06-17-1991 Regular MeetingJune 17, 1991
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held June 17, 1991 at
Smyrna City Hall. The meting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by
presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon. All council members were present except
for Jack Shinall. Also present was City Clerk Melinda Dameron, City Attorney
Charles E. Camp, Fire Chief Larry Williams, Public Works Director Vic
Broyles, City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt, Police Chief Stan Hook,
Communications Director Steve Ciaccio, Community Relations Director Kathy
Barton, Library Director Laurel Best, Personnel Director Jane Mears,
Accounting. Supervisor Claudia Edgar, Parks Facility Manager Susan Hunt and
representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Gary Ellison, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church
followed by the pledge to the flag.
CITIZENS INPUT: Howard Martin, a citizen of Lee Street asked that
improvements be made to the turn lanes on Concord Road at Lee Street and also
on South Cobb Drive in front of the Kroger Shopping Center. These lanes are
hazardous and sometimes confusing to drivers. Vic Broyles suggested that
reflectors also be used in the turn lanes on Concord Road but we would need
our traffic engineer to study the intersection at South Cobb Drive.
Mr. Martin also commented on the quality of some of the recent paving
projects. Mayor Bacon said we have had quite a few complaints about one of
the companies paving for the county and he had already talked to Chairman
Secrist about them.
Bill Alexander, President of Smyrna Bank and Trust thanked council for their
recent decision to not participate in the GMA Investment Pool and keep city
funds invested locally. Mr. Alexander said his bank has contributed quite a
bit to the community through various civic projects and felt sure other banks
had as well.
Holly Cash spoke for Friends of the Library and stated they are currently
involved in promotional activities including book sales and the Big Star
Apple computer program. Ms. Cash suggested that council consider amending
their current policy to allow citizens residing outside the City to use the
library as well as people who work here but do not live here. That policy
would also include people who have Smyrna mailing addresses but are on the
outside fringe area of the City. A reasonable fee for these people would help
with the purchase of books and also benefit the City.
Mr. Lnenicka thanked Ms. Cash for her involvement in the Friends of the
Library as well as other programs sponsored by the City including the
adopt -a -mile litter program and pilot neighborhood recycling. Mr. Lnenicka
donated $30 to the Friends of the Library that he had received as a witness
fee along with a subpoena from Mr. B. Don Gravley in the Platinum Plus
hearing.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mayor Bacon asked that item (K), the request for an additional sign at
Belmont Hills Shopping Center be moved to the front of this part of the
agenda.
Jack Halpern requested an additional sign at Belmont Hills Shopping Center on
the Atlanta Road side of the property. There are currently two business signs
for tenant use in the shopping center. The signs are identical, with one on
Atlanta Road and the other on Windy Hill Road. This sign, if approved, would
also be identical. There was no opposition.
Mr. Halpern said the construction of the additional pylon sign would be at
the south end of the center, several hundred feet from the nearest other
sign. Additional signage is necessary to attract tenants to the building that
sits in the back and also provide some road visibility. This sign would take
the place of an old sign that is grandfathered and still standing on the
site.
Kathy Jordan said there are several portable signs on the property now that
she did not agree with and asked if he would be willing to stipulate the
discontinuance of all portable signs. Wade Lnenicka said he agreed, and there
are now a total of 11 signs at Belmont Hills. He had consistently opposed
granting additional signs for commercial properties and although the size of
this center would probably warrant additional signage, he could not support a
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
motion to approve the variance unless he would refuse the use of portable
signs on the property. Mr. Halpern said he would now have signage available
for his tenants so they would not need portable signs and he would certainly
attempt to eliminate them. The permits that have already been granted,
however, were granted to individual tenants and not to the property owner.
Kathy Jordan made a motion the variance be approved to allow construction of
a third sign at Belmont Hills as requested. Bill Scoggins seconded the motion
which carried 6-0.
