Agenda City Council Meeting October 231d, 2023 6:30pm  EORGIE  Baldwin Courtroom, 155 Willingham. Avenue, Baldwin, GA 30511  Acting Mayor Alice Venter, Council Member Erik Keith, Council Member Theron Ayers, Council Member Stephanie Almagno, and Council Member Maarten Venter were all in  attendance.  CallMeeting to Order Invocation and Pledge Consent Agenda  Acting. Mayor Alice Venter called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm.  a. Approval of Minutes: Council Meeting 10/10/2023.  Action: A motion was made by' Theron Ayers to approve the minutes for the October 10th, 2023 council meeting with a second by Stephanie  Almagno. Motion Carried 4-0.  Citizen Comments  Tom Whitney of 189 Crooked Pine' Trail addressed Council regarding the proposed millage rate collecting additional revenue over the needed budget andi if itwere possible to achieve a "net zero budget.'  He also proposed the idea of Acting Mayor Venter stated that changes to tax exemptions takei time, but further senior exemptions could be pursued. CAO Emily Woodmaster addressed Mr. Whitney's comments on thel budget, stating that there is an increase in collections by rolling back the millage rate 100%, but that there is no percentage increase for thet taxpayer. With the increase in collections, however, Woodmaster recommended restricting the extra collections to offsetting the budget next year. Action: A motion was made by Stephanie Almagno to amend the agenda to move Old Business items to New Business, and to add item #3: Consideration/Approval of] Purchase of Ground Penetrating Radar and item #4 Comsideration/Approva of Purchase WTP Meter with a second by  doubling the senior property tax exemption.  Maarten Venter. Motion Carried 4-0.  Public. Hearings Reports  Public Works = Scott Barnhart  Public Works Director Scott Barnhart presented a report on current and upcoming public works projects, highlights, and concerns (see attached report).  Old Business  Council Meeting Minutes  October 23, 2023  Page 1    New Business  1. Comsideration/APprova of 1st Reading of Precision Digital SUP Ordinance Woodmaster recapped Precision Digital's application for a zoning special use permit for their property purchased from the Habersham County Development Authority. Baldwin' s 2006 Zoning Ordinance does not contemplate Precision Digital'sbusiness: type, sO thes special use permit would allow a data center, cryptocurrency mining, and high-performance computing in this district. There has been concern expressed by citizens that such a business would be an auditory nuisance to residents, but sawmills, welding shops, and truck terminals are also allowed in this zoning. This propertyi is also adjacent toi the county airport with no residential properties surrounding thej proposed site. Comparing Precision Digital to other allowed types ofl business that would be considered "noisy," it Council. Member. Maarten Venter briefly stepped out ofthe room and returned Woodmaster stated that one oft the developer's requests for the special use permit is to have a maximum decibel level of 100 decibels tol be measured at the property line. The City's current noise ordinance does not have a decibel requirement, but the developer requested the limit tol be ablei to address any complaints and to Council Member Maarten Venter referenced his decades ofwork in data centers, and that while inside the centers can be loud, the noise would not be substantial The City would be allowed to measure decibels and issue citations at will ifthe permit were to havei the maximum decibel condition. Without the condition, however, the City would have no jurisdiction to handle complaints because ofthe ambiguity oft the noise ordinance. Council was in consensus that the 100-decibel Legal counsel had no concerns. The public hearing for this ordinance willl be held on November 6th, and the second reading is anticipated for November 13th, Action: A motion was made by' Theron Ayers to approve the 1st reading ofOrdinance #2023-101324, with specified conditions, with a second  #2023-101324  would be considered allowed by right.  at 7:09. pm.  ensure he: remains a good community partner. ati the distances ofthe residential homes.  limit should be a condition for the permit.  by Maarten Venter. Motion Carried 4-0. 2. Consideration/APprova of Wrecker Policy  Woodmaster stated that the City passed an ordinance for wrecker rotation in 2009 (last modified in 2012), and thati there are some updates to consider tol best Police Chief Chris Jones addressed Council and explained wrecker rotation procedure and how wreckers are used on a daily basis by Baldwin PD, Georgia State Patrol, and the Sheriff's Office for abandoned vehicles, accidents, DUIS, etc.  provide service to those in the city.  Council Meeting Minutes  October 23, 2023  Page I2    Acting Mayor Venter stepped out oft the room at 7:43 pm and returmed at 7:44 ChiefJones created a protocol and recommended maintaining the current three wrecker services. The rotation startsin alphabetical order and runs one week at a time to prevent preferential treatment. ChiefJones would conduct inspections of each service himself, ensuring they have appropriate liabilityinsurance: coverage, as secure impound lot, and all ofthe necessary equipment. Jones stated that he would meet with all three companies (owners or representatives) at once to prevent miscommunication and to ensure all ofthem meet Baldwin'so criteria and Woodmaster stated that if Council SO desired, the City could post an RFP every three years, as is done with Baldwin's engineering firm or auditors. She recommended Council solidify the wrecker policy before the end ofthe calendar Council was in consensus to discuss the wrecker policy further at the work 3. Consideration/APprova. of Purchase of Ground Penetrating Radar  pm.  to discuss a maximum rate toj prevent price gouging.  year.  session. No formal action was taken.  Barnhart presented a request for the purchase of a ground penetrating radart to be used tol locate water and sewer lines that are: not mapped or cannot bel located with current equipment. The radar would also help public works locate leaking waterlines and provide the depth of the line. The cost is $16,407.42 fora a new radar with a one-year parts and labor warranty, with an expected delivery of30 days upon Council approval. The cost would be funded out ofl Banks County 2017 Action: Amotion was made by Stephanie Almagno to approve the purchase ofa ground penetrating radar, not to exceed $16,500 and to be paid from Banks County 20175 SPLOST, with a second by' Theron  SPLOST.  Ayers. Motion Carried 4-0.  4. Consideration/Approva. of Water Treatment Plant Meter  City Engineer Fletcher Holliday presented a request for a replacement meter installed at the water treatment plant that flows to the J Warren booster station. This meter measures the difference of water used between Baldwin and Demorest, allows for annual calibration oft the meter, and will help with the City's water audit score. The cost ofthe meter is $6,695. Thisi is a budgeted expense but Action: A motion was made by Maarten Venter to approve the purchase of a water treatment plant transmission meter, not to exceed $6,700, with a second by Stephanie Almagno. Motion Carried  requires Council approval as it exceeds the $5,000 limit.  4-0. Executive Session Amnouncements  Council Meeting Minutes  October 23, 2023  Page 13    a. Thank you to everyone who attended our Movies In the Market series, which will resume in the spring! Ifyou have ai movie suggestion for our spring series, please message our Facebook or email baldwinevents@cityofbaldwin.org b. Thank you to everyone whoj participated in our Sixth Annual Fall Festival! C. Join us for a family-friendly watch party ofthe Florida/Georgia game on October 28th, hosted by Life Church at 110 Church Street. Tailgating starts at 2:00 pm and kickoffa at 3:30 pm inside the sanctuary! Alcohol is prohibited at this event.  Adjourmment  Action: A motion was made by' Theron Ayers to adjourn the meeting with a second by Maarten Venter. Motion Carried 4-0 at 8:13 pm.    1/13/2073 Date Approved by Council OF CITY E B SEAL HIN, GA  Stephanie. Almagno, Mayor  BairçitherolCiyCeak A6  Council Meeting Minutes  October 23, 2023  Page 14