=
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp;
CITY OF
=
=
=
CI=
TY
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
=
&nb=
sp;
=
&nb=
sp; Monday, November 9, 2009
=
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp; =
6:30 PM
=
I. =
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called the city cou= ncil meeting to order at 6:30 PM on Monday= , November
9, 2009. The following members were
present: Councilman/Ma=
yor Pro Tem Steve
Councilman/City Clerk Harold Silcox, Councilman Louis
“Red” Smith, Councilman Charles Sharrock, City Manager, Ron Goulart and City Attorney,
Robert Stultz. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>
II. INVOCATION:
Councilman Louis Hamm gave the =
invocation
and Councilman/City Clerk Harold Silcox lead
the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. READING OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETIN=
G:
=
Minutes of the Regular Meeting R=
11; October
26, 2009
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a= motion to discuss/approve the minutes of the regular meeting
=
held Monday,
October 26, 2009.
=
= Councilman/City Clerk Harold Silcox made the motion to approve to waiver the oral reading
= of the minutes of the regular meetin= g held Monday, October 26, 2009 and approve as presented.
= Councilman Louis Hamm = seconded the motion.
=
There was no discussion.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb calle= d for a vote to approve to waiver the oral reading of the minutes of the
=
regular meeting held Monday=
, October
26, 2009 and approve as presented. Vote was unanimous.
= Motion carried to approve to waiver the oral reading of the minutes of the regular meeting held
= Monday, October 26, 2009 and approve as presented.
=
=
IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR:
=
Mayor Ronnie Cobb noted that
November is National
Adoption Month and there are
=
approximately 1200 children in the State of
= the second “Cruis In” Car Show will be held November 21 from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. He
=
also congratulated those who won in the most recent election and
= currently serving on the council and who have previously served on t= he council.
=
=
V. READING BY THE CLERK OF ANY
COMMUNICATIONS:
=
None
=
VI.&=
nbsp;
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION:
Ms. Gerry Depken, Chairman/Historic Preservation Commission came forward to give a
“Snippet” regarding the history of
VII.= ANNEXATION:
1. First
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 2
=
Ordinance No. 2009-11
= YRC, Inc.
=
= MAP 11D Parcel 62
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-11, Request <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> from
YRC, Inc. to have the property known as:=
the City of
City Manager, Ron Goulart read = the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-1= 1, Request from
YRC, Inc. to have the property known as:=
the City of
2. First
= Ordinance No. 2009-13<= o:p>
= Harold McCormick
=
= MAP 11A Parcel 112
=
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for th= e First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-14, Request from Mr. <= /p>
Harold McCormick to have the property known as:
annexed into the City o=
f
City Manager, Ron Goulart read the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-14, Request from
Mr. Harold McCormick to have the property known as:
<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>
112 annexed into the City of
VIII. ZONING:
=
Ordinance No. 2009-12
= Harshad Patel
=
= MAP 11A Parcel 113
= Request to rezone from current zoning of R1 to proposed zoning of PM=
Mayor Ronnie Cobb calle= d the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-12, Request from Harshad
Patel to have the property known as:
the current zoning of R1 to a proposed zoning of PM.
City Manager, Ron Goulart read = the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-12, Request from
Harshad Patel to have<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> the
property known as:
rezoned from the current zoning of R1 to a proposed zoning of PM.
2. First
=
Ordinance No. 2009-14
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 3
= Harold McCormick
=
= MAP 11A Parcel 112
= Request to rezone from current zoning of R1 to a proposed zoning of = C2.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb calle= d for the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-14, Request from Mr.
Harold McCormick to have the property known as:
rezoned from the current zoning of R1 to a proposed zoning of C2.
