Some thoughts about tonight's upcoming vote on "suspending" the food sales percent requirements of the Alcohol Ordinance.

A food sales requirement has always been a part of the obligation for holding a liquor sales license in the City of Remerton.  Straight up bars (liquor and beer only) were never permitted.  A percentage of gross sales being food was only required for Sunday liquor sales.  And that percentage is set at 50% by the State regulations.

Until the current Liquor Ordinance was enacted last January there was no statutory % requirement.  It was phased in over three quarters last year to the final 30%.

 Restaurant are required to turn in quarterly sales reports to the City separating the liquor and food sales.  There has been laughter from Council at several sessions over the the fictitious numbers reported by some establishments.  During December and January meetings whether and how to conduct an audit was discussed.  The result of that request?  Suspend the food sales requirement so as not to hurt any of these businesses during the current economic climate.

Here a a few questions:  If establishments are turning in obviously bogus numbers to the City are they doing the same on their monthly State sales tax reports?  Has anyone from the City requested a copy of these reports to correlate with the quarterly reports?

Why should we care?  Because the City receives a direct 1% of the gross reported sales of all businesses in Remerton in the form of SPLOST funds.

Why have a food sales requirement at all?   The idea was to keep out pure drinking bars and the law enforcement and public nuisance they bring.

If the suspension happens we'll be back to the crockpot and a package of frozen buns and hotdogs, served twenty different ways.  Did it ever change?

If we do not want to harm businesses during these hard times why not eliminate the anti-adult entertainment language as well?  That  should bring in some new businesses and revenue for the City.

CITY OF REMERTON-Worksession Agenda
Monday, February 1, 2010 @ 5:30 p.m.

Welcome Guests.
Citizens to be Heard.- None

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion regarding Resolution to adopt the 2009 updates to the Greater Lowndes 2030 Comprehensive Plan-Ann Marie Wolfe, City of Valdosta - Ms Wolfe did not show up.
2. Discussion regarding changing the required food percentage now required by Alcohol Ordinance-Lisa Mashburn, City Clerk. - Since several bars are turning in highly suspect numbers and auditing will cost too much, the logical(?) solution seems to be getting rid of the 30% food sales requirement. More on this later...
3. Department Reports:
   a. City Clerk-Lisa Mashburn - Did you notice the Cutoff date on your water bill?  The City is having so much trouble collecting on overdue bills they have gone to the method most commonly used in similar small towns.  Due on the 1st, overdue on the 15th, cutoff ten days later.  There is a $30 reconnect fee.  A letter will be sent to all residents explaining this.

   b. Probation-Jessica Freeman 
   c. Police-Mike Terrell
   d. Fire/Utilities/Public Works-Ron Woods
   e.City Administrator-J.D. Byrd 

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion regarding final pay out requests for Standard Contractors, Inc regarding water distribution system-Jack Byrd, City Administrator - There are discrepancies in the final bill to be worked out before the City makes the last payment.

ADJOURN.

  City Council Work session - Feb. 1, 2010 (~38 mins)

CITY OF REMERTON REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 at 5:30 P.M.

Welcome Guests.
Pledge and Prayer.
Establish Quorum of Council.
Approval of minutes from Regular Council Meeting, Monday December 14, 2009.
Citizens to be Heard.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Financial Report-Lisa Mashburn, City Clerk.
2. Consideration regarding renewal of Alcoholic Beverage License-Lisa Mashburn, City Clerk
3. Consideration regarding DDA appointments as submitted-Jessica Freeman
4. Consideration regarding DDA meeting dates-Jessica Freeman
5. Consideration regarding donating money to the Temple Israel of Valdosta to purchase trees-Mayor Cornelius Holsendolph

COUNCIL COMMENTS.
ADJOURN.

CITY OF REMERTON - Worksession Agenda
Monday, January 4, 2010 5:30 p.m.

Welcome Guests.
Citizens to be Heard.

Presentations, Public Hearings and Updates:
1. Update regarding water distribution project-Ron Woods-Public Works- Work is 98% done.  Valdosta Water to start flowing into Remerton's system starting Friday, Jan. 8.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion regarding renewal of Alcoholic Beverage License-Lisa Mashburn, City Clerk - At minute 12 Councilman Ryan Gordon proposes ignoring the the new Alcohol Ordinance food sales requirements until a new tie-breaking councilperson has been elected in March. His (likely correct) assumption is that the new councilperson will be in favor of relaxing bar restrictions.  (More on this later, but mark this first public announcement as the beginning of the process that will lead to the eventual, inevitable annexation of Remerton by Valdosta.)
2. Discussion regarding DDA appointments-Jessica Freeman-
3. Discussion regarding DDA meeting dates-Jessica Freeman - DDA meetings reduced from monthly to quarterly.
4. Department Reports:
   a. City Clerk-Lisa Mashburn-There is a new front desk employee, Rachel Tate.
   b. Probation-Jessica Freeman-No report
   c. Police-Mike Terrell-No DUI's for Dec.  One loud music complaint about Milltown Groove.
   d. Fire/Utilities/Public Works-Ron Woods- There will be renewed fire inspections due to safety problems found in the recently sold and converted Jaks on Baytree Pl.
   e. City Administrator-J.D. Byrd-Retreat being planned, new budget among the topics.

ADJOURN

(More later. Ed)

Click here for the Jan. 4, 2010 Remerton City Council Work Session (40 mins)

Former City Council member Lydia Day sent along a few snapshots taken from her new home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sunrise from the front yard.

Click Read More... for larger, additional pics.