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September 16, 1996 Council Meeting Septem her Hi, 1996 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 was City Clerk Melinda Dameron, City Attorney Charles E. Camp, Fire Chief Larry Williams, Finance Director Claudia Edgar, Police Chief Stan Hook, Library Director Michael Seigler, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Ciaccio, Clean and Beautiful Coordinator Ann Kirk, Personnel Director Mary Ann White, City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt, Chief Building Official Scott Stokes and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Reverend Jim Mitchell, pastor of Smyrna First Methodist Church, followed by the pledge to the flag. ...., CITIZENS INPl TT. Chief Larry Williams presented the Mayor with the Certificate of Occupancy for the new municipal services building. Mayor Bacon recognized 6th District Congressional candidate Michael Coles, Senatorial candidate for District 29 Frank Bradford and candidate David Casey. Mayor Bacon recognized Cynthia Lynch, Ridgeview Institute, who extended an invitation to the public to Ridgeview's Family Learning Series on Thursday evenings. Ms. Lynch indicated these classes are free and wanted to personally invite anyone interested in attending to do so. (A) Resolution - 1996 Recreation Bond Issue Mayor Bacon asked Councilwoman Capilouto to read the resolution supporting the $30 million 1996 Recreation Bond Issue which will be on the ballot in November, 1996, and made a part of the minutes. Councilwoman Capilouto made a motion the resolution be adopted. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. PUBTJC HEARINGS. .. (A) Variance Request - 4727 Vineyard Court - To Place a 6 Foot Fence within the Front Yard Setback Melinda Dameron stated that the applicant for this variance is Ratan Malhotra. City ordinance now limits fences in side and front yards to no more than 4 feet in height. Ms. Malhotra states in her letter of hardship that she needs a 6 foot high fence so that children will not be able to climb it and go to the lake, thus causing a possible liability problem for her. Gerry Katz was opposed to the variance and was sworn in by Attorney Camp along with Ms. Malhotra. Ms. Malhotra stated that she had met with the homeowners association and they had denied her request but she understood that the City Council would still have the authority to approve the fence. Ms. Malhotra said the fence would allow her to better utilize her property. Gerry Katz spoke in opposition and stated that while he is Vice President of the homeowners association he was here tonight to speak only on behalf of the homeowners and not the association. Ms. Malhotra's request was denied for several reasons, one being the stop sign located at the corner lot which would be behind the fence and pose a safety hazard for motorists. Also, the fence would unfairly block the view of the lake for other homeowners. Jack Cramer said that he and homeowners of Chateau Walk had met with Ms. Malhotra and they had denied her request to install the fence but did try to reach some compromise. Councilman Cramer said he felt a fence could be installed without the variance and without creating an undue hardship on Ms. Malhotra. After further discussion, Mr. Cramer made a motion the variance be denied. Councilman Newcomb seconded the motion which carried 7-0. ... (B) Rezoning Request - 3.3 Acres at Southwest Intersection of Atkins Way and Concord Road - Rezone from Limited Commercial (L.C.) to General Commercial (G.C.) Ms. Dameron stated this request is to rezone 3.3 acres at the southwest intersection of Atkins Way and Concord Road from Limited Commercial to General Commercial. Mayor Bacon stated this is a public hearing and asked if anyone was present who wanted to speak about this issue. Several citizens came forward and were sworn in by City Attorney Chuck Camp. Septem her 16, 1996 - continued Councilman Pete Wood stated that John Moore had recently become affiliated with this zoning and had contacted him on Thursday and indicated he wanted this request postponed. Mr. Wood stated he had told Mr. Moore the only way the issue could be delayed would be to bring it up at this council meeting and have the item tabled to a future meeting. Mr. Wood asked the council for their input regarding whether they wanted to hear the issue or table it to a future date. Mr. Moore stated he had just recently become involved with Branch Properties and the zoning application. Mr. Moore apologized on their behalf for no one appearing at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting when this issue was discussed. Mr. Moore further stated the plans have recently been modified to eliminate the video store site and tonight they are requesting the zoning for the CVS Pharmacy. Mr. Moore stated they would also like an opportunity to discuss this zoning with the citizens who were present tonight in opposition to the rezoning request. Mr. Moore stated Rite-Aid Pharmacy has ...., recently received a permit to build across the street on the adjacent tract under an 0&1 zoning and his clients are willing to discuss a lesser zoning for this site as well and they are also willing to consider other conditions to the zoning and would just like to have an opportunity to bring it back to the full council. Mr. Moore stated this is a large tract of land and they could not "afford to have a single user on the site and would be willing to provide screening and buffers as requested by the residents of the area. Mr. Moore then presented a rendering of the CVS Pharmacy, which is an all brick building and stated he thought it would be an enhancement to the city. Mayor Bacon then asked those in opposition to come forward and speak. Those speaking in opposition were Roland Davidson, 1415 Mosswood Lane; Randy Shuffert of Austin Lakes subdivision, representing the homeowners association; Marian Wood, 4104 Manson Avenue; Dennis Lund, 3206 White Oak Circle; Aaron Nicota, 1708 Grace Court; Sharon Cook, Concord Village subdivision. All persons spoke in opposition citing traffic congestion, safety hazards that would be caused by the curb cuts proposed at that site and primarily the fact that they felt the intersection should be the stopping point for any future encroachment of commercial development. Councilman Wood stated that several questions had been raised tonight concerning safety and asked City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt to come forward. Mr. Hildebrandt stated that the three curb cuts being requested was excessive for this particular site and the curb cut requested at the North Cooper Lake Road intersection would be extremely hazardous - there is no sight distance at that location and from an engineering standpoint at least 300 feet of sight distance would be required in order to have a curb cut there. Mr. Hildebrandt also stated he would also recommend they do away with the driveway or curb cut on Concord Road which is too ...., close to the existing traffic signal. Mr. Hildebrandt stated if there is a left turn from Concord Road into the development, it would block traffic westbound on Concord Road. Mr. Hildebrandt further stated if that curb cut was left in the plans, he would recommend a right-in, right-out only with the only remaining curb cut being at Atkins Way which could be utilized and tied in with the traffic signal allowing the traffic signal. Councilman Wood stated this area is considered predominantly residential with single-family homes in the area and 0&1 at the triangle at Hurt and Concord Roads. Mr. Wood stated there is an application pending at that site for a pharmacy. Mr. Wood stated this property is zoned Limited Commercial and this category is designed primarily to provide commercial activity in an area that would have a minimum impact or effect on the residential property in the surrounding areas. Mr. Wood stated this proposed zoning raises serious questions about the impact it would have on the adjacent residential areas and the property values there. Mr. Wood stated that the Zoning Ordinance Section 1509 spells out the review standards that are to be considered by the Mayor and Council when they approve a zoning and all of these are taken into considerations. Mr. Wood then stated he felt this proposed application does not meet the standards provided by Section 1509 in view of the use and development of the adjacent properties. Mr. Wood further stated the proposed use of this site would adversely affect the value of the nearby property. Mr. Wood stated GC is a very broad zoning category in which virtually any type business can operate and the jump from LC to GC is a very big step and one that they may not be able to control in the near future. Mr. Moore again stated that all he is asking for tonight is for Council to delay their decision until those issues could be resolved. Councilman Lnenicka stated the City had received a letter August 16 from the law firm of Altman, Kritzer and Levin representing CVS and asked what became of that law firm. Mr. Moore stated they jointly represent CVS and the property owner. Mr. Lnenicka asked why there was no one present at the Planning and Zoning ..." Board meeting the night the zoning was heard and also if there was any reason why no one from Branch Development or the law firm had discussed with our City Engineer any of the problems that came up tonight such as sight distance, curb cuts, etc. Mr. Moore responded that they had simply dropped the ball on this zoning and he wanted to apologize again and they would like to have an opportunity to make things right and to meet with the homeowners to address the issues that had come up tonight and again requested that the Council continue the zoning till they had an opportunity to do that. Mr. Lnenicka said that the process that he had been involved with prior to this with CVS was quite contrary to this application being heard tonight. He stated they had a number of meetings with them to discuss curb cuts, ingress/egress to the property, and Septem her 16, 1996 - continued they had also met with the City Engineer and Building Inspector on several occasions. Mr. Lnenicka stated for the record that he was not in favor of postponing this zoning tonight and felt the applicant had adequate time to present their case. Councilman Hawkins stated even though there was no one present for the zoning board meeting that night, the Zoning Board did recommend the zoning be denied and wanted this fact to be a part of the record. Mr. Hawkins stated he was also concerned about the safety aspects of that intersection with three roads coming together at that point and he