Transcript

Event transcript
Thank. 00:00:23
All right, everybody quieted down right on time. So thanks, everyone, for coming to the March, Watkinsville. 00:00:30
City Council meeting Excited to see such a big crowd here tonight. I'm the mayor Brian Broderick joined by this August body up 00:00:36
here again. Thank you for being here tonight. We do have a quorum. 00:00:41
And to kick us off, I'm going to ask Braden and Hal Jackson to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please. 00:00:47
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:56
And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:01
All right. Thank you, Hal and Brayden. Glad to have you all here tonight. 00:01:16
1st on the agenda for us tonight is the approval of the Minutes. We have two sets of minutes, one from the February 16th regular 00:01:21
meeting. 00:01:24
One from the March 1st special. 00:01:28
On the regular meeting, does anyone have any? 00:01:31
Edits or adjustments to those minutes. 00:01:36
All right. I did notice two things. One, it said there was a question mark after it noted Garrett opposed a motion related to the 00:01:40
special events facility. 00:01:44
I think we just need to cut out that question mark. You already caught that and then I think it was slightly unclear about the 00:01:48
entrance closest to Ashford Manor. 00:01:53
Also needs to be I think, right? 00:01:59
Right. Turn in only in that condition on that motion. That's the only two things I notice. Anybody else have anything else on the 00:02:01
Minutes? 00:02:04
OK, here. None. I'll entertain a motion to approve the February 16th minutes. 00:02:08
I make a motion to approve the February minutes. All right, we have a motion for Mr. Campbell. Do we have a second? 00:02:15
Motion in a second. All in favor, Say aye. Any opposed? 00:02:22
All. 00:02:26
You abstain. You weren't there. OK, so for a Christine abstains March 1st special called meeting do we have? 00:02:27
Any edits to those minutes? 00:02:36
That was relatively brief hearing. None. Can we have a motion to approve and make a motion to approve and a second. 00:02:40
We have a motion and a second all in favor. Say aye, aye. 00:02:48
All right, Motion carries 50. 00:02:52
All right. Approval of the agenda. We do have one item that we need to add to the agenda that would be under new business, the 00:02:55
purchase of Christmas lights at a non holiday discount. As you guys can imagine, things like Christmas lights get a little bit 00:03:00
cheaper in the spring. 00:03:05
And we've had some citizen requests for some additional Christmas lighting on some of our streets. So the manager has identified 00:03:11
an opportunity to purchase those. 00:03:15
At a discount, so I would entertain a motion to. 00:03:19
The Amend the agenda to add purchase of Christmas lights under new business, please. 00:03:23
You can say so moved, so moved and is there a second? 00:03:31
We have a motion. We have a second. Any discussion. 00:03:35
All in favor say. 00:03:38
All right. We're going to move on to administration, just the rules of the road. For those of you who haven't been here before, we 00:03:40
are a little more casual about our public input process in Watkinsville. We typically will allow public comment at the mayor and 00:03:46
council's discretion on items that are on the agenda. We do have certain sections of the agenda where formal comment is always 00:03:51
allowed. That typically is on. 00:03:57
Land use matters, public hearings, different items like that. So Mr. Reitman will be our guide as we go through that. We do ask 00:04:02
that the comments that you make are directly related to those agenda items. If it's on an agenda item that does not have public 00:04:08
speaking automatically with that, you will need to be recognized by the Mayor and council before you address us. 00:04:14
When you step forward, state your name. State your address. Speak only from the podium. 4 minutes A person. Refrain from debate. 00:04:21
Argument. Personal attacks are irrelevant. Discussion. Address the merits of the pending matter again once we get to those points 00:04:25
during the agenda. 00:04:29
Mr. Reitman will be our guide. But what I'm excited about tonight. We have several exciting moments, but one of the first ones, 00:04:34
Umm. 00:04:38
That I'm really excited about. 00:04:43
Is a proclamation for Mr. Larry Weatherford. Mr. Weatherford. 00:04:46
Umm. 00:04:52
I've always been struck by Larry as a guy who when I first moved back to Watkinsville, I was like this guy. He doesn't even live 00:04:55
in Watkinsville, but I think he's at more events in Watkinsville than I am. 00:05:01
Everywhere I went, there was a there was Larry Weatherford. And come to find out, that's been the story of his life. 00:05:07
In this community that when something important was happening, Larry Weatherford was there. When there was a big moment for 00:05:13
Watkinsville, Larry Weatherford was there. 00:05:17
And he's been a wonderful. 00:05:22
Leader in this community for a long time, so we have a. 00:05:25
For Mr. Weatherford, I'm going to step to the podium up there and read that. I know we have a few other council members who may 00:05:29
want to make a comment. And then, Larry, if you're willing, when I'm done, we'd love to have hear from you. If you have a few 00:05:34
minutes, you want to make a few minutes of remarks about Watkinsville. 00:05:39
And then we'll take a couple photos after that. OK, but I'm going to step up to the podium and read this proclamation. 00:05:44
Lawrence Weatherford was born in Watkinsville, Georgia, and lived a brief time at the historic Eagle Tavern. 00:06:04
Lawrence's family has deep roots in the community, beginning with his father, who served as mayor of Watkinsville during the 1950s 00:06:10
after serving in the Army during World War 2. 00:06:15
His mother, who was the first visiting teacher in Oconee County in the 1930s after graduating from the University of Georgia, and 00:06:19
his grandfather, Dave Weatherford, who served as chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners in the 1930s. 00:06:26
Lawrence grew up in Watkinsville playing basketball and graduating at age 16 from Watkinsville High School, now known as Oconee 00:06:33
County High School, attending Watkinsville Christian Church and working at Spec Downs grocery store and Joe McDonald grocery store 00:06:37
in downtown Watkinsville. 00:06:42
He went on to attend the University of Georgia and while enrolled, served in the ROTC before graduating with a Bachelor of Science 00:06:47
in Elementary Education. 00:06:50
He served in the 82nd Airborne Battalion during the Korean War, volunteering from the ROTC program at the University of Georgia. 00:06:55
He trained at Fort Knox and Fort Bragg before serving one year in Germany patrolling the Iron Curtain. 00:07:01
And after the Korean War, he joined the Army Reserves in 1953. 00:07:07
Ultimately retiring as a. 00:07:11
After graduation, Lawrence worked for the Georgia Department of Labor before moving on to the US Department of Labor, where he 00:07:14
served as regional director of financing and Administration in 1958 and eventually director of unemployment insurance and deputy 00:07:19
to the assistant secretary in the 1970s. 00:07:24
He came back home to work at the University of Georgia under President Charles Knapp as the vice president for government 00:07:29
relations, retiring in 1988. 00:07:33
Larry has continued to make meaningful contributions to the Watkinsville community through his service on the OCALAF board and his 00:07:37
restoration of a pre Civil War home on Main Street. 00:07:42
Larry is one of Watkinsville's most disting. 00:07:47
Citiz. 00:07:51
He's a tireless booster for his hometown. 00:07:52
And he continues to share his stories of Watkinsville past and believes in its future. 00:07:55
Now, therefore, I, Brian Broderick, Mayor of Watkinsville, do hereby recognize and honor Lawrence E Weatherford for his commitment 00:08:02
and public service accomplishments to the citizens of Watkinsville and so many others throughout Georgia and the United States, 00:08:07
and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the Great Seal of the City of Watkinsville, Georgia, on 00:08:12
the 23rd day of March. 00:08:18
2020. 00:08:23
Now I know we have, I think we might have a few others who want to make some remarks about how Larry's impacted their lives. So if 00:08:41
those folks. 00:08:44
Share some remarks and then Larry will turn the microphone over to you briefly. We do have a reputation for long meetings that I'm 00:08:48
trying to trying to reduce. So, but we will turn the microphone over to you and then we'll get a picture with your family and then 00:08:52
with the folks, everybody who came here to celebrate you to you tonight. But Councilman Thomas, did you have something you want to 00:08:56
say? 00:09:01
I know him as Uncle Larry, but Uncle Larry, I really appreciate your leadership. You've taught me a lot. 00:09:09
From from your time in the military to your time in government relations, I just really appreciate all the stuff you've done for 00:09:17
this great community and your time coming back. 00:09:22
To Watkinsville. 00:09:27
You know, multiple times a week. 00:09:30
To see the residents here and visit the bank and you know, visit old friends and that's a hall for you. And we really appreciate 00:09:32
you coming. I greatly appreciate your leadership and it's something to model after. So thank you very much. 00:09:39
You can say. 00:09:53
Yeah, Mr. Weatherford, where? 00:09:56
One of the finest people I've ever met. 00:09:59
Marcie and I bought his house on Main Street 66 S Main. 00:10:01
1314 years ago Rough. 00:10:06
I had a problem though. I had to sell my other. 00:10:10
So, but Larry Weatherford had put a sign out there for sale, went in there, saw it, loved it. 00:10:14
I said, Mr. Weatherford, my problem is I got to sell my other house. 00:10:19
Can you give me a couple weeks to see if I can get mine sold? He said sure, no problem. 00:10:23
So sure enough, we were fortunate. But I sell our house at least under contract. A few weeks later, go back to Mr. Weatherford, 00:10:28
It's weather for to have a contract. 00:10:32
Now, can we talk about a price for your house? 00:10:37
I was not in a good, was not in a good negotiation point because I was in a contract. 00:10:40
But we reached a fair deal and and I really so also on the House it was mentioned in the proclamation is a pretty civil war home 00:10:46
that we bought. 00:10:51
That was in disrepair. 00:10:56
Mr. Weatherford. 00:10:59
Restored his family home. 00:11:00
At a great expense would have been easier I think to tear it down and cheaper. 00:11:03
But he restored it, and we thank him for that. Had he not restored it, we might not be living in Watkinsville. I'm thankful every 00:11:07
day that we are. So thank you, Mr. Weatherford. You're a wonderful human. 00:11:13
And I know we have a few other I don't know if Commissioner Hardin or Chairman Daniel, if y'all care to make any remarks. Do you 00:11:24
have anything you'd want to add about this gentleman? I see Amory giving him a side eye. He's probably got a story or two, but. 00:11:29
I welcome you to the podium if you all want to say a quick word, and then we'll turn it over to the guest of honor to say what he 00:11:36
has to say. But. 00:11:40
Yep. 00:11:45
And welcome back, former Mayor Hardin. I should say, too. It's not every day we get to turn the podium back over to a former 00:11:48
mayor. 00:11:51
Thank you, Mayor Broderick. I do appreciate this opportunity to congratulate you, Larry. 00:11:56
Course, Larry, as you say, I see more of. 00:12:02
Then I do a lot of people in this community and he lives in Oxford, GA And so we're so proud for Larry that you're being 00:12:07
recognized and to have your family with you here tonight and just want to thank you for all that you've done and continue to do 00:12:13
for a walk and spell. Thank you. 00:12:18
We'll say it's always a bright spot in my day when I see you. You're always upbeat and very cheerful and it's been great. 00:12:36
Getting to know you over the years and. 00:12:42
Unless we have anyone else, Larry, if you want to say a few words, you're come on up here and then we'll get. 00:12:52
We'll get some photos. 00:12:58
Thank you. Thank you. 00:13:02
I think he had talked. 00:13:07
Ahead of time by and by saying a few words. 00:13:10
Because I I guess as I was thinking about the history that Watkinsville and my time. 00:13:14
It'll probably take us through the next week. 00:13:22
But let me start my comments off about I brought somebody with me. 00:13:26
This is my sweetheart. We were together for a day or two and. 00:13:33
I come down to Watkinsville to visit with her. 00:13:39
And she was. 00:13:43
A great part of the reason why. 00:13:45
Invited me here tonight to say all these nice things about you. 00:13:49
But I think I carefully. 00:13:54
Repeat some things. 00:13:58
And leave out some things that Pattice said not to do. 00:14:01
No, I do. My family was has been said already a good part of the Watkinsville government and everything, and I have so many when 00:14:10
Captain Jake died. 00:14:16
Daddy, Dave died. I mean the channel of Commission that we had a little farm over here across the Creek and. 00:14:23
I remember I was working for the. 00:14:30
The couple the man that. 00:14:33
Work on, you know, I ain't gonna say was a slave, I said. But but Daddy worked in Watsonville and Henry worked up there, and I 00:14:38
that was my first time of having a supervisor. 00:14:44
And I remember the time when we would be out in the. 00:14:51
And a car would come from Athens to Watkinsville. 00:14:56
And we would tie the horse down, run out in the front yard to see who it was because that's about the way that the the the traffic 00:15:00
was Watkins. 00:15:05
And I'll tell you back then, those days, it was a great, great place. 00:15:12
And with all the people that that oversaw my life. 00:15:18
African Americans as well as all our. 00:15:26
And I just am so grateful for the opportunity to have grown uphill. 00:15:33
And then I when I left, as we talked about a while ago, I went to a lot of different places to work and. 00:15:39
Uh, stayed on the road and that's one of the reasons that this Lady Hill. 00:15:48
Is so important to me because when you look over here, these girls, she did it. 00:15:55
And I appreciated that. That's so very much. 00:16:01
I said one time, being in a cocktail party in Honolulu. 00:16:06
And the phone rang, and it was one day after the truck had brought Catherine. 00:16:12
Washington and hadn't unloaded the furniture. But I was in a cocktail party and I got a phone call and she said, what's the name 00:16:19
of the power company? 00:16:24
And I couldn't remember myself. 00:16:30
But nevertheless, I don't stand here by myself. She's in the corner right over here and I wouldn't be here if it was not for her. 00:16:35
And I have the greatest family. 00:16:41
That you could believe. 00:16:48
And as I go around and look at this room over all different times and things, that my life has been influenced by what Y'all did. 00:16:50
And I'm not going to go through that Patty's direction. 00:16:59
I'm not going to go through several things that I went through and growing up here. 00:17:05
And but if anybody is interested, we'll meet outside and. 00:17:11
Anyway, let me just say how proud I am to be from what could feel. 00:17:19
And also let me change that to really say that my heart is always in what could be and always will be. 00:17:25
And I wanted to ask y'all if that we could take a vote. 00:17:34
Because we'll still got my house appealing the corner that's built by Catherine's grandfather in 1908. 00:17:40
And I think it would be nice for me to have a place down here to spend the night. 00:17:47
Now if if I could take a minute and ask y'all if everybody's in favor of that, please say aye. 00:17:57
I'm not gonna ask. Those are the polls. 00:18:08
Because I know one or two of you around here to say that, so. 00:18:11
No, let me let me just say I I I can't tell you. Ever since I heard about the about the thing tonight, I can't tell you how. 00:18:16
Humbly proud, I guess, is the best way to. 00:18:28
I My family was so important to me. My mom was a strong lady. My dad was a great man. 00:18:33
Quiet didn't do a lot of talking. 00:18:41
And I have my sister Wilma who was a town singer, if y'all anybody here old enough to remember that but she sang it all the 00:18:44
weddings and funerals and things like that and my mom was the best and teacher and my dad worked in Athens and. 00:18:54
I'm not going to go into all the details because when I had them listed about my talk tonight. 00:19:05
I got it just cut. 00:19:12
So. 00:19:16
But in all sincerity, I'm so proud. 00:19:17
To be from Watkinsville, Georgia, and I thank you. Each one of you and I can look around this room and I can tell stories you 00:19:20
wouldn't believe and wouldn't want me to tell. So thank you so much. 00:19:27
All right. Thank you. So here's your proclamation. Let's come right up here to the middle, and we're going to have your family 00:19:36
come up and stand with you. 00:19:39
All right, Mary's family, if you all could come up together. 00:19:43
And all Y'all really. After hearing Larry speak. Probably all. 00:19:53
How many? OK, do the three and then y'all go ahead and then we'll bring up the rest of the family and then we'll do. 00:19:58
Now the rest of your families come on up and. 00:20:13
All right, y'all and all that and all that excitement. I forgot one more. 00:21:45
For Mr. Weatherford. 00:21:49
We don't give these out very often, but I do have a key to the. 00:21:52
And so also Larry wanted to, on behalf of all you've done for Watkinsville, I also want to give you a key to the city. 00:21:57
Confir. 00:22:14
Here. 00:22:16
I. 00:22:25
OK. All right. We have two more proclamations tonight. The next one is. 00:22:42
A little more, A little. 00:22:48
Is a proclamation in honor of child abuse. 00:22:50
Prevention Month. I don't think we're honoring that, but we're recognizing that that's something that we're striving to prevent. 00:22:54
Constantly in Watkinsville, I'm going to do an abridged version of this. Over 10,000 children are abused and or neglected in 00:23:00
Georgia each year. 00:23:03
And child abuse and neglect prevention as a community responsibility in preventing mistreatment of children depends on involvement 00:23:07
from all people. 00:23:10
I, Brian Broderick, Mayor of the City of Watkinsville, Georgia, do hereby proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention 00:23:13
Month in Watkinsville, Georgia, and encourage all citizens to volunteer their talents and energies. 00:23:18
On behalf of children in our community to reduce child abuse and neg. 00:23:24
Significantly in the years to come. I know that's an important priority for our chief of police and others. Is anyone here tonight 00:23:28
from the organization you are? Why don't you step forward, offer a few brief remarks, then we'll take a picture. And thank you for 00:23:32
providing this to us. 00:23:36
Hi, I'm Sally. Stare at my colleagues and I are with Bright paths. We are the local chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and 00:23:44
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and. 00:23:49
Have lived and worked and graduated from high school in Oconee County and Athens and my whole life. So I'm glad to be here. And I 00:23:54
also know what a lovely community this is and how it is really easy to think that all the families here are just like mine, which 00:23:59
were so great. But our most recent data actually shows that in Oconee County alone in the year of 2020, there were 168 children 00:24:05
who were the subject of a report of either abuse or neglect just in Oconee County just in 2020. And so at Bright Paths we are 00:24:11
working really hard. 00:24:17
To eliminate that, our mission is to prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect and our vision as a community free of that, and 00:24:23
so with your support. 00:24:28
So April will be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Watkins. 00:25:04
Dickerson and her staff. If you'll have information you'd like us to share, we have a newsletter Facebook page. We're happy to 00:25:10
share that and what people know everything that's going on here and how people can help to prevent child abuse. 00:25:15
Let's step here and take a picture. 00:25:21
We'll let you guys get on the way. Is there anybody else in the organization? 00:25:23
Fund continues. We have Danielle Greer here who is presenting A presenting a check to the Police Department. So missus Greer if 00:26:03
you could come forward make a few remarks and then Sharon and Chief if you all want to coordinate that presentation as well. And 00:26:08
Danielle I just, I do. 00:26:13
I see that you're constantly serving the community and working with our Police Department. I just want to thank you for. 00:26:19
Leaning into that and understanding that the role of a realtor and a business person in the community is more than just making 00:26:26
money, but it's about giving back. So we're very grateful to you guys for working with Chief Brock and his guys. 00:26:31
And I will say for anybody who doesn't know about bright paths, we just found out about them about this time last year. 00:26:38
They are phenomenal resource in this community. So we actually did a golf tournament for them last year and and it was it, it was 00:26:44
beyond amazing. We're actually doing another one for them this year too but. 00:26:50
Speaking of in the community, but. 00:26:57
Why I'm here so? 00:27:00
Thank you for everything that Y'all do and 1st responders are near and dear to my heart. Our schools are near and dear to my 00:27:02
heart. And So what we did was create a program through my real estate team that gives back to our community and then all of our 00:27:08
clients get to choose where it goes. And so each month we are able to go in and donate funds to the community that we live in. 00:27:14
Just a give where you live type thing. And so this month. 00:27:20
For February, we were able to give Chief Rock. 00:27:27
$1000. 00:27:31
So I know we got to do pictures, but. 00:27:33
And you have to come over here too. You're a huge part of. 00:27:38
Yes. 00:27:41
Are you? I was yielding to the mayor. That's a good idea. Are you going, are you just going to stay up there? We've got one or two 00:28:15
items before it's your turn. You just want to knock it all out right here. 00:28:19
I like improvising, Chief. Why don't you come on up here? And while we're focused on, while we're focused on law enforcement, why 00:28:26
don't you just. 00:28:30
Why don't you just go ahead and roll on? How about that? All right. 00:28:34
They. 00:28:39
All. 00:28:48
Good evening Mayor, Council evening, always a pleasure to be before. 00:28:50
Lads E All assembled. 00:28:55
I submitted a report actually week before last, during what would have been the regularly scheduled meeting. 00:28:57
Of last week, so I was well ahead of. 00:29:03
And from that report, does anybody have any questions over the material data that I provided? 00:29:07
Seeing none of hearing none. No questions. All right, so. 00:29:13
Through tremendous amounts of. 00:29:20
The LPR technology is on the poles. 00:29:23
And it was a very long and tenuous process to get through the mire, through the red tape and the. 00:29:27
Bureaucracy that comes with Georgia Power and Department of Transportation. 00:29:35
But they're up and they're operational and they are phenomenal. 00:29:39
Just in the last 24 hours we have had almost 300 hits of alerts of expired tags that are driving through the city pretty much 00:29:44
every day. 00:29:48
