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January 3, 1995 Council Meeting January 3, 1995 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 Administrator Bob Thomson, Deputy City Clerk Candis Joiner, City Attorney Charles E. Camp, Fire Chief Larry Williams, Acting Finance Director Claudia Edgar, Assistant Public Works Director Ray Curtis, Police Chief Stan Hook, Children's Librarian Tonda Morris, 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 Councilman Jim Hawkins followed by the pledge to the tlag. Mayor Bacon recognized Mary Ann White, Director of Human Resources, who made a presentation to a Public Works Team of the Month for January, 1995. Ms. White recognized Assistant Public Works Director Ray Curtis, Supervisor/Street Department Frank Martin, Robert Belden and Gene Brookshire who were present at the meeting and Toya Fuller and Mark Reece who were not able to attend the meeting. Ms. White commended them for their work on the beautification project at the Arthur T. Bacon Memorial Bridge on Atlanta Road. She then presented them with a gift certificate and a plaque to be displayed at the Public Works complex. Mayor Bacon expressed his appreciation to the crew for their hard work and complimented Councilman Scoggins and Ms. Ann Kirk for their efforts in having this project completed. CITIZENS INPUT: Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Joan Morris. Ms. Morris announced that the Friends of the Smyrna Library will be sponsoring a Mystery Theater Dinner at the Smyrna Community Center on Friday, February 17, 1995, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Ms. Morris encouraged everyone to join them for an exciting evening of mystery, good food and fellowship. She also announced the tickets will be sold by advance notice only and may be purchased at the Library or Community Center beginning January 10 at a cost of $15 -- no tickets will be available at the door. .. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (A) Variance Request - 2660 Birch Street - Reduce Side Yard Setback from 10 feet to 8 feet Mr. Thomson stated Mr. Michael Camp has built a screened porch on the rear corner of his home that is within eight feet of the property line and therefore the variance is needed. Mayor Bacon announced this is a public hearing and asked if anyone was present in opposition to the granting of this variance request. There was none. Councilman Cramer asked Mr. Camp to brietly describe why the variance was required as the porch has been built for approximately 18 months. Mr. Camp explained the house is not parallel to the property line and he measured the distance from his neighbor's fence, which he assumed was six inches from the property line. He later discovered this was in error as the fence was two feet from the property line. His neighbor's survey was done after he built the porch and it was at this time he discovered the corner of the porch was eight feet from her fence but the balance of the porch is in the 10 foot allowable setback. Councilman Cramer stated he had been to the property and in order to be in compliance with city code, Mr. Camp has requested this variance. .. Mr. Camp further eXplained that approximately three years ago, the city purchased an easement from Mr. Camp and the fence on his neighbor's property had to be moved. He further stated the neighbor was out of state for approximately 18 months and when she returned she had the survey done to be sure the fence was put back where it should have been. As a result of this survey, it was determined the fence was two feet from the property line and not six inches. Councilman Cramer made a motion the variance request at 2660 Birch Street to reduce the side yard setback from 10 feet to 8 feet be approved. Councilman Scoggins seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. January 3, 1995, meeting - continued FORMAL BUSINESS: (A) Bid Opening (94022) - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (Fire Department) Mayor Bacon asked if there were any bids in the audience. There were none. Fifteen bids were mailed out, six were returned, with two being undeliverable. The bids were opened and read as follows: Vista Sales and Service - Marietta, GA No Bid -- Fisher Safety America $18,603.90 North Alabama Fire Equipment - Decatur, AL No Bid American Safety and Fire House $18,888.00 Councilman Hawkins made a motion the bids be turned over to the Fire Committee for their review with a recommendation to be brought back to the Mayor and Council at the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilman Scoggins. Motion was approved 7-0. (B) Apartment Moratorium Mr. Thomson stated in March, 1994, an apartment density report called for further study of development of developmental corridors within the city and immediate area and in December 1994 the parcel-by-parcel analysis was received by the city. He further indicated the city is now studying that analysis. Councilman Newcomb stated that it is important to have a balance between residential/commercial property and in terms of residential, owner-occupied, and rental units in order for a community to do well. He further stated in the Smyrna/Cumberland area this balance does not exist. He further stated that 2/3 of the units in the Cumberland area are not owner occupied and have a large turnover rate which affects the stability of the neighborhood and the schools. Mr. Newcomb stated there has been an apartment moratorium in effect for the past twelve months and the county has also had a moratorium in effect. ...., Mr. Newcomb stated further studies are necessary especially in the main corridors in