The first City Council meeting of 2000 in Peachtree City was a time of taking care of typical housekeeping business necessary at the beginning of every year.

Also of utmost importance was the swearing-in of two recently elected councilmembers.

Annie McMenamin, a 10-year councilmember who was just elected to her final four-year term, was sworn in by Mayor Bob Lenox. She was also elected by her peers to serve again as Mayor Pro Tempore.

Dan Tennant was sworn in for his first term by his pastor, Chuck Hodges of Peachtree City United Methodist Church. Tennant is a newcomer to the council, having won a November race to replace Jim Pace, who did not run for a second term.

The firm of Geeslin, Cordle, Johnson and Wetherington was reappointed at city auditor, a post that firm has held for ten years. Nancy Faulkner was reappointed to serve as city clerk, with Peachtree National Bank again named city depository and Today in Peachtree City continuing as legal organ.

For the first time, the City Council considered a consent agenda as part of its regular business. This consists of several items that do not require any real discussion and can be voted on in a single motion.

Council adopted in October the necessary guidelines to have a consent agenda for certain items. Any councilperson can have an item taken off the consent agenda if he or she feels a more detailed discussion is necessary.

This month's consent agenda included the designation of who is authorized to sign checks for the city. That is handled by any two of the following six positions — mayor, mayor pro tempore, city manager, assistant city manager, director of developmental services and director of administrative services.

The annual resolution indemnifying city officials and employees from potential liability was also considered, as were alcohol license changes for the city's two Kroger stores, as part of the consent agenda. All were approved unanimously.

Council approved an $8,500 funding request from Fayette Senior Services, an increase of 143 percent since 1996. This money is for delivery of meals and other services for senior citizens in the area.

City attorney Jim Webb pointed out that this is a contract for services and not a charitable contribution, which the city is prohibited from making. Lenox added that if Fayette Senior Services were not providing this service, then the city would have to.

“They're doing it better and more economically than the city could,” said Lenox.

Tennant asked to confirm for the record that the funds were going directly to Fayette Senior Services and not through United Way, of which it is a member agency. He was told that the money is going straight the group it is designated for.

Councilman Robert Brooks said that the council should look closely at the budget when considering this in the future, rather than just funding it out of contingency, since it has risen significantly from the $3,500 total designated in fiscal year 1996. Tennant added that the city should be careful so as not to cause a swarm of agencies coming with their hands out, as this should not be the role of government.

An amendment to the ordinance responsible for the organization of the Commission on Children and Youth was to be considered by the council, but it was postponed due to the absence of the CCY's chairman.

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