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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-2013 Regular Meeting City Council of Peachtree City Meeting Minutes August 15, 2013 7:00 p.m. The Mayor and City Council of the City of Peachtree City met in regular session on Thursday, August 15, 2013. Mayor Haddix called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Other Council Members in attendance: George Dienhart, Vanessa Fleisch, Eric Imker, and Kim learnard. Announcements. Awards, Special Reco~nition Mitch Harbeson, Drop Dead Diva Mitch Harbeson, of Lifetime's television series, Drop Dead Diva, presented Council with a framed poster from the show, autographed by Brooke Elliot, star of the series. He thanked Council for making them feel welcome, saying they hoped to be back in January for a sixth season. The show began production in the City in 2008, with $110 million in economic impact. Haddix reported that the missing petroglyph had been returned to Line Creek Nature Area that day. He thanked Public Services Director Mark Caspar and his team for putting the rock back where it belonged. Ten-Minute Talk Parrish Underwood, Executive Director - Fayette Family YMCA Underwood, executive director for the Summit Family YMCA in Coweta County and the Fayette Outdoor YMCA, said the YMCA was beginning renewal efforts in this area. He noted the Fayette facility on Huiet Road became a seasonal facility in 2009, focusing primarily on day camp in the summer, due to the economic downturn. That was the best decision based on the information they had, but one of the consequences of moving to a seasonal operation was that people lost touch. Underwood said there was something special on that 28-acre tract of land, and the YMCA staff wanted to bring the spirit, energy, and magic back. They wanted to under-promise and over-deliver. The plan was to get the name back in the public eye and increase community engagement. The three core elements of the YMCA were youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, which were used as a filter for all its programs. They were looking at preschool sports programs. There were indoor and covered facilities that would be great for low impact exercise classes, as well as using the camp for activities when school was out for holidays. He extended an invitation for people to come by and check out the camp. Minutes August 1, 2013, Regular Meeting Minutes learnard moved to approve the August 1, 2013, regular meeting minutes as written. Fleisch seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Monthly Reports Haddix noted there were additional documents on the dais - the Admin Services, Building, and Finance reports. There were no other comments. Consent Aaenda 1. Consider Surplus of Vehicles and Lease of Vehicle to KPTCB 2. Consider Elimination/Replacement of One Position in Public Works 3. Consider Revision to Fayette County's Hazard Mitigation Plan 4. Consider MOA with West Georgia Technical College 5. Consider Ratification of Hotel/Motel Tax Distribution Agreement with CVB &. Consider Amended Agreement with CVB Director Nancy Price 7. Consider Stormwater & Irrigation Maintenance Agreement - RaceTrac 8. Consider Job Creation Grant Application City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 2 Consent Agenda items 6 and 8 were withdrawn. Haddix noted documents for Consent Agenda item 7 were on the dais - the staff memo and agreement. Imker moved to bring the Consent Agenda items out for individual discussion. learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 1. Consider Surplus of Vehicles and Lease of Vehicle to KPTCB Imker said vehicle usage had been an issue, and this agenda item demonstrated what the City was doing with older vehicles. Public Services Director Mark Caspar said the truck the City would lease to Keep Peachtree City Beautiful (KPTCB) was being replaced by a leased vehicle. Caspar added that KPTCB was also leasing a police car that had been taken out of service. The organization paid the City a lease fee and maintained the vehicles. The City could no longer use the vehicles, and KPTCB put the vehicles to good use. AI YougeL KPTCB director, said KPTCB had a truck and a car. The car needed extensive work, so it was time to get rid of it. The truck referenced in the agenda item had an extended cab, which would allow them to carry more Community Service workers at a time. Yougel said the vehicles were used constantly. Imker added that KPTCB paid a fee to lease the vehicles. It was a win-win for the City and KPTCB. Imker moved to approve the surplus of vehicles and lease of vehicle to KPTCB. Fleisch seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Consider Elimination/Replacement of One Position in Public Works Caspar said the position was currently the Stormwater Project Manager position, and staff wanted to replace the position with a Stormwater Manager position. The Stormwater Project Manager position had not been created as a supervisory position. The employees on the Stormwater crew continued to report to the Streets Supervisor. Public Works and the Stormwater Utility merged paving crews earlier in the year. When that was done, one of the crew supervisor positions was removed, so there would be one supervisor over both crews. The Stormwater Project Manager then took on the supervisory responsibility for the Stormwater crew. Caspar said because of the change in duties, the Stormwater Project Manager position should be eliminated, and a Stormwater Manager position should be added. Imker said Caspar's explanation made the reasons for the change clearer. Imker moved to approve the elimination/replacement of one position in Public Works as described in the packet. learnardseconded. