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City Administrator Monthly Update

Message from City Administrator Tammi Saddler Jones:

Well, here we are in the month of March.  I like this month because although the temps outside are warming up, a “cold-snap” can occur at any moment.  I also like the month of March because of the name of the month itself – March.  When I hear March it gets my attention and it gives me a signal to get ready for what’s coming ahead – the spring season.

For instance, we can see that the trees and jonquil flowers in our community are starting to bloom. The Braves are in camp getting ready for baseball season to begin later in this month. For the college basketball enthusiasts among us, you are excited because the month of March means March Madness. On that note, if a person decides to watch the upcoming college basketball games at one of our Market Village Restaurants and they want to take a break to go outside, as long as the Restaurant is within the City’s designated Restaurant District, an individual is permitted to go outside with an alcoholic beverage as long as the beverage is inside a Restaurant-issued paper or plastic cup of no more than 16 ounces.

Smyrna Events

Salsa Soiree Fundraiser
for Campbell Middle School Learning Commons

Friday, March 9 - 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm

The Campbell Middle School Foundation is hosting a Salsa Soiree Cocktail Party and Silent Auction at Brawner Hall on March 9th. Tickets will include a one-hour dance lesson, two free drinks, tapas, and good times!
Tickets are $50 per person, $85 per couple and are pre-sale only. Click here to purchase tickets.

The funds will be used to convert the CMS media center into a Learning Commons. For more info about the fundraiser, visit the Facebook event page.

Document Shredding Event

Saturday, March 10 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Keep Smyrna Beautiful will be holding a document shredding event on Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 9:00 am until Noon. The event will be held at the Aline Wolfe Adult Recreation Center located at 884 Church Street. Only paper will be shredded. Please remove all binders and metal rings/clips. No magazines, electronics, plastics or cardboard, please.

There is a limit of five (5) copy paper sized boxes, or 100 pounds, per vehicle.
Document shredding is free, but donations are accepted!
For more information, please contact Keep Smyrna Beautiful at 770-431-2863.

Smyrna History Class

Monday, March 12 - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

The last lecture in the Smyrna, Georgia: An Episodic History lecture series will be held on Monday, March 14th in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room. Dr. William Marchione, author of A Brief History of Smyrna, Georgia, will present the topic The Transformative Years, Smyrna since 1985: Looking Backward and Forward.

Space is limited in the class and pre-registration is required. RSVP by contacting sreference@smyrnaga.gov. The course is free of charge. Smyrna Public Library is located at 100 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, Georgia. Visit the Smyrna Library website for library hours and more information.

Help Create the Smyrna Advisory Council
on Community Health and Wellness

Monday, March 12 - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

The City of Smyrna is pursuing the creation of an advisory Council on Community Health and Wellness. If you are interested in serving on the council to advise the city on ways we can make our community healthier and happier, come to the informational meeting on March 12th in the Community Center Jonquil Room. Promoting public health supports Smyrna's Strategic Vision Plan initiatives including enhanced recreation and better quality of life and place. For more information, visit the Smyrna Vision Facebook event page.

Foundation Lodge #592 (PHA) and
City of Smyrna Blood Drive

Saturday, March 17 - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Foundation Lodge #592 (PHA) and the City of Smyrna will be hosting a blood drive at the Smyrna Community Center on Saturday, March 17th. Please do not forget your ID, drink plenty of water, and eat a good meal!

To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor keyword FOUNDATION592.

Save 10-15 minutes by taking advantage of Rapid Pass: www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass 
(This can only be done the day of the blood drive)

Fountain Turns Green on St. Patrick's Day

Saturday, March 17 at 5:00 pm


Join Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon on Saturday, March 17th at 5:00 pm for the annual ceremony at the St. Patrick's Day Celebration in the Smyrna Market Village as the Mayor makes the Market Village fountain water flow green!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 24 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is moving locations. This year we will be "hiding" the eggs at the Smyrna Community Center. We will have inflatables, food vendors, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more! We will be using the grassy area along Atlanta Road. We will have four separate, age divided hunts. Admission is free!
Event Timeline:
  • 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Inflatables, food vendors, pictures with Easter Bunny
  • 10:00 am: Easter Bunny will arrive
  • 11:00 am: 3 years and under hunt
  • 11:30 am: 4 - 5 years hunt
  • 12:00 pm: 6 - 7 years hunt
  • 12:30 pm: 8 - 10 years hunt

Windy Hill Boulevard SPLOST Project
Informational Meeting

Tuesday, April 17 - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Save the Date! The City of Smyrna will host an informational meeting about the Windy Hill Boulevard SPLOST infrastructure project on April 17th. The project will go from Atlanta Road to Old Concord Road.  Utility relocation work will begin this Spring and the Windy Hill Boulevard Construction will begin this Fall. The project is anticipated to be completed in the year 2021. Elected officials, city staff, and representatives from CROY Engineering will be present to explain the project, discuss timelines, and answer questions. The meeting will be held in the large gymnasium in the Smyrna Community Center.