I mean expired and when. When tags are expired, there's usually reasons behind why they're expired. There's other things 00:29:55
underlying. 00:29:58
So those are the things that we're going to start looking to it to address as well. 00:30:01
You know the missing children and the missing adults and things like that is going to come across the system and our officers are 00:30:05
going to be able to better respond to those things as they travel through town. So I'm very happy to see that program up and 00:30:11
running and excited and the tech that came from Missouri to install the hardware who's been doing it all across the country says 00:30:18
that we are right now the premier location for Omni queue. 00:30:24
No other location has the extensive and robust system that we have in place, so I'm excited about that. 00:30:31
Chief, is that doing, is that doing a daily traffic count on those quarters as well, so that count, can you go back to that? 00:30:39
So that count you see up there in the top right hand corner of the screen of video, that's actually a screen? 00:30:47
Video image of it actually in operation. It's capturing cars and during. 00:30:53
Midday traffic time it's it's literally just, I mean, you barely have time to watch the cars screen across the screen. 00:30:59
But that count is all the cameras and the counts that the cameras are capturing. So all seven cameras that are in operation that 00:31:08
that's the account so you're gonna have. 00:31:12
Two, there's two locations. So there are going to be a car going through the South side and then through the Northside. So that's, 00:31:16
you know, getting twice. Unless they, you know, find their way around them, it's going to be hard to do. 00:31:22
All right. Thank you. 00:31:29
Yep. 00:31:30
We have our Easter Egg hunt coming up April 16th Saturday. 00:31:33
At 10:00 AM. 00:31:37
We have 10,000 eggs waiting. 00:31:38
Staged by the Easter Bun. 00:31:41
Easter Bunny Will. 00:31:43
Danielle Greer and her team made funds available in addition to. 00:31:48
The money that. 00:31:54
To provide all the prizes and what else, Major? 00:31:56
What it makes? 00:32:00
The fries. 00:32:04
So I can't thank her and her. 00:32:07
Enough. She has been tremendous in in the program she's running and the assistance that she's offered. 00:32:10
Any questions over the Easter egg? No. Moving on to an old picture. Wow, where'd you drive that? 00:32:18
Wow. 00:32:27
Wow, that's amazing. 00:32:29
So this brings me to one of. 00:32:32
Favorite parts of the job of being the chief, and that's recognition of officers for. 00:32:34
Jobs that they do. 00:32:40
So if you didn't know that what this is about, this is about Sergeant Hitler. 00:32:48
It is a life saving accommodation, A life saving accommodation bar that I will award them tonight is awarded to Walkersville 00:32:55
Police Department member and appreciation for the prompt, no selfish act of rendering aid and assistance to another human being 00:33:00
that resulted in saving a life by the officers actions. 00:33:05
It is a red and white commendation bar that is nationally recognized in the public safety community and it's consistent mark of 00:33:12
distinction for the office. 00:33:16
For the office officer who wears. 00:33:24
On Saturday, March 12/20/22, Sergeant Handler responded to a call here in town. 00:33:27
One of our citizens felt it necessary to try to take extraordinary measures to remove his life from this world. 00:33:34
It's hard. 00:33:44
Sergeant Hitler without care. 00:33:46
Was able to beat down a door that this man was in front of. 00:33:49
And render a. 00:33:54
Which ultimately led to. 00:33:56
His. 00:33:58
And he is alive today because. 00:33:59
It was a pretty gruesome. 00:34:03
The. 00:34:07
Mine does not forget what the I see. 00:34:08
This honor is truly not enough to recognize the efforts that he put forth that. 00:34:13
Sergeant Kyle Hibbler, Watkinsville Police Department is hereby awarded the Life Saving Accommodation Bar for his actions on March 00:34:18
12th. 00:34:21
2022 while on duty in the city of Watkinsville. 00:34:25
When he responded to the attempted suicide. 00:34:28
In recognition of your courageous and life saving actions on the scene by putting yourself in harm's way to save another human 00:34:31
life. 00:34:35
With ded. 00:34:38
And courage, Sergeant. 00:34:40
Thank you for your service. 00:34:58
I'm trying to prep it for this spot up here. 00:35:21
He's hesitant. 00:35:24
But he'll. 00:35:25
Are there any? 00:35:26
Thank you for the opportunity to present that award and present the information to you this. 00:35:28
Before you leave, I think it goes without saying it's nice to have four of you here tonight. CJ Step in, Kyle. You know, I think I 00:35:34
just want to look all of you in the eyes and tell you how much we appreciate your dedication and your service and. 00:35:41
Um. 00:35:48
Putting your life on the line every single day for the citizens of Watkinsville to keep us safe. It. 00:35:48
Means the world to us. I hear so many great comments from the citizens about the way that you all serve. 00:35:53
Think about taking care of them first and not think about yourselves. And Kyle, that's a wonderful example of that. So thank you. 00:35:58
Thank you all and thank you, Kyle. 00:36:02
We're. 00:36:07
We're grateful. Thank you. 00:36:08
OK. We're going to move to item 6 on the agenda and we'll plow through this pretty quick. Manager Dickerson, if you want to give 00:36:16
us an update on our financial situation. 00:36:22
Thank you, Mayor. Everyone should have received the revenue and expense balance sheets in your packet. If there any questions, 00:36:29
please let me know. We are tracking. 00:36:33
Higher on the revenues and less on the expenses. So that's good at this point in the game. But things do come in at different 00:36:39
times, so not always always an accurate measure. 00:36:43
On spouse one report, just remind you that all that money in there right now is designated for the sewer line a construction. 00:36:49
That will be going through the industrial park. 00:36:56
Spots to report money is split. 00:36:59
Money is split on this report between hair Shoals park, the ABA playground and landscaping and possibly sidewalk work out front 00:37:03
and then the sewer line a construction. So that's the monies that are left. 00:37:09
In here and we are tracking a little bit. 00:37:16
On this. 00:37:20
But not much more than what we budgeted. 00:37:21
This boss three summary report. This is a new report last trying to make it. 00:37:24
Look similar to the other reports Y'all been looking. 00:37:29
What I think is important to notice here is. 00:37:32
That right now we're budgeting at 80% of the referendum, which is around 62,000. We're actually bringing in about 73,000. 00:37:35
So the you'll notice down here in the lower corner where it says difference between projects and anticipate projected and 00:37:44
anticipated we're about 45,000. 00:37:47
Over at this point, the projects underway. With this project, I'm sorry. My cursor won't come off of that screen up there. Sorry. 00:37:52
The projects that are underway right now are the branding effort. That's the multi-purpose government facilities of line that you 00:38:00
see down there, the bottom. 00:38:04
The projects that are completed, we've paved Leia Lane, the Chief has bought the variable message sign trailer. I don't think we 00:38:10
have it yet though, and he's walked away so I'm not I can't tell you for sure. We have ordered additional traffic calming signs 00:38:16
with some of the remaining money and then the fire department has I believe has already placed the order, although I haven't seen 00:38:22
the the invoice for it yet for the jaws of life that you approved. 00:38:28
And then encumbered right now are some public works and police equipment for future purposes. So that's sort of what that makes 00:38:34
up. 00:38:37
Uh. 00:38:44
We are. There's the monthly you can. 00:38:45
That I try to give you this just for comparison's sake so. 00:38:48
Where monies are coming in and of course it fluctuates each each month. 00:38:51
And then on the ARP, this is the American rescue plan money. Let me get my report so I can look at it. 00:38:58
So you may remember that we had a pass through with the. 00:39:07
State funds for the first responders, it was a supplement, so there's a pass through on there. We have right now 142,000 and some 00:39:10
change that has not been appropriated by the council. 00:39:15
We did come in under budget on what was expected for Hard. 00:39:20
And we have, I don't believe we haven't cut the checks yet. We should probably do that this week for the public safety officers 00:39:25
who signed three-year contracts to get the $10,000. Over the three years, we've gotten 4 contracts signed of the seven eligible 00:39:30
officers. 00:39:35
And that is the, those are the financial reports. I do want to remind everybody we did this during the work session, but for those 00:39:42
who were present and weren't here for that. 00:39:46
The budget process is underway. We had our work session tonight with the council to talk about. 00:39:50
The capital budget. 00:39:56
Which is a lead in into the operating budget, the count the mayor will receive the budget from me and my staff. 00:39:57
First part of. 00:40:04
Will have towards the end of April to make comments and and edit it and then we'll provide it to the council the 1st of May. 00:40:06
We do have three public hearings, two sets of public hearings, one for the mileage rate. Adoption of the mileage rate will take 3 00:40:13
hearings and the adoption of or the opportunity to have public input into the budget, the first opportunity will be. 00:40:19
At the council meeting on April 20th. And that will simply be it won't be to respond anything because the mayor will have the 00:40:27
budget at that point. It will be simply to have input into what you would like the budget to include. 00:40:32
On May 18th, there will be opportunity to actually have input on the budget that has been presented to the Council for review and 00:40:37
consideration and then on June 15th, the final public hearing and hopefully the adoption of the budget. 00:40:44
Any. 00:40:52
All right. Thank you, Sharon. Let's move on to economic development reports. 00:40:57
So economic development we have our. 00:41:02
Deadline for business licenses is or was March 15th, so we had a little flurry. I'm sure next month's meeting will have a lot more 00:41:05
listed here, but we have 27 business licenses, 1 alcohol license, which actually will be before you tonight for consideration. 00:41:12
And on the permit side, most of these. 00:41:19
Renovations, updates, electrical updates, HVAC, just typical kind of stuff. So it's not there's a lot of them, but not a lot of 00:41:24
money in the in the grand scheme of things for these because they're not huge projects. So 11 building permits for 10 projects. 00:41:29
Any questions? 00:41:34
OK. 00:41:42
Get through. 00:41:46
All right. We have on consent 3 items. Tonight we have the appointment of Doctor Brett actually to the Oconee County Board of 00:41:50
Health for a six year term. 00:41:53
We have urban forest board appointments. We have consideration of a beer and wine retail license. 00:41:58
For Shino L. 00:42:03
If you wanted to talk about those, you should have spoke up earlier. Unless someone wants to argue, we need to take those off the 00:42:06
consent agenda. I'll take a motion to approve consent. 00:42:10
I make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Do we have? 00:42:16
I'll second We have a motion, We have a second any. 00:42:20
All in favor, Say aye. 00:42:24
All right. Consent agenda pass. 00:42:26
We'll move on to public hearing, I think the first item that we have under public hearing. 00:42:28
Public hearing is the. 00:42:34
The amendment to the rezone and development Agreement related to Wisteria Ridge. 00:42:38
Mr. Reitman, if you could briefly offer a summary of the comment procedures for the public and then we'll move to discussing the 00:42:44
matter at hand. 00:42:48
Certainly, Mr. Mayor, thank you. As you stated previously, generally speaking, 4 minutes per person comments directly related to 00:42:52
what is at issue, no debate argument of personal attacks, addressing of course the merits of the pending matter. And please do 00:42:59
address remarks directly to the Council. At this time, we open the public hearing regarding 75 N Main St. Wisteria Ridge amendment 00:43:05
to rezone and development agreement. I understand the idea is to subdivide to take out I, I believe .55 acre parcel. We have a 00:43:12
staff report on that first. 00:43:18
All right, then we'll go directly to the applicant. 00:43:25
So the brief, the brief staff report is that. 00:43:39
Hang on a second. This was anticipated initially. It was never formally submitted, but it was anticipated for this to be 00:43:44
subdivided and so and you'll see in the in the two slides, this one you can see at the top. 00:43:50
Let's see if my cursor will go up there now. Now it won't now that I want it to go up there. 00:43:57
Let me. 00:44:02
There's a better picture you'll see if you if you look at this, you'll see the actual .55 acres, and then I'll go back and you can 00:44:05
see where it's at the top middle of the of the picture there. 00:44:09
So there was, there was a separate lot with an easement considered lot 2 and you could sort of see that there. 00:44:14
And then again, there's a larger picture of that. We also have a couple pictures of the existing building. 00:44:22
The. 00:44:32
Future concept. 00:44:34
And I will, I will yield to the right. Well, we've got Mr. Pittman here to speak. And then I think we also have Mr. Williams and 00:44:39
Miss Kashahara who may also want to take a few minutes to update us on the project. But we'll kick off with you, Frank, and then 00:44:44
we'll let anyone else who wants to step forward to speak, please do so. My name is Frank Pittman. I live at 1400 Saxon Rd. 00:44:50
Watkinsville. I'll be brief. I'm, I'm here representing the property owner who couldn't be here. He's in California this week. So 00:44:56
I. 00:45:01
As as. 00:45:08
As was mentioned, the the plan had been really to tear down this home. 00:45:11
And Miss Kasahara came along and wanted to purchase it and and and save this home. 00:45:17
To rehab it and I think I think it'd be great for the community. 00:45:23
And and I'll just kind of leave it at that that's that's the plan, that's the request and I'd be having for any questions. But I 00:45:29
think she could probably tell a better story of what she wants to do than than than I could. 00:45:34
All right. 00:45:41
Hi, I'm Suzanne Casajara and I am currently living at 52 Jackson St. 00:45:53
In Watkinsville and I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity. 00:45:59
I I did send an e-mail to everyone. I'm I was hoping that you were able to read it because I wanted to really defer to what was 00:46:06
really attractive about the home besides. 00:46:10
Best friends of 30 years, living 250 yards from their back door. And she's a great cook, by the way. And he's a great gardener. 00:46:15
And I'm not good at any of those things. But I, you know, I left. 00:46:22
Here, well, Athens I was in Athens lived in five points. 00:46:30
And so it really excited me and the home kind of spoke to me and said hey, I have another life and so. 00:47:06
I'm not sure it will exactly look like this, so don't hold me to it. 00:47:14
Prices are going up as we speak, but the one thing Lowe's and Home Depot, they do give a wonderful veterans discount and I ask for 00:47:20
it every time. And so that's kind of working out. But I wanted to say thank you. I look forward to that being my forever home. I 00:47:27
was looking for a place to retire. My husband and I, we traveled actually in a motorhome for about a year and a half. 00:47:34
Around. Because we both work remotely And I thought, where do I want to live? And every holiday, every vacation to come see Chris 00:47:42
Russell, my closest friend, and Allison and Steve Arnold and. 00:47:48
Julie MacLean and all the people that Chuck knows, we all raise our kids together. I'm here every vacation. I'm also around 00:47:54
Airbnbs like constantly in in Watkinsville and so so anyway I'm really excited. I'm I'm I'm hoping this goes through. I'm having 00:47:59
it happens. 00:48:05
I'm working on getting the home ready to look like it's livable for my for my. I'm doing a loan in part cash. 00:48:11
We're buying the house for 200. I'm hoping to put another 150 into it. If I can stick to that. I might have to get a little few 00:48:18
extra jobs or things. But but and I know that's going to be great revenue and I really am excited about being a citizen of the 00:48:25
community. So and then I want to defer to Chuck Williams because he has some great stories about this family home. So thank you so 00:48:31
much. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. 00:48:38
Suzanne, thank you Mayor and council. 00:48:48
Staff Chuck Williams I live at 2410 Old Watson Springs Rd. In the southern end. 00:48:51
County and one thank you for this opportunity to appear before you tonight. Want to thank you for your service. 00:48:56
I had the opportunity back in the 70s to serve on City Council, and my father actually served after I did. My most monumental step 00:49:02
as a council member was we bought a new pickup truck for the street department. 00:49:08
And when my dad was on the council after I was, his name is on the plaque out here. This building was built. Watkinsville put in 00:49:16
its. 00:49:19
Sewer system We lived on Cause Creek and we were very aware that Watkinsville. 00:49:23
Had a sewer collection system but no sewage treatment system. 00:49:29
When the commodes were flushed at the courthouse, we saw it a few minutes later coming down the Creek. And that was a big day when 00:49:34
Watkinsville put in a sewer system that is now owned and operated by the by the county. 00:49:39
I know, I know, Y'all's purpose here tonight and in general is to look ahead. 00:49:46
And this proposal that's in front of you is a forward-looking. 00:49:51
Proposal, but I thought it might be beneficial just to take a couple of minutes, Mr. Mayor, to. 00:49:54
Tell you how this property came to be in a little the history of it. Maybe that gives you a little insight into whether you want 00:49:59
to cast a yay or nay. Vote on this on this request. 00:50:05
If you will, if you go back to the to the 50s, my family was living on 3rd St. in Watkinsville, next door to where Mayor Lucan. 00:50:11
Lived and after we moved from there commissioner chairman Daniels grandparents moved there and and that's where his father was was 00:50:21
raised. Well that was pretty good. It was a two-bedroom 1 bath house. I had two older brothers and that was working out okay. But 00:50:27
when I came along there were three boys and parents in a two-bedroom house with one bathroom. So I think my mom lay down a lot of 00:50:34
my dad and said we've got to do something. 00:50:40
My dad bought 17 acres on North Main Street, where 75 N Main is now for Mr. Henry, Clayton Heinz and Mr. Heinsley, lived here in 00:50:48
Watkinsville and ran the local golf service station where Adobes is now. 00:50:55
That was in the mid 50s, my great uncle, Mr. Fred Ward, who built most of the homes in the Ivy Wood friendship community. 00:51:02
Built our new home at the time. It had some elements of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. 00:51:11
It had underground irrigation system feeding out of Cause Creek, so we got water and fertilizer free of charge. 00:51:17
It had an intercom system. It had a lottery shoot from the upstairs bedroom area down to the laundry room where you didn't have to 00:51:24
touch your laundry downstairs. You could stick it in the chute and it would go down. It was written up in Architectural Digest. If 00:51:29
Larry Weatherford was still here, he could tell you that it was the scene of a lot of social gatherings over the years, if you 00:51:35
will, for for Watkinsville. 00:51:40
My parents raised my two brothers and I. 00:51:47
There. And when my father passed away suddenly in 1980, that left my mother there and she continued to live. There is that was her 00:51:49
residence until she passed away in 2010. 00:51:56
Most of you know the history of the Whistier Ridge multifamily development and and and what's going on there. My oldest brother 00:52:03
and I had started developing that property in the mid around 2005. The Great Recession came along it it took the wind out of our 00:52:10
sails as well as the money out of our pocketbooks bus to continue that development and we mothballed it and it sat there 00:52:16
mothballed and the house sat there empty. 00:52:23
Until Chad Keller came along. 00:52:31
This request that you have in front of you to carve out that. 00:53:05
For someone that obviously has has deep feelings for it as we do and allow it to be remodeled and redeveloped into an asset. 00:53:09
For Watkins. 00:53:18
My I don't. I no longer own property in Watkinsville, nor to Northern. My brothers, we sort of all moved to the rural lower end of 00:53:19
the county. But we still have deep feelings for the for the city. And really, Mr. Mayor, want to want to thank you for what you 00:53:26
and council are doing to both move Watkinsville ahead, at the same time keeping a strong eye on the history. 00:53:33
Of our community here, and I to me, that's what this project really is all about, is looking back at history and yet looking 00:53:40
forward to what can be. 00:53:45
With an asset here. So with that, again, I appreciate y'all's consideration and any questions you have for me on the property's 00:53:50
history or anything, I'd be glad to try to answer those. Thank you. 00:53:55
Well, perfect. We'll have a seat right there just in case we have questions. But before we get to questions, is there anyone else 00:54:00
who wishes to speak in favor? 00:54:03
Of. 00:54:07
Application for change to the development. 00:54:08
Is there anyone who wishes to speak? 00:54:12
I see Steve looking around back there. We all, any anyone else? Neighbors? Y'all good with this. Give me a thumbs up or you can 00:54:14
speak OK? 00:54:18
Your friendship might be on the line here. 00:54:24
Throw her out? No. 00:54:28
I just want to say thanks for considering this too. 00:54:30
When we first moved in, we knew that there was Wisteria Ridge was coming sooner or later. We knew it was not completely off the 00:54:34
table. And of course we were a little apprehensive about this structure back there. What was going to happen to it certainly is a 00:54:40
house or a rental, you know that. 00:54:46
That would be acceptable. But then we heard some rumors that it might become a clubhouse. I'm thinking 150 people there, 2:00 in 00:54:52
the morning, you know, might not be the best thing in the world. So I mean, we just kind of are hanging out there and sort of as 00:54:57
an answer to prayer. Suzanne and Yoshi. 00:55:03
We're back in town at one time and took a look at it and asked a few questions. 00:55:09
If you knew all of the little, miraculous little things that have come about for we to be standing here tonight, you just you'd 00:55:13
probably just say I'll get on your knees if you believe God and just let it go. But anyway, we're very thankful. We hope. We love 00:55:19
this community. We've lived here. Now, what, three years in April? 00:55:25
Having moved over from high Shoals and. 00:55:33
We love being able to walk. We love being all over things and we think that would just be an awesome thing, to be able to look out 00:55:37
our back door and see this wonderful. 00:55:41
View back in the time a little bit. So we would be if you knew these people, you'd love them, you'll get to know them. But she is 00:55:45