City Manager, Ron Goulart read the First Reading of Ordin= ance No. 2009-14, Request from
Mr. Harold McCormick to have the property known as:
112 rezoned from the c= urrent zoning of R1 to a proposed zoning of C2.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCE=
S:
&nbs=
p;
Second
Ordinance No. 2009-10
Amendment to 2009 Budget
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2009-= 10, Amendment to
2009 Budget.
City Manager Ron Goulart read the Second Reading of Ordi= nance No. 2009-10, Amendment
to 2009 Budget noting the amendments as follows: General Government Buildings would be
amended from $114,21 1 to $107,069.76, Tourism
would be amended from $10,000 to
$17,141.21, Police =
Cars
would be amended to reflect the lease payments to be $276,136.80, DOJ
Grant (for the
purchase of radios) would be amended $25,000,
(5) vehicles would be increased by $20,500.00 from $58,976.00 for the purchase of the new Fire
Truck and $76,049.90 would be taken out =
of Walker County SPLOST for three
X. RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution No. 2009-09
Amendment to the Water and Sewer Rates
Mayor Ronnie Cobb calle=
d for
the
and Sewer Rates
City Manager, Ron Goulart noted there were actually two (2) resolutions in their packages. The =
first resolution in your package provides for an increase in our water and
not increased our rates to cover the city’s portion of its cost in years. He noted he thought the last
increase was in 2000 and traditionally all the city has done is every time the City of
increases the water we just do a “pass through” without taking into consideration how much
money it cost us to operate the system. Also, the city has a 1998 bond approximately close to 4
million dollars that is owed on the bond and part of the bond covenant requires that the city
periodically if not at least annually evaluate the water and sewer rates to insure that the
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 4
water/sewer rates can pay the debt service of that bond. We have not been keeping up with that
even though we do send= a copy of our financials to the bank <= /span>or lending institution that holds the
bonds because we have simply been using SPLOST monies all these years to pay for a lot of
things. This will also provide for payment on the new bond we have approved. We haven’t
gotten the money but in order for the insurance to insur= e this 11 million dollar bond you must
demonstrate that your system can provide sufficient revenue to pay for that bond. That is one
of the requirements that the insurance company that insures this bond is going to require. In
order to do that knowing this
city has
a lot of projects going on
right now, Phase III of the
Interceptor, the a=
nnexed
roads Cloud Springs
Road Extension of which we got the notice to proceed and we don’t have sufficient SPLOST
money to do those projects. The reason for the bond, to get these projects done up front
and then pay for them. The first resolution provides that the rates are in “A,” “B” and
“C” attached hereto: the current residential rate for water is $9.27 the new residential rate they
are proposing is $11.17, the commercial rate = currently is $12.27 and the new proposed
commercial rate is
Water Company where they have gone up on our water effective this month. The sewer rates
currently for resident= ial is $10.47 and the proposed rate is $12.09 , the commercial sewer rate
is currently $13.47 and the proposed rate is $15.56. The residential sewer rates outside the= city
(Catoosa Utility Water) would go from $13.61 to a proposed $15.72. The commercial sewer
rates outside the city (Catoosa Utility Water) would go from $17.51 to a proposed $20.23.
The residential sewer rates outside=
the city (
and is proposed $15.72. The commercial sewer rates outside the city (
Water) is currently $17.51 and is proposed $20.23. These rates ar= e found in exhibit “A,” “B”
and “C.” He noted he realizes it is more = since they have to cover their cost but it is important
they do these projects and do them = now.
=
The second resolution only provides a rate increase of water only.
= the city has received from Tennessee American Water Company. The current water rate is
= $9.27 and would go up to $9.67 and the commercial water= rate is currently $12.27 and would go
= up to $12.80. This only reflects the increase of the “pass through” that the city = just received. He
=
is recommending the
= extremely important projects. He is also asking the council to implement a= policy no later than
= annually they evaluate the water and sewer rates and increase or decrease them depending on what
=
the need is every year as oppose to=
doing
a “pass through.”
He also pointed out that he planned to
= pay for this bond out of SP= LOST proceeds but since it is not something that is guaranteed over the
= years the insurance company is requiring the city is able to show this system is able to pay for
= itself.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a motion to discuss/approve Resolution 2009-09= , Amendment to
= the Water a= nd Sewer Rates (original resolution).
