MINUTES DECATUR CITY COMMISSION Regular Meeting March 20, 2017 City Hall: 7:30 p.m. Mayor Garrett called the Regular Meeting of the Decatur City Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017. PRESENT: Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; Commissioners Drake and Smith; and, City Manager Merriss. ABSENT: Commissioner Powers. MINUTES of the Executive Session and Regular Meeting of March 6, 2017 were approved on a motion by Mayor pro tem Boykin; second by Commissioner Smith; and, Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the minutes were approved as amended. Mayor Garrett thanked City Schools of Decatur Director of Facilities and Maintenance Jason Ware and Director of Elementary Education Mary Mack for their attendance at the meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS. Planning Director Angela Threadgill presented the Planning Commission s recommendation regarding the City Schools of Decatur request to amend the master site place for the property at 220 West College Avenue (Renfroe Middle School.) City Schools of Decatur Director of Facilities and Maintenance Jason Ware presented the final master plan request and reviewed the final master plan. In response to a question from Commissioner Smith, Mr. Ware stated that the original phased plans always showed an area for parking on the Kings Highway side of the campus. He added that modules had been placed in the parking location in the initial phases of construction to house students while the campus renovations were being constructed. Mayor Garrett opened the meeting for public comment regarding that agenda action item. Hearing none, the public comment period was closed. On a motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Drake; and, Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the request was approved as recommended. EXEMPTING CITY MANAGER S VEHICLE FROM DECAL REQUIREMENTS. City Manager Peggy Merriss stated that HB 648 required every motor vehicle which is owned or leased by any municipality to have affixed to the front door a clearly visible decal or seal identifying the municipality. The statute also provided that a vehicle could be exempted upon 1
adoption of a resolution by the governing body. Ms. Merriss stated that the City Manager s employment agreement included a City-provided vehicle for unrestricted use and recommended that the City Commission adopt a resolution exempting the City Manager s vehicle from the decal requirement. Mayor Garrett opened the meeting for public comment regarding that agenda action item. Hearing none, the public comment was closed. On a motion by Commissioner Drake, second by Mayor pro tem Boykin, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, Resolution R-17-05 was adopted as recommended. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ACTION ITEMS. Michael Black, 115 Ansley Street, spoke in support of the recommended amendments to the High Performance Building Standards for residential substantial improvements. TAX BILLING ORDINANCE. Assistant City Manager Andrea Arnold recommended adoption of Ordinance O-17-01 establishing 2017 billing dates and assessing penalties and interest rates for real property taxes. In response to a question from Mayor Garrett, Ms. Arnold stated there would be no changes to the due dates of April 1 st and December 20 th. She added that property tax bills had to go out 60 days before the due date. On a motion by Commissioner Drake, second by Commissioner Smith, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, Ordinance O-17-01 was adopted as recommended. SANITATION FEE SCHEDULE. Assistant City Manager David Junger recommended adoption of the sanitation fee schedule for 2017. He stated that from July 2016 through February 2017, the City of Decatur had recycled 254 tons of glass or an average of 31 tons per month. He added that operational costs were estimated to maintain the current service delivery level and it was recommended that the single-family residential fee be increased approximately 1% from $275 to $278 per unit. Mr. Junger also recommended slight increases to commercial service. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, second by Mayor pro tem Boykin, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the 2017 Sanitation Fee Schedule was adopted as recommended. FIRE APPARATUS PURCHASE. Fire Chief Toni Washington requested an extra $20,000 to purchase a new Urban Attack 350-Mini pumper. Chief Washington introduced Fire Captain Corey Jay who worked on the recommendation with her. Chief Washington stated the proposed truck was smaller which allows it to get into tight spaces in the city and would replace a current rescue truck. Captain Jay stated the truck would be the first of its kind in Decatur and would lessen response times. 2
In response to a question from Mayor pro tem Boykin, Chief Washington replied that the chassis was built by Ford so it could be replaced if necessary before the body of the truck needed to be replaced. In response to a question from Mayor Garrett, Captain Jay replied the manufacturer would provide the entire truck and it should be received by late June or July. In response to a question from Mayor pro tem Boykin, Chief Washington replied that this truck would not likely be the only model adopted by the City because it did not have all the features we would need. In response to a question from Mayor Garrett, Chief Washington replied that two people staffed the truck. On a motion by Mayor pro tem Boykin, second by Commissioner Smith, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the purchase and financing were approved as recommended. AMENDMENTS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS. Building Official Mark Ethun recommended an amendment to Article 10, Section 1.6(A) 1b of the Unified Development Ordinance regarding conformance with the High Performance Building Standards as they related to substantial improvements to existing residential dwellings units. Mr. Ethun stated that based on a review of permits issued in 2016, the proposed amendments would have had an effect on approximately 10% of all projects involving substantial improvements. He stated the effective date would be May 1 st, 2017. In response to a question from Mayor Garrett, Mr. Ethun replied that Planning Director Angela Threadgill would make updates to the UDO and would provide the necessary graphics. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, second by Commissioner Drake, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, Ordinance O-17-02 was adopted as recommended. PROJECT BUDGET AND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR LOCKWOOD/FAIRVIEW DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Junger recommended that the City Commission establish a project budget of $132,000 and award a contract to Autaco Development, LLC, in the amount of $104,261 for construction of the Lockwood Terrace Drainage Improvements. Mr. Junger stated that the recommended budget would provide a 20% contingency in the event of unforeseen construction costs. He stated that the company completed the recent sidewalk, Olympic Trail and downtown crosswalk improvements for the City. In response to a question from Mayor Garrett, Mr. Junger replied that the work would start after documents were signed near the end of the month. 3
