12-20-1976 Regular Meeting(Continuation of December 6, 1976)
least two apartments and one duplex in the area. Attorney Camp stated the City
had no control over a covenant. David Granade is to check out these violations.
Dick Justice of the Smyrna Jaycees asked -permission to hold a bucket brigade for
the Empty Stocking Fund on December llth and December 18th at Spring and Hargrove
Road and Benson Poole and Jones Shaw Road, from 10:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.
Jerry Mills made a motion the bucket brigades be approved. Bill Darby seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous. City Attorney Chuck Camp stated soliciting
funds from the street was against the State Law.
Bill Darby made a motion to grant the request of Thomas McFadden for a six (6)
months leave of absence. C. 0. Canada seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Bill Darby made a motion Bank Street from King Street to the City Hall Annex, be
closed Tuesday night from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M., during the Christmas tree lighting
ceremony. Homer Kuhl seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
December 20, 1976
The regularly scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council of the City of Smyrna was
held at City Hall, December 20, 1976 at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The meeting was called
to order by Mayor Pro-tem Homer Kuhl. Mayor Arthur T. Bacon was absent due to a
death in the family. All Councilmen were present. Also present was Chuck Camp,
City Attorney, Willouise Spivey, City Clerk, David Granade, Building Inspector,
R. E. Little, Police Chief, Don Atkinson, Fire Chief, Jim David, Superintendent of
Public Works, Lee'Silver, Director of Parks and Recreation and representatives of
the press.
Invocation was given by Senator Joe Thompson, followed by the pledge to the Flag.
Carl R. Acevedo of 2698 Rolling View Drive reported a buffer zone violation at the
Farmstead Condominiums. He stated different individuals were using the buffer zone
for their own personal use to store wood, motorcycles, etc., and asked that Council
check into this problem. Inspector David Granade was instructed to check the buffer
zone and have it cleared.
Marston Tuck stated he was distressed with what he was hearing about the Fire
Department, the low morale, the dissatisfaction with the working.hours, etc. He
stated that if the City would establish a communications system in the bottom of
the Fire Department basement for the fire, police and civil defense, with one
emergency number, the firemen could be put on a 24 hour on and 48 hours off schedule
without hiring additional personnel. Mr. Tuck also said he thought there had been
some administrative interference, also a communications breakdown. Mr. Kuhl thanked
Mr. Tuck for his comments.
David Thompson asked to appeal the decision of Council to deny the issuance of a
building permit for a greenhouse on the parking lot of Grant City. He stated it
took a special type building for plants and that he could not erect the building
on the end of the lot. After discussion it was the decision of council the original
vote to deny the permit stand.
Horace Huggins, speaking for the Fire Department, said he thought Mayor and Council
should set a date and time to meet with the firemen and tell them if they would or
would not go on a 24 hours on and 48 hours off schedule. He said he was not a
fireman, but a citizen interested in the department.
Jerry Mills said that he and Mayor Bacon had met with the Fire Underwriters and
discussed the number of men required in each station, to keep the same fire rating.
The hiring of four radio operators had also been discussed and that they were
working to improve the hours of work for the firemen.
James Padgett, a fireman, questioned the benefits given members of the Fire Depart-
ment. He stated they did not get paid holidays, as those were listed as their
kelly days. Councilman Mills said he would answer questions regarding the benefits,
and they were discussed one by one.
(Continuation of December 20, 1976 Meeting)
Fireman Philip Pledger stated he had been trying for six months to get some honest
answers from Mayor and Council as to what changes could and could not be made.
Samuel Wehunt said he did not belong to the Union but was unhappy with the way
things were progressing. y `
Several citizens in the audience expressed themselves, stating it seemed to them
there was a communications breakdown and the firemen only wanted some answers.
One citizen stated the firemen knew what the salary and hours were when they took
the job and should leave if they were dissatisfied.
After a lengthy discussion Council advised the firemen that they were working on
some changes in the Fire Department but we had to have the money before we hired
more employees and that threats from the firemen hurt their cause, rather than
helped. They agreed that nothing would be done until Mayor Bacon, Chairman of the
Fire Department Committee was present.
Bids for (1) pickup truck for the Parks Department were opened, read and are
recorded as follows:
Day's Chevrolet
$4597.80
Anderson Motor Co.
4474.04
Nalley Chevrolet
4167.98
Carey Paul Ford
4618.71
Wade Ford
4521.82
Handshaker Ford
4579.27
Trade City Motors
4425.00
Jerry Mills made a motion the bids be referred to the Parks Committee, with authority
to act on the low bid. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Bids for four (4) pagers for the Civil Defense Department were opened, read and
are recorded as follows:
General Electric
Motorola Communications
Tone Radio, Inc.
Federal Sign & Signal Co.
No bid
$357.00 each (substitute)
$1812.50 total
No bid
C. 0. Canada made a motion bids be referred to committee for further consideration.
Elbert Coalson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Johnny Morris requested a variance on property located at 861 Cherokee Trail in
order to use the present structure for a doctors office. He stated the property
would be improved:both inside and outside, and that plenty of parking spaces would
be provided. After discussion, C. 0. Canada made a motion the -variance be approved,
restricted to a doctors office. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous. The letter stating the improvements to be made 'is to be made a part
of these minutes.
Rem Bennett said the Principal of Wills High School had contacted him requesting
no parking signs be erected on Sanford Place near Powder Springs Street. After
discussion Council agreed these signs should not be put up.
No action under committee reports.
Under citizens input, Jim Farley announced a blood drive for December 31, 1976 at
the First Methodist Church in Smyrna.
Council approved a Power Pole Easement request for Georgia Power to erect two power
poles at Ward Park for the Smyrna Athletic Association building. The Parks Commission
requested the following stipulations: (1) The entire expense of erection, poles,
and all equipment necessary to establish power to building be paid by the Smyrna
Athletic Association. (2) The Smyrna Athletic.Association pay total cost of re-
location of these poles in the event that the parks figuration is changed or poles
become a hazard to park participations. (3) The security light that is being
mounted on the pole nearest the front door of the building be removed if such light
causes a glare and interferes with baseball being played at Ward Park.
Dean Byers of the Smyrna Athletic Association said the light on the pole nearest
the front door would not be removed, but would be turned off or adjusted, if it
interferred with the games.
Meeting adjourned at 9:32 P.M.
ARTHUR T. BACON, MAYOR
MEOLN1 ARD 1
C. 0. CANADA,-WARD 5
WILLOUISE C. SPIVEY, CITY rRK
WILLIAM F. DA,,BY, WARD 2
HOMER KUHL, WARD 4
ELBERT R. COALSON, WARD 6