Tim Gould
Smyrna City Council
Ward 6
August 2021 Newsletter
Smyrna - A Great Place to Live!
|
|
Hello Ward 6 Residents and Friends –
Summer coming to an end, kids back in school, and fall sports upon us, it's a great time for a Ward 6 Newsletter.
If you caught the Mayor's State of the City address, you heard the long list of projects, committee work, staff efforts and non-profit activities all across the City.
As many of you know, our kids attend Campbell High School - Abbie starting her senior year and Jack in 10th grade. The school year started quickly and both are in full school mode already.
As always, please reach out via email or cell with questions, comments, updated, etc.
I do my best to respond in a timely manner. If I am delayed in responding, please poke me again!
Thank you.
Tim
678-631-5311
|
|
The number of upcoming events is astonishing!
Check out active listings on City website - click here
Food Truck Tuesday's - Every Tuesday, 5-9pm, Taylor Brawner Park
Smyrna Handmade Market - Every Sunday, 11am-3pm. Market Village
Taste of Smyrna - Saturday 9/18, 11am-8pm, Smyrna Market Village
Smyrna Birthday Celebration - Music and Fireworks!, Smyrna Market Village, Saturday 10/9 5pm
Campbell High School Education Foundation Golf Outing - Susan C Pearson Memorial Tournament - Fox Creek, Monday 10/18, 8am
Fall Jonquil Festival - Sat & Sun, 10/23-24, Smyrna Market Village
|
|
Creatwood Trail Neighborhood Entrance |
Have you noticed the new and improved entrance to the Creatwood Trail neighborhood? Big Thank You to all who donated time, efforts and money to make project happen, particularly Sally Knox, Ramona Curtis and others. City installed new curbs,removed old telephone poles, and added new landscaping. Neighborhood volunteers are mowing grass at the dry cleaner and nearby area. Stay tuned for the new Neighborhood Sign!
|
|
What's Happening at 3410 Atlanta Rd? |
This is the empty lot next to the Devonshire neighborhood. City Code Enforcement is in contact with the owner regarding maintenance while they seek to sell the property. I will certainly keep residents in Devonshire and surrounding communities up to date on any requests for zoning or development. |
|
Campbell Rd Traffic Calming |
City recently installed an elevated cross walk at Campbell Rd / Howell Drive for a safer cross walk to Campbell Middle School. Future work includes adding pedestrian activated cross walk lights and continued improved pedestrian and traffic safety near CMS. |
|
Covenant Methodist Church on Atlanta Rd / Campbell Rd - Construction of the new Covenant Methodist Church at Atlanta Rd and Campbell Rd continues on their 5 acre property.
Emory Hospital will Expand! Finally, Emory resolved the long battle with WellStar. Emory will open and operate their hospital and expanded medical offices on South Cobb Drive with a multi-phase, multi-year plan. No specific timeline yet beyond the great news that City of Smyrna will have another high quality medical facility serving our residents.
Property North of Reed House - Future Park! The City recently wrapped up the purchase of the 5.4 acres on Atlanta Rd just north of the Reed House using SPLOST Funds. I am thankful this land will be preserved for year round use as an active park and green space. No timeline for work or design yet. Stay tuned!
Combined Ward 1, 2,and 6 Meeting Regarding Campbell Rd - On Wednesday 7/14, Council Members Glenn Pickens (Ward 1) and Austin Wagner (Ward 2) and myself held a community update meeting at Fire Station 3. Meeting was very well attended with staff providing updates on Campbell Rd activities and Mayor Norton leading a robust discussion around proposed Downtown Development activities
Ward 6 and Ward 3 Town Hall - On Sunday 7/18 Ward 3 Council Member Travis Lindley and I held a joint Town Hall along with City Staff providing updates and answering questions. The meeting was very well attended (approx 100+) and citizen input was appreciated.