felt it would have a large impact on the traffic in that area. Mr. Hawkins stated .. the original zoning of Limited Commercial was with the intent that it be developed for something that would not draw on heavy traffic which already exists on this corridor. Mr. Hawkins said Mr. Moore had mentioned earlier that this site is compatible with the Future Land Use Plan of the City of Smyrna but thought that if in fact it is compatible with GC it was due to an oversight on the City's part and it should not be shown as such. Mr. Hawkins stated for those reasons, he also felt it was too late to call off the zoning tonight or to have it postponed again. Councilman Newcomb said if the zoning request tonight was for GC, that he was ready to act on it and did not feel that any additional information had been presented in their testimony and limited commercial seems to be the appropriate zoning for that area and would provide or act as a buffer for the residential homes along the Concord Road corridor. After further discussion, Mr. Wood made a motion that the zoning be denied. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. (C) Rezoning Request - 9.74 Acres on King Springs Road - From Office Institutional (0.1.) to RAD Conditional - Single Family Homes .. Ms. Dameron stated Fox Creek Properties, the applicant, is requesting the rezoning to develop a thirty-lot subdivision. Ms. Dameron stated this is a 9.74 acre tract with 2.2 acres being undeveloped in the flood plain. Ms. Dameron stated Dallas Champion represented the applicant along with David Knight, Knight-Davidson Properties. Ms. Dameron stated Mr. Champion's company will prepare the lots and Keith Davidson will actually develop the lots. The current land use designation for this property is high density residential and they are asking for a down zoning on this property to a medium density residential. Mayor Bacon stated this is a public hearing and asked if anyone was present in opposition to this request. There was none. David Knight stated the homes will be similar to the homes in the Paces Lake Subdivision. The Paces Lake Subdivision is completely built out, all homes sold and the price range was $120,000 - $150,000. The exterior material of the homes will be stone, brick or stucco finishes. the property abuts Rhyne Park on one side and the Seventh Day Adventist Church on the other side. The Church is currently for sale. Councilman Wood asked Mr. Knight about the signage shown on the plans for the front entrance to the development. Mr. Knight responded they will be erecting an entry type sign to identify the subdivision which will be on some type wall or fence along the entrance way. He further stated they will provide street lights and sidewalks in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. Mr.. Knight stated he feels this development will enhance the community and will be a very nice subdivision. He further stated the Paces Lake Subdivision has been very successful and this proposed development will be comparable. Mr. Knight stated they plan to have underground utilities in this development and thinks there will be sufficient room to provide sidewalks in the interior part of the development. He stated they plan to have a homeowner's association with common property in the development. Councilman Lnenicka asked Mr. Knight about the adjacent Church property and Mr. Knight responded the church currently owns the property and it is on the market for sale. The church property is currently zoned ..... 0&1 and this is a nice location for a church and he thinks it will be sold for the same use. After further discussion, Councilman Wood made a motion that the rezoning request for 9.74 acres on King Springs Road from 0&1 to RAD Conditional - Single family homes be approved. Councilman Lnenicka seconded the motion. The motion and second was then withdrawn to allow Mr. Wood to restate his motion to stipulate the conditions of the zoning. Mr. Wood stated the conditions as follows: 1. The subdivision will be developed for thirty (30) lots. 2, The subdivision will have a homeowners association. 3. The development will have entrance signs and appropriate buffers. Septemher 16, 1996 - continued 4. The development will have an accelldecellane on King Springs Road as required by the City Engineer. 5. The price range will be in the $120,000 - $160,000 price range with construction similar to the Paces Lake Development previously built by Knight Davidson. 6. The homes will be between 1400 and 2000 square feet with the minimum rear yard setback being 20 feet; front yard setback - 15 feet. 7. The minimum distance between houses will be 15 feet with a two-foot setback allowed on either side but with the minimum distance being 15 feet. City Attorney Chuck Camp advised that Council should not stipulate a maximum price range on these homes and Mr. Wood amended his motion to state that the minimum selling price should be $120,000. Councilman Lnenicka seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. -- (D) Land Use Change - 9.74 Acres on King Springs Road - From High Density Residential to Medium Density Residential Councilman Wood made a motion the land use map be changed to reflect the change from high density residential to medium density residential. Councilman Lnenicka seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. (E) Ordinance