Precinct Totals Missing

In every single vote before this, the county has released the results as a total and then broken it down to how many voted per precinct.  However, THIS time, the precinct totals are MISSING from the PDF file.  Last night, the file was three pages–now it is one.  Does anyone have a copy of the three page file from last night they could send me?  My email is douglasnews07@yahoo.com  Why would the county not want the citizens to see this?  Maybe because 230 more people voted for the SPLOST than the TAD–and perhaps they are confined to a single precinct?

Something Smells…

This was posted on the Douglasville Topix board:

SPLOST = Yes 3918 50.21%
NO 3888 49.79%

Total Votes: 7806

TAD = Yes 2211 29.18%
NO 5365 70.82

Total Votes: 7576

SPLOST received 230 less votes than TAD.”

How in the world could 230 people just NOT vote on the second part of a vote…when it was on the SAME screen as the SPLOST?

Redevelopment Powers Meeting

This is from Jamie.  She said the meeting was mentioned in the Douglas Neighbor (I found the article–it was mentioned in an article about other topics and was a total of one sentence long) and I found out there was a short article about it in the Sentinel, but I’m not sure where in the Sentinel the article was placed.

“This a m (10/29) I saw a sign for a meeting at the Arbor Station club house regarding Redevelopment Powers 6-8pm. The meeting is tonight!!

I find this very curious. Especially since early voting has already started…how long has this meeting been in the works? I did not see this sign Tuesday am at the same intersection – when were they put up??  How was it publicized besides the signs at the intersection of Stewart Mill & Chapel Hill? (Which I might add serve as a hazard – since drivers should have a lot of other things to pay attention to, and not a lot of time designated for sign reading!!)
Why have it on Halloween week – it is the busiest week ever for parents.  We have trunk or treats tonight, tomorrow & Saturday. Is this a haphazard attempt to say they tried to inform the voters, but no one came? Because I am a voter, and that is all I see this as!!!!”"

Was anyone at the meeting last night?  If so, how many people were there?  I’m not sure if the Sentinel had an article about it or not (their deadline is 4pm, I think, because anything that happens after that time is usually in the paper two days afterwards) today–I don’t subscribe.

Redevelopment Powers

A reader emailed me asking about redevelopment powers and I thought I’d post part of what I said because it’s going to be part of the vote in November, and I believe citizens need to know exactly what this means.  Because it means more than you think.

Basically it means they can construct more businesses, even add mass transit, and redevelop entire areas.  Georgia has passed a bill regarding redevelopment powers.  Part of the text of the bill (you can read it in its entirety here):

“Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, redevelopment may include any one or more of the following:

(A) The construction of any building or other facility for use in any business, commercial, industrial, governmental, educational, charitable, or social activity;

(B) The renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, remodeling, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of any existing building or other facility for use in any business, commercial, industrial, governmental, educational, charitable, or social activity;

(C) The construction, reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation, remodeling, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of public or private housing;

(D) The construction, reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation, remodeling, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of public works or other public facilities necessary or incidental to the provision of governmental services;

(E) The identification, preservation, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, remodeling, repair, demolition, alteration, or restoration of buildings or sites which are of historical significance;

(F) The preservation, protection, renovation, rehabilitation, restoration, alteration, improvement, maintenance, and creation of open spaces or green spaces;

(G) The development, construction, reconstruction, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of structures, equipment, and facilities for mass transit;

(H) The development, construction, reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of telecommunication infrastructure;

(I) The development, construction, reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation, repair, demolition, alteration, or expansion of facilities for the improvement of pedestrian access and safety;

(J) Improving or increasing the value of property; and

(K) The acquisition and retention or acquisition and disposition of property for redevelopment purposes or the use for redevelopment purposes of property already owned by a political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.”

But then I saw this just a few short sentences down:

(7) ‘Redevelopment area’ means:

(A) Any urbanized or developed area in which the structures, buildings, or improvements, by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, age, or obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation, or open spaces, high density of population and overcrowding, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes, or any combination of such factors, is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, high unemployment, juvenile delinquency, or crime and is detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare;”

So…could this be another way for the county to find more reason to build a new jail?

