11-07-2022 November 7, 2022 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED - LFF S'�Y'aa Citof Smrna A. Max Bacon City Hall
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City Council
Monday, November 7, 2022 7:00 PM A. Max Bacon City Hall - Council Chambers
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3.
Roll Call
Present: 7 - Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Glenn Pickens, Councilmember
Latonia P. Hines, Councilmember Travis Lindley, Councilmember Charles
Welch, Councilmember Susan Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Tim Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Lewis Wheaton
Also Present: 1 - Scott Cochran
Call to Order
Staff: 4 - Joe Bennett, Dan Campbell, Jill Head and Heather Peacon-Corn
Mayor Derek Norton called to order the November 7, 2022 Mayor and Council Meeting
held at A. Max Bacon City Hall in Council Chambers at 7:01 PM.
Invocation and Pledge:
Councilmember Charles Welch led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Changes:
Mayoral Report:
Mayor Norton recognized local business and restaurant Zucca Bar & Pizzeria as it
celebrated its 20th anniversary. He also mentioned that Crafts and Drafts, formerly the
Fall Jonquil Festival, was a success. Mayor Norton also thanked Support Smyrna for
the help they have provided to local veterans.
A. PRC2022-20 Proclamation in Recognition of Veterans Day Poppy Distribution,
November 11 th, 12th and 13th, 2022
Councilmember Susan t11kinson read and presented the following proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SMYRNA
In Recognition of Veterans Day Poppy Distribution November 2022
Whereas, America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected willingly and freely
by citizen soldiers; and
Whereas, millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle, -
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
and
Whereas, A nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed
to those who have died in war; and
Whereas, the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all
wars; and
Whereas, the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of
this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower,
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Derek Norton, Mayor of the City of Smyrna, Georgia, do
hereby proclaim during the month of November in 2022, the 11 th, 12th, and 13th as
VETERANS DAY POPPY DISTRIBUTION DAYS and ask that all citizens pay tribute
to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom
by wearing the Memorial Poppy.
B. 2022-532 Smyrna Arts Council Artist Recognition for the new City Hall exhibit
Ward / Citywide
The Smyrna Arts Council and the City of Smyrna announce a new exhibit of fine art to
be displayed in City Hall, on display through January 2023. The exhibit features eight
(8) talented local artists, the majority of whom are Smyrna -based:
Aida Arias - a Puerto Rican -born contemporary painter and mixed media artist;
Bihter Alapan - an embroidery artist;
Justin Groom & Becca McCoy, as Leafmore Studios - exhibiting a collaboration of
hand -illustrated photography;
Paula Winter - a former Cobb County teacher creating unique collage art;
Carol Vasbinder - a watercolorist;
Jason Walesh - a pop -culture designer and recycled materials collagist; and
Bill Hunton - a Smyrna -based fine art and commercial photographer and musician.
Curated by Smyrna Arts Council Vice President Leah Barnes, the Community Art
Exhibit in partnership with the City of Smyrna provides an opportunity for local artists to
display their work and for residents to gain exposure to art being created within the
community. The exhibit is open for viewing during City Hall's normal business hours.
Follow Smyrna Arts Council on Facebook and Instagram @smyrnaartscouncil for
profiles on the featured artists, glimpses into the exhibit, and to learn about the other
events and happenings sponsored by the Council.
4. Land Issues/Zonings/Annexations:
5. Privilege Licenses:
6. Formal Business:
A. 2022-526 Approval of the recommended 2023 employee benefits insurance plans,
providers and plan designs as recommended by Insurance Broker, John
Knop of Oakbridge Insurance and staff and authorize the Mayor to sign
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
and execute all related documents.
Ward / Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, presented the following background:
This item is for the annual review and renewal of employee benefits. Every fall, with
assistance from our broker, the city re-evaluates and selects its insurance plans,
providers and plan designs for Employee Benefits as outlined below:
Medical, Rx, Stop Loss -
Medical insurance plan and claims administration - Move to Allied, a third -party
administrator, while keeping the employee contributions the same.
o Utilize the Aetna Signature Administrators (ASA) PPO network.
o Keep overall plan designs the same. Eliminate redundant HMO High plan. Offer 3
plan options -High, Middle, Low (HDHP).
