TOWN OF TALLULAH FALLS
STATE OF GEORGIA
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 4, 2018
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting for December 7, 2017 of the City Council of Tallulah Falls, Georgia was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Teri Dobbs.
Present were:
- Mayor Teri Dobbs
- Councilperson Deb Goatcher
- Councilperson Bill Coldren
- Councilperson Larry Hamilton
- Attorney Allyn Stockton
- Fire Chief Mike Early
- Town Administrator/Clerk Patti Polk
OTHERS PRESENT:
See attached sign-in list. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs recognized local resident, Lee Mavroleon, who wrote and donated framed poem and photograph entitled The Glenbrook Hotel at Tallulah Gorge.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to accept the agenda for the January 4, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the minutes of the December 7, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and Executive Session. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to accept the minutes of the December 14, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting and Executive Session. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs discussed the need to amend the signed November 9, 2017 Regular Council Meeting notes to state, “A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to proceed with Phase 1 at an estimated cost of $383,000 subject to Council approval for each project.” The notes incorrectly stated only proceed with the Geological project in Phase 1B.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to amend the November 9, 2017 Regular Council Meeting notes to include the approval of Phase 1 instead of Phase 1B. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Attorney Report:
Attorney Stockton discussed the Town Charter and the process to change the Charter including the need for clarity on the number of Council required to conduct business when there is dead lock or a tie break. Attorney Stockton advised the Town to request local delegation to sponsor and present an amended Town Charter during the 2018 legislative session to precisely define its definition of dead lock and/or tie break.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to contact local Rabun and Habersham County representatives to assist in sponsoring and presenting an amended charter during the 2018 Legislative Session to clarify a quorum for voting to include a mechanism when there is a deadlock or tie break needed. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously
Fire Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Fire Chief Early stated federal law requires tires on fire trucks to be changed every 7 years and requested approval to purchase all new tires for all fire trucks at an estimated cost of $5384.64.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to authorize Chief Early to proceed with purchasing tires for the fire truck with funds raised by the Fire Department. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously
Police Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Police Chief Goatcher stated the FY19 Budget should include the purchase of a new police truck.
Police Chief Goatcher stated the police truck needs tires and asked for Council’s approval to proceed with the purchase.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to authorize Chief Goatcher to proceed with purchasing tires for the police truck. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Police Chief Goatcher asked the Council for permission to hire a part-time police officer, Kristi McKnight, to which the Council responded they would discuss in executive session and consider.
Water Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Mayor Dobbs recognized Brian Rindt of Rindt McDuff Associates (RMA) and asked him to report on the Water Filtration System Project.
The RMA Report is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton for RMA to proceed with planned drawings and bid process to get estimates for the filtration system. RMA will also prepare the plans and specifications to be sent to EPD. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
Financial Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Street Report:
Attached hereto and made a part hereof. (for attachments, contact Town Clerk)
Police Chief Goatcher stated he filed the 2018 LMIG Application to have widening and resurfacing work completed on Cartledge Street and a list of other prioritized smaller projects
Public Safety Report:
None.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Dobbs announced a donation from Scott Neal in the amount of $1000 was received and is to be shared equally between the Police and Fire Departments.
Mayor Dobbs discussed the Tree City USA Program presented by Mark Wiles during the earlier workshop. Mr. Wiles requested the Town’s participation, without any cost, by meeting four requirements of creating a Board, an Ordinance, a forestry program and honoring Arbor Day each year.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher for the Town to participate in the Tree City USA Program. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs recognized Councilperson Goatcher as the point person for reviewing and summarizing the Tallulah Falls Town Charter for all Council to review and sign off on their understanding.
Mayor Dobbs gave an update from the December 7, 2017 Vision Meeting whereas the Town will honor its past and plan for its future. The contract on the Hardman property has been extended until a decision is made by Georgia Power on the usage of the property being residential, commercial or conveyed to the Town for leasing.
Mayor Dobbs announced a Special Election will be required for the recent council seat vacated by Robbie McCutcheon and his unexpired term. Qualifying for the Special Election will start on January 22, 2018 and end at noon on January 24, 2018. The election will be held on March 20, 2018.
Mayor Dobbs stated the Rock House Resolution for Conveyance from the State to the Town had been signed and sent back to the Department of Natural Resources. The Deed states the Rock House must be used for public use only. The Resolution will be presented during the 2018 Legislative Session for approval.
Mayor Dobbs asked the Council to consider future trainings offered under the Georgia Municipal Association if they have not attended any training within the last four years.
Mayor Dobbs announced the annual Town Hall Meeting would be January 25, 2018 at 6pm. The Town will report 2017 annual review and allow residents the opportunity to make their thoughts and ideas known to the Mayor and Council.
Open Floor: Resident asked for an update on the Geological “water finder” expert, the surface water withdrawal permit and the Georgia Power decision on the Hardman property.
Water Superintendent Bill Goatcher responded the Geological expert had been in touch but needed better weather before he could begin his assessment.
Mayor Dobbs responded the water permit application was moving forward and that Georgia Power had responded to the water intake required but there is an ongoing process to justify the need requested before a final decision of approval can be made.
Mayor Dobbs stated Georgia Power is considering options of what to do with the Hardman property. It may remain as residential, could be used as commercial as it is zoned or could be conveyed to the Town for leasing. To date, Georgia Power is still in deliberation on the issue.
Mayor Dobbs called for an Executive Session for the Council to discuss personnel.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Hamilton and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs called the regular Council Meeting back to order at 8:27 p.m. and asked the Council to make any appropriate motions based on discussions in executive session.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton to hire Kristi McKnight as a part time police person at $13/hour with no benefits. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
Mayor Dobbs stated from December 2017 Council Meeting, the offer to hire C.J. Alexander had been rescinded since he had accepted employment elsewhere.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Goatcher to pay Matt Nall for the 18 days required under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act beginning on his commencement date of January 29, 2018 for military leave. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Hamilton for the Town to continue to pay its portion of benefit premiums for Matt Nall while he is on an unpaid military leave. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Coldren and passed unanimously.
A Motion was made by Councilperson Coldren to begin accepting resumes for the position of City Clerk/Court Clerk. The Motion was seconded by Councilperson Goatcher and passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m