Loading...
03-15-1993 Regular MeetingMarch 15, 1993 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held March 15, 1993 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 Administrator Bob Thomson, City Clerk Melinda Dameron, City Attorney Charles E. Camp, Fire Chief Larry Williams, Assistant Public Works Director Larry Dunn, Public Works Administrative Assistant Brenda Barrett, City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt, Library Clerk Cheryl Crain, Communication Director Steve Ciaccio, Personnel Director Mary Ann White, Community Relations Director Kathy Barton, Police Chief Stan Hook, Finance Director Jim Triplett and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Grady Love, pastor of Smyrna Presbyterian Church. Pastor Love also expressed his gratitude to the Mayor and Council for their vision and foresight in providing the city with the Community Center and Library facilities. CITIZENS INPUT: Nothing to report. Mayor Bacon recognized and expressed his appreciation to Emergency Management Director Bennie Nelson, Fire Chief Larry Williams and the Fire Department employees, Police Chief Stan Hook and his employees, with special thanks to Larry Dunn and the Public Works Department for the long hours they worked over the weekend during the snow storm. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (A) Agent change - Lafiesta Mexican Restaurant, 2161 South Cobb Drive - d/b/a Lupitas Bob Thomson stated that Lisa A. Moradi is applying as the new agent to hold the alcoholic beverage license for Lafiesta Mexican Restaurant, d/b/a Lupitas. This location has been licensed since 1982. The police investigation was favorable and there was no opposition from the audience. Ms. Moradi said she had worked at the restaurant for several months and previously was employed by Southland (7-11 Stores) where she attended a one week alcohol sales training program. Lupitas is also developing a video training program for their employees. Jack Cramer asked if there were any employees at the restaurant who may not be fluent in English and have problems in checking identification. Ms. Moradi said there is one new employee who is still in training but they will spend a great deal of time with her until she is properly trained. Mayor Bacon said we do have sting operations periodically and encouraged Ms. Moradi to have her employees card all customers if she feels they will have difficulty determining age. Ms. Moradi said she will be there 6 days a week for lunch and dinner and understood that she, as the agent, would be responsible for any violations of the ordinance. Jack Cramer made a motion the license be approved as requested. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 7-0. (B) Variance request - reduce front and side yard setbacks - Quiktrip, 3875 South Cobb Drive Bob Thomson stated that Quiktrip is requesting a variance to reduce their front yard setback from 50 to 17 feet and the side yard from 33.3 to 25 feet to allow them to enlarge their gas canopy and add three additional pumps. There was no opposition. Randy Kraus, Director of Real Estate, represented Quiktrip and stated that the proposed addition to the canopy will still leave March 15, 1993 meeting - continued over 70 feet to the curbline of South Cobb Drive. Because of access easements and sanitary storm easements on the property, the only feasible location for addition is on the front. Mr. Kraus said there are four pumps there now which service eight cars and the addition will allow them to service six additional cars. Councilman Lnenicka said the City has had no problems with any of the Quiktrip locations and they have never been cited during sting operations. Mr. Lnenicka made a motion the variances be approved as requested. Pete Wood seconded the motion which carried 7-0. (C) Variance request - reduce required parking spaces - reduce front yard setback - Uncle Bud's Catfish Restaurant, 3282 South Cobb Drive Bob Thomson stated hat Uncle Bud's Catfish Restaurant is requesting variances to reduce the required parking from 110 to 52 spaces and to reduce the front yard setback from 50 to 25 feet at 3282 South Cobb Drive. There was no opposition. Ted Jones represented the applicants and stated they were not able to make the trip from Tennessee due to the weather. Councilman Hawkins asked Mr. Jones to explain the need for the variances. Mr. Jones said the owners are proposing an expansion and renovation of the building which formerly housed the Ponderosa Restaurant. The building will be expanded for additional seating and because of that, parking will not be adequate. This site is an outparcel of the Crossings Shopping Center and Mr. Jones said there is an implied cross parking agreement: They are requesting a reduction in the from 110 spaces required by the ordinance to 52 spaces. A variance is also needed to reduce the front setback from 50 to 25 feet to facilitate the addition to the front of the building. Mr. Jones said that Uncle Buds is a family restaurant serving dinner Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with lunch only being served Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant will employ about 100 people locally. Councilman Hawkins made a motion the variances be approved as requested. Bill Scoggins seconded the motion which carried 7-0. FORMAL BUSINESS: (A) Ratify decision of Hearing Officer - 1861 Teasley Drive Bob Thomson stated that a hearing was conducted by the Buildings Hearing Officer with evidence presented pursuant to Article IV, Section 11-50 of the Code of Ordinances regarding property at 1861 Teasley Drive. The property owner, Mrs. Berneda Johnson Haney was notified of the date and time of the hearing which was conducted January 25, 1993. It was the opinion o the Hearing Officer that the structure could not be repaired and made habitable without spending more than 50% of the present value. Councilman Bill Scoggins made a motion the decision of the Hearing Officer be ratified with regard to this particular property and that he issue an order to demolish the structure in accordance with OCGA 41-2-9. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 7-0. i (B) Bid opening - body armor for Police Department Bids were opened, read and recorded as follows: Progressive Technologies Level II 470.14 (full) 440.14(contour) Level III 520.14 (full) 490.14 (contour) March 15, 1993 meeting - continued Smyrna Police Distributors Level II 413.00 (full) 394.38(contour) Level III 428.00 (full) 408.61 (contour) Wade Lnenicka made a motion the bids be turned over to the committee for their recommendation back to full council. Jack Cramer seconded the motion which carried 7-0. COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: Nothing to report. BID AWARDS: (A) Chipper for Public Works Department Bill Scoggins made a motion the Chipper bid be awarded to Vermeer Southeast, the low bid meeting specifications at $18,490. Pete Wood seconded the motion which carried 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA: (A) Approval of March 1, 1993 minutes (B) Approval to request bids for defibrillator - Fire Department (C) Approval to request bids - protective clothing - Fire Department (D) Approval to request bids - fire hoses - Fire Department (E) Approval for water line/meter fee for Public Works complex (F) Approval to request CDBG funds - MUST Ministry building improvements (G) Amendment to Civil Service procedures (application acceptance) (H) Set date for show cause hearing - violation of alcoholic beverage ordinance Councilman Wade Lnenicka made a motion the consent agenda be approved with the exception of item (G). Councilman Pete Wood seconded the motion which carried 6-0 with Councilman Newcomb abstaining. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion that item (G), amendment to Civil Service procedures, be tabled to the next meeting. Councilman Ron Newcomb seconded the motion which carried 7-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman John Patrick called on Cheryl Crain for a report from the Library. Councilman Ron Newcomb called on City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt for a report. Mr. Hildebrandt advised that CSX railroad will begin a 23 mile track improvement next week which will make the crossings smoother at Spring Street and Hawthorne Avenue. Councilman Lnenicka asked about their hours of work since this project will affect residents in Ward 6. Mr. Hildebrandt said he was advised that work would be conducted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Councilman Lnenicka said he was also concerned that railroad employees might be using private yards for access to the rail line and that is forbidden. Councilman Newcomb called on Mary Ann White for a report from Personnel. The loss control program is up and running and a training session has been conducted with representatives of each city department and the insurance carrier. Mrs. White announced job openings in the City and said she was also pleased that she could present to the committee tonight the first draft of the Personnel Polices and Procedures manual. Councilman Newcomb commended Mrs. White on her ability to meet the March 15th deadline and for the good work she has done. March 15, 1993 meeting - continued Councilman Bill Scoggins called on Kathy Barton for a report from Community Relations. Mrs. Barton reminded everyone of the "Waste in the Work Place" workshop at the Community Center on April 22nd. Also, the first draft of the solid waste management plan is near completion and should b submitted to the Atlanta Regional Commission by April 1st. Mrs. Barton reminded everyone of the Jonquil festivities April 24 & 25 with the flag raising ceremony immediately after the parade. Councilman Hawkins asked Mrs. Barton to please submit a copy of the solid waste management plan to council before it goes to ARC because it will, at some point, need to be officially adopted by Council. Councilman Scoggins called on Larry Dunn for a report from the Public Works Department. Mr. Dunn reminded everyone that tree limbs should be placed at the curb on the first and fourth week of the month for chipping and other trash items will be picked up the second and third weeks. Mr. Dunn also reported on drainage improvements in the City. Councilman Jim Hawkins called on Larry Williams for a report from the Fire Department. Chief Williams said there were two simultaneous fires this morning as a result of the snow and extreme cold weather but we were very fortunate that there were no deaths or serious injuries. Councilman Hawkins said he appreciated the service that our fire fighters provide to our citizens. Councilman Jack Cramer provided a report from the Parks and Recreation Department and stated we have already exceeded the projected revenue collections at the Community Center for this fiscal year. Mr. Cramer aid the traffic light at Pat Mell Road and Atlanta Road is operational and reminded everyone of the Ward 5 meeting on March 30. Councilman Lnenicka reminded the residents of Cumberland Vail of the neighborhood meeting here tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m, to talk with a representative of the Cobb DOT about the Atlanta Road widening project. Mr. Lnenicka read letters from residents commending several of our police officers and called on Chief Stanley Hook for a report from his department. Steve Ciaccio was called on for a report from Communications. Mr. Ciaccio stated his department received over 500 calls this weekend during the winter storm. A majority of those were to report power outages and Mr. Ciaccio reminded everyone that 911 should be used only for medical aid or emergencies. Councilman Pete Wood called on Jim Triplett for a report from the Finance Department. Mr. Triplett reviewed the February financial statement and commended the department managers for staying within their expenditure limits. Councilman Wood read a letter from the Government Finance Officers Association notifying us that the City has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for this fiscal year. Councilman Wood said the City is refinancing a portion of the DDA bonds that were issued in 1989 and 1990 for construction of the Community Center and Library. The refinancing will result in a savings of $1.166 million over the life of the bonds which is a significant savings to the City. With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. March 15, 1993 meetincl - continued A. MAX BACON, MAYOR PATgIGK,I%WARD 1 NS / YARD 3 4�J ACK AMER, WARD/5 &cjgr� e!�� CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD 7 �MEL NDA DAM RON CITY CLERK RON NEWCOMB, WjARD, 2 M. ,4fAWINS, WARD 4 WADE LN'MCIA, WARD 6