MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND HILL - Download as DOC

							MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND HILL

                                    APRIL 20, 2004

                     HELD AT RICHMOND HILL HIGH SCHOOL


Present from City Council: Richard R. Davis, Mayor; Harold Fowler, Mayor Pro-Tem;
Councilmen: Floyd Hilliard, Van Hunter, Billy Albritton


Staff Present: Michael Melton, City Administrator; Ursula Lee, City Clerk; Linda
Phillips, Asst. City Clerk; Steve Scholar, Director of Planning & Zoning; Allen
Lancaster, Planning Commission Chairman; Billy Reynolds, Police Chief; Harvey
Lashley, Park Ranger; Leonard Turner, Fire Captain; Todd Hunt, OMI; David
Aspinwall, City Engineer


Visitors: Claude Woods, Dan Whalen, Terry Gibson, Karen Denton-Gibson, Rebecca
Werland, Kristina Horan, Lacy Bowen, Katie Tumberlin, Heather Wente, Jonathan Reid,
Jonathan Kitchens, Barrett Donnelly, Samantha Holesovsky, Will Bashlor, Marilyn
Richardson, Mindy Kucharek, Brian Yeager, OMI Staff, Mary Simpson, Robert
Strickland, Glenn Yarley, Brian Thompson, Jason Asbury, Rick Lauver, Darrell Futch,
Ronnie Cox, Danny Hilton, Dean Glover


Mayor Richard Davis called the meeting to order at 2:00 P.M. and Councilman Harold
Fowler gave the invocation. The pledge of allegiance was given.

Mayor Davis thanked the students and staff for inviting Council to hold the meeting at
the school in honor of Georgia Cities Government Week.

Minutes of the regular meeting held April 6, 2004 were approved as presented by
Councilman Fowler, seconded by Councilman Albritton, and carried by all, except
Councilman Hunter who abstained due to absence.


DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Administration and Personnel: Ursula Lee

Nothing to report.

Public Safety:

Police Department: Chief Billy Reynolds



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A monthly report was submitted by Chief Reynolds. Chief Reynolds commented on the
incident that happened at the Dollar General Store, an officer noticed an individual spray-
painting a car. The car ended up being stolen and also had a portable meth lab in the
back.

Chief Reynolds showed Council a new Criminal Activities Tip sign that would be going
up in the city. Councilman Hunter asked if people could call in anonymously? Chief
Reynolds replied, “Yes”.


Fire Department: Chief Vernon Rushing

Captain Turner gave a brief review of the monthly report for Chief Rushing who was out
of town. Captain Turner stated the department had gone on 109 calls. Captain Turner
told Council the city’s fire department helped Bryan County with the 570-acre brush fire
and a seven-car pile up on I-95 with one known fatality.

Mayor Davis stated Council was proud of the troops in Iraq and equally proud of the
city’s Fire Department and Police Department for the great job they do in protecting the
citizens and their property.

Public Works: Todd Hunt

Mr. Todd Hunt with OMI submitted a written report. Mr. Hunt told Council his
department had been working hard for the Georgia Cities Government Week and 90% of
his department was present at the meeting.

Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Hunt and his crew for the fine job they were doing for the city.

1. Jeff Jepson: Water/Sewer Agreement. Mr. Dan Whalen was present to represent the
   Barge Landing Group to request the approval of the Water/Sewer Agreement with the
   City of Richmond Hill.

   Mayor Davis asked City Administrator Mike Melton to give a brief review of the
   agreement. Mr. Melton told Council the Developer would be responsible for the
   expense of running the water and sewer lines to the development from the city. The
   developer shall also pay to the city water and sewer connection and tap fees at 150%
   of the rate that is charged to city residents for the same fees and charges.

   Councilman Fowler made a motion to approve the Water/Sewer Agreement
   between the City of Richmond Hill and the North Point Property Development,
   LLC for the Barge Landing. The motion was seconded by Councilman Albritton
   and carried by all.

Parks, Recreation and Culture: Harvey Lashley



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Mr. Lashley gave a quick review of his monthly report. Mr. Lashley told Council a lot of
new and exciting things were going on in the park. The new Veterans Monument is
starting to take shape. This monument would honor veterans from the past, present, and
future. The jogging trail is being refurbished and Ozzy Park the new skate park. The
park and trail should be complete in the next 45 to 60 days.

The use of the new Wetlands Education Center has increased over the last few weeks.
Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Lashley and his crew for the great job they continue to do.

Planning, Zoning and Code Enforcement: Steve Scholar

1. Request by Trinity Healthcare, Inc. for approval of a text amendment to add medical
   offices as a permitted use in a C-4 zone. Planning Commission Chairman Lancaster
   told Council Mr. Woods was present to answer any questions. Mr. Lancaster noted a
   Public Hearing was held with no opposition. The medical offices would be located
   on the second floor at the truck stop. The offices would be mostly for truck drivers.
   Physicals and some on site care would be performed at the offices, no blood would be
   drawn at the office and any bio-hazard waste would be contracted out by a licensed
   firm.

   Mayor Davis asked Mr. Woods about the hours of service. Mr. Woods told Council it
   would be open Monday thru Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Woods noted he had several
   requests from truck drivers stating a need for the healthcare service. Truck drivers
   travel across the states and often cannot take time off for a Doctor’s appointment. An
   office at the truck stop would be convenient for the drivers. Mr. Woods told Council
   there was only one other office like this in the State of Georgia.

   Councilman Hunter asked about the request being a conditional use instead of a
   permitted use. Mr. Lancaster told Mr. Hunter the Planning & Zoning Commission
   had discussed this and decided to make it a text amendment to be a permitted use.

   Councilman Albritton made a motion for the approval of a text amendment to
   add medical offices as a permitted use in a C-4 zone. The motion was seconded
   by Councilman Hilliard and carried by all.

2. Request by Karen-Denton Gibson for approval of a text amendment to add clothing
   store as a permitted use in a C-4 zone. Mr. Lancaster told Council Ms. Gibson would
   like to open her store in the new complex that’s being built at the corner of Harris
   Trail and Hwy. 17. A Public Hearing was held with no opposition. This would be a
   women’s clothing store. Mr. Lancaster noted in going through the city’s ordinance a
   clothing store was not listed under the retail section.

   Councilman Albritton made a motion for approval of a text amendment to add a
   clothing store as a permitted use in a C-4 zone. The motion was seconded by
   Councilman Hunter and carried by all.



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3. Request by Kern-Coleman for approval of a minor subdivision of a parcel of property
   located at the corner of Harris Trail and hwy. 17. Mr. Lancaster explained that the
   complex is on Lot A this is where the clothing store would be located. Lot B is the
   future development. The developer would like to subdivide the one lot into two lots
   making it Lot A and Lot B. All of the easements and the rear fence agreed upon
   previously are still in force.

   Councilman Fowler asked about the landscaping. Chad from Kern-Coleman stated
   they were going to continue with the 40 ft. planted buffer and fence along the back of
   the property. This is shown on the site development plan.

   Councilman Albritton made a motion to approve the minor subdivision of
   property located at Harris Trail and Hwy. 17. Lot A being 1.516 acres and Lot
   B being 1.074 acres. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hunter and
   carried by all.

4. Request by Kern-Coleman for approval of the site plan development of the Harris trail
   Retail Center, located at the corner of Harris Trail and Hwy. 17. The Retail Center
   would be located on Lot B. The site plan has been reviewed and approved by the Fire
   Department. The developer has agreed to add an additional fire hydrant.

   Councilman Albritton made a motion to approve the site plan development of the
   Harris Trail Retail Center, located at the corner of Harris Trail and Hwy. 17.
   The motion was seconded by Councilman Hunter and carried by all.

5. Code Enforcement monthly report was submitted. Mr. Scholar gave a brief review of
   the report. Officer Routh has been inventorying all the signs in the city. By doing this
   we can make sure all signs meet the city ordinance requirements.

Preservation and Beautification: Mike Melton

Nothing to report.

Finance Director: Bob Whitmarsh

1. March Finance report submitted for approval.

   Councilman Fowler made a motion to table the March Finance Report until the
   next meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilman Albritton and carried by
   all.

Public Relations:

Nothing to report.




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Special Committees:

Nothing to report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Nothing to report.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Nothing to report.

NEW BUSINESS:


   1. Savannah Scottish Games Proclamation. Mayor Davis explained the Scottish
      Games. The games would be held on May 8th, at J. F. Gregory Park.

       Councilman Fowler made a motion to adopt the Savannah Scottish Games
       Proclamation. The motion was seconded by Councilman Albritton and
       carried by all.

Mayor Davis asked students if they had any questions for Council. Mayor Davis thanked
the students for attending and invited the students to attend the regular meetings held at
City Hall on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:35 P. M. in a motion by
Councilman Hilliard, seconded by Councilman Hunter and carried by all.

Respectfully submitted,



Ursula G. Lee
City Clerk




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