CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE
CITY COUNCIL

Legislative Work Session
January 31, 2008
7:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. Request for an alcohol beverage license for Sakura Sushi & Grill, LLC, DBA Sakura Sushi & Grill for the on premises sale and consumption of wine and malt beverages at 4900 Stewart Mill Road, Suite J. Application by Laiyu Zheng.

b. Adopt an ordinance to amend Sections 2-132 and 2-133 of the Administration Ordinance to authorize the Municipal Court Solicitor and all City Attorneys to settle pending bond forfeiture matters with bonding companies for not less than five percent of the face bond amount, plus court costs.

c. Adopt an ordinance to amend Subsection 18-78(a) of the Animals Ordinance to prohibit outdoor tethering of certain animals.

d. Adopt a resolution to declare as surplus property the Glock .22 caliber handgun, serial number KHG992, assigned to Deputy Police Chief Don Walker, now retired, and authorize the Police Chief to present it to said former City police officer.

5. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth

a. Consider an appointment to the Retail Industry, Post 1 position on the City’s Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board for a two-year term extending through December 31, 2009.

b. Adopt a resolution supporting the observance of Career and Technical Education Week in Douglasville and Douglas County on February 11 - 15, 2008.

6. Planning & Zoning Committee/Dennis McLain
a. Refer to the City Zoning Board a proposed ordinance to amend various sections of the Zoning Ordinance to provide for stream buffers and related matters.

b. Refer to the City Zoning Board a proposed ordinance to amend Section 3.53.01 of the Zoning Ordinance to require brick facades on new commercial structures and to revise other requirements for building exterior finishes.

7. Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims
a. Consider a resolution pertaining to the 2008 use of City Parks and Recreation Department facilities by the Douglasville Tiger Cubs Football program.

b. Adopt a resolution to provide for appointment of league representatives and at-large members to the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.

8. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III

9. Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III

10. Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Callye B. Holmes
a. Authorize the City Sanitation Department to conduct the Spring Citywide Cleanup Week on Monday, April 21, through Thursday, April 24, 2008, for residential sanitation service customers at no additional cost to said customers.

11. Transportation Committee/Charles Banks
a. Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Adams Turf Care, Inc., for installation of a buffer adjacent to a section of Chapel Hill Road north of Chapel Crossing at the rear of certain properties fronting on Wellbrook Court.

b. Authorize the City Manager to advertise for and receive bids on the Chapel Hill Road/Timber Ridge Drive intersection improvements and on Chapel Hill Road traffic signal upgrades at the intersections with Timber Ridge Drive, Arbor Place Boulevard, and Stewart Mill Road.

c. Authorize the City Attorney to file condemnation on parcel number 10 of the City’s Bright Star Road Connector Project, consisting of 1.85 acres of real property and 74,856.24 square feet of construction easements.

d. Authorize the City Manager to advertise for and receive bids for the construction of the Bright Star Road Connector Project, from Georgia Highway 5 to Bright Star Road.

e. Reappoint George Boulineau and Francis Pelletier as citizen members of the Douglasville - Douglas County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for terms extending through January 31, 2010.

12. Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims
a. Revise the job description for the position in the City Maintenance Department responsible for supervising the City’s Sidewalk Crew.

13. Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/John Schildroth

14. Education & Training Committee/Terry Miller

15. Other Business
a. Announcement by the Mayor that the annual State of the City address to be presented during the Monday, February 4, City Council meeting.

16. City Attorney/Joel Dodson

17. Chief Assistant City Attorney/Suzan Littlefield

18. City Manager/Bill Osborne

19. Comments from Citizens and Delegates

WORK SESSION AGENDA
FEBRUARY 4, 2008
10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM

CITIZENS’ INPUT

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of January 15, 2008

PROCLAMATION
2. Declaring February 5, 2008 as Firefighters Recognition Day in Georgia (Scott)

PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER (Cynde)
3. Metropolitan River Protection Act Certificate for property located at the Douglasville-Douglas County Wastewater Treatment Plant off Riverside Parkway.

4. Metropolitan River Protection Act Certificate for property located at 5859 South River Road for a building for the storage of farm equipment.

5. Beer & Wine License (New)
In & Out Southern Grill
4040 Chapel Hill Road, Douglasville, GA
(Licensee: Byron Riggins)

BUSINESS
6. Request to extend a Preliminary Plat Approval for Mobley Creek Subdivision. (Cynde)

7. Request to extend a Preliminary Plat Approval for The Terraces. (Cynde)

8. Approval of Task Order #6 to R. J. Wood in the amount of $15,000 general engineering services for the Fire Training Facility Project on Worthan Road. (Wayne)

9. Authorization to renew contract with R. J. Wood for general engineering services within Douglas County. (Wayne)

10. Approval of Change Order #1 for an additional $5,000 to Butch Thompson Enterprise for the Jail Annex Storm Water Improvement Project. (Wayne)

11. Renewal of medical doctor for the jail medical services contract with Dr. Jimmy Graham and authorize the Chairman to sign contract documents. (Diane)

12. Approval or rejection of tax refund/credit and digest correction requests. (Legal)

13. Authorization for Chairman to execute Assistant Public Defender (State Court) Employment Agreement with Amy Salley. (Legal)

14. Authorization for Chairman to execute Assistant Public Defender (Superior Court) Employment Agreement with Julie Monaghan. (Legal)

15. Authorization for Chairman to execute Governmental Encroachment Agreement for easement with Georgia Power Company. (Legal)

16. Authorization to execute contract with West Georgia Regional Library. (Legal)

17. Authorization to accept the Homeland Security Citizen Corps Program Grant and to execute all necessary documents. (Legal)

18. Authorization for Chairman to execute agreement with Lawrence See and Beavers for audit services. (Legal)

19. Accept the recommendation of the Employee Pension Board and authorize the change of management to GebCorp/ACCG. (Stan)

20. Approval of fee schedule for Planning and Zoning. (Mark)

21. Authorization to advertise for a public hearing to consider the installation of a multi-way stop at the intersection of Cowan Mill Road and Mason Creek Road. (Randy)

22. Authorization to enter into agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the acquisition of right-of-way on Project # 753295 (Anneewakee Road at Anneewakee Creek Bridge Replacement) and authorize the Chairman to sign all related documents. (Randy)

23. Authorization to enter into Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Blount Construction Co., Inc. and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America for a cost reduction ($58,755.48) Value Engineering Proposal on Project Number R00480-8 (Grade, Drain, Base and Pave, Tyree Road North) and authorize the Chairman to sign all related documents. (Randy)

WORK SESSION AGENDA -3- FEBRUARY 4, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

Although the Losing Georgia Project has concluded, I feel obligated that readers should be aware on an issue that has recently occurred involving work related to the Project. A free local magazine, B Scene, took it upon themselves to publish copyrighted photographs that I had taken in winter of 2006, during the documentation of the county school system, without my strict written consent. Obviously this is a problem.

The irony to all this is that the magazine inquired about a popular article I had written back in December via e-mail. They wanted to republish the article, but I did not give them permission and told them I would respond only after I had a chance to review their publication. Not only until a few days ago had I finally picked up their publication at the local Border’s book store.

Come to my surprise there were three photographs of mine printed alongside an article about the school system. The article was not mine, yet the photographs were. Suddenly, and very abruptly, I was not happy. I immediately called the publisher, Larry Weaver, where the phone rang until an answering machine picked up where I left my message of concern.

Weaver returned my call a few moments later inquiring about my message. An argument broke out over the origin of the photographs, Weaver first claiming they were stock photographs that were purchased, then they were provided by the Chamber of Commerce and lastly resorting to the Google search adage. All of which were completely wrong.

None of the photographs from the Losing Georgia Project have ever been sold to any stock company, given to the Chamber of Commerce or the school system, and only one of the three photographs can be found in a Google image search, which oddly enough links to the article that was asked to be republished and has a copyright notice.

In a third phone call that included Weaver and an associate who first inquired about my article, both claimed that the images could be found on Google (which had already been refuted) using a keyword search of “Douglas County Schools”, that the school system’s website were hosting the images, then could not name the original source where the photographs were downloaded, had lost their e-mails and that the article in question was found on ArticleCity.com.

Once again these claims are all false. The Douglas County School System is not hosting my images nor uses them on their website as claimed, considering the fact I have never been asked by the system for usage of the photographs. Secondly ArticleCity.com does not retain any articles referring to Douglas County, my article or even the West Georgia region for that matter.

In this wild goose chase I have resent the original e-mail conversation to the magazine which, believe it or not, originated from the contact page on this website and referred to my article I had written. Weaver has agreed to print a retraction in the magazine’s next issue which should come out in March.

As for the photographs, they were stolen from Losing Georgia’s flickr account – as this is the only place all three photographs were published online for archival purposes. All three images retained a copyright notice with my name in the EXIF data. As a precaution all photographs on flickr have been closed out from public viewing for the time being. I regret that this action had to occur, but stealing intellectual property is an entirely different matter.

