10-20-1980 Regular Meeting (2)Continued - October 6. 1980
to wait until next meeting to present a package plan for Council to consider.
Announcements: GMA Fall meeting at the Smith House on October 7th; Jonquil
Breakfast on October 15th and the next Council meeting on October 20th.
Meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
************************
October 20, 1980
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held on October 20, 1980,
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, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Johnston, Assistant
Fire Chief Hubert Cochran, Civil Defense Director Jim Farley, Public Works
Director J. E. David, Police Chief R. E. Little and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Councilman Elbert Coalson, followed by the pledge to
the flag. Mr. Coalson advised that Lt. Jimmy Tidwell of the Fire Prevention
Bureau had suffered a heart attack and Fire Chief Don Atkinson's daughter had
undergone surgery this week, and called on everyone to remember them in their
prayers.
Citizens Reports: Gary Myers, -Past President of the Smyrna Athletic Association
stated he had no complaints about the City but was concerned about statements
made by some council members, that were not factual. He stated that if council
needed any information they;should contact current association members. He
presented a copy of SAA By -Laws, the 1980 proposed budget and a letter addressed
to Parks and Recreation Director Asa Howard dated June 25, 1979. Mr. Myers said
any and all members of council would be welcome to attend the Board meetings.
In answer to a question by Jack Shinall about why he made these comments, Mr.
Myers answered that his presence tonight was in response to a newspaper article
which quoted a council member's comments about the SAA which were not correct.
Jack said he had been misquoted by the papers, that he had worked with the SAA
and his son was now playing ball with them. Jack said his remarks at the last
meeting had reference to all the associations in Smyrna and not just the SAA.
Jerry Mills made a motion to establish a Development Authority for the City of
Smyrna and asked the following Resolution be approved:
WHEREAS, the City of Smyrna will be experiencing significant growth
and development during the next few years;
WHEREAS, this development will benefit all the citizens of Smyrna;
z WHEREAS, it is desirable that this development be controlled and
assisted by the citizens of Smyrna;
WHEREAS, there is a need for a Development Authority in the City of
Smyrna to accomplish the aforementioned purposes;
NOW, THEREFORE be it -resolved that the City of Smyrna has a need for
a Development Authority of the City of Smyrna and it shall
possess all of the powers and responsibilities as set forth
in Chapter 69-15 of the Code of Georgia Annotated.
John Steely seconded the motion. Jim Hawkins stated he had been very excited
about this annexation for some time but did not think the authority was some-
thing we should act on hastily. The Marietta -Cobb County Industrial Authority
is made up of very professional people. They invited us to a meeting and I was
very impressed with them and they had a fine attorney present. They are more
than willing to work with us; therefore, from my personal observance, based on
limited knowledge I have tonight, I can see how we can gain nothing by doing
this when we can avail ourselves to a very professional group that is already
established and who I think will have our best interest at heart, mainly because
the county will gain much more from this project tax -wise than the City of Smyrna.
I did not know that I would be asked to vote on this tonight and I think we are
rushing into this thing. John Steely said we had been talking about this for
Continued - October 20, 1980
six months. Jim Hawkins said he thought it would be a duplicate service. Jerry
Mills said the Smyrna Authority would work together with the Marietta -Cobb County
Authority, and it would be a joint venture. Jim Hawkins said Marietta -Cobb
County Authority was already established and could'get started quicker, and although
we will have probably seven of the best people in Smyrna, they will still be
rookies and they will be undertaking probably the biggest industrial park in
North Georgia. We have professional people who have done industrial developments
before and they say they will handle it in a professional way for us, and I would
rather see them handle it than us handle it. John Steely said they would work
with our Industrial Authority, and as for being rookies, I think the people we
appoint may be rookies as far as an.Industrial Authority Board, but I feel some
people in Smyrna have the highest qualifications to serve on the Board. Jim
Tolleson said he agreed with Jim Hawkins and would like to put it off until the
next meeting, and give us time to talk about and learn more about what is going
on. Elbert Coalson said the Marietta -Cobb County Authority had agreed to do
everything they can to help our authority. Jim Tolleson said he understood the
Marietta -Cobb County Industrial Authority would do it for us, or we would appoint
one, and at this time did not know which would be best for us. Jerry Mills said
all he was asking was to establish the,Authority tonight, not make any appoint-