|
|
Council Committee and Task Force Work |
|
Short-Term Rental Committee |
City is working on a new ordinance around Short Term Rentals (VRBO, Air BNB, etc.). Currently, the City does not have specific code in place to regulate where and how Short Term Rentals can operate in Smyrna. Committee consists of Chair Glenn Pickens (Ward 1), Lewis Wheaton (Ward 7), and myself. Next steps: Committee has competed a first draft of an ordinance which is being reviewed by the City Attorney. The draft ordinance will be presented at an upcoming Council Work Session and posted for community comment and review. |
|
I am fortunate to chair this long standing committee focused on supporting all Smyrna area schools and ensuring the City is doing our part ensuring Smyrna schools are successful. Committee members include Council Members Lewis Wheaton (Ward 7) and Susan Wilkinson (Ward 5) |
|
Helping ensure Pedestrian and Traffic Safety is a priority for the Mayor and Council. The committee, Chaired by Travis Lindley and made up of Susan Wilkinson and myself is focusing on traffic calming solution all across the city. You likely have noticed the speed tables on Campbell Rd, Church St, stop signs at Dunn St and Collier Dr, and more . |
|
Finance Committee is charged with providing oversight and guidance of City budget management. Chaired by Council Member Corkey Welch (Ward 4), Committee consists of Travis Lindley and myself. We are pleased the City recently received a AAA bond rating again and held millage rate steady at 8.99 mills unchanged since 1991 |
|
Arts & Cultural Task Force |
The Mayor recently formed the Arts & Cultural Task Force to bring together the many talented art organizations and enthusiasts around our great city with the aim of creating a more cohesive and vibrant art scene right here in Smyrna. Stay tuned for more info! The Smyrna ART-ery is coming soon! |
|
Downtown Redevelopment Design Task Force |
The Mayor formed a committee of citizens with content expertise and council members to work through variety of park design ideas and concepts. Committee consists of Chair Travis Lindley, myself and several council members along with Shawn Murphy, Chuck Young, and Stephanie Eaddy . The City also retained Pond & Company to assist in design and community input process. Community input sessions will be held in September. Stay tuned for dates and info |
|
Town-Home Standard Design Committee |
The City placed a moratorium on new Town-home rezoning applications earlier this year to allow for a thorough consideration of future design standards across the City. With the demand for additional housing in Smyrna, Mayor and Council want to set minimum design guidelines for future projects. Monday, August 16th, Council will vote to extend the moratorium through near year end to allow staff more time to compete the proposed code updates. Committee is chaired by Glenn Pickens and consists of myself and Lewis Wheaton |
|
Smyrna Circulatory Task Force |
A talented group of citizens are working as part of the Circulatory Task Force to address mobility in and around the city. Dr. Wheaton is a co-chair of that task force which will discuss a National Science Foundation Grant, GA Tech collaboration, and 2021 goals. City Councilman Lewis Wheaton, Co-Chair Tracy Rathbone Styf, Rep. Teri Anulewicz, Doug Stoner, Danena Gaines |
|
Coronavirus Update - Vaccines Available at Community Center |
|
City is still providing Free Vaccines at the Community Center. It's Easy. It's Fast. Vaccines help prevent Covid-19 related serious illnesses. Please do your part to Help Get All Of Us through this pandemic mess.
If you are vaccinated. Thank You!
If your are not vaccinated, please consult with your doctor.
Free, Easy, Vaccinations - Community Center, Friday 8/20. 1-3pm
|
|
Mayor Norton's State of City Address - Mayor Norton delivered the State of the City address on July 28, 2021 Smyrna Community Center in partnership with the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce and the Smyrna Area Council of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce. The list of work, accomplishments and extensive to-do's is extensive - Check Out Video!
|
Mayor Wins Citizen of Year from Chamber of Commerce - Mayor Norton was named the recipient of the 2020 Smyrna Citizen of the Year by Cobb Chamber of Commerce - See online article - click here
Racial Trust-building Initiative - City of Smyrna kicked off facilitator led training classes focused on building community leader skill sets around strengthening relationships between all racial and ethnic groups in Smyrna. I just completed the first round of training this weekend and looking forward to next step where all attendees come together to plan broader community engagement, The program is modeled after work done in LaGrange and Troup County, Georgia.
Downtown Redesign - See committee section of this newsletter. Mayor formed committee to bring forward deisgn recommendations to the community for comment and review.
Potential StillFire Brewery Development - City Council voted unanimously to enter a Letter of Intent to bring StillFire Brewery to Smyrna Market Village. See economic development info below. Next steps: Traffic Study, Property Appraisal, Environmental Study and further discussion by Mayor and Council.
Windy Hill SPLOST Project - Work continues on the extensive project between South Cobb Dr and Atlanta Rd. Progress is moving forward with expected completion in 2023, .
|
|
Mayor Norton, Council Member Corkey Welch, Lewis Wheaton, Mayor Pro Tem Tim Gould, Council Member Travis Lindley |
|
CHS Teacher Appreciation Lunch |
|
Campbell High School Teacher Appreciation Lunch - City recognized our talented Campbell High teachers and staff with the annual lunch celebration at the Community Center, 7/26
Smyrna Education Foundation continues to support our area schools through grants and involvement. Check out their current list of projects. Click Here
|
|
CHS Softball Kicks Off Season With Strong Start! |
My favorite team at Campbell High won first four games of season, beating North Cobb and McEachern for first time in program history. Along with exciting play on the field, the program is benefiting with tremendous support from parent and local business funding field improvements including a new scoreboard (replacing 1980 era board). Thanks to CCSD for new infield surface and support for future improvements.
