City of Jonesboro
Regular Meeting
October 14, 2002

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Council was held October 14, 2002. The following council members were present: Yvette McDonald, Ed Adair, Rick Yonce, Clifford Sewell, and Wallace Norrington. Mayor Joy Day presided.

The September 9, 2002 minutes were read. Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve the minutes as read. Councilman Norrington seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.

The minutes from a called meeting held October 1, 2002 were read. Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the minutes as read, Councilman Sewell seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Under old business, Mayor Day advised the council she had spoken with the city attorney regarding the Derelict Vehicle Ordinance, specifically changing the number of vehicles allowed in a residential zoning from 10 (ten) to 6 (six). In regards to Councilman Sewell concern of possible exemption for military personnel, Mayor Day said this would be reviewed on a case by case basis. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to accept the revised Derelict Vehicle Ordinance. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Eldridge Lee, representing Shiloh Baptist Church spoke with Mayor and Council requesting two temporary modular units, one to be placed on the west side of 214 Fayetteville Road and one to be placed on the east side which is Emerson Byrd's property (216 Fayetteville Road). Shiloh is beginning a 1.5 million dollar expansion and the modular units would be for a nursery and classroom. Concern was voiced from the council regarding the safety of the children.
Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the placement of these modular units with the stipulation that a fence be put in place for safety. Councilman Yonce seconded. Council members R. Yonce, E. Adair, Y. McDonald and C. Sewell approved. Councilman Norrington abstained, as he is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. The motion carried.

Chuck and Morris Graham of C&M Motors (196 Hwy 54) requested a sign variance. The primary identification sign limit is 50 square feet for their business and they requested a total of 60 square feet. Councilman Adair made a motion to approve the Graham's request for a sign variance. Councilman Yonce seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Thomas West of 8050 Tara Blvd requested approval for a home-based occupational license as a garage door installer. Mr. West explained that there would be no storage or signage at his property. Nothing would be visible, as his tools would be in his vehicle. Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve Mr. West request for a home-based business. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to delete Mr. David Smith from the agenda, as he did not come to the meeting. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 

Mark Moyer with L.I.B. Mortgage Company requested property at 158 South Main Street be rezoned from R-2 to 0&1. Councilman Sewell asked Mr. Moyer if he was aware the property was in the historic district. Mr. Moyer confirmed he was aware the property was in the historic district and it will comply with the code. There was no public opposition present. Councilman Norrington made a motion to approve the rezoning request. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Day reviewed with the council the Administrative Search Warrant Ordinance. Municipal judge would have to approve the search warrant. Councilwoman McDonald made a motion to approve the Administrative Search Warrant Ordinance as written. Councilman Sewell seconded.
The motion carried unanimously.

Major Freeman Poole addressed the council of his concerns of the grave diggers/funeral homes being negligent of opening and closing graves. He wanted to make council aware of this problem. Mayor and Council discussed the concerns of the cemetery.

Jo Lynn McEwen, business owner at 128 South Main Street requested assistance for parking signs for her business. Councilman Sewell made a motion to have 3 parking space signs placed in front of 128 South Main Street. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Dan Astin of 187 Church St., requested a storage building variance of two feet ftom the Mayor and Council. The side setback is 10 feet from property line Mr. Astin would like his storage building 8 feet from the property line. He currently has one storage building in place and this would line up with it. Councilman Sewell made a motion to approve the variance request of 2 feet. Councilman Adair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Day reviewed a written donation request of $922.00 from Keep Clayton County Beautiful. Councilman Sewell made a motion to table this request and have a representative from Keep Clayton County Beautiful at the November meeting to answer any concerns the council might have. Councilman Norrington seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief Mark Harris presented the Mayor and Council a proposal and request for budget amendment for computer upgrades. The proposal calls for new MDS Software to replace Vision Software, replacing court and probation systems, replacing desktops, laptops and installing a new file server. The total cost is $41,890. Councilman Sewell made a motion to update the police technology by approving this request with a budget amendment of $21, 890.00 and $20,000 coming from the police confiscated fund. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Day requested a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Councilman Norrington made a motion to go into executive session. Councilwoman McDonald seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Sewell made a motion to resume regular session. Councilman Norrington seconded.
The motion carried unanimously.

Fire Chief Jimmy Wiggins informed the council that; Fireman Roger Swint was awarded Public Safety Officer of the Year for Clayton County by the Knights of Columbus. Chief Wiggins discussed with council that the City of Atlanta will be holding an auction Saturday. October] 9th and he requested authorization to try and purchase two 1990 fire trucks. specifically Engine #10 & #19. The 2002 budget has $150,000.00 allocated to purchase a new engine. Council unanimously authorized Chief Wiggins to spend up to $50,000 on the fire trucks.

There being no further business, Councilman Norrington made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Sewell seconded. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

Joy Day,                   Joanie Jones
Mayor                        City Clerk