County Attorney to Make $1.8 Million on SPLOST

Douglas County Attorney to Make $1.8 Million on Jail SPLOST

From Staff Reports: Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition

www.DouglasTaxes.com

Douglasville GA: If Douglas County voters approve the November 3, 2009, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and bond referendum for a $150 million new prison, county attorney Ken Bernard could receive $1.8 million for initiating the $120 million property bond, which will be secured by taxable properties within the county.

The Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) inquired about Bernard’s compensation if the 2009 jail SPLOST/Bond passes. According to replies received from the county through open records requests, his fees for the bond will be “negotiated” after the vote, if the measure passes.

Bernard’s annual contract with the county government is $243,000, plus other fees. If the board does not renew his contract, his severance pay will be the remaining fee for the year plus ½ of the yearly contact amount.

Bernard also serves as counsel for the Douglas County Board of Education.

Earlier this year, a heated debate arose among school board members and citizens over a one year, $295.000 contract for Bernard. School board member Mike Miller claimed the contract was twice the fee paid for legal counsel by comparable county school systems in Georgia.

Opponents of Bernard’s contract with the school board contend that he has not submitted itemized invoices for his services. Also, that he has a conflict of interest by acting as counsel for both the county government and the school board and because of his real estate investments.

It has been reported that Bernard received $1.2 million over and above his annual fees for initiating a school bond.

James Bell, director of DCTC, questions why taxpayers are paying such high fees for legal services.

“Legal counsel should receive fair compensation for services, but the contract Mr. Bernard has written by himself and for himself is excessive, especially considering our county’s economic conditions”, Bell said.

SPLOST

I don’t usually post discussions from the Douglasville Topix message board…but I thought the first post of a thread about the SPLOST should be posted.  This is written by James Bell.

Douglas Taxpayers Group to Fight $150 Million Tax proposal… again!

Lithia Springs, Ga.: The Douglas County Taxpayers Coalition (DCTC) has begun a public awareness campaign to make voters aware of the upcoming November 3 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum.

Douglas County Commissioners voted 4-1 to place the referendum on the ballot for the third time in four years. The referendum is for a six year, one percent sales tax to equal $150 million and a general obligation bond (loan) for $120 million.

According to James Bell, director of DCTC, over the next four weeks the group will be distributing thousands of flyers notifying votes of the referendum and hosting “sign waving” events at busy intersection to bring attention to the vote.

“We feel there is enough opposition to this tax to defeat it once again”, Bell said.“But we need to be sure voters go to the polls and send a message that now is not the time to be raising taxes.”

According to Bell, the commissioners have failed to look at other options to control the jail population such as the removal of state inmates from the county jail, stream lining the court system to move offenders through more quickly and house arrest for non violent offenders.

During a public meeting this summer Bell explained to the commissioners that many non-violent inmates are serving more time waiting for a hearing than the judge would have given for the offence if they were able to make bond. The end result is 62 percent of inmates are awaiting trials.

Bell points out that increasing sales tax in the worst economy in our life time will further hurt retail businesses in the county and put an additional burden on the citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Sign Waving: Friday Oct. 9th 4-6pm Chapel Hill Rd & Douglas Blvd.
Volunteers needed!

Jail Facts for Sept ‘09:
Douglas County inmate Population = 732
Capacity = 811 (not 485 as reported by Sheriff)
State inmates = 134 or 18% of population
Awaiting Trial = 451 or 62%
Serving County Time = 134 or 18%
Other = 2%

Monday’s City Council Meeting Agenda

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0

Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0

Invocation

2.1 Pastor Timothy Fryar with Christ Centered Church

3.0

Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0

Minutes

4.1 Minutes of the special meeting of September 17, 2009, the regular meeting of

September 21,2009, and the legislative work session of September 17,2009.

