05-04-2020 May 4, 2020 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED2800
City of Smyrna Smyrna,
Georgia
Street
�) Y Smyma, Georgia 30080
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Monday, May 4, 2020 7:00 PM TELECONFERENCED - GoToMeeting
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Roll Call
Present: 8 - Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Glenn Pickens, Councilmember
Austin Wagner, Councilmember Travis Lindley, Councilmember Charles
Welch, Councilmember Susan Wilkinson, Councilmember Tim Gould and
Councilmember Lewis Wheaton
Also Present: 1 - Scott Cochran
Call to Order
Staff: 15 - Tammi Saddler Jones, Heather Peacon-Com, Joe Bennett, Jennifer Bennett,
Russell Martin, Frank Martin, Penny Mocen, Christy Ullman, Landon
O'Neal, Tina Monaghan, Richard Garland, Tom Boland, Roy Acres, Robert
Harvey and Carol Sicard
Mayor Derek Norton called the May 4, 2020 Mayor and Council Meeting to order at
7:00 PM.
Invocation and Pledge:
Pastor Richard L. Bush, Mt. Zion Baptist Church (1789 Hawthorne) delivered the
Invocation and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Agenda Changes:
3. Mayoral Report:
There were no agenda changes.
Mayor Norton thanked everyone who assisted with the Funeral for Officer Ewing.
The Mayor provided an update of various regulations in place due to COVID 19. He is
a Finn believer that this is not over and therefore the city is going to be very cautious in
how to proceed. The safety of all citizens and city staff is key. Buildings will remain
closed for now and staff will begin to stagger back in once there has been 14 straight
days of decline in cases which we has not been reached. The city is currently looking
into ways to safely begin opening facilities such as the tennis courts and notice will be
posted to the website once this occurs. The goal is to have the next Mayor and
Council meeting in the large gym with temperatures being taken and proper distancing
in place. The Department of Public Health has asked that those out in public please
wear a cloth mask especially in areas such as grocery stores and areas where
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distancing is difficult, so please wear masks.
The Support Smyrna effort has eclipsed over $100, 000, The hot meals program with 4
restaurants now preparing meals has expanded yet again. Both the Smyrna Police
Department and Fire Department are participating in a program to deliver groceries and
prescriptions to at risk people in the city.
Mayor Norton concluded his report by saying how proud he is to be a part of such an
awesome city willing to do whatever it takes to help those in need.
4. Land Issues/Zonings/Annexations:
A. Approval of the Building Permit Fee Waiver Request for UCB
Pharmaceuticals
City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones provided the background information. UCB is
a global pharmaceutical company based in Belgium and is the largest pharmaceutical
company in the State of Georgia. The U.S. Headquarters has been based in Smyrna
for the last 16 years. The corporate campus is
situated on 47 acres located on Lake Drive. It currently has 110, 000 square feet of
workspace and is home to over 400 employees, making it one of Smyrna's largest
employers.
The Fee Waiver Request (see the attached Fee Waiver Request letter) is being made
under the City Incentive Program outlined in Chapter 79 - Planning and Development,'
Economic Development Program; Article II Section 79-28 lb.8) of the City Code. The
request for waiver of Building Permit Fees and related Recording Fees is authorized
under the aforementioned ordinance. Building Permit Fees are assessed at $741000
of estimated construction cost. Recording fees are calculated based on 10% of
estimated Building Permit cost.
Community Development Director Rusty Martin reviewed a Powerpoint presentation of
information pertaining to the agenda item. Some members of UCB were in attendance
to answer any questions. UCB is a Belgium based company and has been
headquartered in Smyrna for approximately 20 years. Their campus is currently home
to about 400 employees. They are proposing a three phase improvement for the
campus. This will be the first phase which is to repurpose an existing building already
on campus into quality workspace. This building will become the first Well certified
and Lead certified building in the state of Georgia. This improvement will also include
adding 100 new employees with an average annual salary of $100,000. The first phase
will take approximately 18 months to complete and they are in the process of the plan
review. Phases 2 and 3 will bring in another 23 million in improvements once
complete. Staff recommends approval.
Councilmember Wagner stated that this is a great opportunity to expand a business
and add additional jobs as well.
Councilmember Austin Wagner made a motion to approve of the Building Permit Fee
Waiver Request for UCB Pharmaceuticals. Councilmember Charles "Corkey" Welch
seconded the motion.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Wagner, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould
and Councilmember Wheaton
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5. Privilege Licenses:
There were no privilege licenses.
