Watkinsville public meetings in 2021

City Council

The Watkinsville City Council is reviewing a second reading of the New City Charter and amendments to the Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance regarding breweries. The meeting also includes discussions on a partial demolition permit for 13 School Street and a GDOT grant application.

• Second reading of New City Charter
• Second reading of ordinance amendments for breweries
• Partial demolition permit for 13 School Street
• GDOT Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) application submittal
• Resolution to use ARPA funds for essential worker premium pay

The Watkinsville City Council approved a second reading of the new City Charter, updating the document for the first time since 1983. They also passed amendments to the alcoholic beverages ordinance to allow breweries, with one council member opposed. The council approved several other items, including an LMIG application for Layle Lane paving, ARPA premium pay for essential workers, and an opioid settlement opt-in.

• Approved updated City Charter (5-0)
• Approved brewery amendments to alcoholic beverages ordinance (4-1)
• Approved 2022 LMIG application for Layle Lane resurfacing (5-0)
• Approved ARPA premium pay for essential workers (5-0)
• Approved opioid settlement opt-in (5-0)
• Approved 2022 election qualifying fees at 3% (5-0)
• Tabled demolition permit request for 13 School Street until January 2022 (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items 6-9 (5-0)

City Council

This is a work session, so no final action will be taken. The City Council will discuss the City Charter with Attorney Reitman as an item for future consideration. The agenda includes the full text of the current charter, which defines the city's powers, boundaries, and government structure.

• Discussion of City Charter with Attorney Reitman
• Charter defines city limits extending one mile from Greensboro Highway and Barnett Shoals Road
• Charter grants powers including taxation, bonds, utilities, and police powers
• Charter establishes a Mayor and five Councilmembers with two-year terms

City Council

The Watkinsville City Council will hold a public hearing on a new city charter, receive the FY2021 audit report, and consider budget amendments. They will also vote on consent items including a jail agreement, liquor licenses, and an appointment, plus discuss development projects and approve funding for rescue equipment.

• Approve $34,829.75 from SPLOST III for Holmatro battery-operated extrication equipment (Jaws of Life)
• Public hearing on new City Charter
• Approve jail agreement with Oconee County Sheriff's Office
• Beer/wine & distilled spirits licenses for Blind Pig Tavern at 22 N Main Street, Building A
• First reading of ordinance amendments to Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance for breweries

The council approved a $10,000 signing bonus over a three-year period for current and future police department employees, funded from the American Rescue Plan fund. The council also approved the first reading of a new city charter, the first reading of an ordinance amendment to allow breweries, and a $34,829.75 allocation from SPLOST III for new extrication equipment. Additionally, the council approved the Urban Forest Protection Plan for 111 S. Barnett Shoals Road and various budget amendments.

• Approved $10,000 signing bonus over 3 years for police employees (5-0)
• Approved first reading of new City Charter (5-0)
• Approved first reading of ordinance amendment to allow breweries (4-1, Massey opposed)
• Approved $34,829.75 from SPLOST III for Holmatro extrication equipment (5-0)
• Approved Urban Forest Protection Plan for 111 S. Barnett Shoals Rd (5-0)
• Approved budget amendments as presented (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items except item #10 (5-0)
• Approved October 20, 2021 minutes with change (5-0)

City Council

The Watkinsville City Council will hold a regular meeting with public hearings, consent agenda items, and several policy decisions. Key actions include second reading of a new city code, adoption of a comprehensive fee schedule, first reading of alcohol beverage ordinance amendments, and approval of SPLOST funds for signage and tree planting. The council will also receive financial, economic development, and police reports.

• Approve $12,500 from SPLOST III for Community Branding signage
• Approve $3,500 from SPLOST II for trees along Harden Hill Road
• Second reading of ordinance to adopt new City Code
• Resolution to adopt Comprehensive Fee Schedule
• First reading of alcoholic beverage ordinance amendments

The Watkinsville City Council approved the second reading of a new city code, adopted a comprehensive fee schedule with three fee increases, and approved several spending items including $12,500 for community branding signage and $3,750 for trees along Harden Hill Road. All votes were unanimous (5-0). The council also approved a consent agenda and a traffic safety grant application.

• Approved September 15, 2021 minutes (5-0)
• Approved agenda with amendments (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda including surplus vehicle sales (5-0)
• Approved Phase 3 site construction documents for Wire Park cottages (5-0)
• Adopted new city code on second reading (5-0)
• Adopted comprehensive fee schedule with fee increases (5-0)
• Approved $12,500 for community branding signage from SPLOST III (5-0)
• Approved $3,750 for trees along Harden Hill Road from SPLOST II (5-0)

City Council

The Watkinsville City Council will hold public hearings on several land-use items, including a text amendment and conditional use for Motors on Main at 395 Jerry Smith Drive, variances at 118 Farmview Drive, and preliminary plats for the Smith Planning Group phases 2 and 3. The council will also consider consent agenda items such as FY2022 budget amendments, a grant pre-application for a multi-use trail, and adoption of the ICC Building Valuation Data Table with trade permit fees. First readings of ordinances for Atlanta Gas Light franchise fees and a new city code are scheduled, along with a resolution to surplus a 2010 Ford Ranger and trailer.

