2024-01-29 January 29, 2024 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - SIGNED - LFCity Council Meeting Action Summary - Final
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
A Max Bacon City Hall
Council Chambers
2800 King Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
January 29, 2024
7:00 PM
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
Roll Call
Derek Norton, Mayor
Tim Gould, Mayor Pro Tern (Ward 6)
Glenn Pickens (Ward 1)
Latonia P. Hines (Ward 2)
Travis Lindley (Ward 3)
Charles "Corkey" Welch (Ward 4)
Susan Wilkinson (Ward 5)
Rickey N. Oglesby, Jr. (Ward 7)
City Attorney Scott Cochran
City Administrator Joseph Bennett
City Clerk Heather K. Peacon-Corn
Present: 8 —Mayor Derek Norton, Councilmember Glenn Pickens, Councilmember
Latonia P. Hines, Councilmember Travis Lindley, Councilmember
Charles Welch, Councilmember Susan Wilkinson, Mayor Pro Tem /
Councilmember Tim Gould, Councilmember Rickey N. Oglesby, Jr.
Also Present: 1 —Jeffrey Tucker
Staff: 4—Joe Bennett, Jill Head, Dat Luu, and Heather Peacon-Corn
2. Call to Order
3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
A. Dr. Jeff Pennington, Smyrna First Baptist Church (1275 Church St)
4. Agenda Changes
5. Mayoral Report
A. Smyrna Education Foundation Report and Check Presentation from JRM
Management
Bill Watson, JRM Management, thanked the City for being a partner. He also thanked
Kevin Drawe at Atkins Park for being a part of this. Last year, they were able to raise
$11,000.00. This year, they were able to raise $15,000.00. Mr. Drawe thanked Barb
Allen and said they are very proud to be a part of this group.
Barb Allen, Smyrna Education Foundation, stated this is the 14th year that this
foundation has been in existence. The success has been in part because of the
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January 29, 2024 City of Smyrna 2800 King street SE
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Council Chambers
partnership with the City, JRM, and now Atkins Park. They offer mini grants in the fall,
education grants in the spring, scholars essay contest in the spring.
it. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS
Public comment during this portion of the Agenda must be limited to matters on the Agenda for action. If you wish to be
heard, please sign up with the City Clerk, come to the podium when called by the Mayor, state your name and address for
the record and make your remarks. The time allotted for each speaker is as follows: Public Hearing - Five (5) Minutes
6. Proclamations and Presentations
A. PRC2024-002 Proclamation in Recognition of Resiliency Week, February 5-9, 2024
Ward 2 Councilmember - Latonia P. Hines
Councilmember Latonia P. Hines read and presented the following proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SMYRNA
In Recognition of Resiliency Week
February 5-9, 2024
Whereas: every person is born with the capacity to become resilient, yet we must all
strengthen our knowledge, skills, and capacity to process and overcome challenges;
and
Whereas: many individuals in Cobb County are exposed to various forms of trauma,
stresses, physical and emotional burdens and challenges, which can vary based on
context and the different circumstances faced by individuals across our county; and
Whereas: understanding our feelings, developing coping skills, and interacting with
others in a healthy way are opportunities for growth; and
Whereas resilience is the quality that carries us forward to adapt and recover from
adversity and from the impacts of stress and trauma; and
Whereas: Cobb Collaborative engages with partners and works across our community
to provide education, resources and tools to help individuals cope with challenges,
manage stress and make healthy choices to build their resilience; and
Whereas: the City of Smyrna recognizes the importance of resilience and that the key
to a stronger, healthier and more connected future for the residents of our city lies in
promoting supportive relationships and resilience; Now
Therefore: I, Derek Norton, Mayor of the City of Smyrna, Georgia do hereby proclaim
February 5-9, 2024 as Resiliency Week in Smyrna, Georgia, and call upon our
citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and
schools to commit to increasing awareness and understanding of resiliency and
promoting supportive relationships.