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Consider Revision to Fayette County's Hazard Mitigation Plan Interim Fire Chief Joe O'Conor said the Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed by the County, and it had been five years since the last update. All known hazards in the County would be identified. Based on the plan, the County could apply for grants to help mitigate some of the hazards. O'Conor added that the County was pursuing a grant for the update of the plan. Council's approval also would ensure the City's risks would be included in the document, as well as the staff time needed to compile the information. Imker moved to approve revisions to the Fayette County Hazard Mitigation Plan. learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Consider MOA with West Georgia Technical College City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 3 O'Conor said West Georgia Technical College had asked the department to provide intern opportunities for some of its students in the emergency medical program. It would help the students get clinical hours by supporting and working side-by-side with City personnel. It would be positive for the Fire Department. which had successfully recruited many volunteers from the program in the past, as well as identifying candidates for career slots. It had been a very successful program in the past. It was time to renew the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the school. Learnard asked what the program entailed. O'Conor said they would be active students from the school's Emergency Medical Technician program. When the students reached a certain point in the program, they were able to ride with the City's ambulance crews and assist in treatment. Imker moved to approve the MOA with West Georgia Technical College. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Consider Ratification of Hotel/Motel Tax Distribution Agreement with CVB Fleisch said that the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) had been paying for the July 4th fireworks for the last few years. With the ratification of the new hotel/motel tax rate this year, it was discovered that fireworks was not an approved expenditure for CVBs. As a result, the City would need to pick up the cost for the fireworks; the CVB would pay for recreational facility maintenance, which was an even swap. Imker asked how much the CVB had budgeted for fireworks. Nancy Price, CVB executive director, said $45,000 was budgeted. Financial Services Director Paul Salvatore said the fireworks contract cost $22,000, and the remaining funds were spent for Public Works and Public Safety support, and other expenses. Fleisch moved to approve the ratifi<:;ation of the hotel/motel tax distribution agreement with the CVB. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Consider Amended Agreement with CVB Director Nancy Price This item was withdrawn from the agenda. 7. Consider Stormwater & Irrigation Maintenance Agreement - RaceTrac Caspar explained the stormwater and irrigation maintenance agreement was standard business for new developments. Per the agreement, RaceTrac would provide the maintenance for the stormwater infrastructure and detention pond, and the City would be allowed to perform inspections to ensure it was maintained. Imker said the RaceTrac was a sensitive issue, adding that it did not look as though there was room for a detention pond on the property. Caspar said the detention pond would be underground, noting similar designs at Towne Club, Delta Credit Union, and other businesses. If people could not see the ponds, they were probably driving on top of them. Imker asked where the water would go. Caspar said it would go out to a system parallel to SR 54, eventually going to Line Creek. The stormwater would be treated for water quality through infiltration before being discharged into Line Creek. Haddix recalled that the stormwater pond for the new Chase Bank at Kedron Shopping Center would also be underground. Imker thanked Council for allowing the discussion on the agenda items. It allowed everyone to see what happened behind the scenes on the Consent Agenda. City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 4 lmker moved to approve the stormwater and irrigation maintenance agreement with RaceTrac. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Consider Job Creation Grant Application This item was withdrawn from the agenda. Old Aaenda Items There were no Old Agenda Items. New Aaenda Items 08-13-01 Consider Adoption of FY 2014 Budget Resolutions Salvatore said the public hearing required by Georgia law had been held on July 18. There had been no changes since that time. He asked Council to take action supporting the budget resolution, supporting documentation, and the associated resolution for commitment of fund balance. Imker moved to approve the FY 2014 budget resolution and supporting documentation and the association resolution for commitment of fund balance. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 08-13-02 Consider Adoption of 2013 Millage Rate Salvatore said the proper advertising had taken place, and the recommended millage rates for 2013 property taxes were 6.756 mills for maintenance and operation and the reduced rate of 0.332 mills for bonds. Imker moved to adopt the maintenance and operations millage rate of 6.756 mills and the bond millage rate of 0.332 mills. Learnardseconded. Motion carried unanimously. 08-13-03 Consider Approval of FY 2014 Keep Peachtree City Beautiful Budget Keep Peachtree City Beautiful (KPTCB) Director AI Yougel noted there had been an increase in the annual budget from FY 2013 ($86,600) to FY 2014($99,458), an increase of $12,858. He said the organization was getting more money for recyclable materials that were collected, but it was also paying more to get the bins pulled. Yougel said KPTCB provided 125 recycle bins at the City's athletic fields and parks and eight dog stations that were not available before, and that KPTCB contributed 6,000 hours to the City's workload outside of its contractual obligations. Recycling was available at five schools. Last year, people dropped off 630,000 pounds at the drop off stations on Mcintosh Trail and Rockaway Road, and there were two months left in the fiscal year. They were 100,000 pounds ahead of the same time last year. The Rockaway Road facility was open 624 hours last year, and 17,600 vehicles came into the facility. KPTCB spent 6,300 hours picking up litter on 83 miles of highways and streets. The 83 miles were covered every week. Yougel continued that 1,330 people performed 12,700 hours of community service. KPTCB administered the Court-mandated community service program for the City's Municipal Court as well as other courts in the area. Yougel said approximately 60% of the 10,100 homes that had curbside recycling available actually used it. Twenty-one percent of the refuse collected was kept out of landfills by recycling, compared to a few years ago when it was only 0.5% to 1 %. Nine City government offices recycled paper and cardboard. City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 5 Learnard asked Yougel to explain the dog stations. Yougel said the stations were located throughout the City, including Drake Field, and they provided materials for owners to clean up after their dogs. Yougel pointed out that all residents who had curbside garbage service in the City also had co- mingled recycling included in the price. Imker moved to approve the KPTCB FY 2014 budget. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 08- 13-04 Consider Resolution Calling for Special Election Public Information Officer/City Clerk Betsy Tyler addressed Council, noting that Dienhart had announced he was running for Mayor, and per state law, Dienhart's seat would be vacated upon qualifying during the week of August 26. Dienhart had submitted his formal resignation effective the end of August or upon qualifying, giving Council the latitude to call a special election for Post 2, which was Dienhart's seat, at the same time as the Municipal Election on November 5. Qualifying for Post 2 could also be held at the same time as qualifying for the positions of Mayor, Post 3, and Post 4. Imker added that the commitment for Post 2 was two years. which was what remained of Dienhart's term. The candidate who won the election would be sworn in before the end of the year. Imker moved to approve the resolution calling for Special Election. Fleisch seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Council/Staff Topics Hot Topics City Manager Jim Pennington said Haddix had already made the announcement about the petroglyph and its return. Imker pointed out there were two Council meetings scheduled in September, and he would not be able to attend the September 19 meeting. which meant there would only be three members at that meeting. Per the ordinances, four members constituted a quorum. Mike Sumner, who was sitting in for City Attorney Ted Meeker, said three votes were needed to conduct business, so there would have to be unanimous consent to in order to do business. Unless everything would be unanimous, Council could consider changing the September 19 meeting. Pennington said there were a number of odd circumstances/rules in the City Charter and in the Code of Ordinances. Per the Charter, if a seat was vacated, then the quorum changed to three members, yet the ordinance required three positives votes on agenda items for approval. Sumner said Council could still hold a meeting on September 19 since three members would be a quorum. Any agenda item with a 2-1 vote would be moved to the next agenda since the motion would die. Pennington said basically the Charter said "x," and the procedures outlined in the ordinances said "y," adding the procedures could be changed. Learnard asked Pennington for his guidance since he knew what might already be on the agenda. City Council Minutes August 15,2013 Page 6 Pennington said there were items on the September 19 agenda that had been scheduled months ago, and they were very expensive projects - the dam repairs for the Kedron East and West ponds and Rockspray Pond. There were some items on the September 5 agenda, such as two alcohol licenses, that were essential to individuals. There were issues with holding one meeting and moving it to September 12, including the public hearing scheduled for the Fairfield Inn & Suites on September 19. The bids for the dams could be moved to October 3, but it would depend on how long the bids submitted