01-19-1981 Regular Meeting (2).r
Continued - January 5, 1981
(7) Section 707.2 requires 26 foot width of pavement for roads. Mr. Minchew
requested a variance for 24 foot wide roads. John Steely made a motion this
request be denied. Jerry Mills seconded the motion, which carried by a 7-0 vote.
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(8) This item requesting a variance for fire stops every 8 living units instead
of the 4 required by city fire codes was withdrawn.
There were no commercial building permits to bring before Council.
Elbert Coalson made a motion that Chamber of Commerce dues for 1981 in the amount
of $600 be approved. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jim Tolleson made a motion the minutes of December 1, 1980 be approved as submitted.
Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jerry Mills made a motion the minutes of December 15, 1980 be approved as submitted.
Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Committee Reports: John Steely said he had had quite a bit of vandalism in his
ward recently, especially with cars driving through yards. John said he was begging
and pleading with those responsible not to do it, because when they were caught,
they will find it is a serious offense.
(Water) Jack Shinall said he had been requesting information in regards to the
cost to developers of water meters and sewer taps and his committee is working
on putting this information together.
Jim Hawkins said a lot of citizens were putting iron stakes in their yards on the
right of way to prevent cars from driving through their yard. He asked Attorney
Camp if the City would be liable if a child should fall on one and be injured. Mr.
Camp said if the City had actual knowledge of the stakes being on a right of way and
did not require the homeowner to remove them, we possibly could be liable.
(Sanitation) Jim Tolleson said the Christmas holidays put us behind with trash
pickups but we were beginning to catch up.
Jim Tolleson reported the Central Dispatch System is moving along slowly but surely
and training of the dispatchers begins tomorrow. They are still hoping to implement
the system the end of January, but are not pushing themselves for that date.
Jerry Mills thanked Attorney Camp for the good job he had done in defending the
law suit against the City over the 1,000 acre annexation.
Announcements: Next Council meeting on January 19, 1981.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
F
January 19, 1981
The regular meeting of Mayor and Council was held January 19, 1981 at City Hall,
Smyrna, Georgia. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding
officer Mayor Frank Johnson. All Council members were present. Also present was
City Attorney Charles Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Public Works Director Jim
David, Police Chief R. E. Little, Fire Chief Don Atkinson, Parks and Recreation
Director Bill Johnston, Building Inspector Dan Steely, Civil Defense Director Jim
Farley and representatives of the press.'
Invocation was given by Elbert Coalson, followed by the pledge to the flag.
There were no citizen reports.
Variance request: Big Yin Cheng, 2665'Gilbert Street requested a variance to build
an additional room onto his home which would be 72 feet from the adjoining property`
line. This request was tabled at the last meeting due to Mr. Cheng not being present.
A letter from the adjoining property owner, Mr. Dale Martin, was presented stating
Continued - January 19, 1981
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he had no objections to the variance. Jerry Mills made a motion the variance be
granted. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Contract approval: Jim Tolleson made a motion the Mayor be authorized to approve
and sign the contract with the State Department of Transportation for the extension
of Pasadena Boulevard from Smyrna Roswell Road to Spring Road. Jerry Mills seconded
the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Bid opening: Proposals for the 201 Sewer Study were opened and recorded as follows:
(1) Welker & Associates 2 proposals included, covering 2 separate study
areas which are shown on exhibits within proposal.
O Area I - covers approximately 1,960 manholes throughout Smyrna sewer
system - $152,430
Area II - covers approximately 1,085 manholes, southwest Smyrna not included
$88,485
Time required for completion will be roughly 335 calendar days in Area I
and 255 calendar days in Area II.
(2) Mallett & Associates $171,276 total
Mayor Johnson said we would need to set a time for full council to interview the
Yt two applicants and give full consideration to their proposals and the monies involved,
and asked Jack Shinall to set up a meeting time. Jack Shinall thanked the two firms
who submitted their proposals and said that hopefully before the next council meeting
we would be setting up a meeting with the entire council in order that they would
have the opportunity to explain the entire proposal. Jack said this work would be
funded primarily by EPD on a 75/25 percent basis.
Commercial building permits were _presented by Inspector Dan Steely and.are recorded
as follows:
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(1) Concept Warehouses, 1700 Smyrna Roswell Road, Robert Smith applicant, requested
a building permit to construct approximately 50,000 square feet of mini -warehouses
at a total estimated cost of $450,000. Plans have been approved by the Inspections
Department and Fire Department and Mr. Steely recommended they be approved. Jerry
Mills made a motion the building permit be approved, seconded by John Steely. Vote
on the motion carried by a 7-0 vote.
Mayor Johnson said this week was "Jaycee Week" in Georgia and the Nation and
presented a proclamation to Dick Justice, President of the Smyrna Jaycees. Mayor
Johnson read the proclamation recognizing their accomplishments, and Mr. Justice
thanked the City of Smyrna for all the help they have given the Jaycees in their
projects.
Committee Reports: Jerry Mills said our pawn shop ordinance was adopted several
years ago, and had been enforced by the Police Department as much as possible.
Some of the shops now are in the gold and silver business and Jerry said there
should be some ordinance drawn on that particular business, or added to our present
ordinance. It appears a lot of stolen merchandise is being sold to pawn shops
without any record being made of it for the police to be able to trace. .Jerry
said that swap shops should be included in the ordinance also. Jerry made the
recommendation that the Business License Committee look into this problem. Jim
Tolleson said that the Georgia Municipal Association has some sample ordinances
which may help.
Jim Hawkins said he agreed with Jerry Mills recommendation 100%. This is one of
the bills which has been introduced during this session of the legislature, to
help regulate this type of business. Jim said he had already been doing some re-
search, but thought it may be better to wait and see what the State will do with
this bill and see what guidelines they will set.
