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09-04-2007 September 4, 2007 Council Meeting September 4, 2007 u 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 except Council Member Newcomb. Also present were City Clerk Susan Hiott, City Attorney Scott Cochran, Fire Chief Jason Lanyon, City Administrator Wayne Wright, Library Director Michael Seigler and representatives of the press. Invocation was given by Mr. Wright, followed by the pledge to the flag. AGENDA CHANGES: Mayor Bacon stated agenda item 4 A (Public Hearing- Text amendment to the City of Smyrna's Sign Ordinance for the provision of subdivision directional signs) will be tabled until the next council meeting. MAYOR'S REPORT: (A) Proclamation in recognition of Cobb Literacy Month u Council Member McNabb recognized Ms. Paige Pushkin, and read a Proclamation in recognition of Cobb Literacy Month to those present. Ms. Pushkin provided details to those present concerning educational progress which has been made in Cobb County. Ms. Pushkin stated she appreciates the help provided by the community in pursuance of improving literacy levels among the local populace. (B) Proclamation in recognition of MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service Chief Lanyon provided details to those present concerning ambulance operations conducted by MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. Chief Lanyon stated City fire department personnel meet monthly with MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service staff to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern and that there are ambulance service standards which should be met. Chief Lanyon commented favorably about the City's professional relationship with MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. Chief Lanyon recognized representatives of MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service who provided details to those present regarding professional certification which the organization was recently awarded and other achievements. Mayor Bacon commented favorably about the City fire depaltment and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. Council Member Lnenicka read a Proclamation in recognition of MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. (C) Proclamation in recognition of National Payroll Week Council Member Smith recognized Ms. Pamela Stokely, and read a Proclamation in recognition of National Payroll Week to those present. Ms. Stokely thanked the council members for recognizing National Payroll Week this year. (D) Presentation of Pablo Picasso print to the City Library u Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Bill Stafano, and Mr. Stafano commented favorably about the Smyrna community and the City's officials. Mr. Stafano presented a Pablo Picasso print to Mr. Seigler for the City Library. Mr. Seigler thanked Mr. Stafano, and stated that citizen contributions are a great source of enhancement for the Library. Mr. Stafano commended Mr. September 4, 2007 2 Seigler for the enthusiasm with which he carries out his duties. Council Member Pritchett asked Mr. Seigler to make certain a plaque is made to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Stafano as the donors of U this print. Mayor Bacon thanked Mr. Stafano for the Picasso print. Mayor Bacon stated Council Member Newcomb is out of town this evening. LAND ISSUES/ZONINGS/ ANNEXA TIONS: (A) Public Hearing- Text amendment to the City of Smyrna's Sign Ordinance for the provision of subdivision directional signs Mayor Bacon asked if there is anyone present in connection with this matter, and there was no response. MOTION: Council Member Scoggins made a motion to table text amendment to the City of Smyrna's Sign Ordinance for the provision of subdivision directional signs until the September 17,2007 meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wood. Motion to table the measure was approved 6 - O. PRIVILEGE LICENSE: There were none. FORMAL BUSINESS: There was none. u COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: There were none. CONSENT AGENDA: (A) Approval of August 20, 2007 minutes (B) Reject all bids # IFB 7-035 Site development for the future Church Street Adult Recreation Center (C) Revision of Personnel Policies and Procedures (tobacco prohibition) (D) Award Bid IFB#7-036 to Nicorp Development, LLC for Construction of Adult Recreation Center at Church Street Park contingent upon completion of the site development for the project by an approved contractor and authorize the Mayor to execute related contract documents MOTION: Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Council Member McNabb. Motion was approved 6 - O. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Council Member Wood stated he looks forward to the upcoming election and future developments in the City. Council Member Wood expressed appreciation to the many people whose joint efforts help to make the City a great place to live. u September 4, 2007 3 u Council Member Lnenicka stated Woodland Ridge Assisted Living will soon be holding a free seminar on elder care to which the public is invited. Council Member Lnenicka stated he is looking forward to serving the citizens of Ward 6 for another term. Council Member Smith stated he has enjoyed his service on the city council and that he is looking forward to serving the citizens of Ward 5 for another term. Council Member Smith asked candidates for various City posts to base their campaigns on what they plan to do for the citizens and the City. Council Member McNabb stated the City's leadership is considering forming a Smyrna Arts- Business Alliance. Council Member McNabb asked persons in the City with pertinent professional interests to contact Ms. Bennett if they would like to be associated with such an organization. Council Member Scoggins thanked