Town Council Regular Meeting

Tyrone Town Council Meeting Minutes November 19, 2020 7:00 P.M. Present: Mayor, Eric Dial Mayor Pro Tem, Gloria Furr Council Member, Linda Howard Council Member, Melissa Hill Council Member, Billy Campbell Town Manager, Brandon Perkins Town Clerk, Dee Baker Finance Manager, Sandy Beach Court Clerk, April Spradlin Town Engineer/Public Works Director, Scott Langford Police Chief, Randy Mundy Lieutenant, Eric DeLoose Corporal, Eric Minix Mayor Dial called the meeting to order with limited seating and broadcasted on YouTube Live at 7:00 pm, this was followed by the invocation. The public was invited to watch. Approval of Agenda Council Member Furr 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 from October 15, regular, and workshop minutes from November 5, 2020 Consideration to re-appoint Amy Godfrey as Solicitor for the Tyrone Municipal Court Consideration to re-appoint Richard Andrew “Andy” McCall as Judge Pro-Tem Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 1 of 7 Consideration to re-appoint Alisha Thompson as Judge for Tyrone Municipal Court Consideration to reappoint Tracy Young as the Town’s representative to the Fayette County Development Authority for a four-year term (2021-2024). Council Member Howard made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0. Presentations/Recognition Oath of office – Billy Campbell Council Post #3, term through December 31, 2021. Dennis Davenport, Town Attorney Mr. Davenport administered the oath to Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell’s family was in attendance. Council Member Campbell then took his place at the dais. New Business 1. Consideration of a proposal from Staff to designate the Town’s former Police and Court facility as a new office and classroom space for the Recreation Department. Brandon Perkins, Town Manager Mr. Perkins shared that during the Council Retreat in March, he suggested that it would be beneficial to move our Recreation staff into the former Police Department. He stated that the noise in the building from classes was so loud that it could be heard from the former Town Hall parking lot. He added that the office that both ladies shared was very small and that they often used noise- blocking headphones. He also shared that there had been many requests for additional classes for senior citizens and yoga classes. By moving the ladies into the former Police Department building, they would have more space, it would not be as loud, they could add more low-key classes, and also have a potential meeting space. Mr. Perkins stated that the former Police Station, in addition to housing the Recreation staff, could also house future early voting and regular elections moving forward. He added that an initial discussion with the Fayette County Election staff was favorable and more discussions needed to take place. The three weeks of early voting and also utilizing the Library as the primary voting spot was disruptive to staff. He reminded Council of the voting flow chart that he shared at the Retreat. He added that having early voting and primary voting in the same location would be helpful to our citizens as well. Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 2 of 7 Mr. Perkins stated that by keeping the building, it would yield twenty-one additional parking spaces for any Town event, and it was adjacent to the Town’s busiest park. He continued by sharing that the basement could be used for storing Town archives, permanent records and file storage. The rooms downstairs could also be used for additional training or staff, moving Recreation staff would be a big benefit to the Town. Council Member Campbell suggested considering the former Town Hall building to house Recreation staff. The area behind the Council Chambers has office space, restrooms, and a separate entrance. He added to consider the current Recreation space for voting. Voters could utilize the Library parking spaces. He added that if Recreation was in the former Town Hall building, they would also be across the street from the former Tyrone Elementary School. Mr. Campbell shared that the former Police space was prime real estate, this could be the Downtown Development Authority’s first project. He ended by reiterating that Recreation staff should move to the former Town Hall. Council Member Hill shared that now Council had two options, Mr. Perkins’ and Council Member Campbell’s. Council Member Howard stated that if early voting was held at the current Recreation space, it would disrupt programing. Mr. Campbell shared that programming was not as lively as it once was. By housing Recreation staff at the former Town Hall, more parking could be created by removing the garage and the pump house. This year’s voting was not a normal voting year. Mayor Dial shared that a couple of recommendations were on the table, or suggested that Council could also choose to leave everything as-is for now. Council Member Campbell recommended further discussion on the topic at a future meeting. Mr. Perkins stated that although Council Member Campbell’s idea may be a good one, the former Police Department was a newer building and that the technology was more up to date. To make the former Town Hall space ready for staff and classes it would take tens of thousands of dollars, it also needed to be more ADA compliant. Council Member Hill asked if the Police Department was currently ready for staff to move in? Could they make any additional improvements at a later date? Mr. Perkins stated that the Police Department was currently move-in-ready. We could paint and budget for improvements as we go. He added that the Police Department was much more secure than the former Town Hall. Staff would have a lobby and service window. They could move in as early as tomorrow, although we would not move them in that quickly, the building is readily available. Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 3 of 7 Council Member Hill shared that she would be in favor of moving Recreation staff to the former Police building, it could be changed at a later date if need be. Mr. Perkins restated that they need to get away from the noise and the cramped working space. We do not have to be married to the move long term if Council chose to go another route in the future. Council Member Furr shared her concerns with moving staff to a quieter space for their benefit. Council Member Campbell shared that there would still be a cost involved with moving staff and renovations needed for classes. He agreed with moving them for now but revisiting the building overall plan early next year. The building is in a prime location, we do not need to be married to this as it relates to the downtown plan. Council Member Hill made a motion to designate the former Police facility at 945 Senoia Road as the new main office for the Town’s Recreation Department and storage space for all Town departments. Council Member Furr seconded the motion. Motion was approved 3-0, with Mr. Campbell abstaining. 