would hold. Learnard suggested making a decision on the September 19 meeting at the September 5 meeting. The other members agreed. Imker reiterated that the conversation on the meeting dates was because of a special provision for a quorum in the Charter since there would be a vacancy on Council at the end of August. He was not able to attend the September 19 meeting, but might have to change his plans. Comparison of Funding Options for Road & Cart Path Maintenance Imker said he had asked for the agenda item, noting he had first shared the information at the August 1 meeting. The objective was to give some of the thought process on how to come up with $1.5 million annually for road and cart path maintenance. Imker referred to a chart on the presentation screen (included below), saying it could just as easily read $1.5 million was needed to fund the Fire, Police, or Public Works Departments. Somewhere in the future, the City needed another $1.5 million. If a list were to be prioritized, Imker said road and cart path maintenance would definitely be below fire and police protection. Imker briefly went over the options shown in the chart below: Funding for Road & Cart Path Maintenance Options for Peachtree City ($1.5M is needed annually to get the job done) Estimate Cost to Averaae Home Funds Duration of # Option Generated How It Works Maintenance Annuallv Total UDside/Downside/Comment 1 Proposed 2013 $14.6M (1) 1 % Sales Tax 7-10 yrs Between Between . Non-PTC residents will Fayette County for up to 2 $150 - $300 - contribute revenue for SPLOST Years $200 $400 maintenance. (~pecial . If revenue achieved prior to !:urpose !:ocal 24 months, the tax ends. I.e. Option ~ales if $14.6M reached in 18 lax) months, the tax ends. . Least expensive of options involving revenue generation. 2 2014 PTC $10M 0.654 Mil Rate 5-7 Yrs $62 $620 . 100% funded by PTC tax G.O. Bond (Tax) Increase payers. (General applied to . Still paying tax after funds Obligation) annual exhausted. ."",Wi"" November property tax bill for 10 years City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 7 Mil Increase $1.5M / 0.850 Mil Rate Indefinitely $81 $81 per + 100% funded by PTC tax year (Tax) Increase year payers. added to ongoing + Long term permanent annual solution. November + Tax revenue goes into property tax General Fund. bill indefinitely 4 Use City $1.5M / 2 yrs $0 $0 . Limited funds and time General Fund year solution. Reserves . Keeps policy of 20% city reserves intact. 5 Reduce Other None I ndefin itely $0 $0 . Long term permanent City solution. Services . Politicians will have to detail cuts/savings totaling $1.5M oer year. 6 Future Tax Every 2% Based on total I ndefin itely $28 if Amount . 100% funded by PTC tax Digest Digest PTC value after Ave of payers. Increases increase because of 13% Digest Home annual . Must wait for FMV equals growth/decline increase FMV change increases which may take 5 $235K in business, obtained increased per year years or more. Nobody revenue fair market $10K ongoing knows. (For reference: 2 of value (FMV), the 13% increase was inflation, etc. achieved in CY2013) .!..,,'R'" 7 Other / ? ? ? ? ? . Politicians will have to Combination of detail. I Above Historical Reference 8 Former 2005 $10M 1 % Sales Tax 7 Yrs $200 $1,000 . Voter approved in 2005. Fayette for 5 Years . Funds exhausted in 2013. County SPLOST 9 Former 2009 $22M(L} 1 % Sales Tax 7 yrs $200 $1,200 · Voted down. Fayette for 6 Years County SPLOST 10 Former 2012 $10M 1 % Sales Tax 5 Yrs $200 $2,000 · Voted down. Atlanta for 10 Years Regional TSPLOST (T = Transportation) (1) Total 2013 SPLOST would generate -$41M. Values in Funds Generated column are PTC's share. (Unincorporated Fayette County, Fayetteville, Tyrone, Brooks will use their share of money for their own projects.) (2) $1 OM of the $22M was for Road & Cart Path Maintenance. The rest was for other projects/uses. Imker said he was prepared to listen to comments and change numbers on the chart to whatever numbers people felt were more accurate. He noted the letters that had been in the City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 8 newspapers complaining about how the County planned to spend its share of the SPLOST, adding he did not care how the County spent their money. Imker wanted the City's citizens to know how the City planned to spend any SPLOST funds. Several residents had contacted him about the chart. There might be additional items that had not been considered, and he was sure there were other options out there. Dienhart pointed out the proposed SPLOST could be used as a bridge to the increased property values Council hoped to see in the future, which could mean a mill increase would not be necessary to pay for road and cart path maintenance. The SPLOST would last a maximum of two years and would pay for 10 years of maintenance. Imker said it could pay for seven to 10 years based on his numbers, adding the proposed SPLOST could actually speed up the maintenance of some roads. The 2005 SPLOST that provided $10 million lasted seven years, and they should be able to make $14 million last at least that long. Learnard noted that Option 2, the GO bond, would be a 10-year obligation, costing residents an estimated $620 during that time compared to $300 to $400 for two years. A millage rate increase for 10 years would cost residents an estimated $810. Learnard said the business case favored the proposed SPLOST. The