citizens like Mr. and Mrs. Stafano and the City's officials for the efforts they make to improve the City. Council Member Scoggins stated he is looking forward to the upcoming election and asked candidates to focus their campaigns on their plans for the City. o Council Member Pritchett stated she is looking forward to serving the citizens of Ward 1 for another term. Council Member Pritchett stated she has a keen interest in local education and efforts to continuously improve the quality of education for the community's young people. Council Member Pritchett stated opportunities are available to help tutor local students and assist in other ways. Council Member Pritchett invited interested persons to contact her or local school representatives for further details concerning volunteering at community schools. Council Member Pritchett provided a summary of new businesses which have located to Ward I in recent years to those present. Council Member Pritchett stated she is always available for contact by citizens who wish to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern. CITIZENS INPUT: Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Mary Kirkendoll, residing at 1078 Oakview, and Ms. Kirkendoll stated she wishes to reiterate various concerns to the City's officials. Ms. Kirkendoll expressed the view that the minutes for the August 6 meeting do not accurately reflect her statements. Ms. Kirkendoll provided a summary of her comments from the previous meeting for those present and stated that she also distributed information at that time. Ms. Kirkendoll thanked the various City officials and staff for recently meeting with her to discuss her concerns. Ms. Kirkendoll provided details to those present concerning training provided to County deputies. Ms. Kirkendoll provided details to those present concerning the 287G program and advised that related training is available at no cost to the City. Ms. Kirkendoll suggested that intimate town hall meetings should be conducted to give citizens a chance to discuss their concerns. Ms. Kirkendoll expressed views about deployment of motorcycle officers at certain locations and expressed the view that she never sees any other police officers anywhere. Ms. Kirkendoll presented information for examination by the present officials. [J Mayor Bacon stated that misinformation is being disseminated by the previous speaker. Mayor Bacon advised he has never stated at any time that he does not wish to burden taxpayers with training costs. Mayor Bacon advised that statements to the effect that police officers are at a certain location every morning are untrue. Mayor Bacon stated that if an individual is stopped by the City police and inquiry determines that warrants are outstanding against that individual then September 4, 2007 4 that person is going to jail. Mayor Bacon stated at least two attempts have been made to affect City participation in the 287G program but to date there has been no response to the City's U inquiries. Mayor Bacon invited Ms. Kirkendoll to try to get Federal authorities to respond to inquiries from City regarding the 287G program if she is persuaded she can do a better job. Mayor Bacon indicated that statements are being attributed to him which he has not made and that the public is being misled. Mayor Bacon provided details to those present concerning information he obtained at a recent meeting he had with Sheriff Warren to discuss this matter. Mayor Bacon stated City police officers are highly trained and there is no reason he would want them to be otherwise. Mayor Bacon recognized Mr. Dave Minor, residing at 1078 Oakview, and Mr. Minor expressed the view that many citizens are concerned about the effects of illegal immigration. Mr. Minor stated 287G can provide additional protection to citizens. Mayor Bacon recognized Ms. Jill Benson, residing at 1502 Countryside Place, and Ms. Benson expressed various concerns about the impact of illegal immigration on the community. Ms. Benson provided a summary of immigration laws and offenses which can result in deportation to those present. Ms. Benson made various suggestions for efforts which can be made at the local level to address her concerns. Mayor Bacon asked Ms. Benson if it is correct that she is of the opinion that City personnel should check businesses to determine if illegal immigrants have been hired. Ms. Benson suggested that persons applying for new business licenses could be checked and that the 287G database is available. Mayor Bacon stated efforts made to avail the City of 287G resources to date have been unsuccessful and that such inquiries have been made in writing. Mayor Bacon stated illegal immigration is not a new concern to this area, and that the INS has been contacted by the City hundreds of times regarding such concerns. Mayor Bacon stated that on many occasions persons detained by the City police who were suspected of immigration violations have been released at the direction oflNS. Mayor Bacon stated City officials were active in the matter of illegal immigration years ago and it is no fault of the City that unauthorized persons are not being stopped at the borders. Mayor Bacon stated the matter of illegal immigration will continue to be a problem until the Federal government takes corrective measures. Council Member Pritchett stated many cities are interested in the 287G program and that Smyrna will become involved in it as soon as the City is allowed to do so. Mayor Bacon expressed concerns regarding the limitations a local government could expect to encounter when attempting to deal with illegal immigration. u ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:2 I p.m. u u u u September 4, 2007 5 A. MAX BACON, MAYOR Sf~,~~y~~ ))~~ RON NEWCOMB, WARD 2 MICHAEL McNABB, WARD 4 CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD 7