=
= Councilman Louis Hamm made the motion to discuss/approve Resolution 2009-09, Amendment
=
to the Water and
Sewer Rates (original resolution). Councilman Johnnie
= seconded the motion.
=
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 5
=
= Councilman/City Clerk Harold Silcox asked for an amen= dment to this by changing the effective
= date from November 1, 2009 = to January 1, 2010. He felt as though they had h= it the citizens with
= enough this year.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb asked i= f the time frame critical as far as= if it is past and post dated. Is this
= going to satisfy the bonding or does the city have to show it in this fiscal year.
=
City Manager, Ron Goulart noted if he could get the council to do the first resolution he felt
comfortable he could make it work. He noted that if he could get it passed you could put any
effective date within a reasonable amount of time. It is just critical they do = this.
=
= Councilman Louis Hamm let the citizens know that because of this= new bond they could do these
= projects. He researched at the 1998 bond and the requirements and it seems like somewhere along
= the line someone has failed to revised the rates to cover this 1998 bond like it should have been.
= He noted that because of that this council had to make a= tough decision. He noted to raise the
= water rates not only because of the .40 increase from Tennessee American Water Company but
= they had to go up another $1.50 to meet the criteria of = this new bond. He noted he h= as talked with
= the city manager and is glad he is putting something together to make sure they review the rates
= each year to see if they need to increase them to go along with the = new bond. He noted he didn’t
= want another co= uncil ten (10) years from now sitting there wandering why previous
= administrations had failed in going up little by little instead of having to hit the public with one
= hard time. He no= ted it had bothered him all weekend.
=
= Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith noted he agreed total= ly with Councilman Louis Hamm and
=
was shook up about when he first heard about it however there was
= He noted he was signing checks and when the city gets hit with a $1,000 fine every time they turn
= around it adds up to a lot of money that could be used for other thi= ngs so this had to be done. He
= noted he was all for it.
=
= Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem St= eve Brandon noted he was dumbfounded when he heard about it
= and feels as though the council has= been passed off with something and he would like to see
= something in place so this won’t have to hit someone else like= it has hit them. He noted when the
= economy is as low as it is and you have to tell taxpayers and citize= ns that you need more money it
= is not a good thing. He noted that if they get these projects done it will help the city in a= lot of
= ways with growth. He n= oted this is a have to do thing. He noted he pays water bills just like
= everyone else does and it appears to be an evil necessity.
=
= Councilman Charles Sharrock= noted he was ready to vote. <= /p>
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb clari= fied that it was a recommendation = from Arcadis, who they asked to
= look into the rates, based on how much they had been “passing = through” on these increases from
= Tennessee American Water Co= mpany and Moccasin Bend however, past councils failed to act
=
upon their recommendations possibly because it was not
politically correct
= dropped by the wayside and they have reached a= point now that for example they have a 5 ½
= million dollar expansion at Rosewood that has been waiting 1= 1/2 year. = Phase III of the
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 6
=
= interceptor will tie them on and eliminate the pump station and forc= ed main and they can go ahead
= with their expansion project. Without that they will loose their license. He noted there is a lot of
= good commercial development going to come out of this and he= commends the council and
= apologizes as well. He noted this resolution is the original resolution with an amendment to it.
= He asked Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> to amend his motion to make the effective date
= January 1, 2010.
=
= City Manager, Ron Goulart noted that the good thing is that t= he city will be paying off the 4
= million dollar bond at a sustantionaly reduction in the interest rate which will result in considerable
= savings.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for an amended motion to discuss/approve Resolution 2009-09,
= Amendment to the Water and Sewer Rates (original resolution) and amending the motio= n
=
by changing the effect=
ive
date to January 1, 2009. =
=
= Councilman Louis Hamm m= ade the motion to discuss/approve Reso= lution 2009-09, Amendment
= to the Water and Sewer Rates (original resolution) and amended his motion to change the
=
effective date to January 1,
2009. Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith seconded the motion.
=
= There was no further discussion.
