CITY OF JONESBORO

 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

WORKSESSION

NOVEMBER 1st, 2010

 

 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held the monthly Worksession meeting on Monday,

November 1st, 2010.  The meeting was held at 6:00 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, Joe Nettleton – Public Works Director, and Chief Franklin Allen.

 

Mayor Maddox called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Mayor Maddox began with the discussion of policy change.

 

A) Holiday pay for Police – 8 hours work or not work beyond, and

B) Pay for vacation days – 8/12 hour.

 

The Mayor, and Chief concurred that PD officers are paid 8 hours, for every holiday worked, and that off days they still get 8 holiday pay.  Days of vacation are charged hour for hour.  Councilmember Sebo asked if this complied with FSLA. Chief stated that he believed it has to be hour per hour according to FSLA.  Discussion ensued regarding shifts, and holiday pay.

 

Discuss furlough and/or reduction in employees.

 

Finance Officer, Ms. Sandra Meyers stated that we will have a $600,000. shortfall for 2011.  One of the possibilities built into the budget is 12 furlough days per year and the elimination of two positions.  The Mayor stated that this budget should be completed by Wednesday, this week.  A larger problem is that employees are cashing in vacation leave which is not a budgeted item.  There is no way to budget for this. Discussion ensued regarding vacation leave and sick leave and how sick leave is used at retirement.  Issues regarding vacation were – use it or lose it, or limit vacation to one week per year.  Discussion ensued regarding the vacation and sick leave and how it is the employees, to use.

 

The Mayor asked the Chief if the Officers were using the time clock.  Chief Allen stated that it was not being used when he was hired.  The Mayor asked the Chief to look into it, that there is a computer system that prints a report, and to please make it your highest priority.

 

Trail Grant –

 

The Mayor referred the Council members to a copy of an email and application regarding the Trail Grant Program and that we are eligible to resubmit again.  Councilmember Wiggins asked if we have paid some engineering cost with the first application.  The Mayor stated yes. He also stated that there were no expenses to re-apply. The project construction will be $108,000. and it

is going to cost $145,000.  There is some Ôin kindÕ costs which could be taken from the SPLOST fund.  The consensus is to submit again as we had paid original engineering costs.   The Mayor stated that we can attempt application again, and if we determine that we do not want to do the project we can always turn it down. But if we do not apply, we wonÕt have that option.

 

Other Business –

 

Councilmember Wiggins questioned the SPLOST projects. Public Works Director Nettleton stated that we are awaiting plans for the Massengale Park restroom which are being drawn by Clayton County.  Joe will be checking back with them on status.

 

The Mayor asked the status of the stage at Battleground Park, and stated that there will not be any concerts for 2011/2012 so the stage will not be needed.  Councilmember Sebo asked about those concerts that are sponsored, as she had some willing to sponsor.  The Courthouse lawn was brought up as a venue.

 

Councilmember Wiggins questioned the Jonesboro Road progress. The Mayor will be checking with Mr. Metarko from Clayton County GDOT on the status of that project.

 

Councilmember Compton stated that a convenience store owner had inquired about selling beer and wine on Christmas day.  The store was not identified.  They are claiming a hardship because they cannot sell on that day.  Councilmember Grider stated that they are going two days without revenue from the sale of Beer and Wine.

 

Councilmember Norrington questioned Public Works Director Joe Nettleton regarding the possibility of a basketball court.  Mr. Nettleton stated that the project will cost easily $18,000. (unlit).  Councilmember Norrington stated that we should put this one on the back burner.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          __________________________________

LUTHER W. MADDOX – MAYOR                        JANICE TRUHAN - CITY CLERK