a she is. 00:55:49
Disabled vet. 00:55:55
Yeah, you served in Gulf, first Gulf War, so you know she is what she is just a down to earth person which would fit in with a lot 00:55:57
of all the great. 00:56:02
Down to earth people that live in this community today, so thank you for hearing. 00:56:07
We hope to have Suzanne Yoshi as a. 00:56:12
All right. Thank you. 00:56:15
Anyone else wish to speak in? 00:56:17
Anyone here wish to speak against? 00:56:21
Sufficiently exceeding the requirements as it is right now, so peeling this piece off will not impact that at all. 00:56:54
Yeah, I mean as you all know, if you're familiar with the area, it's fully wooded. So there's there's plenty of trees. I mean 00:57:02
they're they're they're way over the, the site density plan for the for the entire area. So them carving this .55 out doesn't 00:57:08
affect either parcel. And I know they're planting a lot of new trees over there too as they move along. OK, Council questions for 00:57:14
the applicant for Mr. Pittman, Mr. Williams. 00:57:20
We have any questions? 00:57:27
All right. I don't hear any questions. So with that, I will look for a motion. 00:57:31
Regarding the amendment to the rezone and development agreement for CKTK Capital, LLC. 00:57:36
I make a motion to approve. 00:57:43
Do we have a second? Second, We have a second for Mr. Campbell. Any further discussion? 00:57:46
All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? 00:57:51
All right, Motion carries 5 O welcome. It's an exciting project. Yep. 00:57:55
We We really do we. 00:58:02
We don't have the inventory of historic homes that some of our neighbors have and so. 00:58:06
When one is, when one is, someone chooses to invest in one of those and renew it. That's a big moment for us. So thank you. 00:58:10
OK. 00:58:19
I think that is it for the public hearings tonight. 00:58:20
We will move on. 00:58:24
The appearances. We have a 10 minute time limit on those appearances and the first thing that we'll cover under appearances is the 00:58:27
budget request for independent agencies. 00:58:32
Starting with the Oconee County Fire Department, first Chief Thaxton. 00:58:38
And if I can remind everyone these are you're not voting on these tonight, this is just simply for information that independent 00:58:43
agencies often come forward to the Council prior to the budget process so that we can fold that into our process and give it full 00:58:48
consideration. 00:58:52
Chief Mayor, Council, I appreciate the opportunity to be here again with you this year. Before I start with the budget, I would 00:58:58
like to say that. 00:59:02
Your chief up at Station 1, Watkins. 00:59:07
Was honored the other night with 50 years of service. So if you get an opportunity to thank Mike. 00:59:11
For his 50 years of volunteer service and is it? Does Mike considered a gift that you're going to send him to New York or not 00:59:16
because. 00:59:20
It's one way trip. 00:59:25
I'm just kidding. I hope not. We need Mike Link around here. All right. You're right. Well deserved. Thank you all for doing that. 00:59:27
Great group of volunteers at Station 1, so appreciate the opportunity to present a budget and basically the budgets the same as 00:59:33
last year's 14,000 light items were tweaked a little bit but. 00:59:39
I'm just here to ask and thank you for the opportunity to consider the $14,000 for Station 1. 00:59:46
OK. Any questions for the Chief? Now the jaws of life expense, that's separate from this, right, that comes out of us. That was a 00:59:54
Sloss and that's a capital item. These are operating expenses and chief facts. And I don't know if you want to explain a little 01:00:00
bit how you're using those operating funds just so the council knows we'll put it in the line items when they see the budget. But 01:00:05
it might be worthwhile to share that just briefly we put travel in and travel is basically a trip to Indianapolis. 01:00:11
Fire truck and equipment. 01:00:17
Expo where we send 8 to 10 firefighters. 01:00:19
His travel expenses for that trip. 01:00:23
General supplies equipment that could be anything like turn out gear. 01:00:25
Pagers. 01:00:30
Repairs to. 01:00:32
And then meals is where? 01:00:34
They have Thursday night meals at station every week and so it just helps pay for those meals. 01:00:37
Great. 01:00:43
All right. Any questions for Chief Thaxt? 01:00:46
I'll echo what I said about our law enforcement officers earlier. We really do appreciate you guys and everything you do. 01:00:50
I don't think there's a better volunteer. Fire Department, America, Thank you. 01:00:57
Yeah. 01:01:03
All right. Next up, Wendy Cooper from Oh Calf. Wendy, great to have you to council meeting. Thank you for being here and looking 01:01:04
forward to hearing from you. 01:01:08
For having me, very pleased to be here to represent Okath as its Executive director. Can you all hear me OK? 01:01:18
So as you can see, as requested. 01:01:26
7500 for commissioning some murals for the city. 01:01:30
In strategic places as discussed with the mayor and also. 01:01:36
To Commission a sculpture for the empty sculpture pad near the railroad. 01:01:40
And any questions? This will cover the commissioning of the artist as well as any supplies. 01:01:45
And let me let me, I want to make sure we're correct. So I think the idea was that that it would be setting up 100 for either the 01:01:51
murals or for this, this, this sculpture to Commission so. 01:01:56
We hope to have both done for that price, but pricing murals these days, they're very expensive. So I will do some research. It 01:02:02
may be for one or the other or hopefully both. 01:02:07
If that works. 01:02:13
And Wendy or Sharon, could y'all update us? I know that it sounds like y'all had a conversation about how to allocate the funds we 01:02:15
used last year. If you could update council on that as well. Yes, I have been talking to Sharon about that and we have a 01:02:20
continuation of this art panel project. 01:02:25
And some maintenance of that. We have new art panels that need to be reinstalled and we need some muscle for that. So I thought 01:02:31
that would be a good way to allocate is to get those changed out and to have those funds go toward that. 01:02:38
The city providing. 01:02:45
The maintenance crew. 01:02:47
And then you know as well as you know if that if there's anything leftover from that to contribute that to the public art projects 01:02:50
that. 01:02:54
Have that we've shown interest in. 01:02:59
All right. That's great. Just stay in touch with Sharon on that because if there it does become a matter of using this year's 01:03:03
funds to go into next, you know, we need to figure out the timing, would probably be better to allocate it to the art panels if 01:03:08
possible, OK, right. And our staff should be able to help you install them. I know there were some uprights that might have like 01:03:13
the one out here got removed and maybe. 01:03:17
Not damn, maybe damage may not be able to be reused. I know the guys move some of them down to the shop but but we'll we'll 01:03:23
provide the labor. That's certainly not a problem but any any material you may need or the varnish or the paint whatever what we 01:03:28
can use that we can get you the money for that and you can go ahead and start using that. 01:03:34
Because as you know, they need there quite a few that need to be changed out. 01:03:41
Due to wear and tear from. 01:03:45
OK, comments, questions from council. 01:03:49
Yes. 01:03:51
Umm love oh calf. Great resource for our community. Thank you so much for being here and for. 01:03:53
Leading that leading again, what a great resource we have so. 01:03:59
By definition, by nature, art is a very subjective thing. 01:04:05
How do you plan to decide what the murals will be or what the sculpture will be? That's a great question. 01:04:10
I'm going to do and working with the mayor and Sharon very closely doing I think the best thing to do be a do a call for proposal 01:04:18
that we could review and approve. 01:04:23
And work with the artist to see. 01:04:29
If that suits, yeah, I think you. 01:04:32
Christine, that's likely to float back to your committee for a little bit of a broader perspective on downtown and economic 01:04:36
development. So you and Jeff will probably. 01:04:39
Eyeball, as part of that process what we're doing and if the rest of council wants to see those two, we can. 01:04:43
Share that out and y'all can weigh in. But again, art subjective gets tricky when you start evaluating art. But. 01:04:47
If we're going to invest in something permanent, I think we all understand we used to have the ones that moved around. If it's 01:04:53
going to be something permanent, I think we, you know, we certainly need the folks who are paying for it to weigh in on that. So 01:04:58
yes, I agree and you know when looking at other cities, you've done these kinds of projects really well. 01:05:03
You know, like City of Monroe has done real projects, Athens has done them and they. 01:05:09
Done In a way, I think that's pretty subjective and has a wide appeal, let's just put it that way. 01:05:15
Yeah, so we're definitely attuned. 01:05:21
I have a question on the mural and you just mentioned Monroe, which maybe answer part of my. So your thought is like Monroe is 01:05:24
painted, you know, welcome to Monroe, inside of buildings, inside, outside of a wall. Or is that what you're thinking as far as a 01:05:29
mural on the side of a building or wall or is it a mural on? 01:05:35
You know it could be depending on the building we've we've discussed two different locations and I think one would be appropriate 01:05:42
perhaps for a welcome, but I think that you know it could also be very pictorial as well and we would certainly ask for you know 01:05:47
the input. 01:05:52
Of the appropriate people and the council, if you want to be a part of it, yeah, I mean, I think the ones, Monroe are fantastic. I 01:05:58
was thinking about that. 01:06:01
Yeah, but I could also. I could be whatever we want. 01:06:06
There's the beautiful one in Athens on the Epiphany. 01:06:11
Shop. I think. I love that one. Yeah. So there. I Yeah, there. 01:06:15
If the location for welcome wasn't good, there's yeah, good options. Exactly and. 01:06:19
You know that the welcome one is very strategic where they've placed it too. So we would just have to to look and see what's 01:06:24
available. 01:06:27
We also have a new county administrative building right on the edge of town that, you know, we could probably have some big walls 01:06:32
on it, you know? 01:06:35
Paint one side. 01:06:41
I. 01:06:45
All right. Any other questions for Wendy? 01:06:48
Thanks for what you do and thanks for your leadership at OK. We appreciate it. 01:06:52
All right. 01:06:55
And you won't hurt our feelings if you want to scoot out of here, so. 01:06:57
All right. Next up we have we have 1414 Jerry Smith Dr. 15 properties. 01:07:01
I see Mr. Bishop here. I'm not sure who's representing him, but we'll kick off. I think it's an urban forest protection plan 01:07:09
situation, so. 01:07:12
Councilman Thomas, unless there's a staff report, we'll let you. We'll let you go. 01:07:16
Yes. So if you're familiar with that that property it's right in front of what is now motors on main. It is a currently a blank 01:07:20
slate of. 01:07:25
There are a few trees that you'll notice on the On that picture, the bottom, bottom, quarters while I'm edges so it's a blank 01:07:31
slate. So they are having to plant a multitude of trees. 01:07:36
But they according to their their presented application they they're well above the. 01:07:43
Fight density plan. They got water oaks pecans, bunch of bunch of water oats and begins that they're they're playing so it's a 01:07:53
good good property. We approve. We recommend that we approve. 01:08:00
This. 01:08:09
OK. All right, great. The water oak water oaks are old, right? They're not new ones. OK, perfect. Yep. Great. All right. 01:08:11
OK. 01:08:19
That's the recommendation from the Urban Forest board. Is there any other comments that we need at this point? 01:08:20
OK, Council, you've heard the recommendation. I'll entertain a. 01:08:25
Entertain a motion. 01:08:31
To approve the recommendation of the Urban Forest Board and accept the. 01:08:33
Urban forest protection. 01:08:37
I make a motion to approve it. 01:08:44
We have a motion. Do we have a second? 01:08:46
2nd we have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, say aye. 01:08:48
All opposed like sign carries. 01:08:52
All right, we are up to #16. That is 41 Barnet Shoals Rd. Tax parcel, W 07016 Henrietta Patterson and Lisa Patterson Culbertson 01:08:57
for a demolition permit. I believe Mr. Campbell is going to give us a report and then we will hear from the applicant, Mr. 01:09:04
Campbell. 01:09:10
Thank you, Mayor. So 41 Barnett Shoals Rd. if you're not familiar it is at the corner, it's on the northern side of Barnett Shoals 01:09:17
Rd. You can see in the picture there. So it's the corner of Barnett Shoals Rd. and Lawanna Dr. the house, it's a little bit 01:09:24
further back away from Barnett Shoals Rd. It is detached residential structure. It's zoned detached residential. The the acreage 01:09:31
is, is a little bit between it's point 65.68, it's less than 7/10 of an acre total. 01:09:38
On that there's some pictures of the structure as well, so that it would be a picture from the Barnett Shoals roadside. Again it's 01:09:45
not from Barnett Shoals Rd. specifically because the picture is taken closer to the structure. So that's what I would call the 01:09:51
southern side and then on the opposite side of that so, so if you think about facing back towards Barnett Shoals Rd. is the the 01:09:57
orientation of that picture where Lawanna Dr. would be on your right that is the northern side of the structure, maybe the the 01:10:03
rear of that existing residence. 01:10:09
I think we have one more. There you go. So that is the western side. That would be the a picture of the structure from the Lawanna 01:10:15
Dr. side of the house. 01:10:20
Be happy to answer any other questions you might have. 01:11:03
All right. I think at this point it probably makes sense to have Mrs. Culbertson or her attorney, Mr. Berryman, come forward. 01:11:08
And then we'll. 01:11:13
We can ask our questions of staff or the applicant. 01:11:15
Thank you. I'm Bill Berryman. I'm an attorney with Fortunately and Griffin here in Oconee County. And I'm here on behalf of Lisa 01:11:23
Culbertson, who's here with us tonight. 01:11:27
Lisa is a long time resident of city of Watkinsville. She moved here when she was 5. 01:11:33
She lives with her mother just around the corner on the Walmart drive, actually that her mother's front door looks out to the back 01:11:39
of this house. Lisa has been a legal assistant with Fortune, Bentley and Griffin since 1984. 01:11:45
She works with Mark Hodge and has worked with Mark that whole time. They started together that same year. 01:11:52
Her aunt gave this property to her in 2005 and reserved a life estate. 01:12:00
Durant then died in 2000. 01:12:05
Lisa and other family members have lived in this property intermittently during the time, but the property has the house has no 01:12:10
systems in it. It has never really been improved since it was built around. 01:12:17
1920. 01:12:25
It's a 1423 square foot. 01:12:26
And it really has not had any significant improvements. 01:12:30
Lisa's husband died in 2004, leaving her an 11 year old son. So due to the fact that she was a single mother, she's just not been 01:12:34
able to put any significant investment in this house. 01:12:40
To to keep it up, and admittedly it is not in good condition. 01:12:47
In May and July of last year, Mr. Cartilage notified her that the house was in violation of city ordinances and the International 01:12:53
Property Maintenance Code. 01:12:58
And she then made an effort to see what it would take to bring the property back into compliance and she has decided that she is 01:13:05
just not financially able to do that. 01:13:10
Some of the citations in the letter or to the International Property Maintenance Code, which? 01:13:17
The city, like most other governments in Georgia, has Adop. 01:13:23
And section 110.2 of the property maintenance code gives the owner. 01:13:27
The. 01:13:33
To either tear the house down or bring it into compliance. Even if it would, if it could be done at a reasonable basis, it is the 01:13:34
legal option of the property owner to make that determination whether to tear it down. 01:13:41
And due to the cost. 01:13:48
Demolition project, I mean, I'm sorry, renovation project, she's elected to exercise that right and to demol. 01:13:50
So I believe based on the County South Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, she's entitled to a demolition permit. 01:14:01
Now before and when we file this application. We spoke with Mr. Whiteman, Miss Dickerson, and they asked us to get an estimate for 01:14:08
the cost to bring this property back up to code and the purpose was to see if the cost of repairs is reasonable in relation to the 01:14:14
present value of the structure. 01:14:21
And I furnished Mr. Reitman with a copy of an estimate from Clack Construction in Winder, and that's a registered general 01:14:28
contractor. 01:14:32
And they have an estimate for 345,000 to repair this structure and bring it back up to code. 01:14:38
Now that figure might seem high at. 01:14:44
But consider there's no usable plumbing, electrical, heating, and. 01:14:47
There's asbestos and there's significant structural problems. In several of these photos you can look at the foundation and see 01:14:52
that it's crumbling. And if you look at the renovation, it requires that the house is going to be jacked up. Structural repairs 01:14:58
are done and then completely gutted from the inside out. 01:15:04
And also from my personal experience in dealing with clients and personally and looking for. 01:15:13
First trying to find contractors in this market who are willing to make estimates and then those contractors who do make 01:15:18
renovation estimates. This really is not out of line. 01:15:23
I've looked at the tax assessors valuations for several similarly sized homes in the immediate area to look at how the tax 01:15:29
assessor is valuing. 01:15:34
These properties So if you look at 53 Luanna Dr. which is just down the wanna drive from this property, it's a 1300 square foot 01:15:39
house and it has a building value of $95,436. 01:15:46
51 Lawanna Dr. which is also just across the street from this property, has 1300 square feet with the building value of 108,996. 01:15:54
So clearly the cost of replacing and renovating this structure is not reasonable compared to its present value. 01:16:05
Even if you cut that estimate. 01:16:13
Say 172,000, it would still be far above. 01:16:15
The value of houses within a stone's throw of this. 01:16:20
And as I've said before, Lisa is just not in a position. 01:16:25
To take on the financial burden of renovating this house, she wants to have it demolished. This is not for speculation. She wants 01:16:29
to to retain that property, her son. She would love to have her son build a house on that property. 01:16:36
Grandmother's across the street, Lisa's across the street. The sun could be there and it would remain in the family, as it has for 01:16:45
decades. So this is not a speculative venture that she's going through. So we respectfully request that you approve this 01:16:51
demolition permit. 01:16:56
And if you don't, if you're not in a position to approve it tonight and feel that the structure should be retained. 01:17:04
And not Tor. 01:17:11
I ask you that you table this. 01:17:13
And let us enter into discuss. 01:17:16
Number one, so that we can understand what the. 01:17:19
For retaining this property would be under the current codes. And 2nd, just to be able to provide you with our response to that 01:17:22
and assert any constitutional and property rights that Lisa may have as a result of having to construct a property that she really 01:17:29
doesn't feel like she's financially able to do. 01:17:35
We welcome further in person discussions with the mayor, with council members. We welcome a site visit, go through the house and 01:17:43
look at it with us. We think that will be important to our discussion. 01:17:49
That's where. 01:17:56
And I'm happy to answer any. 01:17:57
All right. 01:18:01
Thank you, Mr. Berryman. I'm sure we will have questions on this one, so. 01:18:03
But I think that was very well reasoned response. And Miss Culberson, I don't I. 01:18:08
I don't probably fair to say I don't envy the situation that you're in having to deal deal with this home I get. I understand the 01:18:14
challenges Mr. Berryman is presented so well so council. 01:18:18
If you have some questions for the applicant, feel free to ask. 01:18:22
I see y'all smile at each other. Somebody ask a question or make a suggestion. 01:18:32
I, of course, would would love to see the house saved, I understand. 01:18:39
The situation you want to keep the property. The property has you know. 01:18:44
Personal value, I guess. 01:18:49
I totally respect that, but I would hate to see. 01:18:51
Historic. 01:18:56
And you can see the charm that it had in its. 01:18:58
I would like. I would really like to ex. 01:19:02
Everything we could to save the house if the only option is. 01:19:06
Selling it? 01:19:12
You know, I personally would love to say the house. We've had two examples tonight, Mr. Weatherford. 01:19:14
Saving his house, so I had the opportunity to live in Watkinsville and then. 01:19:20
Casa Hara. He wants to save that 1950s. 01:19:26
I just. 01:19:31
I would love to see us. See you. I guess I. 01:19:33
Further investigate the opportunity someone if it if something y'all's family can't. 01:19:37
Fix up. 01:19:43
Restore. 01:19:45
Maybe give someone else the opportunity to, because I feel like it could be a shining example of another resurrection in 01:19:46
Watkinsville. 01:19:50
But I totally understand. I respect where you're. 01:19:54
But I I personally would love to see the. 01:19:58
See what we could do to save. 01:20:01
And I'm an agreement and. 01:20:03
Right down the road, I'm your neighbor. I walk my dog by your house, this house and the one on Moana. 01:20:07
Daily and. 01:20:14
I have door env. 01:20:17
Of the front door of that house, I will just tell you that I love historic homes. I too would love to see a way to. 01:20:18
Make this a win. Win I. 01:20:26
Understand your position. 01:20:28
Wanting to have a place that your son can live near you. 01:20:31
And I respect that deep. 01:20:37
Having restored several older homes. 01:20:44
Even in this current market. 01:20:48
I think that there are ways to do it in a much more affordable manner than what was quoted by the company and Winder. And I also 01:20:51
would just say I mean professionally, I'm a realtor. 01:20:57
And so I'm I am familiar with this market and. 01:21:03
The the tax values are not really a fair assessment of what properties are at all worth. I mean for example. 01:21:09
The corner of Wilson and Jeremy. 01:21:21
Three years. 01:21:24
1100 square foot home sold for 275 and property values have gone up 15 to 20% pretty much over the last few years. 01:21:25
And this is a historic home with character still there. Like I said, I have door envy. I would love to get inside the house and 01:21:36
see what it's like. I know that. 01:21:40
Sometimes the outside can look prettier than the inside or vice versa, and so thank you for mentioning that as a possibility. I 01:21:47
think that would be an excellent idea, but I. 01:21:52
I mean I have had multiple people. 01:21:59
I would let me just say this is not about me in business in any way. I'm totally recusing, but I just know I've had multiple 01:22:02