ments. Jim Hawkins said he did not want to mislead anyone but he did not know
he was going to have to vote on this tonight, and felt that if he was not sure
how to vote, it was better not to vote. Jack Shinall said we had the expertise
to establish an Industrial Authority, to appoint people with experience and
knowledge to handle it. We will have home -town people on the Authority and people
with the best interest of Smyrna at heart. Jim Hawkins said we probably had some
of the most capable people in the county, but not with experience, and if they
were undertaking a small project it might be different. Following a question
from Jim 'Iblleson, Mayor Johnson said there would be seven people to fill this
Board and they would be appointed by Mayor and.Council. Mayor Johnson said it
would be his recommendation that each councilman submit names of appointees, and
they would be interviewed by full Council and selected on their very highest
qualifications to serve. These would be six -year terms, and after a period of
time they would become staggered terms. At the present time, the Cobb County
Industrial Authority does not have anyone from the Smyrna area serving on the
Board. It has been in existence for about seven years; however, it has only
been in the last couple of years that they have became active. In fact, industrial
development itself has only became active in this avenue of funding, tax free
styles, in the last few years. It is a very astute Board that they have, and the
administration is handled by the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce for the Board,
which is something we would have to get into as to how we would actually administer
our Board. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce, as I view their situation, aids and
abets the Cobb County Industrial Authority as they would with ours, because the
one goal of the Chamber of Commerce is to bring.industrial growth into Cobb County.
I feel like even though the Cobb Industrial Authority has the expertise by virtue
of two or three years of experience, that we could gain that experience ourselves.
I do feel like the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and their industry -seeking endeavors
for the county would provide us with the same privilege of client participation
as they.give the Cobb County Development Authority. This tract of land will be
unique in that it will be a park unlike anything that is in the county, and I
have every confidence that the Chamber of Commerce and Cobb Industrial Authority
would give anyone from out of state or out of the country the opportunity to
see our park, who might be seeking an industrial site. I think the one question
is, as I view the conversation around the table and previous to this, is do we
feel like a local Industrial Development Authority would be more beneficial to
our city by virtue of people being more actively involved, living here, and having
the City more at heart and participating in a great way. Certainly, the expertise
can be gained by our local citizens as it has been gained by the County Develop-
ment Authority, so I think that is, the big question. From the standpoint of the
law, they all would conduct themselves in the same manner. Jim Tolleson agreed,
but stated he thought it was too soon. We should wait a week or two and discuss
it at length. Mayor Johnson said he viewed that too, as being a question and
said he would yield that question to Mr. Mills and see whether the possibility
allowed for this to wait or should it be done now. Jim Tolleson said he would
like to know if there were some openings coming on the Cobb County Industrial
Authority so that we may be able to put some of our people on it. Mayor Johnson
said there was an opening coming on the Board by way of Leroy Brock moving, but
that position has either been filled, or promised to be filled. Jerry Mills said
the position had already been filled by Miles Willis, who lives in East Cobb
County. Mayor Johnson said there was a local person to have been appointed, but
that did not materialize, so there is not anyone around this area that serves
on their Board. Vote on the motion carried by a 5-1-1 vote. Voting for was
Jerry Mills, Elbert Coalson, Jack Shinall, John Steely'and Max Bacon. Jim Hawkins
voted against the motion and Jim Tolleson abstained.
ti
Continued - October 20, 1980
Annexation: Woodmere-Jacksonville, Inc. requested annexation of property,
located n Land.Lots 404, 461, 403, 462,1475, 534, 391, 402, 463, 474, 535,
392, 401, 464, 473, 536, 616, 460, 476, 533, 547, 607, 608, 545, 393, 544,
609, 681, 688, 390, 689, 752, and 753 of the 17th District, 2nd Section, Cobb
County, Georgia as described in Exhibit "A" and advertised in the Smyrna Neigh-
bor Newspaper on October 2nd and October 9th, and on file in the office of the
Clerk, City of Smyrna (a copy of said Exhibit "A" being attached and made a'
part of these minutes).
Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone present in opposition to the annexation.
One man from the audience said he was in opposition and Mayor Johnson asked if
he would speak for the group, if there was more than one present. He said he
would allow for discussion from opposition from one party outside the city limits.
He then asked if there were people present who would be in favor of the annex-
ation.
