Walton County Quality Growth Committee

Minutes August 19, 2008

Attendees:

Karen Paul, Councilman Chuck Bagley, Relma Sharp, Margaret Street, Ross Street, Karen Paul, Keith Taylor, Frank Hilton, Sherry Jackson, and Laura Templeton

Karen called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Agenda was approved.

Councilman Bagley made correction to minutes – strike reference to Lakeview Villages being “at Meridian Lake.” Minutes were approved with correction noted.

Old Business

• 2008-09 Officers: Karen Paul introduced herself as new Chairman and Laura Templeton as Secretary. The position of Vice-Chairman is vacant. Karen asked members to consider assuming that role.
• Landscape/Blight update: Margaret Street gave update on Highway 138 / Spring Street blight issues. She has talked to both Wal-Mart and the bank about landscape issues. Some changes have already been made and appearance is improving. Chuck Bagley mentioned that code enforcement for the City of Monroe is the party responsible for maintaining continuity in this issue. He also suggested that QGC members have this and other issues put on the agenda at City Council meetings. Karen suggested that the Committee put together a summary of what Margaret has observed to ensure that Committee’s concerns are on the record.
• Littering cards: Dick Hoffman was not present to report. Relma Sharp confirms that cards are available from Elaine Oaks at the Recycling Center in Monroe. If someone is observed littering, the incident can be reported (with tag number of vehicle) on the card and turned in to Sheriff’s Department, which can then issue a warning. Karen will get some cards to have on hand for QGC members. This was a statewide effort, but has not received a lot of publicity of late.
• Walton Tribune article – July 13, 2008: Karen was pleased to receive responses from all candidates. Full transcripts of their responses are on the website. A number of people have viewed these transcripts.

New Business

• 2008-09 Vision: Karen is spending time going through the Committee archives. She plans to post pertinent items / information to the new website. She is working on a new, improved QGC brochure. She feels that in order to expand QGC influence, the membership base must be expanded. Kevin Little approved plans to move Committee meetings outside of Monroe every other month. Meetings will need to be posted in the Tribune. Street signs may also be used to publicize meetings.
• Current membership / areas of representation: Karen passed around a list of members and areas represented. Those present made additions and corrections.
• Updates / revisions to By-Laws: Copies of the By-Laws were provided. After review, Karen feels that there are items that should be corrected. Members should review, communicate any suggestions for revision to Karen, and be prepared to vote at next meeting. Several items were identified for possible corrections:

--Meeting time needs to be changed from 6:00pm to 6:30pm. (p. 2)

--“Members of the Quality Growth Committee shall hold no other elected office or other city or county compensated position.” (p. 2) Discussion occurred about whether this should be amended in some way. Karen spoke with Tom Sheppard who offered some input. He suggested that the organization be restructured to allow for different levels of membership. Karen invited suggestions for rewording. Members can email or call her with suggestions.

--Relma Sharp pointed out a typographical error on page 3 – in the fourth paragraph, “my” should be changed to “may.”

• Areas of representation / appointments by mayors: Karen feels strongly that the Committee should be expanded and should include representation from all areas of the county. After reviewing the list which circulated, several areas were identified as lacking representation: Social Circle, Good Hope, Walnut Gove, Gratis, and Jersey. Karen will draft letters to mayors requesting that they appoint someone to serve on the Committee.
• New website and brochure: Brochure not yet completed. New website is up. Address is www.wonderfulwalton.com . Karen will be expanding. Please visit the site and offer suggestions. Discussion occurred about whether to include a forum on the website. Consensus was that a forum should be included. Karen asked that members send her any pertinent news articles and she will post them on the news link. She plans another link for national quality growth issues and educational information. Relma suggested a crosslink to the Keep Walton Beautiful site. Karen plans to add an area pertaining to each city.
• Countywide meeting locations: Beginning in September 2008, the QGC will meet every other month in a town hall setting. The first meeting will probably be at the Between Community Center. Karen will confirm and communicate location to members. Send input to Karen for possible meeting locations.
• County Commission Chairman’s priorities: In Karen’s recent meeting with Commission Chairman Kevin Little, he provided four areas on which he would like to see the Committee focus:

--1. Growth corridors and possible LCI’s for these areas. Concerns include water and sewer.

--2. Sewer expansion. Chairman Little asked that the QGC educate themselves on the topic of equity partnerships, which provide a way to expand sewer access while avoiding the sprawl experienced by Gwinnett and other counties.

--3. City and county ordinances – should compliment each other and not leave any gaps.

--4. Transportation – research studies on various types of alternative transportation.

• Citizens Priorities: Movement was made and seconded to postpone this agenda item to the next meeting in the interest of time.
• 2008-09 Speakers – Karen will be working to line up speakers. Please communicate any suggestions to her.
• Quality Growth Day – tentatively scheduled for Spring 2009. Details will be discussed at future meetings.

Karen adjourned the meeting at 8:15pm.