(A) Resolution - Smyrna Comprehensive Plan 1991-2000
Bob Davis indicated the Smyrna Comprehensive Plan will be on file in the
office of our City Clerk, Melinda Dameron for review. Michael Hughes and Rob
Hosack of the Cobb County Planning Department have worked over a year on this
plan. Mayor and Council met numerous times to revise and review the document
and we feel it is a good plan. Tonight we would be adopting a resolution to
submit a draft of the Comprehensive Plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Allen Potter was asked if he had any comments on the plan and Mr. Potter
indicated he did not have any comments other than he mentioned the hard work
put into the plan and the public hearings held on the plan. Jim Hawkins
stated this resolution came about as the result of the Georgia Planning Act
enacted by the Legislature in 1989 and mandates that the local governments
have a long range plan in the areas of population, housing, economic
development, community facilities, natural and historical resources and land
use. Basically we are urged by the state to take a long range view of what
our needs are going to be and to project growth.
Bob Davis made a motion that we submit the Comprehensive Plan to the Atlanta
Regional Commission for their review. Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion
which carried 6-0.
(B) Zoning Appeal - 2490 Ventura Place
This is the property of Mr. Donald B. King. Mr. King was not in attendance
nor was anyone here to discuss this issue.
Kathy Jordan made the motion that the zoning appeal be denied. Jim Hawkins
seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(C) Charter Amendment - Article III, Section 6(B)
Jim Hawkins indicated this issue had been duly advertised and falls under
home rule that we will read this amendment tonight but will not vote on it.
It will be on the next Council Agenda where it will be read a second time and
then voted on. The new ordinance would read as follows:
Effective January 6, 1992, the mayor of the City of Smyrna shall be paid
a salary of seven hundred twenty-five dollars ($725) per month and each
councilman of the said city shall be paid a salary of five hundred
dollars ($500) per month. Thereafter, the salaries of the mayor and
seven councilmen shall be increased by twenty-five dollars ($25) per
month each year, effective the first Monday of January each year through
the term of office ending December 31, 1995. The compensation of all
other officials and employees of the City of Smyrna, except as otherwise
provided by law, shall be determined by the mayor and council of'the City
of Smyrna.
This will be advertised and read again at the next council meeting and action
will be taken at that time. This will affect the incoming mayor and council
effective January 6, 1992. The mayor asked if there was any public comment
on this issue. There was none. No motion is necessary on this item.
(D) Privilege License - Liquor, Beer and Wine Package , 1651 Smyrna Roswell
Road - Ms. Sunny Hahm
The mayor asked if there was anyone here in opposition to the granting of
this license. There was none.
Bill Scoggins asked Ms. Hahm if her partner Mr. Hector Trevino was present.
Mr. Trevino was asked to come forward with Ms. Hahm. Mr. Scoggins asked Ms.
Hahm if she understood our ordinances and was aware of the sting operations
conducted by our Police Department. Ms. Hahm indicated she had read the
material relating to her license request. Mr. Scoggins asked how she planned
to keep from selling alcohol to minors. Ms. Hahm indicated they would place
June 17 meeting - continued
a sign on their door indicating all persons would have to present an ID
before purchasing alcohol. Mr. Scoggins also asked Mr. Trevino the same
questions and he replied that he would ask the patrons for their ID in order
to prove they were not minors. Mayor Bacon indicated the policy proposed by
Ms. Hahm and Mr. Trevino would take a lot of pressure off the owners and the
Police Department. Wade Lnenicka stated that the word would get out that
anyone who came into this establishment would have to produce an ID and prove
their age and people who might try to do something would go elsewhere. Kathy
Jordan asked Ms. Hahm if this was going to be her first license and Ms. Hahm
replied it was. Bill Scoggins indicated that the police department report
indicated there was nothing in their report that would preclude Ms. Hahm from
obtaining her license and made the motion that the new application submitted
for retail package store 1651 Smyrna Roswell be approved. Kathy Jordan
seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(E) Home Occupation License - 2209 Lake Park Drive, Apt. N - Elizabeth Shick
Mayor Bacon asked Ms. Shick to come forward and asked if there was anyone
present in opposition to the granting of this home occupation license. There
was none.
