M I N U T E S

 

REGULAR MEETING OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF DECEMBER 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

Call to Order:                 The regular meeting of Mayor and Council of December 4, 2006 was called to order by Mayor Corine Deyton at 7:00 p.m.

 

Invocation:                     The invocation was given by Mayor Deyton followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

 

Present:                         Present were Mayor Corine Deyton, Mayor Pro-tem Donald Judson, Councilmen David Halcome, Wesley Lord and Councilwoman Debbie Youmans.

 

                                      Also present were City Manager John Parker, Director of Finance Mike Blandenburg, Director of Planning, Building and Zoning Steve Pearson, Director of Support Services Christine Terrell, Director of Public Works Mike Gippert, Deputy Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Sharon Smith, Management Analyst Angela Redding, Major Matson of the Police Department and City Attorney Joe Harris.

 

Approval of minutes:      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session of Mayor and Council of November 20, 2006 and the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council of November 20, 2006, seconded by Ms. Youmans. Voting for the motion were Mr. Judson, Mr. Lord and Ms. Youmans.  Mr. Halcome abstained.

 

Comment Period by       Mr. Charles Carlisle spoke concerning the City running the vacuum trucks again to pick up leaves.

 

                                      Mr. Roy Lunsford spoke and thanked the City for a great parade.  He also asked the City consider adopting an anti-noise Ordinance and requested the flag in front of City Hall be replaced.  

 

                                      Mr. John James spoke concerning retail alcohol licenses for beer and wine in the City and presented data on crime and healthcare.  He asked Council to consider this when alcohol requests are presented.

 

                                      Mr. Darnell Moorer spoke concerning the initiation of the citizen feasibility committee for the study of land usage in Ward 1 and 2 and the fact the City had already had a comprehensive study done, including land usage, in excess of $50,000 done by a professional company.

 

                                      He stated now we have a Southside Homeowners Association.  He stated he is concerned and wanted to know why we are divided and all of our City is at stake.   He also wanted to know why Forest Park does not have a pollution monitor to measure the toxins in the air. 

 

                                      Ms. Christine Ellington spoke concerning her subdivision.  She stated “Cottages of Linda Way” (Austin Place & Linda Way) is substandard and has many problems including, drainage and grading problems, wiring issues, there are no gutters, floors are sinking, and porches are rotting.      

 

                                      Ms. Lolitha Hale, a former resident, spoke and stated she was happy to be here and said changes taking place will only get better.

 

New retail alcohol          New retail alcohol license for beer and wine: 

License for beer and      Forest Park Foodmart, Inc. D/B/A Forest Park

Wine: (Foodmart)            Foodmart, 4193 Jonesboro Road.

 

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the new retail alcohol license for beer and wine from Forest Park Foodmart, seconded by Mr. Halcome.  Voting for the motion were Mr. Judson, Mr. Halcome and Mr. Lord.  Ms. Youmans abstained.  The motion carried.

 

New retail alcohol          New retail alcohol license for beer and wine:

License for beer             Lakhani, Inc. D/B/A Chevron Food Mart Old

And Wine:                      Dixie, 4578 Old Dixie Highway.

(Chevron)

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the new retail alcohol license for beer and wine from Lakhani, Inc. D/B/A Chevron Food Mart Old Dixie, seconded by Mr. Lord. Voting for the motion were Mr. Lord, Mr. Judson and Mr. Halcome.  Ms. Youmans abstained.  The motion carried.

 

Resolution -                   Resolution by the Mayor and Council of the City

HUD Funding:               of Forest Park, Georgia to apply for HUD Funding through the CDBG Program for new playground cover and equipment in Starr Park, replacement of the Recreation Building Roof, redesign and expansion of the Putt-Putt Course, construction of a new Entertainment Facility in Starr Park and a Water Park for children and to accept the HUD Funding through the CDBG Program once it becomes available and for other lawful purposes.

 

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Halcome.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Resolution –Ethics         Resolution by the City Council for the City of

Complaint:                     Forest Park, Georgia to make a written decision on the application for review of the decision of the City Board of Ethics regarding a complaint filed by Derek Leroy McSmith as provided for in City Code Section 2-1-60 and the City Code of Ethics; to provide for severability; to repeal all Resolutions and parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith; to provide an effective date; and for other purposes. 

                                     

                                      Mr. Judson made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Lord.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

Committee Reports:       Steve Pearson, Director of Planning, Building and Zoning gave an overview of the department.

 

Comments by                 Mayor Deyton announced the next LRA Meeting

Governing Body:            will be held on December 13th at 6 p.m.

 

                                      Ms. Youmans stated in response to Mr. Moorer’s statements, she said although it might appear to some people that this Mayor and Council may not be working together for the overall good of the City, this is not the case, this Mayor and Council is making a concerted effort in working together and those efforts are focused on achieving outcomes that are in the best interest of the City of Forest Park as a whole.  Sometimes when you have such a daunting task as this Governing Body presently does with finding an acceptable resolution to a significant number of most serious issues, you have to divide or breakdown that task into manageable and doable steps and that is what this governing body is doing.  She stated she could attest, this is not the case with the prior Mayor and Council. Of course there is always room for improvement and we will continue to put forth our best effort to serve in the best interest of the City of Forest Park whatever that may entail.

 

Adjournment:                Ms. Youmans made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Halcome.  Voting for the motion was unanimous.

 

                                      The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.