APRIL 5TH, 2010 WORKSESSION MEETING NOTES (REVISED):

 

Present:  Luther Maddox, Mayor

                 Roger Grider, Councilmember         

                  Wallace Norrington, Councilmember

                  Clarence Mann, Councilmember

                  Bobby Wiggins, Councilmember

                  Joe Compton, Councilmember

                 Pat Sebo, Councilmember                

                

                Janice Truhan, City Clerk and Joe Nettleton, Public Works Director, Charles

                  Carpenter – Code Enforcement Officer, and Interim Chief Wayne Woods

 

1.     Mayor Maddox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  The first item on the Worksession was the discussion of the Sound System bids for the Municipal Courtroom. Mayor Maddox asked Janice Truhan, City Clerk, to review bids and discuss the City’s needs and wants for the Courtroom.  Ms. Truhan suggested vendor Distex, second most competitive cost wise, and asked for to equipment additions.  Mr. Wells asked questions on the new systems operations, which Ms. Truhan addressed.

 

  1. Councilmember Sebo, Councilmember, addressed the need for communication & Quoted a Scripture from Corinthians, in Paul’s writings.  Ms. Sebo stated that she is one that likes direct communication.  Each Councilmember has her numbers (home phone & cell). She requested that they all work together as a team, and that we will work better together with open lines of communication and all are on the same page.  Mr. Billy Powell made several comments regarding communication.  Councilmember Sebo asked for input for Jonesboro Days.  She stated Councilmember Wiggins attended a team meeting and gave a wealth of information. The Mayor commended Mr. Billy Powell for the wonderful job he did for the 2009 Jonesboro Days and the success he has at keeping the cost down.  Mr. John Crane suggested that Shipper’s Warehouse is interested in donating and to pursue them. 

 

      3.    Mayor Maddox brought up the Fire Department negotiations.  He and Mr. Steve

            Fincher, City Attorney met with Chief Cohilas from Clayton County.  The Mayor        indicated that the County believes that the City will give Fire Station away.  Cohilas,        Mayor Maddox and City Attorney remain in hard nose negotiations.  Mayor Maddox          called for questions.  Councilmember Joe Compton addressed the two appraisals of      the Firehouse and said that they are far apart, value wise.  He stated the City and          County should do a joint appraisal.  The Mayor stated that he and Mr. Fincher are    checking the appraisals and comparing. The Mayor stated that during negotiations,     the County stated that they would have one inspection fee for one building and bill             the owner of the building.  Joel Hall from the News Daily asked if the 2,036,000.   Appraisal is the County’s?  The Mayor stated no, it is the City’s.  Mr. Powell and Mr.          Crane both made statements regarding the business inspections.  Councilmember             Sebo asked the amount of time between the two appraisals.  Mayor Maddox             explained – the City’s was completed in February 2008 and the County’s in March        2010.

 

      4.    Mayor Maddox brought up the Sign Ordinance and turned this item over to the City          Clerk and to Mr. Charles Carpenter, Code Enforcement Officer. Ms. Truhan stated that Code Enforcement and City Clerk are interested in clarifying a few sign Ordinance     issues and are looking for Council support.  Councilmember Grider asked why the City            Clerk was involved in this issue.  Ms. Truhan stated that she is responsible for the Sign    Application Permits approval or disapproval. Discussion ensued regarding the process

            of issuing warnings and ticketing. Mr. Wells and Mr. Crane requested consideration of         extensions for banner signs, asked for fairness with Churches related to sign

              enforcement, versus the requirements of businesses.  Both should be treated equally.

            It was agreed that Council supported the Sign Ordinance, as it stands, with its most              recent amendment regarding spectacular signs, and told Mr. Carpenter to enforce it.

 

      5.  Mayor Maddox requested Public Works Director, Joe Nettleton, to update Council   regarding Public Works issues.  Mr. Nettleton stated that 1st quarter garbage is going    good .  He stated that leaf and limb are becoming an issue.  It is getting hard to get to.     He had lost 1 full time employee to Garbage – twice per week.  Mr. Nettleton            requested the need for another part time laborer needed three to four days a week. He would like to bring his part time person up to 4 days.  The Mayor suggested that             another man be put on the Garbage Truck.  Discussion ensued and agreement was      made to extend the week of one part time laborer to four days and obtain another   part time worker.  

 

            Mayor Maddox asked Interim Chief Woods if there were issues related to the Police             Department.  He stated that the computer system is worn out.  I and Ms. Truhan had           discussed a main frame that ties City Hall, Police Department and Public Works     together under one server.  Interim Chief Woods explained the benefits related to the           P.D.  Councilmember Sebo asked if the GCIC system would be a part of that or if it was             separate.  Interim Chief Woods state that it was separate.  Councilmember Grider         stated that a presentation by Interim Chief Woods was premature at this point, to        wait for appointed Chief. 

 

            Interim Chief Woods brought up the City’s Harley Davidson Police motorcycle and the             continuous issues regarding its performance.  He requested that we purchase new    motorcycle at $13,700 – $16,700. and sell current motorcycle to the City of Hapeville             for $6,500.  He also stated that this can be purchased through D.E.A. funds. 

 

            Interim Chief Woods stated that the following day Lt. Scales, will be escorting the     Yonce family from their residence to the Methodist Church and from the Church to the   to the cemetery.  Interim Chief Woods will be escorting Mrs. Yonce from the funeral       home t            o the Church and to the Cemetery.

            Mayor Maddox stated that the Trail Grant applied for in 2008 is funded again and that        we can apply for funding if done so by April 30th, 2010, for Battleground Park trail.    The City will need to pass the resolution provided.  It is a 50/50 grant (50% funded,      50% City funded.

 

            Councilmember Wiggins requested that Council consider hiring another person for City Hall.  Mayor Maddox stated that City Hall was loaded up right now but        Occupational Tax Certificates will soon be done and we should see some relief.          Councilmember Sebo discussed the Archway Clayton Interim notice that she had   received (Ms. Truhan confirmed).

 

            Mayor Maddox called for agreement to adjourn.  All were in agreement (Mr.             Norrington, Mr. Mann, Mr. Compton, Mr. Grider, Ms. Sebo).