Two

previously discussed ordinances were approved, with a few

changes, at last week's City Council meeting in Peachtree

City.

A tree

ordinance is now in place, with guidelines for trees on

public lands. At a previous meeting, council members

expressed concern about wording in the ordinance that

could pertain to many trees already planted around

people's homes.

The revised

ordinance excludes rights-of-way for minor residential

streets when defining locations, and major residential

streets have been identified by name to eliminate

confusion.

Requirements

for spacing trees from streets, sidewalks and paths,

established to protect utilities, have not been changed,

but adjustments can now be made at the discretion of the

building official when utilities are not present in the

right-of-way.

City

manager Jim Basinger told the City Council that the

revisions should clearly show the ordinance applies only

to public lands.

Adopting a

tree preservation ordinance is one of the requirements

for obtaining the designation of "Tree City

USA."

Mayor Pro

Tempore Annie McMenamin moved to approve the revised

ordinance, Councilman Robert Brooks seconded, and the

motion carried unanimously.

A revised

draft of a septic system ordinance was also presented. It

addresses improvements on property in the city where

septic systems are in use.

According

to the new ordinance, the applicant must obtain written

approval from the Fayette County Health Department as

part of site plan approval for any new project on a

septic system lot.

Council

members felt during previous discussions that the

resident should bear the responsibility for obtaining

such approval, and the first draft was unclear about

that, putting more of a burden on the city.

Development

director Jim Williams said the revised ordinance is

"not as aggressive" as the previous draft, and

those concerns are taken care of.

Councilwoman

Carol Fritz moved to approve the revised ordinance, Jim

Pace seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

In other

business, the City Council selected United Waste Service

of Atlanta to be the city's preferred provider for solid

waste collection.

The issue

was first discussed during public hearings on the

Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan. Requests were

sent to ten refuse collection services, and those who

responded, in addition to United, were Environmental

Partners Inc. of Tyrone, C & C Disposal Inc. of

Fayetteville, and Waste Management of Atlanta.

After

reviewing the proposals and conducting interviews with

the three firms, city staff determined that the most

favorable overall residential rate package was from

United, which currently serves about 33 percent of the

city's residents.

Representatives

from EPI and United were present at the City Council

meeting to plead their cases just before the vote.

Brooks

moved to approve the city's recommendation, which

includes a three-year contract. MeMenamin seconded, and

the motion carried unanimously.

An

ordinance amending procedures for adding agenda items at

City Council meetings was approved. It was necessary due

to recent changes in Georgia open meetings and open

records laws, which took effect July 1.

Agenda

items may now be added during a meeting or public hearing

only if it becomes necessary and/or a majority of the

City Council approves the move.

The mayor,

council members, city manager and assistant city manager

have the authority to make agenda changes up to 24 hours

before a meeting.

A notice

will now be placed on every agenda submitted to the

public, stating: "This agenda may change at any time

up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. You are

encouraged to check the final agenda during the 24-hour

period prior to the meeting."

McMenamin

moved to approve the ordinance, Brooks seconded and the

motion carried unanimously.

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