CITY OF JONESBORO
DECEMBER 15, 2005
MEETING
 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2005.  The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236.  

                        Members Present:         Councilwoman Yvette McDonald

Councilwoman Donna Meadows

Councilman Wallace Norrington

Councilwoman Linda Wenz

                                                            Councilman Bobby Wiggins

                                                            Councilman Rick Yonce

                                                            Mayor Joy Day

 

                        Staff Present:                Finance Officer Stacey Inglis

                                                            Downtown Director Kathryn Lookofsky

                                                            Public Works Director Sam Durrance

                                                            Interim Police Chief Jim Roberts

 

Minutes Approved:  Mayor Day asked for any questions or comments regarding the November Minutes and Public Hearings.  Councilman Yonce made a motion to have the minutes reflect Councilman Bobby Wiggins was welcomed as the newly elected Jonesboro Councilman.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the November minutes as amended.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Agenda Amended:  Item E and Item C were duplicate items and Mayor Day requested the agenda be amended as to delete Item E and to have Item P be a 2005 Budget Adjustment.   Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to delete Item E and to have Item P as 2005 Budget Adjustment.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Public Hearing Zoning Map Amendment:  City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the minor changes in the zoning map such as the Huie Property which is zoned O&I on Fayetteville Road; the numbers on each parcel made larger for easier reading.  Mayor Day opened the Public Hearing for the amendment to the Zoning Map and asked for any comments or questions.  Mayor Day closed the Public Hearing regarding the Zoning Map Amendment.  Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to amend the Official Zoning Map as described.  Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 

Public Hearing on Rezone of Turner Property:  City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the staff report concerning the rezone of the Turner Property (LL240D-13th District) which includes a Development Agreement.  The rezone request is from R-4 to H-D2 for the development of 55 homes. The builder, Robert Reid sited ARC statistics on the growth, housing trend, demographic changes how this development would benefit the community.  Mayor Day opened the Public Hearing on this rezone.  Concerns regarding buffers, tree preservation, increased traffic, school crowding and styles of fencing were brought to the council for consideration along with questions about impact studies.  Mr. Reid responded to the citizens concern. There being no further comment, Mayor Day closed the public hearing. 

Development Agreement:  City Manager reviewed the Development Agreement between Delvco LLC and the City of Jonesboro which lays out the guidelines/conditions for the development of the Turner property.   The agreement references the rezone of the property from R-4 to HD-2 with conditions and the conditions are as set forth in the Development Agreement.  The city manager and engineering company will oversee the development.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to authorize Mayor Day to sign the Development Agreement with Delvco LLC. Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried with Councilman Yonce opposing.  The motion carries. 

Rezone of Turner Property:  City Manager Jon Walker reiterated to the council that the Development Agreement is an attachment to the rezoning ordinance.  Mayor Day called for a motion regarding the rezoning of the Turner property from R-4 to H-D2 with conditions.  Councilman Yonce made a motion to deny the rezone request as it does not meet the requirements.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion did not carry as Council members Wiggins and Yonce voted for the motion. Council members Wenz, Norrington, McDonald and Meadows opposed the motion.   Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the rezone of the Turner property from R-4 to H-D2 with conditions set forth in the development agreement.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion.  The motion carried with Councilmember’s Wiggins and Yonce opposing. 

Rezone 210 Fayetteville Road:  City Manager reviewed the staff report regarding the rezone request of J&J Financial to rezone 210 Fayetteville Road from C-1 to C-1 Conditional Use Permit for Religious Assembly use.  Owner Jamie Knight spoke to council informing them of the history and use for the building.  Mayor Day called for a public hearing regarding this rezone.  Questions and concerns were asked and answered.  Mr. Willard Smith spoke on behalf of the church ministry.  Mayor Day closed the public hearing and called for a motion.  Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the C-1 and Conditional Use Permit for Religious Assembly Overlay with Conditions.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  Council members Yonce, Wiggins and Norrington voted yea; Council members Meadows, McDonald and Wenz voted nay.  Mayor Day broke the tie with a nay vote.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to deny the rezone request.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  Council members Yonce, Wiggins and Norrington opposed; Council members McDonald, Meadows and Wenz approved.  Mayor Day broke the tie and approved the motion.  The rezone request was denied. 