Bob Davis indicated that this license is for medical illustrations for court
cases. Ms. Shick stated her services are for use in court rooms to show
jurors what happened to accident victims. She illustrates injuries and
surgeries. These exhibits are 30" by 40" using markers, colored pencils and
they are laminated. Most of the clients are out of state and most work is
done over the phone. She presented examples of her work. Mayor Bacon asked
if this property was one of the Post Development properties and she responded
that it was. Bob Davis indicated he had talked with Dan Falk, Post
Properties, and he had no objection to this license. Bob Davis asked if
there would be any type of chemicals used and Ms. Shick replied there would
not. There would be no type of advertisement except the mail. Ms. Shick
does have a post office box and therefore her address would not appear on any
of her letterhead. Mr. Hawkins asked how people became aware of her
services. She responded her clients are attorneys and they would contact
her. She would then prepare a written quote describing the exhibit and the
price and then they would discuss that, if accepted they would send her the
medical records, their x-rays, photographs and any pertinent information.
She would illustrate from those materials and do preliminary sketches which
would be sent to the expert witnesses, i.e., the doctor's involved for their
review and their corrections. The final full color exhibit would then be
produced. Ms. Shick has a Bachelor's Degree in Scientific Illustration and
took Master's courses at the Medical College of Georgia in Medical
Illustration and worked for four years as a medical manager at Medical Legal
Illustrations in Marietta. Ms. Shick has lived at Post Properties for a
little over two years. Ms. Jan Ransom from Post Properties indicated they
fully endorse what Ms. Shick is doing and they are in favor of her being
granted a license. Bob Davis stated these home occupation licenses are
reviewed in January of each year and therefore her license would be reviewed
again at that time if it is approved tonight. Kathy Jordan asked if Ms.
Shick had an office set up in her apartment. Ms. Shick has a drafting table
and a small table of her supplies and a lettering machine and that is all.
Bob Davis made a motion to grant this request to 2209 Lake Park Drive, Apt.
N. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(F) Massage Therapist, 1461 Smyrna Roswell Road - Stacy Shirley
Mayor Bacon asked Ms. Shirley to come forward and asked if there was anyone
here in opposition to the granting of the massage therapist license. There
was none.
Bill Scoggins stated that he has some reservations about this license
request. He has done some investigation into this type of business and asked
where she received her training. Ms. Shirley stated she attend the Atlanta
School of Massage, a nationally accredited school off North Shallowford Road.
They have been in business since 1980, she attended school for 6 months. She
indicated she would be working on Saturday's during normal business hours and
possibly a couple of days through the week part time, possibly four hours a
day through the week and five to six hours on Saturday. She is hoping to
obtain her sports massage certification in hopes that she can be on the
sports massage team for the 1996 Olympics. Bill stated the hours of the
Beauty Salon are from 9:00 - 6:00 and no Sunday hours. Ms. Stacy is
currently doing landscaping work now and has not worked as a massage
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
therapist before. Bill Scoggins asked if Ms. Shirley would have a problem
with the stipulation that she not have any signs advertising her work. She
replied that would not be a problem. Bill Scoggins made a motion that the
massage therapist license for 1461 Roswell be approved with the following
stipulations that she maintain the hours from 9:00 - 6:00, no Sunday hours,
no signs indicating that her business is there. Wade Lnenicka seconded the
motion and stated that the investigation conducted by Chief Hook showed no
factors that would preclude her from receiving this license. There are a
number of massage practitioners in the City who are operating without a
license and he appreciates her coming forward in accordance with the
ordinances and obtaining a license. The motion carried 5-1 with Mr. Hawkins
opposing.
