OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE
OXFORD MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR SESSION
MONDAY, November 4, 2019 – 7:00 PM
CITY HALL
PRESENT:
Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor; Council members: George Holt; Jim Windham; Mike
Ready; Jeff Wearing. Sarah Davis was not present. Staff members present: City Manager Matt
Pepper, City Clerk Marcia Brooks, Deputy City Clerk Stacey Mullen, Utility Superintendent Jody Reid, Police
Chief Dave Harvey, City Attorney David Strickland.
OTHERS PRESENT: Laura
Gafnea of Oxford College, Peggy Madden, Patsy Burke, Cheryl Ready, Theresa
Eady, Judy Greer, Juanita Carson, Nicholas Cole, Sherry Jackson, Mike McQuaide,
Lynn Bohanan, Erik Oliver, Gwendolyn Green, and Laura McCanless.
1.
The meeting was called to order by the Hon. Jerry D. Roseberry, Mayor
2. Invocation was delivered by Chief Dave Harvey
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Motion
was made to accept the Agenda for November 4, 2019 – Holt- Second - Wearing, Approved
unanimous
5/0. Appendix A
5. Consent Agenda - Approved unanimous 5/0. Appendix
B
6.
Mayors Report
a) Mayor Roseberry announced that Newton County is
under Level 1 Drought Conditions as designated by the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division (EPD). Information
is available on the city’s website. With
some exceptions, outdoor water use in Newton County is restricted to the hours
of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
b) Mayor Roseberry announced that Newton County and
all cities are in compliance with the Service Delivery Strategy of the Georgia
Department of Community Affairs (DCA). All
22 items have been negotiated. However,
one item regarding water issues will expire next June unless an agreement is
reached before then. There are several
items we will be negotiating within the next two to three years. One is the LOST distribution formula which all
the cities will meet with Newton County to discuss. Newton County’s Comprehensive Plan will
trigger another Service Delivery Strategy review in 2023.
c) On October 25, 2019, representatives from the Newton
County Water & Service Authority met with city officials in all
jurisdictions to discuss the financial report from the Newton County Water
Fund. Many questions were posed, and
another meeting will be held on November 8, 2019 to continue the discussion.
d) The annual Employees’ Appreciation Dinner will be
held on December 12, 2019 at the Dean’s Dining Hall at Oxford College.
7. Planning
Commission Recommendations/Petitions
None
8. Citizen
Concerns
a)
Nicholas Cole, 1104 Emory Street, suggested that the Council appoint
someone to fill the vacated seat on the Council when the newly elected mayor takes
office rather than making a decision tonight (Agenda item #13). Mayor Roseberry indicated that a citizen
asked to be considered for the open position, and it is the Council’s decision.
b)
Gwendolyn Green, Godfrey Street, posed several questions to the Council:
1)
Update on property on West Soule Street with slope where water
stands. Ms. Green came to the Council
several months ago about installing a retention pond. Councilman Holt indicated this area has been
a marsh area for a long time and is a nuisance due to mosquito infestations.
2)
What are the plans for the Yarbrough House (107 W. Clark Street)? Mayor Roseberry indicated this is on
tonight’s agenda. Ms. Green suggested
the City apply for a grant to put a community center on the empty lot behind
it.
3)
Are there plans to install signs on Georgia Hwy. 81 near the
playground? Mayor Roseberry indicated
that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) would need to be
contacted. There are plans to install a
crosswalk on this highway in the future.
9.
Appointment of Marcia Brooks to position of City Clerk
Mayor Roseberry welcomed Marcia Brooks as the new City Clerk of Oxford
effective November 1, 2019. She comes to
Oxford after working for the State of Georgia, and lives in Rutledge.
10. Resolution for Minor Amendment to the
City’s Short-Term Work Program Appendix C
Matt Pepper recommended that the Council approve an amendment
to Oxford’s Short-Term Work Program (STWP) of the Oxford Comprehensive Plan to
add the project to upgrade the water main located along Clark Street, Hull
Street, Oxford Road, and other streets.
The city is required to keep this information updated as part of the Community
Block Development Grant (CDBG) process. Motion
was made by Holt – Seconded – Windham to approve the resolution amending the
City’s Short-Term Work Program, approved unanimous 5/0.
11. Second Reading to Provide Ordinance for
Regulation of Small Cell Technology Appendix D
Matt Pepper discussed the need to have a city ordinance for
regulation of small cell technology within the city right-of-way. The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and
Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) provided this model ordinance that they
recommend all cities adopt as this technology becomes more prevalent. This is the second reading of the proposed
ordinance. The first reading occurred
during the October regular Council meeting.
Motion was made by Ready – Seconded – Holt to adopt the proposed
ordinance for regulation of small cell technology, approved unanimous 5/0.
12. Second Reading to Adopt Restated Pension
Plan Agreement Appendix E
Matt Pepper explained that the Georgia Municipal Employees
Benefit System (GMEBS) has restated the city’s pension plan and received a
favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Consequently, the IRS requires that all GMEBS member employers adopt the
restated plan documents. GMEBS requires that we codify the Adoption Agreement. This
is the second reading of the restated pension plan agreement. Motion was made by Holt – Seconded –
Wearing to adopt the restated pension plan agreement, approved unanimous 5/0.
13. Discussion and Consideration
of Filling the Open Seat on the City Council (Post 4)
Mayor Roseberry stated that a citizen, Rev. Dr.
Avis Williams, had contacted him asking to be considered for the open seat for
Post 4 on the Oxford City Council. The
City Council has the authority to appoint a person to a vacated seat, and the
Council does not want to discourage participation in government activities. Motion
was made by Windham – Seconded – Holt to approve Rev. Dr, Avis Williams to fill
the open seat for Post 4 on the Oxford City Council, approved unanimous 5/0.
14. 107 W. Clark Street Renovation Project
Jeff Wearing reported on the progress of Yarbrough House on
behalf of the ad hoc Renovation Committee. In the October meeting it was
agreed that this facility would house a welcome center/community/historical
facility. They are in the final stages
of design with the architect, and the next step will be to find a builder. The City Council will decide what will done
with the back part of the property and has not finalized any plans at this time
for that part.
15. Whatcoat Street Committee Appointments
The Council had a committee previously to
discuss improvements to Whatcoat Street but their work was put on hold until
Oxford College could complete their renovations on Pierce Street. These renovations were completed in August 2018. Mayor Roseberry appointed Council Members
Sarah Davis, Jim Windham, and Mike Ready (Chairman) to an ad hoc
committee to recommend improvements to Whatcoat Street. Mayor Roseberry would like an interim report
from the committee at the Council’s work session on November 18, 2019.
16. Invoice
Approval
Motion by Holt to approve October invoices -
second Windham, approved unanimous 5/0.
17.
Executive Session
None.
18.
Motion to adjourn
Regular Session at 7:20 pm – Windham – Second Wearing Approved unanimous 5/0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marcia Brooks
City Clerk