Town Council Regular Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes January 4, 2018 Present: Mayor Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Furr Council Member Ken Matthews Council Member Ryan Housley Council Member Linda Howard Town Manager Jonathan Lynn Town Attorney Dennis Davenport Town Clerk Dee Baker Planning & Zoning Coordinator Phillip Trocquet Recreation Manager Mitch Bowman Also present: Finance Manager Sandy Beach Police Chief Brandon Perkins Public Works Supervisor Billy Campbell Mayor Dial opened the meeting and gave the Invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Agenda Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the agenda. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 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 19, 2017 Consideration for approval of the annual Soccer and Baseball Agreements. Mitch Bowman, Recreation Manager Review and consideration for approval of a complete update of the Town’s Dress Code Policy. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Page 1 of 6 Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Presentations/Recognition: 1. Oaths of Office: Sharon Pierce, Municipal Judge Ken Matthews, Council Member Post #3 Gloria Furr, Council Member Post #4 Judge Pierce administered the Oaths. 2. Proclamation: Meta Cameroon, Africa Day. Mayor Dial read the Proclamation. Mr. Gideon M. Ticha accepted on behalf of the John Retreat Foundation International USA, Inc. (JRFI). Mr. Ticha introduced his mother, father, wife, son, daughters and friend. He thanked Council and stated that they refer to Tyrone as the beautiful city on the hill, shining for the rest of the world. He added that he would update Mayor and Council on the past, present and future plans for Meta Cameroon. The Mayor welcomed them and stated that Mayor and Council were grateful for their family and their organization being a part of the community; he looked forward to developing a long-lasting friendship. Mr. Ticha added that today was his father’s ninety-second Birthday. 3. State of the Town Address. Eric Dial, Mayor Mayor Dial gave his State of the Town Address. 2017 was an excellent year for our Town. As the economy continues to strengthen, we are able to provide a better product to our taxpayers. We recognize that it is our responsibility to maintain a local government that delivers the best infrastructure possible. This has been the best year in our history from this standpoint. With new resurfacing, safer intersections, and increased sewer capacity, we offer what our residents and businesses want to see. On March 21, the voters approved a SPLOST that will make this even better. In 2018 and beyond, we have several projects that our voters have endorsed. We are committed to additional stormwater projects, improved parks, an upgraded Town Hall, and an increased sewer footprint. We recently capitalized on an opportunity to purchase an important piece of land adjacent to Handley Park that will preserve the integrity of that area. Page 2 of 6 The safety of our town continues to be our most important function. Just this week I read a publication that ranked Tyrone the third safest city in Georgia. An outlier of recent criminal activity and the fine work of our police department in conjunction with other cities and counties have shown that Tyrone will not tolerate this offense to our people, and we trust that the justice system will send the same message to these criminals. I am grateful for this Council’s support of our officers. Council has recently purchased a long list of items for the department, primarily technology, which will assist them in doing their jobs well. Additionally, Chief Perkins has set an extremely high standard of training for his officers. Far beyond what is required by regulatory entities. We thank him and each of his employees for protecting us. Our Police Department does not stand alone as they are recognized for their job performance. Mitch Bowman and Lynda Owens led a department that was named a Top Recreation Agency in our Region, and Sandy Beach and Taffini Guffie are actively pursuing the Distinguished Budget Award recognition for their continued outstanding work with our finances. The list does not stop here. We have said it for years and it seems that we only continue to improve. Those who report to work day in and day out for the Town of Tyrone are second to none. We appreciate the work Jonathan Lynn has done in leading this fine group. Earlier I mentioned an economy that is strengthening and the positive impact it has on our town. This also presents us with a more urgent need for planning and more attention to detail. In 2017 we received a grant from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and they presented a strategic plan for downtown. This provides options and recommendations to move us in the direction of a more vibrant and active downtown. With extensive citizen input, our staff and the Atlanta Regional Commission have prepared a revised Comprehensive Plan for future development. Council has passed this Plan and we now have increased confidence that development will be consistent with the wishes of our citizens. We thank Philip Trocquet and our Planning Commission for their work in this area. We continue to work with other local governments and planning organizations in the 74 Gateway Coalition to establish