5.0

Consent Agenda

5.1 Item 21-09-18 -Adopt a resolution concerning events to be held in Downtown

Douglasville on Friday-Saturday, October 23-24.

5.2 Item 22-09-53 -Adopt a resolution concerning the updating of the City of

Douglasville’s Short Term Work Program.

5.3 Item 24-09-32 -Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville Fiscal

Year 2008 -2009 budgets for the General Fund, and the Capital Projects

(Multiple Grants) Fund.

5.4 Item 24-09-33 -Adopt an ordinance to enact City of Douglasville budgets

for Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 for the Youth Against Violence Fund and the Rental Car Fund.

5.5 Item 25-09-11 -Adopt a resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent to purchase wireless communication services under the State of Georgia Technology Authority Contract No. GTAOOOI87-005 (Nextel IDEN Service) and/or Contract No. GTAOOOI87-008 (Sprint CDMA Services).

5.6 Item 26-09-08 -Change the dates of the Fall 2009 Douglasville Recycles Week from the previously announced time of October 12 to 15 to new dates: Monday, November 2, through Thursday, November 5.

5.7 Item 27-09-18 -Authorize the Mayor to sign an amendment to the City of Douglasville’s agreement with Croy Engineering, Inc., for consultant services to complete the City’s portion of the Georgia Highway 92 Relocation project.

5.8 Item 30-09-05 -Authorize the Mayor to sign the City of Douglasville’s respective agreements with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and with the City of Douglasville Development Authority for the establishment of a campus of Georgia Highlands College and the University of West Georgia at the location on Stewart Parkway formerly occupied by Cub Foods.

6.0

Public Safety Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

6.1 Item 20-09-50 -Request for alcoholic beverages licenses for retail package sale of wine and malt beverages, and spirituous liquor at the following establishment: Current Licensee: Mink’s Beverage, Inc. Proposed Licensee: Arbor Place Beverage, Inc. DBA: Arbor Place Beverage Depot Location: 7455 Douglas Blvd. Current Agent Outlet Manager: Elisa Jin Lee Proposed Agent Outlet Manager: Hee Sun Kim The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

6.2 Item 20-09-51-Request for a Special Event Permit for pouring of alcoholic beverages for Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria located at 6698 East Broad Street. Licensee: Doug Fabiano, Inc. DBA: Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria Location of Event: O’Neal Plaza Date/Time: Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 12 noon until 11 :00 pm Type of Event: Concert Fundraiser Event for Flood Victims Agent Outlet Manager: Jeff Merback The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

6.3 Item 20-09-52 -Adopt an ordinance to amend subsection 10-1.2(2) of the Alcoholic Beverages ordinance to revise the number limit and time spacing requirements for special event pouring permits for O’Neal Plaza and Plaza West.

6.4 Item 20-09-53 -Authorize the Mayor to sign a Development Agreement and a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Plantation Pipe Line Company, for the City to pay for preliminary costs associated with encasement of the utility pipeline on the City’s site for its proposed new public safety facility, and to sign a contract amendment with New South Construction Company Inc. to delete such work and associated costs from the City’s design/build contract with that company.

6.5 Item 20-09-54 -Adopt a resolution recognizing October 2009 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supporting an end to domestic violence.

7.0

Community & Economic Development Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

8.0

Planning & Zoning Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

9.0

Parks & Recreation Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

10.0

Finance Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

10.1 Item 24-09-34 -Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville’s Fiscal Year 2009 -2010 General Fund budget, and authorize the Police Department to purchase seven patrol vehicles and one detective vehicle at a cost not to exceed $191,464.00.

] 1.0 Information Technology Committee / Chairman LaShun B. Danley

12.0

Maintenance & Sanitation Committee / Chairman Callye B. Holmes

13.0

Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

13.1 Item 27-09-19 -Authorize the Mayor to sign contracts for road repairs for the following projects due to flood damage sustained September 19-22,2009, declared to be an emergency pursuant to OCGA Section 36-91-22 for purposes of waiving of the bidding requirement otherwise required for public works construction projects: Prestley Mill Road near Slater Mill Road, Slater Mill Road near Prestley Mill Road, Creekwood Drive near Lakeview Court, Cindy Drive near Paul Street, Rose Avenue near Selman Drive, and Arbor Parkway near Georgia Highway 5.

