COUNCIL PRESENT: Councilman Luther Maddox
Councilman Clarence Mann

Councilwoman Donna Meadows

Councilman Bobby Wiggins

Councilwoman Linda Wenz

Councilman Rick Yonce

Mayor Joy Day
 

STAFF PRESENT: Public Works Director Sam Durrance
Downtown Director Kathryn Lookofsky

Police Chief Jim Roberts

MINUTES APPROVED:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to approve the February minutes as corrected.  Councilman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA AMENDED:  Mayor Day requested a motion to remove the rezone request at the property owners’ request for 1287 Spur Hwy 138 until the April Agenda. Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to table the 1287 Spur Hwy 138 rezone request until the April 10^th Agenda.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Citizens addressed their concerns to Mayor and Council regarding the following: recall petition, Historical Jonesboro membership, the Main Street Program and the cost of consultants, Police Department commended for their good work and visibility, the need for clarification regarding sanitation services and fees, the Jonesboro Stewards will be of service to the city thru the Downtown Development Authority.  A report was given by Abb Dickson on the DDA and their Right of Way donation to the Streetscape Project; the purchase of flags with the new city logo and their discussion of the possible purchase of the old Jonesboro Health Department building on Spring Street.

OLD BUSINESS:

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT:  Police Chief Jim Roberts explained to council new information regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement with Clayton County on Anti Gang/Drug Task Force.  The agreement will have amendments added to it and he will get council a clean copy for their review. Councilman Maddox made a motion to adopt the Intergovernmental Agreement with Clayton County on Anti Gang/Drug Task Force.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

DOWNTOWN PARKING:  Councilman Wiggins made a motion to table this agenda item.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS:

HOME OCCUPATION:  Mr. Bowell, 125 South Avenue, requested a Home Occupational Certificate for his lawn service business.  No vehicles will be parked at the home other than his work truck and trailer.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to approve Mr. Bowell’s request of a Home Occupational Certificate.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

HWY 54 REZONE REQUEST:  Cam Cameron on behalf of property owner Mr. Patel requested approximately 14.22+/- acres (LL12049C D002) off Highway 54 be rezoned from MI Multi-Industrial to RC Residential Cluster Homes (78 homes) .  Mr. Cameron presented information on cost of the homes (starting at 150K), the amenities and the design.  He further requested variances which were not part of the original rezone request. 1) Side yard set back of 7 feet instead of required code of 10 feet; 2) Front entrance garages instead of code required rear entry and in some cases side entry.  Cameron Development would maintain properties until all units are sold, then Home Owners Association would maintain properties.  Homes would be approximately 1600 sq. ft. heated space. 

Mayor Day opened the hearing for any public comments, concerns or questions regarding this rezone request.  Mayor Day closed the public hearing and asked Mr. Cameron for any further comments.   Mayor Day addressed her concerns about the rezone request not complying with current city codes and advised Mr. Cameron that council was not able to vote on his variance requests as they were not included in the original request.  Mr. Cameron respectfully requested the rezone be tabled and not acted upon tonight and he will get the council further information.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to table this rezone/variance request until the April Agenda.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

ZONING MAP AMENDMENT:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to amend the official zoning map to reflect a C-1 zoning of 1403 Stockbridge Road; this was rezoned C-1 in August 2004, for Anthony Watkins to build a funeral home.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilman Maddox made a motion to table the zoning map change regarding LL17, District 12 B005 (Tittle Property) for further review by the city attorney.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

CODE ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT:  Landry Merkison reviewed the benefits his company, OCI Services could bring to the city as a Code Enforcement Official.  OCI has three qualified personnel that can work different shifts to better contact citizens and businesses; they have their own vehicles, insurance and experience in environmental court.  Councilman Maddox made a motion authorize the Mayor and City Attorney to enter into negotiations with OCI for a six month trial period.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried with Council Members Yonce, Meadows, Maddox, Wenz and Mann voting in favor of the motion, and with Councilman Wiggins opposing the motion. 

STORMWATER UTILITY ORDINANCE:  Mike Thomas, Clayton County Water Authority was present for any questions or concerns the council may have about the Storm Water Utility Tax.  Mayor Day briefly reminded everyone about how the different cities within the county have worked with CCWA on the implementation and why the utility tax is needed.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to adopt the Storm Water Utility Ordinance as presented.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

PALM READER OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE REQUEST:  Angie Marks requested council to approve an Occupational Certificate for her to open a Palm Reading business.  Current city code permits this certification, however it stipulates there will be no fee for service.  Councilman Maddox made a motion to deny this Mrs. Marks request.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

JONESBORO DAYS’:   Councilman Maddox made a motion to designate the third Saturday of May as the Official Jonesboro Day and to have the Jonesboro Historical Society partner with the city to hold this special event.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

POLICE PERSONNEL:  Police Chief Jim Roberts updated the council on the status of the police officer personnel and requested the council give authorization to hire three new officers. Councilman Maddox made a motion to table his request for further study as the budget would need to be reviewed and possibly adjusted.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

POLICE VEHICLES: Police Chief Jim Roberts asked the council to consider the purchase of three new police vehicles as the current fleet is older, vehicle repairs are increasing and the city has not purchased new vehicles since 2004.  Councilman Maddox made a motion to table this request for further study.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Mayor Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss possible land matters and personnel matters.  Councilwoman Meadows made a motion to go into Executive Session.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Regular Session:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to resume Regular Session.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Regular Session was resumed.

There being no further business, Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to adjourn.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned. 

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Joy Day, Mayor

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Joan Jones, City Clerk