Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts called the meeting to order on Monday evening, July 12, 2021. Prayer was by Bobby Parker.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting with a special welcome to the Tallapoosa 11U Rebels Baseball Team members who are the 2021 Dizzy Dean World Series 11 and Under Champions and their coaches, families, and friends.
- 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 pickup 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 recognized the coaches of the Tallapoosa 11-years-old and under Rebel Baseball Team. She congratulated them on an outstanding performance at the 2021 Dizzy Dean World Series. Ms. Roberts invited them to speak. Tallapoosa Recreation Director Randall Brown spoke briefly thanking the Mayor Pro Tem, Council, and City Manager Philip Eidson for supporting this team in their bid for the Championship. Mr. Brown specifically mentioned that the City of Tallapoosa supported the team monetarily by helping to offset the cost of hotel rooms during the tournament. Mr. Brown stated that no other recreation department enjoys this type of support. He congratulated the team members and mentioned that many young boys do not have the opportunity to enjoy this level of play. Coach Mike Wright addressed the Mayor Pro Tem, the Council, and all present. He thanked the city for its support. Mr. Wright stated that Tallapoosa has become well known in Southaven, Mississippi which is the home of the Dizzy Dean organization. Mr. Wright spoke highly of the group of youths who make up the 11U Tallapoosa Rebels Team. He said that the other Coaches, which consist of Head Coach Adam Mims and Assistants Ricky King, Ronnie King, and Andy Pruitt, ran the tournament. He finished by saying that he appreciates the support given by the city, Randall Brown, and the parents. Head Coach Adam Mims then spoke briefly about the quality of teams going to the Dizzy Dean World Series from Tallapoosa in the last six or seven years. He stated that the oldest boys from this program are graduating from high school this year, and Mr. Mims expressed his opinion of how much they have positively impacted school sports. Mr. Wright added that the high school team came within 2 games of getting into the final 4. He stated that seven of the players on the high school team are former players from the Tallapoosa Dizzy Dean program. He forecasted the same level of performance to continue in the next years. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts expressed her pride in the team and coaches. She explained her fondness for the Tallapoosa ballpark which carries the name of her deceased husband Rayford Roberts Memorial Ball Park. Ms. Roberts then handed out Certificates of Recognition from the city for the Team Members. The Team Members include Jax Brown, Makhi Warner, Dawson Aldridge, Gabo Robinson, Tripp Davis, Keaton King, Braylon King, David Pruitt, Preston Dempsey, and Maddox Mims. She also presented each coach with a certificate and a memento from the Mayor Pro Tem and Council commemorating their win. Everyone was invited to make pictures and to view the certificates, the trophy, and the World Series Rings worn by the team members.
- The Council passed a Motion to purchase 2 new mowers for the Golf Course — a greens mower and a fairway mower.
- The Council passed a Motion to engage the auditing team of Rushton Accounting & Business Advisors to perform the audit for fiscal year ending August 31, 2021 for the city.
- The Council passed a Motion to purchase a new network printer/scanner/copier/fax for City Hall. The old machine had reached its maximum life efficiency.
- City Manager Philip Eidson discussed a situation where the city received a complaint regarding a lot at the Hollywood cemetery. The complaint involved a neighboring lot owner intruding approximately one foot into the complainant’s lot. The city will be sending the neighboring lot owner a letter. The city will also be sending out other letters to lot owners regarding the condition of their lot. Anyone having a lot, or purchasing a lot, or doing any type of work at the Hollywood Cemetery should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations for Cemetery use, a copy of which can be obtained at City Hall.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the June 2021 financial statement as given by Financial Manager Melissa Chandler.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts and City Manager Philip Eidson welcomed Ms. Anna Cook and Ms. Amanda Baker to the council meeting. Both women had visited City Hall last week to discuss their plans for renovating the Mann Street Children’s Park. In addressing the Council, the ladies presented the Mayor Pro Tem and Council with a copy of their plans for renovation. Those plans include fencing in the entire playground for safety, pressure washing the existing playground equipment, removing the outdated rockers, adding a geo dome climber and pebble path pods, adding an area with a sandbox and diggers, adding a special needs swing, putting new mulch throughout the playground, adding new picnic tables, creating a colorful mural, and adding a little food pantry. Ms. Cook and Ms. Baker admitted they realize their plan will cost money and they informed the council of their plans to seek donations from local businesses. They plan to have a plaque displayed at the park with the names of organizations or individuals who donate $500 or more. City Manager Philip Eidson surprised the 2 ladies by relating that representatives of the Lutheran Ranch had contacted the city just 2 days after Ms. Cook’s and Ms. Baker’s initial visit. The Lutheran Ranch proposed sending 39 students and 15 chaperones to perform volunteer work for the city. The city has decided to have the volunteers work at the Mann Street Park on Thursday. He challenged Ms. Cook and Ms. Baker to meet the volunteers at the park Thursday, along with some representatives from the city Public Works Crew, to give their advice on the work to be done. Ms. Cook asked if they had the approval of the Council to begin fund raising efforts. All members of the Council agreed with the plan submitted. City Manager Philip Eidson stated that the city will provide an account earmarked for those funds which will be used exclusively for the Mann Street Park. Ms. Cook gave the address of dogwoodandco21@gmail.com as their email address.
- The Council passed a Motion to change the August and September Council Meeting dates. Both months have a scheduling conflict. The August meeting will move from Monday, August 9, 2021 to Thursday, August 12, 2021. The September meeting will move from Monday, September 13, 2021 to Monday, September 20, 2021.
- As part of the Planning Report, City Planner Patrick Clarey reported that there will be a pre-construction meeting for the TE Grant on Friday. The invitations to bid on the 2021 LMIG repaving project have been sent out and the city has already received some calls. All bids are due by August 6, 2021 and will involved streets in District 6.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve putting a stop sign at the intersection of Lyon Street and Spring Street. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts mentioned that she has received compliments on the newly installed stop sign at West Mill Street and Spring Street.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the bid of D Lance Souther to retire and abandon the old cast iron Regulator Station on Kiker Street and to fabricate and install a new natural gas regulator station at that location on the city’s main gas line. The city does not expect any interruption of service to its customers.
- The auditing team from Rushton and Associates will be attending the August Council meeting to give their report.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts polled the Council Members for comments. Council Member Jonathan James complimented all who were involved in the 4th of July festivities. He mentioned specifically enjoying the speeches by Barbara Bridges and Mayor Pro Tem Roberts.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts mentioned the need to have an informational sign at the island located at the intersection of U. S. Hwy. 78 and GA Hwy. 100. Ms. Roberts stated that the information displayed could include events and items of interest concerning our city sports teams. Council Member Jonathan James agreed and suggested having a digital/electronic sign. Mr. Eidson said the city would need to check into the cost of purchasing and installing such a sign. He also said permission from the GA Department of Transportation to install a sign at that location might have to be obtained since it would be on their right-of-way.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts mentioned that she has had some complaints on the condition of the flags at the Library. City Manager Philip Eidson stated that those flags were not put there by the city which made him hesitant to remove or replace them.
- Meeting adjourned.
NOTICE:
The Lobby at City Hall is now open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Lobby remains closed on Tuesday and Thursday. Your City Hall staff will continue to report Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. as usual. Payments can still 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.