The City Clerk read the application for annexation as follows: "We the under-
signed, who constitute sixty percent (600) of the owners of the land area by
acreage of the area described below which is unincorporated and contiguous to
the City of Smyrna hereby apply to have said area annexed into the City of Smyrna
under the provisions of the Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections 69-904 through
69-912 (Georgia Laws, Acts 1966, Pages 409, 410, 411, 412, 413;�1971, 399;
1976, Pages 1011 1012 said property g
"A".
g pro rt to be annexed being described in Exhibit
Mayor Johnson said this was a public hearing to determine if the City of Smyrna
should enter into the annexation of this piece of property, and if we had any
Opposition to that, it would be heard at this time.
Mr. Ed Praytor, President of the Civitania Woods Civic Association, mailing
address Mableton, Georgia, a citizen of unincorporated Cobb County. Mr. Praytor
thanked Mayor Johnson for giving him the opportunity to speak and also the council-
men for their attention to our concerns which we have expressed from time to time
about this annexation. Mr. Praytor said he thought it was good talking about
lines of communication that we all understand each others points of view. I
understand your point of view and hope that you understand mine and the points
of view of the people I am speaking here for tonight. I am representing my
civic association plus the Nickajack Homeowners.Association, the subdivisions
of Laurel Cliffs and Lake Laurel, subdivisions of Kenwood; the Oakdale Civic
Association and the 200 attendees at a September meeting which was called at
Griffin Middle School to discuss this annexation. I am also representing the
Cobb Community Preservation Association whose chief concern is the roads access
to this property which they feel is.inevitable. For purposes of background, as
most of us know, the property in question, the 1,000 acres, is for the develop-
ment of the Highlands Industrial Park, which has been described in very compli-
mentary terms by Mr. Neal Littman who I see is here tonight and my personal opinion
is that he is sincere in his desire to create a very good type of office and
industrial complex, if he has the financial resources to do so. Certainly the
people who live around and adjacent to the property who are in the subdivisions
and members of the civic associations that I mentioned earlier would support
this sort of development if it were done responsibly; that is, the developer
felt an obligation to the community, if it was closely regulated by the governing
bodies involved, and if the decisions that were made regarding the property were
sensitive to the concerns of the people that are most directly affected. I think
that most would agree that the best possible development of this kind occurs when
there is a balance of power between the developer, whose interests are primarily
financial, the government, whose interests are often financial but are often
tempered by the desires of their constituencies and the public, who must have some
kind of representation in the.bodies that are making the decisions regarding the
property. I ask that you, the City Council, reject this annexation request because
it is in the best interest of the community, not just Smyrna, but the entire area,
that the control, that is the government control over the development of this
property, be within the purview of Cobb County, rather than the City of Smyrna.
I would like to take a few moments to submit to you my reasons for believing that
this is true. I was very interested in the comments of Councilman Hawkins earlier.
I must say that I feel he is very perceptive and that he has put his finger on a
very important point in saying that experience is very, very important in regulating
the development of this size. Should you appoint an Industrial Development
Authority, no matter how sincere and how dedicated the people that live in this
area would be on that authority, they would be learning their jobs. I submit to
you that the place and time to learn is not on a 1,000 acre multi -million dollar
Continued - October 20, 1980
development which will affect this part of the county more than anything that
has ever happened here before. It's just too important. The same kind of logic
applies to zoning and zoning enforcement matters. I think it's important to note
the difference in the resources in zoning and zoning enforcement between your
City of Smyrna and Cobb County. That is, Cobb County currently has seven full-
time zoning employees and two'full-time zoning enforcement personnel. Contrast
this to your own zoning board which I understand is staffed completely by part-
time people. It's also important to note, that the zoning, industrial development,
and enforcement.people in Cobb County have the full resources of the county
engineering department and the roads department in any kind of investigations that
they might want to pursue. Another related issue is the fact that should you
annex this property, you would be responsible for fire and police protection over
a huge area of land, and that you would be required to put in certain physical
plant items ahead of the development of the property, which would be a drain upon
your treasury before you achieve the kind of income, which I am sure you are
expecting in taxes from the land. This means that Cobb County, in my opinion
and the opinion of the people that I have talked to for the last two months
concerning this, is the only local governing authority with the capacity to
adequately monitor and service this development, and I think that if you look
into your hearts you will probably agree with me. I think that Councilmen Hawkins
and Tolleson were at least being honest with us when they expressed their concerns.