people just asked me is this for sale, is this for sales or is this for sale? It is, it is a not to tear it down but to fix it up 01:22:08
and and make it yet again a jewel in Watkinsville, so. 01:22:14
I'll I'll just continue to add to it. You know, I know there's multiple people in in the city of Watkinsville that would love to 01:22:23
have this home. 01:22:26
So if if you know if you would be willing to part with the home not on its current location, there are multiple people in the in 01:22:30
this town that would love to restore that home to its its former state. 01:22:38
And so it could be a win, win for you, you know, somebody else take. 01:22:46
From your property and then you don't have and then we don't have to destroy the home as well. 01:22:51
Any other comments? 01:22:58
So my suggestion would be that we do, upon the advice of Mr. Berryman, table this. What I'd like to suggest is that. 01:23:04
Our Downtown and Economic Development Committee, which is Councilwoman Tucker and Councilman Campbell. 01:23:12
Communicate with you, With you, Mr. Culbertson. Set up a time to meet. I'll join if I'm available as well. If that's legal, Joe 01:23:18
will have to advise. 01:23:22
Yep. And you know, and and let's let's continue the conversation I think wherever we wind up as I said earlier about the other 01:23:28
home. 01:23:32
I didn't say that thinking about this home, but you know, we just don't have the number of historic homes that communities like 01:23:37
Madison and communities like Athens do, and everyone is somewhat precious to us. 01:23:42
As a collective community, so I'd like to have the opportunity to continue that conversation for another month, so if councils 01:23:48
will and I'd entertain a motion to table. 01:23:51
To table this until. 01:23:56
April, I think we do need to move with with some diligence here. So it's not just open-ended. So I'd entertain a motion to table 01:23:58
until April. 01:24:02
The the demolition permit request, I make a motion to table until April. 01:24:07
All right, we have a motion. We have. 01:24:13
Any further discussion all in favor, say aye. 01:24:14
Any opposed? 01:24:18
All right, Motion carries 50. Bill, should we just be in touch with you? 01:24:19
OK, perfect. We'll do that. Thank you. Yeah, Y'all move right down the road. OK. That's our final note. That's our final 01:24:24
appearance of the night. We do have a couple new business items. We've got an amendment to the alcoholic beverages ordinance by 01:24:30
the drink regulations and delivery of alcohol manager Dickerson, if you could offer a report. 01:24:36
Thank you. 01:24:44
So there's there are some housekeeping items that need to happen when we codified the code. 01:24:46
For. 01:24:52
The plan was to. 01:24:54
Fee schedules or fees in the code so that they could be changed with A1 vote on a fee schedule, inadvertently did that on some of 01:24:56
this. So we're going back and cleaning that up. So there's several. 01:25:01
Places in the code in this in this ordinance where we have to do. 01:25:07
We also under advisement of Mr. Marchman and Julie, what is Mr. Marksman's position? He's a he does training right. He does the 01:25:11
alcohol training. He's certified through the state right. So he does that for the for the county here. He may do several counties 01:25:16
around us, but for definitely for Oconee County county and he recommended. 01:25:22
Updating our code to require that alcohol training classes be be done within 45 days instead of six months, so we're making that 01:25:29
recommendation in the code to change that. 01:25:34
Again, fees. We also, although Julie remembers it clearly, as does the mayor. I was not here, we did not have. 01:25:40
Time, hours of operation when alcohol could be served until a time and a time it could be served till and and so we were putting 01:25:48
11:00 at night on in the code because it wasn't listed even though it was intended to be listed. I do want to point out that Julie 01:25:55
did receive an e-mail. The clerk received an e-mail today from Michael Collins with Classic City Eats. Julie, do you want to read 01:26:02
that e-mail to everybody just so we can share it? Make make sure that they're aware while we're on this subject. 01:26:09
He just says as following up on our conversation, can you please ask the board to consider revising the hours of operation for on 01:26:17
premise cells to midnight or just before midnight? 01:26:23
Prime time sporting events generally run later than 11:00 PM but are over by midnight so the extra hour would definitely help 01:26:29
business during these events and on special holidays or other annual events non sports related such as anniversaries and birthday 01:26:36
parties and things. A cut off at or near midnight would still deter late night establishments that run into early morning hours 01:26:42
but would support restaurant and family friendly sports bars. 01:26:49
He also added regarding training, his concerns with the requirements to train the entire staff on a specific itinerary would be 01:26:56
the availability of the training and being tied into a single source of the training from an availability and cost standpoint. He 01:27:04
was asking if there's an an online option if that that would be ideal to help alleviate those concerns, cost and timing or a train 01:27:11
the trainer type of training where Staffs would be trained internally. 01:27:19
And I don't think that putting in the code that the training has to be done within 45 days instead of six months really. I don't 01:27:30
think we'll get into how it's going to be provided. We'll look at online options. I think that's certainly within our purview to 01:27:35
do and we'll investigate that. But I don't think we have to do that in the code per SE. So if you don't mind, I also wanted to 01:27:41
know that that is for the 45 days is for new hires. 01:27:46
As far as new applicants or renewals, Mr. Marchman suggested that we asked for that before we even issue the license. So and I 01:27:52
think we included that wording in there as well. 01:27:58
So we'll, we'll continue on a couple other items. So this is actually a result of of COVID delivery of alcohol. We imagine that 01:28:06
it's probably going on right now even though it's not in our code. And so we're trying to legitimize it by putting it in the code 01:28:12
because it is allowed. 01:28:18
You do have to pass an ordinance so it is restricted to deliveries. Restricted to only those that are 21 years of age or older 01:28:25
have to be employed directly by the restaurant licensee. 01:28:31
Not a third party, so not a Grubhub or Ubereats or any of those and and then obviously just in accordance with any other aspects 01:28:36
of the official Code of Georgia. 01:28:42
The other piece of it is at the bottom, and this does not require. This piece is actually not require. 01:28:48
An ordinance, but it does. 01:28:55
It does complicate things so the a restaurant licensee can actually currently sell 2 drinks for every entree to. 01:28:58
Senate Bill 236 was signed by Governor Kemp, which allows beer, wine or distilled spirits for consumption on the premises. To to 01:29:08
be to, I'm sorry, to be sold and to go and approve containers, they have to be closed containers. 01:29:15
It doesn't require an ordinance, but our current ordinance actually said that you can't do it. So we're trying to clean it up by 01:29:23
putting in there that it could be done if you're if it's sold by a restaurant licensee. 01:29:29
So that we don't have a conflict. 01:29:35
And then the final thing is again, 21 years. 01:29:39
For those dispensing, serving or handling alcohol beverages. 01:29:44
All right, Council, Y'all heard the updates to the code in the way of background. I will say we've always been cautious and 01:29:51
incremental as it relates to alcohol policies in Watkinsville, which I think has been wise over the years. 01:29:57
You know, so there are some things in here that I'm sure our restaurants would wish we would be a little bit more liberal on, but 01:30:03
I think it's prudent to be cautious, for example, I appreciate. 01:30:09
The gentleman from Classic City. It's wanting to have alcohol till 12, but I don't think last call at 11:00 is unreasonable in any 01:30:14
way. 01:30:17
Because you're off site. So anyway, that's that's my take on it. You all are welcome to take what actions you see fit or recommend 01:31:00
changes, but this is what staff is presented. 01:31:05
Oh, I agree that there, I mean you can have last call at 11 doesn't mean you have to shut the doors. I mean if you're shutting the 01:31:10
doors at 12, you don't need last call at 12, so. 01:31:15
Yeah, I think this makes a lot of sense. 01:31:19
All right. Any further commentary? If not, we'll take a motion. 01:31:25
I make a motion. 01:31:32
To approve the ordinance amendments to Alcoholic beverage Ordinance by the Drink Regulations Delivery of alcohol. 01:31:35
2nd Right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, Aye. 01:31:43
Councilwoman Massey oppos. 01:31:53
Next item is approve and appropriate some of the special spots three funds for master plan improvements at Harris Hills Park. 01:31:56
Councilwoman Tucker, I believe you're going to give. 01:32:00
An update Is the Chair of the Parks, Green Space and Environment Committee? Yes, so. 01:32:05
I'm not going through all this history, OK? 01:32:13
Going through all that, let's not go through everything. 01:32:17
Can I just give an update on what what we're doing? 01:32:21
Yes, OK, so we have had some movement and some ideas with the old playground. 01:32:24
I had no idea when I became the chair of this committee, how many opinions and passions there are involved about Harris Shoals 01:32:32
Park. So. 01:32:35
We have a plan tentative to retain. 01:32:40
A few portions of the existing playground. They won't be a playground anymore. There'll be more of an observation area. Keep some 01:32:46
of the bridges. Lawrence Duke, who was the original designer of the playground, has been instrumental in coming up with a way to 01:32:51
repurpose it. 01:32:56
So. 01:33:02
Probably 2/3 of it will be demoed and then we are going to try to preserve some of the wood even as it's demoed to see if we can 01:33:03
repurpose it to make. 01:33:10
The remaining portions safer, so we are currently. 01:33:16
Working with members of the community, trying to get some volunteer efforts. Connie talked to the Lions Club and we think there 01:33:21
are some people there that can help. I spoke with Rotary this week and they may have a little bit of help with that. We're also 01:33:28
going to reach out to Boy Scouts and then we have staff that will be able to do that as well. We still have in the works of the 01:33:34
rest of the plan. I am trying to get an appointment with OCAF Director. We've both been busy and been been missing because we want 01:33:41
to. 01:33:47
Have the art land of Georgia be part of it as well as far as natural things. So more on that once I've talked to her to see what 01:33:54
the practicalities are. But. 01:33:59
The last portion of that old playground that will no longer be a playground is we are looking at doing a large topo map. 01:34:05
Of Harris Hills Park, where some of the demo part is going away. So again, the emphasis from all the feedback we got during the 01:34:15
Harrah's Park. 01:34:19
Restoration process was that. 01:34:25
People want it to be natural and about nature and so we are respecting that and that is. 01:34:29
What we are looking to do while still preserving the history, umm. 01:34:34
That people have. So in order to do that we are requesting, Oh yes, yes, and Lawrence put that together. 01:34:39
So thank you too. So these are the portions that are going to remain and Lawrence built this. Lawrence has put so much time into 01:34:48
this. He is a jewel in our community, so. 01:34:54
There will be. Obviously this is not complete. We aren't. We're not planning on having a death fall in the old playground, so a 01:35:05
few more of the bridges will be and then obviously they will have slats and things. So you know, small children can't just walk 01:35:13
straight out as they can at the moment, so it will be brought up to safety codes. 01:35:20
Thank you so much for getting that. 01:35:29
So we are requesting. 01:35:31
How much money are we requesting? 01:35:35
What, 100,000? Oh, we're asking for $100,000. 01:35:37
In order to complete this part and. 01:35:45
Also, that will include doing some upgrades to the bathroom right now, which that we definitely need to do. So staff has been 01:35:50
working hard on on getting quotes and things together for that. 01:35:57
And also professional engineering services removing waste generated from improvements and temporary construction signage so and 01:36:05
also paving the plan parking facilities which is those are more at the front of the park. So so and just make it clear, so this is 01:36:12
sort of start money we we are hopeful that it will be sufficient but you may recall that you did have a placeholder for about 3 01:36:19
and a half $350,000. 01:36:26
In Sloss 3, but I think you. 01:36:34
We've got a few things that we can do ourselves that we're going to be doing, perhaps even with volunteers to try to save some 01:36:37
money. So we'll start moving through this, but if Y'all can approve an allocation of 100,000, we can earmark that money and get 01:36:42
the work underway. 01:36:47
And then Sharon does have a bid for some of the paving, but we're going to go out and get multiple bids on the paving contract to 01:36:53
make sure that we get the lowest price and get that moving. And that'll give us an opportunity to get some signs up and make sure 01:36:58
the public understands, hey works beginning. 01:37:02
Timing is really good. 01:37:07
The the new playground comes online. That's what we said all along. We want to get that online and then we want to get going with 01:37:09
some energy. 01:37:12
In hair Shoals and but we are going to need to communicate with people. Some things are going to change. Basketball court will go 01:37:15
away. The playground will begin being the old playground will be reimagined into something different. Thanks to Christine and 01:37:21
Brett for your conversation with Rotary on the BBQ pit. So there's a lot that'll have that they'll begin to happen. 01:37:27
And we want to be sure that the public understands what's happening because we know it's a jewel down there. So I'd like to get if 01:37:33
I can this isn't the the update on the BBQ pit especially with Chuck in the room he is one of the the the trucks just kept coming 01:37:40
on Tuesday morning when when I was meeting with the the Rotary members with the say in this. And so I think we have come up with a 01:37:47
happy medium. So the this is not any we will be asking for more money just know that this this is nothing to do with the BBQ pits 01:37:54
but. 01:38:00
The current. 01:38:07
Plan is to remove the pits where they are because that is the prettiest view in the park, to have picnic tables and benches and 01:38:08
stuff there instead. And then because it is essential for people doing BBQ to have access to the kitchen, instead create a 01:38:14
structure, a similar structure. 01:38:20
At the back end. So there's still access, but it's out of the way. And so that will be a partnership with Rotary. And so we're 01:38:26
they're working on quotes right now and maybe even by next month we'll be able to come before council with. 01:38:33
Ask for money. 01:38:40
So and I think you know technically what we're looking for here is 100,000 for hair Shoals in this 2400 we've talked before about 01:38:42
we've got, you know we have this horrifying mishmash of wires in the concession stand at Rocket Field. So this will also we'll go 01:38:46
ahead and get that tuned up. 01:38:51
At Rocket Field. So I think we're looking for 100. 01:38:56
$1400 if we could get a motion to that effect unless there's any questions for Councilwoman Tucker. 01:39:00
I'll make a motion that we approve $102,400.00 for the Hair Shoals master plan improvements. 01:39:09
And rocket. 01:39:19
All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second? 01:39:20
We have a second for Mr. Garrett. Any further discussions? 01:39:23
All right here. None. All in favor, say. 01:39:26
Any opposed? All right. Christine, thank you. And Connie, thank you for your work. I know that is that is hard work on the park 01:39:29
and as Christine said, everyone has is passionate about what's happening in the park. 01:39:35
But I think every, not everyone. I think 99% of people are going to be pleased when we're done. We know we can't make everybody 01:39:40
happy all the time. Chuck, thank you for leaning into that. For Rotary too as well. We appreciate Rotary's. 01:39:45
All right, we're almost done here, folks, at least for those of you who are joining us before we hit executive session amendments 01:39:51
to the urban forest plan manager, Dickerson. 01:39:56
Short and sweet here? Sure. Yeah. So the easy one is the second one. I'll do that first. We just simply had 4 1/2 inches instead 01:40:01
of 4 1/2 feet for the DBH. It's just a housekeeping item. The other item that we're asking to add and and perhaps Councilman 01:40:07
Thomas, I want to speak to their conversation is. 01:40:14
We have a lot of. 01:40:21
Built. We have a fair number of buildings that are existing and then they add square footage. And our concern is, is obviously 01:40:23
storm water issues and urban forest issues and the urban forest didn't address, it wasn't addressed at all, but stormwater is. And 01:40:29
so we're trying to tie those together with the same threshold that stormwater has, which is 5000 square feet. So anytime there's a 01:40:34
cumulative impervious surface of 5000 square feet or more than they're going to require an urban forest plan. And that's simply 01:40:40
what we're asking. 01:40:46
I think she covered. 01:40:54
All. 01:40:55
Council, any questions? 01:40:57
Hearing none, I'll take a motion. 01:40:59
I make a motion for the amendments to the. 01:41:03
To approve the amendments to the Urban Forest Protection Plan. 01:41:06
Do we have? 01:41:10
I. 01:41:12
All right. We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? No. All right. Item number 20, the new item 01:41:13
that we added, Christmas lights. Sharon, I know we don't have an item on this, but I think the estimate was $9000. If we waited 01:41:18
till next year, we anticipate a 15,000. 01:41:24
Reduction 15%, excuse me, reduction, if we go ahead with that purchase now, is that correct? Yeah, it's, I think it's a little bit 01:41:30
more than that. It's you may have done the math already, I was trying to figure it out. 01:41:35
It's actually about a 24% reduction. 01:41:41
If we do it before the end of this month so we can save $2015.00 on a on a $9000 purchase. If we move forward on purchasing those 01:41:45
additional Christmas lights, would your recommendation manager Dickerson, Would that come out of ARP or fund balance? 01:41:51
It can come out of ARP. I think it it's a it's. 01:41:59
The council has the authority, under the guidelines, U.S. Treasury guidelines, to spend that money for any government services. 01:42:02
It's a government service and it'll just be a line item in our report to the US Treasury. So I would use ARP money. We've got 01:42:08
$142,000 in ARP that has not been appropriated. OK, you've heard the recommendation to staff unless someone has. 01:42:14
Another idea, I'll accept a motion to approve purchase. 01:42:21
Holiday lights. 01:42:25
At Let's just authorize up to $7000 in case we need it from ARP funds. 01:42:27
I'd like to request that we purchase up to our allocate up to $7000 for the purchase of Christmas lights out of ARP funds. 01:42:35
All right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? 01:42:46
All in favor. 01:42:49
Motion carries. 01:42:52
Public comments Anyone care to come forward with the public comment tonight? 01:42:54
We did get slim. We started started hot and and gotten a little cold. 01:43:00
All right, we have no public comments. We will move on to the mayor. 01:43:04
Do want to proud to share that we have our first CEO from Wire Park. 01:43:09
So excited that the first business is open and active there that's custom. 01:43:14
Solutions LL. 01:43:19
So we're excited to continue to see progress at. 01:43:21
We also continue to see progress next door. There's lights up now at the Miracle Week field. There's trees beginning to be 01:43:25
planted. There's a crew out there kind of raking out around the playground today, so I'd imagine they're getting ready to put the. 01:43:31
Surface down South work. 01:43:37
Proceeding at the Miracle League facility, which is great, I attended and, as did Councilwoman Tucker, the state of the county 01:43:40
today. 01:43:44
John, we're proud. Proud to be your partners, proud to live in this community. Y'all do a great job and I thought that was a great 01:43:49
session today. And kudos to you guys for proactively getting out and communicating with the public all the good things that y'all 01:43:54
do. So thank you, thank you for that and good job today. 01:43:59
And then the last thing, I don't think he's here. I think we've lost. 01:44:05
Law enforcement team. But I did want to highlight for all, y'all, if you have a chance to wish him well, Officer CJ Biddinger is 01:44:08
going to get married. 01:44:12
This weekend. 01:44:15
So. And if you don't follow him on social media, then you wouldn't know. But if you do, you certainly would. He's very excited 01:44:18
about starting the rest of his life with Bailey. 01:44:22
So if you have an opportunity, wish CJ well as he starts a new phase of life. 01:44:28
They'll be married Saturday afternoon in Oglethorpe County, so we're proud of CJ and proud of all of our officers, but we'll be 01:44:34
especially happy for him this weekend. 01:44:37
From there on, that's all I've got and we will move to council member, reports Councilman Garrett, what you got? 01:44:42
Nothing from Councilman Garrett, Councilwoman. 01:44:50
Nothing from Councilwoman Massey, Councilman. 01:44:54
Wow. We've all right. Is anybody going to break the streak? Councilwoman Tucker? 01:44:57
We're going to Madison on Monday as. 01:45:10
Is that still Monica Callahan there? 01:45:21
Great. 01:45:26
OK. All right. Great. OK. 01:45:28
All right. We'll keep up the good work. I'm going to Savannah for the. 01:45:31
The June. 01:45:37
OK. 01:45:40
Had vacation scheduled from the last day that class would start. 01:45:43
Downtown Development Authority. 01:45:49
So that's part of what their committees evaluating is DDA potentially making making whether that might make sense? 01:45:52
I did it online. 01:45:59
All right. 01:46:02
Awesome. So we're expecting to hear more from your committee in the months ahead. Thank you all for your work as you think about 01:46:03
master planning and and how to strengthen our downtown. 01:46:07
And I think that's it. Unless anybody else has has anything, we're going to have to have a brief executive session on on real 01:46:14
estate and potential litigation. So I'll entertain a motion to go into that before and and then we'll we'll take the briefest of 01:46:20
recesses and say goodbye to our guests and then we'll jump into that. So I'll entertain a motion. 01:46:27
To move into executive session for real estate and potential litigation, please I make a motion to move to executive session. 01:46:34
2nd And we have a second. All in favor? Say aye. All right, back to our seats in about 3 minutes. 01:46:41
All right. Welcome back, everybody. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. 01:46:54
I make a motion to adjourn. 01:46:58
We have a second all in favor, say. 01:47:00
Good night. 01:47:03