2006 Fee Schedule:  Mayor Day called for a motion to approve the 2006 Fee Schedule as presented.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to approve the 2006 Fee Schedule.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

2006 Budget:  Mayor Day called for a motion to adopt the 2006 Budget as presented.
Councilman Wiggins made a motion to table the adoption of the 2006 Budget until the January meeting.  Councilman Yonce seconded. Councilman Yonce, Wiggins and Norrington voting yea; Councilwoman Meadows, McDonald and Wenz opposed the motion. The motion did not carry with Mayor Day breaking the tie. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to adopt the 2006 Budget as presented.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried with Councilman Norrington abstaining and Council members Yonce and Wiggins opposing and Council members McDonald, Meadows and Wenz voting yea. The 2006 Budget was approved. 

State Ethics Resolution:  Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the Resolution regarding Certified City of Ethics Program.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

State Ethics Ordinance:  City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the City of Ethics Ordinance, which includes the guidelines for the establishment of a three person committee.  Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the City of Ethics Ordinance as presented.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Solid Waste Management Plan Resolution:   A Resolution is required to meet state requirements.  Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the resolution calling for a Solid Waste Management Plan for 2005.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

VALIC Plan Updated:  City Clerk Joan Jones explained to council the VALIC Plan needs to be updated to comply with current laws.  It has been reviewed by the city attorney and the VALIC representative.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve the updated VALIC Plan.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Amendment to Chapter 54 Waste & Recyclable Materials:  Mayor Day reviewed the changes to Chapter 54 regarding the pickup of waste and recyclable materials which puts the residential garbage fees on the tax bill which will help with compliance and insuring the attractiveness of community.  This keeps the garbage rate down.  Councilman Yonce made a motion to have Robertson Sanitation continue billing for 2006 garbage services on a quarterly basis.  Councilman Norrington seconded. Discussion was held regarding cost/recycling/non compliance and renter’s non payments. The motion carried with McDonald and Wenz opposing.  Council members Wiggins, Norrington, Meadows and Yonce voted in favor of the motion. 

GA Power Franchise Agreement:  Councilman Wiggins made a motion to accept Franchise Agreement with Georgia Power.   Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Amendment to July 2005 Minutes:  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to table this item for further review.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

2005 Budget Adjustment:  Finance Officer Stacey Inglis reviewed the changes in the 2005 budget.  The total adjustments made to General Fund result in surplus of funds amounting to $147,711. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to approve the 2005 Budget Adjustments as presented.  Councilman Norrington seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Executive Session:  Councilman Norrington made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Norrington made a motion to resume the regular meeting.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  The motion carried unanimously and the regular meeting was resumed.

OTHER BUSINESS 

City Manager Jon Walker announced the three final applicants for police chief: John Kearin from Davidson, NC; Jim Roberts currently Interim Chief and Charles Rafford from Birmingham, Alabama. 

Downtown Parking:  Questions were asked and answered regarding public information.  JoLynn and Lamar McCuen requested council to replace the parking signs in front of their business Simple Pleasures on South Main Street.  Mayor Day explained the agenda would need to be amended to include their consideration for any action.  Councilman Wiggins made a motion to amend the agenda to include consideration of Simple Pleasure sign placement on South Main Street.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Councilman Wiggins made a motion to replace the reserved parking signs temporarily until the next January 9th meeting.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously with Councilman Norrington abstaining. 

Councilman Wiggins asked for verification on the return of grant monies and the removal of the can recycle bin for burn victims.      

There being no further business, Councilman Norrington made a motion to adjourn.  Councilwoman McDonald seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.

 

________________________                                                          __________________________

Joy Day, Mayor                                                                                 Joan Jones, City Clerk