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NEWSLETTER SIGN UPlpanter@barrowcountynews.com
The Winder City Council met Tuesday evening with the shadows of a potential lawsuit looming.
Last week, the city was part of a mediation with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding former city employee Sue Fowler.
The mediation did not render an agreement, as sources told the Barrow County News that a monetary offer had been rejected by Fowler.
Last week, Fowler’s attorney, Kristina Brown, said that she anticipated moving forward this week regarding her client’s complaint.
However, as of press time Tuesday, Barrow County Clerk of Court Regina McIntyre did not have any filings regarding Fowler and the City of Winder to report. The Georgia Northern District Court - Gainesville Divisional Office also showed no filings.
Fowler confirmed there had been no action taken yet.
A former accounts payable clerk, she was released from her job in February as part of the city’s reduction in force and consequent operational restructuring.
City Administrator Bob Beck had no comment at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The council met at 4:30 p.m. for its work session, and after all items on the agenda were discussed, Winder Mayor Chip Thompson made the motion the council move into executive session.
The private meeting lasted approximately 15 minutes, after which time the scheduled council meeting began.
At the meeting, Beck announced that the City of Winder has won the 2009 Distribution System of the Year Award in the category of medium water systems.
The water department was on hand for recognition of the award.
Beck also brought forward the Holiday Celebration in downtown Winder, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, and will culminate in the community’s 61st annual Christmas Parade.The council also learned that, due to state budget restrictions, a traffic study the Georgia Department of Transportation had originally agreed to do will have to be financed by the city.
The city is looking to ease traffic flow and possibly make some intersections no left turn traffic stops.
Republic Services employees also were on hand to introduce themselves to the city council. The methane gas program at the Oak Grove landfill will be pumping gas into Winder as of today. It already was sending gas to Buford.
Chris Hollifield, one of the certified public accountants who did the city’s end-of-year budget report, was also in attendance to discuss the city’s financial situation regarding the 2009 fiscal year.
Look for a report on Winder’s budget in Sunday’s edition of the Barrow County News.
During the council meeting, Beck also noted that utility bills — which had been criticized for a lack of explanation regarding charges — were being reworked to give a more comprehensive look at what fees were levied against patrons.
In addition, the Barrow CERT program presented new members of its program, which is designed to train citizens in disaster and emergency response preparedness.
In voting items, the city approved countywide natural gas safety plans with Walton and Oconee counties.
In addition, they approved a utility accommodation policy ordinance. Fee schedules for the ordinance will be discussed and voted on at a later time.
An event permit for the Winder-Barrow High School Diamond Doggs Booster Club Festival on Nov. 14 was approved.
A game room license for Raya Properties was delayed until all needed information has been gathered.
Oliver Fitten was approved as a new board member of the Winder Housing Authority.
The city also approved waiving annexation fees for the 2010 year.