Amendment - South Atlanta Road Urban Design District Ms. Dameron stated the South Atlanta Road Urban Design District is an overlay district which applies standards to proposed buildings and land developments that augment or supersede the requirements of the City's conventional zoning district. Councilman Newcomb stated the reading tonight is the first reading and the proposed ordinance amendment will be advertised for a public hearing the first meeting of October - October 7, 1996. Mr. Newcomb then gave an overview of the ordinance and stated that it is a rather lengthy document that will be on file in the office of the City Clerk. No action was taken on this item but it will be brought before the Mayor and Council October 7, 1996, for action. ...... (F) Ordinance Amendment - Spring Road Urban Design District Ms. Dameron stated the Spring Road Urban Design District is an overlay district which applies standards to proposed buildings and land developments that augment or supersede the requirements of the City's conventional zoning district. Councilman Newcomb stated the reading tonight is the first reading and the proposed ordinance amendment will be advertised for a public hearing the first meeting of October - October 7, 1996. Mr. Newcomb then gave an overview of the ordinance and stated it will also be on file in the office of the City Clerk. No action was taken on this item but it will be brought before the Mayor and Council October 7, 1996, for action. FORMAT. RTJSTNFSS' (A) Appointment to Smyrna Hospital Authority - Ward 5 Councilman Cramer made a motion that Linda Driscoll be appointed to the Hospital Authority to serve as the Ward 5 representative. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. (B) Bid Opening (#96016) Fire Hose and Hose Equipment for Fire Department Mayor Bacon asked if there were any bids in the audience. There were none. The bids were opened and read as follows: ...... First Responder Fire and Safety with an alternate bid of $8,388.09 $8,461.09 NAFECO $8,137.26 Harless $8,913.46 Septem her 10, 1990 - continlled American Safety and Fire House $8,792.00 Councilman Cramer made a motion the bids be turned over the Fire Committee for their review and a recommendation to be brought back before Council at the October 7, 1996, meeting. Councilman Newcomb seconded the motion. Motion was approved 6-0 with Ms. Capilouto being absent when the vote was taken. (C) Ordinance Amendment - Section 98-9 - Reports of Accidents ... Ms. Dameron stated the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death is responsible for reporting to the Police Department notice of such accident. Ms. Dameron further stated this amendment simply raises the dollar amount of the damage amount from $250 to $500. Councilman Lnenicka made a motion that the Ordinance Amendment - Section 98.9 - Reports of Accidents be approved. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. COMMERCIAl. RUTT .DING PERMITS' (A) Temporary building Permit - NRH Enterprises, Inc. - 3315 South Cobb Drive - Emission Station Ms. Dameron stated NRH Enterprises, Inc. has requested an eight-month temporary permit for an emissions station at 3315 South Cobb Drive in the Concord Square Shopping Center. Councilman Hawkins made a motion the temporary building permit for NRH Enterprises, Inc, at 3315 South Cobb Drive for an eight month temporary permit for an emissions station be approved. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. RID AWARDS' Nothing to report. ... CONSENT AGENDA' (A) Approval of September 3, 1996, Minutes (B) Approval to Purchase Property at 1205 Bank Street (Hughes) (C) Extension of Temporary Permit for Trailer - Thomas Enterprises (D) Approval to Install Three-way Stop Signs on Stephens Street at Reed and Davis Streets; Approval to Install Speed Humps on Stephens Street at Davis and Mann Streets (E) Approval to Install Speed Humps on Burbank Drive and Ivanhoe Lane (F) Approval to Install "No Parking" Signs on North Matthews Street Councilman Wood made a motion that the rules be suspended for the purpose of adding an item to the Consent Agenda. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. Councilman Wood made a motion that an Ordinance Amendment be added to the Consent Agenda as item 7-G Section 420.19.1 - Drug Store definition. Mr. Wood stated this will define a drug store as an establishment which is licensed by the State of Georgia and the U.S. Government to dispense drugs by prescription for human medical purposes or receive the same as an apothecary or pharmacy - not a variety store which sells at retail a wide range of products. Councilman Cramer seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. Scott Stokes was asked about the length of time for the temporary permit for Thomas Enterprises on the Consent Agenda. Mr. Stokes responded this will probably be a sixty-day permit and they should have their new development finished within that time frame. .... Councilman Cramer stated he had received a petition from the homeowners on Burbank Drive and Ivanhoe Lane requesting the speed humps to be installed. He stated theses petitions were signed by 95 - 98% of the homeowners on those streets. Councilman Hawkins stated that he had also had a recent meeting with residents on Stephens Street and as a result of that meeting they had requested the three-way stop signs and speed humps and he also has petitions in support of those requests. --_./ --- Septem her 16, 1996 - continned Councilman Cramer made a motion the consent agenda be approved. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. COMMT1TER REPORTS. Mayor Bacon stated it was nice to see such a large group here tonight for the first meeting in the new building. The building was dedicated September 8 and our new address is 2800 King Street. Mayor Bacon stated the Aquatics Center was dedicated on September 9 and there was probably as large a turnout for that dedication as for the new municipal services building. He stated at that building Congressman Barr was present to give the keynote address and a tree was dedicated in honor of Annie Cramer. He stated Ms. Cramer had been very interested in the aquatics center and the programs that took place there and he further stated she would have been very proud of Jack and the good job they have done with the center. He stated a plaque in her memory will be erected at a later date - but in the near future. ... Mayor Bacon wished Larry Brissey well and stated he hoped he was watching tonight and is recovering from his recent illness. Councilwoman Capilouto encouraged everyone to vote in support of the bond issue for the recreation purposes. Ms. Capilouto also stated she will have a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, October 1, at the Community Center. Mr. Ciaccio gave a report and also stated the Parks and Recreation Commission is involved in promoting the bond issue as well and if there were any groups or organizations or persons that needed additional information to please contact them. Mr. Ciaccio stated the new aquatics center would be open on September 23 and at that time the aquatics classes will begin. He stated the classes are free to city residents and available to non- residents for a $60 fee. Mr. Seigler gave a report and thanked the Friends of the Library, Jonquil Garden Club and others, the players for the recent dinner theater presentation. He stated the Mystery Dinner Theater was excellent and was well attended. Councilman Newcomb asked Mary Ann White for a report. Ms. White thanked all the city employees who ... worked hard during the last few days to get the building ready to open today. She further stated thanks to them we were able to carryon business as usual at the beginning of the work day. Mary Ann reported the EAP Program is going well with orientation classes scheduled soon. Ms. White stated Sue Blaydes will be working extensively with this program and would be working tomorrow with the police department. Ms. White also stated we will be announcing in the newspaper this weekend the testing dates for Police and Fire Department entry-level jobs and will begin accepting applications on September 23 for these positions. Ms. White stated there is a $20 exam fee to offset the cost of the exams and they will be accepting applications September 23 through October 4 with the actual exam being administered October 12. Ms. White stated this exam will create a list of eligible candidates for both departments to be selected from for jobs that may come up during the next year. Ms. White announced the current job openings in the City. Councilman Newcomb stated at the next meeting there will be a public hearing to close several streets in his neighborhood to make those cuI de sac streets where they intersect now with Spring Road. He stated this is in conjunction with the Spring Road widening and is required by Cobb County. He stated signs for those hearing have been posted but there had apparently been some misunderstanding about the meeting tonight but stressed that meeting will be the first meeting in October. Councilman Scoggins asked Ann Kirk for a report on Smyrna Clean and Beautiful. Ms. Kirk reminded everyone that they do not need to use any special bags for their leaves or trash -- the only requirement under the State law is that trash or other household items not be mixed with garbage. Trash and leaves will be picked up on Wednesday and not on the regular garbage day. Ms. Kirk stated the homeowners will be getting their schedules in the mail soon with a complete list of services that are provided from the Public Works Department. .... Councilman Hawkins asked Nancy Hancock for a report on the Cemetery Commission. Ms. Hancock stated bricks are still available for $50 each. Ms. Hancock also advised that the corner lot at West Spring Street and Atlanta Road will be used to relocate Centennial Park and her commission members are now involved in that project. Councilman Hawkins stated the City receives a lot of calls about the New Smyrna Cemetery on Hawthorne Street. He stated the City does not own that cemetery -- it is privately held and we are rather limited on what Septemher 16) 1996 - continued we can do as far as providing maintenance or upkeep. Mr. Hawkins reminded everyone that the Council Chamber room is also used for Municipal Court on Tuesdays and Thursdays and court will convene tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. He stated fines can be paid by coming inside to the window at Court Services but we are still unable to accept fines at the drive through window. .. Councilman Cramer stated the seniors program is very important to his mom and