CITY OF MORROW, GEORGIA
Regular Council Meeting
October 24, 2006
PRESENT AT MEETING: ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Millirons, Mayor John Lampl, City Manager
C. R. Huie, Mayor Pro Tem
Thomas J. LaPorte, Councilman
Charles O. Sorrow, Councilman
Virlyn Slaton, Councilman: Excused Absence
Mayor Jim Millirons called the regular meeting of the Morrow City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting took place in the Council Chambers of the Morrow Municipal Complex, 1500 Morrow Road, Morrow, GA, 30260. Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Councilman Sorrow gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session – October 10, 2006
Regular Meeting – October 10, 2006
Councilman Sorrow made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING:
It is the intention of the City of Morrow to annex property at certain addresses on Argonne Drive, Pershing Way, Pinecrest Drive, Lake Harbin Road, Meadowbrook Lane, and Pleasant Valley Drive pursuant to Chapter 36 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The proposed zoning classification of the property upon annexation is RS-80. The current Clayton County zoning is RS-110.
City Manager- City Manager John Lampl noted this was the second public hearing for the annexation based on the concerns of the time frame. In light of these concerns, letters were re-sent to all proposed annexation residents, to give notice of the new date, time, and location for the public hearing, giving all interested parties a chance to be heard. Additionally, it was republished in the newspaper, advertised on a sign in front of City Hall, and the survey for the proposal was resubmitted to Clayton County. Mr. Lampl noted a few things had changed and addressed them. The first was property sales. It was stated that the City had not built new housing in almost thirty years and with some of the zoning changes that had gone through, the City of Morrow has driven the housing value up. Around Lake Harbin Woods and the area around Maddox, you could buy a house in 1998 for around sixty-five to seventy thousand dollars. Significant changes have been seen, some of which are driven by appraisals, and ultimately the sales and resales of the properties, and those adjacent to them. Mr. Lampl gave examples of some subdivisions with re-sale values ranging from one hundred ninety five thousand to three hundred and thirteen thousand.
The second change addressed was in reference to the new ISO classification of the Morrow Fire Department. Mr. Lampl proudly stated the City could not only compete with anyone but that we were also very good at what we did. Recently, the Morrow Fire Department recieved an ISO rating of 3, the same rating that Clayton County holds. ISO ratings are based on response times, equipment on hand, staffing, professionalism, costs, communication and a number of other parameters. It was a distinction that was earned. You will save the 3.9 mil fire district tax that you pay in unincorporated Clayton County.
City Manager Lampl opened the floor for comments related to the annexation.
The Mayor encouraged all those with comments to come and speak into the microphone to ensure clarity for everyone in the room. The Mayor asked for each individual to limit their comments to three minutes and that individuals not repeat the same comments over and over, nor should anyone repeat the comments of their predecessor.
Citizen 1:
My name is Stan Wynens; I live at 1922 Lake Harbin Road. I don’t want to be annexed in. I did some research on the Georgia Code and also talked to several attorneys. They have never encountered this kind of situation. This is third party to you guys and so that doesn’t really matter what they had to say. I would like to mention some chapter, and title articles that pertain to the annexation. If Morrow followed the guide lines, then there shouldn’t be a problem. Mr. Wynens went on to quote several Code sections pertaining to the sixty percent annexation method he believed had been violated. He stated that a letter had also been sent out on September 8, 2006 to the neighboring area in reference to Clayton County attempting to turn Morrow into an imminent domain area. He stated he had not seen proof to that effect. He then asked that all paperwork pertaining to this annexation process be made available to him as soon as it could be ready.
Mayor Millirons:
Let me address the imminent domain item. That quote came from me.
Citizen 1:
Yes sir, I realize that. The thing is, it scared the citizens of Clayton County. Many people have called and asked us what our opinion was on it, and I told them it was just like it says.
Mayor Millirons:
It was not addressed to the citizens of Clayton County. It was meant for the County Commissioners and I stand by it. I meet with them several times a year and I can tell you, there are plenty of witnesses to it, they do not respect nor like the Cities.
Citizen 1:
In turn, the City does not respect the residents around here either.
Mayor Millirons:
No, that’s contrary, there’s no evidence to……
Citizen 1:
Well, I didn’t come up here to argue with you, I just wanted to make my statements. I would like to be notified when I can get a copy of each of the documents.
Mayor Millirons:
Okay, thank you.
Citizen 2:
I’m Burt Watkins and I live in the Pine Crest Forest Subdivision / Pleasant Valley Drive. I’ve been there about 29 years now. I think in the twenty nine years some properties have deteriorated. Some people do not take care of their property the way they should. In the County, you don’t have to have trash pick up. A lot of people don’t have it [trash pickup] and it becomes a health hazard. I have neighbors who are proud to be on Pleasant Valley Drive and proud to be coming into the City because they have the same concerns as I do. I have other neighbors who wish they were coming into the City too. Thank you.
Mayor Millirons:
Thank you. Are there any other comments?
Citizen 3:
B.H. Masters and I live on Lake Harbin. I’ve been there longer then Mr. Watkins has. I bought the property in the County because I like the County. I have nothing against the City of Morrow and have two properties in the City Limits. If I wanted to live in the City, I would live in one of those homes. I understand the tax exemption but I already pay taxes in the City of Morrow. I see very little need to pay to another layer of the government. I believe in individual rights and I object to being brought into the City. I don’t see any benefit to it. In my neighborhood, my neighbors don’t always do as they should either, but we tend to our own business and don’t bother each other. Those in favor of being brought into the City I respect your decision. But, I would like you to check into the reasons as to why we are being brought into the City. I’m not comfortable with the situation but I say that with respect.
