CITY OF MORROW, GEORGIA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 24, 2004
PRESENT AT MEETING: ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Millirons, Mayor John J. Lampl, II, City Manager
Thomas J. LaPorte, Mayor Pro Tem
C. R. Huie, Councilman
Virlyn Slaton, Councilman
Charles O. Sorrow, Councilman
Mayor Jim Millirons called the regular meeting of the Morrow City Council to order at 7:32 p.m. The meeting took place in the Council Chambers of the Morrow Municipal Complex, 1500 Morrow Road, Morrow, Georgia 30260.
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Councilman Sorrow gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session - August 10, 2004
Regular Meeting - August 10, 2004
Councilman Slaton made the motion to approve the minutes as written,
seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Item 1: First Public Hearing for the proposed tax increase for calendar
year 2004, by establishing the gross millage for maintenance and
operation at Nine (9) mils, less the rollback of Five (5) mils for Local
Option Sales Tax, leaving a net millage for maintenance and
operation purposes set at Four (4) mils.
There being no comments, the Mayor proceeded with the meeting.
(The second Public Hearing will be August 31 at 7:30 and September 14 at
6:30)
PRESENTATIONS:
Item 1: Presentation by Tourism Director Lisa Sewell to Mike Vigil in
appreciation of Southlake Ford’s sponsorship of Summerfest on the
Green
Mr. Vigil had a last minute emergency and was unable to attend the
meeting. This item will be placed on the next agenda of September 14.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1: PowerPoint Presentation by Grants Administrator Sylvia Redic:
Morrow’s Pathway Design, Consultant Finalists
Earlier this year an award of $625,000 was received from the Transportation Enhancement Grant Program through the Georgia Department of Transportation to construct phase one of a path system (linear parks) through the City. Nine Request for Qualifications responses were received, of which three finalist were selected: Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Arcadis, and Transportation Systems Design. Each firm was interviewed by City Manager John Lampl, Public Works Director Jeff Eady, and Grants Administrator Sylvia Redic. This panel recommended Jordan, Jones & Goulding to the Mayor and Council.
Councilman Huie made a motion to accept the recommendation, seconded by Councilman Sorrow. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Item 2: First Reading of and Ordinance pertaining to the proposed gross
millage for calendar year 2004, for maintenance and operation
to be set at Nine (9) mils, less the roll back of Five (5) mils for Local
Option Sales Tax, leaving a net millage for maintenance and
operation purposes to be set at Four (4) mils.
No further action is required at this time. The second reading is planned for September 14, 2004.
Item 3: Petition for Rezoning of tract or parcel of land consisting of 6.89
acres contiguous to the north-easterly right-of-way of
Adamson Parkway from Mixed Use (the property was formerly
classified as Office Institutional) to RS-30 (Fee - Simple Town
houses). Thomas J. Pugh, Petitioner
The presentation requesting rezoning of the 6.89 acres for 53 town homes was given by Hal Adams. When his presentation was completed, Mayor Millirons asked for comments from the audience.
Robert Jones of Argonne Drive asked Mr. Adams what he would do if the town homes did not sell. Mr. Adams said they would continue marketing until they did sell.
Wayne Knight of Argonne Drive rhetorically questioned where the water would go after the additional asphalt. He also expressed concern for the lower price of the town homes.
Mayor Millirons explained the current water management systems would alleviate the water problems Mr. Knight spoke about. He also said the Planning and Zoning Board recommended denial of the application.
Councilman Huie asked Mr. Adams about the plan showing a “proposed” detention area, pavement being shown in the buffer area, and if he had talked to the Baptist Church about the cemetery.
Councilman Huie and the Mayor pointed out the two recently built subdivisions in the city have homes starting at $180,000 to well over $200,000.
Mr. Adams said his John Wieland type town homes would start at $140,000, and the upgrades on the interior would cause the increase in price. He does not have a builder as yet, and he also needs to consult with an engineer about the detention area.
Councilman LaPorte expressed concern with the plans showing single-car garages, about the park area having basketball goals, and the Belfort Hills buffer area, and the opening of the dead-end of Argonne Drive. Mr. Adams answered that they may need to reduce the number of homes to accommodate the double garages, he has no plans for basketball goals, he still needs to consult an engineer about the pathway, and he has no intention of extending Argonne Drive.
Councilman Sorrow made a motion that the request be denied, seconded by Councilman Huie. The vote was three to deny and Councilman Slaton abstaining.
Item 4: Update on the progress of the Governor’s Office of Highway
Safety Grant
Mr. Lampl gave the update required of the City at every council meeting informing the public of the grant’s progress.
Item 5: To declare a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria (VIN 2FACP71WOPX179078)
as surplus property and authorize Police Chief Charlie Sewell or his
designated representative to dispose of the property in keeping with
applicable laws
Councilman LaPorte made a motion to approve the declaration, seconded by Councilman Huie. The vote to approve was unanimous.
COMMENTS:
Citizens - None
City Manager - None
Mayor and Council-
Councilman LaPorte reported a very good turnout for the fourth annual Tar and Turf race which is a fundraiser for our D.A.R.E. program. He also thanked Jim Duckworth, Danny Rudd, and the rest of the C.E.R.T. members who volunteered their help.
Mayor Millirons welcomed former Vice President of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce Grant Wainscott as the new Economic Developer for the City.
The council meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm
_______________________________________________
JIM MILLIRONS, MAYOR
_______________________________________________
THOMAS J. LaPORTE, MAYOR PRO TEM
_______________________________________________
C. R. HUIE, COUNCILMAN
_______________________________________________
VIRLYN SLATON, COUNCILMAN
________________________________________________
CHARLES O. SORROW, COUNCILMAN
ATTEST:
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Renee Abernathy, City Clerk