Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts called the meeting to order on Monday evening, May 17, 2021. Prayer was by Bobby Parker.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts stated that the Splost VI, T-Splost, and Golf Reports are available 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. The City has appointed a Tallapoosa Police Officer to act as City Marshall to address this and other similar types of violations.
- 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.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed representatives from Enterprise Fleet Management to the meeting. Mr. Ray Simpson, Account Executive and Mr. Mark Torre, Senior Account Manager presented a proposal to the Mayor Pro Tem and Council to take over management of the city’s vehicle fleet. They stated that Enterprise currently has 160 to 170 governmental partners in Georgia. Mr. Simpson explained that they look at 3 main components in determining the savings Enterprise can provide for the city. Those 3 components are: Fleet Spend, Maintenance Spend, and Fuel Spend. The program presented offered 3 Key Objectives. The first objective is to lower the average age of the fleet. They explained that analysis of the City’s Fleet showed that 31% of the current light and medium duty fleet is over 10 years old and that resale of the aging fleet is significantly reduced. The second objective is to reduce operating costs. Newer vehicles have a significantly lower maintenance expense. Newer vehicles have increased fuel efficiency with new technology implementations. And the third objective is to maintain a manageable vehicle budget. Mr. Simpson reported that their analysis has shown that the city currently holds onto vehicles for an average of 11 years. He stated that after the city is fully invested in the Enterprise Fleet System, the average age of a vehicle will be 3.31 years. This newer Fleet will allow for more return on investment when the vehicles are re-sold. Mr. Torre reported that the city of Covington is a partner with Enterprise and just recently realized $62,000 in returned revenue for the sale of 9 vehicles.
- The Council passed a Motion to add Alternate A7 to the Base Projects approved on the TE Grant. The street involved in Alternate A7 is W. Alabama Street – East of Head Avenue.
- The Council passed a Motion to add 10 new golf carts to the existing lease. That will increase the total number of carts at the course from 50 to 60.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve a Resolution giving Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts and City Manager Philip Eidson the authority to sign the documents necessary to approve the Seventh Modification for Loan No. CWSRF 13-011 administered by GEFA (Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.) This modification will allow the city to complete much needed repairs to the sewer system.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the Fireworks Display Agreement. This Agreement is for the 4th of July fireworks show.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the Financial Report for April 2021 as given by Financial Manager Melissa Chandler.
- As part of the City Manager’s Report, Philip Eidson stated that the city has finished with a Comprehensive Audit by the Public Service Commission on the City’s Gas Program. This Audit is done every 5 years. Mr. Eidson stated that the Audit went very well, and he commended Public Works Director Boyd Coggins for his work in preparing the City for the Audit. The City’s Water System was also Audited by the Georgia Environmental Protection Agency and no major deficiencies were found. Several housekeeping items were listed, and the City will be addressing those issues in the coming months. The Golf Course has 3 positions open but has not received many applications for those positions.
- City Planner Patrick Clarey gave the Planning Report. Mr. Clarey presented 2 plats for consideration by the Mayor Pro Tem and Council. Those Plats were from Stephen Sapp and Prichard Custom Homes and Hardwood, LLC. The Council approved both Plats. The street paving approved in the LMIG program will involve 5 streets in Section 3. Stone Mountain Street and West Atlanta Street will also be included in the paving project using T-Splost funding. The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission (NWRC) assists member local governments with implementing the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Local comprehensive plans address community needs and objectives for economic development, community facilities, natural and historic resources, housing, and land use. Mr. Clarey reported that it is time to update that Comprehensive Plan. The City plans to place in with the May Utility Bills a Survey which will be used in the completion of this Update. The City encourages all residents to complete the Survey and return to the City of Tallapoosa. Mr. Clarey provided the Mayor Pro Tem and Council with a copy of a proposed Ordinance titled The Tallapoosa Blighted Property Ordinance. Mr. Clarey mentioned that 40% of the Store Frontage in the Downtown area is vacant. The City would like to have the cooperation of the owners to renovate the property to restore foot traffic and commerce to the affected areas. The Ordinance if approved would allow a community redevelopment tax incentive program to be established. The Mayor Pro Tem and Council will review the proposed Ordinance for any changes or questions they have prior to any further move toward passage of the Ordinance.
- Mr. Eidson finished his City Manager’s Report by reporting that some cleanup is being done at Exit 5 on I-20 and throughout the city. The City is also considering what further work needs to be done on the bleachers at the Amphitheatre at Helton Howland Park. Three economic development prospects are interested in the I-20 area. And the City is asking the cooperation and help of its residents by maintaining their property to the street level which includes keeping the area neat and the grass mowed.
- Meeting adjourned.
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.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT CITY HALL
THE CITY OF TALLAPOOSA IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
– CITY CLERK (Application Process Closing on 5/31/21)
– PUBLIC WORKS UTILITY WORKER
– GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
– GOLF COURSE GREENS KEEPER
– GOLF COURSE GROUNDS KEEPER
FOR ANY OR ALL OF THESE POSITIONS, PLEASE APPLY AT CITY HALL. THE CITY OF TALLAPOOSA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.