SMYRNA CITY COUNCIL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
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RON FENNEL
CITY COUNCILMAN
WARD 7, SMYRNA
WINTER EDITION -
January 15, 2018
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Today we commemorate and remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Each new year promises renewed energy and increased focus for businesses and individuals. I hope that you, your family, your business and our community find this to be our best year ever! Thank you for your support as I start my seventh year representing you and your interests on the Smyrna City Council.
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SMYRNA, GEORGIA 30126
At long last, after many years of meetings, calls and letters, I am excited to announce the U.S. Postal Service finally granted our specific request for a waiver for all Smyrna taxpayers who live in the 30126 zip code! The postal service lingo is "Last Line" permission, which allows for all residents within an affected zip code who so choose, to use the local jurisdiction name in conjunction with the current zip code. Translated, that means that all residents of 30126 who live in the city of Smyrna and pay a Smyrna tax bill are now eligible to use
SMYRNA, GEORGIA 30126. This primarily affects
Vinings Estates and a few nearby neighborhoods, along with the campus of
Whitefield Academy. Expect a formal notification from the
USPS in your mailbox in February.
This action fulfills a goal I committed to working on during my first campaign for City Council. Although neither local government, nor its officials have any formal jurisdiction over this independent, federal agency, I want to give thanks to the leadership of the Atlanta Postal Region (Bradley Ledford and Sherry Willis) for hearing our request and helping to enable this change.
I must also credit many others for helping with this success, including Mayor
Max Bacon, both of the city councils I have served with (who unanimously supported two resolutions I authored), and our excellent staff (special thanks to Deputy City Administrator
Scott Andrews), plus several dedicated and determined constituents for working with me. Congressman
David Scott and Senator
Johnny Isakson's offices were very supportive as well. I also owe gratitude to several fellow VE neighbors who kept believing and keeping the faith that we could accomplish this:
Howard Cohn, Nancy & Terry LaPierre and
Scott Sifen, among many others! Thank you!
WELCOME NEW COUNCIL MEMBER:
MARYLINE BLACKBURN 
Maryline Blackburn, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/entertainer/non-profit leader is now Smyrna's first-ever African-American member of the city council in our 145-year history.
She
handily defeated four other candidates, including a runoff with Smyrna DDA board member
Travis Lindley, winning 56% of the vote for the Ward 3 post in November. The Ward 3 seat was vacated due to the departure of former Mayor Pro-tem
Teri Anulewicz, who subsequently won election to the Georgia House of Representatives to succeed
Stacey Evans, who left the legislature to focus on a campaign for governor of Georgia.
A friend for many years, Maryline is a great addition to our policy-making team. Serving on the
Smyrna Vision Committee and the
Smyrna Public Safety Foundation, she has immersed herself in many of the issues needed to prepare her for her new role. Welcome aboard!
DISTRACTED DRIVING/HANDS FREE ORDINANCE
Earlier this month, the Smyrna City Council passed Georgia's first-ever, local distracted driver ordinance. Councilman Derek Norton offered the ordinance to curtail distracted drivers who operate a vehicle while engaged with their electronic devices.
Georgia state legislators have studied the matter of "hands-free" operation over the interim and are expected to debate a similar, statewide prohibition this legislative session to augment the current law, which has been seen as virtually unenforceable.
This is a two-year model ordinance to allow assessment of effectiveness and provide data collection for state and other local leaders to measure success in saving lives from distracted drivers. Details are posted on the city's website, with signs to be erected at the perimeter access roads to the city after April 2, allowing time for state legislation action and a period of public education to encourage adherence. Penalty provisions (levying a fine of up to $150 per infraction) are designed to encourage compliance and foster public education, rather than raise revenue.
In anticipation of the city addressing this problem, the Smyrna Police Department has purchased a cache of mobile device holders for phones to support efforts for proper compliance with the new ordinance.
PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS
Smyrna Police are vigorously following leads on the recent rash of alarming car thefts and break-ins in many communities along the northern perimeter of metro Atlanta, including Smyrna. They urge all residents to follow three basic actions: lock your vehicles and garage doors, remove any valuables from inside unattended vehicles and remain very alert to your surroundings, including arriving and departing your home or workplace. Be aware if you are being watched, stalked or followed.
If you see anyone/anything you consider suspicious, call 911 and allow the police to confront the situation. "If you see something, say something."
