 p.m. and announced the Council discussed real estate, possible litigation, and personnel. Mayor Dobbs stated no decisions were made regarding real estate and litigation but asked for a motion to honor the agreed upon salary for Town Clerk, Patti Polk, effective May 1, 2017.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to approve the salary. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
Councilperson Goatcher made the Motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilperson Coldren. The Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Open Floor:
None.