Jack Shinall said a while back he had been contacted about a complaint by Mr. Robert
r" Bennett. Mr. Bennett was not present at the beginning of the meeting and Jack
'asked for council's indulgence in hearing him at this time. Mr. Bennett said
approximately 5 months ago he received a letter from the City of Smyrna stating
that leaves and trash had to be bagged before they would be picked up, and could
not find any record of who sent the letter out. Mr. Bennett asked why, if the City
could pick up leaves for someone else, they would not pick up his. John Steely
Continued - January 19, 1981
said this was a policy they made probably 6 or 8 months ago, due to the shortage
of help in the Sanitation Department. Jim Tolleson said there were some people
that would not bag their leaves and we try to give every resident a reasonable time
to remove them. If they are not eventually removed, the City will make special
trips to pick up the leaves, because the responsibility eventually falls back ;
upon us. Jim said it was a safety hazard and they get get into the storm drains.
Jim said in those cases, the residents were either cited, sent a letter, or paid a
personal visit by the City Marshal. Jack Shinall said in this particular case he
thought there was some question and asked Jim Tolleson to meet with Mr. Bennett
after the meeting.
(Water) Jack Shinall said we were still reviewing the cost of water meters and it
looks as if the cost will probably be raised from $85.00 to $200.00 for the normal
meter, and for extension line charges, etc., it could range $50 an hour for our Q
city employee's time.
(Finance) Elbert Coalson read a letter from Pate & Shiver, CPA outlining their
proposal for auditing our Revenue Sharing fund. Elbert made a motion that Pate
& Shiver be authorized to audit this account for normal billing rates plus out of
pocket expenses. Jack Shinall seconded the motion. After some discussion, Jack
Shinall amended the motion to read that the total payment would not exceed $500.
Jerry Mills seconded the amendment. Vote on the amendment carried by a 7-0 vote.
Vote on the main motion carried by a 7-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson apologized for not having the financial statements out for December,
but said they would be in the boxes by tomorrow noon. In the future, they will
be ready by the second meeting night of every month.
Elbert Coalson said the Chief of Police and City Clerk would meet and set a date
for the bicycle sale which will be sometime in February, and also for the sale
of the Civil Defense bus.
Elbert Coalson made a motion that we request bids for painting the courtroom and
entrance way of the police station. Jerry Mills suggested that we buy the paint,
and have our own maintenance men do the painting. Chief Little said this was a
fireproof paint that had to be used, was more difficult to apply than regular paint,
and should be done by someone familiar with it. Also, the present coat of paint
has to be stripped before repainting. The last time it was painted, it was not
done right. Following further discussion, Jack Shinall seconded the motion to
request bids. Vote on the motion carried by a 7-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson read a letter from Pate & Shiver submitting their proposal for
assisting in certain accounting procedures and changes in financial reporting.
The fee for this would be standard per diem rates plus out of pocket expenditures,
at an estimated total fee of $5,000 to $7,000. This engagement would be completed
on or before June 30, 1981. Elbert Coalson made a motion that Pate & Shiver's
proposal be accepted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion. Elbert said that Mr.
Pate would be working with the City Clerk and two council members that the Mayor
would appoint to straighten out our finances. John Steely said he could also help
us with our computer -- we have an $80,000 computer and are only getting 25%
production from it. Most major companies have to get 75% use out of a computer
to make it pay for itself. Mr. Pate has some knowledge of setting up programs on
a financial basis and John said he thought it would be a big help to the City.
Vote on the motion carried 7-0.
(Parks) John Steely said we were to open bids tonight for two used automobiles
for the Parks Department. Only one bid was received, and due to lack of funds
we will reject this bid. John made a motion the bid be returned with a letter
explaining why it was rejected. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion which carried
by a 7-0 vote.
John said winter programs would start one week from today and the adult softball
leagues are being implemented now, so anyone that is interested needs to contact
Bill Johnston.
Jim Tolleson said the Save Old Smyrna group was alive and well, and still meeting.
They are almost ready to come before council with a set of plans for their green-
belt that they have been talking about for a year. They will probably present
this at the next council meeting for approval with hopefully, some help from the
City street department.
Continued - January 19, 1981
Elbert Coalson said he had received some fine comments about our Fire and Police
Departments relative to the recent tragic fire at Plumtree Apartments. Elbert
said he was proud of these two departments and even though two lives were lost, it
was not due to the efforts of these men. Jack Shinall and Max Bacon also commended
these two departments, as well as the Civil Defense, Streets and other departments
who participated in this effort.
Mayor Johnson said along with that, Smyrna Hospital is one of the finest health
care facilities in the State of Georgia and the people who operate and manage that
hospital are some of the finest, and we are fortunate to have them in our community.
They are involved in things you wouldn't think of, with one in particular being
in relation to the fire. They were at the scene of the fire at daylight with coffee
and breakfast brought from the hospital for the firemen. Mr. Orr and his staff is
certainly to be commended for going this extra mile to be of service and be in-
volved in the community. Chief Little said they were there at,2:30 a.m., and then
came back later with the food and warm drinks. Mayor Johnson said it was difficult
to express, other than to say they a great job and we are fortunate to have them in
our community.
Announcements: Next council meeting on February 2, 1981.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
K B. JOHNSON, MAYOR WILLOUISE C. SPIVEY, C,W CLEW
;A�MES E. TOLLESON, WARD 1 MAX BACON, WARD 2
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0111RY
MIL, WA 3 JAMES M. HAWKINS, WARD 4
K SHINALL, WARD 5 ELBERT R. COALSON, WARD 6
I`4`" J STEELY, ARD 7