Walton County Quality Growth Committee

Minutes October 21, 2008
 

Attendees:

Committee members: Karen Paul, Margaret Street, Ross Street, Frank Hilton, Michael Paul, Relma Sharp and Laura Templeton      

Karen called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.

Laura moved to approve the agenda. Move was seconded by Margaret.

Relma moved to approve the minutes. Move was seconded by Margaret.

Old Business

1. & b. Between and the Hwy 78 corridor / Between community input:
   • Karen provided summary of the Between meeting. Accomplished purpose of getting the QGC out into the community, but she was disappointed in the turnout, with only four people attending from the community. Karen noted that she has not yet received an appointment of a QGC member from Between, as requested from Mayor Sullivan.
   • Highway 78 widening was mentioned, but that does not seem like a project that will take place in the foreseeable future.
   • Ground breaking for Between Public Safety Facility occurred this week. Slated to be completed by 2010.
   • Karen requested zoning ordinances from Mayor Sullivan. She would like to compile ordinances from all cities as part of effort to better facilitate county / city planning.
   • DOT Wildflower project was mentioned. Margaret suggested that the QGC look into this for other areas of the county. Perhaps the QGC could “adopt” various areas of the county.

3. October planning session with Chairman Little: This has not yet been scheduled. Karen will follow up with Kevin Little.

4. Margaret Street provided update on the Spring St. / 138 area cleanup.

New Business

1. New committee business cards / Litter postcards: Karen distributed new QGC business cards. Members and associates can add their name and contact info and pass out as needed. Also, Karen distributed Walton Chamber of Commerce postcards to report litterers. Karen met with Elaine Oakes, Director of Keep Walton Beautiful. Karen has established a link to their website on the QGC website. Keep Walton Beautiful meets the first Wednesday of the month at noon at the Recycling Center. Also, www.wonderfulwalton.com is now correctly linked on the county commission website.

2. Current membership (members/associates): Still seeking to expand committee membership. Karen urges everyone to reach out to past members and encourage them to attend.

3. Planning and zoning recommendations by Committee: Mike and Charna, from the planning and zoning department, have requested that the QGC review every planning and zoning request that comes through the county. There is currently a list of subcommittees through which the requests pass, and we can be added to that list in order to make recommendations to the county on the requests. Frank moved that the QGC Accept this offer. Michael seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by the members. Laura made the suggestion that Jim Durret be contacted to provide the QGC with some training in the type of recommendations the Committee can and should provide.

4. Review and suggest updates/changes to Committee by-laws: Suggested changes include the following:
   • Change regular meeting time to 6:30pm (p. 2)
   • Define who is a member / who is an associate
   • Change appointment and terms of members (p. 1) – minimum of 7 members, no maximum number of members, no mention of term length. Members not to be appointed by Board of Commissioners.

Does the Committee need to notify the Board of these changes?

Karen asked members to take the by-laws home, look over them, and contact her with suggestions for revisions.

5. Subcommittees for county commission chairman’s priorities: The committee needs to divide into four subcommittees in order to pursue Chairman Little’s priorities—water, sewer, county/city coordination, transportation. There is a lack of understanding of what Chairman Little wants the Committee to pursue with regards to these issues. Karen will try to clarify and communicate to the subcommittees.

Ross expressed concern about what the Committee is actually accomplishing. Karen asked for patience while she makes changes that will put the Committee in a position to achieve some goals.

6. 2008 – 2009 Speakers – postpone discussion

7. Countywide meeting location planning: Next meeting is November 18. Karen recommends that al meetings through the end of the year be held at the Justice Building in Monroe. That will allow the Committee to make some headway and plan for a larger turnout at next community meeting. We will plan to have meetings out in the community in 2009 as follows: January (Walnut Grove?), March, May. Karen would like to hold a holiday event in December for members and spouses.

8. Other:
   • Relma suggested having a roster of members. Laura will prepare and distribute at next meeting.
   • Discussion of Monroe Tree Committee. Krista Carroll is on the Tree Committee. Relma will check into details and report back to Committee.

Karen adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm.