TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 8, 2017
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting for June 8, 2017 of the City Council of Tallulah Falls, Georgia was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem Deb Goatcher.
- Mayor Pro-Tem Deb Goatcher
- Councilperson Bill Coldren
- Councilperson Larry Hamilton
- Councilperson Robbie McCutcheon
- Police Chief Bill Goatcher
- Town Administrator/Clerk Patti Polk
OTHERS PRESENT:
See attached sign-in list. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Pro Tem Goatcher welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Donna Verdino to open the meeting with prayer.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the minutes of the May 4, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and May 18, 2017 Budget Hearing. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson McCutcheon to accept the agenda for the June 8, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
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Attorney Report:
Mayor Pro Tem Goatcher mentioned the Council would continue the MuniCode Project for the review of ordinances with Town Attorney on June 15, 2017 from
2-5 p.m.
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 announced the new police car is in transit and should arrive next week.
Chief Goatcher asked for the Council’s approval to purchase a pop-up shade tent to be shared by all Town Hall Departments. The amount should be no more than $140.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to purchase the pop-up shade tent for $140. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon and passed unanimously.
Water Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Chief Goatcher noted a major water leak from earlier in the day at the State Park. More than 60 thousand gallons were lost which caused the tank in town to be completely drained and thanked residents for calling in to report having low water pressure.
Chief Goatcher stated he had received approval from EPD to drill the well deeper and drilling will begin late June or early July 2017.
Financial Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Pro-Tem Goatcher remarked three of thirteen checking accounts have been closed. The three closed accounts include the Emergency Fund, Hickory Nut Road Fund, and Terrora Buiding Fund. All money from closed accounts was transferred into the General Fund.
Mayor Pro-Tem Goatcher asked for approval on the Deferred Compensation Plan discussed in the June 8, 2017 workshop. Financial advisor for Edward Jones, Ara Joyce, recommended a SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRA plan with a 2% employer contribution and employee match for full-time staff with a 12-month waiting period from the date of hire.
Chief Goatcher questioned the 2% employer contribution since it would equate to less than the $100 per month budgeted for each employee and would not be an equal dollar amount for each employee. The SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) IRA would allow a designated flat dollar amount.
After further discussion among the Council, Mayor Pro-Tem Goatcher asked for approval on the Deferred Compensation SEP IRA Plan with a $100/month employer contribution for full-time staff with a 12-month waiting period. As discussed earlier in the work shop, the employer must contribute to the account for all full-time employees whether they choose to contribute or not.
A Motion was made by Councilperson McCutcheon to accept the SEP IRA with a $100/month employer contribution for full-time staff with a 12-month waiting period. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Mayor Pro-Tem Goatcher asked for approval on the FY2018 Budget discussed during the Public Budget Workshop held May 16, 2017 and Public Budget Hearing held on May 18, 2017.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the FY2018 Budget. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Street Report:
Chief Goatcher stated the storm water drain system on Main Street did not work properly during recent heavy rains. Two areas had to be unclogged; one in front of Carl Seaman’s workshop and another in front of Kate Larkins house at the lake. A 12-foot long 3-foot wide trench was dug at lake area and culvert added to help with storm water drainage. This should take care of any future flooding.
Chief Goatcher stated he asked Mayor Dobbs to contact the Rabun County Street Supervisor to expedite the Town’s need to have asphalting done on Hickory Nut Mountain and other places in the Town.
Public Safety Report:
Councilperson McCutcheon stated Fire Elections had been completed and new officers would be announced at the July 2017 Regular Council Meeting.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher stated the Habersham Radio Agreement has been signed with an effective date of July 1, 2017. The amount budgeted for FY2018 is $1439. The amount of $6065 has been waived for all previous years.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher advised a letter had been received from resident, Lynn Pfaender, indicating the need for water service at 115 River Street. Chief Goatcher is currently getting bids on water lines to the property which will be presented at the July 2017 Council meeting.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher referenced the work shop discussion on the Habersham GIS Mapping Project. The $35,000 amount originally quoted was for the County alone to purchase the ESRI system but having multiple governments to participate would increase the amount to $60,000 making it too expensive for the County to purchase. An alternative solution, ArcGIS Online, is under consideration but there is no recommendation by the County at this time.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher commented the City of Clayton Zoning Project. The City added $25,000 to the budget to hire the Carl Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia to propose changes to the Zoning Ordinance.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher stated a Founder’s Day committee should be formed to determine interest in the Town sponsoring a Founder’s Day event on October 7, 2017.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher recognized resident Dan Hayes, Tallulah Falls representative for the Habersham Bicentennial event, to provide an update from the June 1, 2017 Bicentennial work group meeting held at Tallulah Falls School.
Mr. Hayes gave a brief update stating the County will reach out to each municipality formally to request a representative or delegate to participate in the Bicentennial Work Group. Thus far, only Tallulah Falls has been represented at the meetings. A small group from the larger work group will attend a meeting of each municipality to request their participation.
Mr. Hayes also commented on Mayor Dobbs’ support during the recent Habersham Bicentennial meeting for aligning the Tallulah Falls Founder’s Day with the Bicentennial event and he suggested having a car show as draw for public.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher acknowledged Johnny and Ann Irvin for donating an American Flag to the Town that was used during the May 20, 2017 Veteran’s Convoy event. A note of thanks has been sent.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher mentioned the DNR Search and Rescue meeting held at Tallulah Gorge State Park on May 18, 2017. The Park will begin installing water lines for drinking fountains in the gorge to assist park visitors with adequate hydration.
Open Floor:
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher asked if there were any comments or questions from the floor.
Volunteer and part-time Town employee, Donna Verdino, followed up on the suggestion made by Mr. Hayes in favor of a car show at the Founder’s Day event. Having been a part of many car shows in the past, she agrees it will attract visitors to spend money at the event.
Mr. Hayes also suggested having a Chick-fil-a wagon at the Founder’s Day event as an alternative food source. A town representative would need to contact them for details.
Mr. Hayes commented on other items discussed in the meeting including the police car taking an extensive amount of time for delivery, suggested having an alarm or siren that sounds when the tank empties so the Town does not have to rely on residents to call in, suggested unclogging drain near Dustin Rogers house to help with storm water drainage, and asked for an update on the pending sale of the Terrora Building.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher thanked Mr. Hayes for his comments and stated the Council would be going into executive session to discuss the pending sale of the Terrora Building.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher called for an Executive Session at 6:33 p.m. for the Council to discuss real estate.
Mayor Pro-tem Goatcher called the regular Council Meeting back to order at 6:56 p.m. and announced the Council discussed real estate. Mayor Pro-tem asked for a motion to authorize the requested 90-day extension from the original July 12, 2017 closing date with additional earnest money to be offered by the buyer.
A Motion was made by Councilperson McCutcheon to authorize the requested extension for an additional 90 days and to increase in the amount of earnest money. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Councilperson Coldren made the Motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilperson McCutcheon. The Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.