At the March 28th City Commissioners meeting:
The commissioners:
With no discussion, and no reason given, voted 6 to 1 to TABLE a Proclamation proclaiming April 2017 to be Confederate History Month and April 26, 2017 as Confederate Memorial Day in the City of Griffin. Commissioner Dick Morrow was the lone vote against tabling the proclamation.
Although Confederate Memorial Day, April 26th, is a holiday in most Southern states, the tradition of having a Confederate History Month is not uniform. Georgia has declared Confederate History Month by proclamation since 1995, by legislative authority since 2009.
Nathen Deal, the Governor of the State of Georgia, has proclaimed April 2017 to be Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Georgia and urges all its citizens to reflect on this Historical Period to learn more about Georgia Heritage and History and to observe this occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The commissioners:
Approved: on second reading, an Ordinance amending the Code of Griffin, at Chapter 50, FLOODS, to implement Flood Hazard Determinations, effective June 7, 2017, modifying the City’s Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Regional Map. There have been some new areas added to the map.
Implementation of the new Flood Hazard Determinations are required in order for the City to remain compliant with Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Hazard Insurance Program.
Approved: for Commissioner Cynthia Reid-Ward to attend Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Spring Training Event, March 31, 2017 at Lake Lanier Conference Center, for required training for certification. Training is $255 for the class. Travel is approximate $300. ($150 for the Hotel. $50 for meals. And $100 for mileage). Commissioner training is a budgeted expense.
Approved: canceling the June 27, 2017 Workshop and Regular Scheduled Meetings of the City Board of Commissioners, due to conflicts with the GMA Annual Convention.
Approved: the purchase of 150 Aboravitae “Green Giant” trees, from Southern Nursery Products, in the amount of $15,000, for the landscaping completion of the corridor along the south side of Georgia SR 155, adjacent to the Norfolk Southern rail line. Funds to come from 2015 SPLOST.
The commissioners:
Approved: a Nuisance Abatement Amnesty Program.
In an attempt to promote the removal of slum and blight, create stronger neighborhoods, and thank the residents for voting and approving the SPLOST, the city would like to provide containers and pay for tipping fees for property owners who demolish a residential structure within the city limits of Griffin. The program would be on a first-come, first-serve basis and run for approximately 60 days.
Eligibility requirements are:
1) Obtain a demolition permit:
2) Must provide an asbestos report/letter at the time of permitting:
3) Removes structure within ten (10) days of permitting:
4) Must be within the city limits of Griffin:
5) Must be a residential structure only.
The City anticipates spending $50,000 of SPLOST funds to demolish approximately 25 structures with this program. An average of $2,000 per structure.
The Commissioners;
Approved: the purchase of twelve (12) roll off containers (30 yard) from the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) State Contract for $31,464, for use as part of the Nuisance Abatement Amnesty Program. Once the program has concluded, the Solid Waste Department has the ability to utilize the dumpsters until the program starts again.
The commissioners:
Approved: to direct MEAG Power to place 100% of the City’s 2016 MEAG Power Year
End settlement refund of $1,837,678 into the City’s MEAG Municipal Competitive Trust Flex
Operation Account-Short Term Portfolio and authorize execution of the MEAG Power Projects 2016 Year End Settlement Election Form by City Commission Chair and City Manager. This deposit allows an increase in this account for any electric emergency operations and future reserve.
Approved: to direct MEAG Power to place 100% of the City’s 2016 MEAG telecommunications Year End Settlement refund of $26,470 into the City’s MEAG Municipal Competitive Trust Flexible Operating Account – Short Term Portfolio and authorize execution of the MEAG Power Telecommunications 2016 Year End Settlement Election Form by the Commission Chair and City Manager. This deposit allows an increase in this account for any electric emergency operations and future reserve.
Approved: a request for annexation and zoning to Planned Commercial Development (PCD) of 1515 Meriwether Street. The property is owned by Landrum Family Limited Partnership. When rezoned the property will be consistent with adjacent properties in this area.The annexation of this property will increase the City’s ad valorem tax base as well as be a utility customer for electric and stormwater.
Approved: a request, submitted by Landrum Family Limited Partnership, to rezone the property located at 1459 Meriwether Street from Low Density Residential-B (LDR-B) to Planned Commercial Development (PCD). . When rezoned the property will be consistent with adjacent properties in this area.
Approved: to convey a portion of the former right-of-way of Carver Road, where it originally intersected with Ga. Hwy 16 West, to FAA SOUTHERN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, subject to reservation of a telecommunications easement for fiber optic cable.
Prior to the recent GDOT project on Ga. Hwy 16 to replace the bridge over Martin Luther King, Jr. Bypass, the City conveyed its interest in approximately 250′ of the former ROW of Carver Road, from its intersection with Ga. Hwy 16 West. GDOT then closed this portion of roadway, rerouting Carver Road to intersect Hwy. 16 further to the west. The closed portion was later conveyed by GDOT to the City of Griffin. GDOT owns the ROW east of this tract and the land west of this tract is owned by the FAA SOUTHERN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION.
The parcel is unserviceable to the City. The Credit Union has agreed to landscape and maintain the area, if conveyed to them. There is a partial telecom easement on this parcel, which was installed by AFN to serve Griffin High School. Staff recommends the City quitclaim its interest in this parcel to the credit union, subject to reservation of an easement.