---
date: 1999-08-09
title: August 9, 1999 Minutes
source: 1999-08/1999-08-09_August 9, 1999_Minutes.pdf
pages: 1
---

August 9, 1999
CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE MINUTES
HENRY COUNTY, GEORGIA AUGUST 9, 1999

The Regular Meeting of the Stockbridge City Council was held August 9, 1999 at 6:00 P. M. Mayor R.G.
Kelley presided and members present were Harold Cochran, G. W. Evans, W. A. Gardner, Ronnie
Simmons and Fletcher Turner.

Harold Cochran made a motion to convene, seconded by G. W. Evans, passed unanimously.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion approve minutes of July 14, 1999 City Council Meeting, seconded by G.
W. Evans, passed unanimously.

Mayor Kelley welcomed guests.

AMEND AGENDA. G. W. Evans made a motion to amend the August 9, 1999 Agenda to include an
ordinance to amend Chapter ll.06 of the City Code, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 11.06 OF THE CITY CODE. The amendment requires the
Stockbridge Municipal Court to collect a $25.00 fee for convicted DUI and Marijuana cases. This fee to be
sent to the general fund of the state treasury by the tenth day of the month after fee is collected.

G. W. Evans made a motion to approve ordinance, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

PLANNING AND ZONING

JANE RUTLEDGE, Agent for Mrs. Virgil Askew, Owner, request rezoning from RA (residential
agricultural) to RMH (residential mobile home) for the development of the final phase of the Askew Mobile
Home Park. The property is located in Land Lots 70 & 71 of the 12th District, at 104 Askew Drive in the
Askew Mobile Home Park. The property contains 3.5 acres.

Ray Pacheco, Henry County Planner, advised Council that Jane and James Rutledge came before the
Planning Commission on July 22, 1999 and requested an extension of their current mobile home park. The
planning commission approved their plan with the following conditions.

1. That no deviation from the current mobile home park requirements
is granted.

2. That all interior roads be developed according to county standards.

3. That the entrance of the site be redesigned and developed to hold
additional traffic proposed by this development.

4. That an accel/decel lane be installed per state approval.

A. J. Welch pointed out that the Council cannot consider a variance in a rezoning hearing and the first
condition from the Planning and Zoning Board should not be included in the zoning of the property.

James Rutledge addressed the Council regarding the other conditions required by the Henry County
starting with the entrance to the site. When the state widened Highway 42 Mrs. Maurine Minnion handled
the entrances and purchasing of right-of-way in their area. The entrance to the mobile home park was real
narrow and the state gave them a thirty (30) foot cut off highway 42, squared it up and ran it twenty-five
feet up their driveway. Their new driveway will be tied to the thirty (30) foot section. At that time, the state
told them this would be sufficient egress/ingress to their property.

Mr. Welch responded that if the state or county requires an accel/decel lane that it would be one of the
zoning conditions when the final plans are submitted for approval. If the state requires the accel/decel lane
it would be constructed on existing right-of-way at the developers expense. Mr. Rutledge said the state
told him he would never have to install an accel/decel lane. Mr. Pacheco pointed out that when Mr. Rutledge
submits development plans to the county he must also submit them to the state. If the accel/decel lane is
not required by the state Councilman Simmons said Mr. Rutledge could get a letter from the state to that
effect.

Mr. Welch asked Mr. Rutledge about the interior roads meeting county and city standards. Mr. Rutledge
said that would be no problem. He pointed out that the entrance drive will be a thirty (30) foot entrance
drive and squared in with highway 42.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve rezoning of 3.5 acres to RMH (residential mobile home) subject
to the conditions 2, 3, and 4 listed and condition 1 to be addressed at a separate time, seconded by Fletcher
Turner, passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

ALBERT HALL AND MARK ZUKOUSKI, 113 Misty Ridge Trail, Wildwind Subdivision had requested to
be on the agenda to discuss the “No Parking in the Street” signs installed by the City. Did not appear.

Councilman Simmons reported that he checked into this complaint and found that four men occupy this
residence and each has a vehicle, one being a pick-up truck with a ten (10) ft. trailer. They enclosed their
garage taking up their parking spaces and the lots in Wildwind Subdivision are very small. The streets are
narrow and cannot accommodate safety vehicles when cars are parked in the street. No considering guests
who park in the street temporally, these people are permanently parking in the street.

Mayor Kelley asked if the City installed the signs because of complaints? Mr. Strickland responded that he
did receive complaints and installed the signs according to City ordinance, which does not allow parking on
city streets.

Councilman Simmons pointed out that the City could face liability for two situations. One being failure to
enforce the law when signs have been posted and there is an accident. Second being that if vehicles are
parked on both sides and fire equipment cannot get through the City could loose ISO rating creating higher
premiums on homeowner insurance.

GRACE AND KEN COOMBS, 115 Woodhaven Drive complained about the “No Parking in the Street” signs
that were installed by the City. Mr. Coombs complained that not being allowed to park in the street creates
a hardship for them and their neighbors. They have no other place to park. If cars are allowed to be parked
in the street, it at least slows down speeders.

