MAYOR & COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council of the City of Franklin, Georgia, met in regular session Thursday, July 1, 2021, at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. All Councilmembers were in attendance. Mayor Hayes began the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance. Councilmember Almond gave the invocation and lead the pledge to the flag. MINUTES OF Council Meeting June 3, 2021 Councilmember Israel made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilmember Putzek. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA Councilmember Bradfield made a motion to approve the order of the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Almond. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Finance – Finance Officer, Karen Boyd, gave the following report: 1. All accounts have been reconciled to the bank. General fund expenditures exceeded revenues by $27,257 for June. Revenues are still exceeding expenditures by $50,642 for the year. 2. Sales tax increased $12,783 from last month and $11,209 from June of last year. SPLOST increased $212 from the previous month and decreased $678 from May of last year. 3. Mayor Hayes and I have been working on the requirements necessary for funding available through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. Our supporting documents have been accepted and ARP funding should arrive in the next 30-60 days.
Police Department – Chief Hannah thanked the Heard County and neighboring law enforcement that assisted in providing security for Summerfest. With zero arrests and no complaints, he also thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Council and Mayor for their work in making the event a success.
Street Department – Street Supervisor Edward Ponder was not in attendance but Mayor Hayes updated Council on the following: 1. The Street Department has been incredibly busy mowing grass this time of year. They are lacking equipment necessary for some of their work which would be discussed under “New Business”. They are also in the process of replacing signs throughout the City that were damaged during the tornado. 2. The Georgia Department of Transportation met with Supervisor Ponder about a possible two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 34 and Hwy 100. This proposed roundabout is in the beginning stages and a public hearing will occur before any action is taken. City Attorney – Attorney Mecklin reported that he is attempting to contact the Heard County Attorney to acquire the necessary documents regarding PPI. Secondly, the Mobile Home Park issue has an August 13th Municipal court date.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Recovery Efforts – Mayor Hayes updated Council on the slow moving, ongoing FEMA process which has involved two very detailed site visits. At this point, FEMA seems to have all the necessary information collected from the City. Another FEMA call is scheduled for Wednesday to follow up on anything else that they may need. 2. Millage Rate – Mayor and Council discussed the budgetary shortfalls of the last few years leading to the impending need to increase the millage rate. Councilmember Israel made a motion to set the proposed millage rate at 3.75 and to hold three public hearings, seconded by Councilmember Senn. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Election Agreement – Mayor Hayes and Heard County Election Supervisor Tonnie Adams discussed an election agreement that would allow Heard County to conduct all City elections going forward resulting in cost savings and election location simplicity for voters. Councilmember Putzek made a motion to approve the Election Agreement, seconded by Councilmember Almond. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous. 2. Potential Equipment Purchase/Trade – Mayor Hayes explained how the Street Department needs a multi-purpose machine and has been borrowing the mini excavators from Rivers Edge and the Heard County Water Authority. The local distributor of this equipment, Mason Tractor Co. quoted $69,471.43 for an enclosed cab Kubota KX057-5R3A mini excavator with a 36” cutter. The City tractor could potentially be traded in for $10,000 along with the brush cutter for another $4,000. Councilmember Senn made a motion to purchase the Kubota 57 cab, seconded by Councilmember Bradfield. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ms. Earnestine Burden requested Mayor and Council’s assistance in receiving public housing at the Franklin Housing Authority.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS: None MAYOR COMMENTS: None
ADJOURN: There was no further business to conduct, and Councilmember Bradfield made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Almond, to adjourn. The vote to approve the motion was unanimous. The meeting closed at 7:11 p.m. ____________________________
Kevin Hayes, Mayor Members Present: Clerks Present: Cyndy Putzek, Post #1 Karen Boyd Willie Almond, Jr., Post #2 Charles Israel, Post #3 Sara Alane Bradfield, Post #4 Joey D. Senn, Post #5