14.0

Personnel & Organization Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

15.0

Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee / Chairman Terry Miller

16.0

Education & Training Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

17.0

AnnouncementslPresentations

18.0

Other Business

19.0

City Attorney / Joel Dodson

20.0

Chief Assistant City Attorney / Suzan Littlefield

21.0

City Manager / Bill Osborne

22.0

Comments from Citizens and Delegates

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0 Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0 Invocation

2.1 Pastor Timothy Fryar with Christ Centered Church

3.0 Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0 Minutes

4.1 Minutes of the special meeting of September 17, 2009, the regular meeting of September 21,2009, and the legislative work session of September 17,2009.

5.0 Consent Agenda

5.1 Item 21-09-18 -Adopt a resolution concerning events to be held in Downtown Douglasville on Friday-Saturday, October 23-24.

5.2 Item 22-09-53 -Adopt a resolution concerning the updating of the City of Douglasville’s Short Term Work Program.

5.3 Item 24-09-32 -Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 budgets for the General Fund, and the Capital Projects (Multiple Grants) Fund.

5.4 Item 24-09-33 -Adopt an ordinance to enact City of Douglasville budgets for Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 for the Youth Against Violence Fund and the Rental Car Fund.

5.5 Item 25-09-11 -Adopt a resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent to purchase wireless communication services under the State of Georgia Technology Authority Contract No. GTAOOOI87-005 (Nextel IDEN Service) and/or Contract No. GTAOOOI87-008 (Sprint CDMA Services).

5.6 Item 26-09-08 -Change the dates of the Fall 2009 Douglasville Recycles Week from the previously announced time of October 12 to 15 to new dates: Monday, November 2, through Thursday, November 5.

5.7 Item 27-09-18 -Authorize the Mayor to sign an amendment to the City of Douglasville’s agreement with Croy Engineering, Inc., for consultant services to complete the City’s portion of the Georgia Highway 92 Relocation project.

5.8 Item 30-09-05 -Authorize the Mayor to sign the City of Douglasville’s respective agreements with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and with the City of Douglasville Development Authority for the establishment of a campus of Georgia Highlands College and the University of West Georgia at the location on Stewart Parkway formerly occupied by Cub Foods.

6.0 Public Safety Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

6.1 Item 20-09-50 -Request for alcoholic beverages licenses for retail package sale of wine and malt beverages, and spirituous liquor at the following establishment: Current Licensee: Mink’s Beverage, Inc. Proposed Licensee: Arbor Place Beverage, Inc. DBA: Arbor Place Beverage Depot Location: 7455 Douglas Blvd. Current Agent Outlet Manager: Elisa Jin Lee Proposed Agent Outlet Manager: Hee Sun Kim The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

6.2 Item 20-09-51-Request for a Special Event Permit for pouring of alcoholic beverages for Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria located at 6698 East Broad Street. Licensee: Doug Fabiano, Inc. DBA: Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria Location of Event: O’Neal Plaza Date/Time: Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 12 noon until 11 :00 pm Type of Event: Concert Fundraiser Event for Flood Victims Agent Outlet Manager: Jeff Merback The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

6.3 Item 20-09-52 -Adopt an ordinance to amend subsection 10-1.2(2) of the Alcoholic Beverages ordinance to revise the number limit and time spacing requirements for special event pouring permits for O’Neal Plaza and Plaza West.

6.4 Item 20-09-53 -Authorize the Mayor to sign a Development Agreement and a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Plantation Pipe Line Company, for the City to pay for preliminary costs associated with encasement of the utility pipeline on the City’s site for its proposed new public safety facility, and to sign a contract amendment with New South Construction Company Inc. to delete such work and associated costs from the City’s design/build contract with that company.

