Statham's Assistant City Clerk Retires, Council Approves Two New Ordinances

• Who met: Statham City Council
• Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011
• Location:
• Who was present: Council Members Joe Hayes, Betty Lyle, David Huth, Hattie Thrasher and Gayle Steed, Mayor Robert Bridges, City Clerk Susan Gabriel, Police Chief Steve Martin and city attorney Thomas Mitchell
• Top agenda items:

1. Raenelle Stockmeier, who has served nearly 11 years as assistant city clerk, has retired. She was honored at Tuesday night's city council meeting with a framed certificate of appreciation and a city of Statham emblem necklace. Mayor Robert Bridges thanked Stockmeier for her "loyal and dedicated service to the city of Statham and the citizens." She and her husband are moving to a retirement community in Union City. 
2. Mayor Bridges announced he had recently received notification that Statham has been awarded a $100,000 Safe Route to Schools Grant. This is a national grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
3. The council approved two new ordinances. A property tax collection bill authorizes the city clerk to issue a letter to the chief of police authorizing him to levy and sell properties to collect past due property taxes. A special tax district ordinance allows residents to propose by petition setting up new tax districts to help pay for road improvements needed in their areas. 
4. The council is reading through a bill that would provide Statham with the power to deal with buildings or structures that are unsafe or unfit for occupation, including those left vacant. This ordinance would adopt state laws on the subject. 
5. The council voted to renew a contract with Phillips Prison. The contract, which provides a work crew, remains the same as last year's with an annual rate of $37,500. 
6. The council voted to give $300 to Peace Place, a local shelter helping battered women and children. "That does a lot for people all over the county, but people in our area also," said Council Member Gayle Steed.
7. Chief Martin presented the council with a plan to fix the current police radio communication issue facing Statham officers. Currently, officers often find they can not communicate with dispatch via their radios. The plan to fix the problem, which involves buying a repeater and five frequencies, will cost $5,520. The department has $5,000 in its 2010-11 contingency fund. The council approved the plan. 
8. The council decided in executive session to have city attorney Thomas Mitchell take legal action to ensure that water and plumbing lines in the old H&H building are done properly. 

The Statham City Council will meet again in July 19.