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12-01-1980 Regular MeetingDecember 1, 1980 The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held pursuant to the Charter on December 1, 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, Police Chief R. E. Little, Parks and Recrea- tion Director Bill Johnston, Building Inspector Dan Steely, Civil Defense Director Jim Farley, Superintendent of Water Larry Dunn, and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Jim Hawkins, followed by the pledge to the flag. Citizens Reports: Dick Justice and J. Wallace, representing the Smyrna Jaycees, asked permission to hold an empty stocking road block at the intersections of Spring and Hargrove and Cherokee at Atlanta Road on December 13th and 14th, and also on December. 20th and 21st. They were told to work with Police Chief Little on this project; advising him of the exact times they will be working. Commercial building permits were presented by Inspector Dan Steely and the follow- ing action is recorded: (1) Morrison's Inc. requested a permit to build a Morrison's Cafeteria on Spring Road at an estimated cost of $800,000. The building would be located just west of McDonald's. Plans had been approved by the State Fire Marshal and the Inspections Department. There is a problem with a Cobb County water line running through the property where they want to place the building; however, they are proposing to re- locate the water line to at least 20 feet from the building, and Cobb County has agreed to work with them on the shut -down and reconnections. Elbert Coalson made a motion the permit be approved, subject to the water line being satisfactorily relocated. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. (2) Brawner's Inc —requested a permit to renovate restrooms at their hospital at 3180 Atlanta Road, at an estimated cost of $35,000. Mr. Steely said he was to meet with the State Fire Marshal tomorrow and expected to receive his,approval of the plans. Max Bacon made a motion the permit be approved subject to the approval of the Fire Marshal. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jerry Mills asked Inspector Steely what the regulations were concerning public restroom facilities in business establishments. It was the general consensus that restrooms were required in all business for employee use, but public restrooms were not required unless the business dealt directly with the public. Quit Claim Deed: John Steely said there was a 50 foot right-of-way at the end of Honeysuckle Drive through to Reed Road and the City could never cut the road through. He recommended we quitclaim this right-of-way to,the two property owners on each side. John Steely made a motion this property be'divided equally between Robert A. Bookhammer and Linda Bookhammer, Land Lot 385,yLot 16, and Connie M. Byrd, Land Lot 385, Lot 15, Edgemoore Woods Subdivision,'subject to their granting easements to the City; the quit claim deeds to be prepared by Attorney Charles E. Camp, and any and all cost to be paid by the two property owners. The motion was seconded by Jim Hawkins which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jerry Mills made a motion the minutes of November 3, 1980 be approved as submitted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Elbert Coalson made a motion the minutes of November 10, 1980 be approved as sub- mitted. Jim Hawkins seconded'the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jim Hawkins made a motion"the minutes of November 17, 1980 be approved as submitted. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jerry Mills stated he had a request from Assistant Parks and Recreation Di -rector Sherry Reavis to block Memorial Drive and a part of Church Street during the Christmas Festival of Music and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Thursday, December llth. Jerry Mills made a motion to block Church'Street from Atlanta Road to`King Street and Memorial Place from Atlanta Road to Church Street, from 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on December 11, 1980. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. An invitation was extended to everyone to attend this program. Committee Reports.: (Parks) Director Bill Johnston reported they were sponsoring the "Santa's Calling" program again this year and a seminar on Christmas ornaments. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree and the Music Festival will be December llth. Continued - December 1, 1980 John Steely said they had started something new in Ward 7. Sue Brissey is a part of this project, which has not been named yet. If someone in Ward 7 sees a business, yard, etc., that needs cleaning up, they will contact the owners themselves and try to get some action. John asked all Council to get this started in their wards and help to beautify the City. (Civil Defense -Police) Elbert Coalson said we have been unable to get bids on the bus parked on Dr. Mainor's property. The Police Department is going to have a sale and try to get rid of some of the bicycles, and hopefully the bus will sell then also. The date of the sale is tentatively set.for December 15, 1980. (Purchasing) Elbert Coalson said that several months ago Gunter Newsom handed out some Purchasing Procedures. To date no decision has been made. Mr. Coalson asked all Council to read these procedures, get together and discuss them, so that some action can be taken at the next Council meeting. (Water) Jack Shinall reported that letters requesting proposals on our Sewer System Evaluation Study will go out to the three engineering companies tomorrow. We are requesting these proposals be in by January 15, 1981, which gives them 45 days in which to prepare them. Jack also advised all Council members to contact their Congressmen and Senators and urge the passage of Revenue Sharing. These funds are budgeted, and if they are not received we will really be in a bind. (Inspections) Jim Hawkins said the final plat for Cumberland Corners, located at Matthews and Walker Streets had been approved by City Engineer Jim Mallett and Allen Potter, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, and he made a motion the Mayor be authorized to sign the plat,so that it can be recorded at the Courthouse. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jim Hawkins stated a town meeting was held Monday night to get some input from the business community on the proposed changes in our business license schedule. It was clear that the business people were opposed to the changes, although personally, he still thought the program has some merit. Some points were raised he had not considered, and he thought they were valid points. As a result of this meeting, a committee meeting was held Thursday, in which the Mayor and several Council members attended, and he made the following recommendation: "It is the recommendation of the License and Permit Committee that the proposed changes in the business license schedule, namely the gross receipts method, be tabled for further study. It is also the recommendation_ of this committee that the Mayor appoint a committee of Smyrna businessmen and Councilmen to further study our business license schedule." Jim made a motion the recommendations be approved. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jim Hawkins also stated that Inspector Dan Steely has received his Certification as a Building Inspector, and commended Dan for the good job he has done. (Streets) Jerry Mills stated he was concerned about the delay in the construction of Pasadena Boulevard, through Post Properties, and thought a meeting should be set up with the Commissioners to try to work something out on their part. Jerry said John Williams had been held up in starting construction and it was costing him as well as the City. Mayor Johnson said he certainly concurred, but thought we should wait until the new Commission seats itself. John Steely and Jack Shinall both said they thought a meeting should be set now. Elbert Coalson said we promised Mr. Williams that we would help build the road and we should do it and not wait any longer. Mayor Johnson said the State contract had been returned and he anticipated we would have it in about two weeks,, and suggested we wait until it is received before going to the Commissioners. He has been working on this, trying to get it off dead center. Jack Shinall said he thought we should meet with the Commissioners and get the details worked out, then when we receive the contract, we can go. Jerry said he thought we should set a date to meet with the Commissioners now, and asked the Mayor to set up the meeting. Jerry Mills also said that since we voted to delay the gross receipts business license schedule, we have a $30,000 budget deficit, and asked Elbert Coalson if he was going to call a meeting to make adjustments. Elbert advised he was calling a meeting for Thursday week. Jerry said he had reviewed the water and sewer receipts and thought they might be overstated. Jim Hawkins said he thought the budget should be reviewed. Continued - December 1, 1980 (Employee Benefits) Max Bacon said that since Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on Thursday this year, he recommended city employees be given both Thursday and Friday as holidays, for this year only. The Fire Department employees would be given one (1) shift off and the Chiefs of the Fire and Police Departments would work up their schedules. Max made a motion the Fridays after Christmas Day and New Year's Day.be given to city employees as holidays., Fire Department personnel working on shifts to be given one (1) shift, for this year only. John Steely seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Jim Tolleson stated that Saturday he passed by the triangle at Spring Road and Hargrove and the trees were gone. Several months ago, Turner Advertising made an application to the county to erect a sign at that location --not a sign, but a bill- board. The City of Smyrna had an agreement with Cobb County to use this spot for the Welcome to Smyrna sign. The county understood this triangle was owned by the county, and notified us that Turner Advertising had applied for a permit. They gave us some time to run a title, which we did, because we could not understand why this little triangle was not bought by the State when the street was widened. The title run showed there was a private owner of this .triangle. In my opinion, like a°bunch of rogues, they came in over the weekend and cut trees down after the permit was granted, and I am mad about it. There is nothing we can do about it legally, but we want Turner Advertising to know we don't like it and I intend to do everything I can to keep them from having that billboard. They are ugly, and the City does not need them. In answer to a question, Jim said the billboard was one of the largest that Turner Advertising has. (Sanitation) Jim Tolleson made a motion to extend the date for receiving bids on liners until the next meeting. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote. Announcements: The CMA Christmas Meeting will be December 9, 1980 and the next Council meeting will be December 15, 1980. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. I� I. I♦ I. /. I♦ I• I. I. I♦ I. I♦ I♦ I♦ I♦ I� I. I♦ I. ♦♦ I. I. I♦ I♦ December 15, 1980 The regular meeting of Mayor and Council was held December 15, 1980 in the Council Chambers of Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding officer Mayor Frank Johnson. All Council members were present. Also present was City Attorney Charles Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Police Chief R. E. Little, Fire Chief Don Atkinson, Director of Public Works Jim David, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Johnston, Civil Defense Director Jim Farley, Building Inspector Dan Steely and members of the press. Invocation was given by Elbert Coa-lson, followed by the pledge to the flag. Citizens Reports: Mayor Frank Johnson introduced Virginia Morgan and Gene Weaver with the Smyrna Athletic Association who presented a trophy to Mayor and Council. Ms. Weaver was in charge -of the 85-pound SAA Roadrunner football team cheerleading team and they recently won the Georgia Youth Cheerleading Competition, which is a statewide event. Mr. Morgan introduced her cheerleaders and thanked the City of Smyrna for their cooperation and use of their parks. Hearing: James M. Henson,- Protest of Water Bills Mr.. Henson said that earlier, he had gotten a permit for a sign for. 871 Cherokee Trail that Council did not like, and he thought the City used selective enforcement of the laws of Smyrna. Mayor Johnson reminded Mr. Henson he was here to appeal the paying of water bills, not a sign permit. Mr. Henson said he had no animosity toward Council, but they made it impossible to do business at the sign location. He said his records did not show he owed the water bills and an inquiry to the City's audit firm brought no reply. He did not bring any of his records and had corresponded only by phone and letters: Mr'. Henson was advised to bring his can- celled checks, etc., to the Water Department and they would be glad to check them against our records. Jack Shinall made a motion to continue this hearing at the first meeting in January. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.