They are obviously pretty good businessmen. Another issue is political repre-
sentation. The way this property is being annexed, the people most directly
affected by what goes on there are excluded specifically from representation on
this council. I am sure that each of you want to do what is best in your jobs,
but there might be an honest difference of opinion between you and me as to what's
best for my subdivision, my neighbors, and these other subdivisions that live
around me. If you are concerned only with your constituencies in the City of Smyrna,
then we will not receive fair political representation in this process; that is,
in zoning and other matters that inevitably come up on this kind of development.
Another issue is the issue of cooperation with Cobb County. This development has
to have the cooperation of the county to succeed. It will have to have entry
and egress on roads which are yet to be built. It will have to have water,
sewage, power, and so forth, and I submit to you that in establishing an Industrial
Development Authority in the City of Smyrna, that you will simply insert another
barrier into the effective functioning of government; that is, two development
authorities, two governing bodies trying to cooperate with one another to try to
work out something concerning this development, when one would more than suffice.
Another issue is that we have been doing our homework on this development since
the last meeting and I have, and many others have, a grave concern about the
legality of this annexation. You might want to consider the implications of an
annexation which may or may not stand -the test of law. In summary, I would like
to say that it is not a good idea to annex this property because Smyrna doesn't
have the resources, because political representation is lacking for the people
who need the representation the most, that cooperation is necessary with Cobb
County anyway, so let them do it, and that you would not want to annex something,
if in fact, the letter of the law had not been followed in the annexation. It's
necessary that there be an equal interplay between the developer, the government,
and the people, to make this thing work. Speaking for the people that live
around there, we are certainly willing to work with the developer, we are certainly
willing to work with the county, but we are not willing to work with the City
of Smyrna because we just don't feel that it's a good idea. Thank you for your
kind attention, and I will be glad to entertain any questions that you have at
this time.
Elbert Coalson stated that the citizens of this city also pay county taxes, and
therefore we would be expecting a little help from the county. Mr. Praytor said
he was sure that the county would be forthcoming in whatever they were asked
to give.
Jim Hawkins thanked Mr. Praytor for his kind remarks but stated he hoped he had
not led him to believe that he was opposed to this annexation. He said he had
been very excited from the beginning about the possibilities of this annexation.
Jim said he.did feel however, what Mr. Praytor eluded .to in the overlapping of
the two authorities might create a problem. Jim said this property has been
zoned for some time -- industrial -- and was zoned by the county. His feeling
was that this property will develop whether it is in the City of Smyrna or the
county. Mr. Praytor said they believed that also. Jim.said for us to pass up
an opportunity to get this property into our city limits would be a mistake
because it does not happen very often. Jim said he could assure Mr. Praytor
and the people he represented that as long as he was on this council that every-
thing that could possibly be done to protect the homeowners would be done and that
great care would be taken by whoever develops it to protect their best interest.
Continued - October 20, 1980
Mr. Praytor asked Jim Hawkins if he had had an opportunity to review the zoning
that was done by Cobb.County in 1975. Jim said he had seen the map on it, but
couldn't tell him haw each land lot lies; however, he did know that it was zoned
heavy industrial. Mr. Praytor asked if he was aware of a set of protective
covenants and restrictions placed on that property when it was zoned in 1975.
Jim replied he had not.
Mr. Praytor asked Jim Hawkins.if he would care to comment on whether or not he
would support retaining those covenants in the zoning should Smyrna annex the
property. Jim said by law, we had to when we annexed property from the county,
take it with the same zoning classification, or as close as possible to our own
classifications and thought we would be required to take those covenants. Mr.
Praytor said he was glad to hear him say that. Jim stated that was his opinion --
anytime in the past when we have annexed property it had come in under the same
zoning classification and if we don't have the exact zoning classification we put
it_. in the one closest to it, all covenants to apply.
Mayor Johnson said as he understood it, Mr. Praytor did not object to the
development of the property, he only had an objection to the City of Smyrna doing
the development. Mr. Praytor stated that was correct. Mayor Johnson said that
would be an obvious conclusion to him, since he was a county person, not in the
City, and that he probably felt a closer allegiance to.the county than he would
the City. Mr. Praytor said from a political representation standpoint, that
was true.
