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05-01-2000 Regular MeetingMay 1, 2000 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held at Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All council members were present except Ron Newcomb who was absent due to out of town business. Also present were City Administrator Howard Smith, City Clerk Candis Joiner, City Attorney Scott Cochran, and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Andy Jones, Youth Minister of Smyrna Presbyterian Church, followed by the pledge to the flag. Mayor Bacon recognized School Board Representative, Curt Johnston who introduced Ms. Shelia Chesser, principal, Ms. Ruth Ann Nelson, teacher, of Brown Elementary and Rasha Frye, Sue J. Evert, Jessica Lord, and Corey Hardiman, students of Brown Elementary. Ms. Nelson indicated the students would be discussing the Character Words of the Month for May. Mayor Bacon thanked the children and presented each student with a gift bag. CITIZENS INPUT: Mayor Bacon introduced Mrs. Patricia Ann Bacon and Ms. Beth Lively, directors of the Golden Jonquils senior recreation program. Councilman Scoggins read a proclamation recognizing May as "Older Americans Month." Mayor Bacon stated that he feels the City of Smyrna has one of the best senior programs in the State of Georgia. Mrs. Bacon thanked the City for its support of senior citizens. Mayor Bacon recognized Councilman Cramer who introduced Mr. Jay Wallace, Mr. Eric Wallace, Mr. Larry Fleming, Mr. Jim Fletcher, Mr. Ryan Medina, and Mr. Paul Babbas. Councilman Cramer read a proclamation honoring firearm safety awareness. Mr. Fletcher presented Mayor Bacon and Councilman Cramer with a shirt and thanked Mayor Bacon and Councilman Cramer for their support. Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Ron Brown, Smyrna Gazelle track team coach, who asked when a meeting will be held to discuss their questions. Councilman Wood stated that he is working with the parks and recreation department to determine a satisfactory date. Mayor Bacon stated that the City is eager to solve the problems. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (A) Request Variance-1900 Daniel Green Court —Build a 5-Foot Fence Within the Front Yard Setback. Mayor Bacon stated that items A and B will be addressed jointly. Mayor Bacon stated that this is a public hearing and asked if there is any opposition. There was none. Mr. Smith stated that Mr. and Mrs. Mattke have requested a variance in order to build a five-foot high fence out of ornamental iron within their front yard setback. Councilman Lnenicka stated that the Mattke's live in the Old Vinings Mill subdivision off of Cooper Lake Drive and asked Mrs. Mattke to describe what she plans to do. Mrs. Mattke stated that she would like to build a five-foot high fence out of ornamental iron instead of wood because a wooden fence would not be as attractive as an iron fence and a wooden fence would obstruct the view of the yard. Mrs. Mattke stated that the homeowner association does not oppose the fence variance. Mrs. Mattke stated that her dog is able to jump a four -foot fence. Councilman Lnenicka stated that due to the shape of the yard a variance is necessary. Ms. Mattke presented a letter from the Old Vinings Mill Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee stating they had no objection to the proposed fence. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion to approve the variance request for 1900 Daniel Green Court to build a five-foot fence within the front yard setback and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (B) Request Variance-1900 Daniel Green Court —Build Fence Using Ornamental Iron Instead of Wood. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion to approve the variance request for 1900 Daniel Green Court to build a fence using ornamental iron and Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (C) Privilege License Request —Air Cab Company d/b/a Continental Taxi-1022 Windy Hill Road, Suite 17. Mr. Smith stated that Mr. John Semaka, is requesting to be approved as agent of Continental Taxi and that the police background investigation revealed nothing that would preclude the issuance of this license. Mayor Bacon stated that this is a public hearing and asked if there was any opposition. There was none. Councilman Hawkins asked Mr. Semaka if he was presently in the taxi business and Mr. Semaka stated that he currently is doing business as Aero Taxi and would like to change the name because he purchased another company. Councilman Hawkins stated that Mr. Semaka has met all insurance requirements. Councilman Hawkins asked Mr. Semaka if his dispatchers will be bilingual and Mr. Semaka stated that yes. Mayor Bacon asked if the taxi drivers would be able to speak english and Mr. Semaka stated that the drivers will be able to speak basic english. Mr. Smith asked if Mr. Semaka is still associated with Aero Taxi and Mr. Semaka stated yes. Councilman Wood asked if Mr. Semaka will be a competitor of Aero Taxi and Mr. Semaka said yes. Mr. Semaka stated that he no longer has a financial interest in Aero Taxi. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Semaka if he would be willing to surrender his license to Aero Taxi and Mr. Semaka stated yes. Councilman Hawkins made a motion to approve the privilege license for Air Cab Company d/b/a Continental Taxi at 1022 Windy Hill Road, Suite 17 contingent that Mr. Semaka surrenders his business license for Aero Taxi. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. FORMAL BUSINESS: (A) Authorize the Mayor to Sign the Resolution Authorizing Membership in the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA). Councilman Hawkins stated that the City accepts bids for its risk insurance every three years and that this agreement would offer the City a substantial savings on insurance. Councilman Hawkins made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the resolution authorizing membership in the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency(GIRMA) and Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (B) Authorize the Mayor to Sign and Execute all Documents Pertaining to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Health Insurance Plan Merger —City of Smyrna and Cobb County Government. Councilman Hawkins stated that the City of Smyrna had decided to increase the cost of health insurance to its employees a year ago and that the City made a promise to the employees to investigate every option to decrease the insurance costs. Councilman Hawkins stated that the merger with Cobb County will offer a considerable savings to City employees and increase benefits. Councilman Cramer made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all documents pertaining to the intergovernmental agreement for the health insurance plan merger betw6en the City of Smyrna and the Cobb County Government and Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Mr. Smith stated that the Mayor and Council have made a tremendous commitment to City Employees and that this insurance agreement is another facet of this commitment. Mr. Smith thanked the Mayor and Council on behalf of the employees for their commitment. Mayor Bacon thanked Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson for his assistance. Motion'was approved 6-0. (C) Appointments to the Downtown Development Authority. Mayor Bacon stated that appointments to the Downtown Development Authority serve one-year terms and that the Council plans to reappoint the present members. Mayor Bacon stated that present members of the Downtown Development Authority are: Hubert Black, C.J. Fouts, Jim Pitts, Melinda Dameron, Eric Cash, Larry Freeman, and Doug Stoner. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion to appoint the present members of the Downtown Development Authority for a new one-year term and Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (D) Mayor's Appointment to Planning and Zoning Board. Mayor Bacon asked to defer the Mayor's appointment to the Planning and Zoning Board to the May 15, 2000 council meeting. (E) Appointments to Smyrna Revitalization Authority. Mr. Smith stated that Representative Randy Sauder authored legislation, signed by Governor Barnes on April 27, 2000, creating the Smyrna Revitalization Authority. Mr. Smith stated that the purpose of the Smyrna Revitalization Authority is to identify areas that are economically depressed in Smyrna, undertake a study of the economically depressed areas, and to identify strategies to improve these areas economically. Mr. Smith stated that the Mayor will appoint one member, the Council will appoint four members, the two State Representatives and the two State Senators will appoint two Smyrna Revitalization Authority members each. Mr. Smith stated that the Smyrna Revitalization bill provides for $10,000 seed money to fund the authority in its first year. Mayor Bacon stated that his choice for appointment to the Smyrna Revitalization Authority is Dr. Steve Wilson of Austin Drive. Mayor Bacon stated that Dr. Wilson has been very involved in Smyrna. Councilman Lnenicka motioned to approve Dr. Steve Wilson as the Mayor's appointment to the Smyrna Revitalization Authority and Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. Mr. Smith stated that Mr. G. K. Johnson, Mr. Michael McNaughton, Mr. Kenny Burts and Mr. Don Lillie have been selected to serve on the Smyrna Revitalization Authority. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion to appoint Mr. G. K. Johnson, Mr. Michael McNaughton, Mr. Kenny Burts and Mr. Don Lillie to the Smyrna Revitalization Authority and Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (F) Mayor's Appointment to Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission. Mayor Bacon stated that he would like to appoint Mr. Frank Adams as Chairman of the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission and that Mr. Adams has been very committed to the beautification of the City of Smyrna. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion to approve Mr. Frank Adams as the Mayor's appointment as Chairman of the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission and Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Councilman Lnenicka stated that Mr. Adams and Ms. Ann Kirk have done a tremendous job with the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission. Motion was approved 6- 0. COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: There were none. BID AWARDS: (A) Award Banking Service Contract. Councilman Hawkins stated that bid requests were sent to many local vendors with six responses and that this bid is for a three year contract with an option to extend the contract for an additional two years. Councilman Hawkins stated the Finance Department has reviewed the bids and recommends that the bid be awarded to the low bidder meeting specifications, Sun Trust Bank. Councilman Hawkins made a motion that the bid for the banking service contract be awarded to Sun Trust Bank, low bidder meeting specifications. Councilman Hawkins stated that Sun Trust Bank will not be charging the City for checking services or wire transfers and will pay interest on the monies in the accounts. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. (B) Award Bid 2000-010 for the Asbestos Abatement for the Nelms Lodge. Councilman Scoggins stated that bids were sent to six vendors with two responses. Councilman Scoggins stated that the Public Works staff has reviewed the bids and recommends the bid be awarded to the low bidder meeting specifications, Troy Langley Construction. Councilman Scoggins made a motion that the bid for the asbestos abatement for the Nelms Lodge be awarded to Troy Langley Construction, low bidder meeting specifications, for a total cost of $11,990.00. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. CONSENT AGENDA: (A) Approval of April 17, 2000 Minutes (B) Approval to Request Bids for Web Site Development (C) Approval to Use Council Chambers on May 4, 2000 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Vinings Forest Homeowners Meeting. (D) Approval to Use Council Chambers for a Series of Employee Meetings to Discuss Insurance Benefits Changes. (E) Approval to Locate a Church at 473 Powder Springs Street. (F) Approval to Purchase Computers for Mayor and Council on State Contract. (G) Approval to Re -cable City Hall. (H) Approval to Purchase Laptop Computer for Information Systems Manager. (I) Approval to Purchase 10 Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) Units on State Contract. (J) Approval to Purchase Site License for Anti -Virus Software on State Contract. (K) Approval to Purchase a Cisco 2600 Series Router. (L) Approval to Advertise Temporary Closure of West Spring Street for the Purpose of Construction. Councilman Wood made a motion to approve the consent agenda and Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman Lnenicka stated that he plans on attending the Vinings Forest Homeowners meeting on May 4, 2000. Councilman Lnenicka stated that there is a rezoning scheduled for May 15, 2000 for Collier Drive Property and that there is a neighborhood meeting scheduled for Monday, May 8 at the Smyrna Presbyterian Church for area homeowners and the property developer to discuss the proposed rezoning. Councilman Cramer stated that he plans a partial ward meeting at the end of May for the Windy Hill North —San Fernando area and that on Saturday, May 6 the Oaks of Concord is planning a block party. Mr. Smith thanked the sponsors and participants of the Jonquil Jog, Jennifer Bennett, Steve Ciaccio, the Smyrna Police Department, the Public Works Department and Patty Bacon for their assistance with the Jonquil Festival. Mayor Bacon stated that the weekend was great for the City of Smyrna and he received many compliments on the City. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. c A. MAX BACON, MAYOR CANDIS JOINER, 4TY CLERK CHARLENE CAPILOUTO, WARD 1 RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2 BILL • '► MES M. HAWKINS, WARD, UK UKAMKK, CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD 7