The City has recently received complaints about vehicles parked in the street. Mayor Kelley and
Councilman Simmons pointed out that parking in the street creates a liability for the City. There is an
ordinance that prohibits parking in the street.

A. J. Welch, City Attorney, suggested that the ordinance might need to be revised to accommodate parking
in the street under certain circumstances. If the width of the street were too narrow there would be no
parking in the street. There could be staggered parking or only park on one side of the street. There could
be a permit system to allow parking under certain medical conditions and family gatherings giving a certain
time limit stated on a permit. The homeowner would apply for a permit; the City would notify the Police
Department that a permit had been issued. The police could also check a gathering to see if a permit has
been issued.

Mr. Coombs asked if they would have to get a permit for medical services parking for his sister-in-law? The
response was that she would be granted a variance for a period of time renewable upon request if she still
has a need for medical assistance. Mr. Coombs reported that he has a small yard and has two vehicles
and only one parking space. Mr. Welch responded that the homeowner is going to have to deal with some
of their own problems because you cannot make the public streets unsafe for the public. This would create
a liable for the City. The City’s responsibility is to look after the public interest, not the individual interest.
The City must look at what the public need is for that street and if having parking on any part of that street
creates a public hazard, it cannot happen, the City must say no. If it is a street that you can allow off-street
parking for limited purposes, the City could issue permits for those events.

Mr. Coombs asked about speed breakers on their street. Mayor Kelley stated that they were expensive
and the City would receive more complaints if installed. Another possibility would be if the homeowners
paid for speed breakers and installation. Clayton County installs speed breakers in subdivisions if paid by
the Homeowners.

Mayor Kelley said the Council will take this matter under consideration to see if a solution can be worked
out.

HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. The Board of Education wishes to convey property,
sewerage force main and pumping station to the City of Stockbridge. A. J. Welch advised Council that they
need to cancel the existing agreement and adopt the new agreement by resolution authorizing Mayor and
Clerk to sign agreement.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign agreement on
behalf of the City, seconded by G. W. Evans, passed unanimously.

AMEND AGENDA. G. W. Evans made a motion to amend the August 9, 1999 Agenda to include adopting
resolution to set qualifying dates for the November 2, 1999 municipal election, seconded by W. A. Gardner,
passed unanimously.

NOVEMBER 2, 1999 MUNICIPAL ELECTION: Qualifying dates are September 13-17, 1999. Qualifying
fees will be $126.00 for Councilmen.

G. W. Evans made motion to approve, seconded by W. A. Gardner, passed unanimously.

MEMORIAL PARK: Review bids for construction of restrooms including concrete and masonry work, and
plumbing. Information was incomplete. Ted Strickland was instructed to get more information so Council
can select the best bids.
Harold Cochran made a motion to table, seconded by Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.

CITY HALL, PAVING ADDITIONAL PARKING, CURB, GUTTER AND SIDEWALK. Ted Strickland advised
Council that he could not get but one bid to pave the parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Draco Construction
Company submitted a bid for $43,887.00. This amount was to curb, gutter and pave parking lot. Council
instructed Ted Strickland to get cost to pave sidewalk on South Berry Street to be included with this project.

G. W. Evans made a motion to accept bid from Draco Construction Company, seconded by W.A.Gardner,
passed unanimoulsy.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES requires that a Compliance Maintenance Annual
Report for Calendar Year 1998 is approved the City Council.

W. A. Gardner made a motion to approve Compliance Maintenance Annual Report for Calendar Year 1998,
seconded by Harold Cochran, passed unanimously.

GEORGIA CITIES FOUNDATION. GMA is requesting support of their newly developed foundation. The
purpose of the foundation is to assist cities in their efforts to revitalize their downtown areas by serving as a
partner and facilitator in the funding of capital projects, technical assistance and training. Cities with
population between 2,501 to 10,000 the suggested contribution will fall between $1,500 - $2,500.

Ronnie Simmons pointed out that there is no more money from the Federal Government to help small cities
and this will help our sister cities to have money to pool from. This will help cities help each other in Georgia.

Ronnie Simmons made a motion to approve $2,500, seconded by Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.

QUARRY ROAD PUMP STATION. Bill White, Stevenson & Palmer Engineering, Inc. Letter of Agreement
to replace submersible pump station with an aboveground Gorman Rupp station. This was a capital
improvement item in the 1999 Budget.

A motion was made by Ronnie Simmons to approve replacing the submersible pump station with the
aboveground Gorman Rupp station, seconded by Fletcher Turner, passed unanimously.
In discussion about the sewerage pumping station, Ronnie Simmons advised Council that he, TedStrickland,
Brad Holtsinger, Daniel Dickson, and Bill White made a trip to Blue Ridge, Georgia to see their wastewater
treatment plant which is similar to the City’s plant. The City might be interested in one phase of their operation
which involves a chamber the grind solids to minute particles. This addition to the City’s plant would eliminate
sludge removal and odor. Council was very interested and asked Ronnie Simmons to pursue this matter.
Councilman Simmons will get cost figures and get back with the Council.

Harold Cochran made a motion to convene, seconded by G. W. Evans, passed unanimously. Meeting
adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Merle Manders, CMC R. G. Kelley
City Clerk Mayor
