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Smyrna council approves package-store tastings, multiple infrastructure contracts and a Georgia Power lighting plan
Summary
At a regularly scheduled meeting, the Smyrna Mayor and Council approved a code amendment to permit packaged alcohol tastings citywide, authorized three contract change orders for road, water and lighting work, and approved routine consent items; all votes passed 7-0.
The Smyrna Mayor and Council on Jan. 20 approved a package-store tasting ordinance, several contract change orders for local infrastructure and a maintenance agreement approach with Georgia Power, with each item passing unanimously 7-0.
The council voted to amend the city’s alcoholic beverage code (Chapter 6) to allow packaged-door tastings at licensed package stores in accordance with Georgia law. Mr. Bennett, a community development staff member, told the council that the department had received several requests from alcohol manufacturers and recommended approval. The council opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Councilmember Oglesby moved to approve the ordinance change, Councilmember Pickens seconded, and the motion passed 7-0.
In other formal business the council approved three contract-related actions:
- Windy Hill Road speed-hump ramp revisions: Council authorized a change order with Baldwin Paving (contractor address listed in meeting documents) for $68,095.64 to revise approach ramps at speed humps on local access lanes of Windy Hill Road. Public Works staff said the approaches were too steep and needed to be softened. The council approved a related road closure for local eastbound lanes; staff later corrected the closure dates to Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. through Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m. Councilmember Welch moved to approve; Councilmember Hines seconded. Vote: 7-0.
- Dosekin area water project: The council approved a change order and contract amendment with Smith Pipeline Incorporated, increasing the contract from $806,414 to $1,076,414 (a change order not to exceed $270,000). Staff said the Dosekin project is part of an ARPA-funded effort and that cost increases came from field changes including tree preservation, driveway apron replacements and sod restoration at roughly 70 homes. The amended contract is to be paid from the city’s 2025 water CIP fund. Councilmember Welch moved to approve; Councilmember Pickens seconded. Vote: 7-0.
- Atlanta Road lighting maintenance and LED conversion: The council authorized moving forward with a maintenance-based agreement with Georgia Power for city-owned roadway and pathway lighting along Atlanta Road from Fleming Street to Concord Road, including conversion of fixtures from high-pressure sodium to LED. Staff presented two payment options: (1) no down payment and a monthly fee of $7,722 ($92,664 annually), or (2) a $125,000 down payment with a monthly fee of $5,910.34 ($70,924.08 annually). The city will retain ownership of the fixtures; the contract would cover maintenance and replacement work performed by Georgia Power. Councilmember Gould moved to authorize the agreement; Councilmember Hines seconded. Vote: 7-0.
The council also tabled a privileged show-cause hearing (Item 8A) to the Feb. 3, 2025 mayor-and-council meeting by motion of Councilmember Wilkinson and second by Councilmember Gould; that motion passed 7-0.
The consent agenda, which included approval of committee and council meeting minutes for Jan. 6, 2025 and approval for use of the council chambers by the Creekwood at Vining HOA on Feb. 16, 2025, was approved by voice vote 7-0 (mover: Councilmember Pickens; seconder: Councilmember Hines).
Mayor (title listed in meeting record as Mayor) opened the meeting by thanking staff for the city’s snow response and said the council planned to continue supporting sanitation and other field crews during inclement weather. No public commenters spoke during the meeting’s public comment period.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance (Chapter 6 amendment) — mover: Oglesby; second: Pickens; outcome: approved 7-0. - Privileged show-cause hearing (Item 8A) — mover: Wilkinson; second: Gould; outcome: tabled to Feb. 3, 2025, 7-0. - Windy Hill Road change order (Baldwin Paving) — mover: Welch; second: Hines; amount: $68,095.64; road closure Jan. 31–Feb. 3, 2025; outcome: approved 7-0. - Dosekin area change order (Smith Pipeline Inc.) — mover: Welch; second: Pickens; contract increased from $806,414 to $1,076,414; change order not to exceed $270,000; funding: 2025 water CIP and ARPA; outcome: approved 7-0. - Atlanta Road lighting authorization (Georgia Power maintenance agreement) — mover: Gould; second: Hines; option examples: $7,722/mo (no down payment) or $125,000 down with $5,910.34/mo; outcome: approved 7-0. - Consent agenda (minutes and facility use) — mover: Pickens; second: Hines; outcome: approved 7-0.
Background and context: the Dosekin water work was described by staff as an ARPA-funded pipeline replacement project including roughly 6,200 linear feet of pipe and new service-line materials, with field work at about 70 homes to restore driveways and landscaping. For the lighting item, staff said replacement parts for high-pressure sodium fixtures are becoming obsolete and difficult to match to existing poles, prompting the maintenance/LED conversion proposal. Staff recommended all items brought to the council for approval.
Next steps: the council scheduled the tabled show-cause hearing for Feb. 3, 2025; staff will execute the approved change orders and related documents as authorized by the council.
