05-18-1981 Regular MeetingContinued - May 4, 1981
(Fire) Max Bacon read a letter from Fire Chief Don Atkinson announcing his retirement
as of June 1, 1981, and made a motion that the resignation be accepted as submitted.
Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Max stated he had been
Chairman of the Fire Committee only 7 months but he has known Don for many years.
Max commended Don for the good job he has done for the City over thelyears.
Max Bacon made a motion that Assistant Fire Chief Hubert Cochran assume the duties as
Acting Fire Chief. John Steely seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
************************
May 18, 1981
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held May 18, 1981, at Smyrna
City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding
officer Mayor Frank Johnson. All Council members were present except Max Bacon,
who was out of town. Also present was City Attorney Charles E. Camp, Police Chief
Everett Little, Assistant Fire Chief Hubert Cochran, Public Works Director Jim
David, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Johnston, Civil Defense Director Jim
Farley and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Councilman John Steely, followed by the pledge to the flag.
Citizen Reports: Mrs. Donald Fisher of Farmstead Condominiums expressed concern
for the safety of children at Jonquil Park, when Park Drive is extended and widened.
Mayor Johnson advised that when the road is extended, a sidewalk will be constructed
from the new development to Spring Street, with a chain -link fence alongside the
road. He felt this would improve safety conditions for children at the park and did
not anticipate problems with speeding cars.
Elbert Coalson announced that Kathy Brooks was resigning from the Parks and Recrea-
tion Commission, after serving the City for several years. Mr. Coalson presented
Mrs. Brooks with a Distinguished Service Award and expressed his appreciation for
her contribution. Other members of the commission were present, and presented Mrs.
Brooks with a crystal jonquil as a remembrance.
Rezoning: Reed Konigsmark requested rezoning of property located at the corner
of Hamby Street and Sunset Avenue, from General Commercial and R-15 to RM-10, to
allow for the construction of duplexes. Jerry Mills said he had met with citizens
of the surrounding area prior to the meeting tonight. They did not oppose the
rezoning if Mr. Konigsmark would concede to build two single -story duplexes instead
of three as he had originally proposed. Mr. Konigsmark said he had agreed to this
concession. Joe Porterfield of 1176 Bank Street asked what type units would be
built, and if they would be rented or sold. Mr. Konigsmark said they would contain
36,000 square feet and the lot is about 3/4 acre. The selling price will be approxi-
mately $85,000, and initially will be retained by him and rented. Bruce Braithwaite
of 819 Frances Drive expressed concern over the rezoning if the units are to be
rented because.he felt owner/occupants had a greater respect for surrounding neigh-
bors. Jerry Mills said Sunset Avenue was primarily zoned for antique shops and
business, and the residents of the area felt the rezoning of.this property would
eliminte the encroachment of further commercial zonings onto Hamby Street. Jerry
Mills made a motion the rezoning be approved for the construction of two single -
story duplexes. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Rezoning: Reed Konigsmark requested rezoning of property located on Church Street
at Davis, from R-15 to RM-10. There was a large group in opposition to the rezoning.
Mr. Konigsmark said he proposed to build five duplexes on the lot, which was not
suitable for single-family constructions, and felt the potential drainage problem
could be overcome. Mr. John Bartlett of 1140 Stephens Street was the spokesman for
the opposition and expressed their concern over the drainage problems, number of
multi -family units presently in the area, and stated this complex would inevitably
place the demands and needs of ten additional families on the streets and utilities
of our community. Mr. Bartlett presented a petition bearing the signatures of 47
residents -opposing the, rezoning. Also presented was a letter from the Department
of Transportation Traffic and Safety Engineering Department with statistical data
of accidents in the area, which showed an increase of approximately 150% on Stephens
Street, 100% on Davis Street and some 250% on Church Street within a 5-year period.
