|
City of Jonesboro The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held a regular council meeting on February 14, 2005 at 7:00pm. The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street.
Members present: Council member Yvette McDonald Council member Donna Meadows Council member Wallace Norrington Council member Clifford Sewell Council member Rick Yonce Council member Linda Wenz Mayor Joy B. Day Staff present: Stacey Inglis, Finance Officer Kathryn Lookofsky, DDA Robert Thomas, Police Chief Jon Walker, City Manager John Kendall, City Attorney Minutes Approved: Councilman Sewell motioned, seconded by Councilman Norrington to approve the January 10, 2005 minutes as written. The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Amendment:
Mayor Day requested a motion to amend the agenda and to insert a budget
amendment that would pay the firefighters for their time spent at the fire
station during the first two weeks of January. Councilman Norrington so
motioned to amend the agenda. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion
carried unanimously and the agenda was amended. Home Occupation: Mr. Sabatano of 122-B North Lake Drive, requested a home occupation to create/design websites. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve Mr. Sabatano’s home occupation request. Councilwoman Meadows seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Home Occupation: Mr. Berry, 111 Fifth Avenue requested a home occupation for his business as an installer of home theatres, surround sound, etc. Councilwoman Meadows made a motioned to approve Mr. Berry’s home occupation request. Councilwoman Wenz seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Home Occupation Guidelines: Council reviewed home occupation guidelines. Discussion was held regarding the number of employees, signage, how much square footage can be used, home ownership etc. The council agreed to take the guidelines under consideration for action at a later meeting. Fire Department Presentation: Clayton County Fire Chief Alex Cohilas gave a power point presentation to update the council and citizens on the staff at Jonesboro Station 13; he introduced the staff and reviewed the day-to-day operations and what Clayton County offers the citizens and businesses of Jonesboro. Telecommunication Ordinance Amendment: City Manager Jon Walker reviewed with council how Section 2 of the Telecommunication Ordinance would appear in the code book if the changes were approved to update the fees. Mayor Day opened a public hearing on the Telecommunication Ordinance. No comments were made. She reminded everyone present that the ordinance is available for review at city hall. Indigent Defense Program Resolution 05-02: Mayor Day read Resolution 05-02 pertaining to the new law requiring municipalities to set up and fund a panel of attorneys to be appointed to indigent defense cases. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to adoption the Indigent Defense Program, Resolution 05-02. Councilwoman Wenz seconded. The motion carried unanimously. (Ord.Bk One, pg 67) 2005 Fee Schedule, Resolution 05-03: Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve the 2005 Fee Schedule Resolution 05-03 as presented. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. (Ord.Bk One,pg 68) Sale of Surplus Equipment: City Manager Jon Walker reviewed the list of equipment and supplies for the council to consider selling or auctioning off (copy on file). Councilman Yonce requested a second opinion on the E-One appraisal. Councilman Sewell requested and so motioned that the city-advertise the fire vehicles/equipment to accept bids on these items. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion that the city accepts bids for BellSouth mobile phones and GE commercial gas range. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Yonce made a motion to auction have items 9 and 10 on website with the option of refusal. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried. The council was given information of the transfer of property and the request from the fire fighters. Councilman Norrington made a motion to grant fire fighters request for certain items. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Telecommunication Ordinance Amendment: Mayor Day asked the council to consider adopting the amendment to the Telecommunications Ordinance since there was a hearing and there was no public opposition or questions. Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to approve the amendment to the Telecommunication Ordinance. Councilwoman Wenz seconded. The motion carried unanimously. (Ord. Bk One, pg 66) GMA Natural Gas Purchase Program: Councilman Sewell made a motion to have the city participate in the GMA Natural Gas Purchase Program with the understanding that rates would be lower than what we pay now or the city would not participate. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Downtown Parking: Discussion was held regarding downtown parking. Councilman Sewell motioned to form a Downtown Parking Committee comprised of the business owners to look for possible options and solutions. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Day asked Councilman Sewell to head the committee. Contract for 271 North Main Street Demolition/Abatement: Brenda Ames with EPS reviewed bids on the demolition and abatement of 271 North Main Street. The approximate demolition (with subcontractors such as Mercury Waste, Paccard Industry) cost is $144,136.00. The project would begin February 28, 2005 with completion in mid April. Councilman Sewell voiced concern about the time (10 hour shift), no Sunday work and the work hours of 7am-7pm. Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to allow a 7am-7pm flexible workday. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. City Manager reminded council that a lien has been filed on this property and the city will recoup our fees. Councilwoman Meadows motioned to accept the contract with Klein Contracting Corporation, Heavy Metal Earthworks and EPS with a cost of $144,136.00 for the demolition/abatement of 271 North Main Street. Councilwoman Wenz seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Concerned Citizen Petition: Resident Clarence Mann presented Mayor and Council with petition asking for Mayor Day’s resignation and the dismissal of City Manager. Executive Session: Mayor Day requested a motion be made to go into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and pending litigation. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to go into Executive Session. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Regular Session: Councilman Sewell made a motion to resume regular session. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Regular session was resumed. UGA Proposal: Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to have the council work in conjunction with University of Georgia on charettes for different properties within the city. Councilman Sewell seconded. The motion carried with Councilman Yonce opposing. OTHER BUSINESSMayor Day reminded everyone about Jonesboro Day on May 14th from 11am – 3pm at the Fire Station. She asked council members be available for setup at 8am. In addition, Mayor Day reminded everyone of the big band concert on the courthouse lawn at 7pm on the 14th. This is in conjunction with the Atlanta Jazz Festival. Councilman Yonce voiced concern as to why Fire Chief Wiggins was not notified when the volunteers would no longer respond to calls. He was advised nothing has been done on the fire department accounts at this time. There being no further business Councilman Sewell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. ___________________ ______________________ Joy Day, Mayor Joan Jones, City Clerk |