MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE WALHALLA CITY COUNCIL
January 15, 2019
5:30 pm.
Present: Mayor Danny Edwards, Councilman Danny Woodward, Councilman Josh Roberts, Councilman David Underwood, Councilman Robbie Burrell, Councilman Dennis Owens, Councilman Tjay Bagwell, and City Administrator Brent Taylor.
Guests: Sarai Melendez, 15U State Soccer Champions, Lovella Despain.
Councilman Woodward called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. He requested a moment of silence in honor of city employee, Alex Richardson, who was killed in a car wreck 01/14/2019.
Public Input: Sarai Melendez was present to address council about Martin Luther King, Jr Day. In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as a National Day of Service. She would like the City to offer an organized citywide volunteer opportunity for community service on MLK Day so citizens can come together and give back to the community.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mr. Bagwell, seconded by Mr. Owens and unanimously carried, the minutes for the regular meeting on December 18 and the special meeting on December 28 were approved.
Special Presentation: Councilman Woodward introduced Sean Brinson, who is the new police chief. Chief Brinson stated it had been a long process but is excited for the opportunity. He also stated he was very proud of his department and welcomed any ideas or concerns anyone may have.
Reading of Resolutions:
Mr. Roberts made a motion to adopt Resolution 2019-01, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF WALHALLA PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT’S 15 & UNDER ALL-STAR TEAM’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. The motion was seconded by Mr. Woodward and unanimously carried.
Mr. Owens made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-15, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE II, SECTION 202, AND ARTICLE III, SECTION 303E, OF ZONING ORDINANCE 1194-8/2004-11/2017-11. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bagwell and unanimously carried.
Committee Reports:
Fire/Codes:
Mr. Owens reported that the department ran 107 calls and was on multiple calls for 22% of the time during the month. Fifty six of these calls were inside the city. The Fire Marshall completed forty two business inspections, four residential inspections and performed twenty eight pre-fire plans. Codes and Zoning had seven contacts for the month, issued five new permits and completed three zoning verifications. Mr. Owens stated that Mr. Fletcher was researching ordinances for land subdivision and food trucks. Mr. Fletcher is also working on a condemnation appeal. Chief Burton provided a map of the city that is covered by ISO Class 2 designation. The department has completed the NFPA and ISO testing for the year. One employee is still out with an injury.
General Gov’t / Finance:
Mr. Bagwell announced that the water plant ground breaking would be on January 28, 2019 at 12:00 pm. at the plant site. He stated that more research is being done about the Stumphouse Mountain bike fees. The budget process has begun.
Public Works:
Mr. Burrell reported the repairs to the Mack truck and knuckle boom truck were completed. He stated that the garbage truck was now in the shop for repairs. The holiday trash pick-up is causing some overtime hours to catch up. The department is working on a numerical system to better identify the different trucks in the department for more clarification for the council. The department is still determining the reason for the pipe collapse at the Depot.
Recreation:
Mr. Roberts reported there were 329 basketball players and 32 teams this season. Super Saturday will take place on January 25 and 26 at the City Gym and Oconee Academy. The department is still working on Pickle Ball and the most cost-effective way to introduce it.
Police:
Mr. Woodward reported the department answered 514 calls, issued 156 tickets and completed 69 reports. Two police cars, which are being paid by grant funds, have been ordered. Officer Hernandez will graduate from the Police Academy on January 18, 2019. Officer Sanders will attend the academy in March and Officer Carmichael will attend in the fall.
Utilities:
Mr. Underwood reported the department has worked out getting water and sewer permits for the Career Center. The center will need a letter from the city to agreeing to maintain it. Council approved sending this letter. The department is preparing to do the Cane Creek Basin survey. It is estimated that the survey will cost $10,000.00. The engineering and planning will cost $25,000.00, and the closed circuit TV analysis of the pipes will cost $10,000.00. There is a pre-construction meeting on January 10, 2019. Council approved decals for the vehicles with the new logo.
Mayor’s Comments: None.
Condemnation Appeal: Lovella Depain was present to appeal her condemnation notice of the property at 209 West North Broad Street. The mobile home, which Ms. Despain said has been unoccupied for two years, is one of eight in the park. The original condemnation notice was sent November 23, 2016. Mrs. Despain stated the original letter did not state why the notice was being issued or her right to appeal the notice. She stated that repair work had been done to the home by herself, husband and her crew. She has not found a General Contractor to do the remaining work as required.
Mr. Bagwell asked Mr. Fletcher if he had inspected the property. Mr. Fletcher stated he had put in a request prior to the appeal; however the request had gone unanswered.
Mr. Fletcher, also, stated that he was not required to list the causing actions leading to an inspection. Zoning and codes enforcement officers have the right to go onto property to inspect at any time. He clarified that the city was not stopping her from continuing the repairs; it’s just requiring her to obtain the proper permits to do so. All the repairs done up to this point have been not been permitted.
Mr. Underwood stated he found it hard to believe that she had been a property owner as long as she said and didn’t know permits were required to do major repairs.
Mr. Edwards asked Mr. Fletcher for the standard procedure and recommendation in this situation. Mr. Fletcher stated the owner of the property must pull the appropriate permits from the county. Once permits are obtained, the condemnation notice is removed because it becomes and active work site. This allows for the work to be done. He recommends that Ms. Despain obtain the appropriate permits and get the repairs completed.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to accept Mr. Fletcher’s recommendation. It was seconded by Mr. Underwood and unanimously carried.
Mr. Burrell made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Mr. Bagwell and unanimously carried.
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Brent Taylor, City Administrator
