HIAWASSEE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA 
April 7^th, 2020

The April 2020 City Council Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers

BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK LIVE ONLY       SITE: CITY OF HIAWASSEE
NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC 

1. Call to order
   • Invocation – Anne Mitchell
   • Pledge of Allegiance 
   • Mayor’s Introductions of Guests and Announcements
   • Motion to Adopt Final Agenda as Distributed
2. Old Business
3. New Business
4. Motions/Approvals
   • Consent Agenda
     • Minutes from March 2nd Special Called Meeting-Court Clerk 
     • Minutes from March 19th Special Called Meeting-USDA-RD Grant Application
     • Minutes from the March 3rd City Council Meeting
     • Minutes from March 30th Work Session
     • Minutes from March 30th Special Called Meeting
     • December and January Financials 

5. Second reading of the Sewer Ordinance 
6. Approval of Risk Assessments & Emergency Response Plan Contract with EMI for $8,000
7. Executive Session
8. Motion to Adjourn

HIAWASSEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 7^th, 2020

The April 2020 City Council Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers by Mayor Liz Ordiales.  It was broadcast via FaceBook live only (site: the city of Hiawassee) and was not open to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The invocation was given by Councilmember Anne Mitchell and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Ordiales informed the Council that she was on a conference call with Dr. Toomey (head of the Georgia Department of Health).  There has been an increase of 1504 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours with an additional 100 deaths (Current numbers are 8818 and 329 respectively).  Numbers are growing due to additional testing.  The University of Georgia system has been approved for testing and will likely deploy on Thursday.  Dr. Toomey advises wearing a mask at ALL time when outside in ANY public area.  These conference calls are on-going weekly.  The Hospitals in Union and Towns County will be or have already started shutting down the psych facilities and, if needed, will cease the swing bed rehab center at  Chatuge, as well as use out-lying clinic thorough out the region if bed space is needed.  These measures will secure an additional 40 beds in Hiawassee and an additional 60 beds in Union.  They are currently ok with PPEs but may need more if there is a huge spike in cases.  They have received many donations of masks and gowns.

In addition to the measures already implemented at Ingles (early closure for clean, early hours for elderly, 1^st responders and the immune-compromised, cashiers washing hands hourly and wearing masks and gloves), they have added floor markings to help with keeping the 6’ social distance and have made the aisles one way.

Mayor Ordiales also informed the Council that the police officer that was tested for Covid-19 has received a negative result and has returned to work. 

Pat Malone has informed the Mayor that the Census completion rates are: US 45.1%, Georgia 42.6%, Towns County 33.1%, Hiawassee 34.6%, and Young Harris 29.7%.  She encourages EVERYONE to complete the census.

Motion to adopt the final agenda as distributed was made by Councilmember Amy Barrett, seconded by Councilmember Jay Chastain with all in favor.

There was no old or new business.

Motion to approve the consent agenda which consists of the minutes from the March 2nd Special Called Meeting, the March 19th Special Called Meeting, the March 3rd City Council Meeting, the March 30th Work Session, and the March 30th Special Called Meeting and the December and January Financials was made by Councilmember Nancy Noblet, seconded by Councilmember Jay Chastain with all in favor.

Motion to approve the second reading of the Sewer Ordinance was made by Councilmember Amy Barrett, seconded by Councilmember Patsy Owens with all in favor.

Motion to approve the Risk Assessments & Emergency Response Plan Contract with EMI for $8,000 was made by Councilmember Jay Chastain, seconded by Councilmember Nancy Noblet with all in favor.

There was no executive session

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Amy Barrett, seconded by Councilmember Jay Chastain with all in favor.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:08pm.