=
=
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for
a vote to approve the
amended motion for Resolution 2009-
= 09, Amendment to the Water and Sewer Rates (original resolution) changing the effective
=
date until January 1, 2010. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried to
approve Resolution 2009-
=
09, Amendment to the Water and Sewer Rate (original resolution) with the effective date being
=
January 1, 2010.
=
XI.&=
nbsp;
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
XII.=
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approve two work trucks <= o:p>
Public Works Director, Mr. Jeff Long came forward to request approval to purchase two (2)
trucks to replace two in the current fleet. One truck is in the street department = while another is in
the recreation department both having significant miles on them. He is asking to purchase two= (2)
Ford F=
150’s
from Prater Ford in
the current Street and Recreation Department Budget.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a motion to discuss/approve the purchase of two (2) Ford F150’s&nbs= p;
from Prater Ford in
Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith made the motion to discuss/approve the purc= hase of two (2)
Ford F=
150’s from Prater Ford in Calhoun, GA=
for the amount of $37,596. Councilman
Louis Hamm seconded the motion.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 7
There was no discussion.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb =
called
for a vote to approve purchasing two (2) Ford
F150R=
17;s
from Prater
Ford in
approve purchasing two (2) Ford F150’s from
Prater Ford in
$37,596. =
2. Approve Mayse
Construction for moving pipe
Utilities Director, Mr. Phil Parker=
came forward to re=
quest payment to Mayse<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Construction
for transporting 57 sticks of 28” HDPE pipe t=
o the
old treatment plant in the amount of $2,896.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called = for a motion to discuss/approve p= ayment to Mayse<= /span> Construction for
an invoice in the amount of $2,896.
Councilman
Charles Sharrock made the motion to discuss/approve payment to Mayse
Construction for an invoice in the amount of $2,896. Counci= lman Louis Hamm seconded the
motion.
There was no discussion.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called = for a vote to approve payment to Mayse Construction for an invoice
an invoice in the amount of $2,896. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried to approve payment
to May= se Construction for an invoice an i= nvoice in the amount of $2,896.
=
=
3. Approve Renew=
al of
Workers Comp Insurance
=
=
City Manager, Ron Goulart noted the city had gone out for quotes on their workman’s comp
= insurance and the low bid was Lion Insurance Company = for $115,677. He noted this company
= has been around for a long time and has insu= red several government agencies. He also noted that
= if the city goes with = them they will save $22,329 and he is recommending them for the city’s
= workers compensation program.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a motion to discuss/approve Lion Insurance Company f= or
= $115,677 for the workers compensation program.
=
=
Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith made
the motion to
discuss/approve Lion Insurance
= Company for $115,677 for the workers compensation program. Councilman/Mayor Pro = Tem
= Steve Brandon seconded = the motion.
=
= There was no discussion.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a vote to appr= ove Lion Insurance Company f= or $115,677 for
=
the workers compensation program. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried to
approve Lion
=
Insurance Company for $115,677 for the workers compensation program.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 8
=
4. Request from
Tourism Committee
=
=
Mr. Dave Patel, representative for the Fort Oglethorpe Tourism Executive Committee, came
=
forward to address the issue that the funds going to the&nbs=
p;
Fort Oglethorpe Tourism Committee are
= being reduced annually by $10,000 which came from 3% of the Hotel/Motel tax earmarked for
= tourism. He is requesting that the mayor and council consider giving funds from the other 3% of
= the Hotel/Motel tax that is part of the general revenue.
=
= City Manager, Ron Goulart noted that as you look at the previ= ous budgets they are a lot lower =
= because each and every department was very cooperative in reducing their expenses and etc. He
= noted this was all because the sales tax numbers/lost revenue continues to be in a free fall. He
= noted that he put money in a contingency fund to use should a depart= ment need it in an emergency.
= He noted he was hoping the sa= les tax numbers will increase which will allow them to do a budget
= amendment during the year that will allow them to increase funding, replace personnel positions
=
and etc. He note=
d that they were going by
the state guidelines
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb noted that the city manager had to produce a balance budget and he had the
=
department heads cut a more than they have ever had to do before.
