MINUTES

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

December 2, 2010

The Mayor and Council of the City of Franklin, Georgia, met in regular session Thursday, December 2, 2010 at city hall at 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Chapman began the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance. Mary Nell Burden gave the invocation followed by Councilman Almond leading in the pledge to the flag.

MINUTES OF November 4th & November 18th

Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Almond, to approve the minutes as presented. The vote was unanimous.

APPROVAL OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA

Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Almond, to approve the order of the agenda. The vote was unanimous.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Police Chief Kevin Hannah - Chief Hannah submitted a written report to the council on the department monthly activity.

He told the council he had been busy preparing for the Christmas Parade.	Councilman Adams stated he was happy to see the cooperation between the Police and Sheriff and the City and County.

Street Supervisor Alan Holcomb reported on the following:

1.	Mary Johnson cemetery has been cleaned up.

2.	The council had a list of street lights that were needed at various locations in the city. Lights on the bridge can be very expensive. Councilman Adams said he had asked Alan not to spend any more money than was necessary. He thought the council should do an impact study to determine the cost. He said the entire council should be responsible for how money is spent if they are responsible for setting the budget. Councilman Almond responded the mayor had asked him to make a list of lights that needed replacing or areas that needed additional lights. There are many areas in the city that are dark and lights are needed for safety purposes. Councilman Manders said lights were also needed on U.S. 27. He agreed with Councilman Almond. The city has a civic responsibility to the citizens.

3.	Councilman Adams said the bank at the fire department looks bad. He asked if the city could put something on it while they weren't too busy. Councilman Almond said he had told them to put Jasmine on it. Councilman Adams asked Mr. Holcomb to check on the prices.

City Attorney David Mecklin told the council he had spoken to the District Attorney's office and to Mrs. McClendon. She said she would release the forensic audit to him. He has not received it at this time.

OLD BUSINESS:

None

NEW BUSINESS:

1.	Street Department Raises - Councilman Adams said that everyone in the city, except for two street department workers, received either a raise or an extra week of vacation. Mayor Chapman said some of the officers received the raise and extra vacation. She thought all of the department should receive the raises.

A.	Councilman Hamil agreed.

B.	Councilman Rogers said he didn't mind but the city was spending money it didn't have.

C.	Councilman Manders suggested a workshop. The city should have a structured pay scale with a cap on raises. Mayor Chapman suggested having Three Rivers do the study.

D.	Councilman Almond said he was also in favor of it but the two lowest paid would always be behind and never catch up.

Councilman Adams made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hamil, to give the entire street department a raise of $.21 an hour. Councilmen Adams, Hamil, and Manders voted in favor of the motion. Councilman Rogers opposed the motion. Councilman Almond abstained. The motion carried by a majority vote.

2.	Amend 2010 Budget - Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Adams, to sign a resolution amending the 2010 budget. The vote was unanimous.

3.	Adopt 2011 Budget - Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Adams, to sign a resolution adopting the 2011 budget. The vote was unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

None

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

1.	Councilman Almond said he abstained on the raise because the ones on the bottom never catch up to the one on the top.

2.	Councilman Adams asked if the city had a drug policy and if random drug screens were done on employees. A drug policy could result in lower insurance premiums.

3.	Councilman Rogers thanked the employees for doing a good job and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

4.	Councilman Manders said the city looked good and said the mayor deserved a special thanks.

5.	Councilman Hamil said he voted yes on the raises because he thought it would have been wrong to deny them. He also said he thought he owed the council an apology for the called meeting. He wanted to do the right thing.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS:

1.	Adopt Special Events Budget - The clerk told the council the auditors said the council should adopt a budget for the special events funds if they planned to spend any of the money. Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hamil, to sign a resolution adopting a budget for the special events fund. The vote was unanimous.

There was no further business to conduct and Councilman Rogers made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hamil, to adjourn. The vote was unanimous.

_____________________________________

Teresa Chapman, Mayor

Members Present:	Clerks Present:

Shane Manders, Post #1	Myra Braswell

Willie Almond, Jr., Post #2

Joel Rogers, Post #3

Johnny Adams, Post #4

Jimmy Hamil, Post #5

Employees Present:

Kevin Hannah, Chief of Police

Alan, Holcomb, Street Supervisor