On a motion by Commissioner Drake, second by Mayor pro tem Boykin, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the project budget and contract award were approved as recommended. PATH FOUNDATION AGREEMENTS. Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon stated that the PATH Foundation had offered to contribute $200,000 towards the Commerce Drive Cycle Track project and that the City had identified available funds of the balance of the $1,000,000 project budget. He stated PATH would design the project and if approved, work would start sometime later in 2017. Commissioner Smith commented that he appreciated that 25% of the project funding be provided by donations. He stated that it was a City goal to be more bike-friendly and the proposed project would be an asset. Mayor pro tem Boykin commented that it was great that the City could partner with the PATH Foundation as we had a good working relationship with them. On a motion by Mayor pro tem Boykin, second by Commissioner Smith, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the project budget and agreement were approved as recommended. Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon stated that the PATH Foundation had completed construction on most of the East Decatur trail. He stated that construction of half of the remaining connection along South Columbia Drive would be built by the developer of the residential development of the property at the intersection of Katie Kerr and South Columbia. Mr. Saxon stated that the PATH foundation had requested that the City of Decatur partner with them to split the construction costs of the remaining piece by contributing $40,000. On a motion by Mayor pro tem Boykin, second by Commissioner Smith, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and, Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, the project budget and agreement were approved as recommended. REQUESTS AND PETITIONS. George Lawes, 510 Clairemont Avenue, President of the Neighborhood Action Group and Salon (NAGS) requested the City Commission to support the proposed community values presented to the City Commission. Mr. Lawes also provided a petition. Victoria Hamilton, 111 Clarion Avenue, spoke in support and agreement with the NAGS proposal. Kate Lawes, 510 Clairemont Avenue, spoke in support of the NAGS proposal. Michael Harbin, 111 Lucerne Street, spoke in support and in support of the NAGs proposal. 4
Tim Martin, 1009 Braeburn Lane, stated that the Decatur Business Association would be meeting on March 28 th at Solid Core. Mr. Martin stated the DBA Easter Egg Hunt would be on April 8 th with the bunny at 10:30 AM and the race beginning at 11:00 A.M. He stated this event would be in partnership with the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Scot Hollonbeck, 537 McKoy Street, presented a petition with 191 signatures requesting that Decatur Divest from Wells Fargo. He requested that the City look at local banking options instead of working with Wells Fargo. Michael Black, 115 Ansley Street, spoke in support of Decatur Divest from Wells Fargo. Nina Dutton, City of Atlanta resident, spoke in support of Decatur Divest from Wells Fargo. Nancy Hostetter, 328 Ponce de Leon Place, spoke in support of the efforts of Decatur Divest from Wells Fargo and of the Neighborhood Action Group and Salon. Lyn Pratt, 307 Adair Street, spoke in support of Decatur Divest from Wells Fargo and Neighborhood Action Group and Salon. REPORTS AND OTHER BUSINESS. On a motion by Commissioner Smith, second by Commissioner Drake, and Mayor Garrett; Mayor pro tem Boykin; and Commissioners Drake and Smith voting aye, Resolution R-17-06 confirming the Executive Session of March 6, 2017 was adopted as recommended. Budget and Performance Manager Meredith Roark stated that the Touch a Budget Expo would be held on Tuesday, March 21 st from 5-7 PM on the Square. Mayor Garrett presented the Cultural Diversity Award provided by the National League of Cities to recognize Decatur s Better Together efforts. Commissioner Smith thanked staff for the information they presented and the citizens who came out to speak their opinion on what Decatur should be doing. Mayor pro tem Boykin stated that he was reluctant to speak for 20,000 residents when it came to state and federal issues but it was nice that people feel free to come out and speak their opinions. Mayor Garrett encouraged people to come to the Budget Expo. Mayor Garrett reported about the new adult fitness equipment at McKoy Park. Mayor Garrett reported she attended the phenomenal Beauty and the Beast performance at the Decatur High School. 5
Mayor Garrett stated that Touch a Truck would be Saturday, March 25 th at the Eastlake MARTA Station. Mayor Garrett stated that Monday, March 27, would be the first Open Office Hour where she would be online at City Hall from 7:00pm 8:00pm to speak about the Better Together Initiative. Mayor Garrett reminded everyone that due to a lack of quorum for the April 3, 2017 meeting, the next City Commission meeting would be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Mayor Garrett stated that the Decatur Police Department s strategic plan was online and available to the community. Mayor Garrett stated that Decatur had already embraced many of the values described in the petition from Mr. Lawes through adopting resolution to be a with the resolution to be a Compassionate City and one to be A Welcoming City and also through the Decatur Votes initiative. Mayor Garrett stated that some of the City s financial requirements and needs could not be handled by smaller banks due to a collateralization requirement. Mayor Garrett stated that she and Assistant City Manager Andrea Arnold met with Wells Fargo representatives who discussed with them that Wells Fargo no longer had quotas or sales goals and now looked at customer service satisfaction surveys. Mayor Garrett stated that Wells Fargo staff reviewed how funding operations worked, including the use of mutual funds and other financing instruments. Mayor Garrett stated that Wells Fargo staff indicated that the company was looking at adding an additional level of review when considering financing projects. Mayor Garrett also stated that Wells Fargo supported many local programs and had a local branch. Mayor Garrett remarked that the City Commission would take into consideration the citizen s comments when it became time to look at another RFP for banking. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. Peggy Merriss Acting City Clerk 6