Meeting discussionsStart with a topic.

All right, we're gonna go ahead and, uh, do the 581, uh, public hearing and so welcome everybody. Um, I'll just have, um, Mr. Bennett read the background and then if there's anybody here that would like to speak, we'll, uh, welcome that. Uh, so Mr. Bennett, the background, please.

Yes, sir, this is a public hearing, uh, for the city's intent to opt out. Of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorum homestead exemption, also known as. There's a public hearing, uh. To discussed the city's intention to opt out of the statewide adjusted base year ad Valorum homestead exemption, also known as House Bill 581. The city's current homestead exemption offers, uh, greater protections and greater benefit for the Smyrna residents, um, than House Bill 581 does. So the city's intent to opt out.

Is there anybody here who wishes to speak for or against this item? This is a public hearing. No. All right, we will close the public hearing. And is there any other business on this particular portion of our evening? No, sir, there is not. All right, then we will adjourn the public hearing portion and recess for. 25 minutes until we start the public hearing or until we start the uh town hall. Thank you.

all right let's go ahead and call this meeting to order um thank you everybody for being here uh we have with us tonight Pastor Tyler cook Mount Zion Baptist Church at 1789 Hawthorne Avenue Pastor come on up and lead us in the invocation and pledge everybody please rise to good to see you too Mr Mayor let us all pray our father and our God we first off come by here to say Thank You Lord we thank you for our life health and strength Lord we thank you for the activities of our LMS now God we uh come to this meeting to uh as the citizens of Smur to hear what needs to be said what needs to be discussed father we ask you right now to let the uh plans and the things that's getting ready to be discussed not follow on De ear on tonight God we Al we also ask you father father to watch over our mayor watch over our city council leaders as they continue to lead our city uh continue to uh strengthen them and and help them grow within our city father we ask you right now to let Smyrna be a community be a city that I like that the state of Georgia will be able to see and father we ask you right now to just keep your hand on us uh we ask you right now to just keep us in your Lov and arms and your protection this in Jesus name we do pray and we all said amen amen I pledge Alle to the flag in the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all thank you Pastor for being with us tonight appreciate you we don't have any agenda changes tonight and the mayoral report is short I just want to First wish my wife Laura Norton a happy birthday today and then I want to bring everybody's turn everybody's attention to February 13th um it's a Thursday at 6:30 pm we are going to have a Citywide town hall meeting uh lots of things going on in Smyrna right now uh toison pool's been demolished and we're rebuilding it we've got some land Acquisitions to talk about and some other things to to bring to the public and get some feedback so I hope everybody can join us again that's Thursday February 13th here in this room um at 6 6:30 and it'll be streamed online for those who can't be here in person and available to watch um afterwards with that I'm going to go to

proclamations and presentations and you know that lonia Hines is uh in charge of something when you have a star studded cast of dignitaries in our audience um we have a special presentation uh recognition of Judge Miller tonight and I'm going to turn it over to lonia this is your show go ahead well it's it's it's all of us um and especially I I do a shout out as well to my fellow councilman Rick Ricky olby and mayor if I can go a little bit out of order and do the proclamation first and then do the presentation because the presentation personifies the proclamation very so in recognition of um Black History Month uh here in the City of Smyrna um I present a proclamation each year Black History Month the City of Smyrna celebrates the history and culture of African-Americans discovering stories of Triumph courage and and creativity through lectures discussions exhibits and educational events and whereas the origins of Black History Month date back to 1915 when Dr Carter G Woodson founded the organization known today as the association of the study of African life African-American life and history and whereas Dr Woodson initiated black history week February 12 1926 and for many years the second week of February chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln was celebrated by African-Americans in the United States and whereas in 1976 as a part of the nation's Bicentennial black history week was expanded and established as Black History Month and is now celebrated all over North America and whereas the contri contributions of African-Americans to the fabric of this country should be recognized and celebrated in observation of Black History Month the SMA Library will host a series of activities and the city will host the annual Black History Month celebration dinner and whereas the continued effort to historically preserve the areas in Rose Garden community and recognize significant African-American leaders who helped in the building of our city are examples of the city's continuing commitment to solidify the legacy of black history in the City of Smyrna now therefore I Derek Norton the mayor of the city of smna Georgia do hereby proclaim the month of February 2025 to be Black History Month here in the city of smna and this is the third day of February 2025 so with that being said um in this Proclamation I am so honored to be able to do this presentation today to judge M evet Miller and for some of you who are not aware of who judge Miller is let me tell you because so many of us and so many of the

