Pooler City Council met last Monday night. Councilman Bruce Allen was absent due to work obligations, and Councilman Billy Stanley was absent due to being in school.

Councilwoman Benton gave the Finance Committee Report, and made a motion to pay $306,655 in bills. The motion passed unanimously.

For the Public Safety Report, Mayor Mike Lamb turned to Police Chief Butch Chan. He said his department has handled 674 calls in the past two weeks, and had helped develop a Neighborhood Watch program at Godley Station. Fire Chief Jay Hillis said his department handled 81 responses last month, including 7 open area fires. He reminded those present to be sure to obtain a burn permit if you’re planning on a fire that is more than 6 feet in diameter.

In Streets and Drainage, Councilman Seay said those departments had performed routine maintenance the past two weeks. The Trees and Parks Department has been continuing work at the recreation park and at Newton Cemetery.

In Water and Sewer, Councilman Wall said routine maintenance had been performed, and the water department  had installed twelve new water meters.

In Recreation, Councilman Royal said baseball and softball practices are in full swing, and the Rama will be held near the end of April.

In Building and Zoning, Councilwoman Benton said there had been 12 new single family permits issued, bringing the year to date total to 110. She added that there will be a PUD Review Board meeting on Monday, March 27th at 5:30pm. She is also looking for a replacement member for the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, as Carl King has resigned. Those interested can apply at City Hall.

In New Business, Council approved a sketch plan for proposed office buildings on Lots 33 and 34 in the Pooler Park of Commerce on Canal Street. Council also approved the acceptance of the maintenance bond and approval of the final plat for The  Retreat, Phases 2 and 3.

Council then approved the construction plan for the S.G. Morgan Parkway, which will connect Pooler Parkway to the coming AMB development.

After much discussion on the fire department’s ability to get a fire truck behind the building, Council approved a 24,800 square foot building in the Westside Business Park. Chief Jay Hillis said as long as they have access from the front and sides of the building, there wouldn’t be a problem. There’s no current news on a prospective tenant at this time.

Council then approved a site plan for Tuffy Automotive Service in Godley Station, across Pooler Parkway from Monster Self Storage. The company will do oil changes and minor automotive repair, and is a large chain in the North. The engineer representing the company could not answer Leo McDonald’s question of what kind of oil they’ll use, but assured him it will be of the highest quality.

Council then approved preliminary construction plans for Westbrook, Phase 5. This will consist of 51 single family home lots.

Council gave approval to a site plan for Creative Childcare Learning Center at 112 Morgan Street. Councilman Wall asked the owner about a large oak tree that’s growing where the parking lot will be, and the owner said they would do their best to save the old oak.

Council approved the alcoholic beverage license for Edward Derrel Foster, Jr. of Foster’s Steakhouse, located at 1108 East Hwy 80, near the old Enmark. Foster says he plans on being open from 4pm til 12pm, seven days a week, and that the steakhouse will be similar to a Longhorn’s or an Outback. He’s shooting for an April 23rd grand opening.

Next on the agenda was discussion by George Seabrooks about the road being constructed beside St. John the Divine Baptist Church. Seabrooks had brought the issue to Council’s attention at the last City Council meeting. City Manager Dennis Baxter explained that he’d spoken to the engineer building the road, and the man was “very accomodating, saying that he could easily jog the road a little north to avoid bothering the parking at the church.” A large crowd had come to the meeting with Mr. Seabrooks, and they all seemed satisfied that  the problem was being taken care of. Kudos to City Manager Dennis Baxter!

Mr. Seabrooks did take the opportunity to ask Council to remember that that’s a very historical area, and the last undeveloped place in Pooler where the Central of Georgia Railroad once ran.