05-02-1994 Regular MeetingMay 2, 1994
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held May 2, 1994, at 7:30 p.m. o'clock. The
meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon. All council members were
present. Also present was City Clerk Melinda Dameron, City Administrator Bob Thomson, City
Attorney Charles E. Camp, Police Chief Stan Hook, Finance Director Jim Triplett, Fire Chief Larry
Williams, Library Director Laurel Best, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Ciaccio, Personnel Director
Mary Ann White, City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt, Assistant Public Works Director Larry Dunn,
Community Relations Director Kathie Barton, Chief Building Inspector Scott Stokes and representatives
of the press.
Invocation was given by Lee Delbridge, pastor of Smyrna Christian Church followed by the pledge to
the flag.
CITIZENS INPUT:
Mayor Bacon recognized Randy Sauder who announced he will be running for the House of
Representatives District 29 seat being vacated by Bill Atkins. Mr. Sauder pledged he would do his best
to provide that position with the very best leadership possible. He further stated that his first campaign
promise is to go to the House to represent the citizens of this community.
Mayor Bacon then recognized Nick Monsour, President of the Smyrna Optimist Club, who announced
they are sponsoring an Anti -Violence Town Meeting to be held at Campbell High School on Saturday,
June 4, 1994, and asked the city to co-sponsor this forum. The meeting will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
Noon. He then invited the Mayor and Council members as well as the city's employees to attend. He
then requested permission to place the announcement in the water bills for the City of Smyrna which will
be mailed in May.
Mayor Bacon stated he had discussed this issue with the members of Council and they are all in favor
of this program and willing to be co-sponsors of the meeting.
Mayor Bacon recognized a gentleman who expressed his concerns over the condition of the Four Seasons
Mall (formerly Cobb Center). He stated he was here on behalf of those concerned citizens from Smyrna
as well as Cobb County who would like to see the first mall of Smyrna to be revived. He presented a
petition to the Mayor and Council for their review. He further stated the purpose of the petition was to
obtain enough signatures to send it to the owners in the hopes they will renovate the property and change
the name back to Cobb Center.
Mayor Bacon stated the City is working very closely with the owners of the mall in the hopes that it will
be renovated. He then asked when the petition would be completed and the gentleman responded it
should be complete within two weeks. Mayor Bacon stated the City would work with the citizens and
would have something to include with the petition before it is mailed to the owners.
Councilman Cramer asked Steve Ciaccio to come forward and introduced Ken Kelmer as the new Park
Ranger for the Parks and Recreation Department.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
(A) Annexation of Property on Bates Street
Mr. Thomson stated the petition for annexation was validated at the April 4, 1994, council meeting and
the public hearing date was set for May 2, 1994. He further indicated the city has obtained the required
signatures for the annexation of this property.
Mayor Bacon asked if there was anyone present in opposition to the annexation of this property. There
was none.
Councilman Scoggins stated this situation the entire city has worked with the residents of Bates Street for
the annexation of this area. He then expressed his appreciation to Reverend John Hearst, pastor of Mount
Zion Baptist Church, for the many hours he worked with the city to obtain the required signatures from
the residents. Reverend Hearst stated there was a little opposition to the annexation but the majority of
the residents did want to be annexed into the City and they hope to see changes for the better in that area.
He said they are particularly proud that the police response will be much quicker from the City than from
the county due to the close proximity of the area to the City. Mayor Bacon also expressed his
appreciation to Reverend Hearst for his efforts to better his community. Mayor Bacon then stated the
Bates Street area did qualify for funding of various projects and promised the residents they will see some
May 2. 1994, Council Meeting - continued
improvements in that area which will make it a much safer place to live.
Councilman Scoggins stated the petition for annexation was validated at the April 4 council meeting with
the public hearing set for May 2 and the required legal description (included in the April 4 minutes) was
advertised April 21 and 28, 1994. Mr. Scoggins then made a motion to annex the property on Bates
Street to become a part of Ward 3 effective June 30, 1994. Motion was seconded by Councilman Wood.
Motion was approved 7-0.
FORMAL BUSINESS:
(A) Ordinance Amendment - New Section on Parking Lot Illumination
Mr. Thomson stated this is a new ordinance which sets standards for lighting levels for commercial
parking lots. He further stated all commercial parking lots will be required to provide adequate lighting
for the security of pedestrians. He indicated there is minimum lighting level of 3.0 foot candles and a
uniformity ratio of 5 to 1. He stated other existing commercial parking lots with lighting which fall
below 1.5 foot candles will have to comply with the new ordinance within six months and all other
commercial parking lots will have to comply within two years.
Councilman Newcomb stated there were no particular incidents that precipitated the new ordinance. He
stated the issue had been called to the attention of the Mayor and some members of Council that some
of the parking lots at commercial establishments were very dark and created an atmosphere of
apprehension for the pedestrians. Councilman Newcomb then asked Scott Stokes for an report on the
requirements set for lighting shopping centers.
Mr. Stokes stated his department had met with Georgia Power and borrowed their light meter in order
to perform a survey on five commercial establishments and that only one out of the five surveyed met
the criteria established by the City only one met the criteria. Mr. Stokes stated Georgia Power first
recommended a 2 foot candle power but after further discussions with Georgia Power and James Smith,
Georgia Power Lighting Division, recommended 3 foot candle power which would provide more safety
for the pedestrians and the City concurred. Mr. Stokes further stated there is a possibility of only one
out of five businesses not meeting the existing criteria.
