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December 16, 2002 Council Meeting December 16, 2002 - The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held at Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon at 7:30 o'clock p.m. All council members were present. Also present were City Administrator Wayne Wright, City Clerk Susan Hiott, City Attorney Scott Cochran, Fire Chief Larry Williams, Finance Director Claudia Edgar, Public Works Director Scott Stokes, Police Chief Stan Hook, Library Director Michael Seigler, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Ciaccio, Keep Smyrna Beautiful Director Ann Kirk, Human Resources Director Chris Corey, City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt, Community Development Director Chris Miller, Community Relations Director Jennifer Bennett and representatives ofthe press. Invocation was given by Council Member Wood, followed by the pledge to the flag. AGENDA CHANGES: There were none. CITIZENS INPUT: Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Bob Goulder, residing at 2711 Gilbert Street, who expressed views and concerns regarding various transportation plans for the Smyrna area as proposed by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRT A). Mr. Goulder requested that the Mayor and Council members make efforts to help ensure that the City's residents are kept aware ofGRTA transportation initiatives. Mr. Goulder also asked the City's elected officials to factor trans- portation considerations into the City's future development planning process. .. Council Member Lnenicka stated that he does not support any heavy rail option as he believes it is an outmoded form of transport. Council Member Lnenicka stated that light rail may be a feasible option. Council Member Lnenicka stated that buses are also not a real solution, and that this form of transportation could be subject to some security risks. Council Member Lnenicka stated that some type of public transportation is needed in this locality, and that any plan implemented should be of a type which is accepted by commuters and fills transportation needs. Council Member Lnenicka stated he is glad that local officials are able to provide some input into the GRT A decision making process. Mayor Bacon stated it is not yet known what impact, if any, a new governor may have on GRT A and the process of finding solutions to public transportation problems. Mayor Bacon stated that all the City's officials are keenly aware of the investment that has been made in the redevelop- ment of the downtown area, and that none of them would do anything to detract from that. Council Member Pritchett provided details of some efforts that GRT A makes to make the public aware of its plans. Council Member Pritchett stated that she wants transportation solutions that are beneficial to constituents, and that some plans must be considered to achieve this end. Council Member Pritchett stated that GRT A is willing to send a representative to meet with any homeowners association (HOA) if the members of a particular HOA want such a meeting. Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Janelle Lampp, residing at 2730 Gilbert Street, who expressed views and concerns regarding transportation plans proposed by GRT A. Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Charlie Levinson, residing at 2451 Mathews Street, who expressed views and concerns regarding transportation plans proposed by GRT A. MAYOR'S REPORT: - Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Kirk, who introduced Ms. Sue Smith, National Director of Education for Keep America Beautiful (KAB). Ms. Smith stated there is no better example of a successful community conservation program than that of the City of Smyrna. Ms. Smith stated that the City of Smyrna is the finest example of a KAB system in the country. Ms. Smith presented the KAB National First Place Affiliate Award to Mayor Bacon and Ms. Sandi Sands. Mayor Bacon expressed appreciation to Ms. Kirk and the associates of the Keep Smyrna Beautiful Commission (KSB) for their efforts. Ms. Kirk thanked the Mayor and Council members for their support. Ms. Kirk stated that the cooperation ofthe City's management staff is also important to the success of KSB. Ms. Kirk expressed appreciation to the associates of KSB for the many hours of volunteer work they have devoted to make KSB a success. Ms. Kirk asked members of KSB to come forward to introduce themselves to those present and be recognized. December 16, 2002 2 Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Frank Adams and Ms. Betty Ginn for their contribution to the City through participation in KSB, and presented each of them with a glass jonquil. Mayor Bacon thanked Ms. Smith for coming to Smyrna to recognize KSB. Council Member Hawkins expressed appreciation to representatives of the Marietta Daily Journal for being present to report on this positive development. Council Member Pritchett expressed appreciation to the associates of KSB for devoting so much of their time to improving the City. Council Member Cramer provided details of the progress KSB has made over time, and stated this recent award for KSB is a great distinction for