August 4,1997                                                          

 

                                                                     MINUTES

 

The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on August 4, 1997.  Mayor Buddy Carter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Present were Councilman Al DeFilippis, Bud Jeffcoat, Jim Poteet, Wayne Seay, Marvin Strickland and Stevie Wall; City Manager, Dennis Baxter.  City Attorney, Wiley Ellis was absent, therefore, Attorney Robert Mercer was present.

 

The invocation was given by Mr. Baxter and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman DeFilippis.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed, with comments from Mr. Rick White about there being no mention of a budget adjustment in Item #1 under Old Business, and no mention of how the City would secure funds (irrevocable letter of credit) from The Branigar Organization in Item #9 under New Business, upon a motion by Councilman Poteet and seconded by Councilman Strickland, with no opposition.

 

Report from the Standing Committees:

 

FINANCE

Councilman Jeffcoat presented bills for payment, and after discussion, made a motion to pay these bills subject to funds.  Councilman Poteet seconded the motion and is passed unanimously.

 

PUBLIC SAFETY

Councilman Strickland had no report at this time.

 

STREETS/SANITATION

Councilman DeFilippis reported that the street and drainage department has performed routine maintenance work.

 

WATER/SEWER

Councilman Poteet reported that the water and sewer department has performed routine maintenance work.

 

RECREATION

Councilman Seay reported that the football season would begin soon.

 

BUILDING/ZONING

Councilman Wall reported that there was a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Board.  He then made a motion to appoint Mr. Mark Revenew to the Board.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

Mayor Carter presented the Honorary Councilmember for August, Mr. Robert Bryan.

 

Under OLD BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Request from BellSouth Mobility to place communication antennas on water tank

Mr. Baxter presented a lease agreement from BellSouth Mobility to place communication antennas on the water tank on S. Rogers Street.  After discussion, Councilman Poteet made a motion to approve the lease agreement, to include Mr. Ellis= comments being made a part of it.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

 

Under NEW BUSINESS, the following was discussed:

 

1.  Request for conditional use at 10 Chamois Court

A public hearing was held prior, wherein no opposition was presented.  Councilman Wall made a motion, based on Planning & Zoning=s recommendation,  to approve this conditional use to allow Mrs. Valorie Kim Jordan to operate a family home daycare at 10 Chamois Ct.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

2.  Approve L.A.R.P. list for 1998

Councilman DeFilippis presented a prioritized list of streets being recommended to the State for overlay under their Local Assistance Road Program.  After discussion, he made a motion, seconded by Councilman Strickland, to approve this L.A.R.P. list.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

3.  Approve intergovernmental contract regarding maritime trade center

Mr. Baxter presented this contract, as requested by Chatham County, to allow the City of Pooler to collect an additional 1% hotel/motel tax (approved by the State Legislature)  to go to the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority.  The City currently collects 5% on hotel/motel tax, this would increase it to 6%.  Councilman Wall stated that the City should consider collecting an additional percent over the 6%, which would allow the City to use it at their discretion.  Mr. Rick White addressed the Council, stating that there is an 8% limit on hotel/motel tax that can be collected and that this money could be better spent on a welcome center here in Pooler.  He further stated that this trade center has no impact on the City of Pooler.  Mr. Wade Water addressed Council, stating that the hotel/motel tax law allows money to be used for several places and asked the Council to limit this contract to three (3) years.  Mr. Jack Brewton addressed Council, stating that the County shorted the money needed for the trade center and that this  was poor planning on the their part.  After further discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to table this item to allow time to look further into this matter.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

4.  Discussion concerning convention and visitors bureau authority

Mayor Carter stated that there has been some discussion about the idea of forming a convention and visitors bureau authority in the City of Pooler which would supplement the Chambers of Commerce and allow the Council to control how the hotel/motel tax funds are being spent.  He stated that he has met with an attorney from the Georgia Municipal Association regarding this matter.  This authority could be made up of four (4) councilmembers and two (2) hotel/motel owners.  He further stated that one of the most important things about this authority being formed is that it would be controlled by the Council.  He then asked the Council to consider submitting this request to the State Legislature during their next session in January of 1998.

 

5.  Approve resolution to allow Elections Board to run November election

Mayor Carter read aloud a resolution regarding the upcoming election, which would allow the Elections Board of Chatham County to run it.  Councilman Poteet made a motion, seconded by Councilman Strickland, to approve this resolution.  Motion passed without opposition.  Ms. Lindler stated that the legislation changed this year regarding the length of the qualification period, and asked the Council to set either a three (3), four (4) or five (5) day consecutive period.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to approve a five (5) day qualification period, beginning (8:30 a.m.) September 8, 1997 and ending (4:30 p.m.) September 12, 1997.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Poteet and passed without opposition.

 

Councilman Wall made a motion to add Item #6 under New Business.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Strickland and passed without opposition.

 

6.  Discussion concerning welcome center of Joe Baker Park

Mr. Baxter stated that he is ready to obtain construction plans for the welcome center.  After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilman Strickland,  to authorize the City Manager to obtain these plans.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters at approximately 6:51 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

The meeting was called back to order at 8:30 p.m. 

 

There being no further business to discuss, Councilman DeFilippis made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:31 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Jeffcoat and passed without opposition.

 

 

                                                                Public Hearing

 

A public hearing was held on Monday, August 4, 1997, prior to the regular City Council meeting.  Mayor Buddy Carter called the hearing to order at 5:45 p.m.  Present were Councilman Al DeFilippis, Bud Jeffcoat, Jim Poteet, Wayne Seay, Marvin Strickland and Stevie Wall; and City Manager, Dennis Baxter.

 

The purpose of this hearing was to discuss a requested conditional use at 10 Chamois Court.  Mrs. Valorie Kim Jordan has requested to operate a family home daycare to care for three (3) but not more than six (6) children.  Mrs. Jordan addressed Council, giving a brief summary of some of her past experience. 

 

There being no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 5:55 p.m.