CITY OF JONESBORO

 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

WORKSESSION

MAY 3rd, 2010

 

 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held the Regular monthly Worksession meeting on   Monday, May 3rd, 2010.  The meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. at the Jonesboro Police Station, 170 South Main Street Jonesboro, Georgia.

 

Council Present:        Luther Maddox, Mayor

                                    Clarence Mann, Councilmember

                                    Roger Grider, Councilmember

                                    Wallace Norrington, Councilmember

                                    Joe Compton, Councilmember

                                    Pat Sebo, Councilmember

                                    Bobby Wiggins Councilmember

 

Staff Present: Janice Truhan City Clerk,  Interim Chief Wayne Woods, Steve Fincher-City Attorney.

 

Mayor Maddox called the meeting to order.  Mayor Maddox announced that Clayton County Fire Chief/Chief of Staff– Alex Cohilas will be giving a presentation providing statistics and information in order to assist Council in making a decision whether or not to continue the Service Delivery. Mr. Cohilas provided a Power Point presentation with the highlights mentioned:   number of calls in 2009 – 991, Fire and EMS calls in 2010 = 274.  Staffing provided 4 persons for #13 Engine, 4 persons for #13 Truck, 3 persons for #13 Medical Truck, 2 persons for #13 Super ? for a total of 11.2 persons per shift.

 

Cohilas further stated that Jonesboro is covered by five other stations within three miles of the City.  ‘The City receives professional Fire Fighting 365 day per year. Clayton County EMS, 3 years ago, was recognized as EMT of the year.  Discussion of fire station location in proximity to the City of Jonesboro was revealed. Jonesboro has a better defense mechanism than Morrow who covers Lake City.  He referred to the Pi~ chart to show calls handled by various stations with Station #13 handling 81% of the calls. Since 10/09 Clayton County has obtained three new med units.  These are situated at stations 10, 11, and 12 which leaves Station 13 able to handle more calls.  EMS response time is 5 minutes 37 seconds, and in 2010 -5 minutes 13 seconds – a tremendous achievement.  Questions ensued: 

 

  • Councilmember Wiggins asked how many 911 calls in the City?  Mr. Cohilas stated that EMS calls are usually for heart patients, not breathing, etc. 
  • Mayor Maddox asked about those in accidents.  Mr. Cohilas stated that they are withdrawn from the vehicle and will use ambulance to extricate and take victim to hospital.  Mr. Cohilas stated that Clayton County only charges for special extractions.  In 2010 there were 270 calls to the City limits. Councilmember Compton asked if Clayton County bills to medical insurance.  Mr. Cohilas stated they will if they have insurance “so many folks have no insurance”.
  • Councilmember Wiggins as is EMS through the General Fund?  Mr. Cohilas stated that it has been paid out of the General fund since 1971. Fire personnel are paid out of the millage tax.  Councilmember Compton stated that the County gets the dollars and Station #13 staff are paid from this.  Mr. Cohilas stated out of the $382,000., $40,000. Is paid back by lease payment on Fire Station #13, $342,000 for cost of engine, $330,000. For cost of ladder truck, ¾ of million, personnel - $36,000., etc.
  • Councilmember Wiggins stated we do not need a top of the line fire engine.  Mr. Cohilias stated yea, but you will be replacing them sooner.  Cohilas further stated NFPA standards are 12 Firefighters on initial alarms, ours is 19 personnel. Further banter went back and forth between Councilmember Wiggins and Mr. Cohilas.
  • Councilmember Mann brought up the inspection fees charged to businesses and asked if all businesses were charged. Yes. Mayor Maddox stated that they were not charged to Riverdale, Forrest Park, Morrow or Lake City. 
  • Mr. Cohilas reviewed the negotiations between the Mayor and the  City Attorney.  He stated the Mayor wanted to sell the building, and if not, the lease rate would be $90,000. Clayton County looks at a two pronged approach, Fire services then purchase or long term lease.  For $90,000. We may as well buy the building.  The County conducted the appraisal related to purchase.  In 2008 the City appraisal was $2.2 million.  We had an appraisal done in 2010 which a difference of $900,000.  There was no agreement.  Proposed was lease for three years in order to clear the $900,000. Gap.  Then obtain a Fair Market appraisal.  It is possible in three years that a deal is achievable.  The $70,000. And $90,000 lease is steep.  Councilmember Mann stated that the rental should be $70,000,. With option to buy.  Mr. Cohilas stated that we need to reach a middle ground.  Three year lease with the $70,000. Lease.  In three years we conduct a shared appraisal and split the cost.  Will put it in writing. Jonesboro hired Clayton for Service Delivery and the Fire rating went from ‘6’ to ‘3’.  Jonesboro has a class 3 ISO.  Councilmember Sebo asked about a five year proposal.  Mr. Cohilas stated that Grant money is hard to find for a five year contract and that ten years allows long range planning.

