City of Midway
“Special Call Meeting”
July 26, 2010
11:00 A.M.
The Honorable Dr. Clemontine F. Washington, Mayor -Presiding
Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Health Insurance Adoption
IV. Adjournment
Official Minutes of the Midway City Council
Monthly Work Session
July 26, 2010
The regular monthly work session for the month of July was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by the Honorable Dr. Clemontine F. Washington.
Members present: Curtes H. Roberts, Sr., Mayor Pro-Tem; Levern Clancy, Jr., Councilman; and Melice H. Hamilton, Councilwoman.
Staff present: Terrell L. Chipp, Utility Manager/Fire Chief; Lynette G. Cook-Osborne, City Clerk; Gwendolyn Lowe, Finance Director; and Kelli Morningstar, Chief of Police.
Moment of Silence – Mayor Washington asked council and the audience to take a moment of silence and please include the late Staff Sergeant Sheldon Tate and his family that came through our city on July 22, 2010.
Staff Sergeant Tate was killed in Iraq. Mayor Washington further stated that she, State Representative Al Williams, and Midway Police Department Police Chief Kelli Morningstar escorted the cortege from Savannah to Richmond Hill where they were joined by the Liberty County Sheriff’s department and the Hinesville Police Department. She thanked all who lined the highway from Friendly Express to the Dorchester Funeral Home. Especially the Midway and Riceboro Volunteer Fire Departments, East Liberty County American Legion Post # 321, 1st District Department of Georgia American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter # 789, the Disabled Veterans, local Mayors, employees of The Heritage Bank and hundreds of citizens from throughout the county who came to give Staff Sergeant Tate a hero’s welcome home.
Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag was led by Mayor Washington.
Approval of Agenda – Item “A” under new business was deleted at Mr. Trent Long’s request. Councilwoman Hamilton made the motion to approve the agenda with the change. Councilman Clancy seconded the motion. This motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes – Councilwoman Hamilton made the motion to disapprove May 24, 2010 minutes because she felt that something may have been incorrect about a motion. Councilman Clancy seconded the motion. This motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business
Health Insurance – Ms. Gwendolyn Lowe, Finance Director – Ms. Lowe stated that she had signed papers stating the employee’s preferences. The tally is as follows: (7) employees chose Coventry Insurance Policy; (1) employee undecided; (2) employees chose Aetna; and (1) employee can’t afford either insurance. After a brief discussion, Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts made the motion to carry Health Insurance to the Special Call Meeting to be held on July 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Councilwoman Hamilton seconded the motion. This motion passed unanimously.
Water Rates – Mayor Washington requested Ms. Lowe to calculate an anonymous account to compare the new rates inside and outside the city limits. The increase would be approximately $14.00 to $15.00 per month on 2931 gallons. Councilman Clancy stated that the customers are going to be upset if they have one or two increases. Councilwoman Hamilton concurred with Councilman Clancy. Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts stated what about the elderly on fixed incomes. Mayor Washington stated a notice went out on the August utility bills informing the customers that the rates will be increased with the September bills. Mayor Washington stated that the Council could have a Special Call Meeting on July 29, 2010 at 6:00 to discuss further.
New Business
Liberty County Road Maintenance – T. R. Long Engineering – Mr. Long wasn’t present.
Water System Discussion – Mr. Matthew Barrow and Mr. Paul Simonton attended from P. C. Simonton and Associates. Mr. Barrow explained how the county would like tie in to the city line so that all of the lines are looped and there aren’t any dead end lines. Mr. Simonton explained that when Highway 84 expanded to four lanes it covered part of the City of Midway water lines on the north side of Highway 84 west of the city limits across from Dorchester Improvement Association. Mr. Simonton stated that the City of Midway is not represented at the Technical meetings. He also stated it would be beneficial to the City of Midway if they were tied into the county’s system because of the age of Midway’s well. Mr. Lindsay Swida stated that Mr. Ron Kolat has drawn the contingency plan which includes a new well. Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts stated that Liberty County would have the City of Midway boxed in if the city agreed to connect to those lines. Mr. Simonton stated that Capital Improvement Plan will add to the unincorporated areas.
Department of Transportation – Mr. Matthew Barrow - Mr. Barrow stated the new program is Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG). It replaces both the State Aid and Local Assistance Road (LARP) programs. Mr. Barrow stated that these funds can be used to do more than resurfacing. He stated that these funds may be used for sidewalks, patching potholes, safe routes to school and bridges.
Department Reports
A. Police Chief – Mrs. Kelli Morningstar
Officer Duvale Page was sitting in for Chief Kelli Morningstar. Chief Morningstar is requesting to hire an additional officer.
B. Utility Manager / Fire Chief - Mr. Terrell L. Chipp, Sr.
Mr. Chipp needs a control box for the pump house and he has a water leak near Rev. James Shipman entrance.
C. City Clerk - Mrs. Lynette G. Cook-Osborne
Mrs. Cook-Osborne attended the Department of Transportation training in Jesup and was introduced to the new Local Maintenance Improvement Grant Program (LMIG). The City of Midway has approximately $5,000.00 for this fiscal year and it can be used or carried over for a period of three years. The GIRMA claim vehicle accident involving former City Councilman Mr. Henry O. Stevens, Sr. has been settled for $3,500.00
D. Finance Director - Ms. Gwendolyn Lowe
Ms. Lowe passed out financial statements to the Mayor and Council for the month of June, 2010. If there are any questions please contact Mrs. Lowe at a later date.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Washington attended quiet a few meeting. She also attended a portion of the deadly force training at the Midway Police Department.
Announcements – Mayor Washington announced the call meeting will he held on July 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in this room and the next regular monthly meeting will be held August 09, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the same location.
Adjournment
Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts made the motion to adjourn the work session. Councilwoman Hamilton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjourned
Official Minutes of the Midway City Council
Special Call Meeting
July 26, 2010
The Midway City Council held a “Special Call Meeting” on July 26, 2010. The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by the Honorable Mayor Dr. Clemontine F. Washington.
Members present: Dr. Clemontine F. Washington, Mayor; Curtes H. Roberts, Sr., Mayor Pro-Tem; Melice H. Hamilton, Councilwoman; and Levern Clancy, Jr., Councilman.
Approval of Agenda – Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts made motion to approve the agenda as printed. Councilman Clancy seconded the motion. This motion passed unanimously.
Health Insurance Adoption – Councilman Clancy made the motion to accept Coventry Insurance immediately. Mayor Pro-Tem Roberts seconded the motion. During the discussion it was stated not to accept Coventry immediately because several employees have pre-existing conditions and have paid their deductibles for this fiscal year. The motion failed by a unanimous vote. Councilman Clancy made the motion to accept Coventry Insurance for the employees to begin January 01, 2011. Councilwoman Hamilton seconded the motion. This motion passed unanimously.
Adjourned
Clemontine F. Washington, Mayor
Lynette G. Cook-Osborne, City Clerk