Councilman Newcomb then asked Mr. Stokes if he felt most businesses should be able to comply with
the new ordinance. Mr. Stokes responded they will be able to comply but it will be costly for some of
the businesses and especially those that are not served by Georgia Power. He also indicated the reason
for the six month period is to allow emergency areas which were well below 1.5 foot candle lighting.
Councilman Newcomb asked if there were any questions concerning the new ordinance. Mayor Bacon
stated the city does not want to put any undue hardship on any shopping center owner but in return feels
it is a requirement of this body to require safe public areas for the citizens and is allowing some time to
meet the standards required and feels it will be a plus for everybody concerned.
Councilman Newcomb made a motion the Code of Ordinances be amended to add a new section
designated as 901.7 and the sections following that to be renumbered as needed. Mr. Newcomb then read
the following ordinance:
Section 901.7 Lighting Requirements for Commercial Parking Lots, Public and Private
All commercial parking lots shall provide adequate lighting for security of pedestrians. Said lighting shall
have a minimum of 3.0 foot candles, and a uniformity ratio of at least 5:1. This ordinance shall become
effective immediately for all new commercial construction. Other existing commercial parking lots with
lighting that falls below 1.5 foot candles at the furthest point of such parking lot shall comply within six
months. All other commercial parking lots shall comply within two (2) years of this ordinance adoption.
Lighting at the edge of such parking lots shall be directed away from residences to prevent glare.
The Chief Building official shall enforce the requirements of this ordinance.
Councilman Patrick seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS:
There were none.
May 2, 1994, Council Meeting - continued
BID AWARDS:
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA:
(A) Approval of April 18, 1994, Minutes
(B) Approval To Use Council Chambers - June 7, 1994,
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Wards 1, 2 & 3 Meeting
(C) Approval To Use Council chambers - May 5, 1994
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Alcoholic Beverage Review Committee Meeting
Councilman Scoggins made a motion the consent agenda be approved. Motion was seconded by
Councilman Lnenicka. Motion was approved 7-0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilman Wood asked Jim Triplett, Finance Director for a report. Mr. Triplett stated the budget
process is proceeding on schedule.
Councilman Lnenicka called on Chief Hook for a report on the Police Department. Chief Hook stated
there had been an outstanding arrest over behind The Willows complex involving autos being broken into.
He reported that Officers Hegwood and Harrison responded to the call and found a suspect who had
broken into several cars. The suspect was from Tarpon Springs, Florida. The suspect was arrested for
possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm during a
crime, entering automobiles to commit crimes, theft by taking, theft by receiving, possession of altered
firearm and was held on $40,000 bail. He further stated the suspect was wanted for two counts in the
state of Florida and the apprehension and arrest was made possible by people who saw the person
committing the crimes and called the police. Chief Hook stated the Police Department Policies and
Procedures Manual had been received and will be reviewed before distribution.
Councilman Lnenicka reminded the residents of Kingstowne Apartments there will be a meeting at 6:30
p.m. May 4, 1994, at the Kingstowne Apartment Clubhouse.
Councilman Cramer called on Steve Ciaccio, Parks and Recreation Director, for a report. Mr. Ciaccio
stated we have a publication titled "Parks Chatter" which lists all the activities taking place at the parks
and the community center and urged them to pick one up while at the community center or to call to
receive one through the mail. Mr. Ciaccio displayed a poster announcing a concert on May 6 featuring
the Desert Wind Band as well as other upcoming concerts.
Councilman Hawkins asked Larry Williams for a report on the Fire Department. Chief Williams reported
on first quarter statistics on arson. He indicated that during the first three months of this year, the city
experienced six arson fires with two arrests and the other cases are being investigated.
Councilman Scoggins asked Kathie Barton to report on the Community Relations Department. Ms.
Barton reminded everyone that Saturday, May 7, is Spring Into Recycling at the Southern States Transfer
Station and the event is sponsored by 11 Alive and. Georgia Clean and Beautiful. She stated the program
begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m.
Councilman Scoggins asked Larry Dunn for a report on the Public Works Department. Mr. Dunn
reported the water line on South Cobb Drive is approximately 75% complete; the Teasley Drive sidewalk
is completed and landscaping has begun in that area; Ventura - Old Spring creek has been completed;
Arden Way ditch work has been completed; Brenda Drive curbing began May 2, 1994; Lake Park Drive
and Green Forest ditch work is complete; Green Acres drainage pipe has been installed, the catch basin
installed and sod will be installed when it arrives.
Councilman Newcomb asked Mary Ann White for a report from the Human Resources Department.
Mary Ann White stated there are two openings in the city, one in the Sanitation Division in the Public
Works Department; one in the Human Resources Department for a Human Resources Clerk.
Councilman Newcomb then stated there has been a lot of discussion about a turn lane on Spring Road.
He further stated the Cobb County D.O.T. will be having a public hearing on the widening of Spring
Road, including a turn lane, on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.
May 2 1994 Council Meeting- continued
Councilman Newcomb expressed his appreciation to Mayor Bacon, Councilman Scoggins, Annexation
Coordinator Bill Clark and Reverend Hearst for their active participation in the annexation of the Bates
Street property.
Councilman Patrick asked Laurel Best for a report on the Library. Ms. Best stated the art exhibit for
May is photographs by Kenny Simmons who is from Cleveland, Georgia.
Councilman Patrick then stated Falling Waters neighborhood will be having a meeting on Thursday, May
5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center.
With no further bus' ess, the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
A. MAX BACON, MAYOR MELINDA DAME—ROON,,—CITY CLERK
RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2
J AMES HAWKIN / •,
AMES
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JACK CRAMER, WARD 5
CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD