CITY OF THOMSON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING June 13, 2013

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1 CITY OF THOMSON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING June 13, :30PM Present: Kenneth Usry, Mayor James Jones, Councilmember Clifford Lunceford, Councilmember Alton Belton, Councilmember John Smalley, Councilmember Don Powers, City Administrator Jimmy Plunkett, City Attorney Dianne Landers, City Clerk Not Present: Sadie Brooks City-County Government Center Also Present: Michael O Neal W. David Hall Patsy Hall Otis Harrison Dorothy Harrison Mitch Sivas Johnette Bell Diane Perry Tim Simpson Scott Huff Donna Stillinger, WTHO Linda Green, McD Progress Chuck Brooks Shanda Grant Annette Tankersley Marjorie H. Cole Robert L. Cole Mayor Usry welcomed all to the June 13, 2013 Regular Council meeting. The invocation was given by Jimmy Plunkett, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. PRESENTATION: Wayne Erkens was recognized for ten (10) years of faithful service with the City of Thomson. Wayne started out in the Maintenance Department and later transferred to the Street Department. Michael O Neal was also recognized for forty (40) years of faithful service with the City of Thomson. Michael works in the Gas Department. Both of these fine employees received plaques and a monetary donation. MINUTES: Councilmember Belton moved to approve the minutes from the Regular Council meeting of May 9, 2013, followed by a second from Councilmember Lunceford. All were in favor. Motion carried.

2 Councilmember Smalley moved to approve the minutes from the Special Call meeting of May 13, 2013, followed by a second from Councilmember Jones. All were in NEW BUSINESS: Request for payment Moratorium, Camellia Partners: Camellia Partners has requested consideration in granting a continuing moratorium of the payment of interest and principal on the existing note held by the City of Thomson, until such time as a mutually agreeable plan of action can be put into place. Councilmember Lunceford moved to approve the request from Camellia Partners to extend the existing moratorium another two years beginning October 2012 through October Councilmember Belton seconded the motion. All were in Request 6 months extension - Mortgage for Brad Tubin, Thomson Metals: Mr. Brad Tubin has requested that he be allowed to continue paying interest on the note we hold for him on the Thomson Metals property. Original loan is for $246,293.36, for one year, at 4% interest. Councilmember Jones moved to accept the request and allow an additional six (6) months of paying interest only. Councilmember Belton seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. LMIG Paving Bid Results: Three bid packages were sent out on the 2013 LMIG resurfacing. Only one bid was received from C&H Paving of Thomson. The amount of LMIG Funding received: $57, % Local Match: $ 5, $63, The amount of the C&H bid for City streets was $70,950.00, or an overage over grant and match of $7, It is recommended to add the additional $7, to our match of $5, to complete the road sections approved by DOT in the City. Total amount of match from the City is $13, Funding to come from SPLOST V roads account. Councilmember Smalley moved to approve the recommendation and for the funds to come from SPLOST V road account. Councilmember Lunceford seconded the motion. All were in Planning Board Replacements: Randy Morgan s term with the City of Thomson Planning Board has expired and he does not want to be reappointed. Mayor Usry asked the Council to submit potential candidates at next month s meeting. Connie Dozier s term has also expired and she has agreed to serve again for four more terms, Councilmember Lunceford moved to accept the resignation of Mr. Morgan and the appointment of Ms. Dozier, followed by a second from Councilmember Belton. All were in

3 Neighborhood Association from Pine Hills Speed Humps Discussion: Residents from the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association, through their spokesperson, Mitch Sivas, have requested that the Council look over their proposed changes to the speed hump policy. Mayor Usry stated that the revised policy has to be reviewed by the City Attorney and brought back to the Council. After several remarks from the Association, the changes suggested by the Pine Hills Association will be sent to the City s attorney and discussed at a later time. 1 st Reading of an Amendment to Ordinance 175: Ordinance #175 is pertaining to solicitors, peddlers and door to door sellers. It was written in This amendment allows for more in-depth information and structure concerning those desiring to peddle or vend goods within the City of Thomson. Access Easement at State Patrol Property for GBI: Georgia Bureau of Investigation has asked for an easement from the City and County on the north side of the former State Patrol office property. The easement would be used for access and parking. The subject property covered by the easement has been used informally in the past by the GBI. An easement would formalize permission to use. Councilmember Lunceford moved to approve the GBI s request for the access easement adding that should the GBI vacate the building, the easement expires and will not stay in place for the next tenant/occupant. Councilmember Belton seconded the motion as stated. Motion carried by all. Bids for Air Conditioning/Heating Unit for Police Department: The Police Department has issued a bid request for a 5-ton unit for the old city hall. Bids were received from: Dozier Heating and Air $4, ( additional ductwork) Thomson, GA Pool Heating & Air $4, ( additional ductwork) Thomson Keith Land Air Cond. & Refrig. $5, (5, additional ductwork) Thomson, GA Duggan Heating & Electrical $6, ( additional ductwork) Augusta, GA Holliman s Air Service $5, (3, additional ductwork) Dearing, GA Councilmember Smalley moved to approve the bid from Dozier Heating and Air for $4,400, followed by a second from Councilmember Belton. Motion carried by all.

4 Water and Sewer Commission meeting recommendation: Two sewer maintenance projects were presented from the April 2013 Water Sewer Commission meeting for approval. They were (1) relining 1300 feet of sewer main on Railroad Street (budget $90,000, low bid $56,885 from Southeastern Pipe and (2) replacing a section of sewer main on Manassas (budget $50,000, low bid $42,800 from Beam Site Prep). Councilmember Lunceford moved to accept the recommendations from the Water and Sewer Commission and for the work to be funded by Water-Sewer reserves, followed by a second from Councilmember Jones. Motion carried. Two smaller water plant projects were also presented. Tree removal at Big Creek (budgeted $8,000, low bid $6,850 from Underbrush). Miscellaneous fencing at both water plants and Lumpkin Road water tank (budgeted $12,500, no bids received.) Therefore, this will be performed in-house with labor from water distribution and water production and materials purchased and paid for from Water-Sewer reserves. Councilmember Lunceford moved to approve the above recommendations and for the work to be funded by Water-Sewer reserves. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. All were in DISCUSSION ITEMS: Don Powers, City Administrator gave the following TE project report/update: o The TE project pre-construction meeting was held Thursday, May 2 nd. The project will get underway July 1 st with Spratlin and Son, LLC from Lincolnton, GA doing the work. o The Annex, the large meeting room and the old Chamber office will be closed for approximately three months for lead paint remediation. o The parking and street rehab will be done in phases and a map is attached that shows each phase and proposed traffic flow. o We have sealed and re-striped the parking lots along Journal Street. There are 78 parking spaces in this area and we striped an additional 18 spaces across Journal in the Knox Shopping Center, for a total of 96 parking places. o We are clearing the trees and shrubbery, and then adding some additional sidewalk beside Hogie Joe s to create a wider alley way for patrons to access Railroad Street businesses from the Journal Street parking lot. o We met with the majority of the property owners on Railroad Street and had the contractor explain the parking lot rehab and how the work and traffic will flow, beginning July 1. A motion was made by Councilmember Smalley, seconded by Councilmember Belton to adjourn to executive session to discuss Personnel Matters at 7:16pm. All for. Motion carried unanimously.

5 EXECUTIVE SESSION Present: Councilmember James Jones, Clifford Lunceford, Alton Belton, John Smalley, Mayor Kenneth Usry, Human Relations Director Shanda Grant, Police Chief John Seay, City Administrator Don Powers, City Attorney Jimmy Plunkett, and City Clerk Dianne Landers. After the discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Belton, to close executive session and to return to regular session at 7:55pm. Regular Session Don Powers recommended that the Council offer Jakarta (Nett) Jones the position of Interim Solid Waste Director for 6 months. Councilmember Belton moved to accept the recommendation, seconded by Councilmember Smalley. All were in A motion was made by Councilmember Belton, seconded by Councilmember Smalley to adjourn at 7:55pm. All for. Motion carried. Dianne Landers City Clerk