Jack Shinall told Mr. Praytor they pride themselves around the table as being
one of the most responsive councils to their citizens. They are responsible �
to the citizens and are responsible to the community as a whole. Cobb County's
expertise fails in some areas and is excellent in some areas. They zoned a piece
of property and issued a liquor license in the City of Smyrna and they had no
right to do it, so everybody makes mistakes. But, I believe this is in the best
interest of the City. Mr. Praytor said it's true that no one is perfect and he
was very aware of that. But it was.also true that there is, in -matters such as
this, a room for honest differences of opinion as to what is responsible and that
was his point. Yours might not agree with mine particularly if I were not in
your ward for instance. Jack Shinall said there was one thing about it, and
that is if the annexation goes through, the people next to it would be welcome
to come into the City.
Mayor Johnson asked if anyone else wished to speak. John Steely made a motion
that Woodmere-JacksonvillQ, Inc. property located in land lots described as in
Exhibit "A" and advertised and read by the City Clerk be annexed into the City
of Smyrna and made a part of Ward 7. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which
carried by a 7-0 vote.
Public Hearing, Revenue Sharing: Mayor Johnson advised we have some projected
expenditures for this year's budget. It is also a fact we will be projecting
our income as far as Revenue.Sharing. At this point, Revenue Sharing has not
been approved; it will come back to the U.S. Congress in November, and with a
lame duck Congress, we have no idea what will happen to Revenue Sharing. It
seems that if some people running for Congress intended to vote for Revenue
Sharing they would have done so in order to gain the favor of local citizens
living in cities throughout the United States. Since they did not do that,
and it will come back after election, certainly we do not feel that it will be
voted on as a political question. This puts us in a very precarious position
of budgeting our expenditures. We will hold the hearing tonight and if the funds
become available they will be adjusted to the expenditure amounts listed. He
asked Council that until we know what funds we will get from Revenue Sharing
to please not ask for a vote on any expenditure to be paid from Revenue Sharing.
Gunter Newsom read a projected list of expenditures to be funded from Revenue
Sharing as follows: -'
Streets Department: $ 9,500
Sanitation Department: 25,000
Library:
21,832
Fire Department:
12,249
Parks & Recreation:
25,058
Data Processing:
4,300
Police Department:
361400
$134,339 Total - Capital Requests
Continued - October 20, 1980
Elbert Coalson made a motion the Revenue Sharing budget be approved. Jim Tolleson
seconded the motion which carried.by a 7-0 vote. Jim Hawkins said the budget
was available to anyone upon request. There were no questions.
Jim Hawkins advised there were no commercial building permit requests.
Jack Shinall made a motion to request bids for six hundred (600) residential
water meters, with and without trade-in. Elbert Coalson seconded the motion
which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Jim Tolleson made a motion to request bids on one (1) packer body, to be opened
at the November 3, 1980 meeting. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried by
a 7-0 vote.
Jack Shinall said that two years ago we requested bids on a jet machine and
found it was much too expensive. We are spending about $8,500 a year in material
and renting of this machine for our sewer lines. Jack Shinall made a motion we
again request bids on a sewer jet machine. The approximate cost was $18,000 and
it might now be out of our price range. It would pay for itself in approximately
two and one-half years. Jerry Mills said it would save on sewer aid and prevent
damages to the lines. Jerry seconded the motion which carried by a vote of 7-0.
Committee Reports: (Sanitation) Jim Tolleson said we were completely out of
underground garbage can liners and made a motion to purchase 50 liners at a
cost of $2,500. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 7-O.vote.
Jim advised the trash unit was in place at the city dump, and city residents are
welcome to use it.
(Employee Benefits) In answer to an inquiry. by Max Bacon,. Gunter Newsom advised
that about fifteen people had signed up for the deferred compensation and should
be implemented within the next two or three weeks. Max said he had met with the
department heads and discussed additional benefits for all employees. Hopefully
something.can be worked out between now and the first of the year.
(Fire Department) Fire Marshal Jim Tidwell had a heart attack and is in Smyrna
Hospital and Chief Don Atkinson's daughter is home after surgery.
Max Bacon said he had given all Council a copy of the leave policy for the Fire
Department he wants to get adopted tonight. Max said this policy defines for
the 56-hour work week employees, sick leave, vacation leave and something they
have not had before, holidays. Max made a motion the following leave package
be adopted, to be effective January 1, 1981:
ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE FOR 56-HOUR A WEEK FIRE PERSONNEL
The following regulations on the administration of this leave plan shall be
applicable to all employees under the Smyrna Fire Department and shall be
effective immediately and until amended by the Mayor and Council of the City
of Smyrna.
