CITY OF JONESBORO
APRIL 10, 2006
COUNCIL MEETING
 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their monthly meeting on Monday, April 10, 2006.  The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236. 

                         Members Present:       Councilman Clarence Mann

Councilwoman Donna Meadows

Councilman Luther Maddox

Councilwoman Linda Wenz

                                                            Councilman Bobby Wiggins

                                                            Councilman Rick Yonce

                                                            Mayor Joy Day

 

                        Staff Present:                Public Works Director Sam Durrance

                                                            Police Chief Jim Roberts

                                                            Attorneys D.Winkle, R. Burris, J.Kendall 

Minutes Approved: Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve the March 2006 minutes as presented.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Public Comments:  T. Cantrell voiced concern of spot zoning for 302 Fayetteville Rd. J. Crane requested review of phone plan the city currently uses.  A. Washington and M. Edwards spoke of their concerns regarding 302 Fayetteville Rd rezone request. 

Agenda Amendment:  Mayor Day requested the council amend the agenda as to delete Items 5 A-B-C regarding the NorSouth Development for Tara Blvd.  They have formally withdrawn their Rezone, Variance and Support Resolution requests; further Mayor Day requested the Executive Session be moved to follow the Rezone Request for Jonesboro Village.  Councilman Maddox so motioned to amend the agenda to delete the NorSouth Development requests and to move the Executive Session to follow the rezone consideration of Jonesboro Village.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously and the agenda was amended. 

OLD BUSINESS:

Cameron Properties Rezone Request:  Stan Cameron formally withdrew his Variance Requests for the property on Highway 54 and Raymond Street.  He has a new proposal that will meet all the zoning requirements.  He requested the council approve his request to rezone the property from M-1 to R-C with the stipulation that all the development he proposes will meet the code.  Mr. Cameron presented pictures of what new homes would look like.  

Mayor Day called for public comment on this rezone request from M-1 to R-C.  No public comment was made.  Mayor Day closed the public hearing. 

Mayor Day called for questions/comments from council.  Councilwoman Wenz asked for floor plans and a revised site plan.  Mr. Cameron said he will have those for the council.  Councilman Maddox requested information in writing as the current paperwork submitted is not what Mr. Cameron proposes at this time.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to table the rezone request for further information.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried with Councilman Mann abstaining. 

Jonesboro Village Rezone Request:  Attorney Jeff Dehner was present on behalf of Jonesboro Village, LLC to rezone 1287 Highway Spur 138 from C-1 to C-2.  City Attorney Jon Kendall reiterated to the council with Ordinance 06-02, the property would be zoned C-2 with the condition that it would comply with C-1 uses, that the building would be able to be rebuilt using the same foot print.  Jeff Dehner, stated he had reviewed the conditions and ordinance upon which the property at 1287 Highway Spur 138 will be rezoned and it meets the intent of the owners.  Councilman Maddox made the motion to rezone the property at 1287 Hwy Spur 138 C-2 with the stipulations that only C-1 businesses be allowed and the additional conditions as stated in Ordinance 06-02 be met.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Executive Session:  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to go into Executive Session.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Maddox made a motion to resume Regular Session.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  The motion carried unanimously and Regular Session resumed. 

OCI Services Contract:  Landry Merickson, with OCI Services, LLC asked if the council had any questions or concerns regarding the Code Enforcement Contract, as he had reviewed the contract and was okay with it.  Councilman Maddox requested info on the companies he has worked with and Councilman Wiggins asked if there would be a conflict of interest with the Clayton County Fire Department.  Mr. Merickson stated there would not be any conflict and gave Councilman Maddox the information he requested.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to approve the six months contract with OCI Services, LLC for Code Enforcement services.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion did not carry.  Council members Yonce, Wiggins, Maddox and Mann opposed the motion. 

Police Personnel and Vehicles:  Discussion was held regarding the addition of three (3) new police officers and the purchase of additional new vehicles.  Mayor Day reviewed the adjustments in the budget, which reflects how the city would cover the expense.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve the request for three new police officers and the two (2) additional vehicles.  Councilwoman Meadows seconded the motion.  The motion did not carry.  Council members Yonce, Wiggins, Maddox and Mann opposed the motion. 

