05-17-2010 May 17, 2010May 17, 2010
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held at Smyrna City Hall. The
meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor Max Bacon at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All
council members were present. Also present were City Administrator Eric Taylor, City Clerk
Susan Hiott, City Attorney Scott Cochran, Public Works Director Scott Stokes, Library Director
Michael Seigler, Keep Smyrna Beautiful Director Ann Kirk, Community Development Director
Ken Suddreth, Police Chief Stan Hook, Community Relations Director Jennifer Bennett, Parks
and Recreation Director Steve Ciaccio, Fire Chief Jason Lanyon, Finance Director David Boyd,
Human Resources Director Kay Bolick, Benefits Coordinator Meredyth Brown, Management
Fellow Jered Sigmon, Assistant City Administrator Tammi Saddler, Wellness Coordinator
Maggie Darby and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Associate Pastor Greg Wilson of Smyrna Assembly of God, followed by
the pledge to the flag.
AGENDA CHANGES:
Mayor Bacon stated the code amendment to Chapter 18 and Zoning Amendment Z10-007 will be
tabled.
Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Tim Lee, a member of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners,
and Mr. Lee provided details to those present concerning his candidacy for the post of
commission chairman.
Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Mike Crane, who provided details to those present concerning his
candidacy for the U. S. Congress.
Mayor Bacon recognized Dr. Deborah Honeycutt, who provided details to those present
concerning her candidacy for the U. S. Congress.
Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Mike Murphy, who provided details to those present concerning his
candidacy for the U. S. Congress.
MAYOR' S REPORT:
(A) Presentation of the 2009 Health at Work Silver Award to the City of Smyrna
(B) Presentation of the American Heart Association's Gold Award for Employee Fitness
(C) Recognition of The City of Smyrna's "Biggest Loser" winners
Ms. Bolick and Ms. Brown provided details to those present concerning the City's wellness
program. Ms. Brown presented the American Heart Association's Gold Award for Employee
Fitness and the 2009 Health at Work Silver Award to the City of Smyrna to the present officials.
Ms. Parsons provided details to those present concerning nutrition education and Good Measure
Meals. Ms. Darby provided details to those present concerning the Biggest Loser program, and
recognized the successful participants. Ms. Brown provided details to those present concerning
the In Training for Jonquil Jog fitness program. Council Member McNabb congratulated the
employees who lost weight, and commented favorably about the positive impact of the wellness
program on health care costs. Council Member McNabb expressed the view that recent efforts at
May 17, 2010
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the Federal level to reform health care in this country overlooked agricultural policy and exercise
initiatives. Council Member McNabb stated the City's diet and exercise programs have resulted
in significant reductions in costs for health care.
(D) Proclamation in Recognition of Poppy Day
Council Member Newcomb read a Proclamation in Recognition of Poppy Day to those present.
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary thanked the present officials and citizens for their
support of our country's veterans.
(E) Proclamation in Recognition of We Can!
Council Member Lnenicka read a Proclamation in Recognition of We Can!, and Ms. Grossman
thanked the present officials for their support of health and wellness initiatives. Ms. McDade
provided additional information concerning the We Can! program.
Mayor Bacon announced a joint town hall meeting this Thursday at the Community Center which
will include the Smyrna city council, Commissioner Bob Ott and Principal Grant Rivera.
LAND ISSUES/ZONINGS/ANNEXATIONS:
(A) Public Hearing -Approval of a code amendment to Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances
regarding construction fencing and screening -City of Smyrna
Mayor Bacon asked if there is anyone present in connection with this matter, and there was no
response.
MOTION: Council Member Newcomb made a motion to table approval of a code amendment to
Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances regarding construction fencing and screening to the June
21, 2010 meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wood. Motion to table was
approved 6 - 0. (Clerk's note: Council Member Pritchett was not present at the time of the vote)
(B) Public Hearing- Special Land Use Permit Request Z10-010 -Approval for the use of a
temporary building - 8.831 acre tract - LL 595, 596 and 597 - 3130 Atlanta Road -
Covenant Christian School
Mr. Taylor stated the applicant was approved for the use of a temporary building on March 3,
2008, subject to the condition that use of such building could not exceed twenty-four months
without an approved extension. Mr. Taylor stated current economic conditions have militated
against timely completion of a permanent building, and the applicant is seeking an additional
twenty-four month temporary building permit. Mr. Taylor stated staff recommends approval of a
twenty-four month extension.
Mayor Bacon stated this is a public hearing and asked for public comment. There was none.
Mr. Suddreth provided additional information regarding this permit renewal request.
Council Member Lnenicka recognized Mr. Josh Roland, representing Covenant Christian School
(GCS), and Mr. Roland provided details to those present concerning the school. Council Member
Lnenicka commented favorably about the overall soundness of the CCS temporary structure and
expressed the view that the request is reasonable under the circumstances.
May 17, 2010
MOTION: Council Member Lnenicka made a motion to approve extension of the temporary
'~ building permit at 3130 Atlanta Road for Covenant Christian School for a period of twenty-four
months. The motion was seconded by Council Member McNabb. Motion was approved 7 - 0.
(C) Public Hearing -Zoning Amendment Z10-007 -Modification to previously approved
zoning stipulations - 3110 Nichols Street - 0.161 acre tract -Land Lot 486 -Wachovia
Bank, National Association
Mayor Bacon asked if there is anyone present in connection with this matter, and there was no
response.
