Happy hump day!! Let's jump into a recap of last night's Work Session!
Committee / Staff Reports:
Report was given by DDA director Dr. Peterson. The website for the Downtown Master plan will be up in early March. More information will be sent out when the website is ready. The new social media campaign is underway. Look for many more posts and business highlights on the DDA Facebook page and a new Instagram page was started, @thestonemountaindda.
Parks and Rec meets on the first Monday of each month at City Hall at 7pm. They are still looking for more survey responses. Please click this link to take the survey and give your opinion on what you would like to see in our parks.
Public Works Director gave an update on ongoing projects. Rockborough Drive drainage project will be going out to bid soon. The contractor selected to repave Pepperwood has gone past their contract date and has not begun the project. The City Attorney is reviewing the contract, it is likely we will have to re-bid this project. Traffic on JBR is being studied to determine if / what traffic calming measures may be warranted. If you are interested in requesting traffic calming on your street please click this link for information and application.
Chief Troutman gave an update on police activity in January. He also informed us a suspect was caught last week during a burglary and the suspect was responsible for previous crimes in the City. Good work Stone Mountain PD!
City Clerk gave an update on the business license renewals and stated that you can now obtain absentee ballots from City Hall. However, you would still need to submit them to the County. Also, she reminded everyone that the Presidential Primary is March 24th.
Tourism Manager reminded everyone that the Color Vibe 5K has been cancelled. The Farmer's Market will begin May 5th and go until August 25th. There may be filming in the Cemetery in a few weeks, a Netflix production.
City Manager advised that a tentative date of April 16th has been selected for the State of the City Address. A total of 16 resumes were received for the Assistant City Manager - Public Safety Admin position. A solicitation for city attorney services will be posted next week. Tentative dates for the FY2019 Audit are March 23rd through April 3rd.
New Business
Reviewed the Georgia Fresh for Less (GF4L) Program contract for 2020. This provides matching funds for EBT and SNAP purchases at our Farmer's Market. We have participated in the program in previous years.
The Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the DDA was reviewed. Agreement would be effective until January 1, 2021. It adds that the DDA will be responsible for maintaining the business directory kiosk at the corner of Main St. and East Mountain Street. Agreement also reflects the funds provided by the City to the DDA as approved in the FY2020 budget.
A lengthy discussion was had on the Planning and Zoning Commission vs. Committee. Our code of ordinance list both a commission and a committee, and their is ambiguity on the details of the formation, terms, and responsibilities of the entity. The City Manager is asking the City Council to come to a consensus and provide clear direction on how this group will be named, formed and operated in the future. The City Attorney will also provide their written legal opinion on the matter.
New Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolution 2020-05 Urging DeKalb County and the General Assembly to Pass changes to the DeKalb Ethics Ordinance. In November 2019 the voters rejected a referendum on the overhaul of the County's Ethics Board. This resolution is to ask the legislators to only change the method in which members of the ethics board are appointed and not change any other aspect. The language of the resolution upholds the vote of the constituents last November.
Resolution 2020-06 FY 2020 Budget Amendment was reviewed. Budget amendment will account for the funding of the previously approved extension of sidewalk and drainage improvements on E. Mtn Street near the Park entrance. And fund the recently approved contract with Project Transformation for the summer reading camp.
Disclaimer: This City Council Recap is taken from my personal notes and memories of the meeting. For the official minutes of the meetings please visit the City web page.
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