Irene Barton, Cobb Collaborative, came forward and introduced three of the board
members: Jesus Martinez (President, Peach Tree Capital), Alison Curtis (Cobb &
Douglas Public Health), and Barry Smith (Executive Pastor, First Christian Church of
Mableton). She also introduced two of her colleagues: Kaitlyn Ball (Director of
Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships) and Lesleigh Knotts (Mental Health Program
Coordinator). They will host a Resiliency Retreat at the Reed House on February 9,
2024. I I
Community Development Items { 1
Privilege License and Show Cause Hearing
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January 29, 2024 City of Smyrna 2800 King Street SE
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Council Chambers
9. Formal Business
A. AGR2024-003 2024 Renewal of the Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement
and authorize the Mayor to sign and execute all related documents.
Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, provided the following background:
In times of disasters a municipality's personnel and resources can quickly become
overwhelmed. In these situations, cites and counties rely on their neighboring
jurisdictions or other state municipalities to assist. The Statewide Mutual Aid and
Assistance Agreement serves as formal consent to offer assistance to other Georgia
cities or counties in time of disaster, if able. It should be noted that this agreement in
no way requires the City of Smyrna to provide personnel or resources to municipalities
in times of disaster. This agreement is filed with the Georgia Emergency Management
Agency and is on a four-year renewal cycle. Smyrna Fire Department recommends
approval.
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve item AGR2024-003,
seconded by Councilmember Latonia P. Hines.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 7 — Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember
Lindley, Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Mayor
Pro Tern / Councilmember Gould, Councilmember Oglesby
Nay: 0 — None
Recuse: 0 — None
B. ATH2024-025 Approval to amend the FY 2024 adopted budgets of the General
Fund CIP (Fund 370) to increase Miscellaneous Revenue for the
reimbursement payment from Smyrna Little League and establish a new GF
CIP project for the Chuck Camp Batting Cages in the amount of $85,000 and
the American Rescue Plan Fund (ARPA) to allocate additional funding in the
amount of $332,000 for project overuns in the Brinkley Park Improvements
($141,000), Lattanzi Field Improvements project ($130,000), and the Chuck
Camp Storage Building project ($61,000).
Citywide
Joe Bennett, City Administrator, provided the following background:
The City plans to contract with Smyrna Little League for reimbursement for the
reconstruction of the batting cages at Chuck Camp Park. The batting cages were
removed for the construction of the new storage building at Chuck Camp. The City will
handle the project, and Smyrna Little League will reimburse the City. Estimated cost of
this project is $85,000.
We have several ARPA fund projects that have already or will exceed the budget
established during the budget process. Parks and Recreation has provided estimates
for the amount needed to complete these projects. We need to add $141,000 to
Brinkley Park Improvements, $130,000 to Lattanzi Field Improvements, and $61,000
to the Chuck Camp Storage Building projects.
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January 29, 2024 City of Smyrna 2800 King Street SE
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Council Chambers
Councilmember Charles Welch made a motion to approve item ATH2024-025;
seconded by Councilmember Susan Wilkinson.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 7 — Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember
Lindley, Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Mayor
Pro Tern / Councilmember Gould, Councilmember Oglesby
Nay: 0 — None
Recuse: 0 — None
10. Consent Agenda
Councilmember Travis Lindley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented;
seconded by Councilmember Latonia P. Hines.
