01-07-1980 First MeetingJanuary 7, 1980
The first meeting of the new year was held January 7, 1980 at City Hall, Smyrna,
Georgia. The meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor Frank B.
Johnson at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All Councilmen were present. Also present was City
Attorney Charles Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Finance Director Gunter Newsom,
Police Chief Everett Little, Fire Chief Don Atkinson, Director of Parks and Recrea-
tion Asa Howard, Public Works Director Jim David, Building Inspector Len Williams,
Civil Defense Director Jim Farley and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Rev. Bud Abbott of the First Baptist Church, followed by
the pledge to the flag.
The first order of business was the reappointment to the Planning and Zoning Board,
for those whose terms expired December 31, 1979. Jerry Mills made a motion that
Bill Wood be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Board, representing Ward 3.
Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jack Shinall requested
the appointment of the Board member representing Ward 5 be deferred to the next
meeting. Elbert Coalson made a motion that George Griffin be reappointed to the
Board, representing Ward 6. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a
7-0 vote. Mayor Johnson stated that Allen Potter had been serving as the Mayor's
appointee, as well as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board and it was his
recommendation that Allen be reappointed. Bill Darby made a motion that Allen
Potter be reappointed as the Mayor's appointee, seconded by Jim Hawkins. Vote
on the motion carried 7-0.
Jerry Mills reported the Finance Committee had reviewed the audit proposals opened
at the last Council meeting and made a motion that Mayor and Council engage the
firm of Pate and Shiver for the City audit for fiscal year 1978-79. Pate and
Shiver submitted the lowest.cost proposal for these audits and is well qualified,
in that it has over 15 local government clients and over 75% of its professional
staff are Certified Public Accountants. Pate and Shiver's proposal for this
audit was not to exceed $5,000 and no more than $200-$300 for out-of-pocket expenses
for the Local PubliclWorks Grant. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion which
carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jerry Mills made a motion that Mayor and Council adopt the fiscal year 1979-80
City of Smyrna budget as submitted, and subject to any revisions necessitated by
the Revenue.Sharing hearing to be held on February 4, 1980. This budget includes
a 5% increase in the Merit system pay plan to go into effect on January 10, 1980.
By the passage of this budget, Mayor and. Council will also be adopting the follow-
ing policies:
1. The millage rate for calendar year 1979 will be set at 12.00 mills.
2. Water rates for the City of Smyrna, effective January 1, 1980, will be
increased by 27% and the sewer rates by 50%.
3. The sanitation rates for residential, condominium and commercial customers
be increased by $1.00 per month, effective January 1, 1980.
4. That the Mayor and Council adopt the attached bond schedule as the bond
schedule for the City of Smyrna.
5. That the City increase their tax on wine from 28C to 80o, per gallon,
effective February 1, 1980.
6.- That -the City adopt an inspection fee schedule for heating, air condition-
ing and plumbing permit inspections.
7. That the City adopt the attached formula for computing building permits
and that the City raise taxi permits from $4.00 to $5.00, journeymen
plumber, master electrical and master plumber cards from $3.00 to $10.00.
8. That the City raise its sign permits for unlighted 8-square foot signs
from $5.00 to $6.25 and from 250, to 350, for each square foot of unlighted
space over 8 square feet; and that lighted signs 8 square feet and under
be increased from $7.50 to $9.25 and from 504� to 60G for each lighted
square foot over 8 square feet.
Jack Shinall seconded the motion. Elbert Coalson stated he would certainly have
liked to make the 5% increase to the Merit system pay plan retroactive to July,
1979 for city employees, but the funds just were not available.
Jack Shinall explained the water and sewer rate increases were made necessary by
the increase to the City from Cobb -Marietta Water Authority and Cobb County, and
the increase approved tonight is exactly the same as the increase.passed on to us.
Even with the increase, we have the lowest water and sewer rates of any city in
Cobb County, and even Cobb County itself, by approximately $3.00 per month on an
average consumption of 6,000 gallons.
Vote on the motion to approve the budget carried by a 7-0 vote.
(Continuation of January 7, 1980 Meeting)
Jerry Mills made a motion the minutes of December 3, 1979 be approved as submitted.
Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
John Steely made a motion the minutes of December 17, 1979 be approved as submitted.
Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson made a motion the minutes of December 29, 1979 be approved as sub-
mitted. Bill Darby seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Mayor's Statement: Mayor Johnson stated that on behalf of the Mayor and Council
representing various wards of the City, it had been their pleasure and opportunity
to serve this fine city. We've done it without fear or favor and have demonstrated
our willingness to work for our city and be a team that could cause our city to
remain one of the great towns in Georgia, and one of the greatest cities in Cobb
County. Also, in the years ahead we will experience some hard times financially.