people who are coming in to um celebrate her are here because of her so judge IET Miller and and she has a long bio so I'm not going to go through all of her bio but one of the most important things you need to know she is a true dedicated public servant as a matter of fact she began her um as a judge in 1989 serving as an administrative um law judge for the State Board of workers compensation and then in 1992 she was appointed as the Director and judge of the pellet division of the State Board of workers compensation and in 1996 she was appointed to the Fulton County State Court where she served as a judge until her appointment to the Georgia court of appeals in 1999 and she was appointed and she was um by then Governor Barnes who unfortunately had a um a previous commitment otherwise he would have been here also a cob County resident and the part that you need to know especially as we recognize significant um leaders uh here in the city in the state um and especially during Black History Month she was the first African-American appointed to woman appointed to the court of appeals and that is truly significant especially in 1999 and so she served um there until just recently December of 2024 and she also served as chief judge as well during her tenure during um on the court of appeals and what I want to recognize she didn't realize there would be people here who were here in support of her but we have people who are here because of her and I just want to recognize them who are in this room as well especially as we recognize um this month um we have uh seated next to her as judge Anne Harris of the cop Superior Court we have judge Bridget Campbell who doesn't like to be acknowledged but the first African-American judge in state court of all of cob County Court um and we have these things because of Judge Miller if judge Miller could then we could and so I acknowledge that we have Adam Rosen who is president of the cob Bar Association who wanted to make sure he was here in support uh behind you have uh judge Kelly Hill who is also a Smyrna resident of the cob Superior Court also we we talked so many things about first but not last also one of the first um African-American judges um on this cop Superior Court we have judge Sonia Brown from the cob Superior Court as well we have one of our magistr court

judges judge Rita Cherry who is a uh Smyrna citizen as well we have our newly elected um da judge um da uh Sonia Allen who was here first elected female uh da and then we have um behind her uh she she likes to sneak into things but she's a Trailblazer and that's Joy at holes who was the first um Chief Magistrate Court Judge black African-American uh Chief Magistrate Court Judge also the first uh da African-American and female da in cop County so these are some very significant um establishments and and people and I'm so proud to be able to be here and know that they're here to recognize you judge Miller in all that you have done and you continue to do um in our community so without further Ado Ricky and I would like to present something to you um we're going to come down you know I I can't so mayor Norton what is the city called This is the jonell city and mayor Norton if you'll come sometimes people aren't sure about what our city is this is said oh we have to we have to recognize her and this is something that specially to people recog from the city [Music] judges you know what guys if you come out here right here right here so that right here so you come here okay like like this yes here we'll block all this stuff that's right right judge Palmer also come on okay so how are we how are we looking how are we looking oh are you gonna do a selfie okay you can do it know oh it's going to be this might be this might be a okay I'll just got one more so much what a listen I will nice to see you nice to see you run don't walk you guys yes congratulations I think it's safe to say that's the most judges we've ever had in this chamber at one time and no body was in trouble that's right I think it's worth mentioning as we begin the celebration of Black History Month that joette's husband uh Bridges is currently U teaching running the um racial trust building course which is the fourth or fifth class that we've had over in the community center now where our community can come together and understand each other a little bit better and and learn about our history here and U all all good things come from that so we appreciate Bridge's service in that role all right we will move on now that we've taken all our photos great job getting everybody to hear that was that was

