During my first year (beginning January 2017), I had an inside view of how things were working….and they were not working well. Please view my voting record highlights below, also, I’ve made avaliable the minutes for each meeting so you can see the voting records of all who have served.

• January 3, 2017 – (1) Discussion of Waiving Building Permit Fees – Councilor Durpo voted to waive new home building fees. Councilor Lively seconded the motion and passed unanimously. (2) Agreement with Rabun County TDA – Councilor Durpo voted against transferring 2% of Sky Valley’s Hotel/Motel Tax to TDA, Sky Valley should retain the taxes it collects for its own use. Councilor Durpo was against (3) Appointment of Police Chief – Councilor Durpo made a motion to approve the hiring of Vaughn Estes contingent upon the polygraph test and allow Council to ratify City Manager Lapeyrouse’s recommendation in 90 days, in a public forum. Councilor Steil seconded the motion and passed unanimously. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• March 28, 2017 – (1) Approval of 2017 Budget Amendment Councilor Durpo voted against transferring road paving funding to build pickleball courts. (2) Pickleball Bid Evaluation and Award – Councilor Durpo voted against Pickleball Bid Evaluation and Award. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• April 25, 2017 – Public Forum and General Comments – Councilor Durpo stated he felt the tree ordinance was overwhelming. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• May 23, 2017 – (1) Adoption of Agenda – Councilor Lively made a motion to approve adoption of agenda. Councilor Steil seconded the motion. Council Member Durpo requested Award be removed from item number 10. Councilor Lively amended his motion removing award. Councilor Steil seconded the amended motion and passed unanimously (Item 10 to award the pavilion bid) (2) Consider Building Inspector Replacement Vehicle – Councilor Lively made a motion to Approve up to $17,000 to purchase locally first. Councilor Steil seconded the motion and passed unanimously (I apologize for voting to approve, I believed we had other options, such as the city car) CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• May 26, 2017 – City Park- Pavilion Bids – Councilor Durpo stated he is not for or against the pavilion. He thinks we need to give taxpayers more notice. Based on his survey, without a Comprehensive Land he is opposed to the park. (Based on my survey, most taxpayers were against the pavilion, especially using funds from road paving) CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• June 5, 2017 – Consideration of Pavilion bid award – Mayor Goodgame advised that he, Councilor MacNair and City Manager Lapeyrouse meet with contractor on site. Councilor MacNair made a motion to approve bid of $47,950. Councilor Steil seconded the motion. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

THE CITY’S DOUBLE STANDARD; 

Councilor Durpo stated “Assuming this was a private project being done by a taxpayer: Would I need a parking plan or can I say we’ll just park on the road?” City Manager Lapeyrouse responded, yes, off street parking is required for a private building permit.

Councilor Durpo asked, “Does the city have a parking plan for the park?” City Manager Lapeyrouse responded, No.

Councilor Durpo asked, “Would I need an environmental study proving I can install restrooms?” City Manager Lapeyrouse stated, Yes.

Councilor Durpo asked, “Does the city have an environmental study for the park?” City Manager Lapeyrouse responded, No, not yet.

Councilor Durpo asked, “Has the city done its due diligence in regards to meeting handicap requirements and ADA?” City Manager responded, the pavilion will meet the requirements of ADA.

Councilor Durpo asked, “As a private citizen using the same information the city has currently would I be granted a building permit to begin construction?” City Manager Lapeyrouse responded, No, but the city is not required by law to follow all of the same rules and regulations as a private citizen.

Councilors Larsen, Lively, Steil and MacNair voted in favor of the motion. Councilor Durpo voted against to the motion to approve the bid.

If this were a private construction project, the city would NOT ISSUE A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE CITY PARK BUILDING PROJECT. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• June 20, 2017 – Consider Removal of Trees at the Sky Valley Fire House- Requested by Paul Wheeler – (1) Councilor Durpo made a motion to approve the low bid of $1,850. Councilor MacNair seconded the motion passed unanimously. (2) Councilor Durpo made a motion to direct the City to obtain a lease with Sky Valley /Scaly Mountain Volunteer Fire Department Being that the City does not have a lease with the Scaly Mountain Fire Department as to who will maintain outlying property and building and to clarify what the City of the Sky Valley is responsible for and what the Scaly Mountain Fire Department is responsible for is the reason for my motion. Councilor MacNair seconded the motion and passed unanimously. (3) Consider Electronic Radar Control Signs for Highway 246 – Requested by Chip Durpo – Councilor Durpo made a motion to direct the City Manager and Chief Estes to collect information regarding the effectiveness of electronic speed control signs, and accept bids for the cost of two Electronic Speed Control Signs with the capability of collecting traffic data and analytics. Councilor Larsen seconded the motion and passed unanimously.  CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• July 17, 2017 – Modification of pavilion bid award – Councilor Lively made a motion to approve the bid from Clarence Redden Construction in the amount of$ 50,000. Councilor Larsen seconded the motion. Councilors Lively, Larsen, MacNair and Steil voted in favor of the motion and Councilor Durpo voted against the motion. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING 

