Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Roberts called the meeting to order on Monday evening, April 12, 2021. Prayer was by Dan Pope.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts stated that the Splost VI and T-Splost Reports are available for review for anyone wishing to view or receive a copy. The Golf Report is not available at this time.
- 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 Haralson County Commission Chairman Ronnie Ridley to the meeting. When asked if he had any comments, he simply said he was here visiting and would gladly answer questions while he was here. Public Works Director Boyd Coggins thanked Mr. Ridley for all the help and cooperation the County gives to the City.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the Re-Zoning Request of Melanie Gernatt. The purpose of the re-zoning is to develop the property as a vineyard and winery, which will allow the bottling of wine, a gift shop and restaurant, and possible other associated uses, on this property within the City Limits. The property contains approximately 18 acres of undeveloped land. It does not currently have a street number assigned but is located along U. S. Hwy. 78 just west of Arbacoochee Road on the north side (and abuts 1532 U. S. Hwy. 78.) The zoning will change from R-1750, Single Family Residential to AC, Agriculture Crops.
- Mayor Pro Tem Roberts welcomed several members of the Haralson County Veterans Association (HCVA) to the meeting. HCVA member Mr. L. E. Elefante narrated a presentation for the Mayor Pro Tem and Council. The program included a Power Point presentation of the various projects and functions of the HCVA. A video providing background information on the F-105 “Thunderchief” airplanes now on display at Helton-Howland Park was a part of the presentation. At the conclusion of Mr. Elefante’s presentation, HCVA President Mr. Sammy Robinson spoke to the Council regarding the HCVA’s request to have permission to build a Military Museum at Helton-Howland Park. Part of Mr. Robinson’s talk included a request by the HCVA that the City of Tallapoosa deed them 2 acres of land at the Park on which to build the Museum. The Council agreed to review the request which will include discussing with the City’s Attorneys.
- The Council passed a Motion to proceed with doing the Base projects involved in the TE Grant. The total project was bid out at 1.2 million dollars which means the City does not have the funding to do all of the 17 projects listed. City Manager Philip Eidson stated that the City can go ahead and do the Base projects and then prioritize any remaining funds for additional projects.
- The Mayor Pro Tem and Council were informed that the City’s new Website officially went “Live” today. Everyone is encouraged to look it over and make use of the many features and conveniences it offers. Many thanks go to the Site Designers—Rene’ Gonzalez and Lisa Gray of Alexander Media, a local tech company.
- The Council passed a Motion to reappoint 2 members of the Tallapoosa Housing Authority Board: Mr. Billy Earl Pike for a 1-year term as Resident Commissioner and Mr. David Brown for a 5-year term as Commissioner, and to reappoint Mr. Jeffery Addison for 3-year term on the Tallapoosa Planning Commission Board.
- City Manager Philip Eidson addressed the need to have the street number prominently displayed on homes and businesses within the City. He said that many homes and businesses are missing this information making it difficult for emergency services and city workers to find their location. The City is asking all residents and businesses to make a concentrated effort to have their street number properly displayed on their building and at their mailbox, or in the absence of a mailbox, with a lawn marker in the yard. The City will also comply by making sure all its buildings are properly marked.
- The Council passed a Motion to approve the Financial Report for March 2021 as given by Financial Manager Melissa Chandler.
- City Manager Philip Eidson announced that the City is looking to hire a new Superintendent at the Golf Course. Mr. Billy McCroskey resigned that position and the City wishes him and his family well. Any interested applicants should contact City Hall for information on how to apply.
- City Planner Patrick Clarey gave the Planning Report. Mr. Clarey reported that the City Marshall has been very busy issuing citations. Mr. Clarey is hoping to complete the 2020 and 2021 LMIG paving projects simultaneously this year.
- As part of his City Manager’s Report, City Manager Philip Eidson reported that the City is looking at a Fleet Program for handling the purchase of City Vehicles. He will have more information on this program at the next Council Meeting. Mr. Eidson also stated that Honda Precision Parts of GA, LLC has changed its name to Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, LLC. Mr. Eidson introduced Mr. Brandon Smith of SyncGlobal who was attending the Council Meeting to promote the use of the GA 811, “Call Before You Dig” program. Mr. Eidson reported that the City was able to reduce a potential fine levied by the Public Service Commission which oversees the City’s Gas Program by demonstrating how much money and resources the city has devoted to the updating and regulating of its Gas Program. Mr. Eidson reported that the Library and Museum are now open to the public on a limited schedule. The Senior Center will open on May 3, 2021 also on a limited schedule and Mr. Eidson expects to open City Hall on a limited basis beginning Mid-May or the first of June. The following is a breakdown of the days and times for the Library, Museum, and Senior Center until further notice:
Library Hours: Monday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Curbside Only; Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Thursday Closed; Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Sunday Closed.
Museum Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday Closed; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Thursday Closed; Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Sunday Closed.
Senior Center: Beginning May 3rd – Monday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Tuesday Closed; Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Thursday Closed; Friday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Saturday Closed; Sunday Closed. - The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 6, 2021. Council Member Bobby Parker will be coordinating the City’s participation this year.
- The Council passed a Motion to move the May regular Council Meeting from May 10, 2021 to May 17, 2021.
- The Council passed a Motion to attend the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual Convention this year to be held in August.
- 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
– 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.