most common misunderstanding was that people felt they would be paying for County projects, but there would be an equitable distribution of the SPLOST funds to the City's residents that would save the average household money. Fleisch thanked Imker for laying out the options, adding no immediate decision needed to be made. The other options were available should the SPLOST be defeated. Imker said he did not want to concentrate on Option 1, which was temporary relief that could lead to a long-term solution of paying for the maintenance from the General Fund, the way it should be done. When City and County residents went to other counties, they were contributing to the maintenance of roads, but Fayette County was not asking those counties to contribute to its roads. Imker noted that per the state's Sales Tax Rate Chart, Fayette was one of eight counties in the state with a 6% sales tax. The remainder of the 159 counties had either a 7% or 8% sales tax. He referred to the "Diva" marathon that would be held in the City in 2014, saying it should generate a minimum of $1 million in SPLOST funds just for the City at the current tax rate. Haddix agreed there were a lot of questions, they were speculating, and they did not have the answers. He read the following statement: Before moving on to the spreadsheets for roads and paths, some basic information and understanding needs to be provided. As my presentation proceeds you will see the term "Condition Rating." Condition Rating is a term for a numerical "grade" given to the present condition of the road. One hundred (I 00) means newly laid or resurfaced. As time goes by the asphalt wears and breaks down due to traffic, environment, etc. The deterioration accelerates as the road gets older because the asphalt loses strength, flexibility and other attributes. The life of a road, in Peachtree City, is about 10 to 15 years. The target rating for resurfacing is below 80. To give an example, I will use the road where my home is located. I know the history because we bought during construction at the very beginning of 1987, the road was just being laid with completion in 1987. The road was on the 2004 SPLOST list. It was in terrible condition with alligator cracking, which means a pattern of many cracks resembling alligator scales, potholes, gullies, and loose stone from the pavement. It was well past needing resurfaced at 17 years old. I do not remember the exact year it was City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 9 repaved, but it was before I ran for office in 2007 and after 2004. I believe it was 2005. Using 2005, the asphalt is now 8 years old, with a lot of cracks and loose stone coming out of the pavement. Signs of potholes are starting to show at various places. The last evaluation was done in 2012. The condition rating of the street is 82. So, in 7 years the rating fell 18 points, an average of 2.57 rating points per year, which places the street now at 79 or 80, using 2.5 points per year. That is in line with other standards. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has a policy of replacing roads every 10 years with a target rating of 75. 10 years times 2.5 is 25. 100-25 is 75. Right on target. Now moving on to the spreadsheets, reme mber the last evaluation was in 2012 and roads deteriorate at about 2.5 points per year. Haddix referred to a spreadsheet which included a tab for "SPLOST Fund Uses." He briefly noted staff's proposal for use of the SPLOST on streets and paths, if it passed, with the following distribution: . For streets there is $7.5 million . For maintenance and widening of paths there is $2.5 million . For new paths $2 million . That totals $12 million, leaving $2.6 million Haddix noted the remaining $2.6 million would be spent on bridge and tunnel maintenance. In discussing "Path Priority," Haddix showed a list of 605 paths, along with their Condition Ratings and repair costs. Eleven paths with a Rating in the 70's would not be funded by the SPLOST. The list of the paths is included in the meeting file. Haddix discussed a list of 765 streets, along with their Condition Ratings and repair costs, including a list of 264 streets rated 80 to 89 that would be unfunded. The list is included in the meeting file. Haddix gave the following review: . Asphalt below a Condition Rating of 80 need maintenance now . Asphalt deteriorates more rapidly over time. The average per year is about 2.5 points . New or resurfaced roads have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, depending on the traffic levels, environment, and other consideration . The Staff position is to spend the funds as they come in. I agree with this position. There are no logical or justifiable reasons to try to stretch the funds over ten years. There are logical and justifiable reasons to spend it as it comes in. Under the Staff proposal, the following are covered by the SPLOST: . Bridges and tunnels at a cost of $2.6 mil/ion . Path maintenance on some paths with Condition Rating of 70 or lower at a cost of $2.5 million. . New path construction at a cost of $2 million . Street paving on some street with Condition Ratings of 80 or lower at a cost of $7.5 million Roads and paths with no funding mechanism that will need repair after the 5 years of the SPLOST: . 11 paths needing maintenance now, with a Rating in the 70's . 187 paths with Ratings of 80 to 89 . 