(G & H) Privilege License - Beer and Wine Package Sales at 2539 Old Concord
Road (Circle K) and 1828 Spring Road (Circle K)
Mayor Bacon stated these had been withdrawn and no action taken on either
item.
(I) Adoption of 1992 Budget
Jim Hawkins stated the budget brought forward tonight is actually a decreased
budget over last year's budget. The projected revenues are $23,464,231 and
he indicated that $750,000 that will come from the 1% Local Option Sales Tax
which has to be spent on the roads. Jim Hawkins recommended that the budget
be approved at $23,464,231. The budget will be available for the public's
review at City Hall and copies can be purchased at $.25 per page. The motion
was seconded by Bill Scoggins. Mayor Bacon asked if there was any public
comment on the budget. Mayor Bacon said this budget did not reflect any
layoffs of City employees. Jim Hawkins stated that the Mayor put out a
memorandum with the full support of Council that with the adoption of this
budget that no position can be filled in the City unless it is approved by
this body and that no one could receive a reclassification or upgrade on
their job unless it comes before Mayor and Council. We have implemented an
employment freeze. Mr. Hawkins stated that if a vacancy occurs we will not
fill that position as he feels the current employees will have to do more
work for the same amount of work but he thinks we can do it. Kathy Jordan
indicated that is the way it is in the private sector. Bill Scoggins
commented that the Mayor and Council worked hard on this budget and wanted to
commend the Mayor and council for their diligent work in reducing the budget
by 5%. Any other comments? John Steely indicated he would support the
budget but does not go along with some of the comments about not replacing
some of the employees. If we lose an emergency personnel, fireman or police
officer, we need to look at this as a separate issue as we need to keep those
services up. Wade Lnenicka states that despite the good things in the budget
that he can not support the budget. Mr. Lnenicka stated he felt this budget
contained too many cuts that in their totality are more than what he feels he
can support in good conscience. I think they represent service cuts and like
Mr. Steely he is not sure that a hiring freeze in public safety is the way we
should operate. We have cut out some additional money to support our new
facilities and we have postponed some capital expenditures which is not the
way to balance the budget. Capital expenditures have to go ahead. For those
reasons, and despite the other good things that are in the budget, I can not
support the budget. Jim Hawkins also stated there was about $300,000 in
uncollected tax money. Jim Hawkins restated that no position would be filled
unless it came before the Mayor and Council and that is not to say that if a
Department Head were to come before this body and demonstrates a need and if
this body agrees then we would have to replace those positions. The intent
of the memo is to be cautious about replacing anyone who leaves. Mayor Bacon
stated the memo was not to indicate we would not replace any public safety
item. John Steely just wanted to be certain that if we had police officers
or 911 operators to quit that those positions would be filled as they are
critical positions, as well as fire personnel. Bob Davis stated that he
wholeheartedly supports the budget but there are one or two items he has a
problem with. One item is the pulling of the money for Jonquil Park and he
is not happy with that and hopes that we can work with that association over
there and see what we can do to help them. Mayor Bacon stated that all
departments had been affected by monies being cut from their budget. Wade
stated that his not supporting the budget did not mean that John Patterson
and the Department Heads did not do a good job in following their guidance in
bringing in a budget that is very tight. The real test will be this coming
year and we will need the support of all department heads and every employee
in the City to make this budget happen. The hardest part of the budget is
the implementation of the budget and he hopes that all employees will
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
cooperate in making this budget work. Mayor Bacon asked if there was any
public comment about the budget. Ms. Brissey asked why we could not collect
the delinquent taxes. Mayor Bacon responded that there are laws that you
have to file the proper forms and wait in line like the rest of the people
who are owed money. Jim Hawkins stated there are several shopping centers in
Chapter 11 and they have some big outstanding delinquent taxes but the court
won't let you collect them. Ms. Brissey asked how about the people who don't
have that, I know that you have a lot of people that don't have that. Jim
Hawkins indicated that most of the residential taxes had been paid. Wade
stated we would get the money eventually. Jim stated that we want the money
and will get it. From a legal standpoint we have to go through a long,
lengthy procedure to get our tax money but we are working on it. Any other
comments? Jim Hawkins stated his original motion still stands that the
budget be approved at $23,464,231. Bill Scoggins seconded the motion. The
motion was approved 5-1 with Wade Lnenicka opposed.
