Mayor and Council - Regular Meeting

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Good to see you, too. Good to see you again. This is all fun stuff, right? I gotta get a few things off. Hey, how are you? Nice to see you.

It's all good.

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We'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. Welcome everyone. Um we have with us tonight Pastor Kim Grahamling with Life Church Assembly of God, 4100 King Springs Road. Uh please come up, pastor, and lead us in the invocation and pledge. Everybody, please rise.

Yes. Thank you. Let us bow. Dear Lord, we thank you for the privilege we have as citizens to participate in civic matters and the voice we have in our democratic society to contribute to the decision-making processes in our local communities. We thank you for those who serve on the Smurda City Council and for all who will take part in this meeting today. We thank you for those who serve in all letter levels of leadership over this city. I pray that your peace and unity will be present as they work through all the details on the agenda that is set before us today. I ask you to give wisdom for making wise decisions that will be beneficial for the health and vitality and progress of Smyrna and its citizens. And I pray for divine strategies and creative insights in how to execute those decisions in a timely and effective manner. I pray for a spirit of cooperation between individuals, government entities, businesses, and organizations so that we will be a stronger and better community. I pray most of all that we would trust in you and not lean on our own understanding. That in the business and in life, we would acknowledge you, trusting that you give us direction and discernment for every decision. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you for being here. Tell Pastor Shell we said hello.

Okay, we don't have any agenda changes tonight. Um, for the mayoral report, I got a couple of things. First of all, uh, thank you to Latonia Hines and committee for a great, uh, Black History dinner celebration on Friday. Um, great crowd, great vendors, uh, lots of good food and fellowship and, uh, just overall really well done event. Thank you. Um, I want to say thank you to Miss Lena Blumenthal. Miss Lena Blumenthal is a kindergartener at Nicac Elementary and her parents um won an auction of mayor of the day. She was the honorary mayor of the day. And for that I got to visit her class um last week and read to them and tell them about being mayor and about their city and uh spent about an hour with them and it was great. Um so appreciate that. Um 3 PM this Thursday is the ribbon cutting for uh Steelfire Brewery. And I don't know if y'all have seen that coming coming. It's coming together. Um they started the mural on the wall uh the big wall facing Windy Hill. Uh and they're putting the final touches on it. I think it's going to be a great addition. I can't wait. So anybody who wants to come, I think I think he's inviting everybody uh Thursday 3 o'clock. And then one note uh coming up on Saturday, March 14th. Little League games start this weekend. Uh but the official Little League parade that's every year is on Saturday the 14th where they'll be going from uh they being the thousand over a thousand players from Pee-Wee all the way up to Majors and their teams uh in a parade from Campbell Middle School to Brinkley Park and ending up at Bartlett and Bartlett Field. There's a thousand kids on the outfield. Uh they'll honor the state champion team from this year and uh it's a great community event if y'all

want to come out or line the streets and and cheer for them. With that uh we'll move to proclamations and presentations. And the first one is in recognition of the Jonquil City Kowanas Club. And I know we have several members here. I think Mark Jackson's going to come up and give a a brief overview of the club and uh update on some of the club's recent events. They're celebrating their 40th anniversary this summer. Uh and we've got several members in attendance. Uh Mark Jackson, Pat Jackson, Gary Dixon, Keely Agburn, Patty Brewaker, Joe Deose, Larry Adams, Mike Terry, Ron Davis, and Tom Nton. and he Tom is the uh Kowanas lieutenant governor for district 15 here in the Jonqual city. Y'all want to come up? And as I said earlier before we started, I mean, this is my club, but my attendance record isn't always isn't the best at 10:00 a.m. on the weekday. It's hard for me to make it, but I sure like it when I am able to.

And we're honored to have you. Good evening, Mayor Norton and city of Smyrna Council. We appreciate this time to to meet with y'all. Uh we are appreciative to Mayor Norton who is a mayor who is a member of our club and we are thankful for his service. To let you know, Kuanis is a global organization of volunteers that are dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. We meet every Tuesday at 10 o'clock a.m. at the Eileen Wolf Center on church at the Church Street Park. Um, I was going to recognize Tom Nton, but thank you, Mayor Norton, for doing that. He is serving Lieutenant Governor for our um our district and we for the division of Georgia. So, we are honored to have Tom serving at this time. I want to let you know some of the activities at the John Corn City Kuanas Club. We currently are working with Tilman House which is a local resource center in Smyrna. We contribute different items primarily hygiene and food items on a monthly basis. We also work with elementary schools in the Smyrna area by reading with school students. We also support the terrific program terrific kids program at Smyrna Elementary. And our club also sponsors a writing contest at select school and this is called the silver pen contest and it helps students form ideas on how to help their community. We support the key club at Campbell High School and our club has fundraising events involving selling peaches, pecans, and Videlia onions. All of the proceeds from these sales are used to fund our scholarship program for local high school students. If you want to learn more about what we do, please come join us. We stay busy

throughout the year and invite you to participate with us. To quote one of our members, "We are a small club that does great things." Thank you.