264 streets with ratings of 80 to 89 . The last study for Condition Rating was done in 2012. That means all the Ratings have City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 10 already declined +/- 2.5 points. The average cost of SPLOST on ahousehold is about $200.00. Over five years that is $80.00 per year. Currently, expenses are parsed, not viewed in totality. That approach must end. Citizens pay all these costs out of their singular pockets: . On the Millage Rate o The Total Millage Rate in 2010 (paid in 2009) was 5.553 o In 20 II (paid in 20 10) it was 6.783 o In 2013 (paid in 2012) it was 7. 178 o That is an increase of 1.63 mills to date . The Total Millage Rate for 20 18, under the Budget approach, is 7.690 o That is a total increase of 2.14 mills o The Budget includes projected increases in home values of 2% per year beginning in 2014. There is no rollback on the Millage Rate, meaning your tax bill will increase o In 2018 we are still spending more than we bring in. Still consuming the Reserve every year . On Storm water: o Line items from the Budget were transferred to Stormwater and the fee was over doubled. o In about 3 years we will be .looking for new funding for Storm water as well, meaning another fee increase . Streets and Paths: o We have no funding source for the paths. The SPLOST is being promoted as a short term, five-year income source, costing you about $400.00 total, about $80.00 per year The picture is very clear. We have a spending problem. Before asked what my plan is, I will share it: . Using already existing One Peachtree City and Needs Assessment Survey plus Town Hall data gathered early next year, create a Comprehensive Strategic Plan for services, income, and spending. . Look for places where the City is competing with the commercial sector. We do not need to be in competition with our own businesses . Look for public/private opportunities. I proved with the Tennis Center they work when done correctly. . Bring our services in line with what the citizens want. . As warranted, re-purpose to new uses, then decide how to move forward. With that said, I am finished. Imker said he appreciated the list of roads and paths, since it had shown the magnitude of the maintenance problem. Public Works would be able to spread the 2005 SPLOST money out, and keep the citizens fairly happy with the roads. Roads with the most need had been paved, and more were scheduled in the future. The magnitude of the problem was enormous, so maybe a $40 million G.O. bond was needed, or they needed to find some way to cut City services by $40 million over a short time. Imker said he wanted to hear the specifics of exactly what Haddix wanted to cut. In 2011, Council. raised the millage rate by 1.25 mills because of the huge shortfall it was facing - $22 million over the future five years. Part of the plan was to use the cash reserve. A mill had been left on the table, with a 0.25 mill increase over four years. Imker said it could have been done upfront in 2011 with a 2.25 mill increase. There was a schedule for road and cart path maintenance, and Imker said he trusted staff to manage how the work was done. City Council Minutes August 15, 2013 Page 11 He would like to hear a solution on where more money would come from and what needed to be cut. Imker said. if the SPLOST did not pass, specific answers would be needed during budget time next year. A five-year plan had been laid out. This was the last major problem that needed solving. A reasonably good recovery had been accomplished up to this point. Each individual had to judge for themselves whether they still received value from the City for what they paid. Haddix said he did put a plan on the table, adding just because Imker disagreed did not mean it was not a plan. The City was falling behind on path maintenance. Based on the comments he received, Haddix said the citizens were not happy with the condition of the cart paths. He continued that he and Imker looked at things differently and had different approaches. It was up to the citizens to determine which way things would go. Imker said he had only listed some options. Under the option to reduce services to find the $1.5 million needed, he had specifically noted the politicians would have to define those cuts. They had a year to figure things out, and they would know how big a problem there was after November. Haddix said he had been hearing the budget problems were solved for four years. but they were not solved. Learnard said Haddix had done a fantastic job of showing the severity of the problem, asking Haddix where the money would come from. Haddix said Council had to evaluate and have a plan first, and that had not been done. They had different opinions, and he respected that. Executive Session Dienhart moved to convene in executive session for real estate at 8:36 p.m. Fleisch seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Dienhart moved to reconvene in regular session at 8:52 p.m. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Learnard moved to authorize staff to proceed with finalizing the transactions for acquisition of easements from Ann Eargle and Dr. Faiyaz as discussed in executive session and to place these matters on the next Council agenda for approval. Fleisch seconded. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business to discuss, Dienhart moved to adjourn the meeting. Learnard seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8' 5 p.m. ~vu& D