Loading...
06-20-1988 Regular MeetingJune 6, 1988 meeting - continued property from the Board of Education tonight. Kathy Jordan also expressed her appreciation to Dr. Tocco and the Board of Education for the donation of the property tonight. Bob Betenbaugh reported on Parks activities. With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. A. MAX BACON, MAYOR MELINDA)DAMFROI "CflkY CLERK WADLEL /BOB AVIS, WARD ;KA, I f AR-D 2 jaS M Z?i kATHY Br� J(!P AN, WARD 6 BOB BETENBAUGH, WARD 7 June 20, 1988 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held June 20, 1988 at Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon. All council members were present. Also present was City Attorney Charles E. Camp, City Administrator John Patterson, City Clerk Melinda Dameron and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Reverend J. W. Frady, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. CITIZENS INPUT: Captain Bill Hayes of the Smyrna Police Department, Shawn Cochran, Wink Winkenhofer and Sue Brissey all spoke in favor of the proposed salary adjustments for city employees being considered with the budget tonight, especially in the Police and Fire departments to bring those starting salaries more in line with other departments in the area. Mayor Bacon recognized Joe Thompson, candidate for the State Senate and potential Ward 3 candidates James Williams and Bill Scoggins. PUBLIC HEARINGS• (A) Request for package beer and wine license - Circle K Convenience Store, 1828 Spring Road. John Patterson said that Mr. Lloyd Hall as attorney for Circle K has submitted an application as the appointed agent for two stores in Smyrna. Mr. Butchko will be the manager for the Spring Road location. The police investigation was favorable and there was no opposition. Mr. Hall said he was a former county attorney with Rockdale County and was with GMA and had helped draft several alcoholic beverage ordinances across the State. There was some confusion about who would be the agent because the application was not clear, but Mr. Hall said it was his understanding that as a resident of Cobb County he would be the agent and the one to be basically responsible for maintaining the license, with the managers at each location to forward him any notices of violations. Attorney Camp reminded Mr. Hall that he was also the person responsible for ensuring that all employees were fully trained and would be responsible for any violations that may occur. After discussion, Bob Davis made a motion the license be approved. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 5-1, with Wade Lnenicka opposed. (B) Request for package beer and wine license - Circle K Convenience Store, 2539 Old Concord Road. John Patteson said Mr. Lloyd Hall had also applied for the license at this location and being no opposition, Jack Shinall made a motion the license be approved. Bob Davis seconded the motion which carried 5-1, with Wade Lnenicka opposed. June 20, 1988 - continued (C) Approval of 1988-89 budget. Jim Hawkins said John Patterson and his staff had done an excellent job in preparing the 1988-89 budget totaling $17,187,695. There is a 16 1/2% increase in revenues with the majority of that being attributed to new growth through annexations and redevelopment. Property taxes will account for 24.9%; franchise taxes 17.4%; water and sewer revenues 17.5% and 13.2% from service charges. Of the expenditures, the total general government budget is $1.9 million; Public Safety totals $6.3 million, Community Services $1.4 million and Public Works totals $6.7 million. The budget also includes salary increases for employees totaling $492,000 which is included in the budget package which will be approved with the budget, with some minor changes. There is also included $92,000 for additional increases to some positions in Police and Fire to correct the inequities caused from compression but this matter will be tabled for the time being until each job can be more carefully reviewed by council. The budget also contains funds for many capital projects including computerization in the Police Department and Library, a completion of the new public works facility, new fire station and many others. Jim Hawkins made a motion the 1988-89 budget totaling $17,187,695 be approved as submitted with the ad valorem millage rate to remain at 10.6, seconded by Kathy Jordan. After discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn to allow discussion from the floor. Mayor Bacon said this council is dedicated to the employees as well as the taxpayers and they do not want Smyrna to be a training ground for other municipalities. Mayor Bacon said he supported the increases in salaries for all employees and the compression issue, with some minor adjustments. Also, we need to review our salaries on an annual basis to maintain a competitive pay scale. Detective Tony Maloney said he was concerned with the compression issue since many of the senior employees were overlooked during previous salary studies and this matter needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Wade Lnenicka