CITY OF JONESBORO
COUNCIL MEETING
April 29, 2002

      The rescheduled meeting of Jonesboro Mayor and Council was held Monday, April 29, 2002.  Members present were: Council members Yvette McDonald, Rick Yonce, Ed Adair, Clifford Sewell, Wallace Norrington, Luther Maddox and Mayor Joy Day presided.

       The March 25 2002 minutes were read, and a change was made to note the absence of Councilman Yonce.  The minutes were approved with this change.  The minutes of April 4, 2002 were read and unanimously approved.

      Under old business the Sign Ordinance was discussed and the following corrections will be made, page 1 Ordinance of Jonesboro, page 4 City of Jonesboro and page 24 removal of Ordinance changed to removal of signage.            Councilman Maddox made a motion to approve the new sign ordinance with corrections.  Councilmen Sewell seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

      Councilman Maddox motioned to approve the Occupational Tax Clerk Resolution allowing Clayton County Tax Commissioner to assist with collection of delinquent taxes of all types and appointing City of Jonesboro Code Enforcement Officer as an authorized Occupational Tax Clerk.  Councilman Yonce seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

      Continuing under old business, Councilman Sewell made a motion to deny the sale of beer and wine at 281 North Main Street, seconded by Councilwoman McDonald.  The motion carried unanimously.

      Mr. Robert McMullen spoke on behalf of Mr. Otis Griffin.  Mr. Griffin owns a home and property at 126 Irvin Street and would like to move a house onto his property and attach his current home to this house.  Mr. McMullen presented Mayor and Council with pictures and a drawing of the new home combination outlining the setbacks and sewer line.   Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve Mr. Griffin’s request to move a new home onto his property provided that all code provisions are met.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.                

     Rhonda Lane of 9140 Turner Road requested annexation of a portion of her property that is located in Clayton County.  Mayor Day advised Ms. Lane of the expense and time involved in the annexation process.  Ms. Lane told council she would be willing to pay the cost of the annexation process.  Mayor Day said the council would take her request under advisement.

      Mayor Day reminded everyone present of the citywide yard sale set for Saturday, May 4th and the upcoming Jonesboro Day on May 18th from 11:00 – 4:00. 

     Fire Chief Jimmy Wiggins updated Mayor and Council that the organization Keep Clayton Clean and Beautiful recently awarded the Fire Department Yard of the Month for the new station.  The City of Jonesboro Fire Department will co-host with the City of Morrow Fire Department a Command School on July 9th and 10th.  Chief Wiggins invited resident Ed Wise to update council on the sirens.  Mr. Wise explained that once the new circuit board is installed which should be by May 3rd, the sirens will be tested for three minutes the first Wednesday of each month at noon.  If there is inclement weather, the testing will not take place so as not to unduly alarm the public.

     Police Chief Mark Harris requested permission to run an ad for open bids for wrecker service.  Mayor Day to Chief Harris to proceed.  Chief Harris updated the council about the continuing problem with parking on court date.  An additional $5,300 is needed to expand parking availability on the back lot.  This would include marking the spaces including handicap area.  Councilman Maddox voiced concern about water run off and Councilman Sewell voiced concern about the buffer next to the residential neighbors.  Mayor Day advised Chief Harris to check to make sure this is not a problem.  Councilman Sewell made a motion to amend the 2002 budget of $6,800, by adding $5,300 to pave the parking lot at 170 South Main Street up to that amount.  Yvette McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

      Public Works Director James Massengale had nothing to report.

     Mayor Day asked council for any discussion.  Councilman Yonce asked Mr. Massengale to check on Mr. Henry’s property on Main Street regarding bushes blocking the view of traffic.  Councilwoman McDonald asked about the Methodist Church fence and the house on Dixon Street.  Councilman Maddox asked Chief Wiggins about the date when old fire station can be cleared so an appraisal can be done. Mayor Day advised Chief Wiggins to proceed with clearing the old station.  Councilman Maddox asked Mr. Massengale to look into the following streets: Scarlett, Pharr, Woodhaven for bushes that obstruct the view.  Councilman Adair voiced concern of the yard art in the front yard of Donna Meadows home on North Avenue.  Mayor Day advised there is no code on the books to limit yard art.  Councilman Sewell voiced concern about the property at the corner of Watterson/Irvin Street, and Fred Thurman’s property.  He also noted the property at 153 and 151 Spring Street needing inspection from HUD before they are rented out and to be periodically inspected.  Mayor Day voiced concern at vacant property at the corner of Lee Street and Spring Street, which is overgrown with kudzu and weeds.  Councilman Sewell voiced concern to Mr. Massengale regarding the fire ants in the cemetery, asked if he would look into this.  He also requested the sign on the Kent lot on North Main Street beauty parlor business is not within code, to be looked into. Chief Harris informed the council they would receive a report that will keep the council updated on code enforcement issues.  Mayor Day advised the council that the code enforcement officer is dedicated full time now.  The council should be seeing improvements within the next few weeks.

    Resident Melissa Castelaw asked if the city gets a copy of business/state license for all contractors working within the city.  She was assured that the city does get copies of licenses.

     There being no further business, Sewell motioned to adjourn, Norrington seconded.  The  motion carried unanimously.

___________________________                                          _________________________

Joy B. Day,   Mayor                                                                 Joan Jones, Assist. City Clerk