I'm going to come down there and we can take a a group photo. Um, I want to tell y'all how much I appreciate the partnership with Support Smyrna and and Ron Davis and I have gone to Smyrna Elementary with the terrific kids program. I know Support Smyrna's provided some of those bicycles. But seeing those kids' faces when they get those bicycles uh really really awesome and I think we were even on the morning the morning news at the school and uh one of the kids at baseball a couple days later said, "Oh my gosh, you were you were on our school news." Which was great. I'm gonna come down. Let's get a Let's get a group photo. couple. Hope to see y'all soon.

Thank you.

All right. Next, we have a proclamation in recognition of Women's History Month. And I believe Miss Hines and Miss Wilkinson are going to do this together. So, I'll turn it over to y'all.

Thank you so much, Mayor. So, I'll start off and we'll alternate. Um, so, um, this is in recognition of Women's History Month. Whereas Women's History Month recognizes that women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made significant and historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways. And whereas uh Women's History Month recognizes that women have played and continue to play critical, economic, cultural, and social roles in every sphere of life of the nation. But constituing uh a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home and by providing the majority of the women the volunteer labor force. And whereas Women's History Month recognizes women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our nation. And

whereas Women's History Month recognizes women of every race, class, and ethic ethnic background served as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement. And whereas Women's History Month recognizes American women who have served our country courageously in the military. And

whereas women's history month recognizes women have been leaders not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity but also in the abol abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement and other movements especially the peace movement which create a more fair and just society for all. And whereas in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women's History Week. Six years later, six years after the proclamation, Congress declared March of each year as Women's History Month. And whereas the national theme for Women's History Month 2026 is is leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future. As announced by the National Women's History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women's History Month, women's stories and the larger human story expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other. Now,

therefore, I, Derek Norton, mayor of the city of Smyrna, Georgia, do hereby recognize the month of March as Women's History Month to honor women everywhere for their outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions to this society. So, um, thank you so very much, mayor, for always being so supportive of these types of endeavors. and we're going to have um our first ever women's history lunchon and that will be on Friday, March 27th. Please look out for that. Um a link will be going out on Friday uh for how you can register for that event. Um so we're really excited and we'll do a presentation of the proclamation during that event. And where will that be?

It'll be at the Reed House. Great. Thank you.

Thanks y'all. Appreciate y'all. All right, we don't have any community development items. We don't have any privilege license or show cause hearing. So, we'll move on to formal business. We have five items on formal business. The first is item A, authorization to amend fiscal year 2026 adopted general fund budget to increase departmental expenditure budgets for parks maintenance, parks administration, administration, and general government allocations in the total amount of $294,426. and the revenue budget by the same amount to cover unbudgeted expenditures and revenues. Authorization to amend the adopted project length budgets in the water CIP fund to decrease the project budgets in project 5249 and 52509 and increase project 52609 to move all funds into the AMI meter replacement project and authorize to amend the 2016 splice project length budgets. Mr. Jones, any background, please?

Yes, sir. Uh Mr. Mayor, uh, the parks and wreck has requested weather monitoring and alerting equipment be installed at the Riverline Park and the Jonquil Park provide safety for patrons using those facilities. This was not included in the original FY26 adopted budget. So, we need to amend the park's maintenance and departmental budget to cover the equipment and related implementation cost and the annual fees associated with it. I also need council approval to uh use for use of a new software platform. This was approved at a previous meeting and we need to amend the parks admin departmental budget for the implementation costs associated with the switch of that software. Um, additionally, we have a contractual HR obligations that were not included in the original adopted budget and we need to amend the administration and general government allocations department budget to cover the salary and benefit expenses. Um, on February 2nd of this year, council approved phase one of a new water meter project. We're requesting to move existing meter and dial replacement budget to this new project budget. This will show all the cost in one single one. That's all the three different budget the project budgets you read earlier. Um we need to amend the project budgets for the 2016 funds to true up balances on both revenue and expenditure accounts. The recommendation is for mayor and council to amend the 2026 adopted general fund budget to increase the departmental expenditures for parks maintenance, park administration, administration, and general government allocations in a total amount of 294,426 and the revenue budget by that same amount to offset the unbudgeted expenditures and revenues. Um budgets will increase the CIP fund and decrease project budgets in project 5249 52509 and increase project budget 52609 and move all funds into the AMI water

