CITY OF BERKELEY LAKE

4040 BERKELEY LAKE ROAD

BERKELEY LAKE, GA 30096-3016

PUBLIC HEARING/COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES – June 8, 2000

Those in attendance for the Public Hearing and Council Meeting were as follows:

Mayor – Lois Salter

Council Members:Tony Arakawa

Liz Branstead

Phil Cuttino

Ken Massaroni

Delicia Reynolds

City Clerk/Treasurer – Marcie Zielazienski

Claire Grimes

City Attorney – Richard Carothers

Police Coordinator – Ray Dunlap

Citizens Present:20

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Salter called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. regarding the Sign Ordinance and the revision of the Ordinances in Chapter 39. There were no comments forthcoming on either issue.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mayer Salter made one correction to the May 11 minutes on page two under appointments, replace ad hoc with "Storm Water Management and Watershed Protection Committee." Councilmember Massaroni moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Councilmember Cuttino seconded. Approval was unanimous.

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORT

Councilmember Branstead moved to approve the financial report. Councilmember Cuttino seconded. Approval was unanimous.

STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mayor Salter stated she has received the following reports: OEO Report; Code Revision Committee; Conservation Committee Report; BLEMA Report from Tom Kitchens; a Public Works & Safety Report; Intergovernmental & Community Affairs Committee; Communications Committee; Financial Affairs Committee and the Storm Water Management and Watershed Protection Committee. Mayor Salter asked that when reports are sent to her, please indicate what you want on the agenda. Mr. Kitchens reported on the storm drain damage on the 3425 Kingsland Circle property. Extensive discussion followed. Councilmember Arakawa moved to start with investigation. Councilmember Massaroni amended the motion for drainage repairs in Berkeley Walk not to exceed $15,000. Councilmember Branstead seconded. Approval was unanimous.

MEETING REPORTS

Mayor Salter reported on Wayne Hill's Storm Water Management and Watershed Protection Committee meeting that she attended. Mr. Jim Scarbrough, the major stormwater person from the county, will speak at Councilmember Reynolds committee meeting at the Chapel on Monday, June 12 at 7:30. Mayor Salter also reported on the Homeowners' Presidents meeting. Five of the six homeowners associations were represented at the meeting. Berkeley Field was not represented. Councilmember Branstead reported on the Gwinnett Tree Advisory Committee.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS

Mayor Salter reported the variance issue discussed at the last Council Meeting has been resolved. She has thanked the Millers for their willingness to resolve the issue. She thanked Councilmember Arakawa for his assistance as liaison and to Tom Kitchens who has agreed to cover up to $5,000 to move the play structure out of the buffer area. The Mayor also thanked Councilmember Cuttino for the success of the Relay for Life. Mrs. Cuttino showed the award that was presented for raising over $150 per teammate. Councilmember Cuttino thanked various sponsors who donated items. There will be a flyer out regarding the 4th of July celebration. Mayor Salter will be attending an HOA meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Salter announced there will be meetings on June 15th and 19th concerning the planned development named Crossroads at Gwinnett Place. There will be a state greenspace meeting in Marietta on June 15th. Mayor Salter announced she had written for information on how to become a character city. She learned of this from the Georgia Municipal Association website. Mayor Salter then appointed an Arbitration Board so it would be in place if needed in the future. The persons appointed are Gary Moore, Tom Kitchens, Sherry Ruys, Marcie Zielazienski, and Ray Dunlap. Councilmember Branstead moved to approve the appointments. Councilmember Cuttino seconded. Approval was unanimous. Mayor then appointed John Rockers to the Storm Water Management and Watershed Protection Committee. Councilmember Branstead moved to approve the appointment. Councilmember Cuttino seconded. Approval was unanimous

OLD BUSINESS

Weiland maintenance bond - Flaherty

Attorney Carothers has received the final punch list from Mr. Flaherty and will write the letter regarding the maintenance bond to Weiland.

Sign ordinance, 2nd read

Councilmember Arakawa moved to approve the ordinance. Councilmember Branstead seconded. Approval was unanimous.

New city seal - Reynolds

Councilmember Reynolds presented new drawings from Britt Collins for the city seal and letterhead. Councilmember Branstead moved to approve the design and Councilmember Cuttino seconded. Approval was unanimous.

Grants - Cuttino

Councilmember Cuttino reported there might be money from an emergency fund for repair of the crushed pipe. He reported that he should hear from the grant for the pavilion any day and the forestry grant is being evaluated now and should hear by mid-July. He reported on several other grants being considered. He then reported on the July 4 celebration. He is working with BJ and they hope to have cruises of the lake for those who do not live on the lake.