1. VACATION LEAVE - Firemen shall accrue vacation leave as follows:
1 -
10 years
- 5
full
shifts
10 -
20 years
- 8
full
shifts
20 -
25 years
- 10
full
shifts
25 -
or more
- 12
full
shifts
A. All vacations shall be scheduled in advance and approved by the
Fire Chief.
B. -Employee may not be paid in lieu of taking vacation.
C. Vacation leave will accrue to the credit to the employee only when
they are in a leave -with -pay status, such as_annual, sick, court.
D. Employee serving a probationary period on an original appointment
shall be eligible for one week of vacation leave after completing
6 months continuous employment with the Fire Department.
E. Any employee who retires, resigns, or who has been laid off or
dismissed shall be entitled to all accrued annual leave as of the
date of separation.
2. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave with pay is not a right but a privilege granted by
the City of Smyrna. Each fireman shall be entitled to sick leave with pay
after satisfactory corrpletion of probationary period. Sick leave credit
Continued -.October 20, 1980
shall accrue to the employee at a rate of one-half a shift (12 hours) per
month or six full shifts per year.
Sick leave is for actual sickness or disability of the employee resulting
from causes beyond the employee's control; illness of a member of the
employee's immediate family that would require the employee's personal
care and attention. A fireman on sick leave shall inform his Captain of
the fact and the reason as soon as possible and failure to do so within a
reasonable time may be cause for denial of pay for the period of absence.
The Chief or the Assistant Chief may require a doctor's certificate before
approving sick leave with pay. However, a doctor's certificate is mandatory
if a fireman calls in sick before or after scheduled vacation days or
holidays. The Chief may establish a restricted sick leave policy for those
employees who abuse their sick leave. If a fireman is placed on restricted
sick leave,_he will be required to present medical documentation for any
sick leave taken. A fireman will remain on restricted sick leave until such
time that his sick leave has improved. He will remain on restricted sick
leave for not less than six months.
If a fireman during the course of a calendar year does not use any sick
leave, he may convert one of his six days he has accrued to a holiday and
may take that day the following year. Upon separation from the -City, all
sick leave credits shall be.cancelled and shall not be paid except for
employees being separated because of disability retirement'or death. In
the event of death, the fireman's immediate family shall be paid for up to
30 days of accrued sick leave.
Absenteeism, dependability and particularly unwarranted sick leave'will,be
considered in each employee's annual review.
3. HOLIDAY - Fire Department employees except probationary employees shall
receive four full -shifts of holiday leave. 'These holidays shall be scheduled
in,advance so�..as not.to impair the safety and operation of the department
with the approval of the Fire Chief and may not be carried over from year
to year.
Probationary employees shall be granted one full shift of holiday leave for
each 90 day period of employment during the calendar year, provided no
partial 90 day period shall be counted in the accrual of said leave.
John Steely seconded the motion. Jerry Mills said he had no problem with vacation
and sick leave, but did have problems regarding the holidays. Max stated we
were the only municipality in the metro area that did not give holidays for
firemen. Jerry commended Max for the work he has done on this, but due to the
financial crisis of the City and the fact we cannot give all employees additional
benefits at this time, he is against singling out one department to receive
additional benefits. Jerry said he had presented a 12-hour shift day, 4 days on
and 2 days off, and they could be given 8 holidays under a schedule of that
nature. They work now, 4 months out of 12, working 24 hours on and 48 hours off.
Due to the financial status of the City he said he would have to vote against the
holidays.
Jim Hawkins said he worked on this when he was Chairman of the Fire Department
and the firemen put in more hours than any other city employees. Even if they
do sleep while on duty, they are there if needed, and he would vote for the
holidays. John Steely expressed the same comments and said a fireman has one
of the most hazardous jobs in the nation and he would vote for the holidays.
Jack Shinall said that all the employees of the City are deserving of additional
benefits, and now our Fire Department is staff critical. The absentee rate has
placed us .in this staff critical position and he is concerned that if the
absentee rate continues, and we go with the holidays, will we have the effective
number of personnel on duty to fight fires. Each councilman as well as the City
can be held accountable if we put the citizens in jeopardy. Elbert Coalson
asked Max if granting the holidays would require more employees. Max said that
there had been an absentee problem which had been corrected and additional
personnel would not be needed. Vote on the motion to approve the leave and
holiday package carried by a 5-2 vote. Jim Tolleson, Max Bacon, Jim Hawkins,
Elbert Coalson and John Steely voted for. Jerry Mills and Jack Shinall voted
against.