Smyrna Approves ‘Carry Out’ Alcohol Policy
in Downtown Restaurant District

The City of Smyrna approved a new policy that allows the carry out of alcoholic drinks like wine and beer in a ‘to-go’ cup within designated “Restaurant Districts.”

The ordinance change was approved at the February 19th Council meeting by Mayor and Council. Also approved was a resolution designating the downtown Smyrna Market Village area as the first Restaurant District in the city.  This means that Smyrna residents and visitors can now take their beer or wine served inside and enjoy it outdoors (as long as it is in a paper or plastic cup) while walking or sitting outside in the Smyrna Market Village.

Visit the Smyrna Vision website to read more about the policy and rules.

Handbill Ordinance

Handbills have long been a source of litter in neighborhoods and their presence usually is a signal to others that no one is home at a residence.  
 
The City of Smyrna Handbill Distribution Ordinance (# 66.9.1) was enacted in March of 1995 and prohibits any type of advertisement from being left on an unoccupied vehicle or anywhere at a residence where a green “NO HANDBILL” sticker is present on the mailbox.  A copy of the ordinance (# 66.9.1), can be found at www.smyrnaga.gov under “Government” and then under “City Ordinances”.
If you are a City of Smyrna resident and you would like a “NO HANDBILL” sticker, please stop by the Smyrna Recycling Center and ask for one. The Recycling Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
 
If you have a sticker and advertisements are left at your home (or on your car in any parking lot inside the City limits), report the violation to the City Marshals at 678-631-5349.  Please save the flyer and remember to report any phone numbers listed on the ad, as well as the date and location of the violation.  To report a violation in progress (you see someone in your neighborhood distributing flyers illegally) call the police non-emergency number at 770-434-6666.
Thank you for helping to Keep Smyrna Beautiful!

Smyrna Adopts Non-Tethering Ordinance

At the end of 2017, the City of Smyrna Mayor and Council adopted an amendment to the City’s Code of Ordinances to align with Cobb County’s code regarding the confinement of animals. The primary objective of the non-tethering ordinance is to prohibit the practice of chaining or tying up dogs on the property. Tethering as a long term means of confinement restricts movement and is commonly recognized by organizations like the Humane Society as being harmful to the well being of the animal.

Read more about what you can and cannot do by visiting the Smyrna Vision website.

Business License Fee Penalties

The City of Smyrna will begin issuing penalties on unpaid fees associated with business license applications and renewals on April 1, 2018.

According to the City's Code of Ordinances, any administrative fee, regulatory fee or occupation tax shall be payable January 1 of each year and shall be delinquent if not paid by January 31 of each year. A penalty is imposed on each business who fails to obtain appropriate registration or pay any required fees, beginning on April 1 of each year. The penalty amounts to ten percent of the regulatory and administrative fee and occupational tax due.

If you have any questions regarding business licenses, please contact the Business License Office at 678-631-5321.

Homestead Exemptions

Residential home owners in Smyrna may qualify for one or more homestead exemptions (reductions to your property tax bill). Currently, these exemptions include:
  • All Smyrna home owners qualify for a homestead exemption that caps the property tax at the initial assessed value of the home. 
  • Property owners age 62 or over living in the City are granted a $10,000 exemption.
  • Property owners on 100% disability with income of $12,000 or less from all sources, excluding social security benefits and other retirement plans, are granted a $22,000 exemption.
To qualify for one or more homestead exemptions, please complete the appropriate form(s) by April 1, 2018 and mail, fax, or deliver it to the City of Smyrna Tax Department:
City of Smyrna
Tax Department
2800 King Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
Fax: (770) 431-2814

Click here to access homestead exemption forms. If you have questions regarding City of Smyrna homestead exemptions, please call (678) 631-5318.

Smyrna City Staff Spotlight

Tanh Huynh, Landscape Crew Leader

Tanh Huynh started with the City of Smyrna in July of 2002.  Tanh works for the Street Division as our Crew Leader for our landscape crew. Tanh was originally from Saigon, Vietnam before immigrating to the United States. Tanh is a proud father of two children and grandfather of two grandchildren. As a side job, Tanh also does brass cutting and remodeling work. He enjoys spending his spare time working on remodeling and other projects for his home.

