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08-20-1984 Regular MeetingAugust 6, 1984 - Continued Announcements: CMA Quarterly meeting August 9, 1984 at Smyrna City Hall. Next Coun- cil meeting August 20, 1984. With no further business, meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. August 20, 1984 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held August 20, 1984 at Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding officer Mayor Arthur T. Bacon. All Council members were present. Also present was City Clerk Willouise Spivey,, City, Attorney, Charles E. Camp, Police Chief R. E. Kittle, Acting Fire Chief Hubert Cochran, Assistant Public Works Director Vic Broyles, Parks and Recreation Director Sherry Reavis, Civil Defense Director Jim Farley,, Assistant City, Clerk Melinda Hiatt, Building Inspector Larry, Dunn, Librarian Doris Morris and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Hugh Ragan followed by, the pledge to the flag. Mayor Bacon recognized John Davidson, candidate for Board of Education and Frank Johnson, State Representative. Citizens Reports: Walt Hendry, read a letter addressed to the City Council requesting the resignation of Mayor Bacon due to his continuing unfortunate illness. The letter also requested that the City contact the election commission and arrange for a special mayoral election to possibly be placed on the November 4th General Election ballot. Mr. Hendry, stated that Mayor Bacon had been absent for 6 months or more from his duties. He also asked if the Charter specified a certain length of time the Mayor Protem could preside in the absence of the Mayor. Jim Tolleson said that the City, has been running smoothly; checks have been signed, warrants have been signed, and the day, to day, problems have been taken care of. Attorney Camp said the Mayor Protem can be active as long as necessary. James Williams told Mr. Hendry, he felt he should have given the Mayor the courtesy of contacting him personally, about this matter before making a big issue out of it. Frank Johnson spoke and said Mayor Bacon was a gentleman of honor and dignity. He had the misfortune of having surgery, with the possibility, of losing his life and his recovery, time was extended because of his wife's illness also. He is strong in spirit and pride and would have been back much sooner but it took him a little longer because of Dorothy's extended illness. However, he did not stay away. He was here practically every day from the time he came home from the hospital and did have to miss a few meetings, but he knew they were in good hands. Mr. Johnson said he thought it was a shame that a petty fight would lead to the turmoil here tonight. Following Mr. Johnson's comments, the entire audience gave Mayor Bacon a standing ovation. Rick Halpern said that Belmont Hills Shopping Center would be celebrating its 30th anniversary on September 29th and requested approval to hang a banner on Cherokee Road and also one on Atlanta Road at the intersection for 10 days, to advertise the celebration. Jack Shinall made a motion the rules be suspended. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Jack Shinall made a motion the two banners be approved for 10 days. Max Bacon seconded t'h6 motion which carried 7-0. Debbie Seidel with Atlanta Ski Club requested a permit to hold a 10 kilometer road race on November 3rd, in conjunction with the ski and leisure show at Cumberland Mall the same weekend, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Chief Little said that only a portion of the route would be in the City and he could handle it with no problem. Jim Moates with Smyrna Jaycees requested approval to hold a bucket brigate on Satur- day August 25th at the intersection of Spring and Hargrove and also Cherokee Road at South Cobb Drive, to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. Chief Little said this would be no problem for his department. August 20, 1984 - Continued Employee of the Quarter: Ken Turner with the Smyrna Lions Club presented a $25 check and plaque to Betty Longdin, clerk in the Police Department and congratulated her on being selected Employee of the Quarter. I Privilege License: John Cory requested a license for beer and wine package sales at Mom & Pop Family Food Store at 1687 Windy Hill Road, formerly Windy Hill Grocery. There was no oppositon from the audience. Mr. Cory said he has owned the business for 3 weeks. The store will be operated by himself and his wife with no other emp- loyees. Mr. Cory said he has an 18 year old son and was reminded that he would not be allowed to sell beer or wine. Kathy Brooks stated the police investigation was favorable and made a motion the license be approved. James Williams seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Variance: Mike Holt requested a variance to construct a second building on one lot at 1295 Marston Street. Mayor Bacon said that council had just recently heard a variance on this subject and if there was any new information which might influence council, they would like to hear it. However, if he was going to relate the same information, then in the interest of time, did not think they should go over the same items. Mr. Holt said at the last meeting he did not have any plans to present and now had the architectural plans stamped by the Fire Department and also the site plans approved by the city engineer, with the exception of this variance. Mr. Holt said they were a small construction firm and they need the extra room. When the new building is completed, they will renovate the existing house and lease the office space. Jack Shinall stated he felt the City would be defeating its purpose by allowing the old building to remain on the lot. Mr. Holt said they need to leave the house for the additional revenue and thought it would be attractive after it was renovated and would help the area quite a bit. Jack Shinall said that variances may be granted in an individual case of unnecessary hardship and asked Mr. Holt how this would cause him a hardship. Mr. Holt said the loss of revenues by tearing the house down would cause a hardship on his company and did not see what could be accomplished by attaching the house to the new building. The Fire Marshal had also recommended that the two structures be unattached. Hubert Cochran said he did not think his department had actually recommended the buildings be unattached as such; they said they did not see anything wrong with it either way. James Williams asked if it would delay them or cause any undue hardship to go ahead I and attach the buildings. Mr. Holt said they have a drainage problem which would probably be worsened by attaching the buildings, but it could be worked out. James Williams said he felt Mri''�Holt_ihad: been led to believe it would be in his best interest to obtain a variance and for that reason made a motion it be approved. 