Town Council Regular Meeting

CTyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes January 17, 2019 Present: Mayor, Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem, Gloria Furr Council Member, Ken Matthews Council Member, Ryan Housley Council Member, Linda Howard Town Manager, Brandon Perkins Planning & Development Coordinator, Phillip Trocquet Finance Manager, Sandy Beach Lieutenant, Eric DeLoose Court Clerk, April Spradlin Town Attorney, Dennis Davenport Town Judge, Alisha Thompson 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 20, 2018. Consideration to re-appoint Lisa Richardson to the Fayette County Library Board. Eric Dial, Mayor Consideration of approval of a Reimbursement Resolution for purchases related to the Municipal Complex Project. Brandon Perkins, Town Manager Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 1 of 7 Consideration of approval of a Resolution appointing the Town Prosecuting Attorney. April Spradlin, Court Clerk Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Presentations/Recognition: State of the Town Address: Eric Dial, Mayor It is, by all accounts, an exciting time to live and lead in the Town of Tyrone. Viewing it in the rearview mirror, it is as if we have been working for years to prepare ourselves for 2019. We have managed your tax dollars carefully. We’ve been careful about tackling too many large projects. We’ve renewed our comprehensive plan. We’ve spent countless hours planning the future of the 74 corridor. And, we’ve made land acquisitions that give us the flexibility to determine the future of downtown. More on this subject later. Let’s talk about 2018 for a moment. As has now become a constant, our Police Department had a fantastic year. Here’s the proof: Tyrone was listed in an independent publication as having the 3rd lowest major crime rate in Georgia among cities with a population of 5,000 or more and rated by another as the 7th safest city in Georgia. The completion of our first, and very successful, Citizen Police Academy. We’ve upgraded our body cameras and purchased a new SMART trailer and License Plate Readers And finally, we achieved our State Certification – something that only 28% of Georgia Law Enforcement Agencies have done. This process took years to realize and we applaud Officer Cayla Banks for this accomplishment. As you know, we recently welcomed former Chief Perkins over to serve as Town Manager. We are thrilled to have someone with his management experience, wisdom, and character now leading our staff. But he couldn’t be in two places at one time, so this left a void at the Police Department. He promised his officers and Council that he would identify someone who could take the department to the next level. We were pleased with our finalists and ultimately believe we have selected someone who will do exactly what he promised. We have chosen Randy Mundy as our new Police Chief and we are confident that he too, is a man who will duplicate the good leadership he has shown throughout his career. And he possesses a love for this town that will make him the perfect fit. Randy, congratulations to you and your family, and we look forward to working with you. While we are discussing our employees, I believe Tyrone is second to none in the quality of our people. We have truly been blessed beyond measure. Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 2 of 7 Please know that we are grateful for each and every one of you. Let’s talk about other 2018 accomplishments. Thanks in part to the voters’ passage of the SPLOST, we are completing important, long-needed infrastructure projects. Stormwater improvements, road resurfacing, golf cart paths, the Tyrone Road right hand turn lane, park improvements, and much more. We will also be looking at the round-about at Arrowood Road, Palmetto Road and Spencer Lane. In the comprehensive plan, the people spoke loud and clear and charged us with the task of revitalizing downtown. We are committed to answering this call. We are focusing on land use, sewer, and the enhancement of critical properties, all of which are necessary to make this happen. We have purchased the old fire station from the County. Tonight, we will take the first step in considering the purchase of 3 ½ acres across the street from Shamrock Park. Our plan is to make this property the new home of our municipal complex. Again, WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO DOWNTOWN. We will invest in its beauty and effectiveness, and we trust that its property owners will do the same. We will soon be forming a stakeholders’ committee made up of business owners, downtown property owners, and staff to address some of our needs. After all, who better to determine its future than those who have already invested in it. We entertain new and proposed economic development on a regular basis, and we are cognizant of the gravity of the decisions we make and the impact they will have on this town’s future. On behalf of this Council, we thank you for entrusting us