08-07-1978 Regular MeetingAugust 7, 1978
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held, pursuant to the Charter
on August 7, 1978 at City Hall, Smyrna, Georgia. The meeting was called to order
by presiding officer Mayor Frank Johnson at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All Council members
were present. Also present was City Attorney Charles Camp, City Clerk Willouise
Spivey, Finance Director Gunter Newsom, Police Chief R. E. Little, Fire Chief Don
Atkinson, Director of Public Works Jim David, Parks and Recreation Director Asa
Howard, Assistant Parks Director Sherry Reavis, City Inspector John Steely, Director
of Civil Defense Jim Farley and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Councilman Jim Hawkins, followed by the pledge to the flag.
Jarelle Bullock, representing the Smyrna Girls Softball Association, thanked the
Smyrna Parks and Recreation Department for giving them the opportunity and helping
them to play in the District and State Tournaments for the Georgia Recreation and
Parks Society. The 13 and 14 year old girls division won the 5th District Champion-
ship. He presented the Championship Trophy to the City and introduced and commended
the girls for their dedication and hard work. Mr. Bullock praised the assistant
coaches and introduced Mrs. Henderson and Sandy Bullock. He reported the 11 and
12 year olds and the 15 to 17 year old girls alsowon the 5th District. Parks and
Recreation Director Asa Howard presented a modification to the trophy which read:
No. 1 Smyrna, Lummus Supply, names of coaches and girls. A picture will be placed
in the trophy case.
Chuck Smart, owner of the Smart Shop at 2688 Atlanta Road, requested a variance
of the Code to enable him to wire his building himself. Mr. Smart was advised to
contact the building inspector.
Bob Boaz of the Study Hall of Smyrna stated the business had been open for about
one week and customers between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. number between
eight and ten. There is no admission charge for these hours. The ordinance calls
for a police officer to be on duty during all hours the hall is open. Officer
Littlejohn has been their officer on duty. Bob Boaz said he and Officer Littlejohn
had discussed the possibility that Mayor and Council might consider lifting the
restriction of an officer on duty between these hours only. His purpose tonight
is to ask Mayor and Council to lift this restriction of requiring an officer to
be on duty between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., with the understanding that at any point it
would be deemed necessary they would- reinstitute the the officer _on duty between
those hours. Chief Little said he had discussed this with Officer Littlejohn and
saw no problem. Jerry Mills made a motion a police officer not be required on duty
at the Study Hall of Smyrna between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., with the
stipulation that should Mayor and Council, the police department, or the owner
find a need, the police officer would again be reinstated. Jack Shinall.seconded
the motion. Vote on the motion was 4-3. Jack Shinall, Jerry Mills, Bill Darby
and Elbert Coalson voted for. Rem Bennett, Jim Tolleson and Jim Hawkins voted
against.
Bob Boaz advised that starting this Tuesday, the Study Hall will have a half-price
night, with the stipulation the children bring a can of food to be distributed
throughout the area to needy citizens. He asked Council to provide them with a
list of the needy as he preferred the help stay inside the City. Mayor Johnson
advised Mr. Boaz to be sure the food was handled correctly, but Council had no
control over this. It was suggested he work with the Civic Clubs.
A large number of citizens were present to protest a political advertisement which
was published in both the Smyrna Neighbor and Marietta Daily Journal. This ad-
vertisement was the copy of a letter of appreciation written to Charlie Jones and
signed by the Mayor and four Councilmen. Three Councilmen knew nothing about the
letter until it was published. Those who signed the letter stated it was only a
letter of appreciation and did not intend for it to be used in a political campaign.
After a lengthy -discussion, apologies were made to all concerned.
Don Lillie presented to Mayor Frank Johnson a crystal jonquil and asked that it
be kept on the Mayor's desk during his administration.
A recess -was called at 8:31 p.m. Reconvened at 8:45 p.m.
Councilman Jim Hawkins commended the Fire Department on its safety record and
presented a plaque to Fire Chief Don Atkinson which read as follows: "FOR NO
VEHICULAR ACCIDENT FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS."
(Continuation of August 7, 1978 Meeting)
Terry Clayton of Jonquil Sporting Goods presented Director of Parks and Recreation
Asa Howard with an Award of Merit in the National Gold Medal,competition. Smyrna
Parks and Recreation Department has won this award for three consecutive years.
Commercial building permits were presented by Inspector John Steely and upon his
recommendation the following action is recorded:
(1) Reese Advertising Company, Inc. requested a permit to install six billboard
signs at different locations in the City. The applications were in compliance
with the Code. After discussion, Elbert Coalson made a motion this request be
tabled until the next meeting in order to check out the locations. Jerry Mills
seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
The business license request of Barry Williams was not brought up again since Mr.
Williams was not present.
Elbert Coalson made a motion we request bids for two (2) remote alarm panels and
necessary associated equipment for the Civil Defense department. Jim Hawkins
seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jerry Mills made a motion the minutes of July 3, 1978 be approved as submitted.
Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. 1.
Jim Hawkins made a motion the minutes of July 17, 1978 be approved as submitted.
Rem Bennett seconded the motion which carried by a 6-0 vote. Jerry Mills ab-
stained since he did not attend the meeting.
Jack Shinall made a motion to request bids for 100 3/4x5 water meters, bids to
be opened at the next council meeting. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which
carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jack Shinall reported that Macon reduced their property -tax by 57% after passing
the 1% sales tax. He requested we meet with the County Commissioners and officials
from the other cities to discuss what might be done to reduce taxes. Mayor Johnson
will check into this and report at the next council meeting.
Jim Hawkins reported the Fire Department patches were purchased from Banner
Uniforms Company, -the low bidder.
Jim Hawkins reported he had met with members of the Smyrna Federated Womans Club.
Their next project is to collect enough Top Value stamps to purchase a van and
present to the City to use as a mobile library. Their question is, will the City
accept the van, cost of insurance, gas, maintenance, etc. It would be at least
two years before the van could be purchased. Jim Hawkins made a motion the City
accept the van, take care of the insurance, cost of maintenance, etc., when it
is presented to us by the Smyrna Federated Womans Club. Jim Tolleson seconded
the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Bill Darby reported the first half 1978 tax bills would be billed off the 1977
digest and should go out by the 15th of September.
Jim Tolleson reported the Parks and Recreation committee met last week with
Leroy Brownlee with reference to King Springs Park. The park should be finished
within thirty days and October 1, 1978 is the date set for -the dedication. Governor
Busbee•has been invited to be guest speaker.
Asa Howard announced that Assistant Director Sherry Reavis was nominated for
Secretary of Georgia Recreation and Parks Society.
There being no other business, meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
August 21, 1978
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held on August 21, 1978
at City Hall, Smyrna, Georgia. The meeting was called to order by presiding
officer Mayor Frank Johnson at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All Council members were present.
Also present was City Attorney Charles Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Finance