Stop Loss - Move to Pareto/HHS
Total annual maximum increase 1.93% or$169,486.19
Rx - Renew with ProCare, ElectRx and Veracity - no change
Dental - Renew with Guardian - 6% increase to employees - this is 100% employee
paid.
Vision - Renew with Guardian - no change
Basic Life and AD&D, voluntary life, and short-term and long-term disability - Renew
with Guardian - no change
Health Savings Accounts - Renew with Health Equity - no change
Flexible Spending Accounts and COBRA Administration - Renew with Discovery
Benefits/WEX - no change
Human Resources and Finance staff recommend approval of the recommended 2023
employee benefits insurance plans, providers and plan designs as recommended by
Insurance Broker, John Knop of Oakbridge Insurance and staff and authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve item 2022-526, the 2023
employee benefits insurance plans, providers and plan designs as recommended by
Insurance Broker, John Knop of Oakbridge Insurance and staff and authorize the Mayor
to sign and execute all related documents; seconded by Councilmember Latonia P.
Hines.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
B. 2022-525 Approval of a proposal in the amount of $34,500 to be paid out of 2022
SPLOST by Pond and Company (3500 Parkway Ln #500, Peachtree
Corners, GA 30092) for the design development, construction
documentation, and construction period services for the Ward 7 Riverline
Park Splash Pad located at 6043 Oakdale Rd. Smyrna, Ga 30126 and
authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Ward 7 / Councilmember Wheaton
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, stated as part of the 2022 SPLOST, the city is
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
constructing a splash pad and restroom at Riverline Park. Pond and Company has
proposed design development, construction documentation, and construction period
services in the amount of $34, 500 from 2022 SPLOST.
Councilmember Latonia P. Hines made a motion to approve item 2022-525, a proposal
in the amount of $34,500 to be paid out of 2022 SPLOST to Pond and Company (3500
Parkway Ln #500, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092) for the design development,
construction documentation, and construction period services for the Ward 7 Riverline
Park Splash Pad located at 6043 Oakdale Rd. Smyrna, Ga 30126 and authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute all related documents; seconded by Councilmember Travis
Lindley.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
+.0+3 2022-533 Approval of the 2023 Mayor and Council Meeting dates as reviewed and
6958 attached and authorize the City Clerk to post a legal ad in the Marietta
8*27i Daily Journal to publish said dates.
q/ Ward / Citywide
Councilmember Charles Welch made a motion to approve item 2022-533, the 2023
Mayor and Council Meeting dates as reviewed and attached and authorize the City
Clerk to post a legal ad in the Marietta Daily Journal to publish said dates; seconded
by Councilmember Glenn Pickens.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
D. 2022-534 Approval of an amendment to the 2023 adopted budget to increase the
Buildings and Grounds Technical Services line item $150,000 and a
decrease a prior year Capital Improvement Project by the same amount.
Ward / Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, presented the following background:
The City has started a plan to be more proactive in planning for repairs and
maintenance moving forward. Building and Grounds has identified a vendor that can
provide an assessment of City roofs and provide a maintenance plan going forward.
We have also identified some security upgrades to City Hall, Library, and the
Community Center. The CIP project from budget year 2018 was established to re -roof
the Community Center and we realized some savings on that project. Staff agrees that
moving funds out of that project and back into the General Fund would be a good use
for these funds without having to reduce another expenditure line item.
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve item 2022-534, an
amendment to the 2023 adopted budget to increase the Buildings and Grounds
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
Technical Services line item $150,000 and a decrease a prior year Capital Improvement
Project by the same amount; seconded by Councilmember Charles Welch.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
E. 2022-544 Authorization to submit the Comprehensive Plan Update to Department
of Community Affairs for review
This will be tabled to the November 21, 2022 Mayor & Council Meeting.
Ward/ Citywide
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to table to the November 21, 2022 Mayor
and Council Meeting item 2022-544, the authorization to submit the Comprehensive
Plan Update to Department of Community Affairs for review; seconded by
Councilmember Glenn Pickens.
