CITY OF JONESBORO

  WORKSESSION MINUTES

FEBRUARY 7th, 2011

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their Worksession meeting on Monday, February 7th, 2011.  The meeting was held 6:00 p.m. at the Jonesboro Police Station, 170 South Main Street Jonesboro, Georgia.

Council Present:        Luther Maddox, Mayor

                                    Roger Grider – Councilmember

                                    Clarence Mann, Councilmember

                                    Wallace Norrington, Councilmember

                                    Pat Sebo, Councilmember

                                    Bobby Wiggins Councilmember

                                    Joe Compton, Councilmember - absent

Staff present:    Chief Franklin Allen, Joe Nettleton - Public Works Director, and Janice Truhan

- City Clerk.

I. Call to Order – 6:00 p.m.

II. Public comments were given by:

Joy Day – Ms. Day expressed concern regarding the truck route ordinance for the City and questioned if signs were up.  She also discussed the vehicle take home policy, stating that it were taken away it would be a negative benefit, but distance should be enforced. Ms. Day felt that the phone tree should be used for all issues.

Rick Yonce – Mr. Yonce expressed his concern over the vehicle take home policy. He explained that Forest Park, Lake City, and Lovejoy, do not have take home cars. He said that Morrow and Riverdale have a 5-16 miles policy with 2 years employment. It is tough as gas prices go up. 40-50 miles is a lot with limited resources.

III, Worksession –

Discuss appointment of Janice Truhan, City Clerk as Election Superintendent. Discussion ensued with Councilmember Grider asking if we needed to do this every year. Mayor Maddox stated every two years – during an election year. Ms. Truhan stated that it is according to the Charter.

Discussed vehicle take home policy. Mayor Maddox stated that we have a take home policy and that we should get employee address and check the mileage – get control over it, be active instead of re-active. Councilmember Wiggins asked if the policy was under control. Chief Allen stated that he had ‘Map quested’ each location and drove it. Zebulon Police Department is outside of 25 miles range, and three officers are out 21 miles. There are secure locations in Paulding County to park the vehicles so that officers can carpool Chief Allen stated that they had cut two cars down to one, two cars are not being driven, and are looking at alternate means of patrol, i.e. Golf Cart, Motorcycle, two man cars and stationary positions. Councilmember Grider asked if we were cutting down neighborhood patrol. Chief stated “no sir.” Also each officer has to log into his shift and log out when it ends.

Discussed the usage of the City Phone Tree system. It was suggested that every meeting and city activity should be put on the message system. Councilmember Mann stated we need professional quality. Councilmember Grider asked if we used the recorder for every single activity. Yes. He further stated that we need to listen to each message. Councilmember Wiggins suggested we use other phone line.

Discussed proposed ordinance amendment for “Offences and Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 46-9 Minors’. Chief Allen stated that 242 Stockbridge Road (Party Hall) does have an Occupational Tax Certificate but is subleasing to promoters. They have been at the location past midnight and all night long. The owner puts everyone out at 11:00 p.m. but the minors hang out in the parking lot.  There have been two fights and one accident at Lucky’s Store. The City of Atlanta does not allow anyone under 16 unsupervised. DaClub started out the same – a teenager hang out. Chief Allen stated with the ordinance in place we will be able to take the minor to the Police Department, call Mom and Dad and issue a citation. There would not be any ‘hanging out’‘after 11:00 p.m. Chief Allen also stated that two of the five promoters that had events at Party Hall had been falsely misled. Councilmember Sebo asked if the owner was providing security. Chief Allen stated that the owner is security. Chief Allen stated that there is liability to the promoters. It is a public nuisance. Councilmember Norrington asked the minimum age – teenage/adults? Chief Allen stated it depends on the type of event. Councilmember Grider asked if they were charging a ‘cover charge’. Yes. Councilmember Mann stated that the owner is fulfilling their obligation and we are transferring to parents. Councilmember Grider stated that if the child is out without supervision – it is child endangerment and is the parent’s responsibility. Councilmember Wiggins asked if the Ordinance had been approved by Fincher. Yes. Councilmember Norrington stated that we need to suspend the license. Councilmember Grider stated that we need to change the Occupational Tax Ordinance.

Discussed proposed ordinance concerning ‘Foreclosure Registry’.  Mayor Maddox stated that Foreclosed property owner has 30 days to notify City Hall. Owner should keep property maintained. The City’s and County’s are drafting ordinances to develop a way to make owners accountable. Wiggins suggested we put notice in paper advising of the Ordinance. Code Enforcement would be the person checking. Mayor Maddox stated that we put a lien on the property for unpaid charges, etc.

Discussed downtown parking enforcement related to Broad Street & Main Street, and the enforcement of parking. Mayor Maddox stated that the parking needs to be redrawn on Broad Street. Mayor Maddox suggested using the Municipal parking lot for Broad Street employees’. Park the same way or do not park. They can use municipal parking. Councilmember Wiggins asked if there was an ordinance and if signs were up to enforce. Mayor Maddox stated that the offices clients have no room to park as the staff uses the parking spaces on Main Street for themselves. The Mayor stated that the Police Department could have an officer come by and chalk the tires. Councilmember Sebo suggested that the signage for the City Parking lot should be changed to Municipal parking lot. Councilmember Sebo also said we are having the Taste of Clayton in the very near future and suggested that we have the signage in place before this event.

Discussion ensued as to Broad Street and who uses parking (employees and lawyers) and that we cannot get a Fire truck through there. Mayor Maddox stated that he would check on the status of the Clayton House. Councilmember Norrington stated that he felt that parking enforcement needs to be looked at again. Mayor Maddox stated that we could look at bicycles also.

Joe Nettleton brought up the truck signs – that they were faded. Mayor Maddox stated that they should be done gain. Mayor Day stated that it was posted at Jodeco and Stockbridge road for ‘Local Delivery only”. The signs are in place at those locations per Joe Nettleton. Mayor Maddox requested that Chief Allen issue citations to all those that do come into city.

Councilmember Wiggins stated that we need to annex properties and take all of Tara and Jonesboro Road (bordering Jonesboro). Chief Allen stated that it is difficult to enforce as even seasoned officers don’t know the City limits. Councilmember Mann stated that the County Legislature has to approve. Chief Allen suggested that he speak with Chief Porter. (but gets no response) and has a good rapport with Assistant Chief Butler. He will report back.

Mr. Wells asked about the Basketball Court on Lee Street and commented on the women drivers forcing him to move. The Mayor suggested to take the number of the bus and call the school district to report.

Councilmember’s Grider, Sebo, Norrington and Wiggins are in favor of the annual King Day celebration returning to Jonesboro. The Ministers asked to have it here in Jonesboro. The Sheriff stated that they would help with enforcement and provide trustees for cleanup. Mayor stated with this cooperation, it will not cost the city any additional overtime. Councilmember Grider stated that it was a small parade.

Mayor Maddox called for a Motion to adjourn. Approved. {Motion: Mann, 2^nd: Norrington, Vote: Unanimous].

End.