• Public hearing: Text amendment and conditional use for Motors on Main at 395 Jerry Smith Drive
• Public hearing: Variances at 118 Farmview Drive
• Public hearing: Preliminary plats for Smith Planning Group Phase 2 (Condos and Towns) and Phase 3 (Cottages) at 111 S. Barnett Shoals Road
• Resolution: Approve submittal of 2021-2022 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Grant pre-application for multi-use trail
• First reading: Ordinance to grant right-of-way and establish franchise fees with Atlanta Gas Light Company

The Watkinsville City Council approved several development items for Wire Park, including preliminary plats for Phase 2 (condos and townhomes) and Phase 3 (cottages), as well as construction documents for Phase 2. The council also approved a text amendment and conditional use for Motors on Main, variances for a property on Farmview Drive, and a consent agenda that included budget amendments and a grant pre-application. All votes were 5-0.

• Approved consent agenda including FY22 budget amendments, GOSP grant pre-application, and building valuation data table (5-0)
• Approved text amendment for Motors on Main at 395 Jerry Smith Drive (5-0)
• Approved conditional use for Motors on Main with condition that parked vehicles be in good working order (5-0)
• Approved variances for 118 Farmview Drive allowing front-facing carport and 5-foot side yard setback (5-0)
• Approved preliminary plat for Wire Park Phase 2 condos and townhomes (5-0)
• Approved preliminary plat for Wire Park Phase 3 cottages (5-0)
• Approved construction documents for Wire Park Phase 2 (5-0)
• Approved Urban Forest Plan for Wire Park (5-0)

City Council

The City Council is reviewing a rezoning amendment and development agreement for Wire Park, LLC at 111 S. Barnett Shoals Road and 1351 Norton. The agenda also includes discussions on surplus vehicle auctions, police equipment purchases, and a feasibility study for a Mulberry Street greenway trail.

• Rezoning and development agreement for 111 S. Barnett Shoals Road and 13im51 Norton
• Revision to Master Tracts Subdivision Plat for Wire Park, LLC
• Purchase of two used Ford Utility Interceptors for the Police Department
• Auction of surplus 2016 Ford Explorer and 2011 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles
• Feasibility study for Mulberry Street greenway trail

The council approved an amendment to the Rezone and Development Agreement for Wire Park, adjusting the housing mix by decreasing townhomes by six, increasing detached residential by four, and increasing condo flats by two. It also approved a revision to the Master Tracts Subdivision Plat, moving the line between Tracts D and E by approximately 3.33 feet. Both motions passed 5-0.

• Approved amendment to Rezone and Development Agreement for Wire Park (5-0)
• Approved revision to Master Tracts Subdivision Plat (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items: bank signature authorization and FY22 budget amendment (5-0)
• Approved sale of 2016 Ford Explorer to Oglethorpe County for $20,000 (5-0)
• Approved sale of 2011 Chevrolet Caprice to Chicago Motors for $12,400 (5-0)
• Approved purchase of two used Ford Utility Interceptors for police (5-0)
• Approved second reading of Rules of Conduct ordinance setting meeting time to 6:30 PM (5-0)
• Approved minutes of July 21, 2021, and agenda as presented (5-0)

City Council

The Watkinsville City Council will hold public hearings and consider variances for two properties, approve grant applications for trail projects, and discuss a potential TSPLOST referendum. The agenda also includes routine items like financial reports, a police report, and consent agenda approvals for pavement repairs and a ground lease renewal.

• Variance requests for 36 Harris Lane and 107 Woodside Place
• Resolution to apply for GDOT TAP grant for multi-use trail between Downtown and Harris Shoals Park
• Resolution to apply for Georgia Recreational Trail Program grant for greenway trail along Mulberry Street
• Consider intergovernmental agreement with Oconee County for 2022 TSPLOST
• First reading of ordinance to grant right-of-way and establish franchise fees with Atlanta Gas Light Company

The Watkinsville City Council approved the resurfacing of Harden Hill Road using American Rescue Plan Act funds, with the project estimated at $186,891.50. The council also approved two variances, a demolition permit, a TSPLOST intergovernmental agreement, and several other items. A proposed greenway trail grant application was tabled for a feasibility study.

• Approved resurfacing of Harden Hill Road and ARP fund appropriation (4-0)
• Approved variance at 36 Harris Lane (3-0, Tucker recused)
• Approved variance at 107 Woodside Place (4-0)
• Approved demolition permit at 1091 Industrial Boulevard (4-0)
• Approved TSPLOST intergovernmental agreement with Oconee County (4-0)
• Approved first reading of ordinance changing council meeting time to 6:30 PM (4-0)
• Tabled Atlanta Gas Light franchise fee ordinance (4-0)
• Tabled Barnett Shoals Road striping improvements (4-0)