'tee Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which failed 2-5. with Hugh Ragan, Kathy Brooks, Jack Shinall, Jim Hawkins and Max Bacon opposed. A variance request for Franks Chiropractic Clinic at 1105 Concord Road was deferred r to the next meeting, at the request of the applicant. W. B. Towers, Moran and Company, requested approval to use a construction trailer at Highlands Park. Hugh Ragan made a motion the trailer be approved for one year. Kathy Brooks seconded the -motion which carried 7-0. There were no commercial building permits to bring before council. Bid opening: There were no bids received for the antenna tower but an alternate proposal was submitted by Northside Electronics. Jim Hawkins said this would be turned back over to the committee. Bid Award: Max Bacon made a motion that Enviroquip be awarded the bid for the sewer cleaner, with theirs being the low bid at $45,153.21. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Civil Service: Jim Hawkins read the criteria recently established by the Civil Service Board to be used in determining who will be our next Fire Chief as follows: All applicants must have the following qualifications to apply: (A) Applicants must be a high school.gr.aduaate or equivalent. (B) Must be 21 years of age or older. August 20, 1984 - Continued (0) Must have a strong background in all phases of the fire service. (D) Must have a minimum of 7 years experience in the fire service. (E) Must have no felony convictions in the 1Q years prior to his application. (F) Must be of excellent moral character as determined by a background investigation (G) Must be in excellent physical condition. The following criteria will be used in determining the total score of each applicant: (1) A review of the applicants history and background with special emphasis on employment record. (2) A written examination will be administered to all qualified applicants. This written examination will be secured from a nationally recognized testing service (3) An oral interview with all qualified applicants will be conducted. This inter- view will cover such subjects as job knowledge, communication skills, leader- ship ability, attitude, etc.: (4) The Civil Service Board will arrive at a total score base on 50% of the written exam and 50% on oral exam. (5) Consideration will be given to City of Smyrna employees who take the examination by allowing them 2 points, plus 1/4 point for each year of service with the City. (These points will be added to their total score.) The Civil Service Board will rate all qualified eligible applicants according tc their final score and submit this list to the Smyrna City Council in an open hearing, for their consideration. Jim Hawkins said paragraph (4) had been amended from the original requirements of 60% on the written and 40% on oral exam to 50% each, and the Civil Service Board had agreed to this change. Attorney Camp also stated that the final test scores and ratings should not be made public. This information cannot be given in an open meeting but can be made available to Mayor and Council, as the employer. Jim Hawkins made a motion the criteria be accepted as read with the understanding that the Civil Service Board accept the two changes discussed tonight. James Williams seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Kathy Brooks made a motion the first meeting of September be changed to September 5th, due to the holiday. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Approval of Stop Sign: Jim Hawkins said that both he and Hugh Ragan had been receiv- ing complaints about the intersection of Fake Drive and Brentwood, and there was an accident there last week. Jim Hawkins made a motion a 3-way stop sign be placed at this intersection for a 90 day trial period. Hugh Ragan seconded the motion which carried 7-0. Committee Reports: In response to the letter presented by Walt Hendry earlier, Mayor Bacon said he never thought he would see the day that someone would ask him to resign, and apologized if he had offended anyone by a remark he made to Mr. Hendry. Mayor Bacon said he had been sick, and when his wife got sick he just could not get his strength back as soon as he would have liked. He actually came back to work sooner than he should, and his doctor advised him to take 2 months off. Mayor Bacon said that he would not be a burden to the City. If Mr. Hendry is worried about what it will cost, he wanted to assure him that if he resigned before his term was up, that he would pay for the election himself. Mayor•Bacon also said he would not be a candidate after this term, but he had no intentions of resigning. Jim Tolleson, as well as the entire council expressed their sympathy to the family of Earl Cochran, who passed away last week. Jim Tolleson said he did a lot of good for the City, and had its best interest at heart. (Water) Max Bacon said the Stephens Street sewer line installation had been awarded to J. E. Lovern Construction but construction is being delayed due to condemnation proceedings on the Dennie Stone and Barbara Towns property. (Police) Chief Kittle said he had contacted the managers of both Dominos Pizza restaurants in the City and found that the State had already filed complaints about their drivers. The District Supervisor has written a letter to all employees warning them, and it is the intentions of both managers to see that this is adhered to. Jim Hawkins recommended that Willouise Spivey meet tomorrow with Mr. Durham, Clerk of the Civil Service Board and the Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments to determine a date to hold an election to fill the unexpired term of Earle Cochran. August 20, 1984 - Continued (Parks) Sherry Reavis stated that Church Street and Jonquil pools closed today, but King Springs will be open through the middle of October. Also, there has been a problem at Jonquil Park tennis courts with the lights staying on all night and all day. Effective tomorrow, the fuses from the control boxes will be removed and the tennis courts will be for day use only. (Library) Doris Morris said that Story Time would begin September 5th and also expressed her appreciation to Channel 9 for covering their activities. Jack Shinall expressed his appreciation to Chief Little for their extra efforts in patrolling at South Cobb Plaza. Kathy Brooks said a resident in Ward 6 had recently done quite of bit of grading on his property without contacting the City first and asked everyone to please con- tact City Hall first if they were planning to do any grading, because it does require a permit. Kathy Brooks asked Vic Broyles about the curbing in her ward that has not been com- pleted. Vic said they were tied up today on a water line break on Concord Road but would get back on the curbing tomorrow. Hugh Ragan reminded everyone that school starts tomorrow and to be extra careful when driving. I With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. AB IJ,UR T. BACON, MWYOR E. TOLLESON WARD 1 J ES—W-ILLIAMS, WARD 3 K SHINALL, WARD 5 HUGH RfAN, idARD WILLOUISE C. SPIVEY, CITY C RK MAX BACON, WARD 2 /AMES M. HAWKINS, WARD 4 KATHY BRO , WA D 6