=
revenue would start increasing before mid year and if
so maybe they could
=
contingency money but as for right now they have to depend on the
financial director and the
= manager to keep them inform of the budget and etc.
=
= Mr. Dave Patel noted he understood the city had to maintain their budget however the tourism
= committee also has to maintain a budget which has been cut. He noted they are at a point that
= should funding keep reducing they would not be able to function.
=
= Councilman Louis Hamm n= oted it was his understanding when the= y first started giving that it
= would come out of the general budget of the 3% and not the 3% earmarked for tourism. He noted
= he would like to see it come out of the general budget of the 3% however he realizes the econo= mic
= downturn everyone is in hinders that but sometime in the future he would li= ke to see it done that
= way.
=
= Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem St= eve Brandon noted that they needed to advertise and promote
= the City of Fort Oglethorpe and he feels as thought they need to find a way to maintain the
= tourism committee.
=
= Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith noted he wasn’t exactly sure how this worked.
=
= City Manager, Ron Goulart noted under the hotel/motel statue that authorizes a municipality to
=
implement this tax
= selected years ago the one that allows them to collect 6% provided however that of the 6% revenue
= that you collect you must spend 3% on tourism and it sets fort= h how you can spend it on tourism.
= The statue specifically states that you can spend it either through = a Chamber of Commerce or a
= 501C6. In this city there are no 501C6’s, the only thing you have is the Chamber of Commerce
= and the city has given all = 3% to the Chamber of Commerce and they spent it however they felt
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 9
= like they needed to for tourism. A few years ago the city ask them rather than do this we
= want to give you money because we legally but they ask them to take the money and channel it
= over to the tourism and they agreed they would. He noted not only does this pay the city’s
= membership but the Chamber = has some accounting they do. He noted the other way would be for=
= the Chamber to obtain t= heir 501C6.
=
= Mr. Dave Patel noted they could organize their 501C6. It would be expense and it would be
= funded through the sales tax revenues. He noted the issue is they w= ould request the city give them
= their 3% so they could go on with their programs.
=
= Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem Steve Brandon noted the 3% goes to the Chamber of Commerce
= and then the Chamber gi= ves to tourism. He asked who s= et the figure for what tourism gets.
=
=
City Manager, Ron Goulart
noted the $10,000 is used for the city’s membership to the Chamber
= of Commerce. It has nothing to do with the tourism.
=
= Ms. Debi Wilson, representative of= the Fort Oglethorpe Tourism, came forward to give a
= description as to how = the city is funding tourism. She noted the council originally voted to
= send the entire 3% to be give= n to the tourism committee. She also noted they were all strictly
= volunteers, they did not work for the city and if they have no money to work there’s no reason
= to have a tourism committee.
=
= Ms. Martha Eaker, Chamber of Commerce, came forward to note they get a check every
= quarter from the city and they in turn write a= check to the Sixth Cavalry. She provided the
= council with a list of what the Chamber does noting that tourism is not the only thing they work
= with. They work = with groups and individuals to help small businesses, they work with entities on=
= their drug free workplace programs along with many other things.
=
= Mayor Ronnie Cobb noted he was proud of the Chamber and the Tourism Committee for all
= the hard work they do however these entities are like the businesses in the city they have all hit
= hard economic times. He again reiterated that the city manager and financial director put
= together the budget wh= ich was hard during this economic down turn.
=
=
5. Approve
=
City Manager, Ron Goulart is=
recommending approval
to pay the invoice from the
=
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a motion to discuss/approve paying =
the
invoice from the Catoosa
Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem Steve Brandon made the motion to discuss/approve payi= ng the
invoice from the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce for $10,000. Councilman/City
Clerk Harold Silcox sec= onded the motion.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 10
There was general discussion among the council members regarding the need to work out the 3%
and a way to give to both the Chamber and Tourism and a way to promote the city with one
councilmember noting <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> he= would vote “no.” It was also noted the city has been doing
maintenance on the Sixth Cavalry building and the county= has offered some money to go toward
the Sixth Cavalry.
Mr. Dave Patel gave a description of the marathon and = the money that it will bring into the city.
City Manager, Ron Goulart noted he had a contingency fund for emergencies and should
towards the middle of the year of&n= bsp; Tourism Committee have an emergency and the funds were
available it would be possible to help them however he noted that he= had to prioritize and consider
the Fire and Police Departments as well as emergenc= ies that might arise within the city’s needs.
He also noted he would not be comfortable cutting departments anymor= e at this time.
Catoosa County Commissioner Ken Marks noted how
proud he was
of the Tourism
Committee an= d what they have accomplished however in economic times like we are
experiencing now you have to prioritize.
There was further general discussion regarding the $10,000 and which 3% it= should come from.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb noted= he did not want people to confuse items #4 and #5 on the agenda, they
were two (2) separate items.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a vote to approve paying the in=
voice from the
Chamber of Commerce for $10,000. Vote was 4-1 as follows: Councilman/City Clerk Harold
Silcox voted
“yes,” Councilman Johnnie “Red” =
Smith voted “yes,” Councilman/Mayor
Pro
Tem Steve Brandon v=
oted
“yes,” Councilman Char=
les
Sharrock voted
“yes” and =
Councilman
Louis Hamm voted
=
=
XIII.CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
= City Manager, Ron Goulart noted he appreciated the approval vote= on the water/sewer rates so
= they could get these projects completed. He also noted they have rece= ived their notice to proceed
= with the Stuart Street Exte= nsion which is one of the projects they needed the bond money for, so
= they will proceed with that project soon.
XIV. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND BUSINE=
SS:
Councilman/City Clerk<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Harold Silcox – none
Councilman Louis Hamm – thanked everyone who voted him back in office and noted he
would continue to work hard for the citizens.
Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem
Steve
Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith – none
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 11
=
Councilman Charles
update on the roof at the F= ire Department.
City Manager, Ron Goulart noted they have put a temporary patch on the roof and they should
know tonight with the rain if it is going to work. He noted they have met with the engineer and
have just received the letter from the engineer and after reading and making copies for the council
they will access as to whether they want to put a whole new roof on = it or go with this patch.
XV.
CITIZEN’S PETITIONS AND REQUESTS:&nb=
sp;
Election Superintendent, Ms. Orma Luckey, came forward and thanked everyone who
helped
out during the previous election and noted she wished more people would get out and vote.
She a=
lso
asked why approximately 3.86%=
of
the electric bills were going for
the
Electric Franchise Fee. She asked what was some of the things the money increases in
water/sewer and garbage rates. She noted that i= t was put in an escrow account and they never
received the pay backs when too much was taken out.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb noted that the Mayor at that time designated a portion of that money to go
for recreation. = He also noted that Water/Sewer Revenues could not be combined with the General=
Fund.
City Manager, Ron Goul= art noted they did the Homestead Tax Exemption where we= have a
substantial amount of people living in the city who do not pay taxes= .
There was general discussion regarding franchise fees, taxes and etc.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb told = Ms. Orma = Luckey to come to city hall and asked for a print= out to show
where the franchise fees go.
Ms. Chris McKeever came forward to invite everyone to =
a Thanksgiving
Dinner at the
Fort
Oglethorpe Housing Authority on November
16.
Catoosa County Commissioner Ken Marks came forward to thank each candidate in the last=
election for such a quiet descent election. He praised the Councilman/City Clerk Harold Silcox
and Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem Steve Brandon for their service and&nb= sp; wished the newly elect= ed
officials the best.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb thanked all the candidates for collecting their signs off the roads so quic= kly.
XVI. EXECUTIVE SESSION: =
= None
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a motion to adjourn.
Councilman Johnnie “Red” Smith made the motion to adjourn.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 9, 2009
Page 12
seconded the motion.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb called for a vote to adjourn. Vote was unanimous. Motion carried to
Respectfu= lly Submitted,
_________= _______________ = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; ____________________________
Harold Silcox, City Clerk =
&nb=
sp;
=
=
&nb=
sp; Ronnie
Cobb, Mayor
&nbs= p; &= nbsp;