replacement project and authorize an amendment to the 2016 SPLS budget. That is a very thorough explanation and we appreciate that I think. Um is there any discussion or questions from council? All right, I'll entertain a motion. Motion do pass by Mr. Lindley, second

by Mr. Gould. All those in favor, please vote. And that's approved. 70. The next two items are easements, one of which were um given to Georgia Power and one of which is coming to Smyrna. Uh item B, authorization to approve Georgia P's request to acquire one easement from the city of Smyrna located at 3515 Macaulay Road for the new proposed underground power service installation that will service the new Talison Aquatics facility and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all documents. Any extra background, Mr. Jones? Any extra brief background?

No, sir. Okay. Is there a motion? Move approval by Mr. Lindley. Is there a second? Second by Mr. Welch. Everyone, please vote. And that's approved. 70. Item C is authorization to approve the city of Smyrna's request to acquire a 20 foot sanitary sewer easement from JSL Residential Properties LLC located at 1036 Dell Avenue for the city of Smyrna to be able to access and maintain its sanitary sewer infrastructure that crosses the property. Pretty straightforward. Yes, sir. No further background. Recommend approval. Any discussion? May I have a motion?

Motion do pass by Mr. Lley, second by Miss Hines. Everyone, please vote. And that's approved. 70. Item D, authorization to approve preliminary engineering design for the proposed pedestrian crossing improvements located at Hawthorne Avenue and Atlanta Road Railroad Crossing with the design work to be performed by CSX Design Consultant in an amount not to exceed $48,500. And this will be funded out of the 2022 Splast traffic calming line item. Mr. Jones.

Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, so this request is based on a need that after review of the safety of the pedestrian access that's located Author Avenue at Atlanta Road Railroad crossing. Um there are some valid concerns that have been brought forward that need to be evaluated and addressed. Uh we've also received numerous citizen complaints, concerns about pedestrian safety at this location. This project will be performed in two phases. The initial phase is design and most of that data has already been collected and then a construction phase will follow. Recommend approval and an amount not to exceed $48,500 to be funded out of the 22. Any questions or comments from council? This is in W three. Mr. Lindley

have motion do pass. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Pickkins. Everyone please vote. That's approved. 70. And lastly, item E, authorize the closure of the city of Smyrna jail facility, authorize an intergovernmental agreement with Cobb County regarding housing Smyrna jail inmates, and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents. Mr. Jones, background, please.

Uh, please, mayor and council, after we've analyzed this, the city decided to close its jail and work towards a plan to repurpose the facility. So current Smyrna jail inmates and future inmates will be housed at the Cobb County detention center pursuant to the turn of the intergovernmental agreement with the Cobb County Sheriff's Department and the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. U this is very similar to the operations of that other Cobb County cities have already implemented. In fact, the city of Smyrna is the very last municipal jail to turn over inmate actions to the care of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. Uh we recommend approval.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. And I know that um chief and the police department and everybody's done a extensive deep dive into what this looks like from cost perspective and from executions u perspective getting the people where we need to go to the to the sheriff's department and working with the other cities. So I'm I'm I'm pleased at all the work that's gone into uh putting forward this proposal. Is there any discussion or questions from council? All right. Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion. Motion do pass by Mr. Lindley.

I think it was a tie, but I'm going to give it to Mr. Gould. Uh has a second. Everyone, please vote. And that's approved. 70. We'll now go to the consent agenda. Mr. Jones, can you please read the consent agenda for council approval?

Mr. Mayor, uh the consent agenda contains four items. Uh the first item is approval of the February 12th committee the whole meeting minutes. Second item, item B is approval of the February 16th pre-consil meeting minutes. Item C is approval of the February 16, 2026 mayor and council minutes. And item D, 2026-082 is an approval of a special event permit for the American Legion Post 160 to host the quote be the one legion run. That'll be on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 from 7 am to 9:00 am with roll rolling road closures along the pre-selected and pre-approved race route. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda?

