M I N U T E S

 

REGULAR MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF JULY 16, 2007

 

 

 

Call to Order:                 The regular meeting of Mayor and Council of July 16, 2007 was called to order by Mayor Corine Deyton at 7:00p.m. 

 

Invocation:                     The invocation was given by Mayor Deyton followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Present:                         Mayor Corine Deyton, Mayor Pro-tem Donald Judson, Councilman David Halcome and Councilwomen Debbie Youmans and Sparkle Adams.

 

                                      Also present were City Manager John Parker, Director of Finance Mike Blandenburg, Director of Fire/EMS Eddie Buckholts, Director of Support Services Christine Terrell, Director of Public Works Mike Gippert, Deputy Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Sharon Smith, Management Analyst Angela Redding, Director of Planning, Building and Zoning Steve Pearson, Major Tommy Orr and City Attorney Joe Harris.

 

Approval of minutes:      Mr.  Judson made a motion to consider the minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting together,  seconded by Mr. Halcome.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session of July 2, 2007 and the regular meeting of Mayor and Council of July 2, 2007, seconded by Mr. Halcome.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Public Hearing:              Mayor Deyton recessed the meeting to hold a Public Hearing.

 

                                      Mayor Deyton opened the Public Hearing to receive comments on the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, Award Year 2007.

 

                                      Mayor Deyton asked if there was anyone present to speak.

 

                                      No one was present to speak.

 

                                      Mr. Halcome made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Judson.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Public Comment:           Mr. Roy Lunsford asked that when the streets are repaved that the utility companies be contacted prior to repaving.  He also suggested that the park be checked for safety issues, such as electrical cords, boxes and power cables buried underground.

 

                                      Mr. Ralph Hensley, 4554 Mitchell Street, stated he had spoken to the City Manager and the Director of Public Works concerning houses in his neighborhood where rats were coming from.

 

                                      Ms. Jenny Hensley spoke concerning the two houses on Mitchell Street that has trash causing rats in their neighborhood.  She thanked the City for the beautiful park.

 

Presentation:                 Mayor Deyton presented the Finance Director Mike Blandenburg with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

 

Ordinance -                    Mr. Judson made a motion, seconded by

Edward Byrne                Ms. Youmans, to remove from the agenda

Memorial Justice           the Ordinance by the City Council of the

Asst. Grant:                    City of Forest Park authorizing the Mayor execute an Agreement with the Department of Justice for an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, 2007-DJ-BX-0129 Award Year 2007 in the amount of twenty four thousand, three hundred, eighty eight dollars ($24,388.00) to be added into the budget of the police Department.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.   

 

                                      Mr. Parker stated once the grant has been approved, this Ordinance will be brought back before the Governing Body for consideration.

 

Resolution – LARP         Request was made to consider a

Streets:                          Resolution to enter into contracts with the Georgia Department of Transportation for L.A.R.P. Streets and transfer contracts to Clayton County.

 

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Ms. Adams.

 

                                      Ms. Youmans made an amendment to the motion with the stipulation that coordination with other authorities be contacted prior to the work being done.

 

                                      Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Resolution -                   Request was made to consider a

Absentee Ballot Clerk    Resolution by the Mayor and Council for

And Registrar:                appointment of Sandra Norwood to the Forest Park Board of Elections to serve as Absentee Ballot Clerk and Registrar.

 

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the Resolution and appoint Sandra Norwood as Absentee Ballot Clerk and Registrar for the Special Election and General Election, seconded by Ms. Adams.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Resolution -                   Request was made to consider a

Deputy Registrars          Resolution by the Mayor and Council for

And Asst. Absentee        appointment to the Forest Park Board of

Ballot Clerks:                 Elections to serve as Deputy Registrar and Assistant Absentee Ballot Clerk of Elections.    

  

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the Resolution and appoint Joan Burton, Angela Redding, Lori Muise and Shamonda Phillips as Deputy Registrars and Assistant Absentee Ballot Clerks for the Special Election and General Election, seconded by Ms. Youmans. Voting for the motion was unanimous.  

 

Appointment to              Mr. Judson made a motion to appoint

Retirement Board:         David Halcome to serve as Council Representative on the Retirement Board, seconded by Ms. Adams.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Other Business:             Mr. Parker stated the Special Election will be held on September 18th for Council, Ward 5.  He stated a City wide referendum will also be held that addresses the tax anticipation districts.  He stated this is one of the best tools that local governments can have to redevelop blighted areas.  This does not place a burden on the taxpayer and does not obligate the general fund to pay back any of the required funds to pay off the bonds.

 

                                      Mayor Deyton invited everyone to attend the ribbon cutting at Starr Park to be held on July 23rd at 9:30 a.m. 

 

Adjournment:                Mr. Halcome made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Judson.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

                                      The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.