I have asked SPD officers to attend all requested neighborhood meetings to answer questions, share any updates and continue to offer citizen education, including acceptable security measures and guidance regarding neighborhood alert options and techniques. Sergeant Louis Defense leads the Neighborhood Watch program and Citizens Police Academy, which presents an opportunity for those who wish to be further involved.
WARD 7 DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Smyrna continues to grow steadily, adding rich texture to our town's fabric and offerings. Here are a few updates for Ward 7 projects underway:
CAMP HIGHLAND TOWNHOMES.
Area developer Prime Interest received the necessary land disturbance permit in early December and began erecting the required silt fencing around the property, visible from the E-W Connector. Infrastructure installation will follow site preparation, with vertical construction of the approved 68 townhomes in the spring.
RIVERVIEW LANDING.
Atlanta-based Prestwick Companies will build the first housing units along the Chattahoochee River near the dock of this Smyrna riverfront project. They will break ground by the end of January on the project to be known as The Eddy at Riverview Landing, a 310-unit, multi-family development that will include a community coffee shop, a riverfront restaurant, co-work space, and leasing office. Most importantly, as part of the agreement with the city, Prestwick's activities will include dedicating a 12-acre, public waterfront park with public parking for Smyrna residents to enjoy.
For further information on the overall project, click HERE or contact Chuck Young
at www.riverview-landing.com.
Below is a detailed plan for the park area around and in front of the yellowish, M-shaped parcel at the far left of the project, near the waterfront.
BROOKSIDE VILLAGE.
Roads are in, slabs are poured and walls are beginning to go up on the 156 townhomes being constructed on Veterans Memorial Parkway, just north of Oakdale Road, across from Providence.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AROUND SMYRNA
BELMONT PHYSICIANS CENTER.
Mayor Max Bacon, Mayor Pro-tem Derek Norton and I were proud to represent the city at the ribbon cutting of the Belmont Physician Center at the corner of Windy Hill and Atlanta Roads in November, with Emory Healthcare as the anchor tenant. Halpern Enterprises has continued to invest in Smyrna and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to our city.
ALTA@JONQUIL. The 266 luxury apartment homes are now being leased at a rapid pace in Jonquil Village, the mixed-use project anchored by the new Publix at the corner of Spring and Atlanta Roads.
KING SPRINGS AT SOUTH COBB
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Infrastructure installation is nearing completion and the vertical construction should begin later this month on 25 townhomes behind the former RaceTrac store, on South Cobb Drive, with occupancy slated for later this year.
RESTAURANTS
Everyone loves the growing restaurant scene in Smyrna, so here are a few items of interest:
new Market Village coffee shop is open; Porch Light Latin Kitchen
i
s planning an expansion in Q2; opening of a new restaurant in Jonquil Plaza near
PUBLIC SAFETY
POLICE HEADQUARTERS DEDICATION
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On November 10, officials of the City of Smyrna dedicated a memorial wall at the Smyrna Police HQ, formally naming the SPD facility for former Deputy Chief Michael L. Brown. Chief Brown served 30+ years on the force and sadly, died of a heart attack while on duty last year. The respect he garnered as a person, officer and leader warranted this unique recognition.
COBB COMMUNICATIONS TOWER.
As I mentioned was coming in my June 2017 newsletter, Cobb County has erected a public safety communications tower on property adjacent to Glock headquarters at end of Camp Highland Road just off the E-W Connector. This is one of three towers funded through the voter-approved 2016 SPLOST for Cobb County Public Safety, intended to alleviate the gaps in coverage as previously identified by public safety officials.
PROMOTIONS.
Congratulations to these dedicated public safety officials upon their promotions:
I am proud to recognize several well-earned promotions, as announced at year-end by Chief David Lee. We congratulate newly minted Sergeants Daniel Nesbit, LaTonda Harris, Louis Defense and Eric Smith, as well as new Lieutenants Brandy Forman, Chris Flowers
Fire - Chief Roy Acree announced several fire department promotions as well. Eight were promoted to Engineer: Evan McBrayer, Robert Faillo, Jacob Snearly, Jay Ratliff, Ron Veal, Chad Wolfe, Scott Frankovich and Keith Moses. Six made Lieutenant: Frank Romano, Jake Bower, Kenneth Durden, Bannon Whatley, James L. Smith and Tim Grubaugh.
SHOP WITH A HERO.