Mayor Millirons:
I understand. You had a statement about paying taxes in the City?
Citizen 3:
That’s another reason I don’t want to come into the City, I want my taxes to stay lower.
Mayor Millirons:
Your taxes are at 3.9 in the County and we are at 4 mills. You would not be paying more taxes by coming into the City of Morrow.
Citizen 3:
Would I be paying less?
Mayor Millirons:
No, you would be equal.
Citizen 3:
Until when?
City Manager John Lampl:
The homestead exemption was passed by a vote of the citizens and would have to be changed by a vote. That is not a vote that is passed by the City Council. The exemption is one hundred and fifty from the City and twenty from the State.
Citizen 3:
Alright, well I feel better about that. Thank you very much.
Mayor Millirons:
Thank you; are there any other comments from the citizens? No other comments were forthcoming.
PRESENTATION:
1. Chief of Police, Jeff Baker presented a Power Point Presentation announcing
a grant award from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for the purchase of cars and equipment.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Second Reading of Ordinance 2006-10 for the annexation of certain properties as described below:
1837 Argonne Drive 1845 Argonne Drive 1846 Argonne Drive
1858 Argonne Drive 1870 Argonne Drive 1874 Argonne Drive
1878 Argonne Drive 1881 Argonne Drive 1882 Argonne Drive
1885 Argonne Drive 1886 Argonne Drive 1889 Argonne Drive
1890 Argonne Drive 1894 Argonne Drive 1898 Argonne Drive
1902 Argonne Drive 1906 Argonne Drive 1910 Argonne Drive
1823 Pershing Way 1835 Pershing Way 1838 Pershing Way
1843 Pershing Way 1849 Pershing Way 1860 Pershing Way
1901 Pershing Way 1938 Pinecrest Drive 1848 Pershing Way
1837 Lake Harbin Road 1861 Lake Harbin Road 1875 Lake Harbin Road
1891 Lake Harbin Road 1915 Lake Harbin Road 1929 Lake Harbin Road
1945 Lake Harbin Road** 1892 Lake Harbin Road 1902 Lake Harbin Road
1922 Lake Harbin Road Lake Harbin Road* Lake Harbin Road ***
6492 Meadowbrook Lane 6435 Pleasant Valley Drive 6442 Pleasant Valley Drive
6504 Meadowbrook Lane 6447 Pleasant Valley Drive 6454 Pleasant Valley Drive
6463 Pleasant Valley Drive 6466 Pleasant Valley Drive 6472 Pleasant Valley Drive
6473 Pleasant Valley Drive 6450 Meadowbrook Lane 6480 Meadowbrook Lane
*This property is adjacent to and belongs to the property owners at 1858 Argonne Drive.
** This property a/k/a as Childers Way consisting of 13 lots, a/k/a 12-115A-00A-002.
***This property is adjacent to 6391 Peacock Blvd and is known as 12-115B-00C-0009
Lots to be annexed are as follows:
12-115A-00A-002-1, 12-115A-00A-002-2, 12-115A-00A-002-3, 12-115A-00A-002-4,
12-115A-00A-002-5, 12-115A-00A-002-10, 12-115A-00A-002-11, 12-115A-00A-002-12
12-115A-00A-002-13, and also the 0.93 acres described as lot number 12-115A-00A-002 that is listed as open space.
Approximately 35.1 acres
Councilman Sorrow made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2006-10, seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Grants Administrator, Sylvia Redic presented information on the consultant finalist for Phase II of Morrow’s Pedestrian Path System.
Councilman LaPorte made a motion to select Jordan, Jones & Goulding as the consultant for Phase II of the Morrow Path System, seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Resolution 2006-09: A Resolution to amend the Schedule of Bonds for the Municipal Court of the City of Morrow, Georgia, increasing fines for violations related to serving alcohol to minors and serving alcohol without permits.
Councilman Huie made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-09, seconded by Councilman LaPorte. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Resolution 2006-10: A Resolution to amend the Schedule of Bonds for the Municipal Court of the City of Morrow, Georgia, increasing fines for fire lane violations.
Councilman Sorrow made a motion to adopt Resolution 2006-10, seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMENTS:
City Manager- City Manager Lampl welcomed the new residences and he thanked Mr. Middlebrook, Mr. Harley and Ms. Jeanell Bridges for all their hard work during the annexation process.
He went on to explain that the grants from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Georgia Department of Transportation represented Federal and State dollars in excess of $900,000.
Mayor – Mayor Jim Millirons welcomed the new residents and stated the “the [City] will not let you down.” He then assured everyone that the [City] will produce.”
Councilman LaPorte – explained that the hard work by the City’s staff which was evident through the meeting’s presentations was a daily commitment from the staff at the City of Morrow; this was the City’s commitment to its residents. He then welcomed Morrow’s newest residents.
Mayor Millirons adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm.
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JIM MILLIRONS, MAYOR
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BOB HUIE, MAYOR PRO TEM
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CHARLES O. SORROW, COUNCILMAN
_______________________________________________
THOMAS J. LaPORTE, COUNCILMAN
EXCUSED ABSENCE
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VIRLYN SLATON, COUNCILMAN
ATTEST:
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Sylvia Redic, City Clerk