Council Minutes July 15, 2013
MINUTES
The regular meeting of the Pooler City Council was held on July 15, 2013. Mayor Mike Lamb called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Councilman Bruce Allen, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilwoman Shannon Black and Councilman David Burke. City Manager Robbie Byrd, Finance Officer/Assistant City Manager Michelle McNeely and City Attorney Steve Scheer were also present. Councilman Stevie Wall was absent.
The invocation was given by Councilman Allen and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilwoman Black.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion by Councilman Burke, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, with no opposition.
Report from the Standing Committees:
FINANCE
Councilman Burke presented bills in excess of $1500.00 for the month and made a motion to pay, subject to funds. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Councilman Burke reported that the police department responded to 967 calls since the last meeting, totaling 17,091 for the year and that the fire department responded to 113 calls, totaling 1332 for the year.
Lieutenant Jim Ward introduced the five (5) new police officers.
STREET/DRAINAGE
Councilwoman Benton reported that the street and drainage departments performed routine maintenance.
WATER/SEWER
Councilman Wall was absent.
RECREATION
Councilwoman Black reported that registration for football, cheerleading, fall soccer, men’s basketball and adult coed softball is ongoing.
BUILDING/ZONING
Councilman Allen reported that seven (7) new single family residential and
two (2) commercial permits were issued since the last meeting, totaling 104 single family and 83 commercial permits for the year, with 2947 inspections performed.
Mayor Lamb welcomed State Representative Ben Watson to the meeting.
There was no OLD BUSINESS to discuss.
Councilman Mike Royal arrived and took his seat.
Under NEW BUSINESS the following was discussed:
1. Engineering proposal for Pooler Parkway Intersection Upgrades
Mr. Byrd presented an engineering proposal from Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung Engineers for upgrades to four (4) intersections along Pooler Parkway, stating that these upgrades should alleviate the need for an additional traffic signal on Pooler Parkway and help ease traffic. Councilman Allen made a motion to approve the proposal. Motion was seconded by Councilman Burke and passed without opposition.
2. Conditional use to construct a mini-warehouse storage facility in the northwest quadrant of Highway 80 & Pooler Parkway
A public hearing was held prior. Councilwoman Benton questioned whether the petitioner could guarantee the proposed access easement. Jay Maupin, representing the property owners, stated that this could not be done yet. Councilman Allen made a motion to deny the conditional use, based on the request not meeting #2 and #7 of the criteria. Motion was seconded by Councilman Burke and passed without opposition.
3. Recombination plat of Lots 2391 - 2396, Building 39, Phase I, Harmony Townes Subdivision
The developer of Harmony Townes Subdivision has submitted a plat to adjust the property lines to match a new product, with no change in the number of townhomes. Councilman Allen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Black, to approve the recombination plat. Motion passed without opposition.
4. Site plan for a proposed 145' monopole wireless telecommunication facility at 118 Pipemakers Circle
Vantage Tower has submitted a site plan to place a 145' monopole wireless telecommunication facility at 118 Pipemakers Circle. Richard Edwards of Cityscape Consulting, stated that all of his comments have been addressed. Councilman Allen made a motion to approve the site plan, contingent upon all of the engineering comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.
5. Alcoholic beverage license for Robert G. Scomo at Savannah Event Decor
Mr. Byrd presented an application for an alcoholic beverage license for Robert G. Scomo at Savannah Event Decor at 1111 S. Rogers Street, stating that Police Chief Mark Revenew has performed the necessary background check. Councilman Royal made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, to approve the license, to include Sunday sales. Motion passed with Councilman Allen opposing.
6. Certification of 2013 millage rate
Ms. McNeely presented information regarding the proposed 2013 millage rate. Councilman Allen made a motion to certify the 2013 millage rate at 4.250 mills. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Burke and passed without opposition.
7. First Reading on amendment to Flood Damage Prevention ordinance to include D Firm Panels and FIS (Flood Insurance Study)
A public hearing was held prior. Councilman Allen made a motion to approve the amendment to the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance on First Reading. Motion was seconded by Councilman Royal and passed without opposition.
8. First Reading on amendment to Internet Café ordinance
Mr. Byrd resented an amendment to the Internet Café ordinance to comply with new regulations recently passed by the State Legislature. Councilman Allen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Benton, to approve the amendment on First Reading. Motion passed without opposition.
9. First Reading on Records Retention ordinance
Mr. Byrd presented an ordinance regarding records retention. Councilman Allen made a motion to approve the ordinance on First Reading. Motion was seconded by Councilman Burke and passed without opposition.
Councilman Allen made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at approximately 6:45 p.m. to discuss land acquisition matters. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benton and passed without opposition.
Mayor Lamb called the meeting back to order at 6:57 p.m.
There being no further business to discuss, Councilman Allen made a motion to adjourn at approximately 6:57 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilman Burke and passed without opposition.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held prior to the regular City Council meeting on July 15, 2013. Mayor pro tem Rebecca Benton called the hearing to order at 5:40 p.m. Present were Councilman Bruce Allen, Councilwoman Shannon Black and Councilman David Burke. City Manager Robbie Byrd, Finance Officer/Assistant City Manager Michelle McNeely and City Attorney Steve Scheer were also present.
The purpose of the hearing was to discuss a proposed amendment to the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance to include D Firm Panels and the FIS (Flood Insurance Study). Jackie Carver, Zoning Administrator/Certified Floodplain Manager, addressed Council, stating that a preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report and Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMS) for the area were issued on February 20, 2012, with a public outreach open house being held on April 17thwherein residents were given an opportunity to review the new Flood Insurance Study and the new DFIRM maps. Further, as a final step in the process, the City will be adopting the revised Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, including the revised Digital Flood Insurance Maps and the revised Flood Insurance Study.
There being no further discussion, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 5:43 p.m.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held prior to the regular City Council meeting on July 15, 2013. Mayor pro tem Rebecca Benton called the hearing to order at 5:45 p.m. Present were Councilman Bruce Allen, Councilwoman Shannon Black and Councilman David Burke. City Manager Robbie Byrd, Finance Officer/Assistant City Manager Michelle McNeely and City Attorney Steve Scheer were also present. (Mayor Mike Lamb arrived at 5:49 p.m. and presided over the remainder of the hearing.)
The purpose of the hearing was to discuss a requested conditional use to construct a mini-warehouse storage facility in the northwest quadrant of Highway 80 & Pooler Parkway. Jay Maupin of Maupin Engineering, representing the owners of the property, stated that a similar request was denied on May 20th. Further, that the new plan includes sharing an existing curb cut on the adjacent property to the west and that the plan meets and exceeds the Department of Transportation’s requirements for a deceleration lane on Highway 80. Frank Stanhope, resident, stated that he believes there is a better use for this property. Councilman Allen presented concern about the potential for an entrance to be provided, asking for access to be definite. Mr. Maupin stated that access would be addressed during the site plan approval. Councilwoman Benton reiterated the concern over the potential access, asking Mr. Scheer if it needed to be more definitive. Mr. Scheer reminded Council that the request must meet all of the criteria for granting a conditional use.
There being no further discussion, the hearing was adjourned at approximately 5:52 p.m.