the City. ... Council Member Wood expressed admiration and appreciation for the enthusiasm and spirit the associates of KSB constantly demonstrate. Council Member Lnenicka commended Ms. Kirk and the associates of KSB for their continued success and recognition. Council Member Lnenicka thanked Ms. Smith for coming to Smyrna to recognize KSB. Council Member Scoggins commended Ward 3 KSB representative Sandi Sands and the other associates of KSB for their hard work and results. Council Member Newcomb expressed his admiration and appreciation of Ms. Kirk and the other associates of KSB for their efforts. PUBLIC HEARINGS: There were none. FORMAL BUSINESS: (A) Validation of Application for Annexation - Land Lot 538 - 11.92 Acre Tract - JPIC Pebblebrook, LLC ...., Mr. Wright stated the City Engineer has reviewed the submitted legal description of the subject property with satisfactory results. Mr. Wright stated that staff recommends validation of the application. MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the validation of application for annexation for an 11.92 acre tract in Land Lot 538 for JPIC Pebblebrook, LLC, with a public hearing date set for January 21,2003. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lnenicka. Motion was approved 7 - o. (B) Validation of Application for Annexation - Land Lot 539 - 3.92 Acre Tract - JPIC Pebblebrook, LLC Mr. Wright stated the City Engineer has reviewed the submitted legal description of the subject property with satisfactory results. Mr. Wright stated that staff recommends validation ofthe application. MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the validation of application for annexation for an 3.92 acre tract in Land Lot 539 for JPIC Pebblebrook, LLC, with a public hearing date set for January 21,2003. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lnenicka. Motion was approved 7 - o. (C) Validation of Application for Annexation - Land Lot 400 - 40.58 Acre Tract- Joseph B. Elliott ..., Mr. Wright stated the City Engineer has reviewed the submitted legal description of the subject property with satisfactory resu Its. Mr. Wright stated that staff recommends val idation of the application. MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the validation of application for annexation for an 40.58 acre tract in Land Lot 400 for Joseph B. Elliott, with a public hearing date set for January 21,2003. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lnenicka. Motion was approved 7 - o. December 16, 2002 3 (D) Validation of Application for Annexation - Land Lots 388, 389, 404, 405 - 1.696 Acre Tract - New Cooper Lake LLC Mr. Wright stated the City Engineer has reviewed the submitted legal description of the subject property with satisfactory results. Mr. Wright stated that staff recommends validation ofthe application. MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the validation of application for annexation for an 1.696 acre tract in Land Lots 388, 389, 404, and 405 for New Cooper Lake LLC, with a public hearing date set for January 21,2003. The motion was seconded by Council Member Lnenicka. Motion was approved 7 - O. .. (E) Appointment of Member to Planning and Zoning Board - Ward I Council Member Pritchett stated the term for the Ward I representative for the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) will expire on December 31,2002. MOTION: Council Member Pritchett made a motion to reappoint Marcia Curtis, residing at 2686 Farmstead Road, to serve on the PZB during the new year. The motion was seconded by Council Member Newcomb. Motion was approved 7 - O. (F) Appointment of Member to Planning and Zoning Board - Ward 4 MOTION: Council Member Hawkins made a motion to reappoint Mike Graham, residing at 3274 Ridgecrest Road, to serve another term on the PZB. The motion was seconded by Council Member Scoggins. Motion was approved 7 - O. (G) Appointment of Member to Planning and Zoning Board - Ward 7 Council Member Wood stated that Mr. Earl Rice has served on PZB during the last two years, and has indicated willingness to continue in this post. Council Member Wood stated that Mr. Rice has done a very good job, and that he would be honored to have him serve another term. .... MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to reappoint Earl Rice to serve another two- year term on the PZB. The motion was seconded by Council Member Cramer. Motion was approved 7 - O. * Council Member Wood made a motion to suspend the rules to add an item to theformal business section of the agenda, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Motion was approved 7 - O. * Council Member Wood made a motion to add item 6-H to the agenda, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Motion was approved 7 - O. *(H) Approval of Extension ofIntergovernmental Agreement Regarding Service Delivery Strategy Until March 31,2003 MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the Extension of Inter- governmental Agreement Regarding Service Delivery Strategy Until March 31,2003. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hawkins. Motion was approved 7 - O. COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: There were none. CONSENT AGENDA: .. (A) Approval of December 2, 2002 minutes. (B) Approval to Advertise for the Abandonment of a Portion of Mann Street The City has received two letters from properties adjacent to the right-of-way of a portion of Mann Street. Ms. Joan George and Mr. David Meltzer are requesting that the City abandon the right-of-way and deed half to each property owner. The right-of-way in question is from Stephens Street north approximately 500 feet. While this right-of-way has been in existence for many years, a road has never been constructed on it. Jeff Freeman would like to incorporate the abandoned right-of-way into his development that was rezoned on December 2, 2002. Mr. Freeman has agreed to donate a strip of land December 16, 2002 4 along Stephens Street to the City for sidewalk construction. The City Engineer has reviewed this application and recommends the abandonment of this right-of-way. (C) Award of Bid # 3-020 Public Works requested bids for the replacement of a John Deere Backhoe. This backhoe will replace the water/sewer division backhoe which has many hours of use and was scheduled for replacement in the CIP Budget. Five vendors were solicited for bids with two vendors responding: Metrac, Inc., Columbus, $99,000.00 and Metrac, Inc., Atlanta, $99,000.00. Public Works staff and Purchasing recommend bid award to the local vendor, Metrac, Inc., Atlanta, for $99,000.00. MOTION: Council Member Lnenicka made a motion to approve the consent agenda, and the motion was seconded by Council Member Wood. Motion was approved 7 - O. ...., COMMITTEE REPORTS: Council Member Wood recognized Ms. Edgar, who reported that credit cards are now accepted for payment at the Utilities Service Department. Council Member Wood wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Council Member Lnenicka recognized Mr. Chris Miller, who provided current pennit statistics. Council Member Lnenicka wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Council Member Cramer recognized Ms. Ann Kirk, who reminded those present to bring their Christmas trees to the "bring one for the chipper" event for recycling after the holidays. Ms. Kirk also provided details of a student program for making holiday ornaments from recycled items. Council Member Cramer recognized Mr. Stokes, who provided details of the holiday schedule for sanitation service. Council Member Cramer wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Council Member Hawkins wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. '-' Council Member Scoggins recognized Chief Hook, who provided current statistics for City police operations. Chief Hook provided details of the "click it or ticket" seat belt enforcement program. Council Member Scoggins recognized Chief Williams, who provided statistics for City fire and rescue operations. Chief Williams expressed appreciation to those people who supported the recent "shop with a firefighter" event. Chief Williams reminded those present to be careful with those holiday decorations which can be potential fire hazards, and to replace batteries in smoke detectors. Council Member Hawkins commended Chief Williams for the professionalism of the City's rescue servIce. Council Member Scoggins commented favorably on the reputation of Chief Williams and the City's fire and EMS service. Mayor Bacon discussed some of his concerns about private ambulance service. Mayor Bacon stated that excellent public safety services are one of the benefits ofliving in Smyrna. Chief Williams wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. Council Member Scoggins wished everyone a happy holiday. Council Member Newcomb recognized Mr. Corey, who provided details of the upcoming holiday lunch for employees. Mr. Corey wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. ... Council Member Newcomb wished everyone a happy holiday. Council Member Pritchett recognized Mr. Ciaccio, who provided details of the holiday schedule for the Community Center. Mr. Ciaccio requested that children in the City refrain from skateboarding and other such activities at the Veterans Memorial site. Mr. Ciaccio wished everyone a happy holiday. December 16,2002 5 Council Member Pritchett recognized Mr. Seigler, who provided details of upcoming Library events, including several holiday theme programs and a mystery writers program. Mr. Seigler wished everyone a happy holiday. Council Member Pritchett expressed appreciation to the City management staff for their professionalism and service to the City. Council Member Pritchett wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday. Mr. Wright expressed appreciation to Ms. Kirk and the associates of KSB for their dedication and the distinctions they have garnered for the City. .. Mayor Bacon wished everyone a great Christmas holiday and a safe and prosperous new year. Mayor Bacon reported that Mr. Vince Barnes of Mableton passed away recently, and expressed condolences to his family. CITIZENS INPUT: There was none. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. /~ A. MAX BACON, MAYOR ~~ . ~D.~ S SAN D. HIOTT, CITY CLERK It ~(-2.:> ,J RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2 J~~ ~. .. $d ~~--- BILL SCOGGINS, WAR c~i~w~~ ..