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Event transcript
Thank. 00:00:23
All right, everybody quieted down right on time. So thanks, everyone, for coming to the March, Watkinsville. 00:00:30
City Council meeting Excited to see such a big crowd here tonight. I'm the mayor Brian Broderick joined by this August body up 00:00:36
here again. Thank you for being here tonight. We do have a quorum. 00:00:41
And to kick us off, I'm going to ask Braden and Hal Jackson to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please. 00:00:47
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:56
And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:01
All right. Thank you, Hal and Brayden. Glad to have you all here tonight. 00:01:16
1st on the agenda for us tonight is the approval of the Minutes. We have two sets of minutes, one from the February 16th regular 00:01:21
meeting. 00:01:24
One from the March 1st special. 00:01:28
On the regular meeting, does anyone have any? 00:01:31
Edits or adjustments to those minutes. 00:01:36
All right. I did notice two things. One, it said there was a question mark after it noted Garrett opposed a motion related to the 00:01:40
special events facility. 00:01:44
I think we just need to cut out that question mark. You already caught that and then I think it was slightly unclear about the 00:01:48
entrance closest to Ashford Manor. 00:01:53
Also needs to be I think, right? 00:01:59
Right. Turn in only in that condition on that motion. That's the only two things I notice. Anybody else have anything else on the 00:02:01
Minutes? 00:02:04
OK, here. None. I'll entertain a motion to approve the February 16th minutes. 00:02:08
I make a motion to approve the February minutes. All right, we have a motion for Mr. Campbell. Do we have a second? 00:02:15
Motion in a second. All in favor, Say aye. Any opposed? 00:02:22
All. 00:02:26
You abstain. You weren't there. OK, so for a Christine abstains March 1st special called meeting do we have? 00:02:27
Any edits to those minutes? 00:02:36
That was relatively brief hearing. None. Can we have a motion to approve and make a motion to approve and a second. 00:02:40
We have a motion and a second all in favor. Say aye, aye. 00:02:48
All right, Motion carries 50. 00:02:52
All right. Approval of the agenda. We do have one item that we need to add to the agenda that would be under new business, the 00:02:55
purchase of Christmas lights at a non holiday discount. As you guys can imagine, things like Christmas lights get a little bit 00:03:00
cheaper in the spring. 00:03:05
And we've had some citizen requests for some additional Christmas lighting on some of our streets. So the manager has identified 00:03:11
an opportunity to purchase those. 00:03:15
At a discount, so I would entertain a motion to. 00:03:19
The Amend the agenda to add purchase of Christmas lights under new business, please. 00:03:23
You can say so moved, so moved and is there a second? 00:03:31
We have a motion. We have a second. Any discussion. 00:03:35
All in favor say. 00:03:38
All right. We're going to move on to administration, just the rules of the road. For those of you who haven't been here before, we 00:03:40
are a little more casual about our public input process in Watkinsville. We typically will allow public comment at the mayor and 00:03:46
council's discretion on items that are on the agenda. We do have certain sections of the agenda where formal comment is always 00:03:51
allowed. That typically is on. 00:03:57
Land use matters, public hearings, different items like that. So Mr. Reitman will be our guide as we go through that. We do ask 00:04:02
that the comments that you make are directly related to those agenda items. If it's on an agenda item that does not have public 00:04:08
speaking automatically with that, you will need to be recognized by the Mayor and council before you address us. 00:04:14
When you step forward, state your name. State your address. Speak only from the podium. 4 minutes A person. Refrain from debate. 00:04:21
Argument. Personal attacks are irrelevant. Discussion. Address the merits of the pending matter again once we get to those points 00:04:25
during the agenda. 00:04:29
Mr. Reitman will be our guide. But what I'm excited about tonight. We have several exciting moments, but one of the first ones, 00:04:34
Umm. 00:04:38
That I'm really excited about. 00:04:43
Is a proclamation for Mr. Larry Weatherford. Mr. Weatherford. 00:04:46
Umm. 00:04:52
I've always been struck by Larry as a guy who when I first moved back to Watkinsville, I was like this guy. He doesn't even live 00:04:55
in Watkinsville, but I think he's at more events in Watkinsville than I am. 00:05:01
Everywhere I went, there was a there was Larry Weatherford. And come to find out, that's been the story of his life. 00:05:07
In this community that when something important was happening, Larry Weatherford was there. When there was a big moment for 00:05:13
Watkinsville, Larry Weatherford was there. 00:05:17
And he's been a wonderful. 00:05:22
Leader in this community for a long time, so we have a. 00:05:25
For Mr. Weatherford, I'm going to step to the podium up there and read that. I know we have a few other council members who may 00:05:29
want to make a comment. And then, Larry, if you're willing, when I'm done, we'd love to have hear from you. If you have a few 00:05:34
minutes, you want to make a few minutes of remarks about Watkinsville. 00:05:39
And then we'll take a couple photos after that. OK, but I'm going to step up to the podium and read this proclamation. 00:05:44
Lawrence Weatherford was born in Watkinsville, Georgia, and lived a brief time at the historic Eagle Tavern. 00:06:04
Lawrence's family has deep roots in the community, beginning with his father, who served as mayor of Watkinsville during the 1950s 00:06:10
after serving in the Army during World War 2. 00:06:15
His mother, who was the first visiting teacher in Oconee County in the 1930s after graduating from the University of Georgia, and 00:06:19
his grandfather, Dave Weatherford, who served as chairman of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners in the 1930s. 00:06:26
Lawrence grew up in Watkinsville playing basketball and graduating at age 16 from Watkinsville High School, now known as Oconee 00:06:33
County High School, attending Watkinsville Christian Church and working at Spec Downs grocery store and Joe McDonald grocery store 00:06:37
in downtown Watkinsville. 00:06:42
He went on to attend the University of Georgia and while enrolled, served in the ROTC before graduating with a Bachelor of Science 00:06:47
in Elementary Education. 00:06:50
He served in the 82nd Airborne Battalion during the Korean War, volunteering from the ROTC program at the University of Georgia. 00:06:55
He trained at Fort Knox and Fort Bragg before serving one year in Germany patrolling the Iron Curtain. 00:07:01
And after the Korean War, he joined the Army Reserves in 1953. 00:07:07
Ultimately retiring as a. 00:07:11
After graduation, Lawrence worked for the Georgia Department of Labor before moving on to the US Department of Labor, where he 00:07:14
served as regional director of financing and Administration in 1958 and eventually director of unemployment insurance and deputy 00:07:19
to the assistant secretary in the 1970s. 00:07:24
He came back home to work at the University of Georgia under President Charles Knapp as the vice president for government 00:07:29
relations, retiring in 1988. 00:07:33
Larry has continued to make meaningful contributions to the Watkinsville community through his service on the OCALAF board and his 00:07:37
restoration of a pre Civil War home on Main Street. 00:07:42
Larry is one of Watkinsville's most disting. 00:07:47
Citiz. 00:07:51
He's a tireless booster for his hometown. 00:07:52
And he continues to share his stories of Watkinsville past and believes in its future. 00:07:55
Now, therefore, I, Brian Broderick, Mayor of Watkinsville, do hereby recognize and honor Lawrence E Weatherford for his commitment 00:08:02
and public service accomplishments to the citizens of Watkinsville and so many others throughout Georgia and the United States, 00:08:07
and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the Great Seal of the City of Watkinsville, Georgia, on 00:08:12
the 23rd day of March. 00:08:18
2020. 00:08:23
Now I know we have, I think we might have a few others who want to make some remarks about how Larry's impacted their lives. So if 00:08:41
those folks. 00:08:44
Share some remarks and then Larry will turn the microphone over to you briefly. We do have a reputation for long meetings that I'm 00:08:48
trying to trying to reduce. So, but we will turn the microphone over to you and then we'll get a picture with your family and then 00:08:52
with the folks, everybody who came here to celebrate you to you tonight. But Councilman Thomas, did you have something you want to 00:08:56
say? 00:09:01
I know him as Uncle Larry, but Uncle Larry, I really appreciate your leadership. You've taught me a lot. 00:09:09
From from your time in the military to your time in government relations, I just really appreciate all the stuff you've done for 00:09:17
this great community and your time coming back. 00:09:22
To Watkinsville. 00:09:27
You know, multiple times a week. 00:09:30
To see the residents here and visit the bank and you know, visit old friends and that's a hall for you. And we really appreciate 00:09:32
you coming. I greatly appreciate your leadership and it's something to model after. So thank you very much. 00:09:39
You can say. 00:09:53
Yeah, Mr. Weatherford, where? 00:09:56
One of the finest people I've ever met. 00:09:59
Marcie and I bought his house on Main Street 66 S Main. 00:10:01
1314 years ago Rough. 00:10:06
I had a problem though. I had to sell my other. 00:10:10
So, but Larry Weatherford had put a sign out there for sale, went in there, saw it, loved it. 00:10:14
I said, Mr. Weatherford, my problem is I got to sell my other house. 00:10:19
Can you give me a couple weeks to see if I can get mine sold? He said sure, no problem. 00:10:23
So sure enough, we were fortunate. But I sell our house at least under contract. A few weeks later, go back to Mr. Weatherford, 00:10:28
It's weather for to have a contract. 00:10:32
Now, can we talk about a price for your house? 00:10:37
I was not in a good, was not in a good negotiation point because I was in a contract. 00:10:40
But we reached a fair deal and and I really so also on the House it was mentioned in the proclamation is a pretty civil war home 00:10:46
that we bought. 00:10:51
That was in disrepair. 00:10:56
Mr. Weatherford. 00:10:59
Restored his family home. 00:11:00
At a great expense would have been easier I think to tear it down and cheaper. 00:11:03
But he restored it, and we thank him for that. Had he not restored it, we might not be living in Watkinsville. I'm thankful every 00:11:07
day that we are. So thank you, Mr. Weatherford. You're a wonderful human. 00:11:13
And I know we have a few other I don't know if Commissioner Hardin or Chairman Daniel, if y'all care to make any remarks. Do you 00:11:24
have anything you'd want to add about this gentleman? I see Amory giving him a side eye. He's probably got a story or two, but. 00:11:29
I welcome you to the podium if you all want to say a quick word, and then we'll turn it over to the guest of honor to say what he 00:11:36
has to say. But. 00:11:40
Yep. 00:11:45
And welcome back, former Mayor Hardin. I should say, too. It's not every day we get to turn the podium back over to a former 00:11:48
mayor. 00:11:51
Thank you, Mayor Broderick. I do appreciate this opportunity to congratulate you, Larry. 00:11:56
Course, Larry, as you say, I see more of. 00:12:02
Then I do a lot of people in this community and he lives in Oxford, GA And so we're so proud for Larry that you're being 00:12:07
recognized and to have your family with you here tonight and just want to thank you for all that you've done and continue to do 00:12:13
for a walk and spell. Thank you. 00:12:18
We'll say it's always a bright spot in my day when I see you. You're always upbeat and very cheerful and it's been great. 00:12:36
Getting to know you over the years and. 00:12:42
Unless we have anyone else, Larry, if you want to say a few words, you're come on up here and then we'll get. 00:12:52
We'll get some photos. 00:12:58
Thank you. Thank you. 00:13:02
I think he had talked. 00:13:07
Ahead of time by and by saying a few words. 00:13:10
Because I I guess as I was thinking about the history that Watkinsville and my time. 00:13:14
It'll probably take us through the next week. 00:13:22
But let me start my comments off about I brought somebody with me. 00:13:26
This is my sweetheart. We were together for a day or two and. 00:13:33
I come down to Watkinsville to visit with her. 00:13:39
And she was. 00:13:43
A great part of the reason why. 00:13:45
Invited me here tonight to say all these nice things about you. 00:13:49
But I think I carefully. 00:13:54
Repeat some things. 00:13:58
And leave out some things that Pattice said not to do. 00:14:01
No, I do. My family was has been said already a good part of the Watkinsville government and everything, and I have so many when 00:14:10
Captain Jake died. 00:14:16
Daddy, Dave died. I mean the channel of Commission that we had a little farm over here across the Creek and. 00:14:23
I remember I was working for the. 00:14:30
The couple the man that. 00:14:33
Work on, you know, I ain't gonna say was a slave, I said. But but Daddy worked in Watsonville and Henry worked up there, and I 00:14:38
that was my first time of having a supervisor. 00:14:44
And I remember the time when we would be out in the. 00:14:51
And a car would come from Athens to Watkinsville. 00:14:56
And we would tie the horse down, run out in the front yard to see who it was because that's about the way that the the the traffic 00:15:00
was Watkins. 00:15:05
And I'll tell you back then, those days, it was a great, great place. 00:15:12
And with all the people that that oversaw my life. 00:15:18
African Americans as well as all our. 00:15:26
And I just am so grateful for the opportunity to have grown uphill. 00:15:33
And then I when I left, as we talked about a while ago, I went to a lot of different places to work and. 00:15:39
Uh, stayed on the road and that's one of the reasons that this Lady Hill. 00:15:48
Is so important to me because when you look over here, these girls, she did it. 00:15:55
And I appreciated that. That's so very much. 00:16:01
I said one time, being in a cocktail party in Honolulu. 00:16:06
And the phone rang, and it was one day after the truck had brought Catherine. 00:16:12
Washington and hadn't unloaded the furniture. But I was in a cocktail party and I got a phone call and she said, what's the name 00:16:19
of the power company? 00:16:24
And I couldn't remember myself. 00:16:30
But nevertheless, I don't stand here by myself. She's in the corner right over here and I wouldn't be here if it was not for her. 00:16:35
And I have the greatest family. 00:16:41
That you could believe. 00:16:48
And as I go around and look at this room over all different times and things, that my life has been influenced by what Y'all did. 00:16:50
And I'm not going to go through that Patty's direction. 00:16:59
I'm not going to go through several things that I went through and growing up here. 00:17:05
And but if anybody is interested, we'll meet outside and. 00:17:11
Anyway, let me just say how proud I am to be from what could feel. 00:17:19
And also let me change that to really say that my heart is always in what could be and always will be. 00:17:25
And I wanted to ask y'all if that we could take a vote. 00:17:34
Because we'll still got my house appealing the corner that's built by Catherine's grandfather in 1908. 00:17:40
And I think it would be nice for me to have a place down here to spend the night. 00:17:47
Now if if I could take a minute and ask y'all if everybody's in favor of that, please say aye. 00:17:57
I'm not gonna ask. Those are the polls. 00:18:08
Because I know one or two of you around here to say that, so. 00:18:11
No, let me let me just say I I I can't tell you. Ever since I heard about the about the thing tonight, I can't tell you how. 00:18:16
Humbly proud, I guess, is the best way to. 00:18:28
I My family was so important to me. My mom was a strong lady. My dad was a great man. 00:18:33
Quiet didn't do a lot of talking. 00:18:41
And I have my sister Wilma who was a town singer, if y'all anybody here old enough to remember that but she sang it all the 00:18:44
weddings and funerals and things like that and my mom was the best and teacher and my dad worked in Athens and. 00:18:54
I'm not going to go into all the details because when I had them listed about my talk tonight. 00:19:05
I got it just cut. 00:19:12
So. 00:19:16
But in all sincerity, I'm so proud. 00:19:17
To be from Watkinsville, Georgia, and I thank you. Each one of you and I can look around this room and I can tell stories you 00:19:20
wouldn't believe and wouldn't want me to tell. So thank you so much. 00:19:27
All right. Thank you. So here's your proclamation. Let's come right up here to the middle, and we're going to have your family 00:19:36
come up and stand with you. 00:19:39
All right, Mary's family, if you all could come up together. 00:19:43
And all Y'all really. After hearing Larry speak. Probably all. 00:19:53
How many? OK, do the three and then y'all go ahead and then we'll bring up the rest of the family and then we'll do. 00:19:58
Now the rest of your families come on up and. 00:20:13
All right, y'all and all that and all that excitement. I forgot one more. 00:21:45
For Mr. Weatherford. 00:21:49
We don't give these out very often, but I do have a key to the. 00:21:52
And so also Larry wanted to, on behalf of all you've done for Watkinsville, I also want to give you a key to the city. 00:21:57
Confir. 00:22:14
Here. 00:22:16
I. 00:22:25
OK. All right. We have two more proclamations tonight. The next one is. 00:22:42
A little more, A little. 00:22:48
Is a proclamation in honor of child abuse. 00:22:50
Prevention Month. I don't think we're honoring that, but we're recognizing that that's something that we're striving to prevent. 00:22:54
Constantly in Watkinsville, I'm going to do an abridged version of this. Over 10,000 children are abused and or neglected in 00:23:00
Georgia each year. 00:23:03
And child abuse and neglect prevention as a community responsibility in preventing mistreatment of children depends on involvement 00:23:07
from all people. 00:23:10
I, Brian Broderick, Mayor of the City of Watkinsville, Georgia, do hereby proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention 00:23:13
Month in Watkinsville, Georgia, and encourage all citizens to volunteer their talents and energies. 00:23:18
On behalf of children in our community to reduce child abuse and neg. 00:23:24
Significantly in the years to come. I know that's an important priority for our chief of police and others. Is anyone here tonight 00:23:28
from the organization you are? Why don't you step forward, offer a few brief remarks, then we'll take a picture. And thank you for 00:23:32
providing this to us. 00:23:36
Hi, I'm Sally. Stare at my colleagues and I are with Bright paths. We are the local chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and 00:23:44
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and. 00:23:49
Have lived and worked and graduated from high school in Oconee County and Athens and my whole life. So I'm glad to be here. And I 00:23:54
also know what a lovely community this is and how it is really easy to think that all the families here are just like mine, which 00:23:59
were so great. But our most recent data actually shows that in Oconee County alone in the year of 2020, there were 168 children 00:24:05
who were the subject of a report of either abuse or neglect just in Oconee County just in 2020. And so at Bright Paths we are 00:24:11
working really hard. 00:24:17
To eliminate that, our mission is to prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect and our vision as a community free of that, and 00:24:23
so with your support. 00:24:28
So April will be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Watkins. 00:25:04
Dickerson and her staff. If you'll have information you'd like us to share, we have a newsletter Facebook page. We're happy to 00:25:10
share that and what people know everything that's going on here and how people can help to prevent child abuse. 00:25:15
Let's step here and take a picture. 00:25:21
We'll let you guys get on the way. Is there anybody else in the organization? 00:25:23
Fund continues. We have Danielle Greer here who is presenting A presenting a check to the Police Department. So missus Greer if 00:26:03
you could come forward make a few remarks and then Sharon and Chief if you all want to coordinate that presentation as well. And 00:26:08
Danielle I just, I do. 00:26:13
I see that you're constantly serving the community and working with our Police Department. I just want to thank you for. 00:26:19
Leaning into that and understanding that the role of a realtor and a business person in the community is more than just making 00:26:26
money, but it's about giving back. So we're very grateful to you guys for working with Chief Brock and his guys. 00:26:31
And I will say for anybody who doesn't know about bright paths, we just found out about them about this time last year. 00:26:38
They are phenomenal resource in this community. So we actually did a golf tournament for them last year and and it was it, it was 00:26:44
beyond amazing. We're actually doing another one for them this year too but. 00:26:50
Speaking of in the community, but. 00:26:57
Why I'm here so? 00:27:00
Thank you for everything that Y'all do and 1st responders are near and dear to my heart. Our schools are near and dear to my 00:27:02
heart. And So what we did was create a program through my real estate team that gives back to our community and then all of our 00:27:08
clients get to choose where it goes. And so each month we are able to go in and donate funds to the community that we live in. 00:27:14
Just a give where you live type thing. And so this month. 00:27:20
For February, we were able to give Chief Rock. 00:27:27
$1000. 00:27:31
So I know we got to do pictures, but. 00:27:33
And you have to come over here too. You're a huge part of. 00:27:38
Yes. 00:27:41
Are you? I was yielding to the mayor. That's a good idea. Are you going, are you just going to stay up there? We've got one or two 00:28:15
items before it's your turn. You just want to knock it all out right here. 00:28:19
I like improvising, Chief. Why don't you come on up here? And while we're focused on, while we're focused on law enforcement, why 00:28:26
don't you just. 00:28:30
Why don't you just go ahead and roll on? How about that? All right. 00:28:34
They. 00:28:39
All. 00:28:48
Good evening Mayor, Council evening, always a pleasure to be before. 00:28:50
Lads E All assembled. 00:28:55
I submitted a report actually week before last, during what would have been the regularly scheduled meeting. 00:28:57
Of last week, so I was well ahead of. 00:29:03
And from that report, does anybody have any questions over the material data that I provided? 00:29:07
Seeing none of hearing none. No questions. All right, so. 00:29:13
Through tremendous amounts of. 00:29:20
The LPR technology is on the poles. 00:29:23
And it was a very long and tenuous process to get through the mire, through the red tape and the. 00:29:27
Bureaucracy that comes with Georgia Power and Department of Transportation. 00:29:35
But they're up and they're operational and they are phenomenal. 00:29:39
Just in the last 24 hours we have had almost 300 hits of alerts of expired tags that are driving through the city pretty much 00:29:44
every day. 00:29:48
