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05-02-1977 Regular MeetingMay 2, 1977 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held pursuant to the Charter at City Hall, Smyrna, Georgia, on May 2, 1977. The meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor Arthur Bacon at 7:30 o'clock P.M. All Councilmen were present. Also present was Attorney Chuck Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Controller Ron Egger, Director of Parks and Recreation Lee Silver, Police Chief Everett Little, Fire Chief Don Atkinson, Inspector David Granade, Director of Public Works Jim David, and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Councilman Homer Kuhl, followed by the pledge to the Flag. Citizens Reports: (1) Jack Clark reported to Mayor and'Council he had a letter from Katherine M. and Eugene A. Reeves, owners of the Old Smyrna Village Apart- ments accusing his 13-year old son Jerry of criminal activities. He stated the letter was brought to him by Detectives Danny Drake and Lt. David Farmer. Mr. Clark said the letter stated complaints had been filed with the Smyrna Police Department but Chief Little had said his department did not have anything on it. He wanted to know what criminal activities his soon had been accused of and why the Smyrna City Detectives delivered the letter for Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. Homer Kuhl asked Chief Little to explain what happened. Chief Little stated he thought there had been a misrepresentation of the interpretation of the accusations of Mr. Clark's son as to criminal action. He quoted the letter as stating that due to criminal activities in the apartment area, but does not say who, they were requesting certain people stay out. The procedure used is not the policy of the present police department, although he learned it had been done in the past, but would not be handled in this manner in the future. He stated the police depart- ment would be making investigations but would not be delivering letters. Chief Little stated he took full responsibility and apologized to Mr. Clark, promising it would not happen again. He assured Mr. Clark this letter did not state his son had done any criminal action, but that criminal action has been done in the apartment project, and for that reason the owners are requesting that certain people stay out. The letter read in part: "Due to complaints which I have received and which have been filed with the Smyrna Police Department regarding criminal activities on the premises of Old Smyrna Village Apartments..." The police department has had some complaints and they are investigating, but this letter does not accuse Mr. Clark's son of criminal action. Mr. Clark said he thought what made the Reeves' mad was that people used the road through the apartments as a thoroughfare. It was brought out that Aline Wolfe Drive on one side of the project and Medlin Street on another side belonged to the city. The road through the apartments belong to the Reeves, but when the complex was developed it was agreed the road through the apartments would be open to traffic. Mrs. J. L. Williams, whose son received a similar letter from the Reeves, asked if a written complaint had been filed against these children. Chief Little stated a written complaint had been made about the activity in the apartment project. (2) Mayor Bacon read part of a letter received from the L & N Railroad with reference to the closing of the Powder Springs Street grade crossing. It is the recommendation of the L & N Railroad this crossing be closed. This will be discussed at a later date. (3) George Williams and Allen Potter of the Optimist Club stated they would like to have the Student Government Day on May 14, 1977 from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon. Mayor and Council will meet with the students on Saturday morning and tour the police, fire, library and public works departments. They will also attend the council meeting on the 16th. Judy T. Bassett, 1208 Daniel Drive requested a residential business license to arrange flowers for the Smyrna Hospital Gift Shop. She had a,petition signed by all the neighbors within 300 feet of her home. Bill Darby made a motion the license be granted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Annexation - J. Shawn Cochran requested property located in LL 555, Lot 13, known as 3511 Lee Street be annexed into the city. Rem Bennett made a motion this property be annexed and become a part of Ward 2. Bill Darby seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Commercial building permits were submitted by Inspector David Granade and upon his recommendation the following action is recorded: (1) Mrs. Mabel Tate, Tates Town House, 636 Cherokee Road, requested a zoning variance in order to open an antique shop, in the same building formerly used (Continuation of May 2, 1977 Meeting) as a beauty shop. Elbert Coalson made a motion the variance be granted. Rem Bennett seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Elbert Coalson made a motion the parade permit for the Smyrna Girl's Softball Association for May 14, 1977, 8:30 A.M. be approved. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The parade route will be from Smyrna Drive -In on Atlanta Road to Spring Road to Jonquil Park. Homer Kuhl made a motion the minutes of April 4, 1977 be approved as submitted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Homer Kuhl made a motion the minutes of April 18, 1977 be approved as submitted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion and the vote was six for and one abstention. Jerry Mills abstained. Committee Reports: Jim Tolleson read a letter from Plantation Lighting, Inc. appealing a letter from Fire Chief Donald Atkinson with reference to a ticket of violation of Article 1, Section 1.5, Paragraph (f) - Fire Hydrant, dated April 28, 1977. Jim Tolleson stated the plans for the building were approved, specifying a fire hydrant would be installed. The building is completed but the fire hydrant has not been installed. Mr. David Kaplan, owner, explained that the plans specifying the fire hydrant went to the builder, the builder assumed the sprinkler contractor was going to put it in, and the sprinkler contractor thought the builder would put it in; therefore it was overlooked. He stated when Lt. Sanford asked him a couple of weeks ago if he had his fire hydrant in he honestly thought he meant the siamese hydrant. He immediately