Demorest The. Hear! ofHabersham Demorest City Council Work Session  Demorest Municipal Building . Tuesday, August 1, 2023 . 6:00P.M.  ATTENDEES  Shawn Allen, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor John Hendrix, Councilman  Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Megan Chastain, City Clerk Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Mark Musselwhite, City Manager  The August 1, 2023, Demorest Work Session was held in the Demorest Municipal Building located at  125 Ivy Street. 1. INVOCATION  Councilman Bennett opened the meeting by leading in prayer.  2. CALL TO ORDER  Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Councilman Hendrix requested to amend the agenda adding Noise and DEIB Certification.  3. DISCUSSION OF 365 SEWER BORE:  A. Consideration of Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Easement over Tax Parcel 108 030 owned by B. - Consideration of Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Easement over Tax Parcel 109 009F owned Consideration of Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Easement over Tax Parcel 109 009E owned D. Consideration of Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Easement over Tax Parcel 108 242Z owned E. Consideration of Resolution authorizing Condemnation of Easement over Tax Parcel 109 027A owned  Sweetgrass HOA by Crowngrass, LLC by Georgia Real Estate Fund by Georgia Real Estate Fund by Mark and Jennifer Harris  Mr. Mitchell presented five resolutions to authorize the acquisition of Declaration of Taking for a Condemnation Proceeding on the properties listed above. Duet to slight differences int the surveys, Thomas recommended we adopt the new resolutions. We will open this up for public comment in the Regular Session and then ifiti is Councils pleasure; the resolutions will be adopted. Action can be taken  1/Page    in3 30 days. Mayor Harkness stated this is a! SPLOST allocated project to put sewer on 365 for  development.  4. CONSIDERATION OF PANHANDLING ORDINANCE (2nd Reading)  As discussed back in. July, Mr. Musselwhite stated the presented ordinance is an ordinance to be  proactive. This is a second reading.  5. CONSIDERATION OF ZONING ORDINANCE PROPOSAL  Two zoning proposals were presented which have been discussed at a. July meeting. After a lengthy discussion with al lot of different options and concerns, Councils options were to post pone this item and put int the budget to approve in. January, approve a proposal and start in. January, or vote to proceed with a proposal and amend the current budget and the project would deliver in January,  amend the ordinance or table and discus next month. 6. DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION  Mayor Harkness asked if anyone had any nominations for the Historic Preservation Commission. There  were not any sO Mayor and Council will revisit this item next month.  7. CONSIDERATION OF EPD DRINKING WATER INVOICE  Mr. Musselwhite presented an annual EPD Drinking Water invoice ini the total of $11,770 that the city  isrequired to pay.  8. CONSIDERATION OF MEETING DATE CHANGES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR Mark Mr. Musselwhite presented a suggested meeting date change list for the monthly council, DDA, and Park Committee meetings because he will be attending the Certified Public Manager class which will be the first Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday of each month until May 2024. Based off of how the ordinance reads, the options are to amend the ordinance to change the meeting date or we could cancel the regular meetings and just do a series of special called meetings ont the second Tuesday. Mayor Harkness stated the he would prefer the Mr. Musselwhite get thet training he wants and needs and we cancel the regular meetings and call special called meetings. With it being an election year, there will be several requirements we willl have to meet as far as meetings go. It is up to the Park  Committee and DDA to determine their future meeting schedule. 9. CONSIDERATION OF QUOTE FROM VEOLIA FOR WWTP IMPROVEMENTS  Mr. Musselwhite presented a quote from Veolia provided by Fletcher in the amount of $31,166.31to provide basic needs to up keep the system. This amount was budgeted in Sewer Capital Outlays.  2/Page    10. TRAFFIC COMPLAINTS a. 419 Hazel Ave  Chief Krockum visited 419 Hazel Avenue and discussed their traffic concerns. They are requesting: some Ms. Moore made a complaint at the. July meeting about how unsafe it is turning at Florida Street and  children at play signs. b. Florida St & Oak Ave  Oak Avenue. Chief Krockum recommends adding a 3-way stop.  11. DDA RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL  Mr. Mitchell read Section 6. Resignation or Removal. Any Director may resign at any time by giving notice to the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, or to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Authority, along with any other notice required by the Downtown Development Authorities Law. Such resignation shall take effect on the date of receipt or at any later time specified in the resignation and its acceptance by the City Council of City of Demorest (herein the "City Council"). The Board may by a two-thirds (2/3) vote ofi its directors recommend removal of any Director subject to approval oft this action by the City  Council.  12. FINALIZED LEAD & COPPER RULE REVISIONS John  Mayor Harkness announced that EPAI is requesting that any water lines that we have with lead and copper be removed by October 16, 2024. Mayor Harkness reiterated that we test our water frequently for lead, copper and any other metals. Councilman Hendrix plans to meet with Fletcher at EMI to  discuss this further as well as other items.  13. DEIB  The Certified City of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging was created to recognize cities that adopt policies and practices promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their municipal government and community. Councilman Hendrix stated that the council came to an agreement at the last meeting that council as a group agreed to move forward with the DEIB certification and would attend the recommended webinar. Councilman Hendrix requested a resolution that commits the city basically saying we as the council, we as the city are committed and going to walk along this path. Mr.  Mitchell will draft a resolution for the next meeting.  14. Noise  Councilman Hendrix touched on the discussion made at the last meeting. He recommends our ordinance be updated to provide some specificity toi the ordinance tol better help our citizens and police department. Mayor Harkness asked Chief Krockum come up with a definition of noise. Chief Krockum recommended posting no loitering signs outside of the gym. Mrs. Chastain agreed that she  would take care of ordering the signs.  13. CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)  There was not an executive session.  3IPage    14. ADJOURN  The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m.  or  norest  /  4 @  Demorest City Clerk  4IPage