If these photographs or any other works related to the Losing Georgia Project are published without my explicit consent, then legal ramifications could ensue. I have contacted an attorney and will take legal action if necessary. I will not tolerate those who steal my artistry and claim it to be theirs under any circumstances.

To all local photographers using flickr, you might want to check the various free publications out there just as a precaution.

WORK SESSION AGENDA
JANUARY 14, 2008

10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM

CITIZENS’ INPUT

PRESENTATIONS/DEPARTMENT UPDATES
1. Georgia Flag Project (Charles Kraulter, Atlanta Regional Commission)(Commission Meeting Only)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Regular Commission Meeting of January 3, 2008

RESOLUTIONS
3. Supporting the Creation of a Second State Court Judge for Douglas County
4. Supporting Redevelopment Powers for Douglas County
5. Supporting a Statewide Sales Tax for Transportation
6. Supporting Funding for a New Library in the Fairplay/Bill Arp Community
7. Supporting a Regional Water Solution
8. Supporting a Study Committee to Consider Tax Reform
9. Supporting Funding for Sweetwater Creek State Park
10. Supporting the Parent Protection Act
11. Supporting residency requirement for candidates to the Board of Commissioners.

12. Setting Qualification Fees for the 2008 Primary and General Election

PUBLIC HEARING
13. To consider changes to Chapter 5 (Animals and Fowl), Article I - Section 5-2 (Definitions), and Article IV (Restraint) - Section 5-42 (Confinement of Animals) of the Douglas County Code of Ordinances. (Legal)

BUSINESS
14. Approval of agreement for legal non-conforming status for a used car lot. (Legal)

15. Reappointment of Evindi, Inc. as the trainer for It’s the Law Alcohol Compliance Training and Responsible Alcohol Sales & Service Workshops (RASS) for Douglas County. (Beverly)

16. The Juvenile Services Department has been awarded an additional $7,500 from the Council of Juvenile Court to purchase psychological evaluation services and drug screening kits for the grant cycle year of October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008. No matching funds are required. Authorize Chairman to sign contract and approve budget amendments. (Jenny)

DISCUSSION ITEMS – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
17. Appointment to Library Board.

18. Appointments to Tourism and History Commission.

19. Appointments to Development Authority Board of Directors.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

WORK SESSION AGENDA
JANUARY 14, 2008

10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM

CITIZENS’ INPUT

PRESENTATIONS/DEPARTMENT UPDATES
1. Georgia Flag Project (Charles Kraulter, Atlanta Regional Commission)(Commission Meeting Only)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Regular Commission Meeting of January 3, 2008

RESOLUTIONS
3. Supporting the Creation of a Second State Court Judge for Douglas County
4. Supporting Redevelopment Powers for Douglas County
5. Supporting a Statewide Sales Tax for Transportation
6. Supporting Funding for a New Library in the Fairplay/Bill Arp Community
7. Supporting a Regional Water Solution
8. Supporting a Study Committee to Consider Tax Reform
9. Supporting Funding for Sweetwater Creek State Park
10. Supporting the Parent Protection Act
11. Setting Qualification Fees for the 2008 Primary and General Election

PUBLIC HEARING
12. To consider changes to Chapter 5 (Animals and Fowl), Article I - Section 5-2 (Definitions), and Article IV (Restraint) - Section 5-42 (Confinement of Animals) of the Douglas County Code of Ordinances. (Legal)

BUSINESS
13. Approval of agreement for legal non-conforming status for a used car lot. (Legal)

14. Reappointment of Evindi, Inc. as the trainer for It’s the Law Alcohol Compliance Training and Responsible Alcohol Sales & Service Workshops (RASS) for Douglas County. (Beverly)

15. The Juvenile Services Department has been awarded an additional $7,500 from the Council of Juvenile Court to purchase psychological evaluation services and drug screening kits for the grant cycle year of October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008. No matching funds are required. Authorize Chairman to sign contract and approve budget amendments. (Jenny)

DISCUSSION ITEMS – BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
16. Appointment to Library Board.

17. Appointments to Tourism and History Commission.

18. Appointments to Development Authority Board of Directors.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution is reporting today that severe weather in northwest Georgia is expected tonight as a cold front is expected to sweep through, dumping 1 to 2 inches of rain with a possibility of lighting, hail, winds and the inevitable tornado. Buckle up boys, its going to be a wild ride.

Stories worth reading in today’s Douglas County Sentinel (registration required):

• City of Douglasville opposes State Representative Bill Hembree’s GREAT tax plan
• Douglas County thinks Hembree’s GREAT tax plan needs a study committee
• WSA Director Pete Frost spoke with State legislators

The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today that Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan is seeking reelection for another four year term, representing the Republican Party.