MOTION: Council Member McNabb made a motion to table Zoning Amendment Z10-007 for
modification to previously approved zoning stipulations at 3110 Nichols Street in Land Lot 486
for Wachovia Bank, National Association to the June 21, 2010 meeting. The motion was
seconded by Council Member Pritchett. Motion to table was approved 7 - 0.
PRIVILEGE LICENSE:
There were none.
FORMAL BUSINESS:
(A) Approval for the Smyrna Tree Board to submit an application to participate in the 2010
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
Mr. Taylor provided details concerning previous City participation in this program, and stated the
grant requires 50% matching funds from the municipality. Mr. Taylor stated the matching funds
will come from the tree bank, and not the general fund. Mr. Taylor stated staff recommends
approval of the application submittal.
Council Member Newcomb reiterated the City's commitment to tree conservation, and provided
details regarding the tree inventory project.
MOTION: Council Member Newcomb made a motion to approve permission for the Smyrna
Tree Board to submit an application to participate in the 2010 Urban and Community Forestry
Grant Program. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pritchett. Motion was approved
7-0.
(B) Submission of 2011 budget for consideration, acceptance of submission and set date for
budget hearing for June 7, 2010 and final vote and adoption for June 21, 2010
Mr. Taylor stated the 2011 budget has been submitted to the city council for review, and staff
recommends acceptance of the budget and establishing dates for a hearing and final vote.
Council Member Wood recognized Mr. Boyd, who provided details concerning the budget
process. Mr. Boyd commented favorably about the diligence demonstrated by the City's
leadership in this process.
May 17, 2010 4
MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve submission of 2011 budget for
consideration, acceptance of submission and set date for budget hearing for June 7, 2010 and final
vote and adoption for June 21, 2010. The motion was seconded by Council Member Newcomb.
Motion was approved 7 - 0.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS:
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA:
(A) Approval of May 3, 2010 minutes
(B) Request and approval to modify New Hybrid Defined Benefit /Defined Contribution
Plan
MOTION: Council Member Smith made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Newcomb. Motion was approved 6 - 1, with Council Member
Lnenicka in opposition.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Council Member Wood stated yielded the floor with no report
Council Member Lnenicka stated Chief Lanyon has no report at this time. Council Member
Lnenicka recognized Chief Hook, who provided details concerning replacement of the police
K-9. Chief Hook provided details to those present regarding recent police operations in the city.
Council Member Lnenicka reminded everyone about the upcoming Memorial Day ceremony in
Smyrna.
Council Member Smith recognized Mr. Seigler, and Mr. Seigler provided details to those present
concerning programs and events at the City Library.
Council Member Smith recognized Ms. Bennett who, along with Council Member McNabb,
provided information to those present concerning the new City website. Council Member
McNabb commended Mr. Taylor for his assistance with this project.
Council Member Smith recognized Mr. Ciaccio, who provided details concerning upcoming
parks schedules and development.
Council Member McNabb recognized Mr. Stokes, who provided details to those present
concerning new sanitation schedule notification, quiet railway crossing, landscaping, sewer
projects, extension of the Linear Park Trail and asbestos abatement and demolition of some
houses on Concord Road.
Council Member McNabb recognized Ms. Kirk, who provided details to those present concerning
the recent second annual Keep Smyrna Beautiful Garden Tour. Ms Kirk thanked the volunteers
and sponsors Chic-fil-a, The Bright Side, Marietta Signs, Tuxedo Pools, Keller-Williams, Village
Cafe, Downey Tree, Old South and Jack's New York Deli. Ms. Kirk stated KSB has received a
$10,000 grant from UPS with Keep America Beautiful. Ms. Kirk stated the City has been
Mav 17, 2010
reimbursed by the State for illegal documents left at the Recycling Center, and that the offenders
were fined. Ms. Kirk encouraged everyone to visit the Fresh Market.
Council Member Anulewicz reminded everyone about the upcoming town hall meeting and the
Fresh Market, and commented favorably about the railway quiet zone.
Council Member Newcomb recognized Mr. Suddreth, who provided details to those present
concerning recent building statistics. Council Member Newcomb provided details to those
present concerning an article which recently appeared in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution
which indicated that home prices in the Smyrna zip code 30080 actually enjoyed some increases
in recent years.
Council Member Pritchett yielded the floor with no report.
CITIZENS INPUT:
Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Alex Backry, residing at 3459 Shawnee Trail, and Mr. Backry
expressed concerns about a property the City purchased on Oakdale Road which is outside the
city limits.
Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Judy Ussing, residing at 1005 Mill Pond Drive, and Ms. Using
expressed concerns about the City's town hall meetings, attitude of City staff, and investment in
real estate.
Mayor Bacon stated that although some people are never happy with town hall meetings, what the
foregoing speaker said is simply untrue. Mayor Bacon stated the council members want
Commissioner Ott and Principal Rivera at the town hall meeting because of the City's excellent
relations with them. Mayor Bacon stated some people are never happy, but Smyrna is a great
place to live regardless of what critics may say. Mayor Bacon stated awell-mannered person
would tell the truth, and condemned anyone who knowingly does not.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
May 17, 2010
A. MAX BACON, MAYOR
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SUS!f1N D. HIOTT, CITY CLERK
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RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2
CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD 7
MIC EL MCNABB, WA 4
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WADE S. LNENICKA, WARD 6
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ERI ANULEWICZ , W 3