Smyrna, along Atlanta Road and South Cobb Drive. Councilman Newcomb then made a motion the apartment moratorium be extended for six months from January 3, 1995, to July 5, 1995. Councilman Wood seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: There were none. BID AWARDS: There were none. CONSENT AGENDA: (A) Approval of December 19, 1994, Minutes (B) Approval of December 29, 1994, Minutes (C) Budget Adjustment - Electrical Access - Village Green Area Councilman Scoggins made a motion that the consent agenda be approved. seconded the motion. Motion was approved 7-0. Councilman Hawkins COMMITTEE REPORTS: -- Mayor Bacon wished everyone a Happy New Year and commended the Public Works employees for the work they perform during the year. Mayor Bacon then expressed his condolences to the families of Mr. Jerry Fouts, co-owner of Fouts Brothers, and Mr. Harry Holliday, former president of the Bank of Smyrna, two civic leaders from Smyrna, who passed away recently. ... -- l. 2. 3. 4. 5. ... 6. 7. 8. 9. January 3, 1995, meeting - continued Councilman Patrick expressed his appreciation to the staff at the Library for their work during the past year. Councilman Newcomb stated Mary Ann White does not have a report for the Human Resources Department this evening and Scott Stokes would prefer not to give an update on the Stephens Woods Apartments until he can discuss the matter with the City Attorney. Councilman Scoggins asked Ann Kirk for a report on the Smyrna Clean and Beautiful Department. Ms. Kirk expressed her appreciation to the Public Works crew for their beautification efforts at the Arthur T. Bacon Bridge. Ms. Kirk reminded everyone the "Bring One for the Chipper" program for Christmas tree recycling will be Saturday, January 7, 1995, at the Home Depot location at Cumberland Parkway at 1-285. The recycling will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and reminded those citizens who could not wait until Saturday to dispose of their trees that they could take them to the Public Works Complex during regular business hours (Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). She also stated the Adopt A Highway program will be January 21, 1995. Councilman Scoggins asked Nancy Hancock for a report from the Cemetery Commission. Ms. Hancock reported the Commission has sold twenty-five bricks for the "Pathway of Honor" for a total of $1,700 and also reported the planting was complete at the Smyrna Memorial Cemetery. She expressed her appreciation to all commission members for their assistance during the planting and acknowledged the work of Mr. Jim Wooten for all his work at the cemetery. Councilman Scoggins reported the Public Works Department does not have a report this evening. Councilman Hawkins stated Larry Williams does not have a report from the Fire Department this evemng. Councilman Cramer stated Steve Ciaccio does not have a report from the Parks and Recreation Department this evening. Councilman Cramer expressed his appreciation to the Police and Parks Department for their assistance during the "Boy's Town" outing on December 29, 1994, at the Community Center. He also complimented the City for the excellent display of Christmas decorations at the Village Green. Councilman Lnenicka stated Congressman Gingrich asked him to report that at the "Boy's Town" showing at the Community Center, a total of $25,800 was raised for charity -- $15,800 for Boy's Town and $10,000 for the Red Cross. Councilman Lnenicka reported Chief Hook does not have a report from the Police Department. Councilman Lnenicka then stated some of his goals for the Smyrna citizens and stated these goals could be used as a report card if he runs for re-election. Completion of the Atlanta Road widening project and the beautification project that will be done after the widening is completed. Completion of traffic synchronization on South Cobb Drive -- from Pat Mell Road to 1- 285. Work with the neighborhood associations and form a Ward 6 Civic Association which would assure the homeowners and residents of the city a good voice for access to the government on issues of concern to them. If Creatwood Farms is developed, will continue to work to see that it is developed as a residential subdivision for single-family homes -- not as commercial property. Maintain the neighborhoods in all of Smyrna as a nice place to live. Additional protection for the citizens of Smyrna as a result of the Police Department Grant. Begin construction and finish the design of the new public safety building and hopes to finish the project ahead of time and under budget. Look for ways to cut expenses and save money in the budget and stated he will not support a tax increase in 1995 in the millage rate. Wants to continue to work on the Economic Redevelopment not only for the downtown area but also some of the other commercial areas in the city. Councilman Lnenicka then stated he was looking forward to working with the council on these issues during the coming year. January 3. 1995. meeting - continued Councilman Wood stated Acting Finance Director Claudia Edgar did not have a report for the Finance Department this evening. Councilman Wood also complimented the city on the Christmas decorations this year at the Village Green. He further stated he would like to see the city continue to enhance the decorations each year. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. A A. MAX BACON . MAYOR ~~~ J HN PATRICK, WARD 1 Itt:/ ~~j2~ BILL SC GGlNS. WAR ~~ (/~ /df:, ... /l~jJ-J 1~Lp.tA~ MELINDA DAMERON, CITY CLERK ~Q~ j~J~ RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2 LH/~ /AMES M. HAWKINS, WARD 4 ~{{~? ... ...