2023-05-01 May 1, 2023 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED - LFCity Council Meeting Minutes - Final
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Smyrna Community Center
Magnolia Room
200 Village Green Circle
Smyrna, GA 30080
May 01, 2023
7:00 PM
I. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. Roll Call
Derek Norton, Mayor
Tim Gould, Mayor Pro Tern (Ward 6)
Glenn Pickens (Ward 1)
Latonia P. Hines (Ward 2)
Travis Lindley (Ward 3)
Charles "Corkey" Welch (Ward 4)
Susan Wilkinson (Ward 5)
Lewis Wheaton (Ward 7)
City Attorney Scott Cochran
City Administrator Joseph Bennett
City Clerk Heather K. Peacon-Corn
Present: 7 — Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Glenn Pickens,
Councilmember Latonia P. Hines, Councilmember Travis Lindley,
Councilmember Charles Welch, Councilmember Susan Wilkinson,
and Councilmember Lewis Wheaton
Also Present: 1 — Scott Cochran
Staff: 8 — Joe Bennett, Jill Head, Dat Luu, Russell Martin, Penny Moceri,
Heather Peacon-Corn, Eric Randall, and Andrea Worthy
Absent: 1 — Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Tim Gould
2. Call to Order
Mayor Derek Norton called to order the May 1, 2023, Mayor and Council Meeting held
at the Smyrna Community Center in the Magnolia Room at 7:00 PM.
Councilmember Lewis Wheaton left the meeting at 7:08 PM due to a prior appointment.
3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
A. Dr. Jeff Pennington, Smyrna First Baptist Church (1275 Church Street)
4. Agenda Changes
5. Mayoral Report
Mayor Norton stated that the Jonquil Festival this past weekend was a wonderful
event. He also announced that the ribbon cutting for the new downtown greenspace
will be on June 10, 2023.
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May 01, 2023 City of Smyrna Smyrna Community Center
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Magnolia Room
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, I, Derek Norton, Mayor of the City of Smyrna, Georgia, do
hereby proclaim during the month of May in 2023, the 13th, 20th, 26th, and 29th as
MEMORIAL 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. PRC2023-011 Proclamation in Recognition of National Small Business Week
and to honor businesses in Smyrna celebrating 20, 25 and 50-plus
anniversaries
Citywide
Councilmember Travis Lindley read and presented the following proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SMYRNA
In Recognition of National Small Business Week and to Honor Businesses in Smyrna
Celebrating 20, 25 and 50+ Anniversaries
Whereas, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business
Week every year since 1963 to highlight the programs and services available to
entrepreneurs through the U.S. Small Business Administration and other government
agencies; and
Whereas, this country's 32.5 million small businesses create nearly two out of three
jobs in our economy, the City of Smyrna supports and joins in this national effort to
help America's small businesses do what they do best - grow their business, create
jobs, and ensure that our local communities remain as vibrant tomorrow as they are
today; and
Whereas, in 2023, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 20 years
in our community: All Pro Transmission Exchange, Cobb Galleria Automotive, Joe
Debose Insurance Agency; and
Whereas, in 2023, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating 25 years
in our community: Alpha Nails, Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna, A-Z Signs, B&B
Machinery Movers, Deeply Rooted, Delmar Gardens of Smyrna, La'Seviance Hair Spa
Salon, Mexico Lindo Restaurant, Oxford Academy, Pro Materials Direct, Salon Suites;
and
Whereas, in 2023, the following small businesses in Smyrna are celebrating more
than 50 years in our community: Ask -Kay Electrical Contractors, Barrow Wrecker
Service and Barrow Body Shop, Becky Jones School of Dance, Howard's Furniture
Company, Howard's Wrecker Service, Jonquil Sporting Goods, Lillie Glassblowers,
McEntyre's Bakery, Neighbors Feed & Seed Supply Co., Old South Bar-B-Q, Screen
USA Inc, Smyrna Animal Hospital, Sparkles Smyrna, Vickery Ace Hardware; and
Whereas, during National Small Business Week, the City of Smyrna acknowledges
and celebrates the achievements made by all small businesses, including those
celebrating significant milestones in our community; NOW,
Therefore, I, Derek Norton, Mayor of Smyrna, do hereby proclaim April 30 through
May 6, 2023, as National Small Business Week in Smyrna and a week of recognition
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May 01, 2023 City of Smyrna Smyrna Community Center
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Magnolia Room
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, provided the following background:
In accordance with the Charter of the City of Smyrna, the City Council has concluded
that it is necessary and desirable to adopt a moratorium for 180 days on applications
seeking the issuance of a building permit or seeking to rezone a property to allow it to
be used for automobile service stations, automobile parts and tire stores, automobile
and truck sales and service, automobile repair (major and minor), emission and
inspection stations, automobile wash services, automobile truck and trailer leasing,
and to consider other amendments to the zoning ordinances regarding these uses.
