12-15-1980 Regular MeetingContinued - 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.
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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.
Continued - December 15, 1980
The location of the second water bill was 2650 Carolyn Drive. Mr. Henson said he
notified the Water Department to discontinue service in his name as of April, 1979.
He leased the house to the Lei'thausers on May 1, 1979. Jack Shinall asked Mr.
Henson if he was familiar with ou.r ordinance which holds the property owner respon-
sible for unpaid bills. He said he notif.ied the City to discontinue service. Jack
Shinall made a motion to continue this hearing until the first meeting in January
in order to.recheck all- records. Elbert Coal.son seconded the.motion which carried
by a 7-0 vote.
Variance: Maltese Signs requested a variance of the sign ordinance to erect a
marquee -type sign on Cobb Parkway for Lake Cumberland Apartments. Jim Hawkins made
a motion the variance be granted. Jim.Tolleson seconded the motion which carried
by a 7-0 vote.
Zoning: Mr. Walt Hopkins requested rezoning of property located at 1326 Concord
Road from F.C. to L.C. for a realty office. Mr. Hopkins was present and said his
plans were to construct a 2-story office building totaling 2400 square feet, with
approximately 1.5 parking spaces. .The Planning and Zoning Board had recommended the
rezoning by a 3-1. vote, with one abstention. Mr. Eugene.Rice, 3046 Lee Street was
in -opposition because he did not want any curb cuts on Lee Street. Max Bacon made
a motion that the property at 1326 Concord Road located in LL 558, 17th District,
2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia, beginning at a poi'nt being the intersection of
the east side of Lee Street and.the south side of Concord Road (formerly Love Street)
running thence east 89 degrees, 22 minutes for 80.55 feet, then south 1 degree, 30
minutes for 113.75 feet, then south 80 degrees, 29 minutes., 30 seconds for 81.03
feet to Lee Street, then north 1 degree, 21 minutes for 128.00 feet and the point
of beginning, be rezoned from .Future Commercial.to Limited Commercial with the
stipulation that there be no curb cuts on Lee Street. Jim Hawkins seconded the
motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Zoning: Concept Warehouses, Inc., 618 Smyrna Roswell Road requested rezoning from
General Commercial to Office/Distribution to.construct mini warehouses. The appli-
cant Robert Peters was present and said they had 2.8 acres and planned to build a
mini warehouse storage facility of approximately 51,000 square feet. There will
be one entrance from Smyrna Roswell Road and a fire exit from Hawthorne Road. The
Planning and Zoning Board had recommended the rezoning. There was no opposition.
Jim Tolleson made a motion this property be rezoned from G.C. to O.D. Max Bacon
seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.'
Variance: Robert Peters, Concept Warehouses, Inc. at 618 Smyrna Roswell Road had
requested a variance to build an apartment/office on the premises, but asked that
this issue be withdrawn.
There were no commercial building permits to bring before Council.
Planning and Zoning Board Appointments: Jim Tolleson made a motion that W. D.
McCoy be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Board, representing Ward 1. John
Steely seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Max Bacon made a motion that Dan Scoggins, 3234 Ann Road be appointed to the Planning
and Zoning Board, representing Ward 2. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried
by a 7-0 vote.
Jim Hawkins made a motion that Jack Strickland be reappointed to the Board to
represent Ward 4. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
John Steely made a motion that Gene Jernigan be reappointed to the Board, representing
Ward 7. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson said he felt it was necessary that the City continue its membership
in the Georgia Municipal Association and made a motion that annual membership dues
for 1981 be paid, in the amount of $2,764.61. John Steely seconded the motion which
carried by a 7-0 vote.
Elbert Coalson made a motion that the discussion of adopting a purchasing procedures
plan be tabled. Jerry Mills seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
Committee Reports: Jim Tolleson said he had written the Cobb County Commissioners
saying, basically, that the City does not approve of the sign that is being erected
on Hargrove at Spring Road and urged them to adopt a sign ordinance similar to ours.
Continued - December 15, 1980
(License & Permits) Jim Hawkins said his committee had met and made a motion that
the business license schedule for 1981 be adopted at the same rate as 1980. John
Steely seconded the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
(Finance & Administration) Elbert Coalson read a letter addressed to the Mayor
from Gunter E. Newsom, Director of Finance & Administration, tendering his resig-
nation to become effective December 17, 1980. Mr. Coalson said he appreciated Mr.
Newsom for the good that he has done the City and he has been an asset, and made
a motion that the resignation be accepted. John Steely seconded the motion which
carried by a 7-0 vote. Jim Tolleson said he would like to give authority to the
Mayor to discuss the number of days severance pay due Mr. .Newsom and make his
recommendation to Council. John Steely said that his accumulated sick leave and
vacation would amount to approximately 30 days, and Jerry Mills made a motion that
Mr. Newsom be given 30 days pay from the date of resignation. Elbert Coalson seconded
the motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
(Police) Chief Little reported a date for the sale of surplus equipment has not
been set, but it would have to be on a Saturday. The sale must be advertised in
the newspaper in a sufficient size and type to be easily read and understood.
Elbert Coalson made a motion that bids be let for four (4) new patrol cars for the
Police Department to be paid from Revenue Sharing funds. Jerry Mills seconded the
motion. Chief Little said it would be January or February before we would know who
had the State contract, and didn't feel we could hold out that long on ordering.
These cars were approved in the 1980-81 budget. Mayor Johnson asked Chief Little
to check with the State and determine the status of the,contract letting. Vote on
the motion to submit bids carried by a 7-0 vote.
(Parks) John Steely thanked Bill Johnston and Sherry Reavis for the fine job they
did at the Christmas Tree Lighting and also Noel Roberts for the music program.
John Steely made a motion that we request bids for two used vehicles for the Parks
Department, to be opened the second meeting in January. Max Bacon seconded the
motion which carried by a 7-0 vote.
John Steely said he had received a complaint about the speed limit on Concord Road
being raised to 45 miles per hour. John said you cannot travel safely at 45 miles
per hour.on Concord•Road from South Cobb Drive to Atlanta Road. John said he had
already written the State concerning the speed limit on North Cooper Lake Road.
Concord Road is not in his ward, but asked the councilmen within that ward to
look into the situation. Jim Hawkins said the speed limit was raised to 45 to
enable the Police Department to use radar on that road. Chief Little said the
Department of Transportation makes a survey of roads where we would like to use
radar and then they check the average speed on that street to determine what they
think is a safe speed.
Announcements: Next Council meeting January 5, 1981 and the Jonquil Breakfast on
December 17th which is being sponsored by our city.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
RANK B. JOHNSON, AYOR
J 'MES E. TOLLESON, WARD 1
WILLOUISE C. SPIVEY, CI CLERK
MAX BACON, WARD 2
RY MI WARD 3 J61
A ES M. HAWKINS, WARD
K SHINALL, WARD 5 ELBERT R. COALSON, WARD
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