MINUTES
TOCCOA CITY COMMISSION
December 22, 2008

 

The City Commission of the City of Toccoa met in Regular Session at City Hall on Monday, December 22, 2008, at five o’clock P. M. with Mayor Andy Pavliscsak presiding.

The invocation was given by Pastor 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
Acting City Clerk Fredda Wheeler

 

Motion by Commissioner Troup, seconded by Commissioner Austin 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:

 

Vice Mayor Seib reported that he had received many compliments about the Christmas lights.  He also thanked the police for inviting him to ride with them on Saturday night.

 

Commissioner Austin extended wishes for a Merry Christmas to all of the employees, customers and citizens of the City of Toccoa.

 

Commissioner English conveyed her desire for everyone to have a wonderful holiday and a great New Year.

 

City Manager Morse announced that City Hall would be closed December 24^th and 25^th in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Also Toccoa City Hall will be closed January 1, 2009 in observance of New Year’s Day.  He also advised of the revised schedule for garbage pick-up.

 

City Attorney Dickerson announced that the Public Hearing for the annexation of property off Memorial Drive has been postponed.  Because the development has been identified by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI), a review by the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center is required.  Upon completion of the DRI review, a new Public Hearing will be scheduled.

 

Mayor Pavliscsak wished a Merry Christmas to all employees.

 

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 Commissioner Troup, seconded by Commissioner Austin and unanimously carried to approve the following Consent Agenda item as submitted:

 

A.  Request for Approval of Minutes of December 15, 2008 City Commission Work Session.

 

   II.  OLD BUSINESS --- NONE

 

 

III.  NEW BUSINESS

 

B.   Penelope Harbour of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented a statement for signature by the Toccoa City Commission demonstrating support for our employees that are members of the National Guard and Reserves. The following employees are currently serving in the National Guard: Chris Corley, Phillip Cash, Matt Ramey, Travis Sanders and Jason Dean.

 

C.   Cynthia Brown was asked to speak concerning a resolution supporting the Legacy of Currahee Project.  Motion by Commissioner Troup, seconded by Vice-Mayor Seib and unanimously carried to authorize a grant to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tourism Development that supports the Legacy of Currahee Project.

 

D.   Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to transfer ownership of the Historical Society property to the City of Toccoa. This action would afford the Historical Society a means to insure their historical items at a greatly reduced rate.  With the transfer of ownership, the items will be insured thru the city’s carrier, GIRMA, at a cost not to exceed $1,000.00 per year.  

 

E.   By consensus, the Commission tabled the discussion of the Hotel-Motel Tax Audit Services to the work session planned for January 20, 2009.

 

F.   Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner English and unanimously carried to ratify the Governmental Probation Service Plan.

 

G.  Elections for 2009: (Effective January 1, 2009)

Motion by Commissioner Troup, seconded by Commissioner Austin and unanimously carried that Ron Seib would serve as Mayor for 2009.  Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Austin and unanimously carried that Bob Troup would serve as Vice Mayor for 2009.

 

H.  By consensus, the January 2009 meetings were rescheduled as follows: The first meeting of the month will be Monday January 5, 2009.  The second meeting of the month will be Tuesday, January 20, 2009.  There will also be a planning retreat for Commissioners and Department Heads held at Camp Aqua Taba on Tuesday January 20, 2009.

 

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

There were no persons present who wished to be heard but Vice Mayor Seib took this opportunity to present a plaque to Mayor Andy Pavaliscak.  He thanked him on behalf of the entire Commission for all the countless hours of dedication and service he had provided the City during his tenure as Mayor.

 

Mayor Pavaliscak listed the following accomplishments that the City had realized during the past year:

-     Excellent rating from auditors

-     Completion of Wesley Circle Sewer Project

-     Professionalism of Police Department

-     Acquisition of a drug dog, at no cost to city

-     An improving Officer retention rate

-     Resurfacing of Fernside Drive

-     Completion of the Paul Anderson Park

-     Hayestone-Brady Utility System taken over by city ahead of schedule

-     “Pinpoint” pick-up system in Street Department

-     Acquisition of a new Brush Truck

-     Water Sales Contract approved and submitted to Banks County

-     Successful visit from the Public Services Commission

-     TNG asset valued at $250,000,000.00

-     Tax relief grant given to property owners

-     Updated Alcohol Beverage Control Ordinance

-     Adopted the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance

-     Hiring of Executive Director Tim Martin of the Stephens County Development Authority

-     Tweaking Georgia Work Ready Program

-     Increased Employee participation in cost of health insurance

-     Ending 2008 with all employees and budget in line

-     Thanks to City Manager Billy Morse, Vice Mayor Seib, and the Commission.            

 

J.   Motion by Vice Mayor Seib, seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to adjourn for Executive Session to Discuss a Personnel Performance Matter.

Affidavit attached as Exhibit “B” signed by all elected officials.

Motion by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Vice Mayor Seib and unanimously approved to adjourn the Executive Session.

Motion by Commissioner Austin, seconded by Commissioner English, and unanimously approved to reconvene the regular meeting.

 

IV. ADJOURN

There being no further business, on motion by Vice Mayor Seib and seconded by Commissioner Troup and unanimously carried to adjourn the regular meeting.