(J) Establishment of the millage rate for 1992.
Jim Hawkins stated that we are recommending that the millage rate for Smyrna
be cut from the present rate of 12.1 and set it at 11.6 which is a reduction
of one half a mill. This is due in part to the fact that we are estimating
that we will gain $140,000 in the reassessment and we are going to extend the
homestead exemption which is presently at age 65 to age 62 which is going to
take away another $40,000 to $45,000 worth of income. By reducing the
millage rate by half a mill on property taxes we estimate that we will
collect $207,588 dollars less in 1992 in property taxes than we have
collected this year and this is not taking into consideration the $40,000 on
the reduction of homestead exemption. Actually it is about $250,000 less
property taxes we're going to have to work with in 1992 if we adopt the
millage rate we're proposing at 11.6. John Steely commented that if we could
ever get a handle on the County Assessor's to where we can get a true number
out of them, how much savings would this be, this one half mill on say a
$100,000 home? About $20 a year. Mayor Bacon asked if there was any public
comment. Ms. Brissey stated that if your house was reassessed and with the
tax millage rollback you still would not be paying any less in property
taxes. Another gentlemen mentioned that if everyone received a reassessment
of 31% and the millage rate was rolled back half a mill we still would not be
getting a break. Jim Hawkins made a motion that the millage rate for 1992
Budget be set at 11.6. Kathy Jordan seconded the motion. Mr. Lnenicka
stated he could not support this motion. He stated his home was reassessed
48% and most of the houses and subdivisions in his ward were reassessed.
The problem I have with rolling back the millage rate is that for the average
home in Smyrna it's only $20 and $20 is still $20 but I gave $30 to the
Friends of the Library tonight that I could have kept and broken even on this
thing. The bonds that we let for the Community Center and Library, according
to our Financial Advisor, required that our millage rate increase by 1.9
mills. Last year we made some economies, we cut some things, postponed and
did without some things and we were able to hold the tax increase to pay for
those bonds to 1.5 mills. If we now go back and roll it back another half a
mill that means we are up 1.0 mills to pay for a new downtown that our
financial advisors have told us will cost 1.9, that means we are taking that
money from existing services and other cuts that I can not support. The
other thing that we are not telling the citizens is that based on the
projections of our own financial staf, if we do nothing different in next
year's budget than what we are doing this year which is hold the line, cut
expenses, postpone capital expenditures, it would require, if funded entirely
in millage rate, a 2.0 millage rate increase on top of anything that we might
decide to do in terms of expanding our new downtown. Cutting back the
millage rate is to me not the responsible thing for this body to do and I
will oppose it. Ron Newcomb asked what the current budget figure is and what
was last year's budget figure? Jim stated $23,464,231 and last year was
$23,307,018. Mayor Bacon asked if there was any other public comment? The
motion has been made and seconded and approved 5-1 with Mr. Lnenicka
opposing.
Formal Business•
(A) Ordinance Amendment - Limiting Illegal Activity
Chief Hook explained the ordinance and stated that it was recommended at a
recent meeting of the Marietta, Cobb, Smyrna Drug Task Force that each of the
independent municipalities in the County adopt. It will enable us to control
and regulate the loitering in public places in a manner in an effort to
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
secure illegal drugs. Without this ordinance on the books when MCS squads
come onto an area where there are people loitering for the purpose of
purchasing drugs, there is presently no statute on the books to enforce it.
This would allow us to do and that is why I recommend to this Council that we
adopt it. John Steely made the motion that we adopt the proposed ordinance.
Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(B) Ordinance Amendment - Section 14-31, Billiard Rooms, Hours of Operation
Jim Hawkins stated that under our current ordinance Billiard Halls have to
close at 12:00 midnight. I have had some requests from billiard hall owners
that say that in other areas of the state, other cities they are allowed to
remain open until 2:00 a.m. and in the past I have not been sympathetic
however in lieu of the fact that the federal judge in the Platinum Plus case
ruled that Platinum Plus could stay open til 2:00 a.m. I think it's kind of
foolish to require a pool hall to close at 12:00 and I am going to recommend
that we change Ordinance 14-31 the closing hours for billiard and pool halls
and bowling alleys. However the way that it is written up I would like to
make an exception to the way it is written. I will read it the way I want it
to read which is:
No person operating a bowling alley, or pool or billiard hall covered by
the provisions of this article shall permit any table to be played upon
after 12:00 midnight Sunday and 2:00 a.m. during the week. If operated
in conjunction with any other business and proprietary operator shall
keep dark and not allow public access to that part of the business in
which the pool or billiard tables are located after such closing hours.
I am moving that we allow the billiard halls to close at 12:00 midnight
Sunday and the rest of the week nights they can stay open til 2:00 a.m.
Seconded and approved 6-0.
(C) Bid Opening - Portable Protective Gym Floor Covering
We received two bids for this floor covering. The following bids were
received from:
BSN Sports $4,680.00
M. Putterman & Company, Inc. $8,795.00
Bill Scoggins made a motion to turn these bids over to the Parks and
Recreation Committee for their review and recommendation at the next meeting.
Kathy Jordan seconded the motion which was approved 6-0.
(D) Bid Opening - Street Striping
We received two bids for this project. The following bids were received
from:
Peak Paving and Marking, Inc. $13,960.10
Warning Light Safety $9,730.00
Kathy Jordan made the motion that these bids be turned over to the Public
Works Committee with a recommendation at the next meeting. Jim Hawkins
seconded the motion which was approved 6-0.
(E) Validate Petition to Annex Property at 4342 Fawn Lane
Charles Camp read the legal description as follows:
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 243 of the
17th District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being more
particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at an iron pin found on the northerly right of way of Fawn Lane
(a 50' right of way), said pin being located 92 feet from the east line
of Land Lot 243; from said point of beginning running south 84 degrees 00
minutes west along the right of way of Fawn Lane a distance of 42.68 feet
thence running north 20 degrees 22 minutes 20 seconds west a distance of
201.98 feet; thence north 84 degrees 25 minutes east a distance of 140
feet to an iron pin found; thence south 06 degrees 00 minutes east a
distance of 191.51 feet to an iron pin found at the point of BEGINNING.
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
The land described by Pamela Elaine Butler. Mayor Bacon asked if Ms. Butler
was here. She was not present.
John Steely indicated this is an area in Deerwood Subdivision and wants to be
part of the City. I move that we validate the petition and set a public
hearing date for July 15, 1991. Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion. Mr. Camp
indicated the legal description leaves out about 42 feet along Fawn Lane.
Ms. Dameron our City Clerk is to check on this. Motion was approved 6-0.
Bid Awards:
(A) Signage for Community Center/Library
Mr. Lnenicka explained the signage would be for interior and possibly
exterior signage at the new community center and library. We received six
bids. This is one of the bids that we originally sent out and only received
one bid returned and that was from Architectural Sign Systems. At that time
we moved to not count that bid and to submit bid requests again to the vendor
package. We received six bids at this time. Architectural Sign Systems did
not change their original bid number which was read into the public record
that first night. Their bid was $9,539. The next lowest bid was only $25
different, Scott Graphics - Ad -Pro Signs $9,567.44. While neither company is
located within the City of Smyrna, Scott Graphics - Ad Pro Signs is owned by
a Smyrna resident and normally I would move to award the bid to that person.