 

Mayor Maddox thanked Mr. Cohilas for coming.

 

Presentation by Tommy Newsome, Streetscape Phase I and II:

 

            Phase 1 update – Phase 1 started.  CEMS started at Spring and Main, underground  utilities are being worked on, going South.  Stopped at Smith Street.  The Contractor (CEMS) is using good quality subs. The drainage is between West Mill to Church Street.  Looks like they will finish up and they may move from West mill to Church Street.  I passed out flyers and meet with business owners to go over construction. We will drop back to Smith and west Mill.  We are on schedule and moving forward .  We are moving to Main Street in the next couple of weeks.   Mayor Maddox asked if there was trouble with Jonesboro Days on the 15th?  Tommy stated that there were no closed roads. Councilmember Pat Sebo asked if the shuttles, demonstrations on Main Street near Arts Clayton should move to a new location.  Tommy said no problems on Saturdays.  Councilmember Norrington asked about paving.  Tommy stated that paving would occur last.  They will mill, level and pave.  Tommy went into Phase II, stating that it will cost about 2 million, with construction costing $1.2 million.  Plans are incomplete, and need to look at storm drainage improvement – ditches, catch basins, we have to fix problems. We have to obtain Right of Ways, bury the conduit along the tracks (3,000 linear feet).  We have to have approval from the Railroad to do this.

 

            Mayor Maddox thanked Mr. Newsome for his presentation.

 

GMA Retirement & General Liability budget amendment:

 

Ms. Sandra Meyers-Finance Officer, referred to last years and this year’s retirement

statement.  There is a shortfall of $46,176. (according to GMA) due to decline in

investments.  Sandra advised that we could wait until after the first of the year to pay, if

 you wished.  The Actuary does investments. Councilmember Norrington stated that it

was not right that the City is responsible.  There are 14,000. drawn by prior employees. 

Sandra stated we also needed to transfer $1,900. For increase in General Liability.  The

total budget transfer $48,076.

 

Jonesboro Days:

 

            Councilmember Pat Sebo addressed Council regarding Jonesboro Days. Councilmember

            Sebo indicated that there were many donations, from the City auditors-Fulton and Kozak,

            Chick Fil-A, Shippers Warehouse, the Norringtons, Watkins Funeral Home. 

            Councilmember Sebo  referred to the flyer she passed out.  It advertizes Jonesboro Days

            and has coupons.  CCCB and Arts Clayton both participated in the coupons and flyer

            design. The Road to Tara Museum, and the Shuttle, is open for no cost on that day only,

            Bill Turpin Trip, the Hill family and the Norrington’s Grandson is all providing

            the entertainment.  We need volunteers.  The Mayor is handling the concert. The

            Blacksmith Association will be at Main Street and at Stately Oaks selling wares. Mayor

            Maddox stated that Smokey and the Bandit will be driving through.  The Morrow

            Masonic Lodge will be cooking.

 

Summer Concerts:

 

            Sandra Meyers questions what Council wants her to do for the remaining two concerts..

 

Jude St. Pierre – Conditional Use permit:

 

            Mayor Maddox called Mr. St. Pierre forward.  The property is zoned commercial – C1

            Councilmember Norrington asked Mr. St Pierre how long he had been in business. Mr.

            Pierre had stated five years. 

 

Pipe and Drape purchase for Firehouse Museum:

 

            Councilmember Wiggins stated that he had three bids, one for $1,000., one a little over

             $1,000 and one at $1,700.  He described the change in the Fire station when these drapes

            are put up – “a beautiful place”.  Money for this is in a separate fund and was donated.

            Rental of this type of drape and rod would be between $600.00 and $1,000.

 

 

 

 

Department Head Updates:

 

            Mr. Joe Nettleton stated that Public Works was holding steady.  They have a new part

            time man.  Interim Chief Woods goals are to hire Police Officers.  The last group had

            four candidates and only two passed backgrounds.    He also stated that JPAC Committee

            meeting in addition to Neighborhood watch at 6:30 p.m. at 170 South Main Street.  Janice

            Truhan – City Clerk discussed the proposed Sound System.

 

Mayor Maddox called for a motion to enter Executive Session.  Approved. [Motion: Norrington, 2nd: Mann, Vote: Unanimous].

 

Motion made to resume Worksession meeting.  Approved. [Motion; Mann, 2nd: Norrington, Vote: Unanimous].

 

Adjourned.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          __________________________________

LUTHER W. MADDOX – MAYOR                     JANICE TRUHAN - CITY CLERK