there were some nice comments made about her at the dedication. He also thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for their hard work that day for getting everything ready and for making it such a memorable occasion for him. Councilman Lnenicka also thanked the employees who worked so diligently to get the new city hall ready for today and stated that Candis Joiner was here on her birthday Saturday until 7:00 p.m. working and trying to get everything unpacked and ready for the opening on Monday. Councilman Lnenicka stated he would have a meeting with the residents from Vinings Forest Subdivision on September 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the pool area with another similar meeting on September 26 with the residents of Olde Vinings Mill Subdivision. Councilman Lnenicka read excerpts from the latest Grand Jury Report from the Police Department which was very complimentary of the department and the staff people there and especially in the area of 911 and the Are You Okay program. He stated the report stated the employees were very courteous and overall gave a very good report. Councilman Lnenicka gave a report on the expenses in the Police Department related to the Olympics. He stated there was additional money budgeted this year for any cost that would be related directly to that. He stated the only expenditure we had in that department was $1,539.28 which was for overtime totaling 122.75 hours in the Communications Department and that amount was far less than what had been budgeted. Mr. Lnenicka stated he wanted to speak on the recent annexation issues that had been in the Marietta Daily Journal recently. He stated as a council member and as a citizen, this situation is of great concern because ... of the rift that is developing between Cobb County and other Cobb County city governments. He said he could actually think of no stupider reason for them to become involved in a controversy than the annexation issue. Mayor Meaders has received two letters recently that can best be described as threatening from the Cobb County Commission Chairman. Mr. Lnenicka quoted a recent quote in the Marietta Daily Journal from one of the Planning and Zoning Commission members as stating "He felt like he had a gun to his head and someone was ready to cock it back". Mr. Lnenicka said he did not think the commission members were acting without some guidance from the Cobb County Commission members. He stated another quote made by Dick Jones in the Marietta Daily Journal was "We certainly want to keep development out of Smyrna". Mr. Lnenicka stated Mr. Jones is another Cobb County Planning Commission member and in the most recent article the quote was that Chairman Byrne was threatening legal action against the city. He stated in today's newspaper article, Mark Danneman (also a Cobb County employee) stated the zoning that is pending off King Springs Road and very near the Smyrna city limits needed to be made as doable because the city was waiting to "get the land". Mr. Lnenicka said he wanted to go on record as saying that Cobb County's position in this matter is wrong and they need to change it because we have done nothing to them. We are Smyrna citizens but first and foremost we are Cobb County citizens. Mayor Bacon stated he has been on Council since 1980 and there have always been strong feelings about annexation and this is certainly not the first time that this issue has come up. He stated it should actually be a help to Cobb County when we annex property because they get the same tax dollars from the homeowners without having to provide those services which the City provides when we annex. He stated it really makes no sense for them to fight the city on these annexation matters. Mayor Bacon stated we must continue to grow and would continue our aggressive annexation policies. ..... Councilman Wood asked Claudia Edgar for a report on the Finance Department. Ms. Edgar presented the FY 97 Budget document and stated the City has submitted the budget document to the GFOA for their review. Ms. Edgar thanked Greg VanAntwerp for almost single-handedly preparing the document. Councilman Wood stated that tomorrow the Cobb County Commission members will be hosting a meeting with the Robert Company at the Smyrna Library from 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m. to discuss plans to develop the 105 acre tract near the Covered Bridge for the new Heritage Park. He stated citizens are invited to drop in during the meeting to review the plans and to provide their input. He stated the purpose of the park will be to preserve the historic area surrounding the Covered Bridge. Septemher 10, 1996 - continued Mr. Wood stated the Bennet Woods Homeowners Association will be having a meeting this Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. and encouraged everyone to attend. Melinda Dameron thanked Claudia Edgar, Mary Ann White, Candis Joiner and all the city employees who worked so diligently over the weekend to get everything moved and to get the new city hall prepared for the opening today. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. ~ ..... ~{,&~tt.J 400.{~ MELINDA DAMERON, CITY CLERK A. MAX BACON , MAYOR (\ t .iLl~ 0, WARD 1 ~~\2'J J.j~ RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2 e1i~~-_v- 'BILL SC GGINS, W 3 yt~ ~~~ ..... ....