I mean expired and when. When tags are expired, there's usually reasons behind why they're expired. There's other things 00:29:55
underlying. 00:29:58
So those are the things that we're going to start looking to it to address as well. 00:30:01
You know the missing children and the missing adults and things like that is going to come across the system and our officers are 00:30:05
going to be able to better respond to those things as they travel through town. So I'm very happy to see that program up and 00:30:11
running and excited and the tech that came from Missouri to install the hardware who's been doing it all across the country says 00:30:18
that we are right now the premier location for Omni queue. 00:30:24
No other location has the extensive and robust system that we have in place, so I'm excited about that. 00:30:31
Chief, is that doing, is that doing a daily traffic count on those quarters as well, so that count, can you go back to that? 00:30:39
So that count you see up there in the top right hand corner of the screen of video, that's actually a screen? 00:30:47
Video image of it actually in operation. It's capturing cars and during. 00:30:53
Midday traffic time it's it's literally just, I mean, you barely have time to watch the cars screen across the screen. 00:30:59
But that count is all the cameras and the counts that the cameras are capturing. So all seven cameras that are in operation that 00:31:08
that's the account so you're gonna have. 00:31:12
Two, there's two locations. So there are going to be a car going through the South side and then through the Northside. So that's, 00:31:16
you know, getting twice. Unless they, you know, find their way around them, it's going to be hard to do. 00:31:22
All right. Thank you. 00:31:29
Yep. 00:31:30
We have our Easter Egg hunt coming up April 16th Saturday. 00:31:33
At 10:00 AM. 00:31:37
We have 10,000 eggs waiting. 00:31:38
Staged by the Easter Bun. 00:31:41
Easter Bunny Will. 00:31:43
Danielle Greer and her team made funds available in addition to. 00:31:48
The money that. 00:31:54
To provide all the prizes and what else, Major? 00:31:56
What it makes? 00:32:00
The fries. 00:32:04
So I can't thank her and her. 00:32:07
Enough. She has been tremendous in in the program she's running and the assistance that she's offered. 00:32:10
Any questions over the Easter egg? No. Moving on to an old picture. Wow, where'd you drive that? 00:32:18
Wow. 00:32:27
Wow, that's amazing. 00:32:29
So this brings me to one of. 00:32:32
Favorite parts of the job of being the chief, and that's recognition of officers for. 00:32:34
Jobs that they do. 00:32:40
So if you didn't know that what this is about, this is about Sergeant Hitler. 00:32:48
It is a life saving accommodation, A life saving accommodation bar that I will award them tonight is awarded to Walkersville 00:32:55
Police Department member and appreciation for the prompt, no selfish act of rendering aid and assistance to another human being 00:33:00
that resulted in saving a life by the officers actions. 00:33:05
It is a red and white commendation bar that is nationally recognized in the public safety community and it's consistent mark of 00:33:12
distinction for the office. 00:33:16
For the office officer who wears. 00:33:24
On Saturday, March 12/20/22, Sergeant Handler responded to a call here in town. 00:33:27
One of our citizens felt it necessary to try to take extraordinary measures to remove his life from this world. 00:33:34
It's hard. 00:33:44
Sergeant Hitler without care. 00:33:46
Was able to beat down a door that this man was in front of. 00:33:49
And render a. 00:33:54
Which ultimately led to. 00:33:56
His. 00:33:58
And he is alive today because. 00:33:59
It was a pretty gruesome. 00:34:03
The. 00:34:07
Mine does not forget what the I see. 00:34:08
This honor is truly not enough to recognize the efforts that he put forth that. 00:34:13
Sergeant Kyle Hibbler, Watkinsville Police Department is hereby awarded the Life Saving Accommodation Bar for his actions on March 00:34:18
12th. 00:34:21
2022 while on duty in the city of Watkinsville. 00:34:25
When he responded to the attempted suicide. 00:34:28
In recognition of your courageous and life saving actions on the scene by putting yourself in harm's way to save another human 00:34:31
life. 00:34:35
With ded. 00:34:38
And courage, Sergeant. 00:34:40
Thank you for your service. 00:34:58
I'm trying to prep it for this spot up here. 00:35:21
He's hesitant. 00:35:24
But he'll. 00:35:25
Are there any? 00:35:26
Thank you for the opportunity to present that award and present the information to you this. 00:35:28
Before you leave, I think it goes without saying it's nice to have four of you here tonight. CJ Step in, Kyle. You know, I think I 00:35:34
just want to look all of you in the eyes and tell you how much we appreciate your dedication and your service and. 00:35:41
Um. 00:35:48
Putting your life on the line every single day for the citizens of Watkinsville to keep us safe. It. 00:35:48
Means the world to us. I hear so many great comments from the citizens about the way that you all serve. 00:35:53
Think about taking care of them first and not think about yourselves. And Kyle, that's a wonderful example of that. So thank you. 00:35:58
Thank you all and thank you, Kyle. 00:36:02
We're. 00:36:07
We're grateful. Thank you. 00:36:08
OK. We're going to move to item 6 on the agenda and we'll plow through this pretty quick. Manager Dickerson, if you want to give 00:36:16
us an update on our financial situation. 00:36:22
Thank you, Mayor. Everyone should have received the revenue and expense balance sheets in your packet. If there any questions, 00:36:29
please let me know. We are tracking. 00:36:33
Higher on the revenues and less on the expenses. So that's good at this point in the game. But things do come in at different 00:36:39
times, so not always always an accurate measure. 00:36:43
On spouse one report, just remind you that all that money in there right now is designated for the sewer line a construction. 00:36:49
That will be going through the industrial park. 00:36:56
Spots to report money is split. 00:36:59
Money is split on this report between hair Shoals park, the ABA playground and landscaping and possibly sidewalk work out front 00:37:03
and then the sewer line a construction. So that's the monies that are left. 00:37:09
In here and we are tracking a little bit. 00:37:16
On this. 00:37:20
But not much more than what we budgeted. 00:37:21
This boss three summary report. This is a new report last trying to make it. 00:37:24
Look similar to the other reports Y'all been looking. 00:37:29
What I think is important to notice here is. 00:37:32
That right now we're budgeting at 80% of the referendum, which is around 62,000. We're actually bringing in about 73,000. 00:37:35
So the you'll notice down here in the lower corner where it says difference between projects and anticipate projected and 00:37:44
anticipated we're about 45,000. 00:37:47
Over at this point, the projects underway. With this project, I'm sorry. My cursor won't come off of that screen up there. Sorry. 00:37:52
The projects that are underway right now are the branding effort. That's the multi-purpose government facilities of line that you 00:38:00
see down there, the bottom. 00:38:04
The projects that are completed, we've paved Leia Lane, the Chief has bought the variable message sign trailer. I don't think we 00:38:10
have it yet though, and he's walked away so I'm not I can't tell you for sure. We have ordered additional traffic calming signs 00:38:16
with some of the remaining money and then the fire department has I believe has already placed the order, although I haven't seen 00:38:22
the the invoice for it yet for the jaws of life that you approved. 00:38:28
And then encumbered right now are some public works and police equipment for future purposes. So that's sort of what that makes 00:38:34
up. 00:38:37
Uh. 00:38:44
We are. There's the monthly you can. 00:38:45
That I try to give you this just for comparison's sake so. 00:38:48
Where monies are coming in and of course it fluctuates each each month. 00:38:51
And then on the ARP, this is the American rescue plan money. Let me get my report so I can look at it. 00:38:58
So you may remember that we had a pass through with the. 00:39:07
State funds for the first responders, it was a supplement, so there's a pass through on there. We have right now 142,000 and some 00:39:10
change that has not been appropriated by the council. 00:39:15
We did come in under budget on what was expected for Hard. 00:39:20
And we have, I don't believe we haven't cut the checks yet. We should probably do that this week for the public safety officers 00:39:25
who signed three-year contracts to get the $10,000. Over the three years, we've gotten 4 contracts signed of the seven eligible 00:39:30
officers. 00:39:35
And that is the, those are the financial reports. I do want to remind everybody we did this during the work session, but for those 00:39:42
who were present and weren't here for that. 00:39:46
The budget process is underway. We had our work session tonight with the council to talk about. 00:39:50
The capital budget. 00:39:56
Which is a lead in into the operating budget, the count the mayor will receive the budget from me and my staff. 00:39:57
First part of. 00:40:04
Will have towards the end of April to make comments and and edit it and then we'll provide it to the council the 1st of May. 00:40:06
We do have three public hearings, two sets of public hearings, one for the mileage rate. Adoption of the mileage rate will take 3 00:40:13
hearings and the adoption of or the opportunity to have public input into the budget, the first opportunity will be. 00:40:19
At the council meeting on April 20th. And that will simply be it won't be to respond anything because the mayor will have the 00:40:27
budget at that point. It will be simply to have input into what you would like the budget to include. 00:40:32
On May 18th, there will be opportunity to actually have input on the budget that has been presented to the Council for review and 00:40:37
consideration and then on June 15th, the final public hearing and hopefully the adoption of the budget. 00:40:44
Any. 00:40:52
All right. Thank you, Sharon. Let's move on to economic development reports. 00:40:57
So economic development we have our. 00:41:02
Deadline for business licenses is or was March 15th, so we had a little flurry. I'm sure next month's meeting will have a lot more 00:41:05
listed here, but we have 27 business licenses, 1 alcohol license, which actually will be before you tonight for consideration. 00:41:12
And on the permit side, most of these. 00:41:19
Renovations, updates, electrical updates, HVAC, just typical kind of stuff. So it's not there's a lot of them, but not a lot of 00:41:24
money in the in the grand scheme of things for these because they're not huge projects. So 11 building permits for 10 projects. 00:41:29
Any questions? 00:41:34
OK. 00:41:42
Get through. 00:41:46
All right. We have on consent 3 items. Tonight we have the appointment of Doctor Brett actually to the Oconee County Board of 00:41:50
Health for a six year term. 00:41:53
We have urban forest board appointments. We have consideration of a beer and wine retail license. 00:41:58
For Shino L. 00:42:03
If you wanted to talk about those, you should have spoke up earlier. Unless someone wants to argue, we need to take those off the 00:42:06
consent agenda. I'll take a motion to approve consent. 00:42:10
I make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Do we have? 00:42:16
I'll second We have a motion, We have a second any. 00:42:20
All in favor, Say aye. 00:42:24
All right. Consent agenda pass. 00:42:26
We'll move on to public hearing, I think the first item that we have under public hearing. 00:42:28
Public hearing is the. 00:42:34
The amendment to the rezone and development Agreement related to Wisteria Ridge. 00:42:38
Mr. Reitman, if you could briefly offer a summary of the comment procedures for the public and then we'll move to discussing the 00:42:44
matter at hand. 00:42:48
Certainly, Mr. Mayor, thank you. As you stated previously, generally speaking, 4 minutes per person comments directly related to 00:42:52
what is at issue, no debate argument of personal attacks, addressing of course the merits of the pending matter. And please do 00:42:59
address remarks directly to the Council. At this time, we open the public hearing regarding 75 N Main St. Wisteria Ridge amendment 00:43:05
to rezone and development agreement. I understand the idea is to subdivide to take out I, I believe .55 acre parcel. We have a 00:43:12
staff report on that first. 00:43:18
All right, then we'll go directly to the applicant. 00:43:25
So the brief, the brief staff report is that. 00:43:39
Hang on a second. This was anticipated initially. It was never formally submitted, but it was anticipated for this to be 00:43:44
subdivided and so and you'll see in the in the two slides, this one you can see at the top. 00:43:50
Let's see if my cursor will go up there now. Now it won't now that I want it to go up there. 00:43:57
Let me. 00:44:02
There's a better picture you'll see if you if you look at this, you'll see the actual .55 acres, and then I'll go back and you can 00:44:05
see where it's at the top middle of the of the picture there. 00:44:09
So there was, there was a separate lot with an easement considered lot 2 and you could sort of see that there. 00:44:14
And then again, there's a larger picture of that. We also have a couple pictures of the existing building. 00:44:22
The. 00:44:32
Future concept. 00:44:34
And I will, I will yield to the right. Well, we've got Mr. Pittman here to speak. And then I think we also have Mr. Williams and 00:44:39
Miss Kashahara who may also want to take a few minutes to update us on the project. But we'll kick off with you, Frank, and then 00:44:44
we'll let anyone else who wants to step forward to speak, please do so. My name is Frank Pittman. I live at 1400 Saxon Rd. 00:44:50
Watkinsville. I'll be brief. I'm, I'm here representing the property owner who couldn't be here. He's in California this week. So 00:44:56
I. 00:45:01
As as. 00:45:08
As was mentioned, the the plan had been really to tear down this home. 00:45:11
And Miss Kasahara came along and wanted to purchase it and and and save this home. 00:45:17
To rehab it and I think I think it'd be great for the community. 00:45:23
And and I'll just kind of leave it at that that's that's the plan, that's the request and I'd be having for any questions. But I 00:45:29
think she could probably tell a better story of what she wants to do than than than I could. 00:45:34
All right. 00:45:41
Hi, I'm Suzanne Casajara and I am currently living at 52 Jackson St. 00:45:53
In Watkinsville and I just wanted to say thank you for this opportunity. 00:45:59
I I did send an e-mail to everyone. I'm I was hoping that you were able to read it because I wanted to really defer to what was 00:46:06
really attractive about the home besides. 00:46:10
Best friends of 30 years, living 250 yards from their back door. And she's a great cook, by the way. And he's a great gardener. 00:46:15
And I'm not good at any of those things. But I, you know, I left. 00:46:22
Here, well, Athens I was in Athens lived in five points. 00:46:30
And so it really excited me and the home kind of spoke to me and said hey, I have another life and so. 00:47:06
I'm not sure it will exactly look like this, so don't hold me to it. 00:47:14
Prices are going up as we speak, but the one thing Lowe's and Home Depot, they do give a wonderful veterans discount and I ask for 00:47:20
it every time. And so that's kind of working out. But I wanted to say thank you. I look forward to that being my forever home. I 00:47:27
was looking for a place to retire. My husband and I, we traveled actually in a motorhome for about a year and a half. 00:47:34
Around. Because we both work remotely And I thought, where do I want to live? And every holiday, every vacation to come see Chris 00:47:42
Russell, my closest friend, and Allison and Steve Arnold and. 00:47:48
Julie MacLean and all the people that Chuck knows, we all raise our kids together. I'm here every vacation. I'm also around 00:47:54
Airbnbs like constantly in in Watkinsville and so so anyway I'm really excited. I'm I'm I'm hoping this goes through. I'm having 00:47:59
it happens. 00:48:05
I'm working on getting the home ready to look like it's livable for my for my. I'm doing a loan in part cash. 00:48:11
We're buying the house for 200. I'm hoping to put another 150 into it. If I can stick to that. I might have to get a little few 00:48:18
extra jobs or things. But but and I know that's going to be great revenue and I really am excited about being a citizen of the 00:48:25
community. So and then I want to defer to Chuck Williams because he has some great stories about this family home. So thank you so 00:48:31
much. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. 00:48:38
Suzanne, thank you Mayor and council. 00:48:48
Staff Chuck Williams I live at 2410 Old Watson Springs Rd. In the southern end. 00:48:51
County and one thank you for this opportunity to appear before you tonight. Want to thank you for your service. 00:48:56
I had the opportunity back in the 70s to serve on City Council, and my father actually served after I did. My most monumental step 00:49:02
as a council member was we bought a new pickup truck for the street department. 00:49:08
And when my dad was on the council after I was, his name is on the plaque out here. This building was built. Watkinsville put in 00:49:16
its. 00:49:19
Sewer system We lived on Cause Creek and we were very aware that Watkinsville. 00:49:23
Had a sewer collection system but no sewage treatment system. 00:49:29
When the commodes were flushed at the courthouse, we saw it a few minutes later coming down the Creek. And that was a big day when 00:49:34
Watkinsville put in a sewer system that is now owned and operated by the by the county. 00:49:39
I know, I know, Y'all's purpose here tonight and in general is to look ahead. 00:49:46
And this proposal that's in front of you is a forward-looking. 00:49:51
Proposal, but I thought it might be beneficial just to take a couple of minutes, Mr. Mayor, to. 00:49:54
Tell you how this property came to be in a little the history of it. Maybe that gives you a little insight into whether you want 00:49:59
to cast a yay or nay. Vote on this on this request. 00:50:05
If you will, if you go back to the to the 50s, my family was living on 3rd St. in Watkinsville, next door to where Mayor Lucan. 00:50:11
Lived and after we moved from there commissioner chairman Daniels grandparents moved there and and that's where his father was was 00:50:21
raised. Well that was pretty good. It was a two-bedroom 1 bath house. I had two older brothers and that was working out okay. But 00:50:27
when I came along there were three boys and parents in a two-bedroom house with one bathroom. So I think my mom lay down a lot of 00:50:34
my dad and said we've got to do something. 00:50:40
My dad bought 17 acres on North Main Street, where 75 N Main is now for Mr. Henry, Clayton Heinz and Mr. Heinsley, lived here in 00:50:48
Watkinsville and ran the local golf service station where Adobes is now. 00:50:55
That was in the mid 50s, my great uncle, Mr. Fred Ward, who built most of the homes in the Ivy Wood friendship community. 00:51:02
Built our new home at the time. It had some elements of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. 00:51:11
It had underground irrigation system feeding out of Cause Creek, so we got water and fertilizer free of charge. 00:51:17
It had an intercom system. It had a lottery shoot from the upstairs bedroom area down to the laundry room where you didn't have to 00:51:24
touch your laundry downstairs. You could stick it in the chute and it would go down. It was written up in Architectural Digest. If 00:51:29
Larry Weatherford was still here, he could tell you that it was the scene of a lot of social gatherings over the years, if you 00:51:35
will, for for Watkinsville. 00:51:40
My parents raised my two brothers and I. 00:51:47
There. And when my father passed away suddenly in 1980, that left my mother there and she continued to live. There is that was her 00:51:49
residence until she passed away in 2010. 00:51:56
Most of you know the history of the Whistier Ridge multifamily development and and and what's going on there. My oldest brother 00:52:03
and I had started developing that property in the mid around 2005. The Great Recession came along it it took the wind out of our 00:52:10
sails as well as the money out of our pocketbooks bus to continue that development and we mothballed it and it sat there 00:52:16
mothballed and the house sat there empty. 00:52:23
Until Chad Keller came along. 00:52:31
This request that you have in front of you to carve out that. 00:53:05
For someone that obviously has has deep feelings for it as we do and allow it to be remodeled and redeveloped into an asset. 00:53:09
For Watkins. 00:53:18
My I don't. I no longer own property in Watkinsville, nor to Northern. My brothers, we sort of all moved to the rural lower end of 00:53:19
the county. But we still have deep feelings for the for the city. And really, Mr. Mayor, want to want to thank you for what you 00:53:26
and council are doing to both move Watkinsville ahead, at the same time keeping a strong eye on the history. 00:53:33
Of our community here, and I to me, that's what this project really is all about, is looking back at history and yet looking 00:53:40
forward to what can be. 00:53:45
With an asset here. So with that, again, I appreciate y'all's consideration and any questions you have for me on the property's 00:53:50
history or anything, I'd be glad to try to answer those. Thank you. 00:53:55
Well, perfect. We'll have a seat right there just in case we have questions. But before we get to questions, is there anyone else 00:54:00
who wishes to speak in favor? 00:54:03
Of. 00:54:07
Application for change to the development. 00:54:08
Is there anyone who wishes to speak? 00:54:12
I see Steve looking around back there. We all, any anyone else? Neighbors? Y'all good with this. Give me a thumbs up or you can 00:54:14
speak OK? 00:54:18
Your friendship might be on the line here. 00:54:24
Throw her out? No. 00:54:28
I just want to say thanks for considering this too. 00:54:30
When we first moved in, we knew that there was Wisteria Ridge was coming sooner or later. We knew it was not completely off the 00:54:34
table. And of course we were a little apprehensive about this structure back there. What was going to happen to it certainly is a 00:54:40
house or a rental, you know that. 00:54:46
That would be acceptable. But then we heard some rumors that it might become a clubhouse. I'm thinking 150 people there, 2:00 in 00:54:52
the morning, you know, might not be the best thing in the world. So I mean, we just kind of are hanging out there and sort of as 00:54:57
an answer to prayer. Suzanne and Yoshi. 00:55:03
We're back in town at one time and took a look at it and asked a few questions. 00:55:09
If you knew all of the little, miraculous little things that have come about for we to be standing here tonight, you just you'd 00:55:13
probably just say I'll get on your knees if you believe God and just let it go. But anyway, we're very thankful. We hope. We love 00:55:19
this community. We've lived here. Now, what, three years in April? 00:55:25
Having moved over from high Shoals and. 00:55:33
We love being able to walk. We love being all over things and we think that would just be an awesome thing, to be able to look out 00:55:37
our back door and see this wonderful. 00:55:41
View back in the time a little bit. So we would be if you knew these people, you'd love them, you'll get to know them. But she is 00:55:45