So moved by Mr. Lenny, second by Mr. Oglesby. Everyone, please vote. Sometimes I can't hear who it is. We need two, three more votes. Okay, now we need two. Miss Wilkinson and Mr. Oglesby both vote in favor. Yep. So that's approved. 70. We're now into the citizen participation portion of the meeting. Uh first is public comment. Did anyone sign up for public comment? Nobody signed up. We'll move on to warden and staff reports. Mr. Glenn Pickkins.

Thanks, Mayor. I'd just like to thank Latonia and her committee for uh throwing another great Black History celebration uh Friday night. So, it was another well attended event and a lot of fun. So, thank you, Miss Hind.

Thanks. And thank you so much for this council. There would be no way that we'd be able to do these events if we didn't get your support. So, thank you for your support and uh us being able to have the events. Thank you for uh coming to the event as well. So, uh we did something a little bit different this year. We did a taste of Black History celebrating a 100red years of Black History Month being celebrated. And uh we had a lot of locallyowned um restaurants come out and there was samplings and tastings of those. And uh Chef Garvin from Food Network and uh Fame um who also has a restaurant here, Low Country Steak, uh was our guest judge and threw a little bit of a wrench in the the plans. um he found two uh of the vendors to be best all-around. So uh giving a shout out to renown um worldrenowned catering uh who was one of the recipients and then the other one I believe was Meyers Catering and um then the people's choice was Auntie's House right here I believe in uh Ricky's W seven at uh Ward 7. So um it was great. So it was great to have everybody out and just have fun. So it was nice. was Meyers Gourmet.

Yes, Myers Gourmet. And the reason I know that is because my son Jack was there helping me with the award and he practiced that. He he originally said gourmet. That's why I remember Well, I greatly appreciate him being helping out with the uh handing out of awards. It was a It was a happy night. And um once again, reminder about Women's History uh lunchon. Thank you guys again for helping support that. And that will be going out uh at the end of the week with Parks and Wreck. So, um, a lot of great things in Smyrna and I'm so happy that we celebrate everyone. Thanks, Mr. Lindley.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just to echo, uh, Council Member Pickkins, a huge thanks to Miss Hines. Uh, she not only has the event in February, but a big event in March, too, on top of a very busy schedule. So, a huge thanks and congratulations to a job well done, Mr. Welch. No report this evening, Mr. Mayor. Miss Wilkinson. I'll say that it was a very nice event on Friday night and um I'll thank the Latonia uh Hines uh for her involvement in the planning of it. U but also I'd like to um say thank you to the staff that worked really hard to get it all set up and uh make it a success, too. Thank you.

Looks like you've got some of that hot sauce from that night on your desk there. I did. I got some hot sauce. Mr. Gold. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh again, just kudos to Latonia and your whole committee for really wonderful, enjoyable evening celebrating Black History Month. Um just one um one comment, tomorrow night, the Campbell High School girls varsity basketball play in the state playoffs for the Elite 8. The Elite 8. And they're going to play Loudens. And if I looked that up, Lowdens is down in Valdasta. That's a far long way. So I think we'd have a shot. They know they got to drive all the way up there. That's where it is. No, they're playing at home tomorrow. playing at home six o'clock tomorrow night at Campbell High School. That's awesome.

That is awesome. So hopefully they they take care of business and we'll see them in the semi-finals. We'll see. Mr. Ugles.

Yeah, that's awesome. Hey, good luck to the ladies, young ladies. Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh I want to say congratulations to all the uh the caterers and the restaurant owners Friday. It was an awesome event. A lot of great food. Really brought the community together. It was really really beautiful to see. Definitely. It's always good to see uh Garvin. Uh I've stole a lot of his recipes, but I bought the book, so I guess I bought the recipe. I want to congratulate and and encourage uh our spring athletes to do well this year as we always do here in Smyrna. I know uh Smyrna Elite Junior Spartans track team, they have their first meet on Sunday. Uh so good luck to those individuals and u good luck to all our spring sport athletes. I yield back to you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Jones. Um,

Mr. Mayor, as a as an Air Force veteran, I'd like to mention that we have airmen, soldiers, and sailors and marines that are currently serving in harm's way overseas. And no matter how you may feel about the larger actions, I just ask that we keep these warriors and their families, some of whom live right here in the city of Smyrna, in your thoughts and prayers. Well said and thank you for that, Mr. Cochran. Miss Heather, Miss Jill, anything. All right. There's no other business be brought before this body. We'll say good evening from the Jonqual City at 7:26.