Winder Council Members Offer No Feedback on Fowl Ordinance

Even though it's been a heated topic at different meetings around Barrow County, revisions to the fowl ordinance elicited zero discussion from the Winder City Council and residents.

If revisions to the official city Code of Ordinances are made, they would allow domestic fowl — female chickens, ducks, etc. —  to be owned in areas zoned Agriculture-1 and Agriculture-2.

The change would only affect property owners who own five or more acres. Revisions will be voted on at tonight's meeting (May 3).

Aside from the fowl ordinance, the meeting went as follows:

5:31 p.m. — The meeting is called to order with all board members accounted for.

Lisa Maloof, a representative with Lanier Technical College, is unable to attend the meeting, but will be present at the June meeting.

Donald Toms, city manager, briefs council on some discussion points.

He mentioned that an old pipe was removed on Candler street so water should be flowing properly again. Additionally, he mentioned a trend he noticed with business licenses while reviewing the budget.

“I’m proud to say that for the past three years — including this year that’s not completely over — our business licenses have stayed stable,” he said. “Businesses in Winder have been strong year after year.”

In 2009, Winder issued 1,142 licenses and 1,151 in 2010. For 2011, the city has issued 970 to date.

5:37 p.m. — Mayor Chip Thompson said he’s having conversations with the state about the reservoir at Fort Yargo State Park being more than just an emergency source of water in the future. Water department head Roger Wilhelm also spoke about the park’s potential.

“It’s great quality water and the best part about it is it’s already built and constructed,” he said.

Thompson wanted to lay to rest any rumors that the park would be no more. The city still plans to use the park as a park.

“We won’t raise the dam, but instead raise it up and get it deeper,” Thompson said. “I’d rather go down than up.”

5:46 p.m. — The council is briefed on re-districting because the wards need to be equalized so that each ward has comparable representation. The city must come up with a new map and it will have to be voted on at two meetings and then submitted to the state before the 2012 elections. The hope is that the map will be ready for voting at the June and July meetings. Wards must be outlined by recognizable boundaries and streets. Toms said planners will try to keep each incumbent in his or her current ward.

5:51 p.m. — The council begins on voting items. It was announced that the Jackson Street Demolition project was put out to bid, with the lowest bid sitting at $14,978. The lowest bid for the utility relocations at State Route 211 is $161,242.

Regarding the installation of gas mains on State Route 11, the city is looking at the total project cost of $85,400. The project began in 2009 by putting over half a mile of pipe in, however, it’s currently on hold due to reorganization. There are potentially 64 residential customers and a poultry farm in the area that would like city gas service.

6:13 p.m. — Potential revisions to the Code of Ordinance regarding the keeping of domestic animals in areas zoned Agriculture-1 and Agriculture-2 garners no discussion. The item went before the planning board two weeks ago with no action. Similarly, no board member offered any comment on the proposed changes.

6:26 p.m. — From May 25 through 30, the city hopes to hold a carnival featuring Loganville’s Peachtree Rides. Tickets will be $12 advanced and $20 the day of and may be purchased at City Hall beginning this Wednesday, pending approval at tomorrow night’s meeting. There will be carnival rides, food, vendors and games all set up at Jug Tavern Park.

The council enters into an executive session to discuss the future acquisition of real estate, and the board room clears.