phoned and requested the siamese hydrant be put in at once. He said he thought Lt. Sanford believed he was trying to be devious, but that he certainly was not, it was an honest mistake. He also stated they have just moved in the new building which cost in excess of $150,000, had spent $3500 to hook up a sewer which he did not expect, spent $6000 for an FM water meter and that at this point they do not have over $3000 to install a fire hydrant. He stated they are keeping 60 or 70 employees busy on a four -day work week, and plan to employ another 40 or 50 within another twelve months. He asked if the fire hydrant on Pinecrest Circle could be activited to serve his plant for the present. He stated his plant was completely covered with a sprinkler system, on an 8" water meter. He stated that according to the fire department he must immediately close down and fire 65 employees or put in a fire hydrant. He only needs about 60 days, or until he could catch his breath finan- cially from the move. Homer Kuhl asked Mr. Kaplan if he could pay the cost of labor if the city would pay for the material for the hydrant, repayable in 60 days. Mr. Kaplan said he could. Mr. Kuhl made a motion the city buy the material, approximately $2140.00, repayable in 60 days, and Mr. Kaplan will pay the labor. Rem Bennett seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Jim Tolleson made a motion the citation be wai`vered until May 12, 1977. Rem Bennett seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Jim Tolleson read three quotes for a new mower for the parks department as follows: O'Neals Power Equipment - YR48 Yazoo, 16 HP Cast Iron Briggs Eng. $2160.00 YR60 Yazoo, 12.5 HP, Wisconsin Cast Iron Eng. $2445.00 Stovall & Company, Inc. - Kut-Kwick Model H1600-48" (16 HP-48" cut with sulky) $2012.00 Kut-Kwick Model H1600-60" (16 HP-60" cut with sulky) $2122.00 Electric Starter - add to either $ 240.00 Case - Tractor Model 222H $1471.00 J-46 48" Mower 270.00 (J-44 44" Mower as alternate in stock cost $176.96) Jim Tolleson made a motion these quotes be turned over to committee with authority to act on the best quote. Homer Kuhl seconded the motion and the vote was six for and one abstention. Elbert Coalson abstained. This equipment to be paid from Revenue Sharing funds. 'It Jim Tolleson stated he would like to make arrangements for the dog catcher to work more Saturdays, nights and even Sundays, because people were letting their dogs out for longer periods since the time change. Rem Bennett told Mr. Tolleson (Continuation of May 2, 1977 Meeting) that if he would make a list of the streets where dogs were usually out, and at what time, Jerry would know where and when to go and his hours could be worked out. Jim Tolleson also stated that carport sale signs were on poles all over town and he wanted to know what could be done to help the Inspector enforce the sign ordinance. Chief Little said the police department was picking up signs, and would work closely with Mr. Granade, but that was not what they were out there for. Jim Tolleson stated he was in the process of contacting the Pastor of the First Baptist Church about installing some steps between the library and the church, hoping they will allow us to use the parking lot for parking. Homer Kuhl stated this could not be done, due to insurance liability. Jim then asked if the grass spot behind the library could be moved, giving more parking spaces. Jim David will check this out and give an estimate of the cost at the next meeting. Rem Bennett suggested removing the water tank but was advised the cost was pro- hibitive. Bill Darby asked why we did not receive bids on the workmans compensation insurance. Jerry Mills advised that since we were under the assigned risk clause we could not put it up for bids, and it had always been handled by committee, which only appoints the agent. Mr. Darby stated he thought this should be approved by entire Mayor and Council, since it was a $30,000 expenditure; Jerry Mills stated it was first awarded to one company and then changed back to the company who had it last year. Mr. Darby objected to the way it was handled. Jerry Mills made a motion that in the future the agent awarded the workmans compensation insurance be approved by entire Mayor and Council. Homer Kuhl seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Jerry Mills stated that he had been informed the traffic signal for Fire Station #3 was shipped last Friday. Homer Kuhl made a motion the Code of Ordinance prepared by Municipal Code Corporation be approved as printed. Bill Darby seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Mr. Kuhl stated'the..financial-positi6n for;_the city:f6t.•the next three months_ was critical and urged everyone to cut expenses where possible. Also, that budgets be turned in as soon as possible. Budget meetings will be held next week. Elbert Coalson reported the residents of Pasadena Place requested the city in- stall a "No through traffic" sign at the corner of Pasadena Place and Glendale Circle. Mr. Coalson made a motion "No through traffic" sign be placed at Pasadena Place and Glendale Circle. C. 0. Canada seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Rem Bennett made a motion that all city employees be permitted to have a library card from the city library. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion. During dis- cussion, Jerry Mills stated council had agreed to think about..this for a couple of weeks. Vote on the motion was five for and two against. Homer Kuhl and Jerry Mills voted against the motion. Fire Chief Don Atkinson announced the Emergency Medical Training Course is starting May 17, 1977 at the Vocational School. Twenty has signed up and they state they can take -twenty-five. He asked if any other department would be interested in taking this course. Police Chief Little stated they would take the other five slots. David Granade stated we have a problem of the sign companies turning the flashing signs on during weekends, also the contractors who work only on weekends to avoid paying for a business license. He stated he had talked with the Mayor about taking off.on Wednesdays and working on Saturdays. He also read his request written November 23, 1976 with reference to hiring one full-time employee to work under his direct supervision, to help enforce the sign ordinance. Mr. Kuhl stated we cannot hire anyone at this time. No citizen input. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.