MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE WALHALLA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
5:30 pm.
Present: Mayor Danny Edwards, Councilman David Underwood, Councilman Dennis Owens, Councilwoman Sarai Melendez, Danny Woodward, and Josh Roberts.
Absent:
Guest:
Mayor Edwards called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. Councilman Roberts led the pledge of allegiance.
Public Input:
Walls of Walhalla
Mr. Luther Lyle, Director of the Museum of the Cherokee, discussed a project called Walls of Walhalla. This is a renovation of retaining walls throughout the City that were built in 1935 by the Conservation Corp. He said, “Most of the walls have stone from what is now Stumphouse Park.” Many of the walls have been damaged or deteriorated over the years. He proceeded to show Council some of the pictures. He said, “I’m not asking for money just your blessing to do the project.” He believes he will be able to obtain enough money through fund raising.
Mr. Owens asked, “Are you going to be able to obtain rocks to fit in?” Mr. Lyles replied, “We should. For an example the old American Legion house that is no longer usable has a chimney that is made out that same rock could be available.” He is working on arrangements with the Beamon family who owns the property.
Mr. Woodward asked, “How many walls are we talking about?” Mr. Lyles said, “Three or four.”
Mr. Underwood said, “He appreciate him taken it on.”
Mr. Underwood made a motion and seconded by Mr. Roberts to support the project. The motion carried unanimously.
Rally in the Valley
Ms. Francis Remuldt asked the Council for $750 in Hospitality Funds for publicity for the annual Rally in the Valley Bike Ride. She said, “The proceeds go to the Oconee County Conservation Bank. The Mayor commented he knows about them, Oconee Forever, and they have been very helpful to the County.
Mr. Underwood asked, “What is the money going to be used for?” She replied, “Advertising using social media such as the internet, Instagram etc.” Mr. Underwood suggested they also use the radio.
The Mayor asked, “How many riders do they have?” She replied, “The goal is 300. However, the last two years have been low due to the weather. They have had as many as 200.”
Mr. Owens asked, “Are you a 501c 3?” She replied, “They have applied for it.”
Mr. Underwood made a motion to award them $750 in Hospitality Funds. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Mural at Sertoma Park
Ms. Danielle Pankuh, Executive Director of Keep Oconee Beautiful Association addressed Council about their organization and plans for mural as Sertoma Park. She said, “The organization started in 1985 with their motto is Education, Cooperation, Awareness and Action. They are pursuing a litter free environment. They have programs that include Adopt a Highway, Adopt a Spot and litter clean up events. They participate in the Great American Clean-Up. They teach children about littering, recycling and water pollution. They reach 3,200 students a year.
She is asking for approval to do a mural on the dugout that faces Catherine St. at Sertoma Park because it is a very visible place. They would do clean up at the park once the mural was finished and then ask the children to paint their hands to leave their hand prints on it. The goal is to have the kids have some buy in by being a part of the mural.
Mr. Pankuh said, “She would like to see recycling at the park.”
Mrs. Melendez asked could this mural have a ripple effect and be done at other parks. Ms. Pankuh said, “She hoped it would.”
Mr. Roberts said, “It would be great if we could use some recycled material for equipment in the park.
Mr. Roberts made a motion to approve a mural at Sertoma Park. Mr. Underwood seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mr. Woodward, seconded by Mr. Owens and unanimously carried, the minutes for the regular meeting on January 21, 2020 meeting were approved.
Reading of Resolutions and Ordinances:
Mr. Owens made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-21 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 402, 403, 403.5, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 409 OF ZONING ORDINANCE 1994-8/2004-11/2017-11 11 ESTABLISHING R-10 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO – Mr. Underwood seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Discussion: There was no discussion.
Mr. Roberts made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-22 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FY 2020 BUDGET (ORDINANCE NUMBER 2019-4) SO AS TO RECOGNIZE VARIOUS REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES IN THE GENERAL FUND. Mr. Owens seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Discussion: The Administrator explained this is to address the flooding issues at the intersection of S. Broad St. and South College St. along with the Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Thrift Corporation will be performing the work. The funds are coming from the Oconee County Transportation Committee and city reserves. The project consists of 6 culverts and 500 feet of pipe. It will take 4 months to complete.
Mr. Underwood made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-23 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 2019-05 TO REGULATE, RESTRICT AND LIMIT, IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE USE AND OPERATION OF THE WATER WORKS SYSTEM MAINTAINED AND OWNED BY OR WHICH MAY BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF WALHALLA AND PROVIDING FOR VIOLATION THEREOF. The motion was seconded by Mr. Owens and it carried unanimously.
Discussion: There was no public input. Mr. Roberts said, “He is good with the current reduction in the non-payment fee to $35.”
Other Business:
Walhalla Makers Market
Ms. Melanie Shook spoke on behalf of the Walhalla Makers Market advocating for their spring event. She stated the request to allow tents on the sidewalk, close some of the parking spaces in front the stores and Hospitality Tax funding. She stated, “The tents would be in front of businesses from Blossom Gas to 28 West.” Mayor Edwards said, “He had no problem with this as long as the store owners are good with it.” He asked “Would they consider hosting it on a Saturday?” Ms. Shook said, “A weekday event seems to work better
Committee Reports:
Fire/Codes:
Mr. Owens reported the department responded to 124 calls for service.
52 fire and 72 medicals.
55 calls inside the City and 69 were outside.
20 instances of mutual aid.
Staff trained 164 hours.
Fire Marshall completed 51 business inspections and 6 residential inspections. Codes Division made 8 new contacts issued 6 permits and 7 zoning verifications.
General Govt/Finance:
Mr. Roberts reported:
Irrigation at Chicopee Ballfield is installed.
The culvert project at College and South Broad is under construction.
Libby Imbody was hired to coordinate the Main St. Program.
The Notice to proceed was issued for the Pickleball courts.
Public Works:
Mr. Owens reported The Department collected the following:
270 tons residential garbage
50 tons commercial garbage
39 tons of brush
13 tons of C&D
6 tons of furniture
1.5 tons of mattress = 24 mattress
Recreation:
Ms. Melendez reported
Basketball All-Star practice has begun.
There were 51 participants at a disc golf tournament at Sertoma Park.
The batting cage at Sertoma Park is under construction.
There were several repairs made at City Park.
Police:
Mr. Woodward reported:
The department recertified on the use of Tasers. Helped manage traffic during simultaneous events at the Gym and Performing Arts Center. There was an update on the condition of Zachary McCall. The department performed 120 hours of training.
Department had
47 Incidents
17 Arrest 2 DUI
Issued 249 tickets
938 Calls for Service
270 Calls for extra patrol.
Utilities:
Committee didn’t have a quorum and did not meet.
Mayor’s Comments: The Mayor reminded the public we have a recycling center at the Street Department head-quarters. The center is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The center accepts plastic, glass and aluminum.
Council went into executive session to discuss a legal matter.
Council returned from executive session. No action was taken.
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Brent Taylor, City Administrator