Continued - October 20, 1980
Jerry Mills made a motion the Fire Department be put on a•four (4) day on, two
(2) days off, 12 hours shifts, the proposal he presented to the Chairman of the
Fire Department, which included eight holidays. Jack Shinall seconded the motion.
Max Bacon said the proposal was given to the Fire Committee but the majority did
not accept it. Jerry said the total number of hours per year would be the same,
only the shifts would be changed. Elbert Coalson made a motion to table this
motion for further study. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a
4-3 vote. Max Bacon, Jim Hawkins, Elbert Coalson, and John Steely voted for.
Jim Tolleson, Jerry Mills and Jack Shinall voted against.
Max Bacon said there was an article in the paper which said that Chief Atkinson
and Assistant Chief Cochran were probably against granting holidays for the
firemen. Max said this was not -true, and if these two had not been for the
holidays, they would never have been approved.
Jerry Mills said that Ward Street was caving in and read a letter from Jim
David stating the cost to repair this street was $6,017.55. Jim had talked with
a representative of the Department of Transportation about the pipe. They might
can help us under the assistance program. Jerry asked if council wanted to
approve this expense or wait on the State, but we did have a hazardous situation.
Jerry Mills made a motion we approve this expense to be paid from State Grants,
and try to get the money from the State at a later date. Max Bacon seconded
the motion which carried by a•7-0 vote. The cost of the pipe alone is $2,631.
Jim Hawkins advised the rough draft on the business license changes has been
made and he would like to meet with the License Committee on Thursday at 6:00
p.m., at City Hall, before it is presented to full Council.
Jack Shinall advised the.Water Committee met on the sewer system evaluation
study and the 201, and hopes to come back with a recommendation and get underway
within the next 30 days.
Elbert Coalson read an Ordinance change, Chapter'13, Mobile Hanes and Travel
Trailers. He asked each councilman to study this ordinance change and he will
ask that it be voted on at the next meeting.
Elbert Coalson said he had seen in the paper where we had one million dollars
in the bank. Actually, what we have is $966,889, less tax anticipation loans
of $650,000, reserved for 1954 bonds $85,000, reserved for Pasadena Blvd. project
$100,000, reserved for Pasadena water project $120,000. That is $955,000,
leaving us, out of the million dollars, $11,889.
John Steely thanked SAA for their comments and commended all the associations
for the good job they are doing with our kids. A free swim will be at King
Springs Pool on Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 and Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30. The
last day for swimming is Sunday, November 2nd. The Halloween Carnival is Friday,
October 31st at Cobb Center Mall from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
John Steely said he had a problem with the Willowbrook pump station, also
Highview pump station. Raw sewerage is being dumped into the creek. We
desperately need to renovate the pump stations. He asked Jim David to check
these problems and give an estimate of the cost to renovate the stations and
eliminate these problems.
John Steely read a Resolution concerning the use of city vehicles, and stated
it would be voted on at the next council meeting.
Jerry Mills stated he spoke with our auditor today who stated there is $380,000
in Water Revenue we are free to use, $220,000 in the General Fund we are free
to use, the remainder of the one million is reserved for bonds.
Jim Tolleson advised he had not forgotten about the Highland Drive pump station
and was negotiating with the county to get this problem solved.
Jack Shinall said he had the same problem with an apartment complex,•located
in the county, dumping sewerage in a creek running back of his house.
Jack Shinall said he thought the SAA could look back and find that he had
supported them on everything that has came before this board, they are a vital
group in this city, a very needed group, and I for one feel very bad that any
erroneous information was released. My child participates in the league, the
coaches are very good and the SAA does a good job, and he thanked them for
their work.
Continued - October 20, 1980
Mayor Johnson advised a few months ago Mr. Steinmetz, owner of the Depot,
remodeled and did a beautiful job. Just a few weeks ago the Smyrna Hospital
bought the Dr. Mitchell building and did a beautiful job in remodeling it. We
should thank these owners for the improvements made.
Announcements: Cobb County Earlybird Breakfast will be the 23rd and the next
council meeting will be November 3; 1980.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
F B. JOHNSON, MAYOR WI1LOUISE SPIVEY, CITY RK
AMES E. TOLLES , WARD 1
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