The motion to approve carried with the following vote:
Aye: 7 — Councilmember Pickens, Councilmember Hines, Councilmember Lindley,
Councilmember Welch, Councilmember Wilkinson, Mayor Pro Tern I
Councilmember Gould, Councilmember Oglesby
Nay: 0— None
Recuse: 0— None
A. MIN2024-011 Approval of the January 11, 2023 Committee of the Whole
Meeting Minutes
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
B. MIN2024-012 Approval of the January 16, 2024 Pre -Council Meeting Minutes
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
C. MIN2024-013 Approval of the January 16, 2023 Mayor and Council Meeting
Minutes
Citywide
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
D. 2024-026 Approval of the use of Council Chambers for the Creatwood at
Vinings HOA meeting on February 18, 2024 from 6:OOPM - 7:30PM
Ward 1 Councilmember- Glenn Pickens
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
E. 2024-027 Approval of the use of Council Chambers for Concord Lake Village
HOA meeting, February 11, 2024, 4:OOpm - 5:30pm
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January 29, 2024 City of Smyrna 2800 King Street SE
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Council Chambers
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
F. ATH2024-014 Approval for Atkins Park and Zucca through Redbird Events to
hold the 21 st Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration(s) - two days of St. Patrick's
Day themed festival - in the Market Village taking place in 2024 on Saturday,
March 16 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (outdoor music ending at 10:00
p.m.), and Sunday, March 17 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (outdoor music
ending at 10:00 p.m. - with setup beginning on the afternoon of Friday, March
15 and all event/festival items removed or out of sight by midnight, Sunday,
March 17 for pickup on Monday, March 18, 2024 along with approval for Atkins
Park and Zucca to operate alcohol sales in the festival area, beyond their
respective business premises.
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
G. ATH2024-016 Authorization of street closures of the Upper Market Village
(around the fountain area), as well as the use of the street and center
landscape section along W. Spring Street from Atlanta Road to King Street for
the 2024 Annual Pride Festival by Smyrna is Fabulous, on Saturday, June 22,
2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
H. ATH2024-018 Approval of the Smyrna Little League Opening Day Parade on
Saturday, March 16, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. with rolling road closures and
police presence from Campbell Middle School to Brinkley Park following the
attached route map.
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda.
ATH2024-022 Authorization of street closures, including portions of the Market
Village, for the Atlanta Track Club Members 10k on Saturday, March 9, 2024,
from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This item was approved on the Consent Agenda
BCA2024-005 Approval of the Appointment of Ward 3 resident, Mr. Matt
Anderson, to the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Board. This is a two-year term to
expire December 31, 2025.
Ward 3 Councilmember— Travis Lindley
This it was approved on the Consent Agenda.
11. Ward and Staff Reports
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January 29, 2024 City of Smyrna 2800 King Street BE
7:00 PM Mayor and Council Meeting Council Chambers
Councilmember Latonia P. Hines reminded all about the Black History Month dinner on February
23, 2024. 0
Councilmember Travis Lindley stated it was a privilege to represent the city and the Mayor at the
debt retirement celebration at the Highpoint Christian Tabernacle.
Councilmember Rickey N. Oglesby, Jr. wished Smyrna Little League participants and those
playing softball a successful spring season. And he also extended his well wishes to those part of
track club who will be starting their season as well.
III. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Public comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council. No
subject may be acted upon by the City Council unless that subject is on the agenda and is scheduled for action. If you wish
to be heard, please sign up with the City Clerk, come to the podium when called by the Mayor, state your name and address
for the record and make your remarks. The time allotted for each speaker is as follows: Public Comment - Three (3)
Minutes
12. Public Comment
Jermaine Owens (1285 S Lea Ct, Ward 6) discussed concerns about not feeling his council
member has reached out to his community. He also expressed concern that there has not
been a lot of recognition or activities for Black History Month, and that tonight was the first time
he heard about the celebration dinner. He also expressed concern about accessibility to
playgrounds and their equipment because he has a disabled child.
Councilmember Wilkinson stated that both Tolleson and Cobb Parks have accessible
equipment.
Councilmember Hines stated that the library is a great place to find out about activities in the
city.
13. Adjournment
Mayor Derek Norton adjourned the January 29, 2024 Mayor and Council Meeting at 7:24 PM.
Facilities are provided throughout City Hall for the convenience of persons with disabilities.
THIS MEETING WAS PROPERLY NOTICED AND POSTED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NOTICING
STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN O.C.G.A. 50.14-3:
The City of Smyrna website — www.smymaga.gov I City Hall, 2800 King Street SE, Notice Boards
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
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