CITY OF JONESBORO

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

November 12, 2007

Modified to reflect a change

 

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held the monthly Council meeting on Monday, November 12, 2007.  The meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. at the Jonesboro Police Station, 170 South Main Street  Jonesboro, Georgia.

 

            Council Present:          Mayor Joy Day

                                                Clarence Mann

                                                Linda Wenz

                                                Rick Yonce

                                                Roger Grider  

                                                Bobby Wiggins

                                                Billy Powell

 

Staff Present:  Chief Wayne Rowland, Brad Johnson, Joe Nettleton, Janice Truhan, Charles Carpenter.

 

Mayor Day called the meeting to order, followed by the pledge of allegiance.

 

Minutes of the October 08, 2007, October 12, 2007, October 17, 2007, October 24, 2007 and October 31, 2007 meetings were approved.  Minutes of October 08, 2007 vote - [Motion:  Mann, 2nd: Wenz, Vote:  Unanimous].  Minutes of October 12, 2007 vote - [Motion: Wenz, 2nd: Grider, Vote: Unanimous].  Minutes of October 17, 2007 vote - [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Wiggins, Vote:  Unanimous].  Minutes of October 24, 2007 vote - [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Yonce, Vote: Unanimous].  Minutes of October 31, 2007 vote - [Motion: Wiggins, 2nd: Mann, Vote: yes – Powell, Mann, Wenz, Wiggins, Yonce, Abstain: Grider]

 

Mayor Day called for Regular meeting public comments.  There were none.

 

Motion made to enter Executive Session. [Motion: Yonce, 2nd: Grider, Vote:  Unanimous].

 

Motion made to resume regular meeting: [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Powell, Vote:  Unanimous].

 

The Council considered the following items -  A through L on the Agenda:

 

A  –  Considered Historical Jonesboro anniversary partnership & donation of $5,000. Approved. [Motion: Wenz, 2nd: Grider, Vote: Unanimous].

 

 

 

B  -   Considered Conditional Use permit – What A Day Care center Health Inc.- Approved [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Powell, Vote:  Unanimous].

 

C -   Considered two (2) bids to replace microphones in Courthouse/Council room, Motion made to postpone until 2008.  [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Yonce, Vote: Unanimous].

 

D –. Considered Newsome Engineering and Consulting  Inc., as Jonesboro Annexation Consultant.  Motion made to postpone. [Motion: Powell, 2nd: Wiggins, Vote: Unanimous]  

 

E -  Consider request to amend Firehouse 2007 budget. Statement made that this needs to be in ordinance form. [Motion:  Wiggins, 2nd:  - dies due to a lack of a second]. 

 

F -  Consider motion to have City Clerk develop a purchasing policy for the City by the December meeting. Statement made to look at other cities practices. [Motion: Wenz, 2nd: Wiggins, Vote: yes – Wenz, Wiggins, no – Grider, Powell, Mann, Yonce].  

 

G –  Consider draft resolution to redistribute Fire Department funds.  Approved.  [Motion: Yonce, 2nd: Powell, Vote: yes – Grider, Powell, Mann, Yonce, No – Wenz, Wiggins - abstain].

 

H – Consider approval of R.F.P. for Red Light cameras.  Died for lack of motion.

 

I  -  Consider Grandfathering In all existing travel trailers/motor homes as variances.  Approved.  [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Mann, Vote: Unanimous].

 

J. -  Consider budget amendment from Jonesboro Police Department line #3200-51-2100 (Employee Services – Group Insurance) to #3200 52-1200 (Professional Services).  $35,000. to fund R.F.P. award for 911 call center consultant. Approved.  [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Mann, Vote: yes – Grider Yonce, Mann, Powell, no – Wiggins, Wenz].

 

K -  Consider R.F.P. award for 911 Consultant to C.S.C.  Approved.  [Motion: Grider, 2nd: Mann, Vote: yes – Grider, Yonce, Mann, Powell, no – Wiggins, Wenz.].

 

L. -  1st public reading of Amendments to Environmental Ordinance.  No vote taken.

 

Other Business:

 

Councilmember Rick Yonce read a two page statement into the minutes (signed by Rick Yonce, Roger Grider, Clarence Mann and Billy Powell), regarding Mayor Day and mentioning Sandra Meyers, Finance Officer, and  Janice Truhan, City Clerk,  as involved parties and possible involvement in an improper purchase of a vehicle:

"Tonight there are some remarks to be made and entered into the minutes of this meeting of Nov. 12, 2007.

As many of you know, the final report of Investigator Boswell was delivered to us on Oct 12, 2007. Mayor Day has assured everyone that no wrong doing was found. This is a direct lie. Anyone who can read can find that the mayor did improperly purchase the Ford Expedition. Along with her improper purchase, she also involved our city finance officer and possibly, our city clerk. These employees work under the direction of the mayor on a daily basis. Mayor Day, you gave your copy of this report to Joel Hall with the comment, “read this, see if you can find anything.”

Evidently Mr. Hall did not read your copy, or else he decided not to comment on it. You continue to say you did no wrong but we differ with you. You have said many times that you are the CEO. While this is true, it is your responsibility to adhere to the charter and ordinances.

You make statements such as: “I am tired of teaching City Hall 101 and The council has done the same things you accuse me of”. If you were teaching us City Hall 101, we have had a terrible teacher. Someone with almost 12 years experience should know this charter, especially since you rewrote it in 2001.

You insist that you did no wrong in the purchase of the vehicle yet you found it necessary to create line item 1500-54-2200 for the purchase of the vehicle. Judge Boswell plainly states in his report and I quote, “only the city council can create a new line item”. Only the council can approve or amend the budget.

You paid over $75,000 in garbage fees to Robertson Sanitation last year without council approval. The contingencies fund has been over spent by over $100,000 as of today. I am sure by the end of the year it will be much more. Again, without council approval or a budget amendment request.

You continue to show a pattern of disrespect for the city charter and city ordinances. In doing so, you have violated your oath of office and these actions would be grounds for your removal from office.

Having considered your removal, we find that the voters of Jonesboro have done you a favor by choosing not to reelect you.

You are, therefore, saved the embarrassment of a vote to remove you form office.

Mistakes have been made but we pledge to learn from these mistakes and to conduct all city business in the public arena where there can be no question of our honesty or integrity."

 

Signed by:

Mayor Pro Tem: Rick Yonce
Council Members: Roger Grider, Clarence Mann and Billy Powell.



Janice Truhan made a comment after completion of the statement saying: “Sandra Meyers and I have worked very hard for the citizens of Jonesboro.  The statement made was unfounded, untrue and is slanderous.” 

 

 

Mayor Day stated that the Jonesboro Christmas Parade is November 17, 2007.  The crafters set up at 12:00 p.m. and the parade begins at 4:30 p.m. 

 

Also that the monthly Covered Dish Supper will be held Thursday, November 15th at the Jonesboro Firehouse Museum.

 

Consider Motion to adjourn.  [Motion: , 2nd: , Vote:  Unanimous].

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________    _________________________________

JOY B. DAY – MAYOR                              JANICE TRUHAN – CITY CLERK