Demorest The. Hearl ofHabersham Demorest City Council Work Session Tuesday, June 4, 2024 . 6:00 P.M. Demorest Municipal Conference Center . 250 Alabama St Demorest, GA. 30535 ATTENDEES: Shawn Allen, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Councilman Jerry Harkness, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Councilman Andrew Ferguson, Councilman Megan Chastain, City Clerk Thomas Mitchell, City Attorney Mark Musselwhite, City Manager The. June 4, 2024 Work Session was held ini the Demorest Municipal Conference Center located at 250 Alabama Street. 1. INVOCATION Mayor Harkness opened the meeting by leading in prayer. 2. CALLTO ORDER Mayor Harkness called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 3. PINNING CEREMONY Mayor Harkness swore in Fire Chief, Dave. Scheuerer. Chief Scheuerer swore in Assistant Fire Chief Lance Leuliette, Lieutenant Josh Hunter and Lieutenant Chris Faulk. Lieutenant Tim Nunnally could not attend. Each employee was pinned by friends and family. 4. WELCOME BRAD DAY - FUNDING COORDINATOR Mr. Musselwhite introduced Brad Day as our funding coordinator. Brad Day gave a summary about himself and thej job. Musselwhite explained that they were still working on his contract and would present it to Mayor and Council when it was ready. 5. CEMETERY UPDATE The city contracted with Georgia Mountain Region to update the cemetery map with the burials from 2009 to present. Faith with Georgia Mountain Regions presented the finalized cemetery update. 6. CONSIDERATION OF CEMETERY ORDINANCE (2nd READING) This is the second reading. Mayor and Council requested the removal of section 27.7 (D). 1Page 7. DISCUSSION OF REVISION OF INSURANCE LICENSE FEE ORDINANCE (2nd READING) Thisi is a second reading. Mayor Harkness explained this ordinance was something provided to us by GMA. 8. CONSIDERATION OF BUILDING REGULATIONS CODE UPDATE (2nd READING) Thisisasecond reading. Mr. Musselwhite explained that this is to clean up the ordinance for our code enforcement. Mayor Harkness requested that on section 14-24 (a) that everything listed as 'most current edition' be changed to State of Georgia most current edition'. 9. DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS LICENSE ORDINANCE (2"d READING) Thisisasecond reading. Mr. Musselwhite explained this is to clean up the current ordinance. 10.CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL LMIG FUNDS GDOTis offering a onetime LRA Grant (also called the 2024 LMIG Supplemental). Iti isatr transportation grant that does not require a 30% match from the local government. We are eligible for $46,518.43. Mr. Musselwhite presented the streets he is requesting to use the funds for if council approves the approval of applying for the grant. The deadline is. June 15. 11. DISCUSSION OF PARK GAZEBO Mr. Musselwhite explained to Mayor and Council that the railing had been knocked out and some were rotting. He asked if they wanted to tare down the gazebo or repair it. The census was to make the gazebo safe until park renovations are discussed. 12.CONSIDERATION OF PARKING AGREEMENT WITH PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY Mr. Musselwhite presented a parking agreement that includes the city and Piedmont University. The agreement would allow parking at the lot beside the Woman's Club, behind Piedmont University and the lot across from the park Monday through Friday after 5:00 PM and anytime on Saturday and Sunday. 13.DISCUSSION OF BALDWIN WATER INCREASE said he and Fletcher are discussing the impact. City of Baldwin isi increasing our water rate from $2.401 to $2.49 effective July 1, 2024. Mr. Musselwhite 2IPage 14.DISCUSSION OF DECLARATION OF EASEMENT Mr. Musselwhite presented the splitting of one tract into two plats on west view. He has two houses on one tract. Mr. Musselwhite, Mr. Mitchell and the owner worked through several scenarios to tryto make it work. Mr. Mitchell read what our ordinance reads and explained why the easement presented is the best option. 15.DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENT TO PLAT Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Musselwhite presented a plat that needs amended on Sweetgrass Court. The homeowner has two plats. He built his home over the property line and is now trying to correct the property lines. 16.DISCUSSION OF LEAD AND COOPER RFP Mr. Mitchell presented an RFP fori the Lead and Cooper. We have 3,500 meters that must bei inspected. With the $100,000.00 grant, we must contract the labor. This RFP approves the advertisement oft the request of proposals submitted to the City by EMI. 17.DISCUSSION OF NEW DDA MEMBERS Patti Davis and Jamie Allred have agreed toj join DDA. Rebecca Godwin is recommending both members to Mayor and Council via email. DDA will vote to make them official members at the DDA meeting on. June 5, 2024 if council approves. 18.DISCUSSION OF HANCOCK MEADOWS VARIANCES There was al brief discussion with lots of questions and comments regarding the upcoming public Lot 1-H Has current 35' front setback. Asking for 10' variance, making this setback 25'. They would like to move it forward in order to remove al large sub wall at the rear oft the home which makes the lot Lot 3- Has current 20' setback. Asking for 5' variance, making this set back 15'. They would like to move it forward in order to remove a large sub wall at the rear of the home which makes the lot Lot 36 Has current 20' setback. Asking for 5' variance, making this set back 15'. They are asking to move it closer to the street because the setback does not allow a feasible plan to getr retaining walls Lot 60 Has current 20' setback. Asking for 5' variance, making this set back 15'. They would like to move thel home forward in order to remove al large sub wall or turndown slab at the rear of the home hearing which includes the following: unfeasible to build asi is. unfeasible to build asi is. along back side oflot. which makes the lot unfeasible to build as is. 3IPage 19.CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed) There was not an executive session. 20.ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 7:22p p.m. DEMORE SEAL SERSHAMI Mayoro ro(Demorest/ 2 Demorest'City Clerk 4Page