The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on November 3, 2008.  Mayor Mike Lamb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Present were Councilmen Bruce Allen, Mike Royal, Wayne Seay, Stevie Wall and Councilwoman Rebecca Benton.  City Manager Robbie Byrd and City Attorney Steve Scheer were also present. 

The invocation was given by Mayor Lamb 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 Allen, with no opposition.

Councilman Seay presented the accounts payable information for September.

 

Councilman Allen reported on the police and fire department activities.

 

Mayor Lamb stated that the streets, drainage and parks were all in good shape, noting that the area of Pooler Parkway that is overgrown/unsightly is still under contract

with the Department of Transportation and the City is unable to maintain this portion.

 

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 football teams will be playing in the Rebel Bowl beginning November 8^th, that basketball signups continue until the 14^th and that a community tree planting at the new recreation complex is scheduled for November 15^th at 9:00 a.m.

 

Councilwoman Benton reported that six (6) new single family residential permits have been issued since the last meeting, totaling 165 residential permits for the year, with 6481 inspections performed.  Further, that a PUD Review Board meeting is scheduled for November 10^th at 5:30 p.m.

 

1.  Second Reading on zoning text amendment to add restaurant with beer and wine                        sales as a conditional use in C-1 zoning districts

 

Mr. Byrd presented an amendment to allow restaurants in C-1 districts to sell beer and wine by the drink to eat-in customers.  Councilman Wall made a motion to approve this amendment on Second Reading.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed with Councilman Allen opposing.

 

2.  Second Reading on amendment to solid waste ordinance regarding commercial             sanitation collection

 

Mr. Byrd presented an amendment to the solid waste ordinance regarding allowing commercial sanitation, stating that the provision requiring business to receive service from the city has been removed.  Further, that effective January 1, 2009, businesses will now be able to contract this service on their own.  Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, to approve this amendment on Second Reading.  Motion passed without opposition.

Mayor Lamb stated that he has been asked whether the information brought up at the previous meeting regarding speed bumps on N. Newton Street and a large hole near Highway 80 at Newton Street needed to be addressed.  Mr. Byrd replied that the hole in Highway 80 has been reported to the Department of Transportation and that Public Works Director Matt Saxon is looking into the matter of placing speed “breakers” at the intersection of Symons & N. Newton Streets, with the cost of the installation being brought to Council at a later date.

 

1.  Requested conditional use to operate a family home daycare at 187 Hamilton Grove Drive

 

A public hearing was held prior wherein no opposition was presented.  Mr. Byrd stated that Tonice Cooper has petitioned the City to operate a family home daycare for three (3) to six (6) children at her home.  Keisha Burgess, resident of Hamilton Grove Subdivision, expressed the need for a home daycare in the community, stating that she is in favor of this request.  After reviewing the criteria for granting a conditional use, Councilman Seay made a motion to approve.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.

 

2.  Approval of final plat for Phase II, Pooler Park West, LLC for tax purposes

 

Mr. Byrd presented the final plat for Phase II of Pooler Park West, LLC to allow separate parcel identification numbers for each building for tax purposes.  Councilman Wall made a motion, seconded by Councilman Seay, to approve the final plat.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

3.  Approval of site plan for Pooler Marketplace located on Pooler Parkway & Park Avenue

 

Mr. Byrd presented the site plan for Pooler Marketplace, a 17.5 acre commercial development which is part of a larger 36 acre tract to be developed and subdivided at a later date.  Hal Kraft of Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung Engineers was present and stated that the development consists of an anchor high-end grocery store, with other retail shops and restaurant uses.  Councilman Wall questioned the time frame as to when construction will begin and if the developer is willing to share in the cost of a traffic light at the intersection of Pooler Parkway/Godley Station Blvd/Park Avenue.  Jim McKinney, representing the developer,  Edens & Avant, stated that the project will begin in the spring of 2009, with completion in approximately nine (9) months and that he has met with Mr. Byrd in regards to the light, adding that the developer has offered to pay their share.   After discussion, Councilman Wall made a motion to approve the site plan, contingent upon the developer paying their proportionate share of the installation of the aforementioned traffic light, as discussed at a previous meeting with Mr. Byrd.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Royal and passed without opposition.

 

4.  Approval of recombination plat of Lots 408 and 409 in Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 7A

 

Mr. Byrd presented this request to recombine Lots 408 and 409 in Westbrook

Subdivision to provide additional area to construct a large home.  Councilwoman Benton made a motion, seconded by Councilman Royal, to approve the recombination, subject to the owner signing the plat.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

5.  Approval of minor subdivision/recombination plat for approximately 10.825 acres on southwest corner of Old Dean Forest Road and E. Highway 80

 

Mr. Byrd presented this request from Repete Properties, Inc. for a minor subdivision/recombination of Lots 7 & 8 of the D. R. Thomas Tract located on the southwest corner of Old Dean Forest Road and E. Highway 80, stating that Planning & Zoning and staff have recommended approval.  Councilwoman Benton made a motion to approve the minor subdivision/recombination plat.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Royal and passed without opposition.

 

6.  Release of maintenance bond for Morgan Pines, Phase 2

 

Mr. Byrd presented this request to release the maintenance bond for Phase 2 of Morgan Pines Subdivision, stating that a final inspection was performed on May 1^st, with a follow up inspection on October 7^th and that the public works department has recommended release of the bond.  Councilwoman Benton made a motion, seconded by Councilman Royal, to release the maintenance bond.  Motion passed without opposition.

7.  Release of maintenance bond for Berkeley Walk, Phase I

 

Mr. Byrd presented this request to release the maintenance bond for Phase I of Berkeley Walk Subdivision, stating that a final  inspection was performed on May 1^st, with a follow up inspection on October 7^th and that the public works department has recommended release of the bond.  Councilwoman Benton made a motion, seconded by Councilman Royal, to release the maintenance bond.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

8.  Release of performance bond/acceptance of maintenance bond for Hamilton Grove,

Mr. Byrd presented this request from the developer of Hamilton Grove Subdivision to release the performance bond and accept the maintenance bond in the amount of $277,397.94 for Phase 3, stating that the public works department has recommended approval.  Councilwoman Benton made a motion to release the performance bond and accept the maintenance bond, contingent upon the city attorney approving the bond.  Motion was seconded by Councilman Royal and passed without opposition.

 

9.  Release of performance bond/acceptance of maintenance bond for Hamilton Grove,

Mr. Byrd presented this request to release the performance bond and accept the maintenance bond for Hamilton Grove, Phase 6, stating that a final inspection was performed and all punch list items have been addressed.  Councilman Royal made a motion to release the performance bond and accept the maintenance bond in the amount of $203,531.25, contingent upon the city attorney approving the bond.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.

 

10.  Acceptance of new recreation complex for ownership and maintenance

 

Mr. Byrd stated that the new recreation complex is complete and that a final inspection has been performed, adding that the City can now accept the project for ownership and maintenance.  Councilman Seay stated that the complex has been a long term, necessary project, adding that there was opposition along the way.  Councilman Wall reiterated the need for the complex, stating that it is being pay for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.  Councilman Seay made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, to accept the recreation complex for ownership and maintenance.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

Aaron Stewart, resident on N. Newton Street, asked why his requests made previously were not on the agenda, wherein Mr. Byrd replied that the matter of the pothole and speed bumps has already been discussed earlier in the meeting.