Town Council Regular Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes October 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 Finance Manager Sandy Beach Court Clerk April Spradlin Town Clerk Dee Baker Town Attorney Dennis Davenport Mayor Dial opened the meeting and gave the Invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Mr. Jeremy Barnes who lives on St. Ives shared his concern regarding moving Town Hall to Handley Park. He asked where specifically and how would Council preserve downtown if Town Hall, Court and the Police Department move? Mayor Dial indicated that the grassy area to the right of the Handley Park entrance was the actual sight, not within the park. He then asked for his email address to better answer his second question. Mr. Hank Sanak who lives on Castle Lake Drive spoke next. He stated that Handley Park was nowhere near the planned downtown area. He added that Mr. Harlie Deyton had a perfect spot for the Town to look at, although it was not for sale. It was directly across from Shamrock Park within downtown. He is a long-time resident. He added that this would be a perfect spot; not so far out of the way. You could also make it work with the former Fire Station, tear it down and build there. He added that he did not have a problem with purchasing new property; however, it would be a bad idea to relocate Town Hall. Council Meeting October 4, 2018 Page 1 of 5 Approval of Agenda Council Member Furr 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, September 20, 2018. Consideration to hire for the position of Maintenance Supervisor. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Presentations/Recognition: 1. Presentation of Georgia Records Management Certification to April Spradlin by Eve Regan, President of the Georgia Records Association. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Ms. Spradlin stated that she had been involved with the Georgia Records Association (GRA) certificate program which was a very intense program for maintaining records and documentation. Ms. Spradlin added that she had successfully completed her classes for her certification. Ms. Spradlin thanked Mayor and Council for the opportunity to enroll in the document training; because it does make a difference. She then introduced Ms. Eve Regan, President of the Georgia Records Association (GRA). Ms. Regan informed Council that Ms. Spradlin has always been there, quick to jump up in classes; run over to help with whatever is needed. She has been diligent with keeping up with her hours; where GRA made a small mistake and could have cost her certificate. It is an extensive five year program that she completed in exactly five years. It cost in time away from her job and we appreciate her. Ms. Regan presented Ms. Spradlin with her certificate. Council Meeting October 4, 2018 Page 2 of 5 New Business: 2. Consideration to authorize the Town to pay CSX Transportation $10,694.44 for an invoice for work performed at the East Crestwood Road rail crossing. Jonathan Lynn, Town Manager Mr. Lynn informed Council that this was a unique item. Back in February and March, CSX came to Tyrone to improve the rail line. We did not hear back from them until July when they sent an invoice for the East Crestwood Road crossing only, for $10,694.44. We began communications with their Jacksonville headquarters. We found that there was an easement agreement with CSX and the Town back in 1985 regarding this crossing only. He added that staff came to Council for their approval prior to submitting the payment. Mr. Lynn added that this was a one-time fee and no other charges were needed for any other crossing. Mayor Dial asked that a letter or email be sent to CSX, that it would be appropriate if they inform the Town in the future if there were any other charges so we can better budget for them. Council Member Furr wanted assurance that this was indeed a one-time payment. Mr. Lynn assured her that this was what he was told but that he could get it in writing. Mr. Lynn stated that the Town paid CSX $1 for that particular easement in 1985. Council Member Furr asked if the Town paid CSX in the past for any work. Mr. Lynn stated that he and Ms. Beach searched and could not find any payment of that nature in the last decade. Mayor Dial reiterated that in the CSX email it should state; to clarify there are no other charges and that they should notify the Town in advance of any charges in order to better budget. Council Member Housley made a motion to authorize the Town to pay CSX Transportation an amount of $10,694.44 for work performed to improve the railroad crossing at E. Crestwood in the Town of Tyrone. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Public Comments Mr. Hank Sanak returned to the podium to inform Council of a Homeschool being held in the Castle Lake subdivision. Cars are dropping off children in the mornings. He added that there were chickens and roosters. The children take a break during the day to take kayaks out on the lake, so I know all those kids do not live in the same house. Mr. Sanak brought attention to 359 Castlewood Road and the tree service business that is being held there with all types of large equipment. He does not understand how this person could have that type of business run out of his home. Council Meeting October 4, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Sanak stated that on the corner of Castlewood Road and Laurelwood Road there were seven cars, two trailers and a camper, all parked at someone’s house. All have tags; however, he was concerned that there was a used car business being run out of the home. Please get the Code Enforcement Officer out to take a look at these homes. Mr. Hank Sanak also informed Council that 117 Palmetto Road was being used as a used car business. There were always four to five cars parked along the side of the building. Mr. Jeremy Barnes returned to the podium and shared his concerns regarding debris left behind from the Briarwood Road paving project. He stated that there were oil stains, paint splotches, paint cans and cones left on site in his neighborhood. He wanted someone to be held accountable and for the Town to please take a look at it. Mr. Barnes also asked if there were future plans for the former Fire station and added that it was an eyesore. Staff Comments Mr. Lynn spoke on behalf of Chief Perkins who was away for training. He asked for approval to hire William Cochran to fill the open Officer position. He has over thirty years’ experience in public safety, mainly with the Fire Department. He then became a trained Police Officer in 2004. Council Member Housley made a motion to approve the hiring of William Cochran to fill the vacant Police Officer position contingent upon his completion of the voice stress test. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Mr. Lynn announced that the Public Works Maintenance Supervisor and the Accounting Specialist would begin on October 15th; the Parks/Recreation position would now be posted for potential candidates. Mr. Lynn also announced that Founders Day begins Saturday through the following Saturday. Council Meeting October 4, 2018 Page 4 of 5 Executive Session Council Member Matthews made a motion to move into Executive Session to discuss one (1) item of personnel. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Council Member Howard made a motion to reconvene. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Mr. Davenport stated that the Town had received the resignation of the Town Manager Jonathan Lynn, effective immediately. Under these circumstances, if the Town chose, it would be prudent to offer a standard package of six weeks’ severance pay in exchange for the signing of typical documents such as a release form, documents of confidentiality and an agreement not to sue. If this meets with Council’s approval, I ask for your consideration. Council Member Housley made a motion to accept the resignation of Jonathan Lynn with a six week severance package effective immediately contingent upon the signing of all documents. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Adjournment Council Member Matthews made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:33pm. _______________________ ___________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Council Meeting October 4, 2018 Page 5 of 5