However, tonight I feel that since Architectural Sign Systems submitted their
bid the first time and had that number read into the public record and
therefore available for everybody to see and stuck with that number and came
back and was still the low bid (although not by much) I will move that we
award the bid to Architectural Sign Systems for $9,539. Jim Hawkins seconded
the motion which was approved 6-0.
Commercial Building Permits
Mayor Bacon there were none.
Consent Agenda
(A) Approval to advertise for closing of Cliff Crest Drive.
(B) Approval of June 3, 1991 Minutes.
(C) 3-Way Stop Sign - Lynwood Court @ Lynwood Drive
(D) No Parking on Hamby Street from Powder Springs to Atlanta Road.
Mayor Bacon asked if there was a motion to approve these items. Wade
Lnenicka stated that before we do this he wanted to ask a question of Ms.
Dameron. He asked if on the June 3, 1991, minutes are we authorized to
approve those minutes since we don't yet have a complete copy before us. Mr.
Camp indicated that we should wait until a complete copy to approve. June 3
is the meeting' where we had the lengthy discussion with Mr. Don Gravley and
James Osborne, the attorney, of Platinum Plus. Mayor Bacon asked if we could
hear a motion to approve Item 7 A of the Consent Agenda, 7C and 7D. Wade
Lnenicka so moved and it was seconded by Bob Davis. Any further discussion?
Approved 6-0.
Council Input
Bob Davis asked Vic if we were going to be in the Highlands pretty soon on
the paving, do you know when that will be? Vic responded about a week to two
weeks. Mr. Davis stated we have numerous streets over there and Vic said we
would notify the residents before we go in there. Bob mentioned to Ken
Hildebrandt that he is still having problems with the lighting on Village
Parkway and asked if he had received any more complaints. Mr. Hildebrandt
indicated he had not.
Mayor Bacon asked Vic if he had his summer crews on yet and Mr. Broyles
replied that he did. Vic stated that one thing that had presented problems
for him was the paving crew. We have 71 streets on this paving crews and you
have to understand that when you have 25 driveways for each one that we have
to go back in behind them for nine of those driveways because they are either
too high or too low. The paving crew goes on because they don't care. So
when you ask me why I'm not on this creek or that creek it's easy for me to
tell you that that $750,000 is good but it's causing me a lot of work.
Wade Lnenicka asked Vic about Jane Court which is being paved by Cobb County
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
under last year's LARP Program. Vic responded that the County's crews are
good and they do good work. Whenever a piece of equipment breaks down in
another part of the county they have to take it away from the crews down
here. It took them four weeks to do King Springs Road. What made them so
mad with me was that C. W. Matthews went in there beside them and go two
times a longer street in one day and came out of there and we'd been in there
four days on Hickory Mill Road. The creeks in the various wards have not
been forgotten but they can not be done until the weather drys up and the
yards are too soft to allow us to get our equipment in there without really
tearing up their yards and the creeks. Wade asked Laurel Best to come up and
talk about some of the things going on over at the Library. Laurel reported
that we have over 420 children signed up for the Summer Reading Program and
that registration will continue until June 29. We will be moving the first
two weeks of July and we plan to be closed from July 1 to July 15 when we
will open up in the new Smyrna Library. In between the Children's Programs
will continue there will be no cancellation of programs. Check the times and
locations. Any other questions? Wade asked if it was true the Library would
have a new phone number and she replied yes and the new number is 431-2860
and if you dial the old number you will get a recording that will give you
the new number. The new number will not be effective until July 15. No
books will be due back in the library from July 1 to July 15 however we will
have book drops located at both the old library and the new library. We will
not be charging any fines for that period of time. Wade mentioned the POW's
and MIA's and the fact he has received a letter from Congressman Buddy Darden
assuring him that he will continue to monitor the situation and press for the
accountability of all Americans who remain missing in action. I appreciate
his support on this issue. I also received in the mail Saturday, unsigned
and without any note something from Jesse Helm's staff. It is a paper called
"An Examination of U.S. Policies Toward POW's and MIA's" and it is dated May
23 and it is by the Foreign Relations Senate Committee Republican Staff so
it's the minority staff of the U. S. Senate. I would like to just read two
brief sentences in it that I think continue to hit a theme that I think is
important. "After examining hundreds of documents relating to the raw
intelligence and interviewing many families and friends of POW's and MIA's
the minority staff concludes that despite public pronouncements to the
contrary the real internal policy of the U. S. Government was to act upon the
presumption that all MIA's were dead. As a result the minority staff found
any evidence that suggested an MIA might be alive was uniformly and
arbitrarily rejected." This is a dynamite report and goes into great detail
in classified documents that have been released which verify all these
things. Again I ask our veterans organizations here in Smyrna and all
veterans to press your public officials for accountability on this issue.
