Town Council Regular Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes Thursday August 17, 2017 7:00 PM Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ryan Housley Council Member Linda Howard Town Manager Jonathan Lynn Police Chief Brandon Perkins Finance Manager Sandy Beach Town Clerk Dee Baker Town Attorney Dennis Davenport Council Member Ken Matthews was absent. Mayor Dial called the meeting to order and gave the Invocation; it was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Dial thanked Representative Derrick Jackson for his attendance. Public Comments Tyrone resident, Representative Derrick Jackson stated that he was so elated to see Tyrone moving forward. The gateway signage has inspired other municipalities to duplicate. When you think about Tyrone moving forward with the $150,000,000 Founders Film Studio coming to Town, it just shows that Tyrone is moving forward. But as I stand here there’s a growing concern because we want to make sure that Tyrone is inclusive. The mural behind the dais does not depict the Tyrone of today. The mural does not reflect Tyrone going forward, it sends a different message. The citizens of Tyrone want to make sure that the same tax dollars that are here to preserve the building which includes the mural, should be reflective of the Tyrone today. I humbly come to you to start the request for you to think of something else to display. As other business owners come to present, they do not see the same thing I’m looking at. The film industry in Georgia is $9,500,000,000. Ten years ago it was $248,000,000. Georgia is the number one business state to do business. Georgia is number one in the film industry. Tyrone will be participatory in the filming industry when Founders Studio comes to Town. You do not want businesses to come to this Town Hall, come to a Council meeting and make a request while looking at the mural; that does not reflect Tyrone of today. Page 1 of 6 The mural does not show inclusiveness. How do we move Tyrone forward? When folks come to Town and see the new signage they see Tyrone moving forward. When business owners come to a Town meeting with a petition to do business, the mural communicates something different. Let’s consider what else can go on that wall when other future business leaders and citizens come to address you with their concerns and to do business in Tyrone. Fayetteville resident and Fayette County’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President, Terrence K. Williamson spoke regarding the mural. He stated that he would not repeat the eloquent statement made by Representative Jackson. He stated that there was an awful lot of divisiveness that was going on in our community now. Whenever there was an opportunity for leadership of cities, towns and states to do things to minimize that divisiveness that is something that is to be championed. I ask that you consider the words of Representative Jackson to consider the image that is seen by everyone that is coming before Council. What does that tell them, without saying a word? Tyrone resident, Ms. Winne Anderson spoke next. She stated that she was present for two reasons; the first was for S.P.L.O.S.T monies to be used for her yard. She added that when she appealed her taxes, she submitted pictures with rain in her yard. She stated that the reason for the increase in property tax was a result of residential improvements. She added that when she sent the pictures, she stated that this was not residential improvement. Ms. Anderson stated that she had spoken with Council in years past because Tyrone caused the problem in her yard along with Mr. Barry Amos. “I want you to do right by me.” The law says that you are not supposed to alter the flow of rain water and you all did. I did not have pipes or a drain in my yard, Tyrone caused that for all of these years. There is no easement. She added that the person next door said that he could not repair or use his property properly because he was told that there was an easement in my yard. This is not true. There is no easement. You all took out an injunction against him to use his property, so he stopped performing repairs. She stated that she asked her neighbor, why he was not building on his property? He said that Tyrone took out an easement. She added that her house was built in 1999; August 7th was seventeen years with one owner. She added that she agreed with Representative Jackson. She stated that it was amazing that she had not thought of it before. However, because of all that is going on, with all the killing, she too agrees. The country is already talking about taking down things. If it was just history then there should be some of us up there as well. If you are not going to include us in there, then it does not reflect the true story of history. Tyrone resident, Eric Woods stated that Representative Jackson said a mouthful. There were more things in Town that could bring us together then divide us. However, the history of the confederacy is a divisive subject for many people, not just African Americans. Page 2 of 6 He asked that Council not only take a look at the mural and design one that is not only inclusive of everyone that lives in Tyrone but also look at the cemetery (to our right). He stated that he was pretty sure that city tax dollars probably help maintain the grass for the cemetery. If it is done privately then we do not have an issue, but if public tax dollars are used to help maintain a cemetery that may be on public property that would be an issue. He added that we ride down main street and we see a big sign that says “Sons of the Confederacy”. He closed by asking Council to take the request into consideration and to be culturally sensitive to everyone that lives in the city. Approval of Agenda Council Member Housley 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, August 3, 2017 Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Old Business: New Business: Authorization to utilize Integrated Science and Engineering, Inc. to conduct outfall mapping and location services for the Town. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Mr. Lynn stated that on June 21, 2017 the Town received a letter from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) due to a regularly scheduled inspection performed on the Town’s stormwater management program. The EPD stated that although the Town is being maintained, their concern was for the lack of a dedicated GIS map, showing where each outfall was positioned within the Town. EPD has given the Town ample time for completion. We have reached out to several companies that perform the mapping and location services required by the EPD. Three quotes were $66,186, $39,500 and the low bidder was Integrated Science and Engineering (ISE) for $6,700. Page 3 of 6 ISE will set up our GIS system for inspection updates and after a full day of training, turn over all mapping to us. All bidders were working off the same scope of work. ISE is the most local and the Town has worked with them in the past. Mayor Dial questioned the gap in bids. Mr. Lynn stated that he presumed that Stantec utilized more people such as high profile managers and were very high-tech. Council Member Furr questioned that something similar had been performed previously. Ms. Beach stated that the former Environmental Tech had mapped a portion in her tenure but that currently we are not in compliance. Mayor Dial inquired of a timeframe for the project. Mr. Lynn stated that once ISE had completed the mapping, they would turn the system over to the Town where it would be maintained by Mr. Konwick. Currently there was no way of updating the system: only field work and inspections were performed. A discussion took place regarding out-fall piping. Mr. Lynn stated that there were hundreds of pipes in Tyrone that takes stormwater run-off from the sides of the roads to underneath the roads, into creeks and streams. They are regulated and needed to be managed and maintained. Council Member Howard noted that on the second page of the agreement under Terms and Conditions, it stated that ISE was the sole owner of all documents. Mr. Lynn stated that he would research further. Mr. Davenport stated that the wording should be changed to reflect that the Town would inherit all documentation as agreed upon. Council Member Howard mad a motion to authorize the Town to utilize Integrated Science and Engineering, Inc. to conduct outfall mapping and location services in an amount not to exceed $6,700 with the ownership of documents provision to be reflected as discussed. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Public Comments: Representative Derrick Jackson stated that the next topic revolved around safety. He stated that twenty or thirty years ago, Tyrone was not thinking about the trucking volume that is around today. It is a growing concern as trucks utilize more passage through Town and use short cuts that were not designed for 18-wheelers. He stated that he would like to partner with Council along with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to make sure that truck drivers utilized Highway 74 and Highway 54 as a substitute to our roads, in order to reach Pinewood Studios and other industrial areas. As an example; Tyrone Road was not intended for 18- wheelers by width alone. Truck drivers occasionally occupy two lanes when turning. Some may say that this is due to the inexperience of the truck driver; when actually, that truck should not be on that road at all. He added that the last thing we want is for someone to have a serious accident or to be killed. Let’s partner and identify roads to inform truck drivers what roads are prohibited so citizens can get to and from their residence safe and sound. Page 4 of 6 Ms. Winnie Anderson stated that she concurred with Representative Jackson and stated that a letter was sent to Representative Jackson and Mayor Dial about her concerns regarding almost being killed last year due to a large truck traveling on a Town road. She added that months ago, Tyrone Road was shut down for thru traffic due to the filming of a TV show; that seemed important, my life is not as important? Ms. Anderson requested contact information from ISE for stormwater mapping. Mr. Lynn stated that she could pick up a copy of the agreement tomorrow at Town Hall. Staff Comments: Mr. Lynn gave a shout out to the Town Clerk for rallying staff together for posting “selfies” on the Town Facebook page for the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) partnership with Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) “City Hall Selfie Day”. Council Comments: Council Member Howard requested an update regarding the call for directional signage for Handley Park. Mr. Lynn stated that Mr. Bowman presently obtained Founders Day directional signage for Handley Park and that staff would work toward obtaining additional signage for outside of Founders Day week. Mayor Dial asked that everyone keep Council Member Matthews and his family in their prayers in reverence of his mother. Executive Session: Council Member Furr made a motion to move into Executive Session for one item of real estate acquisition. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Council Member Housley made a motion to reconvene. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Mr. Davenport announced that the Town was recently given an opportunity to look into the purchase of a 38.964 acre tract owned by the Hobgood family adjacent to Handley Park. The family’s representative reached out to the Town for the purchase of the property. Survey and title research has been completed. The seller has agreed upon a purchase price of $300,000 which estimates just under $7,700 per acre. Mr. Davenport added that if the offer met with Council’s approval to move forward, a closing meeting could be made for next Thursday. Page 5 of 6 Council Member Howard made a motion to approve the purchase of 38.9 acres adjacent to Handley Park for $300,000. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Mr. Davenport stated that he would prepare all needed paperwork, facilitate a meeting and report back to Council. Adjournment: Council Member Furr made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 pm. _______________________ __________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 6 of 6