Continued - May 18, 1981
Jerry Mills stated that Mr. Konigsmark had requested the zoning request be with-
drawn, but he had no way to notify the people concerned that their testimony would
not be needed tonight. After further discussion, Jerry Mills made a motion the
request be denied. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Appointment: Elbert Coalson recognized Sara McDaniel, and made a motion that she
be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Brooks on the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Bid Openings: (1) Bids for bleachers for Brinkley Park were opened, read and
recorded as follows:
Dominica Recreation Products
P. 0. Box J
Longwood, Fla. 32750
Miracle Recreation Equipment
P. 0. Box 696
Snellville, Ga. 30278
Tom Mertl & Associates
7703 Tyra Cove
Jonesboro, Ga. 30236
nalvani7PH
$3,627
Aluminum
$4,220
$5,607
(Includes $415 Freight)
$4,141 $4,291
$5,996 - Alternate Bid
(Assembled on Site)
John Steely made a motion the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder meeting specifi-
cations, seconded by -Jerry Mills. Following a question from Jerry Mills, Bill
Johnston said that $3500 had been approved in his Revenue Sharing budget for these
bleachers, which would not be sufficient. After further discussion, Jerry Mills
withdrew his second to the motion. John Steely then made a motion these bids be
turned over to the committee for consideration and checking into availability of
funds, with a recommendation back to full council. Jerry Mills seconded the motion
which carried by a 6-0 vote.
(2) Bids for 18 metal halide floodlights for Jonquil Park were opened, read and
recorded as follows:
Tom Mertl & Associates $5,096.00
7703 Tyra Cove
Jonesboro, Ga. 30236
Smyrna Lighting $4,455.00
1625 Spring Road
Smyrna, Ga.
Mayer Electric $3,569.40
6460 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Norcross, Ga. 30071
John Steely made a motion the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder. Jerry Mills
seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
(3) Before opening the bids for painting the courtroom, Elbert Coalson said the
roof at the Police Station was leaking badly and could see:no reason to paint inside
until the roof had been repaired. He read a letter from Chief Little listing the
improvements needed to the building which included roofing, flashing around windows,
heating and air conditioning downstairs, replacement of rugs in the communication
area and Detective Bureau, fireproofing and painting of lobby and courtroom, and repair
to cracks in retainer wall on basement level. Bids for painting the lobby and court-
room were opened, read and recorded as follows:
Sam Lewis $1,788.50
Brinson & Assoc. $2,662.00
Jerry Mills suggested that the Police Committee and Chief Little contact Architect
Chuck Holmes to look at the building and determine how much it would cost to make
all the necessary repairs. Jack Shinall stated he would like to go ahead and set
aside a certain amount of money to begin repairs and avoid any further delay. After
further discussion, Jack Shinall made a motion the bids for painting be tabled to
the next meeting. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion which carried by a .6-0 vote.
Continued - May 18, 1981
Ordinance Amendment: Jim Hawkins stated the Planning and Zoning Board had made some
additional revisions to the proposed Residential Duplex and Residential Townhouse
ordinance. These ordinances will be advertised in the newspaper and a copy furnished
to each councilman this week, to be voted on at the next council meeting.
Validation of Signatures: Mr. A. P. Dodd requested annexation of 10 acres located
in Land Lot 707. The application was read as follows:
"We the undersigned, who constitute sixty percent (60%) of the owners of the
land area by acreage of the area described below, which is unincorporated and
contiguous to the City of Smyrna, hereby apply to have said area annexed into
the City of Smyrna under the provisions of the Code of Georgia Annotated•,
Sections 69-904 through 69-912 (Georgia Laws, Acts 1966, Pages 409, 410, 411,
412, 413; 1971, 399; 1976, Pages 1011, 1012; said property to be annexed being
described as follows, to wit:
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in the southwest corner
of Land Lot 707, 17th District, 2nd Section of Cobb County, Georgia, containing
10 acres, more or less, and being more particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at the southwest corner of said Land Lot 707 and running thence north
along the west boundary of said land lot a distance of 663 feet to a stake;
thence east through said lot a distance of 663 feet to a rock corner; thence
south through said lot parallel with the west line thereof for a distance of
663 feet to a stake on south line of said land lot; thence west along the south
line of said land lot, 663 feet to the point of BEGINNING.
WHEREFORE, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNTO SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS, AND THEREBY
MAKE SAID APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF SMYRNA.
Witness the signature of the record title holders of the fee simple title, or
his legal representative, of 60% of the land area above described by acreage:
s/A. P. DODD"
Jim Tolleson made a motion the signature be validated and the date of public hearing
set for June 15, 1981. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Mayor Johnson stated the final payment to Holland Electric Company for their work
on the renovation of the Senior Citizens Center had been withheld until several
problems had been corrected. John Steely read a letter from the building inspector
stating the work had been completed to specifications and was satisfactory. John
made a motion the final payment of $1,668.50 be paid to Holland Electric Company.
Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
There were no commercial building permits.
Committee Reports: Jim Tolleson said since Turner Advertising had erected the large
billboard at the corner of Spring and Hargrove, the lot itself had become unsightly
because the trees had been removed and the grass was not being cut. He asked the
opinion of council of removing the Welcome to Smyrna sign and finding another location
for it.
(Sanitation) Jim Tolleson said a Mr. Crawford on Oakview Drive had made the suggestion
that the City automatically replace liners that are worn out, and add the charges to
the customer's water bill and asked Attorney Camp if we could legally do that. Mr.
Camp said we have a problem with it, because it is not a continuing service any
citizen has agreed to have, and there could be an argument about the need for replacing
a liner and whose judgement would be best in making that decision. Jim said it was
a good thought, and he appreciated Mr. Crawford's interest.
Jim Tolleson urged everyone to support the Local Option Sales Tax referendum on
June 23rd.
(Streets) Jerry Mills made a motion a stop sign be erected at Stephens Street and
Davis. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Jerry Mills made a motion a public hearing.be held on June 1st, for the transfer of
$9500 from Revenue Sharing funds. These funds were allocated for the purchase of
an air compressor, and now they would like to use this money, plus additional State
Grant funds for the purchase of two dump trucks for the Street Department.• Jack
Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Continued - May 18, 1981
Jerry Mills made a motion that bids be requested from Ford dealers only, for two
1981 Ford F800 trucks, to be opened at the next council meeting. Jack Shinall seconded
the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Jim Hawkins said he was pleased the county commissioners had set a date for the
referendum on Local Option Sales Tax, and felt if it wasn't passed we may have a
major increase in property taxes in the next few years.
Jerry Mills said that Don Yow with Smyrna Cable TV had asked all council members to
participate in a program to discuss the Local Option Sales Tax.
Jack Shinall said Local Option Sales Tax was a replacement tax, and the only hope
for relief on property taxes in this county.
Jack Shinall made a motion that Attorney Camp be authorized to draw a request for
unit pricing on several items out of the garage. These unit prices would be good
for a minimum 12-month period and any changes by the vendor subject to approval by
the Mayor and Council. Jack read the list of items and requested they be submitted
by June 15th. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson requested a street sign at Benson Poole Road and South Cobb Drive
and also a replacement sign for Kennesaw Drive at Old Concord, which has been torn
down. Jim David advised Mr. Coalson this sign had just been received, and would
be erected tomorrow.
Mr. Coalson asked when the office for the Recorder's Court judge would be built,
and was told that the Public Works Department has been busy running water lines and
installing meters and they will get to i,t as soon as possible.
Chief Little said he was told today the new police cars were slated to be assembled
May 29th, and he could not wait that long. They had promised a 5-week delivery date,
which has passed, and he asked Mr. Coalson to place a call to Wade Ford to see if
they could speed up delivery of these cars.
(Parks) John Steely made a motion that bids be requested for installation of the
floodlights at Jonquil Park, to be opened at the next meeting. Jim Tolleson seconded
the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote.
John Steely said there were some vehicles in the Parks Department that were unsafe
to drive and made a motion that bids be requested for two small prior -leased cars,
to be opened at the next meeting. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried
by a 6-0 vote.
John Steely said we still need sidewalks on King Springs Road and he gets a lot of
complaints from parents whose children have to walk to King Springs School. There
is a problem with washing, and a lot of mud in the street after a rain. He asked if
our street department could build the sidewalks, since we have not had a response
from the School Board. The cost for this sidewalk has been estimated at $2500.
Mayor Johnson said he would contact Sam Whitfield again for some help from the School
Board.
Jim Hawkins said he had met with Bob Sutton and two of the Cobb County Commissioners
last week about sidewalking King Springs Road from South Cobb all the way to Concord
Road. They said they would help in any way possible, but would not make a firm
commitment.
With no further business, meeting adjourned
at 8:55 p.m.
WILLOUISE C. SPIVEY, CITY ERK
MAX BACON, WARD 2