With that I yield.
Mr. Scoggins said he would like to tell Vic that all is not lost. I have
received a call from the Second Baptist Church here on Atlanta Street and
several of the deacons got together and wanted to relay their thanks to you
for helping them. They really appreciate it. Kathie Barton came forward to
give her report. She mentioned that on July 20 we will have another Adopt a
Highway clean up campaign. We do have one mile of available space to be
adopted. If anyone is interested just give her a call at 434-6600. The area
is on South Cobb Drive beginning at Smyrna Powder Springs and goes north to
Pat Mell Road. Mr. Scoggins called on Susan Hunt to report in Sherry Reavis'
absence. Susan reported on Brinkley Park and that the equipment is in and
ready for the children to use. Tolleson pool and Jonquil pool are open and
Church Street pool will be open the end of this month. Our summer swimming
lessons have already started and this Friday night is our next free concert
and we invite all to attend. We are featuring the Flaming "A"'s which is a
country band. The fourth of July celebration will have the usual fireworks
and the Quadrabones will be the entertainment. The Whirligig at Rose Garden
Park took place last Saturday and they had an excellent turnout.
Mr. Hawkins mentioned that the reason McCauley Road has not been resurfaced
is that it is on the state LARP program not on the 1% Road Program and it was
scheduled to be done last spring but it is still unpaved. Mr. Patterson is
working diligently with the State to try to find out when they will get back
out here. He is not getting much response from them. It is an approved
street to get resurfaced and we are still working on it.
Kathy Jordan asked Chief Williams about the status of the new Fire Station.
Chief Williams responded it looks good and the walls are going up. We have
one position currently open in the fire department and we had 141 applicants
to take the test for this opening. At the three way stop at Lynwood Drive @
June 17, 1991 meeting - continued
Lynwood Court they do have some parking problems down there as well as
speeding problems. There are a lot of children who live on that street.
Please slow down and observe the stop signs. Kathy also announced the Fourth
of July sanitation schedule. The Thursday pick up will be picked up on
Wednesday and that is the only change to the schedule.
John Steely asked about the manholes once the paving is completed. We will
put the lids on after the paving is completed. Steve Ciaccio stated he had
nothing to report. Chief Hook also had nothing to report.
Mayor Bacon reported that Smyrna Bank and Trust had put almost $37,000 back
into the community and in addition to that they employ about 32 people here
in Smyrna. He also congratulated Donna Harris on her promotion with the
Marietta Daily Journal and asked who her replacement was. She indicated she
did not know at this time.
With no furt,4pr business the meeting
---�
MAX B.JkSON, MAYOR
zw.
ri�C/7�Q/
BOB AVIS, WARD 1
BILL SCOGGINS, YPZD 3
JACK SHINALL, WARD 5
JOHN STEELY, WARD 7
adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
WADE LNENiCKA, WARD 2
177, w4jzf�- -
ES M. HAWKINS, WARD 4
4t, �C-a'-
KATHY BRTKS JORDAN, W c�,