HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION AGENDA
February 26th, 2018 

The February 26th, 2018  Work Session Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

  1. Call to order
    • Invocation – Amy Barrett
    • Mayor’s Introductions of Guests and Announcements
    • Motion to Adopt Final Agenda as Distributed.
    • Peyton Barrett – Towns County Speech Candidate
  1. Old Business
    • Mayor’s Report
    • Landscape RFP – 2018-2020
    • Motel-Hotel Tax distribution – 2nd reading at CCM
    • Ethics Resolution – Council Signature needed on Resolution
    • Franchise Fee Ordinance – 2nd reading
  1. Police Department Report
  2. New Business
    • Review December, January, February Council Minutes, January Work Session Minutes
    • December Financials – Approval at CCM
    • New Tree Ordinance
    • Clean Sweep April 21st – JC Berrong
    • Legal Shield
  1. Motion to Adjourn

HIAWASSEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES

February 26, 2018

In attendance were Mayor Liz Ordiales, Council Members Amy Barrett, Kris Berrong, Nancy Noblet and Patsy Owens.  Anne Mitchell was present via speaker phone.  Staff present included Randy Warne,  Clint Royce, Chief Paul Smith, Bonnie Kendrick, City Clerk.  Also in attendance; City Attorney Thomas Mitchell.

Called to order by Mayor Liz Ordiales at 6:00pm.  Invocation was given by Amy Barrett and the Mayor lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Liz recognized staff members Randy Warne, Water Treatment Plant supervisor, Clint Royce, Waste Water Treatment Plant director, Paul Smith, Chief of Police, and guests Bob and Vicki Levy of LegalShield, Pat Malone of WJRB/WJUL Radio, and members of the press as well as the Boy Scouts in attendance.

Amy Barrett made the motion to accept the agenda as distributed and Nancy Noblet seconded.  All members were in favor.

Towns County speech candidate, Peyton Barrett, gave an excellent speech about why he is proud to be an American. The Movers and Shakers are hosting the speech contest on Thursday March 1st,   6:30 pm at the new Senior Center.

The Mayor’s report included information regarding the changes in pay time frames for the Hiawassee staff, possible changes to open hours at City Hall, contract reviews and savings, training, grants the City has been awarded, updates on grease trap, GA Forestry meetings, participation in the GA Mountain Fair parade, CodeRed participation, upcoming Council retreat, signage on Bell Street, a new map of the city, and the tourism spending.  The Mayor also informed the council that the financial auditors will be coming next week to provide their findings.

The lawn care RFP has been awarded to Mountain Living (lowest bid).  Next week at the regular meeting, the council will be voting on the second readings of both the Motel Hotel Tax and the Franchise Fee ordinances.  Mayor Liz will also ask the council to sign the Ethic Resolution voted on last week as the process requires the majority of the council to sign the resolution.

Chief Paul Smith gave his report indicating 12 arrests in the last month, only 4 of which were drug related. He has been working on the Hiawassee Police Department policy manual and it is nearing completion at which time he will provide copies for the council to review.  The department has been able to purchase 5 new laptops at significant savings – normally the laptops are approx. $4000 each, but the Chief was able to procure all 5 for approx. $2400.  The laptops are shock resistant and water proof.

Mayor Liz advised the council that we have a Tree ordinance and are a Tree City, but that the ordinance was enacted in 1993 needs to be updated.  Mr. Mitchell will be working on it and the first reading may be as early as the April council meeting.

This year’s Clean Sweep will be April 21st.

Bob Levy gave a presentation on LegalShield, a membership service in which participants are provided with legal services such as will/durable power of attorney/living will preparation, letters or phone calls made on participants behalf, speeding ticket assistance, etc.

Patsy Owens made motion to adjourn, seconded by Kris Berrong, all in favor.

Special accommodations Information

Note: Individuals with disabilities who require certain accommodations in order to participate in meetings or questions regarding accessibility are required to contact City Hall at 706-896-2202.  The City will strive to make reasonable accommodations for those individuals.