Check out season schedule and team website - click here
|
|
 |
CHS Softball new scoreboard paid for by parents and local business sponsors. Thank you! |
|
|
|
CHS Spartan Softball after season opener run-ruling North Cobb |
|
|
|
Zoning and Growth (Community Development) |
|
Recent and Current Projects |
Emerson Center (Z21-002) - Council recently approved a $135M mixed use project at the old Emerson Center office park on Spring Rd, one of the largest economic development projects in Smyrna history. Project includes eight story, 188 room Hilton Hotel, 37ksq ft of retail and 300-unit multi-family building.
Atlanta Rd and Campbell Rd (Z21-006) - Applicant is seeking rezoning of 2 acres for multiple single family homes. The developer is working through design changes in an effort to meet the recommended units per acre,
Ongoing efforts around Short Term Rentals and Town-Home Standards continue with recommendations forthcoming in near future.
|
|
Calendar and Meeting Notifications
Sign up for City Newsletter
|
|
Calendar for upcoming Mayor & Council Meeting and Planning and Zoning Meetings. Meetings are open to public and in person at the Community Center. Or available online.
- Link to Upcoming Meetings and Agenda Calendar
- Click Here
- Sign up for City Admin Newsletter
- Click Here
Watch Live – click the calendar link on City Calendar to find the online video feed. Click Here
Subscribe to Receive City Meeting Agendas: Do you want City meeting agendas sent to your email automatically? Click Here .
|
|
HOA Meetings - Need A Location To Hold An Annual Meeting?
|
|
Upcoming HOA or Community Meeting? Contact me if you want to reserve a room at the Community Center or City Hall. I'm happy to attend with City Staff to provide updates, hear concerns, and answer questions. |
|
Smyrna EMA Welcomes New Emergency Management Specialist: John “Evan” McBrayer a Smyrna Fire Department 10 years veteran will support EMA operations. Did you know Smyrna is one of a handful of GA cities with our own Emergency Management Agency?
Tyler Lew recently joined the City as the new Administrative Services Coordinator, helping the City Administrator move numerous citizen focused projects forward.
|
|
Environmental Services & KSB |
|
KSB - Keep Smyrna Beautiful |
|
Keep Smyrna Beautiful continues to do great work along with the City’s Department of Environmental Services including the recent Work Glove Lunch recognizing our hard working city employees. Volunteer or Support KSB
Recycling Center Hours: Visit City Page or KSB Page. Center is now open Wednesday thru Saturday. Please check hours of operation.
Upcoming Events: August Community Cleanup 8/18; 9/8; and 9/18
|
|
Economic Development
Smyrna "Where Urban Chic Meets Community Sweet"
|
|
Smyrna Business Association – SBA hosted a legislative round up on 8/5 at the Community Center, moderated by Council Rep Travis Lindley, including Smyrna's entire state legislative delegation of State Representatives Erick Allen, Teri Anulewicz, State Senator Jen Jordan, and SBA President Sara Sorenson
S&P Affirms Smyrna's AAA Rating - Smyrna is among only a handful local governments across the state of Georgia to be awarded the Standard & Poor's AAA bond rating. In awarding the rating, S&P cited the strong expanding economy of Smyrna, its excellent track record of conservative budgeting, and strong management policies and practices. The rating review relates to the issuance of $29 million in bonds used to accelerate the construction of various Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 2022 projects.
Economic Development Data around Micro Breweries - Based on information from local micro breweries, the potential economic impact of StillFire Brewery is significant. An estimated 2,000 customer per week (100k per year) with 75% from outside of Smyrna are expected with significant percentage dining at nearby restaurants and shopping at local businesses. The community space is expected to be utilized by local organizations and non profit fundraising events.
|
|
Who is Doing Great Work In Smyrna? |
|
Support Smyrna -
Want to help those in need during the Covid-19 emergency?
The community response has been overwhelming. Thank you!
|
|
Path To Shine is a mentoring program started here in Smyrna to help children through free mentoring, tutoring and enrichment programs. Path To Shine is celebrating their 10th anniversary, now serving children in 17 locations across the state including our own Norton Elementary Deacon Leslie Ann Drake leads a wonderfully effective organization. Click here for more info
|
|
Looking to impact the lives of Smyrna residents. Check Out Tillman House. Too many programs to list. Volunteers are welcome. Work focuses on housing, food assistance, donation collections, worker education, and more.
|
|
Campbell H.S. Education Foundation is hosting the annual Susan T Pearson Tournament to help fund the educational requests and career counseling position at CHS. Come join us at Fox Creek on Monday 10/18 for a fun day of golf and support a great cause.
|
|
City Calendar and Links to Video Feeds: Website
Department of Environmental Services: website
|
|
Smyrna City Council, Ward 6 |
|
|
|
Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 6
Smyrna City Council
2800 King Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
678-631-5311 - office
404-313-8504 - city cell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