6. Formal Business:
A. Approval to award RFQ 20-021 City of Smyrna Whitfield Drainage
improvements to the lowest and responsive bidder Excellere
Construction located at 3442 Orange Wood Court Marietta, Georgia
30062
in the amount of $303,900.00 to be funded out of FY2020 Storm Water
fund and authorize the Mayor to execute any related documents
Pertinent information on this agenda item was presented by Ms. Saddler Jones.
Public Works requested Bids for Whitfield Drainage improvements Eleven (11) bids
were received. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder is Excellere Construction
3442 Orange Wood Court Marietta, Georgia 30062 in the amount of $303, 900.00.
Project was budgeted FY2020 Storm Water fund. Public Works, Purchasing and Croy
Engineering have reviewed the bids and recommend this project be awarded to the
lowest responsive and responsible bidder Excellere Construction in the amount
$303,900.00 and authorize the Mayor to execute all related documents
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve and award RFQ 20-021 City
of Smyrna Whitfield Drainage improvements to the lowest and responsive bidder
Excellere Construction located at 3442 Orange Wood Court Marietta, Georgia 30062 in
the amount of $303,900.00 to be funded out of FY2020 Storm Water fund and authorize
the Mayor to execute any related documents. Councilmember Susan Wilkinson
seconded the motion.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Wagner, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould
and Councilmember Wheaton
B. RES2020-02 Approval of Resolution 2020-02 to continue being a subrecipient of the
Cobb County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program,
and to enter into a Cooperation Agreement for Cobb County Georgia
and the City of Smyrna, Program Years 2021 through 2023.
Ms. Saddler Jones provided an overview of the agenda item for Mayor and Council.
Over the past several years Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
invested in the city have paid for numerous public improvements; and the City of
Smyrna desires to continue being a subrecipient of the Cobb County CDBG program;
and the City desires to enter into a Cooperation Agreement for Cobb County Georgia
and The City of Smyrna, Program Years 2021 through 2023. Staff recommends
approval.
Councilmember Gould spoke of the many benefits of the CDBG program.
Councilmember Tim Gould made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-02 to continue
being a subrecipient of the Cobb County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program, and to enter into a Cooperation Agreement for Cobb County Georgia and the
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A.
B.
C.
City of Smyrna, Program Years 2021 through 2023. Councilmember Susan Wilkinson
seconded the motion.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Wagner, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould
and Councilmember Wheaton
Commercial Building Permits:
There were no commercial building permits.
Consent Agenda:
City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones read aloud the consent agenda.
Councilmember Charles "Corkey" Welch made a motion to approve the consent
agenda as read aloud by City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones. Councilmember
Travis Lindley seconded the motion.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Wagner, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould
and Councilmember Wheaton
2020-152 Approval of the April 16, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.
2020-153 Approval of the April 20, 2020 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes.
2020-166 Approval of Excess Cyber Security coverage renewal with Towers
Watson/Chubb Insurance for $7,430 and authorize the Mayor to grant
authority to bind coverage and execute related documents
D. 2020-155 Approval of the Ward 1 Appointment to the Keep Smyrna Beautiful
Board, Mr. Shawn Garcia, to fulfill term to expire December 31, 2020.
9. Ward / Committee Reports:
Councilmember Lewis Wheaton spoke about the awesomeness of the community.
Even thought it has been a rough time, people have really lifted one another up. He
asked that everyone continue to be safe and do the things that have gotten us this far.
We are not out of the woods yet so please social distance and wear masks whenever
possible.
Councilmember Tim Gould spoke about the Education Committee meeting that took
place last week. Good discussions took place to open better communications on
projects such as Campbell High School. Stay safe and take care of everyone that you
can. Maintain good, safe and healthy habits.
Councilmember Susan Wilkinson reiterated the information about being safe while
enjoying the nice weather. We have a wonderful community that has stepped up and
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helped one another out during this very difficult time.
Councilmember Charles "Corkey" Welch reminded everyone to use common sense
and stay healthy and safe.
Councilmember Travis Lindley said it was good to see everyone. He echoed the fact
that the funeral was a proud send off. He would be talking to people in the upcoming
days about feeding children in Rose Garden area once school is out. He has been
speaking with a lot of people who are still trying to understand the Campbell High
School project.
Councilmember Austin Wagner reiterated for everyone to stay safe and stay healthy.
Councilmember Glenn Pickens thanked Mr. Shawn Garcia for volunteering to serve on
the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Board.
10. Show Cause Hearings:
11. Citizen Input:
12. Adjournment:
There were no show cause hearings.
No one participated in citizen input.
Mayor Norton adjourned the May 4, 2020 Mayor and Council Meeting at 7:32 PM.
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
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