It's expedient on our part to be as careful with dollars that our taxpayers render
so that each one of our citizens receive their benefits for that dollar. It will
be our responsibility to spend your money as wisely as we know how, and I think
that would be my charge here tonight. I don't think we can make any real promises
for the
'next two years, because money is going to be foremost on the list of our
problems. We have tonight, adopted one of the tightest budgets that this city
hag'ever...adopted. I don't mean to be negative in tone, because I think our
negativism can be turned around into a challenge, and that is what we have accepted
here tonight. We are going to do a good job for you; I know collectively we are
all charged to do that and that's exactly the way we intend to see it carried out.
If we make any mistakes, it will be mistakes in judgment, and we will work in
every way we know how to make sure that our judgment is always our top priority
to render the best, most efficient government that we can, for our city. I thank
you for this opportunity, on behalf of these men, who have served you the last
two years.
Mayor Johnson recognized ex -Mayor Arthur Bacon and ex -Mayor John Porterfield in
the audience.
Mayor Johnson thanked Councilman Bill Darby for the work he has done for our city
the last four years and said he looked forward to seeing him move ahead in some
other things. Before stepping down, Bill Darby expressed his appreciation for the
opportunity of serving this city and that he felt he was a better person now
because of it'.
Meeting adjourned.
FRANK B. JOHNSON, MAYOR
JAMES E. TOLLESON, WARD 1
WILLOUISE SPIVEY, CITY CLERK
WILLIAM F. DARBY, WARD 2
I
Y MILL, WARD 3 JAMES M. HAWKINS, WARD
JACK SHINALL, WARD 5
JOHN STEELY, WARD 7
ELBERT R. COALSON, WARD 6
CITY CLERK
I, Willouise C. Spivey , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as City Clerk of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City
to the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
CITY CLERK act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
Subscribedand sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
1j, 1��
Judge, Cobb County State Court
City Clerk eal)
CITY ATTORNEY
I, Charles E. Camp , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as City Attorney of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing
term, and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said
City to the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions
as CITY ATTORNEY act as I believe for the best interest of the said City.
So help me God.
City Attorney (Seal)
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
Judge, Cobb County Sta ourt
COURT RECORDER
I, C. V. Reeves , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Court Recorder of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing
term, and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said
City to the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions
as COURT RECORDER act as I believe for the best interest of said City. So
help me God.
Court Recorder (Seal)
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
d
Judge, obb County §tAte Court
MAYOR'S OATH OF OFFICE
I, Frank B. Johnson , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Mayor of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term, and
that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to the
best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as MAYOR
act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help me God.
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
/JJjudgej,aCob!VCounty StatV Court
COUNCILMAN
I, James E. Tolleson , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to
the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
ouncilman Ward 4�1 (Seal)
James E. Tolleson
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
Judge, Co b County S ate Court
COTTNCTT.MAN
I, Max Bacon , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Counc-i_lman-of the City of —Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to
the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
Councilman Ward #2 (Seal)
Max Bacon
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this th day of January, 1980
Not iC, Geoigb, Yl, p a L^:;'i
,% _ , i � My Comrs?ssioo grpi;�s Salta:'hp: 3.•s:I
-juage, Uond uounry brace uouru
r..(1TTNr.TT.MAN
I, Jerry Mills , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City
to the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
/ /.2� �' I �
.Judge, Cobb County Stat urt
rncilma rd #3 (Seal)
erry Mill
COTINCTLMAN
I, James M. Hawkins , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City
to the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City.' So help
me God.
ouncilman Ward #4 (Seal)
James M. Hawkins
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
/ � V -Ya� -
udge, Cob County State Court
COUNCILMAN
I, Jack L. Shinall , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to
the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
C cilman Ward #5 (Seal)
ck L. Shinall
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
Judge, Cobb County Stale tourt
rOTTRT('TT MART
I, Elbert R. Coalson , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to
the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
Councilman Ward—#6 (Seal)
Elbert R. Coalson
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
(
udge, Cobb County State Court
rnTTMrTT MAN
I, John Steely , do solemnly swear that I will well and
truly demean myself as Councilman of the City of Smyrna for the ensuing term,
and that I will faithfully enforce the Charter and Ordinances of said City to
the best of my ability, without fear or favor, and in all my actions as
COUNCILMAN act as I believe for the best interest of the said City. So help
me God.
Co ci man Ward #7 (Seal)
J hn teely
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 7th day of January, 1980
1J . 9m,
Judge, Cobb County State Court