The first order of business at the Griffin City Commissioners Meeting 10/27/15:
The commissioners:
Approved: A Proclamation declaring Sunday, November 1, 2015 to be Retired Educators Day. There are more than 113,000 retired educators in Georgia, more than 25,000 of whom are members of the Georgia Retired Educators Association. The retired educators of Georgia donate thousands of hours of volunteer service, to the cause of public education.The citizens of Griffin, Georgia are grateful for the work done by retired educators. It is appropriate that a day be designated for citizens to express their appreciation for the valuable contributions that retired educators have made and continue to make for the betterment of human lives and for society.
The commissioners:
Approved: a request to rezone the property located at 657 North Expressway consisting of 7.03 +/- acres from Planned Commercial Development (PCD) to Institutional (INST), submitted by Barbara Jo Cook on behalf of SCTC Foundation.
The request for rezoning stems from the 2008 SPLOST referendum passed by County voters that included a referendum for Griffin Technical College, now SCTC, as a recipient of funds to promote education under the banner of SPLOST equals jobs.
The SCTC Foundation will oversee the renovation of the property for the college whose use will be the Georgia Film Institute. This is a new program at the college that will train students for jobs in the production of movies, commercials, and content used in advertising and promotional settings. Staff feels that rezoning the parcel located at 657 North Expressway from Planned Commercial Development (PCD) to Institutional (INST) will yield the highest and best economic use for this property.
Approved: On second reading an Ordinance repealing the current Sign ordinance and adopting a comprehensive revision of Sign regulations in lieu thereof. First reading was held on the October 13, 2015 Regular Scheduled Meeting. This ordinance amendment is proposed to have changes that comply with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in REED v. TOWN OF GILBERT, AZ.
Approved: the adoption of an ordinance amending the Code of Griffin, by enacting a new AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING ordinance; defining such conduct; declaring such conduct to be an offense against the City and providing the sanctions therefor.
Panhandling, when conducted in a non-aggressive manner, is considered to be conduct protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; Aggressive Panhandling, which is panhandling in such an aggressive manner as to create fear or apprehension of bodily harm by the person solicited, can be regulated. This ordinance seeks to prohibit only aggressive panhandling as defined therein.
Approved: a bid and work agreement with P.F. Moon & Company for the construction and installation of an Adjustable Frequency Drive (AFD) for Still Branch Regional Water Treatment Facility in the amount of $160,000.00. This adjustable frequency drive replaces the 10-year-old #2 Magna Drive. The drive was approved and ordered on June 9, and delivery will be November 11, 2015. This budgeted item is $561,312.00 for Still Branch Upgrade. the amount of contract is $160,000.00. The balance $401,312.00 will be utilized for the #1 replacement early in 2016.
Approved: an agreement with Cirilian, Inc., dba REC1, for the Online Registration Service for City Pavilion Reservation and Payment for the Public Works and Utilities Department. ReservationFor was the cities last service provider, and they are no longer in business. IT and Public Works reviewed several options for online registration, and this was the least-expensive and most user-friendly. Spalding County uses the same program in their Parks and Recreation Department. REC1 will be compensated in the amount of 1% of total sales per month as well as a 3% Merchant processing fee for credit card transactions and $.30 transaction fee per transaction.
The commissioners:
Approved: of that certain GENERAL RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION
AGREEMENT between Cheryl L. Gilbert and the City of Griffin, settling all claims (present, pending, and unasserted), arising from that certain motor vehicle collision that formed the subject matter of Civil Action File No. 12-SV-345, State Court of Spalding County. This lawsuit was defended by Carothers and Mitchell, through assignment by GIRMA. A settlement has now been reached in the amount of $165,000, which GIRMA will pay on the City’s behalf.
Approved: to deny a claim by Brenda Shaw for injuries allegedly sustained on September 16, 2015 in the parking garage of the City as Ms. Shaw was leaving City offices. Her notice of claim, filed by attorney Timothy N. Shepherd in a 9/22/15 letter to City Manager Kenny Smith, specified no amount of monetary damages. Ms. Shaw contends to have tripped on “an uneven step which is adjacent to the paved surface of the first level of the deck” and she contends to have fractured a finger on her left hand and bruised ribs on her left side. The Claim has been submitted to GIRMA for adjustment.
Approved: a Resolution to continue as a Certified City of Ethics. The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) initially certified the City of Griffin as a City of Ethics in 2000. The GMA Board requires that cities recertify in order to maintain this designation. In order for the City to continue with its status as a Certified City of Ethics, the Board must pass, and each member of the Board must sign, a Resolution setting out a commitment to certain ethical principles.
Approved: a travel request of Vice Chair Dick Morrow to attend the MEAG power Mayors’ Summit November 13-15, 2015. Vice Chair Dick Morrow will represent the City of Griffin at the annual MEAG Power Mayors’ Summit at Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Georgia. Conference costs are complimentary except for lodging, which will encompass two nights at $229 per night, and mileage. Travel costs are adequately budgeted in Commissioners Travel Expense.