Hiram City Council met for their February session earlier this week. HCC consider Infrastructure Maintenance, Amendment to alcohol ordinance, Table budget amendments.

During the previous week’s work session, Ms. Philyaw, Council Post 3, requested an amendment to the agenda. The motion to amend was to table an item on the FY15 Budget Amendments until the Special Session meeting on February 10th. The motion was passed unanimously.

Also during the work session, the council discussed a sign variance application submitted by Pacific Dental Services requesting an additional rear and/or possibly a side elevation sign. A public hearing was held on this item during the regular council meeting this week.

Also discussed during the previous work session, James Whitaker presented the FY2014 audit to the council and the council discussed property deeds and responsibility of infrastructure maintenance concerning Towne Park Subdivision, Seaboard Township, and Seaboard Avenue; reviewed playground replacement proposals for Ben Hill Strickland Sr. Memorial Park; and heard an update and discussion on the city’s sewer project and expanding the proposed city hall parking lot.

City Manager Robbie Rokovitz discussed the procedure and purpose for establishing a Homestead Exemption if the council ever wished to consider putting the exemption in place. Rokovitz also reviewed the certificate of deposit reinvestment rates.

City Attorney Kelly Hundley presented information concerning a request to amend the alcohol ordinance intended to increase distance between retail stores. Special Use permitting was discussed as a possible option.

The council was expected to vote on three agenda items during this week’s regular session, beginning with the sign variance application submitted by Pacific Dental Services under consideration.

And the HCC considered adoption of a resolution authorizing acceptance of Quitclaim deeds executed by the Board of Commissioners later this month conveying the following infrastructure located within Hiram’s city limits:

1. All streets and rights-of-way, including alleys, parks, water courses, drains, easements, and public places in Towne Park Subdivision as depicted in Plat Book 57, Page 76 of the Paulding County Plat Records, less and except infrastructure related to water and sewer purposes which will remain with the county.
2. All streets and rights-of-way, including alleys, parks, water courses, drains, easements, and public places in the Seaboard Township Subdivision, Phases I and II, as depicted in Plat Book 51, Pages 152-154 and 160-163.
3. The right-of-way on Seaboard Avenue in front of Hiram Elementary School as specifically described in Deed Book 3021, Pages 917-918 of the Paulding County Deed Records.

And the council planned to consider authorizing the City Manager to advertise for playground proposals for Ben Hill Strickland Sr. Memorial Park.

By Richard Grant
Dallas New Era Staff Writer