07-1-2019 July 1, 2019 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED - LFCity of Smyrna 2800 King Street
`� Smyrna, Georgia 30080
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Monday, July 1, 2019 7:00 PM Council Chambers
Roll Call
Present: 7 - Councilmember Derek Norton, Councilmember Maryline Blackburn,
Councilmember Andrea Blustein, Councilmember Charles Welch,
Councilmember Susan Wilkinson, Councilmember Tim Gould and
Councilmember Ron Fennel
Absent: 1 - Mayor Max Bacon
Also Present: 7 - Tammi Saddler Jones, Scott Cochran, Scott Andrews, Terri Graham, Robert
Harvey, Dan Campbell and Tina Monaghan
Call to Order
Mayor Pro Tem Derek Norton called the meeting to order Mayor Bacon was not
feeling well and unable to attend the meeting.
1. Invocation and Pledge:
Pastor Brian Taylor, Life Church Smyrna Assembly of God (4100 King Springs Rd)
delivered the Invocation and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Agenda Changes:
There were no agenda changes.
3. Mayoral Report:
There was no Mayoral Report.
4. Land Issues/Zonings/Annexations:
There were no land issues/zonings/annexations.
6. Privilege Licenses:
There were no privilege licenses.
6. Formal Business:
A. 2019-215 Approval of appointment of Ward 1 representative Latarsha Pearson to
the Smyrna Housing Authority through the remaining term to expire in May
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2020.
Sponsors: Norton
Councilmember Norton explained that this appointment was for his Ward and that he
has known Ms. Pearson for over ten years and feels she will be a valuable addition to
the Housing Authority.
Councilmember Ron Fennel made a motion to approve the appointment of Ward 1
representative Latarsha Pearson to the Smyrna Housing Authority through the
remaining term to expire in May 2020. Councilmember Maryline Blackburn seconded
the motion to approve.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Blackburn, Councilmember Blustein, Councilmember
Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould and
Councilmember Fennel
B. Authorization to enter into an amended User License Agreement for 800
MHz Public Safety Radio System with Cobb County, GA in the amount of
$1,154,692.29 over the contract term of October 1, 2018 - September
30, 2027 funded through Smyrna E-911 Fund and authorize the Mayor to
execute all related documents.
Sponsors: Norton
City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones provided the background information on this
agenda item. In 2007, Cobb County and its users entered into a User's Agreement
that defined the costs and responsibilities of Cobb County and users to operate on the
800 MHz public safety radio system. The agreement is for use of the radio towers and
the maintenance. This proposed amended license agreement dated October 1, 2018 —
September 30, 2027, will allow the City to continue use of the Cobb 800 MHz public
safety radio system without interruption. The amended agreement aligns all of the
Users to the same contract expiration date instead of the current individual expiration
dates. Smyrna's estimated total cost of $1,154,692.29 will be funded annually from the
Smyrna E-911 Fund over an 8-year period. Our Police Department Staff recommended
approval of the 800 MHz Radio System User License Agreement between Cobb
County and the City of Smyrna and authorize the Mayor to execute all related
documents.
Councilmember Gould reiterated that the change relates to contract expiration dates
and that no financial changes are occurring as a result of these changes. Deputy
Chief Harvey concurred.
Councilmember Tim Gould made a motion to approve and authorize to enter into an
amended User License Agreement for 800 MHz Public Safety Radio System with Cobb
County, GA in the amount of $1,154,692.29 over the contract term of October 1, 2018 -
September 30, 2027 funded through Smyrna E-911 Fund and authorize the Mayor to
execute all related documents. Councilmember Ron Fennel seconded the motion to
approve.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Blackburn, Councilmember Blustein, Councilmember
Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould and
Councilmember Fennel
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7. Commercial Building Permits:
There were no commercial building permits.
8. Consent Agenda:
Councilmember Tim Gould made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as read
aloud by City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones. Councilmember Maryline
Blackburn seconded the motion to approve.
The motion to approve was carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Councilmember Blackburn, Councilmember Blustein, Councilmember
Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Councilmember Gould and
Councilmember Fennel
A. Approval of the June 17, 2019 Mayor and Council Meeting minutes.
C. Approval of the June 17, 2019 Special Called Meeting minutes.
D. Approval of the June 13, 2019 Committee of The Whole Meeting
Minutes.
9. Committee Reports:
Councilmember Blustein wished everyone a Happy Fourth of July. She reminded
everyone to be mindful of animals who are often frightened by fireworks.
Councilmember Blackburn welcomed new employees to the City. She talked about
the Math and Music Makers Camp and how she was able to share about her role as a
Councilmember. Ms. Blackburn asked everyone to keep their ears and eyes open for
more information about the upcoming 2020 Census because it is important that every
person be counted. She spoke about the reopening of the newly renovated the Red
Roof Inn Plus. Recently, Ms. Blackburn had the opportunity to visit with the Code
Ninjas which is a group of young people learning about coding and building video
games. She wished everyone a Happy and safe Fourth of July. To conclude her
report, Ms. Blackburn gave a shout out to Sustainable Smyrna and thanked them for
all their hard work.
Councilmember Welch invited residents from Ward 4 to volunteer for the 2020 Census
and asked that anyone interested in participating to contact him via phone or email.
He also announced that he will be unable to attend the July 15th meeting due to a
work obligation.
Councilmember Wilkinson echoed Mr. Welch in inviting residents from Ward 5 to
contact her regarding volunteer opportunities for the upcoming 2020 Census. Friends
of the Library are hosting members of the Aviation Wing Museum of Marietta on
Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 3:00pm. There will be a lecture from a former military aviator
will explain what all is involved with the famous Top Gun flight program. Friends of the
Library will provide refreshments.
Councilmember Gould spoke about a recent Education Committee meeting where the
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underage use of vaping was discussed. Current statistics reveal that one in five
underage young people have at least tried a vape device and it is fast becoming an
epidemic. Some ways to combat this issue were discussed and further research is
being done.
Councilmember Fennel hoped that Mayor Bacon feels better and is able to attend the
next meeting. He reminded everyone to execute a high degree of safety with fireworks
while celebrating the Nation's Birthday.
Ms. Saddler Jones reminded everyone that City Administrative offices will be closed on
Thursday, July 4, 2019 for the Independence Day holiday and will reopen Friday, July 5,
2019.
10. Show Cause Hearings:
11. Citizen Input:
12. Adjournment:
There were no show cause hearings.
Mr. Cedric Lumsden, 2761 Matthews Street signed up to speak about traffic calming
on Matthews Street. Mr. Lumsden said that he had reached out to his previous Council
representative and recently wrote and sent two letters. He stated that increase in
parking, Sun Trust cut through traffic, and construction projects have contributed to
dangerous conditions. He would like to see additional stop signs and better signage of
the 25 mile per hour speed limit.
Mr. Forrest Ainsworth, 1606 Walker Street SE, signed up to speak about speeding
cars on Matthews Street and issues with sidewalks. He moved here about two years
ago and has major concerns about traffic and lack of maintenance of sidewalks. He
has a 4 112 year old daughter and worries about her safety while playing in the yard.
His four foot fence is not enough to insure her safety. He would like to see more
police patrols and some progress on sidewalk repairs.
Mr. David Luke, 1615 Walker Street, signed up to speak about excess speed on
Matthews Street and to request stop signs. He came to the meeting to speak as a
concerned father because his two daughters are afraid to be in their yard due to the
speeding of people passing by. He asked Council for the two extra stop signs to help
slow people down.
Mayor Pro-Tem Norton adjourned the July 1, 2019 Mayor and Council meeting at 7:22
PM.
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