The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on September 2, 2008.  Mayor Mike Lamb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Present were Councilmen Travis Cowart, Mike Royal, Wayne Seay, Stevie Wall and Councilwoman Rebecca Benton.  City Manager Robbie Byrd and City Attorney Steve Scheer were also present.  Councilman Bruce Allen was absent due to having to work.

The invocation was given by Councilman Cowart and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Seay.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion by Councilwoman Benton, seconded by Councilman Wall, with no opposition.

Councilman Seay presented the accounts payable information for August.

Deputy Chief Mark Revenew reported that the police department responded to 1118 calls during the period of August 15^th through August 28^th.  Chief Wade Simmons reported that the fire department responded to 148 calls in August, with two (2) being structure fires.

Councilman Cowart reported that the street, drainage and parks and trees departments performed routine maintenance.

Councilman Wall reported that the water and sewer departments performed routine maintenance and that all parameters are being met at the wastewater treatment plant.

Councilman Royal reported that the CAA football rama may be cancelled due to the approaching storm, that football games will begin on September 11^th and that the golf tournament is scheduled for October 4^th at Crosswinds Golf Club.

Councilwoman Benton reported that three (3) new single family residential, 14 attached unit and one (1) commercial permit has been issued since the last meeting, totaling 134 residential, 84 attached unit and 39 commercial permits for the year, with 5449  inspections performed.

1.  Requested utility variance to allow for overhead power supply to provide street     lighting fixtures to be mounted on poles along Distribution Drive

A public hearing was held prior wherein information was presented as to the oversight on the part of the City, Georgia Power and the project engineer that has occurred in regards to overhead power being installed along Distribution Drive.  Mr. Byrd presented this request from North Point Industrial, LLC for an overhead utility variance, stating that power lines have been installed on poles along Distribution Drive and that a checklist will be used by all public works superintendents when inspections are performed.  Councilman Wall stated that this is a unique situation, due to the aforementioned oversight, adding that measures will be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.  Councilman Cowart made a motion, seconded by Councilman Seay, to approve the variance to allow for overhead power supply to provide street lighting fixtures to be mounted on the utility poles along the existing portion of Distribution Drive, based on the request meeting variance standards #1 and #3.  Motion passed without opposition.

2.  Release of maintenance bond for Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 5A

Mr. Byrd presented this request from the developer of Westbrook Subdivision, stating that an inspection has been performed on Phase 5A by the public works department.  Councilman Wall made a motion to release the maintenance bond for Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 5A, contingent upon a letter of approval for the project to end its maintenance warranty period being submitted by the public works department.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.

3.  Release of maintenance bond for Morgan Pines Subdivision, Phase 1B

Mr. Byrd presented this request from the developer of Morgan Pines Subdivision, stating that an inspection has been performed on Phase 1B by the public works department.  Councilman Wall made a motion to release the maintenance bond for Morgan Pines Subdivision, Phase 1B, contingent upon a letter of approval for the project to end its maintenance warranty period being submitted by the public works department.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.

4.  Release of maintenance bond for Holmes Court

Mr. Byrd presented this request from the developer of Holmes Court, stating that an inspection has been performed  by the public works department and they have recommended approval for the project to end its warranty period.  Councilman Cowart made a motion to release the maintenance bond for Holmes Court.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Wall and passed without opposition.

5.  Resolution regarding lease with Oshkosh Capital for 2009 Pierce Contender Fire Truck

Mr. Byrd presented a resolution regarding the lease for a new 2009 Pierce Contender fire truck, stating that the funds have been budgeted.  Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilman Seay, to adopt the resolution.  Motion passed without opposition.

6.  First Reading on new Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to include the D Firm            Panels and FIS (Flood Insurance Study)

Mr. Byrd presented the newly proposed Flood Damage Prevention ordinance, stating that the City has coordinated with Chatham County, the Department of Natural Resources and FEMA to amend the ordinance to include DFIRM Panels and FIS (Flood Insurance Study).  Mr. Byrd added that Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver attended a week long workshop recently.  Ms. Carver stated that the aforementioned agencies have completed an enhanced Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and Flood Insurance Study for Chatham County and all of its municipalities.  And, as a final step in this process, each municipality is required to adopt a new Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance by September 26, 2008.  Councilman Cowart made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, to approve the ordinance on First Reading, contingent upon the other municipalities adopting the ordinance.  Motion passed without opposition.

Councilman Wall made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at approximately 6:30 p.m to discuss personnel and legal matters.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Royal and passed without opposition.

Mayor Lamb called the meeting back to order at 7:25 p.m. and stated that a letter of resignation effective this day has been submitted by Shelly Cromwell, Finance Officer.  Further, that this position will be advertised to be filled as soon as possible.