For Immediate Release
November 14, 2021
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Contact:
Greg Botelho
Communications Director
678.242.2530
greg.botelho@cityofmiltonga.us
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Proposal to privatize subdivision, funding option for Greenway trail links on Council agenda |
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Mayor, Council to consider a host of matters at the Nov. 15 meeting |
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MILTON, Ga. - City Council returns Monday to hear about a proposal to privatize the Kingsley Estates subdivision and an option to pay for creating a Milton multi-use trail connection to the Big Creek Greenway.
Mayor Joe Lockwood and Council members will vote on the latter item and several others, including one related to farm wineries and another adopting a schedule for 2022 meetings.
As with other “Regular Meetings,” this one is divided into distinct sections – each with its own ground-rules. They are:
- The CONSENT AGENDA, for routine City matters that are voted upon collectively – as in, a single yes-or-no vote that covers all the items;
- REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS, a place for proclamations, presentations as well as general discussion on a given subject during which the Council can offer City staff direction but doesn’t cast any votes;
- FIRST PRESENTATION, which is where you’ll find items for the first time on a Council agenda (along with accompanying documentation) though no conclusive vote on them can be taken at that meeting;
- PUBLIC HEARING, which is a special “public comment” period for certain types of matters; and
- NEW BUSINESS, the home for items appearing on a Council agenda for the first time that – after discussion – can be voted upon conclusively at the meeting.
Below are summaries of each of the meeting’s agenda items.
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CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of the October 18, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes.
- Approval of the November 1, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes.
- Approval of the Audit Engagement Letter with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC to Audit the City’s Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021.
Accountants from Mauldin & Jenkins have been authorized to conduct an annual audit of the City government’s financial statements for Fiscal Year 2021 (which ran from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021). This letter, if approved, would clarify what exactly the auditors would be responsible for reviewing and what things would be the responsibility of City staff.
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- Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Milton and ECS Southeast, LLP for Geotechnical Services of Pavement Evaluation on the Morris Road Widening Project
The City plans to widen Morris Road beginning at the existing roundabout at the intersection of Morris Road and Webb Road/Deerfield Avenue, then running to the northeast along Morris Road to where it ties into the McGinnis Ferry Road widening project slightly east of Bethany Bend. This project builds off the 2016 Milton Comprehensive Transportation Plan, parts of which addressed the McGinnis Ferry interchange at GA 400 and recommended widening Morris Road, and will take into account public feedback gathered months ago. Transportation Special Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax, or TSPLOST, money would pay for this work. With approval of this agenda item, ECS Southeast would undertake geotechnical services related to evaluating the Morris Road existing subgrade and the mix design for pavement specs – a needed step in this project.
- Approval of a Right of Entry, Indemnification and Maintenance Agreement Between the City of Milton and Bloom General Store, LLC.
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Bloom General Store sits at the intersection of Hopewell Road and Thompson Road, near where the City of Milton recently completed a new roundabout. The City and Bloom both own property in that area that could affect the other. This agreement would establish the parameters for right-of-entry options and grounds maintenance responsibilities for that specific location.
- Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Milton and Mr. Juan Quero d/b/a JQ AV Techs for the Configuration and Operation of the City’s AV Equipment during City Meetings.
Last year, the City of Milton began working with JQ AV Techs to configure and operate the audio-visual equipment for the broadcast of City meetings, including Council, boards, and committees. This agreement would extend that relationship – and those services – between JQ AV Techs and the City of Milton.
(David Frizzell, IT Manager)
- Approval of Subdivision Plats and Revisions.
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This minor plat revision would transfer 0.92 acres from 126 Rose Mill Street to the property at 16394 Waxmyrtle Road in northern Milton. This would result in two similar-sized properties – 4.91 acres at 126 Rose Mill Street and 4.90 acres for 16394 Waxmyrtle Road. |
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- Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Milton and Pond & Company for Landscape Design Services at the Thomas Byrd Sr. House, the Home of the Milton Senior Center.
With this agreement, Pond and Company would design new landscaping for the Thomas Byrd Sr. House, which serves as home to the Milton Senior Center. The project calls for extending the rubble wall, regrading the slope, planting appropriate items on the hill and, if possible, incorporating public art. This agreement focuses on the slope and should result in a final construction plan for the City to consider.
- Approval of a Construction Services Agreement between the City of Milton and Paver Clean and Seal of Georgia Inc. for Paver Repair, Cleaning, and Sealing at Milton City Hall.