6.5 Item 20-09-54 -Adopt a resolution recognizing October 2009 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supporting an end to domestic violence.

7.0 Community & Economic Development Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

8.0 Planning & Zoning Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

9.0 Parks & Recreation Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

10.0 Finance Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

10.1 Item 24-09-34 -Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville’s Fiscal Year 2009 -2010 General Fund budget, and authorize the Police Department to purchase seven patrol vehicles and one detective vehicle at a cost not to exceed $191,464.00.

] 1.0 Information Technology Committee / Chairman LaShun B. Danley

12.0 Maintenance & Sanitation Committee / Chairman Callye B. Holmes

13.0 Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

13.1 Item 27-09-19 -Authorize the Mayor to sign contracts for road repairs for the following projects due to flood damage sustained September 19-22,2009, declared to be an emergency pursuant to OCGA Section 36-91-22 for purposes of waiving of the bidding requirement otherwise required for public works construction projects: Prestley Mill Road near Slater Mill Road, Slater Mill Road near Prestley Mill Road, Creekwood Drive near Lakeview Court, Cindy Drive near Paul Street, Rose Avenue near Selman Drive, and Arbor Parkway near Georgia Highway 5.

14.0 Personnel & Organization Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

15.0 Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee / Chairman Terry Miller

16.0 Education & Training Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

17.0 Announcements/Presentations

18.0 Other Business

19.0 City Attorney / Joel Dodson

20.0 Chief Assistant City Attorney / Suzan Littlefield

21.0 City Manager / Bill Osborne

22.0 Comments from Citizens and Delegates

Special Called City Council Meeting Tonight

The agenda:

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1,2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0

Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0

Invocation

2.1 Elder Frank VirgIe with Light and Salvation Outreach

3.0

Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0

Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

4.1 Item 27-09-17 -Authorize the Mayor to sign one or more contracts for road repairs to Chapel Hill Road adjacent to Fowler Field Park, and to Parkway South at Anneewakee Creek, due to flood damage sustained September 19-22,2009, and declare such flooding, there and elsewhere in the City of Douglasville, to be an emergency pursuant to OCGA section 36-91-22 for purposes of waiving of the bidding requirement otherwise required for public works construction projects necessitated by the flooding.

5.0

Other Business

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1,2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0 Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0 Invocation

2.1 Elder Frank VirgIe with Light and Salvation Outreach

3.0 Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0 Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

4.1  Item 27-09-17 -Authorize the Mayor to sign one or more contracts for road repairs to Chapel Hill Road adjacent to Fowler Field Park, and to Parkway South at Anneewakee Creek, due to flood damage sustained September 19-22,2009, and declare such flooding, there and elsewhere in the City of Douglasville, to be an emergency pursuant to OCGA section 36-91-22 for purposes of waiving of the bidding requirement otherwise required for public works construction projects necessitated by the flooding.

5.0 Other Business

Tonight’s City Council Legislative Work Session

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE WORK SESSION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1,2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0

Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0

Invocation

2.1 Elder Frank VirgIe with Light and Salvation Outreach

3.0

Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0

Public Safety Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

4.1 Request for alcohol beverages licenses for retail package sale of wine and malt beverages, and spirituous liquor at the following establishment: Current Licensee: Mink’s Beverage, Inc. Proposed Licensee: Arbor Place Beverage, Inc. DBA: Arbor Place Beverage Depot Location: 7455 Douglas Blvd. Current Agent Outlet Manager: Elisa Jin Lee Proposed Agent Outlet Manager: Hee Sun Kim The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

4.2 Adopt an ordinance to amend subsection 10-1.2(2) of the Alcoholic Beverages ordinance to remove the number limit and time spacing requirements for special event pouring permits for O’Neal Plaza and Plaza West.

4.3 Request for a Special Event Permit for pouring of alcoholic beverages for Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria located at 6698 East Broad Street.

