Agenda Council Meeting 10-6-15

MINUTES

CLARKSTON CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday October 6, 2015 

 

Officials Present

Mayor: Ted Terry

Council: Dean Moore, Dianne Leonetti, Warren Hadlock, Ahmed Hassan, Robert Hogan, Jean Brown

City Manager: Keith Barker 

City Clerk: Tracy Ashby 

City Attorney: Stephen Quinn

 

Ahmed Hassan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.

Roll Call: Dean Moore, Dianne Leonetti, Warren Hadlock, Ahmed Hassan, Robert Hogan Jean Brown,

Late Arrival: Mayor Terry (arrive 6:55p)

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

PRESENTATION/ ADMINISTRIVE BUSINESS:

C1) Approve Minutes 9-1-15 Council Meeting

Dean Moore make a motion to approve the minutes from September 1, 2015. Jean Brown seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion carried (6, 0).

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

John Beck questioned on the resolution for urban redevelopment, if there already a state statue in place for the Urban Redevelopment Act? The City Manager stated yes and explained the process. 

David Patterson wanted to report that the first function for the Clarkston Seniors will be October 10th. He encouraged staff and the council members to attend if possible. Their group planned to provide a financial/status report at the next council meeting. 

 

OLD BUSINESS

None

 

NEW BUSINESS

F1)  Adopt resolution declaring the necessity for the City of Clarkston to exercise its powers conferred by the Urban Redevelopment law. 

Keith Barker read the resolution for the Urban Redevelopment Law and reported first step is to pass the resolution declaring the intent to exercise its powers. Next step identify an urban redevelopment area and appointing an urban redevelopment employee. 

Warren Hadlock questioned what impact would this have on the downtown development authority?

Mr. Barker explained that utilizing the powers confirmed by the Urban Redevelopment Law would not exclude the City from considering a downtown development authority. An Urban Redevelopment has greater flexibility for the projects it can sponsor versus a DDA, and an Urban Redevelopment gives the ability to do both private and public projects.   

Robert Hogan made a motion to approve the resolution declaring the necessity for the City of Clarkston to exercise its powers conferred by the Urban Redevelopment law. Dean Moore seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion carried (6, 0).

 

F2) Approve Ethics Hearing Officer

Mr. Barker reported that the City Council had revised the ethics ordinance at the August 2014 council meeting to address weaknesses in the previous ordinance.  The new ethics ordinance allows for an Ethics Hearing Officer to be nominated by the City Manager and approved by the City Council. The Hearing Officer shall be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia for at least the most recent five (5) years. Mr. Barker nominated William Tinkler, Jr. who he has already had the pleasure of meeting with him last Tuesday.

Mayor Terry arrive.

Jean Brown made a motion that William Tinkler, Jr. be approved to serve as the Ethics Hearing Officer. Robert Hogan seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion carried (6, 0).

 

F3) Public Hearing – Zoning- Conditional Use Request: CU-01-15- Iglesia Asambleas Del Principe De Paz (Prince of Peace Church), 4113 Church Street 

Jason Gaines stated that this request is for a conditional use permit.  The church, whose name translates to English as “Prince of Peace Church,” seeks to expand its capacity by constructing a 7,000 square foot assembly hall that would hold approximately 800 people.  The subject property is zoned High Density Neighborhood Commercial (NR-3), which does not allow places of assembly (including religious institutions) as a “by-right” use.  Since the church existed on the property prior to the enactment of the current zoning district regulations, the use has been allowed to continue legally as a “non-conforming use” (Appendix A, Art. VIII, Sec. 801).  Now that the church desires to expand their footprint, doing so would void their non-conforming status pertaining to the use of the property (Appendix A, Art. VIII, Sec. 802 (d)).  Mr. Gaines advised that staff recommends approval of the request for conditional use permit with conditions.

Discussion on commercial kitchen status and inspection requirements.

 

The Mayor opened the Public Hearing

 

Comments in favor of the proposed conditional use permit: None

Comments opposed to the proposed conditional use permit: None

 

Close Public Hearing

 

Dianne Leonetti made a motion to approve the conditional use permit request for 4113 Church Street as request. Robert Hogan seconded the motion. A vote was called and the motion carried (6, 0).

 

REPORTS

1) Planning & Zoning Report

Jason Gaines- reported that the Planning and Zoning Board met on September 15 and discussed the conditional use permit. The next Planning and Zoning meeting will be held on October 13th and there are currently two sign permits applications that will be discussed and one sign permit to amend. 

 

2) City Manager’s Report

Mr. Barker provided a financial status report thru the month of September 2015. He stated he had the pleasure of attending the International City/County Managers Association conference in Seattle, Washington to attend required continuing education training. He advised that the city submitted the SRTA grant funding request for the Milam pedestrian Bridge project.

He reported on the DeKalb CEO hosted meeting discussion on SPLOST- (Special Purpose Local Option Sells Tax) which city and counties can use to fund construction projects which will also increase sales tax. 

 

3) City Attorney’s Report

Stephen Quinn reported on the status of the Ga Supreme Court hearing regarding COAM and the response could be several months for their decision. 

 

4) Council Remarks

Warren Hadlock stated that there is a Georgia Plant Society meeting coming on the 15th for interested residents.

Dianne Leonetti encouraged everyone to attend the Food Truck festival on the 18th.

 

5) Mayor’s Report

Mayor Terry reported he attended a Tibetan Buddhist event at the mosque were they listened to a translated message from the Dalai Lama of India.

He announced upcoming Meet the Candidate events Refuge Coffee October 7th and Langano Restaurant on October 14.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Warren Hadlock made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ahmed Hassan seconded the motion.  A vote was called and the motion carried (6, 0).

Meeting adjourned 7:31PM.