Mediaone - Carothers

Attorney Carothers reported that when he called Mediaone for a status, they said to send them the last draft. Attorney Carothers told them that they had the last draft. This has taken 30 days.

Welcome Package

Mayor Salter discussed a welcome package for new residents of Berkeley Lake that would have information about the city. Councilmember Cuttino reported he is putting together an informational memo to include items such as what you can build, what you can dig, what you can chop down, what you can't, presented in a fun way that would not offend anybody. Discussion followed regarding subscribing to a list that will show new persons buying and/or moving into the city at the approximate cost of $400.

Earth Day 2001

Claire Grimes reported that no inquiries can be made concerning county trucks until January 2001.

Greenspace Trust

Councilmember Branstead reported that she and Attorney Carothers are looking into the 63 acres that belong to the city becoming an official greenspace.

Proposed Revision of ordinance amendment to chapter 39, 2nd read – Massaroni

Councilmember Massaroni moved to approve the amendments to Section 103 (defining the zoning enforcement officer) and 1201 (setting the zoning enforcement officer's responsibilities) of Chapter 39 ordinance. Councilmember Arakawa seconded. Approval was unanimous.

Roadside maintenance problems – Arakawa

Councilmember Arakawa reported that the current contractor for roadside maintenance is being released. Bids for a new contractor are being reviewed. He thanked Stu Davidson for his assistance with this issue. Blake Manton, a representative from ImageScapes, was present and explained his bid, but the lower bid from Stevenson Landscaping was more acceptable for the city's needs at this time. Councilmember Arakawa moved to accept the Stevenson bid. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Approval was unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS

Billboard

The sign in question is against code. It is 7' too high and 17' too close to Chris Holben's property. There is an issue of whether it is under the old billboard law or the new billboard law. The Council agreed to have Attorney Carothers pursue discussions with the county and Crown Media.

Pets on leashes

It was decided to have higher enforcement of the leash law for dogs. There is nothing in the ordinance saying cats should be leashed.

Ordinance Chapter 3, 1st read – Massaroni

Councilmember Massaroni moved to put the Revised Chapter 3 of the City Ordinances on first read. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Approval was unanimous. Mayor Salter asked Councilmember Massaroni to poll the council to see if there is an interest in returning to the four-year term.

Waste Management – Arakawa

Councilmember Arakawa presented a specification that has been ongoing for six months for the city attorney to review. It was agreed to put it on the agenda for next month so the council would also have time to review the document.

Councilmember Arakawa reported that they have picked up the equipment that was purchased for cleanup of the storm damage. Marcie Zielazienski will express the papers for signature to Mr. Flaherty so the bill for the equipment can be paid.

Councilmember Arakawa reported he had requested applications for cash grants for right-of-ways that may be able to be used by the city.

Councilmember Reynolds reported the Financial Affairs Committee is going to begin working on the 2001 budget and would like input on any projects known for next year so it can be addressed in the budget.

Councilmember Cuttino reported he has been talking with David Kessler, President of the Gwinnett Place Neighborhood Association, and thought it might be a good idea to invite them to come to Berkeley Lake to have their meeting. Mayor Salter said to contact him and make the arrangements.

Officer Dunlap stated that the fastest way to get a police officer in an urgent situation is to dial 911. If it is a non-emergency or do not need an officer do not use 911. Officer Dunlap's phone information will be posted on the website.

Jane Hardwick (770 Lakeview Lane) reminded everyone that in order to vote in the summer primary they need to register before June 19.

Dan Huntington, president of Berkeley Walk Homeowners Association, expressed his and Max Polishenko's (president of Berkeley Commons) concern regarding the 63 acres being assigned as greenspace and never being able to do anything else with it in future years.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER NEW BUSINESS, COUNCILMEMBER ARAKAWA MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LAND ACQUISITION, LITIGATION, AND PERSONNEL ISSUES. COUNCILMEMBER REYNOLDS SECONDED. THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:15 P.M.

After executive session there were no citizens present. Councilmember Reynolds moved to amend the earlier motion approving the City seal to authorize the expenditure of $1600 to pay the artist for his work. Councilmember Branstead seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Councilmember Reynolds then reported that the county could handle the issuing of tax notices, and the collection and distribution for the setup fee of $2000, plus $200 per year. The councilmembers authorized her to look further into implementing it.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, COUNCILMEMBER ARAKAWA MOVED AND COUNCILMEMBER CUTTINO SECONDED TO ADJOURN AT 10:25 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia A. Gilbert, PLS

City Clerk Assistant