an overlay for the 74 corridor that will optimize the aesthetics and traffic flow of this critical corridor. A grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission will assist us in the design for this project. Increased setbacks, minimal curb cuts and traffic lights, and the new and improved 74/I-85 interchange will be the product of this work. We look forward to an even better 2018. Because our staff and Council have done such a good job of managing taxpayer dollars without ever raising the millage rate, we are now in a position where we can put this money where it belongs – in the form of products and services. Page 3 of 6 We will be improving roads, growing our cart path network, repairing stormwater structures, and addressing the needs of other town buildings. To our citizens, thank you for the contribution you make to your Town and may the Lord continue to bless us as a great place to live, work, and play. Public Hearing: 4. Consideration for the revision of a development plan and subsequent rezoning of a portion of property to M-1 (Light Industrial) with a PIP (Planned Industrial Park) Overlay and is currently zoned E-1 (Educational Institutional). The property in question is located on the corner of Jenkins Road & Highway 74 North and is approximately 15 acres. The property owner is Hobgood Family LP. Phillip Trocquet, Planning and Zoning Coordinator. Mr. Trocquet updated Council; Founders Studio’s original development plan was approved by Council in July, 2017. This revision would incorporate an additional fifteen acres to be used for actor trailer parking and stormwater retention. It would also include a dedicated Multi-Use Trail/Greenbelt easement which would originate from Jenkins Road, along with a proposed access drive from the existing curb-cut on Highway 74. Planning Commission recommended approval, December 14, 2017. Mr. Trocquet stated that in seeking a revision to the additional acreage, formally Hopewell United Methodist Church property (zoned E-I), the land would subsequently undergo a rezoning and re-platting process. Along the eastern section of the property would be a 125 foot buffer adjoining the AR (Agricultural Residential) land. The proposed rezoning is compatible with the future land use plan and zoning ordinance. The proposed zoning would be M-1 (Light Industrial) with a PIP (Planned Industrial Park) Overlay. He recommended approval. Mayor Dial opened the public hearing for anyone that wished to speak in favor of the item. No one spoke. Mayor Dial opened the public hearing for anyone that wished to speak in opposition of the item. No one spoke. Council Member Furr inquired about the impact traffic flow would have on the Jenkins Road schools. Mr. Trocquet informed Council that a traffic study was performed and the studio peak times would not interfere with school or regular business hours. He added that there was also a plan for an additional turn lane onto Highway 74 North; per the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) approval. Mayor Dial stated that the applicant formally met with the school system to discuss the traffic flow. Council Member Furr shared concern regarding the high schoolers driving amongst the eighteen wheelers. Mr. Trocquet stated that there would be more box trucks than larger trucks entering and exiting the property. Page 4 of 6 Applicant Nathan Dockery spoke regarding the concern. He stated that primarily, the larger trucks would be parked on-site for the entire shooting and the delivery trucks would be visiting the site. Mr. Dockery added that the development team has met with GDOT regarding an expanded traffic study and to complete the requirements for their Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE). Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the revised development plan and rezoning from E-1 to M-1 with a PIP Overlay. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0 New Business: 5. Nomination of Mayor Pro-Tem. Eric Dial, Mayor Council Member Housley made a motion to nominate Council Member Furr for the position of Mayor Pro-Tem for 2018. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. 6. Consideration of approval of New Planning Commission members. Eric Dial, Mayor Council Member Housley recommended the approval of Dia Hunter and Scott Bousquet for Planning Commission. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Mr. Hunter was present; he thanked Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve. He stated that he has lived as a resident of Lake Windsong for five years with his beautiful wife, Monique and twin girls which are of the age of three. He concluded by stating that he looked forward to serving on the Planning Commission. Staff Comments Mr. Lynn stated that Town offices would be closed on Monday, January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He informed Council to check their emails that an update on the Tyrone Road turn lane would be appearing soon. He stated that the acceleration lane would not return. Moving forward according to GDOT, acceleration lanes would be eliminated. Mayor Dial asked Mr. Lynn to share the updates on the Town’s social media pages. Page 5 of 6 Adjournment Council Member Furr made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. _______________________ ___________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Page 6 of 6