New Water Restrictions and Proposed 2012 Water Rates gets 1st Read Approval by Council

November 14, 2011: City Council Business Meeting Summary

X. Council Business

     B. New Business

     Item 1. Requesting Notice of Award for Forest Valley Curb & Gutter Bids – City Engineer Paul Austin said via council’s instructions on October 21, 2011 bids were opened for the Forest Valley Curb and Gutter Project. Four bids were received by the city for this project. Austin said that Contour Grading submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $139,789.13. He said Contour’s bid had a $200 difference from the second lowest bidder. Austin said he had estimated this project costing the city around $153,000. He then recommended that the council award this project’s contract to Contour Grading.

Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson asked Austin to confirm that this project is part of the drainage improvement project in the area. Austin said that it is part of the Forest Valley Road and Willow Road drainage project.

Councilman Peter Martin asked Austin if everyone was aware of the type of asphalt to be used on this project—alluding to this not being the case on other projects—to which Austin said “yes."

Martin made the motion to accept Contour Grading as the lowest bidder for awarding of this contract. Before voting, Mayor Johnson asked if Contour had worked for the city in the past. Austin confirmed that they have and that they have provided “very good work."

Councilwoman Katie Hart Smith asked Austin if this project will be paid for out of SPLOST (Special Project Local Sales Tax) funds. He said “yes”.

The motion passed in a 3-0 vote.

     Item 2. Transfer of Funds from 2004 SPLOST Trails to 2004 Road Improvement Project – City Manager Bob Baroni asked the council to approve this transfer that would “close out” the city’s Signage Project. The amount of this transfer is $21,260.

Councilman Martin asked if the city was allowed to make this transfer because both of these accounts could be expended on transportation related projects. Baroni said, “That is correct.”

Councilwoman Marie Beiser made the motion to approve the transfer.

Motion carried 4-0. (Councilman Tony Powell arrived late making this the first voted upon item.)

     Item 3. Approval of New City Water Restrictions – Mike Bowie, Superintendent of Water Utilities, told the council that the city needs to change its water policies to meet the Georgia Water Stewardship Act signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue. This change means removing the even/odd watering restrictions to everyone being allowed to water during the same time period of each day. Bowie said the new restriction prohibits watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. He went on to say that pressure washing and the washing of cars will remain on the even/odd basis.

Councilman Martin asked if pressure washing and car washing could be done at anytime on the odd/even days. Bowie said, “No watering between 10 and 4 rather it is for pressure washing or lawns. But there are some exceptions as listed, new planting, gardens, nurseries, etc.”

When asked by Councilwoman Beiser if car washing could be done between 10 and 4 on even/odd days, Bowie said, “Yes madam you cannot wash your car between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.”

Councilman Powell asked if these were directives, mandates from the state, to which Bowie said, “Yes and they (the state) said that we (the city) were too restrictive.”

Before calling for the vote, Mayor Johnson said that once approved these new restrictions would be placed on the city’s website.

Councilwoman Smith made the motion to accept the new water restrictions.

Motion carried 4-0.

     Item 4. Request Approval of the 2012 Water Rates – Mayor Johnson reminded the council that this was the 1st Read of the proposed 2012 Water Rates that needed council approval or denial. And if 1st Read is approved, the 2nd Read (and vote to adopt) will take place during council’s December Business Meeting.

The mayor asked that questions and concerns be discussed at its Work Session scheduled for November 16, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.

A 4-0 vote to approve 1st Read of 2012 Water Rates was cast.

    Item 5. SPLOST Raw Water Line Project – Mike Bowie, Superintendent of Water Utilities, asked the council to approve the transfer of SPLOST funds originally earmarked for painting at Rhodes Jordan Park and for a water line and apply them to the raw water lines into the new (Mahlon Burson)water treatment plant.

Councilman Martin asked if these projects would be starting tomorrow. Bowie said that contract 1A would be presented at the along with a request for council to approve a water bid. He said contract 1B is in the planning stage and will require an easement approval.

Councilman Powell made a motion to table this item for discussion at the November 16th Work Session to “put all of these things together on one agenda and let’s talk about them before we vote on them”.  

Powell’s motion carried 4-0.

At the conclusion of the agenda, Council moved into Executive Session to hear Personnel, Litigation and Real Estate items.