CITY OF JONESBORO
MAY 8, 2006
COUNCIL MINUTES

The City of Jonesboro Mayor and Council held their monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, 2006.  The meeting was held at 170 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236. 

                         Members Present:       Councilman Clarence Mann

Councilwoman Donna Meadows

Councilman Luther Maddox

Councilwoman Linda Wenz

                                                            Councilman Bobby Wiggins

                                                            Councilman Rick Yonce

                                                            Mayor Joy Day

 

                        Staff Present:                Public Works Director Sam Durrance

                                                            Police Chief Jim Roberts

                                                            Attorneys R. Burris, J. Kendall 

Minutes Approved: Councilman Wiggins made a motion to approve the April 2006 minutes as presented.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Public Comments:  T. Cantrell spoke about alcoholic beverage sales and the amount of signs popping up around the city.  He complimented code enforcement.  A. Dickson spoke on behalf of the “Friends of the Cemetery” and presented council information regarding seating for the people that walk in the cemetery.  C. Frederick thanked everyone for helping with the Police Chief swearing in cookout and spoke of her support for the Alcoholic Pouring License for Mr. Miranda. 

KCCB Presentation:  Director of Keep Clayton Clean and Beautiful, Edie Yongue updated the council on projects such as Clean Sweep, the recycle center and about the upcoming 25th anniversary of KCCB.  She thanked the council for their continued support. 

Executive Session:  Mayor Day requested a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to go into Executive Session.  Councilman Maddox seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to resume Regular Session.  Councilman Mann seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Regular Session was resumed. 

Conditional Use Permit Hearing:  Mr. Alvin Kendall spoke on behalf of property owner Tonya Hale (present) and reviewed the request for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a Day Care (White House Academy) at 191 South Main Street.  There will be no more than 27 children in the main house and 12 children in the smaller building for a total of 39 children. The smaller building will be used for after school program for the older children.  Hours of operation will be 6:00am-7:00pm Monday thru Friday.  Mr. Kendall gave a brief overview of Tonya Hale’s program.  Councilman Wiggins asked about parking.  Councilman Yonce voiced concern about the children playing in the yard (it will be fenced in the back) the traffic on South Main Street and the parking availability. Mr. Kendall stated there will 15 parking spaces with room for fire trucks to turn around.  

Mayor Day opened the Public Hearing regarding this Conditional Use Permit.  A. Dickson spoke in support of the business, with any external changes to go before the historic preservation committee. Mayor Day asked for any other comments from Tonya Hale and Mr. Kendall stated there will be no external changes. There being no further public comment, Mayor Day closed the public hearing and called for a motion.  Councilman Wiggins made a motion to allow the Conditional Use Permit for a Day Care Center at 191 South Main St.  Councilman Mann seconded.  Council members Maddox, Wenz and Meadows opposed the motion, Council members Yonce, Mann, Wiggins favored the motion.  Mayor Day broke the tie and voted for the motion.  The Conditional Use Permit was approved. 

Alcoholic Pouring License Hearing:  Mr. Miranda requested an alcoholic pouring license for his Mexican restaurant at 121 Jonesboro Road.  Councilman Maddox asked for confirmation that no bar will be placed in his restaurant.  Mr. Miranda confirmed there will be no bar.  Mayor Day opened the public hearing regarding this license request.  Many residents spoke in support of issuing this pouring license.  Police Chief Roberts reviewed his background investigation on Mr. Miranda.  Mayor Day asked for any comments from Mr. Miranda, there being no further comments; Mayor Day closed the public hearing and asked for any further discussion. Councilman Mann made a motion to grant the Pouring License for Mr. Miranda at 121 Jonesboro Road. Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion. Under discussion Councilman Wiggins asked how the percentage of food/beverage will be verified and about the stipulation in the ordinance regarding one business owner with two locations.  Councilman Maddox stated he had spoken with the city attorney and was advised it should not have any bearing on the decision; that it can be taken care of.  The motion was unanimously approved. 

IT Request for Proposal:  Councilman Maddox made a motion to put the RFP for Information Technologist out for bid.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

A.C.E. Police Unit:  Mayor Day called for a motion on this issue.  The item died for lack of a motion. 

Standard Operation Procedures for the Police Dept:  Police Chief Roberts updated the council on the history of the development of the SOP.  He requested the council adopt the newest SOP manual which meets the State/National Accreditation requirements and it meets current law.  Councilman Maddox asked how close the city is towards accreditation, Chief stated we are about 90% there.  Councilman Maddox made a motion to adopt the SOP for the Police Department.  Councilman Wiggins seconded.  The motion carried with Council members Yonce, Wiggins, Maddox and Mann voting in favor, Council members Wenz and Meadows opposed the motion. 

FEMA Update:  Public Works Director Sam Durrance reviewed with council the updates of the Flood Plain Map from FEMA.  He asked the council to review the information he previously submitted to them as there is a 90 day window should the city want to participate in the FEMA Program.  At this time, no properties within the city limits are in a flood plain, however if council should annex property, those properties could be in a flood plain and the city would have to be FEMA compliant in order to participate in the program.  If the city participates in the FEMA program, ordinances would have to be updated with adoption of the National Flood Plain Insurance Program.  The city attorney is reviewing the revised North Metro Flood Plain Ordinance which we would need to adopt. 

Animal Control Ordinance:  Mayor Day asked for any changes or questions regarding the Animal Control Ordinance.  Councilman Maddox made a motion to adopt the Animal Control Ordinance.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Sanitation Proposal:  Mayor Day called for a motion regarding Robertson Sanitation Proposal.  Councilman Maddox made a motion that we adopt the proposal as discussed from Robertson Sanitation and agree to items 1 thru 4 on the proposal and go back to the original terms of the contract with the fee of $14.25 a month.  Councilman Yonce seconded.  Councilman Maddox read to the audience items 1 thru 4.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Budget Adjustment:   City Clerk Joanie Jones asked council to review the items presented and give their recommendations on which items they want to adjust. 

ROW Negotiator Contract:  Public Wks Director introduced representatives from Value Concepts who were present for Mayor and Council to ask questions.   Councilman Mann asked questions regarding donated property and the grant requirements.  Councilman Maddox asked about a time line and about the response to the RFP.  Councilwoman Wenz made a motion to enter into the ROW Negotiator Contract with Value Concepts for the Right of Way Acquisition.  The motion carried with Councilman Wiggins opposing. 

DDA Update:  DDA Chairman Dickson updated the council on the welcome basket presented to Mr. Miranda and his new restaurant.  He would like to establish, together with the city, a procedure that would welcome new businesses to Jonesboro.  In addition, the DDA will be putting together a news letter.  Mr. Dickson reviewed his concerns about the Tara Blvd Corridor and the amount of property required to the proposed access road and the expansion of Tara Blvd.  He informed the council that the DDA will begin meeting twice a month and invited the council and the public to the meetings. 

Mayor Day made announcements for events during the month of May.  Mayor Day asked for any further comments.  Councilman Wiggins asked about donating the police dog to Officer Brian Fornal. This will be reviewed. 

Councilman Mann made a motion to adjourn.  Councilwoman Wenz seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned.

______________________                                                    ______________________

Mayor Joy Day                                                                        City Clerk Joan Jones