MINUTES
TOCCOA CITY COMMISSION
November 24, 2008

 

The City Commission of the City of Toccoa met in Regular Session at City Hall on Monday, November 24, 2008, five o’clock P. M. with Mayor Andy Pavliscsak presiding.

The invocation was given by Reverend Paul Garrison followed by the Pledge Of Allegiance to the Flag.

On roll call the following were present:

Mayor Andy Pavliscsak
Vice Mayor Ron Seib
Commissioner David Austin
Commissioner Janice English
Commissioner Bob Troup
City Manager Billy Morse
City Attorney John Dickerson
Fredda Wheeler (Acting City Clerk)


Motion by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda as presented, a copy of this Agenda being attached as Exhibit “A.”

Under Reports the following comments were heard:

Commissioner Troup reported that the Fire Department has responded to more than 2,000 calls with an average response time of four and a half minutes, that 22 junk cars had been disposed of, and that the North Carolina Utilities Commission had recognized Toccoa Natural Gas for completing all of the safety mandates and also realized a $30,000 savings.

Vice Mayor Seib recognized Ruth Payton in the audience and thanked her for being inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame. He also expressed his excitement about the courthouse celebration and the way the various governments had worked together.

Commissioner Austin echoed Vice Mayor Seib’s remarks concerning Ms. Payton and the rededication of the Historic Courthouse.  He also stated that the honor to Jack Stovall was well deserved.

Commissioner English offered similar sentiments as other Commissioners regarding the restoration of the Court House.

City Manager Morse announced the closing of City Hall for the Thanksgiving Holiday and the revised schedule for garbage pick-up. He also reported that the county was asking for $10,000 of participation by the City to help pay for an $84,000 aerial mapping project.  If a grant becomes available, the cost could be less.  Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to allocate up to $10,000 for the mapping project, or a pro rata share of the cost if grants were received.

Mayor Pavliscsak thanked City Manager Morse and Connie Tabor for working on the Courthouse project. He next reported that he’d received a telephone call from Gerald Dunham of Habersham County concerning the surge issue in the Black Mountain Road area, and that some unfavorable comments concerning the lack of communication may be published in an upcoming edition of The Northeast Georgian.  Mr. Dunham stated that Habersham would coordinate with their engineers and the City’s engineering firm of CH2M Hill, and would continue working with the City.

Ruth Payton gave presentation on behalf of Toccoa Lions Club.  It was the consensus of the Commission that the City Manager would draft a letter for the Mayor’s signature concerning support for the Lions Club to expand to an evening club.

Mayor Pavliscsak next recognized any visitors who wished to speak on any of the Agenda items.

There were no persons present who wished to be heard.

I.    CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to approve the following Consent Agenda items as submitted:

A.  Approval of Minutes of November 10, City Commission Work Session

B.   Approval of Minutes of November 17, City Commission Work Session

 

 II.  OLD BUSINESS


D.  Consideration of Appointments to Alcohol Beverage Control Board

The Mayor reported that Gerald Shedd had informed him earlier that moral convictions would preclude his ability to serve on the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, and that two vacancies still existed.

Motion by Commissioner Troup, Seconded by Vice Mayor Seib and unanimously carried to appoint Patrick Hall to the post that expires June 30, 2009.

Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner English and unanimously carried to appoint Lillian Mitchell to the post that expires June 30, 2010.



E.   Consideration of Water Sales Agreement with Banks County.

Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to approve the recommendation of staff to set the price at $2.53 per thousand gallons sold to Banks County.



III.    NEW BUSINESS


F.  Consideration of Alcohol Beverage Control License for Gregory J. Schultz, Gregory’s at the Bus Stop, 99 Railroad Street

Motioned by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Vice Mayor Seib and unanimously carried to approve the application.

G.   Public Hearing:  Consideration of Amendments to the Alcohol Beverage Control Ordinance

Motion by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to leave section 12A referencing period of coverage to remain as presented. 

Motion by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to approve the first reading of the ABC Ordinance and schedule a second reading on December 8, 2008.



H.  Recognition of Visitors Wishing to Speak on General Items.

There were no persons present who wished to be heard



IV. ADJOURN

Commissioner Troup requested that an Executive Session be scheduled at the end of the next regular meeting of the City Commission to discuss a Personnel Matter.  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on motion by Commissioner Austin and seconded by Commissioner English.