Town Council Regular Meeting

Town of Tyrone Council Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ken Matthews Council Member Linda Howard Town Manager Kyle Hood Town Clerk Dee Baker Town Attorney Dennis Davenport Council Member Ryan Housley was absent. The Invocation was given by Paul Holland, Children and Family Pastor of Dogwood Church and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance Public Comments Approval of Agenda Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. CONSENT AGENDA: All matters listed under this item are considered to be routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered separately. Approval of Minutes, December 3, 2015 Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Page 1 of 7 PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITION: Oaths of Office: Sharon Pierce, Municipal Judge 1. Eric Dial, Mayor 2. Linda Howard, Council Member Post #1 Mayoral Proclamation: Student Painters Day Mr. Benjamin Weinhart stated that he is running a home-based business within the Tyrone and North Peachtree City area. Mr. Weinhart stated that this spring he will be marketing specific neighborhoods in order to acquire homes to paint this summer. His business, which is affiliated with the University of Georgia’s Young Entrepreneurs Across America, will be creating jobs for students in order to pay for their college tuition. State of the Town Address Eric Dial, Mayor After several years of receiving recognition from outside sources as one of the greatest places to live in Georgia, we have become accustomed to the advantages Tyrone has to offer and it’s an honor for us to serve you in positions of leadership. One of the dangers of this success is that we can allow ourselves to enjoy life so much that we fail to recognize the work that needs to be done to continue this success. This Council and Staff refuse to grow complacent. Over the last 18 months we have tackled major projects that will shape the future of our town because we recognize the fact that growth is around the corner and we have to manage it responsibly. Primarily through a low-interest loan from the State, in 2015 we resurfaced over 7 miles of roads and 2 miles of cart paths. In other resurfacing, we have a series of roads that are due for new asphalt and you will soon see a resurfaced path around Shamrock Lake and additional cart paths in other areas of town. We are committed to the development of new cart paths to the tune of $200,000 per year. In other work at Shamrock Park, we will build a new and improved bridge and bathrooms adjacent to the tennis courts. 2015 also brought us 57 new businesses and permits were issued for 25 new single family homes and 6 new commercial buildings. We are realizing more interest in our main tracts of land than we have in a long time so our planning and infrastructure work is very timely. Page 2 of 7 We are close to completing our comprehensive plan that will establish guidelines for this potential development. By far the number one priority from citizen input was to see the downtown corridor enhanced. While we are already doing this in many ways with Senoia Road resurfacing and Shamrock Park investments, the most important project will be sewer availability for downtown. The businesses that operate here deserve nothing less. We are working with Peachtree City to convert our treatment from Fairburn to the Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority. Fortunately, because this is beneficial for Tyrone, Peachtree City and all other affected parties, we have met virtually no resistance and I trust this will become reality over the course of 2016. The other important area we are focusing on is the 74 corridor. We continue to work with the 74 Gateway Coalition. Working with Fairburn, the South Fulton CID, Fayette County, and Peachtree City, we all remain committed to a seamless 74 with minimal curb cuts and traffic lights accompanied by consistent setbacks and landscaping. Simultaneously, we will work with the Fayette Chamber and the Fayette County Development Authority to target and recruit corporate headquarters and other desirable uses for the large tracts of land on the corridor. Finally, I want to recognize our staff for the great work they do every day on our behalf. Since I can’t mention each of them by name, I will specifically thank Kyle and Brandon for the leadership they provide to two outstanding groups of people. It is no secret that our police department is one of the best in the state and it translates into a very low crime rate which is a major factor in our recognition as a great place to live. All of our other departments are also worthy of praise for their efficiency and commitment to our taxpayers. We look forward to a fantastic 2016, and again, we thank you for the opportunity to serve. Page 3 of 7 OLD BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Nomination of Mayor Pro-Tem. Eric Dial, Mayor Council Member Matthews made a motion to nominate Council Member Gloria Furr as Mayor Pro-Tem for 2016. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 2. Consideration of approval of New Planning Commission Members. Eric Dial, Mayor Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the nominations of Wil James and Marlon Davis as the new Planning Commission Members for 2016-2017. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 3. Consideration for the use of Shamrock Park on June 13, 2016 from Dogwood Church for Venture Quest, family outreach. Pastor Paul Holland, Dogwood Church Mr. Hood introduced the item, stating that Dogwood Church was requesting the use of Shamrock Park for their summer event and also requesting that the park and signage fees to be waived. Pastor Paul Holland spoke and stated that he and his family had moved from Oregon a year ago and that they love it here and feels very welcome. He informed Council that this event will be a great experience and an opportunity to give back to the community. He added that food and entertainment would be offered at no cost to participants. Pastor Holland stated that families go through difficult times, such as divorce or loss, and this is an opportunity for the church to give them an outlet at no cost to be together. It also gives the church an opportunity to reach out to them if they do not have a church home. Mr. Hood informed Pastor Holland that there will be a financial impact for an extra port-o-let and security. Pastor Holland stated that he has reached out to a company regarding an additional port-o-let and to Lieutenant DeLoose for an off duty officer. Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the request to use Shamrock Park and to waive the fees for the Venture Quest event on June 13, 2016. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 4. Consideration to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-01, Alcohol Consumption, Social Hosting. Kyle Hood, Town Manager Mr. Hood stated that over the years, representatives from AVPride and Fayette FACTOR have worked tirelessly addressing the issue of underage drinking within Fayette County. Alcohol abuse amongst minors was added to the SAVE (Substance Abuse and Violence Education) initiative work plan. Various local authorities have been asked to adopt ordinances that add teeth to additional preventative measure from hosting functions where underage alcohol consumption may be present. Page 4 of 7 Fayette County, Peachtree City and Fayetteville have all preceded the Town in this endeavor. Mr. Hood then introduced Becky Smith, Executive Director of FACTOR, Dawn Oparah, Board Chairwoman and Michael Mumper, Treasurer, for any further questions. Mr. Hood stated that he has also met with Chief Perkins, Town Solicitor Shoemaker and Judge Pierce regarding the language and enforceability. Ms. Becky Smith stated that “this marks a very special day in our county.” No other county in Georgia has come this far. With the approval of Tyrone’s Ordinance, Fayette County is stating that all municipalities in the county are taking a stance in making the protection of children a high priority. To date, there are only three counties in the state of Georgia that have passed an ordinance such as this. She informed that at large, this states that we do not accept teen drinking as a rite of passage. It is not acceptable for parents to allow a venue for underage drinking to occur and to engage in acts that will affect them negatively, short term or long term for the rest of their lives. Ms. Smith shared that collectively this has been a four year project and thanked all leaders for their assistance. Mr. Mumper stated that within the state of Georgia, it is illegal for adults to furnish alcohol to underage drinkers. The Social Hosting Ordinance is so important due to the trend of parents offering a place where kids can bring their own alcohol. We have invited Chief Perkins, along with the other Police Chiefs and Sheriff in the county and other counties to band together and to use the ordinance as a tool to prevent underage drinking. Council Member Furr made a motion to adopt the Social Hosting Ordinance as submitted. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 5. Consideration of bids for the purchase of Police body cameras and digital storage. Brandon Perkins, Police Chief Chief Perkins stated that he had mentioned body cameras at the last Council Retreat. He added that now the need is more prevalent. Citizens are looking for them and they would also protect the officers. Body cameras are also used as a training tool. Chief Perkins stated that he has been interested in body cameras since they were initially introduced. Approximately six years ago his staff tried out a vid-mic, since then technology has come a long way. He stated that he has delayed purchasing body cameras due to Georgia’s open record laws. Last year the law changed so that only the people involved in the case could gain access to the video footage. Chief Perkins stated that on September 17, 2015 an RFP was published for body cameras and digital storage; he received nine responses. He cited that the bulk of the cost comes from the video storage. He also pointed out that the price range was from $14,000 to over $50,000 spanning a three year period. The cameras price range is $200 to $300. He stated that he was pleased to see Titian’s offer. Titian is offering sixteen cameras, the docking station kiosk, 30 TB (which is approximately 25,000 hours) storage server, on-site installation, on-site training, and lifetime support for $30,600. This price includes $25,000 for the kiosk itself. Chief Perkins stated that this project was approved in the current budget from Federal Confiscated Assets. He added that the fund’s balance currently stands at $402,869. Page 5 of 7 Council Member Howard asked how long would it take for the Police Department to go through 25,000 hours of video? Chief Perkins reassured Council that it would take several years to use. Chief Perkins stated that staff would be returning with an update to the record retention schedule. He also added that any video along with an arrest would be kept for a five year minimum. Videos with no arrests would be kept only for six months before being deleted. Mayor Dial asked, “Where on the body will the cameras be mounted?” Chief Perkins stated that initially, the chest and shoulder mounts would be tested. In the future staff may obtain a head mount. Council Member Howard made motion to approve the purchase of body cameras and a digital storage kiosk from Titan for $30,600.00 Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 6. Consideration of a bid to purchase locking gun racks for patrol cars. Brandon Perkins, Police Chief Chief Perkins stated that aside from a sidearm, officers currently have the option of carrying a shotgun or patrol rifle. Currently, rifles and shotguns are stored in the officer’s trunks. Along with continued training, we needed an improved way of storing the firearms. The proposed gun rack stores guns vertically within the patrol cars. The racks are secured with a hidden electronic button. Chief Perkins stated that Major Brock has been working on the project. Through research Major Brock found a vehicle equipment dealer that is also State contracted. He added that the police department has worked with 144th Marketing in the past and are pleased with their service. Their price to equip all police vehicles with federal drug money is $5,745. Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the state contract of $5,745.00 for the purchase of locking gun racks for patrol cars. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Public Comments Staff Comments Chief Perkins sought approval from Mayor and Council for the hiring of a new Police Officer. Chief Perkins stated that the officer hails from Clayton County and comes highly recommended and feels that he would be a good addition. Council Member Howard made a motion to hire Kyle Pescetto. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Page 6 of 7 Council Comments Mayor Dial thanked his family for their attendance. Executive Session Mayor and Council met in Executive Session to discuss one (1) item of threatened litigation. Council Member Matthews made a motion to move into Executive Session. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Council Member Matthews made a motion to reconvene. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Adjournment Council Member Furr made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. ____________________ __________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 7 of 7