- Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts called the meeting to order on Monday evening, February 08, 2021. The meeting was opened in prayer by Dan Pope. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts mentioned that Jonathan Ellis of The Refuge Ministries of West Georgia, Inc. had requested to address the council tonight regarding a proposal Mr. Ellis’ organization wanted to present. However, Mr. Ellis did not appear at the meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts stated that the Splost VI, T-Splost, and Golf reports are all available for review for anyone wishing to view or receive a copy.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts thanked all the “Street Captains” for keeping the streets of Tallapoosa free of litter.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts thanked all the city residents who are displaying an American Flag at their home and showing their support of Veterans by displaying a green outside light and their support of the police and first responders by having a blue outside light.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts asked all residents to remember to roll their garbage cans out for pick up the night before your pick up day each week. Residents were also asked to please remember to roll their carts back to their proper storage location after pick up. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts asked City Manager Philip Eidson if any locations appear to be in jeopardy of a citation as per the City Ordinance. Mr. Eidson stated that 3 locations are being sent citations.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts reminded everyone to call City Hall to be put on the Brush and Limb Pick Up list. If your location is not on the list, the contractor will not know to come down your street. Residents were reminded to cut limbs in no longer than 4 feet lengths and to separate the limbs from the brush when possible. Pick up day is Thursday.
- The Council passed a Motion to adopt an Ordinance to update the Tallapoosa Zoning Ordinance to specifically allow wineries to operate as agricultural activity within the City limits. City Planner Patrick Clarey discussed that the Ordinance includes the growing of grapes and the additional and complimentary uses of the property to include a tasting room, which shall include tourist activities such as a restaurant and gift shop, etc. Also any distillery located herein must be dedicated to distilling products grown on site of the permitted winery/agriculture operation. Council Member Dan Pope questioned why the request did not go through the zoning board. He asked if it was because this is an amendment to an existing Ordinance. Mr. Clarey explained that the Zoning Board was unable to meet prior to the presentation to the Council. He further stated that the Zoning Board would be informed of the Adoption at their next meeting.
- The Council passed a Motion to renew the Garbage Contract with Waste Industries/GFL for 3 years. The renewal includes the suspension of the yearly CPI (Customer Price Index) based price increase for 2021. This means garbage rates will not increase for the City’s Utility Customers for 2021
- The Council passed a Motion to renew the City’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance with the Georgia Municipal Association.
- The Council passed a Motion to suspend the first reading and a Motion to adopt an Ordinance enacting a new Code for the City. With the passage of this Ordinance, the City will be able to allow online access to its Code of Ordinance.
- City Manager Philip Eidson stated that the City is working on an Independent Contractors Agreement. Once completed, the Agreement will be submitted to the Council for approval to be used in situations involving Independent Contractors including those who are also employed by the City.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the Financial Report dated January 31, 2021.
- City Manager Philip Eidson reported that the yearly Audit of the Financial Records of the City has been completed. The Auditors were at the City for 2 weeks and everything went well. He thanked Melissa Chandler the Financial Manager for the extra work she put in after regular hours and on weekends to complete the Audit.
- City Manager Philip Eidson stated that Comcast is finishing up with Phase I of their upgrade project in Tallapoosa. He is hopeful that they will be able to secure the funds to complete Phase II of this project.
- The council approved a Plat submitted by 3 property owners Melissa Williams Henry, Christa A. Waid, and Chris Daniels. The 3 property owners agreed to realign their property lines to better fit the additions/improvements to each property.
- City Planner Patrick Clarey gave the Planning Report. As part of that report, he mentioned the TE Grant project is out for bidding. Mr. Clarey is looking at who submitted the best pricing for the material testing required as part of the TE Grant process. Mr. Clarey hopes to have the RFP’s (Request for Proposal/Bidding) for the 2021 LMIG project out by the middle of this month. He is hoping to complete the paving for the 2020 and 2021 LMIG projects at the same time. The City is pursuing reimbursement for damages from Hurricane Zeta from FEMA/GEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency/Georgia Emergency Management Agency.)
- City Manager Philip Eidson stated that the City is looking at pricing for trimming the decorative trees within the City. He plans to have this project completed by the end of the month.
- City Manager Philip Eidson stated that Splost VI ended for the cities in December 2020. For January through March and possibility April, the City will not be receiving any further disbursement from this sales tax. The City will begin seeing disbursement from Splost VII in May 2021.
- City Manager Philip Eidson discussed that the City is looking at purchasing 2 pieces of property.
- City Manager Philip Eidson informed the Council that some damage was done to one of the tombstones at the Hollywood Cemetery while the Cemetery was being mowed. This is a regretful situation but the City cannot be held responsible for this type damage. Council Member Bobby Parker asked if burial plot owners have the option to maintain their own plots. Mr. Eidson answered in the affirmative and added that 4 or 5 owners do maintain their own plots.
- The Council passed a Motion to allow the on-duty Public Works and on-duty Tallapoosa Police Officer to carry City Vehicles home. This Motion is subject to the regulations issued by GIRMA (Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency.)
- City Manager Philip Eidson reported that he hopes to have a preview of the City’s new web page ready for the March Council Meeting.
- The Council passed a Motion to allow Randall Brown to be contracted separately as inside labor to do finish concrete work for the City.
- City Manager Philip Eidson reported that the City is planning to slowly begin opening its facilities for a more normal schedule. Two riders will now be allowed in the golf carts at the City’s golf course. Mr. Eidson hopes to open the Library and Museum 2 to 3 days per week beginning in March. Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts asked if the Book Store run by the Friends of the Library would also be open and Mr. Eidson answered that it would. Masks will be required and social distancing requirements must be met at all locations.
- City Manager Philip Eidson reported that the City plans to finish up with the natural gas line Cast Iron Replacement program within the next year.
- Public Works Director Boyd Coggins asked if it is required that addresses be listed on mailboxes. City Planner Patrick Clarey said that addresses are required to be listed on mailboxes and on the actual homes. Mr. Coggins said some residents within the City do not have the addresses visibly displayed and this makes it very hard on city crew workers when trying to locate a residence. City Manager Philip Eidson suggested that the City include a note with the utility bills reminding residents to be sure to display their address on their mailboxes and homes.
- City Manager Philip Eidson stated that there were two incidents of drive by shooting in the City. One incident was on Taliaferro Street and one was on Blvd. Thankfully, no one was hurt in either of these incidents.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts polled the Council Members for comments. Council Member Bobby Parker complimented the Tallapoosa Police Force for their efforts in patrolling the City. He said he has noticed them patrolling a lot in the City and he appreciates it. City Manager Philip Eidson stated that there has been a concentrated effort to get the Police out in the City through patrolling and also interacting with the public. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts stated that she has also noticed the increase in patrolling. Council Member Jonathan James expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all city workers.
REMINDER:
The Lobby at City Hall is closed but payments can be made by using the “drop box” in front of city hall or online at www.tallapoosaga.gov or by calling the dedicated phone number of 1-855-608-2479.