Police Chief Jim Roberts presented the Mayor and Council how he would work his staff should the police department be given the task of code enforcement.  The number of personnel would change with each shift as needed to meet the needs of the citizens.  Councilman Mann made a motion to approve the hiring of 1 police personnel clerk, and 1 additional police officer and to transfer the code enforcement budget to the police department.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried with Council Members Wenz and Meadows opposing and Council Members Yonce, Wiggins, Maddox and Mann voting in favor of the motion. 

NEW BUSINESS

Rezone Request 302 Fayetteville Road:  Arnetta Hall requested the council rezone her property at 302 Fayetteville Road from R-2 (Residential) to H-2 (Historic District) in order for her to operate a beauty salon business.  She explained the hours of business, the parking and the volume of clients.  Mayor Day opened the public hearing regarding this rezone request.  Comments were voiced opposing the rezone from neighbors Mr. Edwards and Mr. Washington.  J. Wiggins voiced concern that this would be spot zoning.  Mayor Day asked for any other public comment.  There being none, the public hearing was closed.  

Councilman Mann made a motion deny the rezone request at 302 Fayetteville Road due to spot zoning.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  The motion carried with Council Members Yonce, Mann, Wenz, Meadows and Wiggins voting in favor of the motion.  Councilman Maddox abstained as he has property on Fayetteville Road. 

CDBG Spring Street:  Public Works Director Sam Durrance updated the council on the bids received for the Spring Street Drainage Project. He reviewed the scope of the project which includes infrastructure improvements and repairs to Spring Street near Dean Street and to the creek bed flowing under Fayetteville Road.  Mr. Durrance requested the council to authorize Mayor Day enter into a contract with GS Construction as it was the best bid received at $324,000.  This would be covered by the CDBG grant monies of $400,000 with the balance to help with possible parking expansion at Massengale Park.  The project should begin in July and take approximately 3-4 weeks due any unforeseen problems.  Councilman Maddox made a motion to authorize Mayor Day to sign the construction contract regarding the CDBG Spring Street Project with GS Construction once approved by the city attorney.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Public Works Director reminded the council of the need to update the Flood Plain map. He reminded the council of the upcoming April 18th FEMA public hearing on the proposed flood plain map, the meeting will be at the Library Headquarters on Battlecreek Road. 

Jonesboro Days Committee:  Mayor Day asked Council how they wanted to handle the upcoming Jonesboro Days.  Councilman Maddox suggested the different committees in the community volunteer.  Councilman Maddox said he would volunteer.  Mayor Day asked if he would Chair the Jonesboro Day Committee. He agreed.  Jon Crane will serve as Vice-Chairman.  Councilman Maddox requested a clipboard be available at city hall for folks to come by and sign up to help out. 

Sanitation Services:  Discussion was held regarding the sanitation services.  Councilman Maddox commented that Robertson Sanitation should abide by the original terms of the contract.  Mr. Floyd Cherry will be contacted for discussion. 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Mayor Day requested the following items be added to the agenda; Item H, to appoint a treasurer to execute the documents for the foreclosure on a property lien at 271 North Main Street and Item I, would be to authorize a foreclosure of the property lien at 271 North Main Street and Item J, consideration of employee salaries. 

Councilman Maddox made a motion to add Item H (treasurer) Item I (foreclosure) and Item J (employee salary) to the agenda.   Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Appointment of Treasurer:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to appoint Joanie Jones as Treasurer to execute documents.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Foreclosure Authorization:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to start foreclosure proceedings of a lien on the property at 271 North Main Street.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Employee Salary:  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to authorize a pay increase by $100.00 a week for Sam Durrance and Joan Jones.  Councilwoman Meadows seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Maddox asked for the reasons   the hours changed at city hall.  Mayor Day stated that with only two people working, there is not enough time to complete paperwork.  The open hours are shorter at 9-4 but the work hours are still the same at 8-5. 

Mayor Day asked for any other business.  DDA representative was not present.  Councilman Mann made a motion to adjourn.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The meeting was adjourned. 

____________________________                            ___________________________

Mayor Joy Day                                                            City Clerk, Joan Jones