a she is. 00:55:49
Disabled vet. 00:55:55
Yeah, you served in Gulf, first Gulf War, so you know she is what she is just a down to earth person which would fit in with a lot 00:55:57
of all the great. 00:56:02
Down to earth people that live in this community today, so thank you for hearing. 00:56:07
We hope to have Suzanne Yoshi as a. 00:56:12
All right. Thank you. 00:56:15
Anyone else wish to speak in? 00:56:17
Anyone here wish to speak against? 00:56:21
Sufficiently exceeding the requirements as it is right now, so peeling this piece off will not impact that at all. 00:56:54
Yeah, I mean as you all know, if you're familiar with the area, it's fully wooded. So there's there's plenty of trees. I mean 00:57:02
they're they're they're way over the, the site density plan for the for the entire area. So them carving this .55 out doesn't 00:57:08
affect either parcel. And I know they're planting a lot of new trees over there too as they move along. OK, Council questions for 00:57:14
the applicant for Mr. Pittman, Mr. Williams. 00:57:20
We have any questions? 00:57:27
All right. I don't hear any questions. So with that, I will look for a motion. 00:57:31
Regarding the amendment to the rezone and development agreement for CKTK Capital, LLC. 00:57:36
I make a motion to approve. 00:57:43
Do we have a second? Second, We have a second for Mr. Campbell. Any further discussion? 00:57:46
All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? 00:57:51
All right, Motion carries 5 O welcome. It's an exciting project. Yep. 00:57:55
We We really do we. 00:58:02
We don't have the inventory of historic homes that some of our neighbors have and so. 00:58:06
When one is, when one is, someone chooses to invest in one of those and renew it. That's a big moment for us. So thank you. 00:58:10
OK. 00:58:19
I think that is it for the public hearings tonight. 00:58:20
We will move on. 00:58:24
The appearances. We have a 10 minute time limit on those appearances and the first thing that we'll cover under appearances is the 00:58:27
budget request for independent agencies. 00:58:32
Starting with the Oconee County Fire Department, first Chief Thaxton. 00:58:38
And if I can remind everyone these are you're not voting on these tonight, this is just simply for information that independent 00:58:43
agencies often come forward to the Council prior to the budget process so that we can fold that into our process and give it full 00:58:48
consideration. 00:58:52
Chief Mayor, Council, I appreciate the opportunity to be here again with you this year. Before I start with the budget, I would 00:58:58
like to say that. 00:59:02
Your chief up at Station 1, Watkins. 00:59:07
Was honored the other night with 50 years of service. So if you get an opportunity to thank Mike. 00:59:11
For his 50 years of volunteer service and is it? Does Mike considered a gift that you're going to send him to New York or not 00:59:16
because. 00:59:20
It's one way trip. 00:59:25
I'm just kidding. I hope not. We need Mike Link around here. All right. You're right. Well deserved. Thank you all for doing that. 00:59:27
Great group of volunteers at Station 1, so appreciate the opportunity to present a budget and basically the budgets the same as 00:59:33
last year's 14,000 light items were tweaked a little bit but. 00:59:39
I'm just here to ask and thank you for the opportunity to consider the $14,000 for Station 1. 00:59:46
OK. Any questions for the Chief? Now the jaws of life expense, that's separate from this, right, that comes out of us. That was a 00:59:54
Sloss and that's a capital item. These are operating expenses and chief facts. And I don't know if you want to explain a little 01:00:00
bit how you're using those operating funds just so the council knows we'll put it in the line items when they see the budget. But 01:00:05
it might be worthwhile to share that just briefly we put travel in and travel is basically a trip to Indianapolis. 01:00:11
Fire truck and equipment. 01:00:17
Expo where we send 8 to 10 firefighters. 01:00:19
His travel expenses for that trip. 01:00:23
General supplies equipment that could be anything like turn out gear. 01:00:25
Pagers. 01:00:30
Repairs to. 01:00:32
And then meals is where? 01:00:34
They have Thursday night meals at station every week and so it just helps pay for those meals. 01:00:37
Great. 01:00:43
All right. Any questions for Chief Thaxt? 01:00:46
I'll echo what I said about our law enforcement officers earlier. We really do appreciate you guys and everything you do. 01:00:50
I don't think there's a better volunteer. Fire Department, America, Thank you. 01:00:57
Yeah. 01:01:03
All right. Next up, Wendy Cooper from Oh Calf. Wendy, great to have you to council meeting. Thank you for being here and looking 01:01:04
forward to hearing from you. 01:01:08
For having me, very pleased to be here to represent Okath as its Executive director. Can you all hear me OK? 01:01:18
So as you can see, as requested. 01:01:26
7500 for commissioning some murals for the city. 01:01:30
In strategic places as discussed with the mayor and also. 01:01:36
To Commission a sculpture for the empty sculpture pad near the railroad. 01:01:40
And any questions? This will cover the commissioning of the artist as well as any supplies. 01:01:45
And let me let me, I want to make sure we're correct. So I think the idea was that that it would be setting up 100 for either the 01:01:51
murals or for this, this, this sculpture to Commission so. 01:01:56
We hope to have both done for that price, but pricing murals these days, they're very expensive. So I will do some research. It 01:02:02
may be for one or the other or hopefully both. 01:02:07
If that works. 01:02:13
And Wendy or Sharon, could y'all update us? I know that it sounds like y'all had a conversation about how to allocate the funds we 01:02:15
used last year. If you could update council on that as well. Yes, I have been talking to Sharon about that and we have a 01:02:20
continuation of this art panel project. 01:02:25
And some maintenance of that. We have new art panels that need to be reinstalled and we need some muscle for that. So I thought 01:02:31
that would be a good way to allocate is to get those changed out and to have those funds go toward that. 01:02:38
The city providing. 01:02:45
The maintenance crew. 01:02:47
And then you know as well as you know if that if there's anything leftover from that to contribute that to the public art projects 01:02:50
that. 01:02:54
Have that we've shown interest in. 01:02:59
All right. That's great. Just stay in touch with Sharon on that because if there it does become a matter of using this year's 01:03:03
funds to go into next, you know, we need to figure out the timing, would probably be better to allocate it to the art panels if 01:03:08
possible, OK, right. And our staff should be able to help you install them. I know there were some uprights that might have like 01:03:13
the one out here got removed and maybe. 01:03:17
Not damn, maybe damage may not be able to be reused. I know the guys move some of them down to the shop but but we'll we'll 01:03:23
provide the labor. That's certainly not a problem but any any material you may need or the varnish or the paint whatever what we 01:03:28
can use that we can get you the money for that and you can go ahead and start using that. 01:03:34
Because as you know, they need there quite a few that need to be changed out. 01:03:41
Due to wear and tear from. 01:03:45
OK, comments, questions from council. 01:03:49
Yes. 01:03:51
Umm love oh calf. Great resource for our community. Thank you so much for being here and for. 01:03:53
Leading that leading again, what a great resource we have so. 01:03:59
By definition, by nature, art is a very subjective thing. 01:04:05
How do you plan to decide what the murals will be or what the sculpture will be? That's a great question. 01:04:10
I'm going to do and working with the mayor and Sharon very closely doing I think the best thing to do be a do a call for proposal 01:04:18
that we could review and approve. 01:04:23
And work with the artist to see. 01:04:29
If that suits, yeah, I think you. 01:04:32
Christine, that's likely to float back to your committee for a little bit of a broader perspective on downtown and economic 01:04:36
development. So you and Jeff will probably. 01:04:39
Eyeball, as part of that process what we're doing and if the rest of council wants to see those two, we can. 01:04:43
Share that out and y'all can weigh in. But again, art subjective gets tricky when you start evaluating art. But. 01:04:47
If we're going to invest in something permanent, I think we all understand we used to have the ones that moved around. If it's 01:04:53
going to be something permanent, I think we, you know, we certainly need the folks who are paying for it to weigh in on that. So 01:04:58
yes, I agree and you know when looking at other cities, you've done these kinds of projects really well. 01:05:03
You know, like City of Monroe has done real projects, Athens has done them and they. 01:05:09
Done In a way, I think that's pretty subjective and has a wide appeal, let's just put it that way. 01:05:15
Yeah, so we're definitely attuned. 01:05:21
I have a question on the mural and you just mentioned Monroe, which maybe answer part of my. So your thought is like Monroe is 01:05:24
painted, you know, welcome to Monroe, inside of buildings, inside, outside of a wall. Or is that what you're thinking as far as a 01:05:29
mural on the side of a building or wall or is it a mural on? 01:05:35
You know it could be depending on the building we've we've discussed two different locations and I think one would be appropriate 01:05:42
perhaps for a welcome, but I think that you know it could also be very pictorial as well and we would certainly ask for you know 01:05:47
the input. 01:05:52
Of the appropriate people and the council, if you want to be a part of it, yeah, I mean, I think the ones, Monroe are fantastic. I 01:05:58
was thinking about that. 01:06:01
Yeah, but I could also. I could be whatever we want. 01:06:06
There's the beautiful one in Athens on the Epiphany. 01:06:11
Shop. I think. I love that one. Yeah. So there. I Yeah, there. 01:06:15
If the location for welcome wasn't good, there's yeah, good options. Exactly and. 01:06:19
You know that the welcome one is very strategic where they've placed it too. So we would just have to to look and see what's 01:06:24
available. 01:06:27
We also have a new county administrative building right on the edge of town that, you know, we could probably have some big walls 01:06:32
on it, you know? 01:06:35
Paint one side. 01:06:41
I. 01:06:45
All right. Any other questions for Wendy? 01:06:48
Thanks for what you do and thanks for your leadership at OK. We appreciate it. 01:06:52
All right. 01:06:55
And you won't hurt our feelings if you want to scoot out of here, so. 01:06:57
All right. Next up we have we have 1414 Jerry Smith Dr. 15 properties. 01:07:01
I see Mr. Bishop here. I'm not sure who's representing him, but we'll kick off. I think it's an urban forest protection plan 01:07:09
situation, so. 01:07:12
Councilman Thomas, unless there's a staff report, we'll let you. We'll let you go. 01:07:16
Yes. So if you're familiar with that that property it's right in front of what is now motors on main. It is a currently a blank 01:07:20
slate of. 01:07:25
There are a few trees that you'll notice on the On that picture, the bottom, bottom, quarters while I'm edges so it's a blank 01:07:31
slate. So they are having to plant a multitude of trees. 01:07:36
But they according to their their presented application they they're well above the. 01:07:43
Fight density plan. They got water oaks pecans, bunch of bunch of water oats and begins that they're they're playing so it's a 01:07:53
good good property. We approve. We recommend that we approve. 01:08:00
This. 01:08:09
OK. All right, great. The water oak water oaks are old, right? They're not new ones. OK, perfect. Yep. Great. All right. 01:08:11
OK. 01:08:19
That's the recommendation from the Urban Forest board. Is there any other comments that we need at this point? 01:08:20
OK, Council, you've heard the recommendation. I'll entertain a. 01:08:25
Entertain a motion. 01:08:31
To approve the recommendation of the Urban Forest Board and accept the. 01:08:33
Urban forest protection. 01:08:37
I make a motion to approve it. 01:08:44
We have a motion. Do we have a second? 01:08:46
2nd we have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, say aye. 01:08:48
All opposed like sign carries. 01:08:52
All right, we are up to #16. That is 41 Barnet Shoals Rd. Tax parcel, W 07016 Henrietta Patterson and Lisa Patterson Culbertson 01:08:57
for a demolition permit. I believe Mr. Campbell is going to give us a report and then we will hear from the applicant, Mr. 01:09:04
Campbell. 01:09:10
Thank you, Mayor. So 41 Barnett Shoals Rd. if you're not familiar it is at the corner, it's on the northern side of Barnett Shoals 01:09:17
Rd. You can see in the picture there. So it's the corner of Barnett Shoals Rd. and Lawanna Dr. the house, it's a little bit 01:09:24
further back away from Barnett Shoals Rd. It is detached residential structure. It's zoned detached residential. The the acreage 01:09:31
is, is a little bit between it's point 65.68, it's less than 7/10 of an acre total. 01:09:38
On that there's some pictures of the structure as well, so that it would be a picture from the Barnett Shoals roadside. Again it's 01:09:45
not from Barnett Shoals Rd. specifically because the picture is taken closer to the structure. So that's what I would call the 01:09:51
southern side and then on the opposite side of that so, so if you think about facing back towards Barnett Shoals Rd. is the the 01:09:57
orientation of that picture where Lawanna Dr. would be on your right that is the northern side of the structure, maybe the the 01:10:03
rear of that existing residence. 01:10:09
I think we have one more. There you go. So that is the western side. That would be the a picture of the structure from the Lawanna 01:10:15
Dr. side of the house. 01:10:20
Be happy to answer any other questions you might have. 01:11:03
All right. I think at this point it probably makes sense to have Mrs. Culbertson or her attorney, Mr. Berryman, come forward. 01:11:08
And then we'll. 01:11:13
We can ask our questions of staff or the applicant. 01:11:15
Thank you. I'm Bill Berryman. I'm an attorney with Fortunately and Griffin here in Oconee County. And I'm here on behalf of Lisa 01:11:23
Culbertson, who's here with us tonight. 01:11:27
Lisa is a long time resident of city of Watkinsville. She moved here when she was 5. 01:11:33
She lives with her mother just around the corner on the Walmart drive, actually that her mother's front door looks out to the back 01:11:39
of this house. Lisa has been a legal assistant with Fortune, Bentley and Griffin since 1984. 01:11:45
She works with Mark Hodge and has worked with Mark that whole time. They started together that same year. 01:11:52
Her aunt gave this property to her in 2005 and reserved a life estate. 01:12:00
Durant then died in 2000. 01:12:05
Lisa and other family members have lived in this property intermittently during the time, but the property has the house has no 01:12:10
systems in it. It has never really been improved since it was built around. 01:12:17
1920. 01:12:25
It's a 1423 square foot. 01:12:26
And it really has not had any significant improvements. 01:12:30
Lisa's husband died in 2004, leaving her an 11 year old son. So due to the fact that she was a single mother, she's just not been 01:12:34
able to put any significant investment in this house. 01:12:40
To to keep it up, and admittedly it is not in good condition. 01:12:47
In May and July of last year, Mr. Cartilage notified her that the house was in violation of city ordinances and the International 01:12:53
Property Maintenance Code. 01:12:58
And she then made an effort to see what it would take to bring the property back into compliance and she has decided that she is 01:13:05
just not financially able to do that. 01:13:10
Some of the citations in the letter or to the International Property Maintenance Code, which? 01:13:17
The city, like most other governments in Georgia, has Adop. 01:13:23
And section 110.2 of the property maintenance code gives the owner. 01:13:27
The. 01:13:33
To either tear the house down or bring it into compliance. Even if it would, if it could be done at a reasonable basis, it is the 01:13:34
legal option of the property owner to make that determination whether to tear it down. 01:13:41
And due to the cost. 01:13:48
Demolition project, I mean, I'm sorry, renovation project, she's elected to exercise that right and to demol. 01:13:50
So I believe based on the County South Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, she's entitled to a demolition permit. 01:14:01
Now before and when we file this application. We spoke with Mr. Whiteman, Miss Dickerson, and they asked us to get an estimate for 01:14:08
the cost to bring this property back up to code and the purpose was to see if the cost of repairs is reasonable in relation to the 01:14:14
present value of the structure. 01:14:21
And I furnished Mr. Reitman with a copy of an estimate from Clack Construction in Winder, and that's a registered general 01:14:28
contractor. 01:14:32
And they have an estimate for 345,000 to repair this structure and bring it back up to code. 01:14:38
Now that figure might seem high at. 01:14:44
But consider there's no usable plumbing, electrical, heating, and. 01:14:47
There's asbestos and there's significant structural problems. In several of these photos you can look at the foundation and see 01:14:52
that it's crumbling. And if you look at the renovation, it requires that the house is going to be jacked up. Structural repairs 01:14:58
are done and then completely gutted from the inside out. 01:15:04
And also from my personal experience in dealing with clients and personally and looking for. 01:15:13
First trying to find contractors in this market who are willing to make estimates and then those contractors who do make 01:15:18
renovation estimates. This really is not out of line. 01:15:23
I've looked at the tax assessors valuations for several similarly sized homes in the immediate area to look at how the tax 01:15:29
assessor is valuing. 01:15:34
These properties So if you look at 53 Luanna Dr. which is just down the wanna drive from this property, it's a 1300 square foot 01:15:39
house and it has a building value of $95,436. 01:15:46
51 Lawanna Dr. which is also just across the street from this property, has 1300 square feet with the building value of 108,996. 01:15:54
So clearly the cost of replacing and renovating this structure is not reasonable compared to its present value. 01:16:05
Even if you cut that estimate. 01:16:13
Say 172,000, it would still be far above. 01:16:15
The value of houses within a stone's throw of this. 01:16:20
And as I've said before, Lisa is just not in a position. 01:16:25
To take on the financial burden of renovating this house, she wants to have it demolished. This is not for speculation. She wants 01:16:29
to to retain that property, her son. She would love to have her son build a house on that property. 01:16:36
Grandmother's across the street, Lisa's across the street. The sun could be there and it would remain in the family, as it has for 01:16:45
decades. So this is not a speculative venture that she's going through. So we respectfully request that you approve this 01:16:51
demolition permit. 01:16:56
And if you don't, if you're not in a position to approve it tonight and feel that the structure should be retained. 01:17:04
And not Tor. 01:17:11
I ask you that you table this. 01:17:13
And let us enter into discuss. 01:17:16
Number one, so that we can understand what the. 01:17:19
For retaining this property would be under the current codes. And 2nd, just to be able to provide you with our response to that 01:17:22
and assert any constitutional and property rights that Lisa may have as a result of having to construct a property that she really 01:17:29
doesn't feel like she's financially able to do. 01:17:35
We welcome further in person discussions with the mayor, with council members. We welcome a site visit, go through the house and 01:17:43
look at it with us. We think that will be important to our discussion. 01:17:49
That's where. 01:17:56
And I'm happy to answer any. 01:17:57
All right. 01:18:01
Thank you, Mr. Berryman. I'm sure we will have questions on this one, so. 01:18:03
But I think that was very well reasoned response. And Miss Culberson, I don't I. 01:18:08
I don't probably fair to say I don't envy the situation that you're in having to deal deal with this home I get. I understand the 01:18:14
challenges Mr. Berryman is presented so well so council. 01:18:18
If you have some questions for the applicant, feel free to ask. 01:18:22
I see y'all smile at each other. Somebody ask a question or make a suggestion. 01:18:32
I, of course, would would love to see the house saved, I understand. 01:18:39
The situation you want to keep the property. The property has you know. 01:18:44
Personal value, I guess. 01:18:49
I totally respect that, but I would hate to see. 01:18:51
Historic. 01:18:56
And you can see the charm that it had in its. 01:18:58
I would like. I would really like to ex. 01:19:02
Everything we could to save the house if the only option is. 01:19:06
Selling it? 01:19:12
You know, I personally would love to say the house. We've had two examples tonight, Mr. Weatherford. 01:19:14
Saving his house, so I had the opportunity to live in Watkinsville and then. 01:19:20
Casa Hara. He wants to save that 1950s. 01:19:26
I just. 01:19:31
I would love to see us. See you. I guess I. 01:19:33
Further investigate the opportunity someone if it if something y'all's family can't. 01:19:37
Fix up. 01:19:43
Restore. 01:19:45
Maybe give someone else the opportunity to, because I feel like it could be a shining example of another resurrection in 01:19:46
Watkinsville. 01:19:50
But I totally understand. I respect where you're. 01:19:54
But I I personally would love to see the. 01:19:58
See what we could do to save. 01:20:01
And I'm an agreement and. 01:20:03
Right down the road, I'm your neighbor. I walk my dog by your house, this house and the one on Moana. 01:20:07
Daily and. 01:20:14
I have door env. 01:20:17
Of the front door of that house, I will just tell you that I love historic homes. I too would love to see a way to. 01:20:18
Make this a win. Win I. 01:20:26
Understand your position. 01:20:28
Wanting to have a place that your son can live near you. 01:20:31
And I respect that deep. 01:20:37
Having restored several older homes. 01:20:44
Even in this current market. 01:20:48
I think that there are ways to do it in a much more affordable manner than what was quoted by the company and Winder. And I also 01:20:51
would just say I mean professionally, I'm a realtor. 01:20:57
And so I'm I am familiar with this market and. 01:21:03
The the tax values are not really a fair assessment of what properties are at all worth. I mean for example. 01:21:09
The corner of Wilson and Jeremy. 01:21:21
Three years. 01:21:24
1100 square foot home sold for 275 and property values have gone up 15 to 20% pretty much over the last few years. 01:21:25
And this is a historic home with character still there. Like I said, I have door envy. I would love to get inside the house and 01:21:36
see what it's like. I know that. 01:21:40
Sometimes the outside can look prettier than the inside or vice versa, and so thank you for mentioning that as a possibility. I 01:21:47
think that would be an excellent idea, but I. 01:21:52
I mean I have had multiple people. 01:21:59
I would let me just say this is not about me in business in any way. I'm totally recusing, but I just know I've had multiple 01:22:02