Licensee: Doug Fabiano, Inc. DBA: Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria Location of Event: O’Neal Plaza Date/Time: Saturday, October 17,2009 from 4:00 pm until 11 :00 pm Type of Event: Concert Fundraiser Event for Flood Victims Agent Outlet Manager: Jeff Merback

4.4 Authorize the Mayor to sign a Development Agreement and a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Plantation Pipe Line Company, for the City to pay for preliminary costs associated with encasement of the utility pipeline on the City’s site for its proposed new public safety facility, and to sign a contract amendment with New South Construction Company Inc. to delete such work and associated costs from the City’s designlbuild contract with that company.

5.0

Community & Economic Development Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

5.1 Adopt a resolution concerning events to be held in Downtown Douglasville on Friday-Saturday, October 23-24.

5.2 Adopt a resolution recognizing October 2009 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supporting an end to domestic violence.

6.0

Planning & Zoning Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

6.1 Adopt a resolution concerning the updating of the City of Douglasville’s Short Term Work Program.

7.0

Parks & Recreation Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

8.0

Finance Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

8.1 Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 budgets for the General Fund, and the Capital Projects (Multiple Grants) Fund.

8.2 Adopt an ordinance to enact City of Douglasville budgets for Fiscal Year 2008 2009 for the Youth Against Violence Fund and the Rental Car Fund.

9.0

Information Technology Committee / Chairman LaShun B. Danley

9.1 Adopt a resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent to purchase wireless communication services under the State of Georgia Technology Authority Contract No. GTA000187-005 (Nextel IDEN Service) and/or Contract No. GTA000187-008 (Sprint CDMA Services).

10.0

Maintenance & Sanitation Committee / Chairman Callye B. Holmes

10.1 Change the dates of the fall 2009 Douglasville Recycles Week from the

previously announced time of October 12 to 15 to new dates: Monday, November

2, through Thursday, November 5.

11.0

Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

11.1 Authorize the Mayor to sign an amendment to the City of Douglasville’s

agreement with Croy Engineering, Inc., for consultant services to complete the

City’S portion of the Georgia Highway 92 Relocation project.

12.0

Personnel & Organization Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

13.0

Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee / Chairman Terry Miller

14.0

Education & Training Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

14.1 Authorize the Mayor to sign the City of Douglasville’s respective agreements with

the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and with the City of

Douglasville Development Authority for the establishment of a campus of

Georgia Highlands College and the University of West Georgia at the location on

Stewart Parkway formerly occupied by Cub Foods.

15.0

AnnouncementslPresentations

16.0

Other Business

17.0

City Attorney / Joel Dodson

18.0

Chief Assistant City Attorney / Suzan Littlefield

19.0

City Manager / Bill Osborne

20.0

Comments from Citizens and Delegates

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE

CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE WORK SESSION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1,2009

7:30 P.M.

1.0 Call to Order

1.1 Mayor Mickey Thompson

2.0 Invocation

2.1 Elder Frank VirgIe with Light and Salvation Outreach

3.0 Pledge of Allegiance

3.1 Mayor Pro Tern Roy Mims

4.0 Public Safety Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

4.1 Request for alcohol beverages licenses for retail package sale of wine and malt beverages, and spirituous liquor at the following establishment: Current Licensee: Mink’s Beverage, Inc. Proposed Licensee: Arbor Place Beverage, Inc. DBA: Arbor Place Beverage Depot Location: 7455 Douglas Blvd. Current Agent Outlet Manager: Elisa Jin Lee Proposed Agent Outlet Manager: Hee Sun Kim The required investigation has been conducted and the required fee has been paid into the City Finance Department.

4.2 Adopt an ordinance to amend subsection 10-1.2(2) of the Alcoholic Beverages ordinance to remove the number limit and time spacing requirements for special event pouring permits for O’Neal Plaza and Plaza West.

4.3 Request for a Special Event Permit for pouring of alcoholic beverages for Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria located at 6698 East Broad Street.