The motion to table to the November 21, 2022 Mayor and Council Meeting carried with
the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern !
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
7. Commercial Building Permits:
8. Consent Agenda:
A motion was made by Councilmember Travis Lindley, seconded by Councilmember
Glenn Pickens, that the Consent Agenda be Approved. The motion carried with the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson and Mayor Pro Tern /
Councilmember Gould
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Wheaton
A. MIN2022-76 Approval of the October 13, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting
Minutes
Ward / Citywide
These Minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda.
B. MIN2022-77 Approval of the October 17, 2022 Pre -Council Meeting Minutes
Ward / Citywide
These Minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda.
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City Council
Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
C. MIN2022-78
Approval of the October 17, 2022 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes
Ward / Citywide
These Minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda.
D. GRA2022-04
Authorization for the approval and acceptance of the State of Georgia
FY2023 Law Enforcement Training Program Grant, awarded to us on
October 6, 2022, through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in the
amount of $37,800.00 for the purchase of a new firearms simulator for the
new PD Training Center in Ward 7 and authorize the Mayor to sign and
Execute all related documents.
Ward 7 / Councilmember Wheaton
This Grant was Approved on the Consent Agenda.
E. GRA2022-05
Authorization for the approval and acceptance of the FY2020/2021
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN): Community Policing Microgrant,
awarded to us on October 6, 2022, through the Criminal Justice
Coordinating Council in the amount of $2,754.00 for the reactivation of
the Bicycle Unit (uniforms, bicycle upkeep, training classes and
equipment) and authorize the Mayor to sign and Execute all related
documents.
Ward / Citywide
This Grant was Approved on the Consent Agenda.
F. AGR2022-32
Authorization for the award of Survey and Design Services for 3260
Concord Circle, Smyrna, to be awarded to CPL Architecture ( 3011
Sutton Gate Dr.Suite 130, Suwanee, GA 30024) in the amount of
$16,400.00 to be paid from Professional Services and authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Ward 3 / Councilmember Lindley
This Agreement was Approved on the Consent Agenda.
G. 2022-545
Approval to use Council Chambers for Concord Lake Village Annual
HOA Meeting, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 7:30 pm
Ward 3 / Councilmember Lindley
This Authorization was Approved on the Consent Agenda.
9. Ward / Committee
Reports:
Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Gould recognized the Forest Hills Preservation
Group's Fall Festival held this past weekend. He stated they raised $650.00 for Cat &
Dog nonprofit Group.
Councilmember Welch recognized Faulcon Prep Academy and Ms. Tierra Faulcon for
being one of six finalists for the Georgia Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award.
Councilmember Lindley reminded everyone to vote on November 8, 2022.
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 7, 2022
Heather Peacon-Corn, City Clerk, listed the wards and corresponding polling places in
the City of Smyrna for the election taking place November 8, 2022.
10. Show Cause Hearings:
11. Citizen Input:
12. Adjournment:
Bill Strickland - 2962 Lexington Trace - expressed that the 150th birthday Celebration
was wonderful, and he also mentioned how much he likes the Smyrna 311 app. The
issue Mr. Strickland was going to talk about was already successfully handled by Mr.
Bennett. Mr. Strickland did take a moment to speak about a traffic light issue at the
Lexington intersection and how dangerous it can be. He stated he has spoken to the
Police Department about it, but he also recognized that the police department is short
officers and cannot patrol that area all the time. Because of the construction on Windy
Hill, there is a lot of traffic cutting through the area which is increasing the danger of
this intersection because people are speeding. He thanked Mayor and Council for their
time.
Mayor Derek Norton adjourned the November 7, 2022 Mayor and Council Meeting at
7:27 PM.
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
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EREK NORT N
MAYOR
LATONIA P. HINES, WARD 2
CHARLES A. WELCH, WARD 4
TIM GOULD, WARD 6
MAYOR PRO TEM
HEATHER K. PEACON-CORN
CITY CLERK
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GLENN PICKENS, WARD 1
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TRAVIS L DLtY, WARD 3
SUSAN WILKINSON, WARD 5
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