The moratorium would extend for no longer than six months beginning May 2, 2023,
during which time the city would evaluate the city's existing standards on automotive
uses.
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve MOR2023-01, a resolution to
impose a six (6) month moratorium on accepting applications seeking to obtain building
permits or rezone property to be developed or otherwise used as auto service -oriented
uses while the City studies zoning issues related to such uses; seconded by
Councilmember Charles Welch.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 5 — Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember
Lindley, Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson
Nay: 0 — None
Absent: 2 — Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Gould, Councilmember Wheaton
8. Privilege License and Show Cause Hearing
9. Formal Business
A. AGR2023-020 Approval of Property/Liability Insurance annual renewal with
Georgia Local Government Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) for a not to
exceed amount of $802,509.00 and authorize Mayor to sign and execute all
related documents.
Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, provided the following background:
The City maintains property and liability insurance with an annual coverage period of
May 1 - April 30. Rates are based on a 5-year look back period. Total premium
represents an overall increase in premiums of 18.8%. This includes a 10% increase to
the base rates as well as rate changes that can be attributed to losses and exposures.
Staff recommends approval.
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve item AGR2023-020,
Property/Liability Insurance annual renewal with Georgia Local Government Risk
Management Agency (GIRMA) for a not to exceed amount of $802,509.00 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:
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May 01, 2023 City of Smyrna Smyrna Community Center
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Magnolia Room
r—q A. MIN2023-041 Approval of the April 13, 2023, Committee of the Whole Meeting
Minutes.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
B. MIN2023-042 Approval of the April 17, 2023, Pre -Council Meeting Minutes.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
C. MIN2023-045 Approval of the April 17, 2023, Mayor and Council Meeting
Minutes.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
D. CON2023-010 Approve use of Georgia DOT Agency Contract #48400-
DOT0002597-0010 for on -call traffic signal services with Sunbelt Traffic LLC in
as needed for an indefinite quantity or contract amount, to be paid from the
Public Works - Engineering budget item for Contract Labor.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
E. ATH2O23-06 Approval of Excess Cyber Insurance annual renewal with Crum &
Forster/Georgia Local Government Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) for
$36,980.00 and authorize Mayor to execute related documents
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
F. RES2023-008 Approval of Resolution RES2023-008 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 2024 through 2026 and
authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
G. CON2023-009 Approval to award archiving of old Community Development
electronic records to MCCI in the amount of $23,793.76 to be paid from the
Community Development Records Management account and authorize the
Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
11. Ward and Staff Reports
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1 MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
D REK NORTON
MAYOR
�. T NIA P. HIN S, WARD 2
CHARLES A.WELCH, WARD 4
TIM GOULD, WARD
MAYOR PRO TEM
ATHER K. PEACON-CORN
GL NN PICKENS, WARD 1
<"�4
TRAVIS LINDLEY, WARD 3
SU AN WILKINSON, WARD 5
ABSENT
RESIGNED
ABSENT FROM MEETING, WARD
CITY SEAL