said he thought everyone was committed to doing what is fair and right for the employees but they also want to feel comfortable acting on that problem. They have studied it at great extent and while they want to do what is fair and right, they want the employees also to do what is fair and right for the City. Bob Betenbaugh said what they were trying to accomplish as much as anything else was a repeat of this same problem. In 1985 there were 12 to 15 vacancies in the Police Department and in order to attract candidates, the City increased the starting pay. By doing that, the starting pay for the new people put them on the same salary level immediately with some officers with several years service. Jack Shinall said he disagreed that there was $492,000 in salary increases in this budget; there is over $750,000 if you include the classification and compensation study totaling $470,000; $93,000 compression; $40,000 department head increases; $150,000 merit increases, $55,000 in FICA and $25,000 to $50,000 in unemployment, life insurance, workmens compensation and pension because those go up. That totals approximately $883,000. The salary increases, including merit increases range from 10% to 25% with the 25% raises going to areas other than areas that should be getting the larger increases; not in Fire and Police. Mr. Shinall said he had sworn a duty to the citizens of this city as well as the employees to see that they are compensated justly. A lower increase is what is right, considering that the average increase for most businesses has been about 6% this year. Salaries could be adjusted with a 5% cost of living and 5% merit which would bring the Fire and Police departments in the top 1/3 of the ranges in an article he had recently seen. This would also allow either a tax rollback or allow extra funds to complete projects council has agreed to move forward with, without a tax increase. Mr. Shinall said in his heart, he could not sit back and go along with the increases proposed tonight. Kathy Jordan stated that in the salary study, there were only 9 employees that would receive more than a 10% increase. Jim Hawkins also stated that this increase will not put us at the top of the ranges for the area; it will place us somewhere in the middle. Salaries were compared with Cobb County, Forest Park, East Point, Marietta and others. The starting salary for Police and Fire now is $16,195 which is only higher than Clayton County. The new rate will be $17,876. Gary Marcus said the City could reduce its entire budget by eliminating projects we do not need, such as the proposed civic center and still maintain competitive salaries. June 20, 1988 - continued Following lengthy discussion, Jim Hawkins made a motion the budget be accepted as submitted with the millage rate to remain at 10.6. Kathy Jordan seconded the motion which carried 5-1, with Jack Shinall opposed. FORMAL BUSINESS• (A) FY1988 budget adjustment. John Patterson said there are three adjustments that need to be made to the FY88 budget before the audit begins. The first is to raise the increase in revenues and offsetting expenditures caused from the tipping fee increase, the second is to record expenditures for improvements made to Jonquil Pool and the police station and fourth is to transfer funds from the General Fund to Capital Projects Fund to build the fourth fire station and public works camp. Jim Hawkins made a motion the budget adjustments as presented be approved. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried 6-0. (B) Clarification of purchasing policy. John Patterson that since the purchasing policy had been adopted there was some question regarding the definition of "Mayor and Council approval." This could mean a sign off sheet or approval by Mayor and Council duly assembled but needs to be clarified. Jim Hawkins said this means the expenditure of unfunded or unbudgeted items and many times a situation arises that must be handled quickly. We have had a provision that an expenditure of unfunded money under $5,000 can be approved with a sign -off sheet with anything over $5,000 to be voted on in public meetings. The clarification of the policy is to require that any expenditure of any unfunded money under $5,000 be approved in writing with each council member to sign off on it. If the unfunded amount is over $5,000 it must be approved in a public meeting. Jim Hawkins made a motion the clarification of the purchasing policy be approved. Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion which carried 6-0. (C) Approval of travel policy. Jim Hawkins made a motion the travel policy be tabled to the second meeting in July. Kathy Jordan seconded the motion which carried 6-0. (D) Approval of fines for violations of water ban. John Patterson said with the drought we must develop procedures to properly enforce the water ban in full as it exists. Wade Lnenicka made a motion the following new ordinance, Section 22-11 be approved: EMERGENCY WATER RESTRICTIONS: Whereas, the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area is rapidly increasing in population, density, and manufacturing to the extent that it has become difficult to develop and maintain sufficient water resources in times of drought; and Whereas, outdoor watering and sprinkling and watering of grass, trees and shrubs during times of drought severely threaten other uses which are essential to the public; now Therefore, be it resolved: A. During any period of drought or when the water supply of the City of Smyrna through its agreements with the Cobb -Marietta Water Authority or any other provider of the City of Smyrna's water supply which, in the opinion of the Mayor and Council, becomes threatened Mayor and Council is hereby authorized at any regular council meeting to declare an emergency status for water usage in the City of Smyrna. B. During any period wherein Mayor and Council have declared an emergency status for water usage, the water committee upon recommendation by the Mayor shall from time to time set the hours and times and terms of outdoor water usage including sprinkling and watering of grass, trees and shrubs within the area served by the City of Smyrna, which shall be published by posting notice thereof at City Hall, Bank Street, Smyrna, Georgia and shall become effective immediately upon such posting. Other notice of permitted usage may be given through newspaper articles or advertisements. June 20, 1988 meeting - continued C. After establishment of emergency water restrictions as hereinabove provided, any person, firm'or corporation may be fined for violation thereof up to the maximum amount of fines allowed in the Recorder's Court for the City of Smyrna. Wade Lnenicka made the motion the the Water Ban Amendment Code be adopted. Bob Davis seconded the motion which carried 6-0. BID AWARDS (A) New Public Works Facility Pumps, Gasoline Distribution System. Wade Lnenicka stated this is a continuation of our discussion of two weeks ago. Bids were received for the pumps for the gasoline distribution system for the new public works facility and they have been reviewed by the committee and staff. Their recommendation is to award the bid to Watkins Service Company for $92,979. Watkins is not the low bid in this case but they were much more comfortable with their bid and the fact that they did not change their original bid price. The low bid from Smith Equipment Company was revised a couple of times during discussion and review. Wade Lnenicka made a motion the bid be awarded to Watkins Service Company for $92,979. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 6-0. John Patterson stated that the fire sprinkler system would be done in-house. We have decided in order to conform with the City code, that we would sprinkle this building and are going to do that with in-house personnel at an approximate cost of $5,000. This is as much an item of information but we would like to have the approval of necessary supplies to make this installation. Wade Lnenicka stated we need to set an example for setting up a sprinkling system for our own facilities and made a motion the installation of this system be completed in-house for an approximate cost of $5,000, a savings of about $7,000 over the bid price. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 6-0. John Patterson stated the vehicle exhaust system would be held off on to see what conditions exist at the new facility, once completed. During the winter time we will see if it is necessary. The telephone system. John Patterson stated that we have received two bids and would suggested the bid be awarded to Alliance Business Systems, the low bidder at $8,500. Wade Lnenicka stated we received two bids for the telephone system. Both bids covered the equipment that we had required and requested. Plans and specs submitted both met our bid requirements. AT&T supplied the City with a bid of $12,683.36; Alliance Business Systems supplied us with a bid of $8,500 even. Both companies are in good standing, both have done work for the City in the past. The systems that they are bidding are, if not identical, very similar and equivalent. Wade Lnenicka made a motion the bid be awarded to Alliance Business Systems for $8,500. Bob Davis seconded the motion which carried 6-0. Driveway and Parking Lot Asphalting. John Patterson stated that we received two bids which were about $500 apart. We recommend that Council award the bid to Able Asphalt Paving for $44,780.60, the low bidder. Wade Lnenicka stated the bids received were per our plans and specifications. The two bids received did differ by only a small amount. Able Asphalt Paving was the low bidder for $44,780.60, J. T. R. Enterprises, by definition, was the high bid for $45,310.75. There is not a lot of difference in the bids in this case. Wade Lnenicka made a motion the low bid of $44,780.60 be awarded to Able Asphalt Paving. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 6-0. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PERMITS John Patterson stated there was one item for consideration this evening. McDonalds' new restaurant located on new Windy Hill Road. We suggest this building permit be approved subject to the approval of the City Engineer, Fire Marshal, and others that approve the plans. June 20, 1988 meeting - continued Jack Shinall made the motion that this building permit be approved, subject to approval of all engineering plans by our community development department, subject to all Fire Marshal approval, and all drainage and required drainage approval. Kathy Jordan seconded the motion which carried 6-0. CONSENT AGENDA (A) No parking sign on Knoll Road from Turpin Road to dead end on south side. (B) Request bids for new copier for Parks and Recreation Department. (C) Request bids for air compressor for Fire Department. Kathy Jordan made a motion that items (B) and (C) only be approved. Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion which carried 6-0. COUNCIL INPUT Jack Shinall asked if the salary study was public information and open to the public. Jim Hawkins said he thought any public employee's salary was open to the public. Attorney Camp said that salary ranges are public information but he was not certain about specific salaries of individuals. John Patterson said the salary range sheet would be an attachment to the budget which is a public document and also suggested the classification and compensation plan not be made public. Jack Shinall agreed that the individual salaries should not be made public. Bob Betenbaugh announced that swimming and soccer registration is on going at the Parks and Recreation office. Also, the annual 4th of July celebration will be held on Monday, July 4, at King Springs Park beginning at 8:30 p.m. with free ice cream and entertainment, followed by fireworks. We would like to see a big turn out for that. Bob Davis expressed his thanks to John Patterson, his staff, all department heads and their staff on doing a great job on the budget and said he supports it 100%. Bob Davis asked when Carolyn Drive would be paved. John Patterson said the contractor is currently in the City and he has told us he will have it done by the end of June. Wade Lnenicka mentioned the railroad cars parking behind the homes on Anne Road and feels the solution is working well since there have noticed fewer trains parking in that area in the last few weeks. Wade said he hoped the railroad would continue to work with us on a long term basis. Wade Lnenicka said he has received a lot of calls about the turn lanes on Spring Road at the new Campbell Road intersection. Turn lanes will be installed when the road construction is complete. Finally, Wade said he would like to recognize our good staff and the employees working with us. Our Department Heads and I feel they are equal to any in any city and I hope we can keep them to get full utilization of their specialities. Smyrna is a nice place to live and we take our jobs seriously and I look forward to the coming year, and the balance of our terms with great enthusiasm. Jim Hawkins asked the City Administrator about the unpaved streets in Ward 4 due to the sewer rehabilitation program. John Patterson stated a letter had been issued to Baldwin Asphalt Resurfacing Company, the paving company, to go ahead and get those done and he anticipated completion by the end of June. Jim Hawkins also mentioned that we tabled the travel policy, which has been much discussed. There is still some discussion to be done on the policy, but we are planning to attend the State Convention in Savannah. It is for elected municipal people of Georgia. The rules we will be abiding by, until we adopt a travel policy, allow each council member to be paid a rate of $.22 per mile for use of their personal car, will be allowed to spend $50 per day on meals only, and within' two weeks of returning from the trip, expenses will have to be submitted to the Finance Committee for final approval. Any unused money will be turned in. Bob Betenbaugh asked one final question about the paving. He wondered if we had had any dealings with companies that were habitually giving us erroneous dates for the work to be done. John Patterson responded that there had been some instances and we debated whether it would be in the best interest of the City to cancel the contract, bid out another, and award the contract to someone else. We decided we would be satisfied if this company will fulfill their contract. Bob Betenbaugh suggested we monitor their work until completion. June 20, 1988 meeting - continued Mayor Bacon said he would like to recognize Bobby Martin of Howard's Delicatessen. Howard's Delicatessen was voted the best delicatessen in Cobb County in a recent article in The Best of Cobb Magazine. Papa's Restaurant was recognized as one of the best restaurants in town. Mayor Bacon said he would like to recognize Emory McHugh and Jane Sargent for their fine work in preparing the budget. Also, thanks to Jim Hawkins, Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee for his fine work with the budget. With no further business, meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. A. MAX BACON, MAYOR BOB DAVIS, WARD 1 WARD 3 - VACANT J SHINALL, WARD 5 BOB BETE AUGH, WARD 7 DAMES M. HAWK NS, /Wr 4 n KATHY