2025-04-17 April 17, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes - FINAL
Open official source ↗ · Source page 9
April 17, 2025 6:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Human Resources Training Room Page 9 of 10 ATH2025-071: Discussion took place about restricting work hours in the earlier hours on Sundays to avoid disturbing church services. ATH2025-075: John Knop, Oakbridge, explained the property liability changes. The premium increased by 1% due to inaccurate fleet count, additional buildings, and older buildings. The renewal includes cyber concierge services to assist with cybersecurity incidents. 5. Other Business / Staff Comment A. COW2025-043 Review and discussion regarding the City’s policy on picking up non- city approved trash and/or yard waste receptacles from residents. Councilmember Charles Welch explained that he has received emails and phone calls from elderly citizens who want to be able to use their own trash cans that the city will pick up. He does not necessarily support this, but he wondered what options are available. Councilmember Welch suggested the city charge a one-time $120 fee for a trash can or $5/month fee for those who receive a trash can for these purposes. Eric Randall, Public Works Director, explained that this stemmed from an elderly resident who used a non-city trash can that was damaged when the trash was picked up, and the expectation was that the city needs to reimburse the resident. Other problems with trash pickup and yard waste pickup and what people are placing in the non-city receptacles include: • Rocks • Concrete • Broken glass This poses injury to city staff and damage to the trucks. These situations are outliers because those residents were not following city ordinance. When things began to become too dangerous, staff leadership decided to enforce the ordinance which angered those residents who were receiving special treatment due to previous council member intervention. Paul Osburn, Deputy Public Works Director, discussed potential solutions including charging residents for a separate trashcan for yard waste or modifying the ordinance. He mentioned that they have a branding tool that can embed someone’s address on the can itself (because cans are being stolen by neighbors), and they could use that same tool to embed that a particular trash can is for yard waste only. Further discussion will take place at a later date. Councilmember Welch asked about the fees collected by the city for short-term rentals. Mr. Martin confirmed that the city is receiving the fees as regulated. Scott Cochran, City Attorney, stated he needed to add an item to the agenda regarding the Fox Creek agreement extension. The Federal National Park Service representative that would have handled this resigned just before the agreement could be sent to him. His replacement is asking for an addendum and paperwork of little substance to be submitted. Councilmember Hines reminded all about the pop up legal clinic on May 3.