awesome uh we don't have anything under Community Development items we have two items under privilege license and show cause hearing one of which is going to be withdrawn item a is withdrawn at the request of the applicant do I need to do any action on that at all do we have to vote on that's just withdraw we don't have to do anything app applicant applicant with Dru it okay so then we have Item B uh license 20258 this is privileged license New request pouring beer and Sunday sales 3315 South Cob Drive sweet 300 Southeast Smyrna Georgia 30008 tacos lava LLC doing business as tacos lava with Abraham Denise kovar rubius as agent uh Mr Ben at the background please thank you Mr Mayor application was made for privilege license New request for tacos lva LLC doing business as tacos lva for the sale of beer Sunday sales and pouring Abraham Denise cavar rubius is the agent applicant kuu kavuus will be the registered agent responsible for the sale of alcohol at 3315 South Cob Drive Suite 300 smrna Georgia 30008 the applicant has been given a copy of the alcohol beverage ordinances and also attended the mandatory alcohol awareness Workshop a background investigation conducted by the smura police department failed to reveal information that would preclude issuance of this license Mr Kar rubius has agreed to abide by the guidelines set forth by the City of Smyrna ordinance governing the sell of alcohol is the applicant here this evening come on up he did a lot better with your last name than I did sorry about that this is in more board three turn it over to Mr Lindley thank you Mr Mayor and thank you for looking to do business in smno I guess first tell us a little bit about your business and you can use the mic there right here yes sir hey how you doing guys good afternoon well uh this is the second location maybe you guys know the other one that is on C parway and this is well this is the third location we have one in Keno but this is uh we're looking forward to you know to do business with the city of smna we have now two locations and we are also planning um to put a ice cream shop on the city of smna too but it's going to be on C partway but yeah that's um maybe you guys know our restaurant we sell Mexican food tacos burritos yes y'all are in the uh shopping center with uh Planet Fitness right yeah the new one yeah and you've taken all the requisite courses

understand ordinance so forth yes uh I took like the class the Ross class and all that uhuh very good I have no further questions at the appropriate time motion do pass this is appropriate time second thank you for doing business and thank you we have a motion to pass Mr Linley second by Miss Hines all those in favor please vote and that's approved 60 thanks for doing business in Smyrna I should note that uh councilwoman Wilkinson is uh not able to join us this evening um so we just got the six of us tonight uh we'll move on now to formal business item a is public hearing discussion regarding the city of sm's intention to opt out of the Statewide adjusted basee ADV valorum homestead exemption this is public hearing one of three Mr Bennett any background please yes sir the city of sm's floating homestead exemption provides a greater benefit to the taxpayer then the new Statewide adjusted basee adalum homestead exemption I think it's important to note that the uh Statewide adjusted basee exemption did provide for an inflation adjusted escalator which our floating homestead exemption does not so our floating homestead exemption freezes property values uh the purchase price any discussion amongst Council before we open this up to the public hearing all right I'd ask anybody who wants to speak for or against this item to come forward now and be sworn in by our City attorney seeing none we will close the public hearing and this doesn't does this require a vote or no no okay we'll move on to we'll move on to Item B RFP 25- 015 authorization to approve RFP 25-15 to award construction of the riverline splash pad and entry Building located at 6043 Oakdale Road Smyrna Georgia to integrated construction and nobility Inc they're at 3 3335 Carolton fera Highway Carolton Georgia 30116 and the amount of 2,361 18888 to be paid from the 2022 splash splash pad project and authorized the mayor to sign and execute all related documents this one's been a long time in the works give us the background Mr Bennett thank you Mr Mayor the city of ferner requested proposals for the riverline park splash pad and entry building the scope of work includes construction of a new approximately 4,000 ft splash pad and 1,317 ft restroom concession building an additional site improvements located at 6043 Oakdale Road smyna Georgia this project is managed by Croy engineering two proposals were received on Monday January 13th 2025 based on evaluation of relevant experience methodology approach Staffing and references the recommended firm is integrated construction and nobility in the amount of 2,361

18888 integrated construction and nobility their bid amount was 2,361 18888 and Sovereign Cooper was in the amount of 2,219 357 it is the recommendation of Cy engineering Parks and Recreation and purchasing that this project be awarded to the the selected responsive and responsible bidder integrated construction and nobility again in the amount of 2,361 18888 paperwork will be prepared any necessary paperwork will be prepared to present to the mayor and Council for execution it's a recommendation that uh we for this bid thank you Mr Bennett this is part of the ongoing effort uh this will be down at riverline Park as part of the ongoing effort to put some facilities and resources in Ward 7 uh that part of the city has not had uh City facilities added since the time of major annexations uh and so this is another we did the turf fields um at riverline earlier last year and then um this is another parks and wreck facility for um residents to enjoy and this is in Ward 7 I'll turn it over to councilman oasby thank you Mr Mayor first of all I want to say thank you to every everyone involved in making this a reality or a possible reality after today and bringing a water park splash pad to the south end of the city for our families to enjoy and our kids summers are going to be a lot cooler for us on the south in so I really appreciate it this is I've seen the the write up on this and uh it's something we all can be proud of so I look forward to the finished product and pretty awesome we should mention uh for former councilman Lewis weaton uh began this effort and uh and Ricky brought it home so it's uh it's been it's been a good process absolutely absolutely any discussion all right I'll entertain a motion right so I would like to make a motion to approve RFP 25-15 as written have a motion we have second by Miss Hines all those in favor please vote got some technical difficulties do you need a do you need a by hand vote all right all those in favor please raise your hand that looks like it's approved unanimously I'm excited about that project that's been long time in the works Item B no we did Item B item C RFP 25-20 authorization to approve RFP 25-20 to award the construction of the Village Green restroom and playground located next to the Smyrna library to couch Group LLC 333 North Main Street in Alpharetta in the amount of 1,371 25 to be paid from 2022

