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CITY OF JONESBORO The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held a meeting with Clayton County Commissioner Eldrin Bell on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 1:30pm. The meeting was held at the Clayton County Administration Building located at 112 Smith Street, Jonesboro, Georgia and was open to the public. Members Present: Councilman Luther Maddox Councilman Clarence Mann Councilwoman Donna Meadows Councilman Bobby Wiggins Councilwoman Linda Wenz Councilman Rick Yonce
Mayor
Joy Day Staff Present: Finance Officer Stacey Inglis DDA Director Kathryn Lookofsky City Manager Jon Walker Public Works Director Sam Durrance City Attorney Ross Burris Mayor Day thanked
Commissioner Bell for meeting with the council and for his comments at the
January 9th Council Meeting. Commissioner Bell addressed the
council and introduced the following Department Heads: Finance Director Dan
Martin; Planning and Zoning Coordinator Dawn Dickerson; Director of
Transportation and Development Wayne Patterson; and Fire Chief Alex Cohilas; all
were present to address any concerns or questions the council may have.
Commissioner Bell voiced his concerns and encouraged the council to
reconsider their decision to eliminate the Streetscape and Parking Deck
Projects. Timing is critical on these important issues and if the 1.8 million
dollars is returned it not only affects Jonesboro, but all of Clayton County and
the surrounding area. Once returned
it would make it more difficult for the city and possibly the county to receive
grant money in the future. He
reiterated that in the spirit of cooperation the city and county have always
worked together to promote tourism and development and he would like to see this
continue. Each department head gave
an overview of how the county and cities have worked together on different
projects and the cost the city saved by Clayton County doing the work, such as
road improvement, LCI Grants, SPLOST programs, sidewalk improvement, etc. Chief Cohilas presented a power point presentation on the ISO
ratings. Councilman Mann voiced concern
regarding project costs and not knowing how much more cost, the city will incur.
T&D Director Wayne Patterson agreed with Councilman Mann and
explained that projects are planned up to 12- 25 months down the road and bids
are received; but the cost of materials goes up.
All anyone can do is make the best estimate they can and build in a cost
increase of the overall project. He reiterated what Commissioner Bell stated
that once you return grant money it is extremely difficult to receive grant
monies in the future. Discussion
was held regarding the Right of Way cost of $150,000.
In addition, the $800,000 construction cost of the removal of overhead
utilities, preparing for underground utilities; which is estimated to be take
18-months was discussed. Commissioner Bell reminded the
council that 1.2 million SPLOST monies has been set aside for the street project
and once bills are submitted they will be reviewed for payment.
He stated another option would be public/private partnership. In closing,
he urged the council in the spirit of cooperation not to return the monies, and
to help build a brighter future for Jonesboro and Clayton County by committing
to the Streetscape Project and the Parking Deck Project. Executive Session: Mayor
Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss pending
litigation and personnel matters. Councilman
Maddox made a motion to go into Executive Session.
Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously. Councilman Maddox made a motion
to resume the open meeting. Councilwoman
Wenz seconded the motion. The
motion carried unanimously and the open meeting resumed. Called Meeting: Mayor
Day announced there will be a CALLED MEETING of Jonesboro Mayor and Council on
Monday, January 23, 2006 at 6:00pm. The
meeting will be held at 170 South Main Street in Jonesboro. There being no further business.
Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to adjourn.
Councilman Mann seconded. The
motion carried and the meeting was adjourned. _______________________ ________________________ Mayor Joy Day
Joan Jones, City Clerk CITY OF JONESBORO The City of Jonesboro Mayor and
Council held a Called Meeting on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 6:00pm.
The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street, Jonesboro, GA. Members Present: Councilman Luther Maddox Councilman Clarence Mann Councilwoman Donna Meadows Councilman Bobby Wiggins Councilwoman Linda Wenz Councilman Rick Yonce
Mayor
Joy Day Staff Present: Finance Officer Stacey Inglis DDA Director Kathryn Lookofsky Interim Police Chief Robert Thomas Mayor Day called the meeting to
order. Streetscape Project: Mayor
Day asked for council comment regarding the Streetscape Project.
Mayor Day read a statement to the public asking for council support for
the Streetscape Project (statement attached).
Discussion was held regarding the cost of the project, starting project
in small phases, not doing both sides of Main Street at the same time and what
has been done up to this point. Councilwoman
Meadows made a motion to restore the $675,000 to the 2006 Budget for the
Streetscape Project. Councilwoman
Wenz seconded. Councilmen Yonce,
Wiggins, Mann and Maddox opposed the motion.
Councilwomen Wenz and Meadows voted in favor of the motion.
The motion did not carry. Councilman Maddox made a motion
that the city put $300,000 in the 2006 Budget for the Streetscape Project and if
more funds are needed further down the road, it will be reviewed at that time.
Councilman Wiggins seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously. Parking Deck Project: Mayor Day asked for comments regarding the Parking Deck Project. Councilman Maddox reviewed AJC article about parking deck. Councilman Wiggins stated there are over 700 parking spaces available for parking at this time. Mayor Day read statement to council (statement attached). Mayor Day called for a motion. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to restore the matching funds of $100,000 to the 2006 Budget for the Parking Deck Project. Councilwoman Meadows seconded the motion. Councilmen Maddox, Mann, Wiggins and Yonce opposed the motion. Councilwomen Wenz and Meadows voted in favor of the motion. The motion did not carry. Executive Session: Mayor
Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session.
Councilman Maddox made the motion to go into Executive Session.
Councilman Mann seconded. The
motion carried unanimously. Councilman Maddox made a motion
to resume the Called Meeting. Councilwoman
Wenz seconded. The motion carried
unanimously and the Called Meeting resumed. Mayor Day asked for any other
business from the council. Councilman
Wiggins asked for clarification on fund balance. Finance Officer Stacey Inglis will get back to the council
with that information. Mayor Day asked for council volunteers to get training
and work on the Right-of-Way issues. Mayor Day asked council to volunteer their
time n the row issue, Councilmen Mann and Wiggins and Mayor Day volunteered for
the Right of Way Committee. Councilman
Yonce asked about downtown parking, it is currently available on Mill Street lot
and the status of the sewage problem at 313 Fayetteville Road.
Mayor Day will get a questionnaire to council to get some feedback and
update the council at the next meeting and 313 Fayetteville Road has been turned
over to the health department. There being no further comments, Councilman Yonce made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Mann seconded. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned. _________________________ ______________________ Mayor Joy Day Joan Jones, City Clerk |