2. Consideration to designate the former Council Chambers located at 881 Senoia Road as a museum space. Brandon Perkins, Town Manager Mr. Perkins shared that also discussed during the Retreat was the possibility of turning the Council Chambers into the Town Museum. He added that the building and that area was the genesis of the Town. He wanted to open the item for discussion regarding the possible designation as a museum and what specific steps to take next. Would it be taken over by a 501-non-profit organization, or citizen volunteers? He shared that the Fayette County Historical Society had agreed to offer their expertise as a consultant. He added that discussions needed to also include, what would be displayed, and how it would be displayed. Council Member Hill shared that her vision resembled the Senoia Historical Museum which also housed wine and cheese events, other events, and tours. It could also raise money; it could be something additional to a museum. Mayor Dial mentioned that attendance would also be a factor to consider. He asked for additional services the Fayette County Historical Society may offer. Mr. Perkins stated that they could guide us in the facilitation, properly displaying items, preserving items, and how to obtain items. He also spoke of the possibility of creating a Historical Society, which would be a separate entity. This could be a citizen-run non-profit group, space would be leased to them and they would have control over the museum. Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 4 of 7 Mayor Dial asked if the Fayette County Historical Society had non-profit status. Mr. Perkins stated that he believed they did, however, there was none of that nature located within Tyrone. We could seek out a group, or Council could form a sub-committee to get the society off the ground. Council Member Howard shared that she wanted to see a museum at that location. Council Member Campbell echoed the sentiment and asked what artifacts would it hold and who would run it? Keeping it downtown would be a nice venture for the Town. Council Member Howard shared that she was most impressed with how Fayette County’s museum housed folders with individual family information. She added that she still had an abundant number of pictures and information from the launching of the Centennial Book in 2011. This would be great for the Town; we have discussed this topic for years. Mayor Dial asked Mr. Perkins if that was the information he was looking for? Mr. Perkins shared that more specifically, how interested was Council, when did they wish to begin, and to what degree. Council Member Hill shared that we needed citizen input on the item. Mr. Perkins agreed. He also questioned if Council wished to house archives, or the full gamut where families could come in and make copies for their genealogy? He suggested a citizen questionnaire which would include; what would you like to see, and would you be willing to serve. Mayor Dial agreed. Council Member Howard shared that Fayette County was planning on hosting their 200th Anniversary in May, there would be a tour of the County. She added that she would like to have the museum running by then to be on the tour. Mr. Perkins stated that staff could call a meeting with interested citizens at Town Hall around the 1st of the year. Council Member Howard shared that she would prefer to meet in early December. Mr. Perkins stated that they could however, several events were happening around that time. Council Member Howard shared that the sooner the better, so we can be better prepared for May. Council Member Campbell stated that staff could place the invite on social media to gauge the interest in donations and wiliness to serve. Council Member Howard stated that the two options were to donate items or loan them. Mr. Perkins stated that he would begin working on her request for early or mid-December. Public Comments Ms. Marge Garrett, who lives on Whitney Court, shared that the Library possessed yearbooks and such from the closing of Tyrone Elementary. This could assist with the museum. Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 5 of 7 Staff Comments Mr. Langford congratulated Council Member Campbell on his new position. Mr. Perkins informed everyone of a few forthcoming Town events. November 29th at 6:00 pm, the socially distanced Christmas Tree Lighting at Shamrock Park. He added that Ms. Brock would have snowflakes on the ground to signify spaces for families to sit or stand during the event. December 5th at 6:00 pm, Drive-In Movie showing of The Grinch at Handley Park. Tickets are limited, please go to www.tyronerecreation.org to order your free tickets. December 7th at 1:00 pm, Holiday Wreath Laying at Veterans Park. December 10th at 10:00 am, Ribbon Cutting and socially distanced tour at Town Hall, 950 Senoia Road. Mr. Perkins stated that after the ribbon- cutting, there would be a one-way flow tour around the new Town Hall. Staff would be strategically spaced to guide and answer and questions. There would be socially distanced groups of four or less. He also stated that changes may occur due to COVID-19. Mr. Perkins informed everyone that Fayetteville dignitaries toured our facility today, and they invited us to visit theirs upon completion. Mr. Perkins gave a Shout Out to the Public Works Department for working hard on erecting all of the Christmas decorations. He thanked the members of the Christmas Committee for their hard work. He added that we would see a great improvement this year. Council Member Campbell thanked Mr. Perkins, Mayor, and Council for accepting him and helping him settle-in, he looked forward to working with everyone. Council Comments Council Member Furr stated that she looked forward to working with Council Member Campbell. Council Member Hill also welcomed Council Member Campbell. Mayor Dial acknowledged Mr. Tracy Young in the audience and thanked him for his service to the Town as the Fayette County Development Authority’s Representative. Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 6 of 7 Executive Session Council Member Furr made a motion to move into Executive Session for one (1) item of threatened litigation. 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 Howard made a motion to adjourn. Motion was approved 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 pm. By: __________ ________________________ Attest: ________________________ Eric Dial, Mayor Dee Baker, Town Clerk Council Meeting – Social Distancing/YouTube Live November 19, 2020 Page 7 of 7