The Smyrna Public Safety "Shop with a Hero" program served 78 children in our community by pairing each with each a public safety official for a shopping experience to make their Christmas wishes a reality. Thank you to the team at the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation for this annual program helping our community's kids!
TRANSPORTATION
ARC AWARDS STUDY DOLLARS.
Smyrna's application for funds for a transportation study, including transit and other options, was granted $300,000 from the Atlanta Regional Commission, which offers an 80/20 matching grant. Smyrna City Council budgeted $100,00 in the most recent budget, bringing the leveraged total to potentially $380,000.
WINDY HILL CORRIDOR. The property acquisition phase of the SPLOST-approved Windy Hill Road corridor is nearing completion and the project timeline remains on schedule. Demolition and construction will take place over the next several months.
CONCORD COVERED BRIDGE.
Repairs to strengthen and extend the life of this unique structure have been completed and the roadway was reopened to traffic last month. Although just outside the city, the historic c
overed bridge
is a well-known landmark in the Smyrna area.
REED HOUSE NOW OPEN FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
Once the home of former state legislator and prominent Cobb attorney Raymond Reed, who died in 2014, the Reed House was purchased by the city in 2015 and is now fully renovated and re-purposed into a special events facility, while also capturing and paying homage to a beautiful structure from an era of Smyrna's past. The house is located at 3080 Atlanta Road and the facility can be booked through Smyrna's Events Coordinator Theresa Galletta at 678.631.5545.
SMYRNA VISION
The Smyrna Vision Committee will host a meeting on January 17th from 6-8pm at Brawner Hall to provide an update on the recent progress and plans for 2018. As part of the implementation process for Smyrna Vision, one of the commitments made was greater communication and reporting about progress being made. The meeting will cover all areas of the vision process and is open to all.
SMYRNA UNITED TASK FORCE 
The first meeting of the Diversity Task Force on Unity and Inclusion for 2018 was held January 9 at the Smyrna Community Center. This initiative is a part of the Smyrna Vision initiative - you can learn more at the plan's recently updated website: www.smyrnavision.com.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER BOB OTT SPEAKS IN SMYRNA 
Last week, District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott spoke to the monthly luncheon of the Smyrna Business Association. Ott gave an overview of current projects (development & transportation) in District 2, updates on a variety of issues, and fielded several questions. To stay informed, you may subscribe to each county commissioner's weekly newsletter HERE.
ANIMAL TETHERING
Last month, I was able to offer a measure to ban the practice of un-monitored tethering of animals, to put Smyrna in conformity with the Cobb County ordinance. Several years ago, the city surrendered animal control duties in exchange for the county applying a countywide standard, which we have now adopted into policy.
NEW PURCHASING POLICIES
Council recently adopted an update to our purchasing and fuel card policies. Proper controls help the city departments maintain effective and efficient management of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to us. The City of Smyrna continues to maintain outstanding financial policies and controls, operating a balanced budget with modest surplus, a rare AAA municipal bond rating, solid tax collections and 10 consecutive years without a millage increase. We are extremely proud of our fiscal stewardship of your tax dollars.
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WARD SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS
I am proud to represent these many, great Ward 7 Smyrna neighborhoods:
Chimney Oaks, Creekside at Vinings, Enclave at Oakdale, Fontaine @ Cooper Lake, Highland Oaks, Highlands Ridge, Highlands at Vinings Estates, Lakeview, Oakdale Bluffs, Oakdale Ridge, Oak Forest, Oak Hills, Riverline Hill, Riverview Landing, Summer Place, The Cove at Vinings Estates, The Manor at Vinings, Westbrook Park, Wetherbrooke, Woodbridge Crossing, Woodland Brooke, Woodland Gate,
Vinings Estates and Vinings Oaks
.
Our ward is bordered
on the west by Veterans Memorial
, the south by the Chattahoochee River and the northeast by the Silver Comet Trail. In addition to the residents of Ward 7, I also represent the businesses along Highlands Parkway, United Drive, South Cobb Drive, the East-West Connector and Oakdale Road. I am proud that seven of Smyrna's top ten, private sector employers are in Ward 7.
Allow me to know how I can help you with matters in the City of Smyrna!
Respectfully,
Ron Fennel,
Ward 7
Smyrna City Council
2800 King Street
Smyrna, Georgia 30080
770.319.5312 (office)
678.314.1776 (mobile)
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forward this newsletter to other interested parties. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be added, please click here.
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Copyright © 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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