Barry Fleming (far right), attorney for the City of Lincolnton, swore in three city officials beginning new terms this year. Taking the oath of office were (l-r) Melvin “Boochie” Harris, Alana Burke, and Larry Goolsby. The ceremony took place during the regular meeting of the mayor and council held Tuesday, January 3, at City Hall. Two incumbent councilmen starting new terms and one new councilman were sworn in at the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Tuesday, January 3.

Barry Fleming, city attorney, administered the oath of office to Melvin “Boochie” Harris (Post 1), who begins his first term on the council, and incumbents Alana Burke (Post 2) and Larry Goolsby (Post 3).

Each councilman received a round of applause from those present.

In other business, the council revised the Occupational Tax Ordinance that governs business licenses.

The due date for the tax is Wednesday, February 29.

Concerning the revisions to the ordinance, it was decided that failure to pay the tax by the deadline will result in the fee being doubled. Then, if the tax has not been paid by March 31, a citation and a notice of closure will be issued to the business.

It was noted that there is a fine for operating a business without a license. The fine increases every day the business is in violation of the ordinance.

The city plans to send out a letter February 1 to all of those businesses that have not paid their occupational tax by the end of January. The letter will contain the fee schedule for the tax.

In further business, the council:

Voted to appoint Councilman Kevin Beggs as mayor pro tem for 2012.

Voted to adopt a 2012 General Fund Budget of $855,908.75, which reflects a $32,339 increase over last year.

The budget includes four-percent raises for department heads and threepercent raises for all other employees.

In addition, the city will cover the cost of an increase in health insurance premiums, which amounts to $28 per person per month.

Heard Mayor Henry Brown read a thank-you note from the family of Dudley Bryant, a former city employee who died recently.

Was informed by the mayor that Goshen Street will be paved under the Georgia DOT’s Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) Program.

Voted to approve a resolution stating that councilmen Burke, Goolsby, and Harris received the highest number of votes in the November election.

Voted to accept the Zoning Board’s recommendation and grant a conditional use permit for approximately two acres of land at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Elam Avenue (Augusta Highway). The property belongs to Hani W. Mussad.

According to Jim Butler, zoning administrator for the city, “Mr. Mussad has been trying to sell the property or lease it as commercial, but to no avail. Now, he wants it to be rezoned from C-1 (Commercial) to a conditional use designation of R-1 (Residential), so the property can generate some income while he is trying to rent or sell it.”

The conditional use status will remain in effect for two years. If the owner does not reapply for it after this period of time has passed, the property will revert back to C-1.

And if the property is sold, the R- 1 designation will go with it.

Heard the Zoning Department Report given by Zoning Administrator Butler.

According to Butler, his office issued six building permits last month for a total of $309. He likewise conducted three building inspections.

Also during the meeting, the zoning administrator heard complaints about trash in the city.

“We have strict ordinances against littering in Georgia,” stated Butler. “If caught, violators can be fined up to $1,200.”

Heard the Streets and Sanitation Report given by Superintendent Sherman Norman, who pointed out that there are two businesses in town that are not keeping their trash contained.

It was agreed that Butler and Norman will meet and find a solution to the predicament.

In addition, the council instructed Norman to come up with a list of problem areas found on city streets. The list will be presented to the council at its regular February meeting.

Heard the Water Department Report given by Superintendent Stanley Parton, who indicated that water production increased slightly from 12.4 million gallons (mg) in November to 12.8 mg in December.

He went on to say that the city had to help the contractors installing fiber optics repair about eight leaks. “These were service lines and twoinch PVC mains that we were unable to find with our locator. I think they’re doing pretty well considering the circumstances.”

In other comments, Superintendent Parton noted that lake levels have been gradually increasing this month, hovering between 319.42 feet above mean sea level (msl) and 321.47 feet msl the last couple of months. Full pool is 330 feet msl.

In his report, Chris Guin, sewer superintendent, said, “The Black Jack Sewer Project is coming along. I think the big lift station has been installed, except for the control box.”

Heard the Police Department Report given by Chief Jim Justice, who indicated that during the month of December, his staff responded to 236 calls for service; filed four incident reports, nine miscellaneous reports, and two juveniles reports; issued six citations; and investigated six traffic accidents.

Over the past year, the department filed 88 incident reports, 65 miscellaneous reports, and 13 juvenile reports; investigated 62 traffic accidents; issued 168 traffic citations; and responded to 2,485 calls for service.

In other business, it was agreed that two surplus patrol cars will be sold on GovDeals.com, while a salvage car will be taken to the Junk Monkey for recycling.

Voted to hire Brandon Reed, who will begin his probationary period, and Jesse Bowman as full-time police officers.

Heard a report from Michael Wengrow, chief of the Lincolnton Fire Department.

In his remarks, Chief Wengrow said, “We now have 15 firemen on our roster – three or four of these are still on their 12-month probationary period. They are a good crew.”

He also pointed out that with the help of a mechanic obtained through the Lincoln County Magistrate Court, the department has repaired a Dodge truck to use strictly for parades and funerals.

Wengrow further indicated that the tank on Engine 21 is leaking very badly. “We’re looking for a replacement tank, but so far, we haven’t found one where the price is right.

“At the present time, we’re down to the ladder truck and our newest truck.”

The chief likewise informed the council that the fire department is working on a $6,000 grant for turnout gear, which requires no matching funds.

In his comments, Councilman Kyle Reese thanked the fire department for getting the ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating down by two points. “People in the city don’t real- ize how much they will save on their insurance premiums.”

The new rating goes into effect February 1 of this year.

Voted to sign a proclamation stating that the group supports the “Save Our Lakes Now” organization and its goal to persuade the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reduce release rates until Clark’s Hill Lake, Lake Russell, and Lake Hartwell are replenished.

Voted to table the adoption of the codification of ordinances and the personnel manual to give the group more time to study the document.

Heard Mayor Brown appoint the following committees for 2012:

Finance and Personnel: Larry Goolsby, chairman, and Kevin Beggs.

Public Utilities – Water and Wastewater: Kevin Beggs, chairman, and Kyle Reese.

Public Safety – Police and Fire: Kyle Reese, chairman, and Melvin Harris.

Public Works – Streets and Sanitation: Alana Burke, chairman, and Kevin Beggs.

Permits and Ordinances: Melvin Harris, chairman, and Larry Goolsby.

Downtown Revitalization: Larry Goolsby, chairman, and Alana Burke.

Public Buildings: Alana Burke, chairman, and Kyle Reese.

The mayor is an ex officio member of each committee.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.