• July 25, 2017 – (1) Consider Electronic Radar Control Signs – Requested by Chip Durpo – Councilor MacNair made a motion to purchase one radar sign not to exceed $4083 with the Police Chief & City Manager to evaluate the signs and determine the best one for Sky Valley and reevaluate after one year to see if an additional sign is necessary. Councilor Steil seconded the motion. All in favor except Larsen and Lively. Motion was approved. (2) Allowance of Dogs in Public Parks – Councilor Mac Nair made a motion to allow dogs in the park until kiddie park equipment is installed and talk to Merrill about location for a dog park Councilor Larsen seconded the motion. All in favor except Lively and Goodgame. Mayor Goodgame asked for an amendment to require dogs to be on a leash in the park during the construction period. Councilor MacNair accepted the amendment. Councilor Durpo seconded the motion and passed unanimously. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING 

• August 15, 2017 – Park Restroom Estimates – (1) Councilor Lively made a motion to approve change order not to exceed $15,000 Park Restrooms. Councilor Steil seconded the motion and Councilors Lively, Steil, Larsen, MacNair voting yes and Durpo voting no and motion passed. (Taxpayers, keep in mind this facility is only permitted for a maximum of 25 people a day) (2) Pedestrian Bridge – Councilor Lively made a motion to approve low bid totaling $11,065 subject to contractor providing a detailed drawing for Council’s approval. Councilor MacNair seconded the motion with Mayor Goodgame, Councilor Lively & Councilor MacNair voting yes and Councilors Larsen, Steil & Durpo voting no the motion did not pass. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• Sept 2017 – Councilor Durpo meets with Linda Lapeyrouse requesting she add recording of all council and other meetings. Linda explains the law provides for and suggest recording be done. Starting with the September 25, 2017 all have been recorded.

• September 26, 2017 – Purchasing Policy Violations – The purchasing policy has been violated several times, the most prominent was the Police Car Purchase and the Piece Meal Construction of the City Park. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AS THE CITY ATTORNEY EXPLAINS IT NOT AGAINST THE LAW, IF NOT, THE INTENT OF THE PURCHASING POLICY WAS! CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING 

• October 17, 2017 – PROPOSED DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2018 – Blatant mismanagement and under funding of deprecation: (1) Depreciation is being funded at $17,849 of the total $63,307 in the General Fund. (Short $45,458) (2) Water Depreciation is being funded at $41,910 of the total $175,292 (Short $133,382)  CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• October 24, 2017 – The purpose of this public hearing is to receive public comments on the proposed 2018 budget. (No Public Comments) CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• October 24, 2017 – (1) Bridge to connect Walking Path Councilor Larsen made a motion to accept bid from Bridges from the Other Side, Inc. in the amount of $16,820. Councilor Lively seconded the motion. Vote was all in favor of the motion except Councilor Durpo. (2) Ordinance 13-03 – Section 21- Minutes (Electronic Media) Councilor Steil made a motion to amend Ordinance 13-03 to change retention schedule for electronic media to be consistent with recommendation from Georgia Archives of 90 days following approval of the minutes. Councilor Larsen seconded the motion. Vote was all in favor of the motion except Councilor Durpo. (Its now apparent why the previous administration would want to limit retention to 90 days!) CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• November 7, 2017 – MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING – Executive session to hear from the city attorney about Mason Lawsuit, and the resignation of city attorney Dickerson. Wish I could say more!! CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• November 14, 2017 – Bridge to connect Walking Path – Clarence Redden presented options for the railing. Councilor Steil made a motion to approve revised bid of Clarence Redden for $15,450. Councilor Larsen seconded the motion. Councilors Steil, Larsen & Lively voted yes and Councilors Durpo & MacNair voted no- motion passed 3/2. CLICK HERE FOR THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING

• December Council Meeting was Canceled due to Snow and Strong Winter Weather.