with this important work and we look forward to what lies ahead. Presentation of State Certification Award to the Police Department. Chief Buster Meadows, Newnan PD Chief Meadows explained that certification was a progressive and time proven way to have law enforcement agencies review and improve their overall performance. The foundation lay within the performance and development of standards containing clear statements of professional objectives with thorough examinations. During the certification process, the program examines policies and procedures. He added that trained assessors review the processes and make recommendations. The certification acknowledges that policies and procedures were sound and operationally effective. Chief Meadows stated that benefits of the program included a confirmation that the agency’s practices were consistent with progressive professional standards and greater operational and administrative effectiveness. Also, that the agency had an enhanced understanding of policies and practices. Another benefit would be greater public confidence in that particular agency and a recognition of achievement. He added that a certification of achievement would also allow the agency to have reduced liability insurance fees from the Georgia Municipal Association. The concept began in 1990 and it came to fruition in 1996. Each participating agency was required to adhere to all standards of the certification program. Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 3 of 7 If standards did not apply, the agency could apply for a waiver. He added that the Tyrone Police Department had completed five steps in the program. Chief Meadows stated that the sixth step was crucial. It consisted of ongoing compliance monitoring for the next three years. He added that currently, out of 650 agencies, Tyrone was among 158 that had achieved the certified status of best practices. He added that Tyrone had to meet one hundred twenty-nine standards in the Georgia Certification program. Chief Meadows then asked Officer Cayla Banks to come forward. He presented her, on behalf of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Certification Manager Award as the Tyrone Police Certification Manager. Chief Meadows then ask Mayor Dial and Lieutenant Eric DeLoose to come forward. He then presented them with the Georgia Law Enforcement State Certification Award. Mayor Dial thanked Chief Meadows. He then recognized and thanked several other dignitaries in the audience for being in attendance; former Tyrone Mayor, Don Rehwaldt, former County Commissioner and Tyrone Council Member, Grace Caldwell, former Fairburn Mayor, Mario Avery, Fayette County Sherriff Barry Babb and Hapeville Police Chief, Richard Glavosek. Oath of Chief of Police, Randy Mundy. Alisha Thompson, Judge Judge Thompson performed the duty of swearing-in Tyrone’s new Police Chief, Randy Mundy. Mr. Perkins stated that it was not every day that someone gets to leave their position on their own terms and then to have an opportunity to assist with the selection of their successor. He added that it was a unique and proud moment for him. Mr. Perkins added that he had told his officers that he would find someone that would lead the department, moving forward, to the next level. He looked forward to working with Chief Mundy. Chief Mundy then spoke and stated that, coming to Tyrone was like coming home. To be able to work with a fantastic team in a town that he loved was more than he could ask for. It did not come without a little angst. He stated that succeeding Mr. Perkins was like following after Babe Ruth; very difficult. He promised that with the commitment of Tyrone’s fine Officers and a partnership, they could make something that was already great, a little better. Proclamation: School Choice Week. Eric Dial, Mayor Proclamation: Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team. Eric Dial, Mayor Mayor Dial stated that it was his pleasure to present the proclamation. He invited Gold Star Mother, Sharon Collins to accept the proclamation. Ms. Collins thanked Mayor Dial and Mr. Perkins and accepted on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team (WWAFT) and thanked WWAFT for playing their local game in her son, Lt. Robert Collins’ honor. The flag football game would be played on Wednesday, January 30th in Fairburn with local Sandy Creek alumni, NFL Alumni and the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team (WWAFT). Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 4 of 7  Presentation: Homefront Families and Children of Heroes Monument Project: Presented by Mrs. Fairy Wortham Ms. Wortham shared her connection with the County; the first landscape business in Peachtree City and her husband was involved with the Scouts for seventeen years and established Camp Thunder and currently, he drove a school bus. She stated that when she approached Fayetteville Mayor, Ed Johnson, with the idea of erecting a monument to honor the families of our military, he asked why her? She continued and stated that it had been one hundred and ninety-seven years since Fayetteville was established and she being a military mom and wife, thought it was time for a monument. She read the caption of the proposed monument; Faith, Family and Freedom. She continued to read; we offer the highest honor to All Mighty God, our Lord, Jesus Christ; Homefront Families and Children of Military Heroes. She described the monument as the heartbeat of the military family and a large hand reaching downward toward smaller hands coming out of the heart. She described another version with the five branches of military and a blue, gold and white star, representing family, one who was lost in service and the retired. She also pointed out the symbol for those who have committed suicide. Ms. Wortham added that the monument would indicate the years 1821 to 2019. She added that the families would also be represented. The back-side of the monument represented a mother, a cradle, booties, and combat boots. It will also state: United We Are Strong. She asked that if anyone in Fayette County had a picture of a grave of a fallen solider, or a military funeral, they would consider placing that photo on the monument. She added that this was not her project but it was our project; three towns and two cities in Fayette County. She shared that she has visited and met with each Mayor in the County, the VFW, and the American Legion. We need to reach all military families in the County so they can submit pictures as a family, this is all about families. Ms. Wortham stated that there were three ways of acquiring funding for the project: Fayetteville Veteran Bricks, and speaking with local Churches and business for donations. She ended by sharing that the monument would be located at Patriot Park in Fayetteville off of Redwine Road. New Business: 1. Nomination of Mayor Pro-Tem. Eric Dial, Mayor Council Member Housley made a motion to approve Council Member Furr as Mayor Pro Tem for 2019. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 2. Consideration of approval of Planning Commission Members. Eric Dial, Mayor Mayor Dial swore-in three Planning Commission Members for 2019-2020; David Nebergall, Jeff Duncan and Carl Schouw. Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 5 of 7 3. Consideration to approve Resolution No. 2019-01 for qualifying fees. Dee Baker, Town Clerk Mr. Trocquet presented and stated that 2019 was an election year for Tyrone and with that comes the requirement to publish qualifying fees and dates. The election would be held on Tuesday, November 5th for the following positions; Mayor, Council Post 1 and Council Post 2. Those that wished to qualify must be 21 years of age and have lived in Tyrone for one year. He added to please contact the Town Clerk at Town Hall, beginning Monday, August 19th through Friday, August 23rd. The hours would be 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. He added that the cost to apply for Mayor was $288 and the cost for both Council Posts would be $144. The information would also be placed on the Town’s website. Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2019-01 for the 2019 qualifying fees. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. 4. Consideration for the approval of a 2018 Ford F-150 4X4 Crew Cab for the Police Department. Lieutenant Eric DeLoose Lieutenant DeLoose stated that Major Brock contacted three dealerships in order to locate the best price for a vehicle for Chief Mundy. Among them were: Allan Vigil Ford, Akins Ford and Wade Ford. Allan Vigil Ford had the lowest bid. Council Member Furr made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2018 Ford F-150 4X4 Crew Cab for the Police Department from Allan Vigil Ford to be purchased with Federal Drug Monies. Council Member Matthews seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Staff Comments Mr. Perkins stated that time was of the essence regarding a piece of property the Town wished to have surveyed. This survey would consist of boundaries, topographical and utilities. He added that all bids would be in tomorrow and asked that bids not exceed the aforementioned amount. Council Member Matthews made a motion to approve the boundary, topographical and utilities survey, not to exceed $8,982. Council Member Housley seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Council Comments Council Member Matthews welcomed Chief Mundy. Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 6 of 7 Executive Session Council Member Furr made a motion to move into Executive Session to discuss two (2) items of Real Estate Acquisition. Council Member Howard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Council Member Howard made a motion to reconvene. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 4-0. Adjournment Council Member Furr made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm. ______________________ ________________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Council Meeting January 17, 2019 Page 7 of 7