Snellville Council Meeting Notes: Feb. 13

Snellville City Council's monthly meeting happened Monday, February 13. There were several key items and decisions made, including choosing a parliamentarian and a separate attorney for the city council.

Here's a list of major items and actions taken:

1. Consent Agenda (First Readings)

Item: Several items were listed under the consent agenda that were voted on:

• A text amendment to zoning regulations adding community living arrangements and personal care and group homes as a conditional use
• A request for variances for a new church, Forrest Hill Baptist Church, led senior pastor Raymond Warren
• An ordinance to restate a defined retirement plan (Georgia Municipal Employees' Benefits System)
• The mayor's nomination of Tod Warner as chair and former mayor Jerry Oberholtzer as vice chair to the Urban Redevelopment Agency

Action: These were each voted on and approved.

2. Mayor's nomination of an interim city manager

Item: The mayor was expected to , but following a city council special called meeting on February 9, the mayor decided not to make a nomination after all.

Action: This item was removed from the agenda.

3. Consideration and action on a parliamentarian

Item: Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts brought this item forward, asking that Mike Byrne be approved as the new parliamentarian. Byrne is a former city attorney for Snellville and a deacon at in Lilburn.

Action: Council members Dave Emanuel, Diane Krause, Tom Witts, and Bobby Howard voted for the measure, though Mayor Kelly Kautz and Councilman Mike Sabbagh voted against. Kautz cited Byrne's lack of professional parliamentarian expertise and his endorsement of and campaign contributions for Barbara Bender in the November election for mayor. She saw it as a conflict of interest. The measure passed 4-2.

4. Consideration and action on surplus vehicles

Item: This measure would allow the to sell several trucks, tractors and a mower on eBay.

Action: This measure was passed 6-0.

5. Consideration and action on an automated license reader

Item: This would allow the city of to buy an automated license reader at an estimated cost of $19,950. Most of the money would come from the 2005 SPLOST funds.

Action: The measure passed 6-0.

6. Consideration and action on opening an ethics investigation into Councilman Mike Sabbagh

Item: This item has been on the agenda for several months, following an October meeting. A number of Snellville city leaders questioned his statements made and reason for making comments at Marietta's meeting.

Action: Following an apology statement from Sabbagh, no one voted on the measure. It failed. Snellville Patch will bring more regarding this item later.

7. Consideration and action on resolution to retain separate counsel for the city council

Item: This would allow city council members to retain a separate city attorney from the .

Action: Despite Oberman's assertion that this item was improper and not allowed under the charter, it was passed in a vote of 4-2. Council members Dave Emanuel, Diane Krause, Tom Witts and Bobby Howard voted for, and Mayor Kelly kautz and Councilman Mike Sabbagh voted against.