City Council Minutes March 4, 2019 Regular Session

PRESENT: Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor; Council members: George Holt; Jim Windham; Mike Ready; David Eady; Jeff Wearing, Sarah Davis.  Staff members present: City Manager Matt Pepper, City Clerk Lauran Willis, City Clerk Connie Middlebrooks, Utilities Department Scottie Croy, Chief Dave Harvey, City Attorney David Strickland.

OTHERS PRESENT: Peggy Madden, Hoyt Oliver, Laura Gafnea from Oxford College, Nick Cole, Juanita Carson, Cheryl Ready, Art & Laurie Vinson, Monica Darrah, Ryan Barrett and Mike Hesterley from the Newton County Democratic Party, Adrienne Waddey, Michael McQuaide, Dave Huber, Melissa Hage, Judy Grier, and Erik Oliver.   

1. The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor
2. Invocation was delivered by Hoyt Oliver
3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Motion to accept the Agenda for March 4, 2019 – Ready – Second – Wearing, approved 4/2.
The vote was 4 in favor 2 opposed. While Mayor Roseberry and Councilmembers Wearing, Davis, and Ready were in favor to accept the agenda, Councilmembers Windham and Eady were opposed. The motion was approved.

Attachment A

5. Consent Agenda - Approved unanimous 7/0.  Attachment B

6. Mayors Report
The vote was 4 in favor 2 opposed. While Mayor Roseberry and Councilmembers Wearing, Davis, and Ready were in favor to accept the agenda, Councilmembers Windham and Eady were opposed. The motion was approved.

7. Planning Commission Recommendations/Petitions
None

8. Citizens Concern
Juanita Carson addressed the Council regarding her disappointment that the solar tax was not on the agenda. She expressed concerns about climate change and that Oxford citizens should be allowed to do their part without additional penalties. Monica Darrah whom resides outside the city limits also addressed Council regarding the solar tax. She gave examples of how long it would take a citizen to recoup the money invested. Dave Huber expressed his concerns about Oxford’s standby capacity charge for distributed generation technologies.

9. City Solicitor
Council appointed Cheryl Freeman to serve as City Solicitor for the remainder of 2019.

Motion to approve by Holt – second –Eady, approved unanimous 7/0.

10. Moore Street Sidewalk Project
Motion by Windham to continue the sidewalk on the south side of Moore Street from Longstreet Circle to Emory Street – Eady Second – Motion Failed. Motion by Ready to stop sidewalk at existing raised crosswalk at the soccer fields

No Second – Motion Failed.

11. 107 W. Clark Street Renovation Project
Councilmember Wearing gave an update regarding the progress of the Yarbrough House. He stated that he along with Councilmembers Windham, Ready, and Matt Pepper traveled to Athens to meet with NEGRC Director of Planning and Government Services Burke Walker and NEGRC Project Specialist Jordan Shoemaker. Mr. Walker and Mr. Shoemaker later came to tour the Yarbrough House and plan to offer their recommendations for the project in approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

12. Committees for FY2020 Operating Budget and Capital Budget
Mayor Roseberry appointed committees to draft the FY2020 Operating Budget and Capital Budget. The Operating Budget Committee consist of Councilmembers Ready, as Chairman, Wearing and Davis. The Capital Budget Committee consist of Councilmembers Holt, as Chairman, Windham, and Eady.

13. Invoice Approval
Motion by Holt to approve invoices - second Windham, approved unanimous 7/0.

Motion to adjourn regular session at 7:24 pm – Ready – Second – Eady, approved unanimous 7/0.

14. Executive Session
Motion to go into an Executive Session at 7:28 pm – Windham – Second – Ready, approved unanimous 7/0.

Respectfully Submitted;