Jessie Fisher, Parks and Recreation Maintenance

Joining the Parks & Recreation team more than twenty years ago, Jessie Fisher is a dedicated and respected member of the department, working as part time maintenance staff in the Smyrna Community Center.  Working full-time for the City of Atlanta, Jessie splits his evenings and weekends between his family, that has grown over the years, and serving the citizens of Smyrna.

As one of the longest serving members of the department,  Jessie works hard at providing top notch customer service to visitors, completing set ups for events, helping to keep the facility immaculate and working hard to assist everyone that walks thru the doors of the center. When asked their thoughts about Jessie, one coworker summed it up saying, "Jessie is quiet and humble, and his hard work speaks for itself."

Paramedic School Graduates
Ronald Sadowski and Christopher Weaver

The Smyrna Fire Department had Firefighters Ronald Sadowski and Christopher Weaver pass their paramedic written exam and graduate paramedic school on February 27th. The program involved several hundred clinical hours to complete. This certification helps enhance Smyrna firefighters' response capabilities and offers Smyrna citizens the highest level of pre-hospital medical attention. Congratulations!

Smyrna Community Spotlight

Library Volunteer Miriam Van Loan

Meet Miriam Van Loan. Miriam has been volunteering in the Technical Services department at Smyrna Library for 20 years. In 2017, Miriam donated over 100 hours of her time to the library, preparing items for circulation to our community. She is a former teacher of handicapped children, loves the theatre and classical music, is an avid reader and can conquer the toughest crossword puzzle challenge. Miriam is a great-grandmother and recently celebrated her 94th birthday by coming in to volunteer!

Honorary Mayor Vivian Baker

Campbell High School senior Vivian Baker became the City of Smyrna's "Honorary Mayor" for the March 5th City Council meeting. Vivian is the Campbell High School Student Government President and plans to attend the University of Georgia following graduation. Pictured above is Vivian with Mayor Max Bacon at the council meeting and posing with the Mayor's letterman jacket from his days at Campbell High School.

Citizens Police Academy Graduates

The graduating class of the 2017 Smyrna Citizens Police Academy was presented with certificates of completion during the February 19th City Council meeting. Pictured above: in the front row from the left is Betty Zaldivar, Regina Walker, Amanda Sweatt, Yaa Asare-Nyarko, Gloria Favors, and Nancy Ross. In the back row from the left is Sergeant Louis Defense, Tim Sweatt, Jessica Olsen, Stacey Nicely, Jennifer Dew, Jim Carter, and Officer Heather Clemens. Graduates not pictured include Donna Downs, Teresa Whatley, Kyle Kirkman, Heidi Weber, Cynthia Devine, Irina Thompson, Lindsey Johnson, Mark Stratman, Scott Medeiros, and William Logan.

The Smyrna Police Department is hosting the 2018 Citizens Police Academy starting Wednesday, April 18, 2018. Learn about the daily activities of your local police department and its officers. Application deadline is April 4, 2018. For more information and application documents, visit the Citizens Police Academy page on the city website.

Smyrna Fire Department Babies

The Smyrna Fire Department wished all of Smyrna citizens a Happy Valentine's Day on Facebook by sharing this picture of the nine newest recruits the department welcomed in the last year. Visit the SFD Facebook page to keep up with all of the department's news!

City Offices Closed

City of Smyrna administrative offices, buildings and services will close in observance of Good Friday on Friday, March 30, 2018. There will be no change to the curbside sanitation/recycling schedule or the usual Wednesday yard waste/large item collection during the week. However, Public Works offices will be closed. Public Safety will remain operational in the community with only offices such as the Records Office closing for the day.

Additional closings include:

  • Smyrna Public Library is closed Friday, March 30, Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1.
  • The Police Department front desk, permits, and records will be closed on Good Friday, however, citizens may still make use of posted after-hours instructions to make a police report or bond someone out of the jail.
Is there a problem in the City that you'd like to report?
A pothole on your street or issue in one of the parks you've been to recently? We can't be everywhere at once so we want residents to let us know so we can take care of things as quick as possible! Please don't hesitate to tell us.
Want to Report a Problem? Tell Us!

Get to Know Your Smyrna City Council


City Council meetings are on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 PM at City Hall.

Find out what City Ward you live in.
Find Your Council Member's Contact Info Here
Please share with your neighbors to let them know about all the great things going on in the City.

There's so much we couldn't list it all here so be sure to visit our website and follow the City on our Facebook.
If you have any questions, but don't know where to look, you can always call the Front Desk at City Hall.

Just call 770-434-6600 and they will help you!
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your City Administrator.  
 
Tammi Saddler Jones
City Administrator
Visit the City Website
Copyright © 2018 City of Smyrna, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Smyrna City Hall
Attn: City Administrator
2800 King Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
770-434-6600

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