Former Hoschton clerk working part-time
Two clerks given 25% temporary pay increase
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
Hoschton’s former city clerk is still on the city’s payroll — but she’s doing a reduced workload, according to the mayor.
Mayor Bill Copenhaver said Monday that former city clerk Cindy Edge is helping Hoschton’s two remaining clerks on a part-time basis.
Edge submitted her resignation letter on Feb. 18, which was effective immediately. The city council accepted her resignation on Feb. 20.
“When she gave notice, she also said she wanted to help out, but not full time,” Copenhaver said.
Edge will help assistant city clerk Karen Butler and administrative assistant Teresa Heath “however long she’s available,” Copenhaver said. Butler was named the interim city clerk until a replacement is hired.
Meanwhile, the city council approved a 25 percent wage increase for Butler and Heath until a new city clerk is hired. The pay increase can be extended up to four weeks after the new clerk is named.
Council member Tom Walden said that with Edge’s departure, the remaining clerks were completing her duties. Even with the temporary wage increase for the two clerks, the city is saving money because it isn’t paying Edge’s salary, he added.
A search committee that includes three council members is seeking applicants for the city clerk’s position. The city posted an advertisement for the job on its website this week.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the Hoschton City Council:
• met in a closed-door meeting for 12 minutes to discuss “pending or potential litigation.” The council took no action when the meeting was opened to the public.
• tabled a request by Shannon Sell to rezone lot 7 on Oak Street from R1 to C2. Sell asked the council to table the request until he can provide new plans for the property. The council also tabled the request in February.
• approved the code of ordinances update, which will be available on the city’s website and at city hall. The update includes all amendments to ordinances since February.
• approved Section 18 of the home rule charter amendments, which is related to a quorum of the city council. The amendment states that the affirmative vote of three council members is required for the adoption of an ordinance, resolution or motion.
• held the first reading of Section 6.C of the home rule charter amendments, which is related to approving the termination of city officers, department heads and other employees.
• approved a traffic sign replacement project, which will provide almost 100 new signs and posts for traffic signs throughout the city. The council agreed to fund an amount not to exceed $12,000 for sales tax funds earmarked for street projects.
• approved a contract with Russell-Hatcher for $8,600 to provide auxiliary power to the Towne Park pump station. In the event of a power failure, the city’s wastewater treatment plant would automatically provide power to the plant and station. Council member Richard Green said there was a power failure at the pump station last year, it almost caused a spill of wastewater.
• approved the sale of surplus equipment for the police department.
• approved a measure that would require separate water meters for buildings with multiple tenants.
• approved the advertisement of bids for paving Deer Creek Trail.
•learned that a financial report will be available to the public on a monthly basis. Council member Tom Walden said with 8.3 percent of the year done, most revenue is above that percentage, while expenses remain below 8.3 percent.
•learned that the Georgia Department of Transportation has told the city that the re-alignment of Ga. Hwy. 332 and Towne Center Parkway has been funded approved. The project may start during the summer.
•l earned that planning director Wistar Harmon is reviewing how to improve the open area in the city square, next to Little Hootie’s Dippin’ Parlor. Plans include demolishing a well house, removing a shed behind city hall and adding paved parking along White Street at the rear of the area.
• learned that streetlights will be added along Hwy. 53, south of the city limit, and along Peachtree Street from Hwy. 53 to the Mulberry River.
• learned that the police department is expected to start conducting background checks for employers around the end of March. The public safety committee is also considering a golf cart ordinance and an alarm registration ordinance.