This agreement is for Paver Clean and Seal of Georgia to repair pavers, clean and seal the plaza area at Milton’s City Hall at 2006 Heritage Walk.
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REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Milton General Municipal Election Discussion
At Council Member Rick Mohrig’s request, the Mayor and Council on Monday will discuss the administering of Milton’s municipal elections. Currently, Fulton County administers the municipal elections of Milton and other cities around the county. Earlier this year, the Council directed City staff to begin looking into the potential costs, time requirements and other factors to consider should the City of Milton administer its municipal elections (rather than Fulton County).
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FIRST PRESENTATION
- Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 20, Article II of the Milton Floodplain Management/Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
With approval of this item, the Council would amend the part of Milton’s City Code related to floodplain management so that it reflects the current model ordinance from the State of Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division. This change is needed for Milton to meet the State’s Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems (MS4) permit requirements.
- Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 20, Article V of the Milton Stream Buffer Protection Ordinance.
This item is similar to the one directly above in that it is part of a State of Georgia requirement for Milton to obtain a Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems (MS4) permit. This one specifically relates to stream buffers within Milton, providing a framework to develop them and minimize land development within those buffers in order to protect stream banks, protect water quality, and preserve natural habitats in and around streams.
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PUBLIC HEARING
- Consideration of the Abandonment of All Public Rights of Way within the Kingsley Estates Subdivision.
Residents of Kingsley Estates in northern Milton have approached the City about privatizing their subdivision as part of plans to make its entrance gated. This move would require the abandonment of all public rights of way, meaning the City of Milton would no longer be responsible for the maintenance of the subdivision’s streets. This step requires 2 public hearings (this is the first of 2) at which those who live in Kingsley Estates or use the public streets can share their opinions on this move – with the final decision, one way or another, ultimately made by the City Council following the second public hearing scheduled for the December 6 council meeting.
In June, the Council approved a moratorium on accepting and processing several types of permits related to farm wineries. This was done to allow City staff sufficient time to modify Milton’s land use code regarding farm wineries. Three text amendments have been proposed, and more time is needed for these to be discussed (by the public and board members) at upcoming Planning Commission and Council meetings. If this resolution is approved, the moratorium would extend until January 19, 2022 – unless it is renewed or terminated before that date, or if related amendments are adopted.
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NEW BUSINESS
- Consideration of a Resolution of renewing and/or extending an existing moratorium on the acceptance of alcohol applications, building permit applications, and land disturbance permit (LDP) applications for farm wineries.
This relates to the “Public Hearing” item described above, except that – instead of an opportunity for people to comment – this is for the City Council to cast a vote on renewing and/or extending the moratorium.
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- Consideration of a Resolution Supporting an Application to the Atlanta Regional Commission for Funding of Big Creek Greenway Connection Multiuse Trail Project.
Several City planning documents – including the Milton Trails Prioritization Plan and 2040 Comprehensive Plan – have mentioned a desire to add safe walking and biking options around Milton. One initiative has been to create a multiuse trail connecting Milton to the Big Creek Greenway. In July 2020, the City forged an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to use federal grant funding for preliminary engineering on a trail connecting the Cambridge High School area via Cogburn Road, Webb Road and Morris Road to the intersection of Morris and McGinnis Ferry roads. Plans for the McGinnis Ferry Road/400 interchange include a trail connection to the Big Creek Greenway.
This resolution would give the City authority to apply for federal funds (through the Atlanta Regional Commission) for this project’s right-of-way and construction phases. If Milton is granted this funding, the City would have to match at least 20% of the total project costs.
- Consideration of a Resolution Adopting the 2022 City of Milton City Council Regular Meeting and Work Session Schedule.
If passed, this resolution would set the dates for next year’s City Council meetings – including both “Regular Meetings” (when votes are cast) and “Work Sessions” (at which the Council can offer direction to City staff but does not cast votes). Typically, the Council convenes on the first three Monday evenings of any months. But that schedule sometimes needs adjusting to account for holidays and other factors.
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About the City of Milton
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Incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a premier North Georgia community, recognized nationally for its high quality of life. In Milton, we strive to respect our rural heritage while guiding our future, and work together to create a strong sense of community and place for all to call home. We take responsibility together to provide the best quality of life to those we serve. Through excellent service to our neighbors, we strengthen our cherished sense of community. For more info, visit www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.
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