SPS downtown project and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents Mr Ben at the background please thank you sir the city of requested proposals for the Village Green restroom and playground the project includes the demolition of an existing Pavilion playground and concrete sidewalk the proposed work includes installation of one restroom building a playground hardscaped Granite retaining walls Landscaping lighting and electrical also erosion control grading and Associated utility improvements the project is managed by foresight group we received 11 proposals on Wednesday January 15th 2025 and based on evaluation of relevant experience methodology approach Staffing references and cost the recommended firm is the low bidder couch Group LLC in the amount of 1,371 125 thank you Mr Bennett um I'll just this is another exciting item uh I I believe it continues the uh overhaul of the downtown um we're going to have a nice New bathroom and a new playground for some of the little kids and then uh I know we'll mention on the 13th uh the reflecting pool has been a little bit of a problem with with the kids playing there so we're going to replace that with a a a splash feature there too so it will be one Splash feature won't have that issue anymore I'm just excited about what that's going to look like down there and thank you for um leading the effort councilman Linley it's in Ward three turn it over to you thank you Mr Mayor yes this is as you said I think this is the next Evolution and uh What uh what we did in the last couple of years with the Redevelopment of downtown and certainly with more to come uh and certainly has demonstrated a need for an upgraded uh playground and restro so we're excited about this and hope to have it completed uh sometime early summer is what we're gonna what we're gonna hope I hope it's I hope it's before that but we'll say early summer yeah so motion do pass have a motion to pass second by Mr Pickins all those in favor please vote we have our machines we do and that's approved 60 item d uh this is to amend the 2022 spls dealing with electrical we're going to table this item uh to March 3D there needs to be some more communication with the residents that are affected and I don't believe that's happened so we're going to um have give some time for that may I have a motion to table this item to the March 3rd meeting of the mayor and Council we have a meet have a Move Motion by

Mr Lindley second by Mr Welch all those in favor of tbling this to March 3D please vote that's approved unanimously 60 uh we'll revisit this on March 3rd item e these next four I believe are um contract for uh security cameras for the downtown and other areas first one is item e approval to award the purchase of genitech central database servers to net planner in the amount of $3,182 on Georgia State contract 99999 dspd 0000 172 d012 to be paid from the 2022 spls downtown and splash pad projects and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents Mr bennon any background please yes sir the city has several upcoming projects requiring a new video management and access control system as the current system has reached full capacity and cannot be expanded after evaluating various options the IT department has determined that the jentech platform is the optimal solution for integrating the city security cameras and door access controls into a unified centralized platform thank you Mr bennon any discussion right I'll have a motion move to approve by Mr Oglesby second by Mr Lindley all those in favor please vote and we're having difficulty again everybody in favor please raise your hand and that's approved unanimously thank you item f approval to award the purchase and installation of security cameras and access control systems for the Village Green Downtown playground and restroom facility to net planner in the amount of $645 4720 uh on Georgia State contract 99999 D SPD 0000001 72-12 to be paid with 2022 spls downtown project funds and authorize the mayor to sign and execute all related documents Mr Bennett any background please yes sir after review net planner was chosen by Parks and Recreation and it to facilitate the install of cameras Access Control doors and lock Hardware at the Village Green playground restroom facility using State bid pricing any discussion on this item pretty straightforward I'll entertain a motion move to approve by Mr G by Mr Oglesby second by Mr G all those in favor please vote yall sound a l like I guess we'll do it by we'll do it by hand again all right and that's approved unanimously okay item G approval to award the purchase and installation of security cameras and access control systems for the riverline park splash pad to net planner in the amount of 69,900 $ 69,6 19394 on the same Georgia State contract mentioned in the previous item to be paid with 2022 Spa Splash Pad project funds and authorize a mayor to sign an execute all related documents Mr Bennett background on this one please yes sir this