people just asked me is this for sale, is this for sales or is this for sale? It is, it is a not to tear it down but to fix it up 01:22:08
and and make it yet again a jewel in Watkinsville, so. 01:22:14
I'll I'll just continue to add to it. You know, I know there's multiple people in in the city of Watkinsville that would love to 01:22:23
have this home. 01:22:26
So if if you know if you would be willing to part with the home not on its current location, there are multiple people in the in 01:22:30
this town that would love to restore that home to its its former state. 01:22:38
And so it could be a win, win for you, you know, somebody else take. 01:22:46
From your property and then you don't have and then we don't have to destroy the home as well. 01:22:51
Any other comments? 01:22:58
So my suggestion would be that we do, upon the advice of Mr. Berryman, table this. What I'd like to suggest is that. 01:23:04
Our Downtown and Economic Development Committee, which is Councilwoman Tucker and Councilman Campbell. 01:23:12
Communicate with you, With you, Mr. Culbertson. Set up a time to meet. I'll join if I'm available as well. If that's legal, Joe 01:23:18
will have to advise. 01:23:22
Yep. And you know, and and let's let's continue the conversation I think wherever we wind up as I said earlier about the other 01:23:28
home. 01:23:32
I didn't say that thinking about this home, but you know, we just don't have the number of historic homes that communities like 01:23:37
Madison and communities like Athens do, and everyone is somewhat precious to us. 01:23:42
As a collective community, so I'd like to have the opportunity to continue that conversation for another month, so if councils 01:23:48
will and I'd entertain a motion to table. 01:23:51
To table this until. 01:23:56
April, I think we do need to move with with some diligence here. So it's not just open-ended. So I'd entertain a motion to table 01:23:58
until April. 01:24:02
The the demolition permit request, I make a motion to table until April. 01:24:07
All right, we have a motion. We have. 01:24:13
Any further discussion all in favor, say aye. 01:24:14
Any opposed? 01:24:18
All right, Motion carries 50. Bill, should we just be in touch with you? 01:24:19
OK, perfect. We'll do that. Thank you. Yeah, Y'all move right down the road. OK. That's our final note. That's our final 01:24:24
appearance of the night. We do have a couple new business items. We've got an amendment to the alcoholic beverages ordinance by 01:24:30
the drink regulations and delivery of alcohol manager Dickerson, if you could offer a report. 01:24:36
Thank you. 01:24:44
So there's there are some housekeeping items that need to happen when we codified the code. 01:24:46
For. 01:24:52
The plan was to. 01:24:54
Fee schedules or fees in the code so that they could be changed with A1 vote on a fee schedule, inadvertently did that on some of 01:24:56
this. So we're going back and cleaning that up. So there's several. 01:25:01
Places in the code in this in this ordinance where we have to do. 01:25:07
We also under advisement of Mr. Marchman and Julie, what is Mr. Marksman's position? He's a he does training right. He does the 01:25:11
alcohol training. He's certified through the state right. So he does that for the for the county here. He may do several counties 01:25:16
around us, but for definitely for Oconee County county and he recommended. 01:25:22
Updating our code to require that alcohol training classes be be done within 45 days instead of six months, so we're making that 01:25:29
recommendation in the code to change that. 01:25:34
Again, fees. We also, although Julie remembers it clearly, as does the mayor. I was not here, we did not have. 01:25:40
Time, hours of operation when alcohol could be served until a time and a time it could be served till and and so we were putting 01:25:48
11:00 at night on in the code because it wasn't listed even though it was intended to be listed. I do want to point out that Julie 01:25:55
did receive an e-mail. The clerk received an e-mail today from Michael Collins with Classic City Eats. Julie, do you want to read 01:26:02
that e-mail to everybody just so we can share it? Make make sure that they're aware while we're on this subject. 01:26:09
He just says as following up on our conversation, can you please ask the board to consider revising the hours of operation for on 01:26:17
premise cells to midnight or just before midnight? 01:26:23
Prime time sporting events generally run later than 11:00 PM but are over by midnight so the extra hour would definitely help 01:26:29
business during these events and on special holidays or other annual events non sports related such as anniversaries and birthday 01:26:36
parties and things. A cut off at or near midnight would still deter late night establishments that run into early morning hours 01:26:42
but would support restaurant and family friendly sports bars. 01:26:49
He also added regarding training, his concerns with the requirements to train the entire staff on a specific itinerary would be 01:26:56
the availability of the training and being tied into a single source of the training from an availability and cost standpoint. He 01:27:04
was asking if there's an an online option if that that would be ideal to help alleviate those concerns, cost and timing or a train 01:27:11
the trainer type of training where Staffs would be trained internally. 01:27:19
And I don't think that putting in the code that the training has to be done within 45 days instead of six months really. I don't 01:27:30
think we'll get into how it's going to be provided. We'll look at online options. I think that's certainly within our purview to 01:27:35
do and we'll investigate that. But I don't think we have to do that in the code per SE. So if you don't mind, I also wanted to 01:27:41
know that that is for the 45 days is for new hires. 01:27:46
As far as new applicants or renewals, Mr. Marchman suggested that we asked for that before we even issue the license. So and I 01:27:52
think we included that wording in there as well. 01:27:58
So we'll, we'll continue on a couple other items. So this is actually a result of of COVID delivery of alcohol. We imagine that 01:28:06
it's probably going on right now even though it's not in our code. And so we're trying to legitimize it by putting it in the code 01:28:12
because it is allowed. 01:28:18
You do have to pass an ordinance so it is restricted to deliveries. Restricted to only those that are 21 years of age or older 01:28:25
have to be employed directly by the restaurant licensee. 01:28:31
Not a third party, so not a Grubhub or Ubereats or any of those and and then obviously just in accordance with any other aspects 01:28:36
of the official Code of Georgia. 01:28:42
The other piece of it is at the bottom, and this does not require. This piece is actually not require. 01:28:48
An ordinance, but it does. 01:28:55
It does complicate things so the a restaurant licensee can actually currently sell 2 drinks for every entree to. 01:28:58
Senate Bill 236 was signed by Governor Kemp, which allows beer, wine or distilled spirits for consumption on the premises. To to 01:29:08
be to, I'm sorry, to be sold and to go and approve containers, they have to be closed containers. 01:29:15
It doesn't require an ordinance, but our current ordinance actually said that you can't do it. So we're trying to clean it up by 01:29:23
putting in there that it could be done if you're if it's sold by a restaurant licensee. 01:29:29
So that we don't have a conflict. 01:29:35
And then the final thing is again, 21 years. 01:29:39
For those dispensing, serving or handling alcohol beverages. 01:29:44
All right, Council, Y'all heard the updates to the code in the way of background. I will say we've always been cautious and 01:29:51
incremental as it relates to alcohol policies in Watkinsville, which I think has been wise over the years. 01:29:57
You know, so there are some things in here that I'm sure our restaurants would wish we would be a little bit more liberal on, but 01:30:03
I think it's prudent to be cautious, for example, I appreciate. 01:30:09
The gentleman from Classic City. It's wanting to have alcohol till 12, but I don't think last call at 11:00 is unreasonable in any 01:30:14
way. 01:30:17
Because you're off site. So anyway, that's that's my take on it. You all are welcome to take what actions you see fit or recommend 01:31:00
changes, but this is what staff is presented. 01:31:05
Oh, I agree that there, I mean you can have last call at 11 doesn't mean you have to shut the doors. I mean if you're shutting the 01:31:10
doors at 12, you don't need last call at 12, so. 01:31:15
Yeah, I think this makes a lot of sense. 01:31:19
All right. Any further commentary? If not, we'll take a motion. 01:31:25
I make a motion. 01:31:32
To approve the ordinance amendments to Alcoholic beverage Ordinance by the Drink Regulations Delivery of alcohol. 01:31:35
2nd Right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, Aye. 01:31:43
Councilwoman Massey oppos. 01:31:53
Next item is approve and appropriate some of the special spots three funds for master plan improvements at Harris Hills Park. 01:31:56
Councilwoman Tucker, I believe you're going to give. 01:32:00
An update Is the Chair of the Parks, Green Space and Environment Committee? Yes, so. 01:32:05
I'm not going through all this history, OK? 01:32:13
Going through all that, let's not go through everything. 01:32:17
Can I just give an update on what what we're doing? 01:32:21
Yes, OK, so we have had some movement and some ideas with the old playground. 01:32:24
I had no idea when I became the chair of this committee, how many opinions and passions there are involved about Harris Shoals 01:32:32
Park. So. 01:32:35
We have a plan tentative to retain. 01:32:40
A few portions of the existing playground. They won't be a playground anymore. There'll be more of an observation area. Keep some 01:32:46
of the bridges. Lawrence Duke, who was the original designer of the playground, has been instrumental in coming up with a way to 01:32:51
repurpose it. 01:32:56
So. 01:33:02
Probably 2/3 of it will be demoed and then we are going to try to preserve some of the wood even as it's demoed to see if we can 01:33:03
repurpose it to make. 01:33:10
The remaining portions safer, so we are currently. 01:33:16
Working with members of the community, trying to get some volunteer efforts. Connie talked to the Lions Club and we think there 01:33:21
are some people there that can help. I spoke with Rotary this week and they may have a little bit of help with that. We're also 01:33:28
going to reach out to Boy Scouts and then we have staff that will be able to do that as well. We still have in the works of the 01:33:34
rest of the plan. I am trying to get an appointment with OCAF Director. We've both been busy and been been missing because we want 01:33:41
to. 01:33:47
Have the art land of Georgia be part of it as well as far as natural things. So more on that once I've talked to her to see what 01:33:54
the practicalities are. But. 01:33:59
The last portion of that old playground that will no longer be a playground is we are looking at doing a large topo map. 01:34:05
Of Harris Hills Park, where some of the demo part is going away. So again, the emphasis from all the feedback we got during the 01:34:15
Harrah's Park. 01:34:19
Restoration process was that. 01:34:25
People want it to be natural and about nature and so we are respecting that and that is. 01:34:29
What we are looking to do while still preserving the history, umm. 01:34:34
That people have. So in order to do that we are requesting, Oh yes, yes, and Lawrence put that together. 01:34:39
So thank you too. So these are the portions that are going to remain and Lawrence built this. Lawrence has put so much time into 01:34:48
this. He is a jewel in our community, so. 01:34:54
There will be. Obviously this is not complete. We aren't. We're not planning on having a death fall in the old playground, so a 01:35:05
few more of the bridges will be and then obviously they will have slats and things. So you know, small children can't just walk 01:35:13
straight out as they can at the moment, so it will be brought up to safety codes. 01:35:20
Thank you so much for getting that. 01:35:29
So we are requesting. 01:35:31
How much money are we requesting? 01:35:35
What, 100,000? Oh, we're asking for $100,000. 01:35:37
In order to complete this part and. 01:35:45
Also, that will include doing some upgrades to the bathroom right now, which that we definitely need to do. So staff has been 01:35:50
working hard on on getting quotes and things together for that. 01:35:57
And also professional engineering services removing waste generated from improvements and temporary construction signage so and 01:36:05
also paving the plan parking facilities which is those are more at the front of the park. So so and just make it clear, so this is 01:36:12
sort of start money we we are hopeful that it will be sufficient but you may recall that you did have a placeholder for about 3 01:36:19
and a half $350,000. 01:36:26
In Sloss 3, but I think you. 01:36:34
We've got a few things that we can do ourselves that we're going to be doing, perhaps even with volunteers to try to save some 01:36:37
money. So we'll start moving through this, but if Y'all can approve an allocation of 100,000, we can earmark that money and get 01:36:42
the work underway. 01:36:47
And then Sharon does have a bid for some of the paving, but we're going to go out and get multiple bids on the paving contract to 01:36:53
make sure that we get the lowest price and get that moving. And that'll give us an opportunity to get some signs up and make sure 01:36:58
the public understands, hey works beginning. 01:37:02
Timing is really good. 01:37:07
The the new playground comes online. That's what we said all along. We want to get that online and then we want to get going with 01:37:09
some energy. 01:37:12
In hair Shoals and but we are going to need to communicate with people. Some things are going to change. Basketball court will go 01:37:15
away. The playground will begin being the old playground will be reimagined into something different. Thanks to Christine and 01:37:21
Brett for your conversation with Rotary on the BBQ pit. So there's a lot that'll have that they'll begin to happen. 01:37:27
And we want to be sure that the public understands what's happening because we know it's a jewel down there. So I'd like to get if 01:37:33
I can this isn't the the update on the BBQ pit especially with Chuck in the room he is one of the the the trucks just kept coming 01:37:40
on Tuesday morning when when I was meeting with the the Rotary members with the say in this. And so I think we have come up with a 01:37:47
happy medium. So the this is not any we will be asking for more money just know that this this is nothing to do with the BBQ pits 01:37:54
but. 01:38:00
The current. 01:38:07
Plan is to remove the pits where they are because that is the prettiest view in the park, to have picnic tables and benches and 01:38:08
stuff there instead. And then because it is essential for people doing BBQ to have access to the kitchen, instead create a 01:38:14
structure, a similar structure. 01:38:20
At the back end. So there's still access, but it's out of the way. And so that will be a partnership with Rotary. And so we're 01:38:26
they're working on quotes right now and maybe even by next month we'll be able to come before council with. 01:38:33
Ask for money. 01:38:40
So and I think you know technically what we're looking for here is 100,000 for hair Shoals in this 2400 we've talked before about 01:38:42
we've got, you know we have this horrifying mishmash of wires in the concession stand at Rocket Field. So this will also we'll go 01:38:46
ahead and get that tuned up. 01:38:51
At Rocket Field. So I think we're looking for 100. 01:38:56
$1400 if we could get a motion to that effect unless there's any questions for Councilwoman Tucker. 01:39:00
I'll make a motion that we approve $102,400.00 for the Hair Shoals master plan improvements. 01:39:09
And rocket. 01:39:19
All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second? 01:39:20
We have a second for Mr. Garrett. Any further discussions? 01:39:23
All right here. None. All in favor, say. 01:39:26
Any opposed? All right. Christine, thank you. And Connie, thank you for your work. I know that is that is hard work on the park 01:39:29
and as Christine said, everyone has is passionate about what's happening in the park. 01:39:35
But I think every, not everyone. I think 99% of people are going to be pleased when we're done. We know we can't make everybody 01:39:40
happy all the time. Chuck, thank you for leaning into that. For Rotary too as well. We appreciate Rotary's. 01:39:45
All right, we're almost done here, folks, at least for those of you who are joining us before we hit executive session amendments 01:39:51
to the urban forest plan manager, Dickerson. 01:39:56
Short and sweet here? Sure. Yeah. So the easy one is the second one. I'll do that first. We just simply had 4 1/2 inches instead 01:40:01
of 4 1/2 feet for the DBH. It's just a housekeeping item. The other item that we're asking to add and and perhaps Councilman 01:40:07
Thomas, I want to speak to their conversation is. 01:40:14
We have a lot of. 01:40:21
Built. We have a fair number of buildings that are existing and then they add square footage. And our concern is, is obviously 01:40:23
storm water issues and urban forest issues and the urban forest didn't address, it wasn't addressed at all, but stormwater is. And 01:40:29
so we're trying to tie those together with the same threshold that stormwater has, which is 5000 square feet. So anytime there's a 01:40:34
cumulative impervious surface of 5000 square feet or more than they're going to require an urban forest plan. And that's simply 01:40:40
what we're asking. 01:40:46
I think she covered. 01:40:54
All. 01:40:55
Council, any questions? 01:40:57
Hearing none, I'll take a motion. 01:40:59
I make a motion for the amendments to the. 01:41:03
To approve the amendments to the Urban Forest Protection Plan. 01:41:06
Do we have? 01:41:10
I. 01:41:12
All right. We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed? No. All right. Item number 20, the new item 01:41:13
that we added, Christmas lights. Sharon, I know we don't have an item on this, but I think the estimate was $9000. If we waited 01:41:18
till next year, we anticipate a 15,000. 01:41:24
Reduction 15%, excuse me, reduction, if we go ahead with that purchase now, is that correct? Yeah, it's, I think it's a little bit 01:41:30
more than that. It's you may have done the math already, I was trying to figure it out. 01:41:35
It's actually about a 24% reduction. 01:41:41
If we do it before the end of this month so we can save $2015.00 on a on a $9000 purchase. If we move forward on purchasing those 01:41:45
additional Christmas lights, would your recommendation manager Dickerson, Would that come out of ARP or fund balance? 01:41:51
It can come out of ARP. I think it it's a it's. 01:41:59
The council has the authority, under the guidelines, U.S. Treasury guidelines, to spend that money for any government services. 01:42:02
It's a government service and it'll just be a line item in our report to the US Treasury. So I would use ARP money. We've got 01:42:08
$142,000 in ARP that has not been appropriated. OK, you've heard the recommendation to staff unless someone has. 01:42:14
Another idea, I'll accept a motion to approve purchase. 01:42:21
Holiday lights. 01:42:25
At Let's just authorize up to $7000 in case we need it from ARP funds. 01:42:27
I'd like to request that we purchase up to our allocate up to $7000 for the purchase of Christmas lights out of ARP funds. 01:42:35
All right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? 01:42:46
All in favor. 01:42:49
Motion carries. 01:42:52
Public comments Anyone care to come forward with the public comment tonight? 01:42:54
We did get slim. We started started hot and and gotten a little cold. 01:43:00
All right, we have no public comments. We will move on to the mayor. 01:43:04
Do want to proud to share that we have our first CEO from Wire Park. 01:43:09
So excited that the first business is open and active there that's custom. 01:43:14
Solutions LL. 01:43:19
So we're excited to continue to see progress at. 01:43:21
We also continue to see progress next door. There's lights up now at the Miracle Week field. There's trees beginning to be 01:43:25
planted. There's a crew out there kind of raking out around the playground today, so I'd imagine they're getting ready to put the. 01:43:31
Surface down South work. 01:43:37
Proceeding at the Miracle League facility, which is great, I attended and, as did Councilwoman Tucker, the state of the county 01:43:40
today. 01:43:44
John, we're proud. Proud to be your partners, proud to live in this community. Y'all do a great job and I thought that was a great 01:43:49
session today. And kudos to you guys for proactively getting out and communicating with the public all the good things that y'all 01:43:54
do. So thank you, thank you for that and good job today. 01:43:59
And then the last thing, I don't think he's here. I think we've lost. 01:44:05
Law enforcement team. But I did want to highlight for all, y'all, if you have a chance to wish him well, Officer CJ Biddinger is 01:44:08
going to get married. 01:44:12
This weekend. 01:44:15
So. And if you don't follow him on social media, then you wouldn't know. But if you do, you certainly would. He's very excited 01:44:18
about starting the rest of his life with Bailey. 01:44:22
So if you have an opportunity, wish CJ well as he starts a new phase of life. 01:44:28
They'll be married Saturday afternoon in Oglethorpe County, so we're proud of CJ and proud of all of our officers, but we'll be 01:44:34
especially happy for him this weekend. 01:44:37
From there on, that's all I've got and we will move to council member, reports Councilman Garrett, what you got? 01:44:42
Nothing from Councilman Garrett, Councilwoman. 01:44:50
Nothing from Councilwoman Massey, Councilman. 01:44:54
Wow. We've all right. Is anybody going to break the streak? Councilwoman Tucker? 01:44:57
We're going to Madison on Monday as. 01:45:10
Is that still Monica Callahan there? 01:45:21
Great. 01:45:26
OK. All right. Great. OK. 01:45:28
All right. We'll keep up the good work. I'm going to Savannah for the. 01:45:31
The June. 01:45:37
OK. 01:45:40
Had vacation scheduled from the last day that class would start. 01:45:43
Downtown Development Authority. 01:45:49
So that's part of what their committees evaluating is DDA potentially making making whether that might make sense? 01:45:52
I did it online. 01:45:59
All right. 01:46:02
Awesome. So we're expecting to hear more from your committee in the months ahead. Thank you all for your work as you think about 01:46:03
master planning and and how to strengthen our downtown. 01:46:07
And I think that's it. Unless anybody else has has anything, we're going to have to have a brief executive session on on real 01:46:14
estate and potential litigation. So I'll entertain a motion to go into that before and and then we'll we'll take the briefest of 01:46:20
recesses and say goodbye to our guests and then we'll jump into that. So I'll entertain a motion. 01:46:27
To move into executive session for real estate and potential litigation, please I make a motion to move to executive session. 01:46:34
2nd And we have a second. All in favor? Say aye. All right, back to our seats in about 3 minutes. 01:46:41
All right. Welcome back, everybody. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. 01:46:54
I make a motion to adjourn. 01:46:58
We have a second all in favor, say. 01:47:00
Good night. 01:47:03