Licensee: Doug Fabiano, Inc. DBA: Fabiano’s Deli & Pizzeria Location of Event: O’Neal Plaza Date/Time: Saturday, October 17,2009 from 4:00 pm until 11 :00 pm Type of Event: Concert Fundraiser Event for Flood Victims Agent Outlet Manager: Jeff Merback

4.4 Authorize the Mayor to sign a Development Agreement and a Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Plantation Pipe Line Company, for the City to pay for preliminary costs associated with encasement of the utility pipeline on the City’s site for its proposed new public safety facility, and to sign a contract amendment with New South Construction Company Inc. to delete such work and associated costs from the City’s designlbuild contract with that company.

5.0 Community & Economic Development Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

5.1 Adopt a resolution concerning events to be held in Downtown Douglasville on Friday-Saturday, October 23-24.

5.2 Adopt a resolution recognizing October 2009 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supporting an end to domestic violence.

6.0 Planning & Zoning Committee / Chairman Dennis McLain

6.1 Adopt a resolution concerning the updating of the City of Douglasville’s Short Term Work Program.

7.0 Parks & Recreation Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

8.0 Finance Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

8.1 Adopt an ordinance to amend the City of Douglasville Fiscal Year 2008 -2009 budgets for the General Fund, and the Capital Projects (Multiple Grants) Fund.

8.2 Adopt an ordinance to enact City of Douglasville budgets for Fiscal Year 2008 2009 for the Youth Against Violence Fund and the Rental Car Fund.

9.0 Information Technology Committee / Chairman LaShun B. Danley

9.1 Adopt a resolution to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent to purchase wireless communication services under the State of Georgia Technology Authority Contract No. GTA000187-005 (Nextel IDEN Service) and/or Contract No. GTA000187-008 (Sprint CDMA Services).

10.0 Maintenance & Sanitation Committee / Chairman Callye B. Holmes

10.1 Change the dates of the fall 2009 Douglasville Recycles Week from the previously announced time of October 12 to 15 to new dates: Monday, November 2, through Thursday, November 5.

11.0 Transportation Committee / Chairman Charles Banks

11.1 Authorize the Mayor to sign an amendment to the City of Douglasville’s agreement with Croy Engineering, Inc., for consultant services to complete the City’s portion of the Georgia Highway 92 Relocation project.

12.0 Personnel & Organization Committee / Chairman Roy Mims

13.0 Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee / Chairman Terry Miller

14.0 Education & Training Committee / Chairman John Schildroth

14.1 Authorize the Mayor to sign the City of Douglasville’s respective agreements with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and with the City of Douglasville Development Authority for the establishment of a campus of Georgia Highlands College and the University of West Georgia at the location on Stewart Parkway formerly occupied by Cub Foods.

15.0 AnnouncementslPresentations

16.0 Other Business

17.0 City Attorney / Joel Dodson

18.0 Chief Assistant City Attorney / Suzan Littlefield

19.0 City Manager / Bill Osborne

20.0 Comments from Citizens and Delegates

ARC, GRTA: Development “Not In Best Interests”

From today’s Sentinel:

Planned mixed-use development questioned by state agencies

by Helen McCoy/Staff Writer

The Douglasville City Council voted in a special meeting Thursday to approve the city’s response to questions about a proposed development between Highway 5 and the Bright Star Road Connector.

But it was not without disagreement.

Douglas Place is a mixed-use development in excess of nine million square feet, according to City Manager Bill Osborne. The Connector crosses through it, he said.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) are conducting a Development of Regional Impact review to assess the city’s plan of action on several issues, including how it will deal with the additional traffic the proposed development will bring.

In its committee meetings prior to the called meeting, council members heard presentations from Michael O’Connor, an executive with Conroy Development Company, and Greg Teague, head of Croy Engineering’s Transportation Division.

Their goal, along with the city’s, is to move the organizations’ initial impressions from negative to positive.

“I don’t think they realize about the Rose Avenue and Highway 5 project and the Bright Star Road Connector,” O’Connor said, adding that the ARC and GRTA don’t think the project is in the best interest of the community.

The two organizations are looking at the city’s plans regarding transportation, storm water, land use and other factors to make their determination,

There was concern that the organizations might have received comment from someone locally outside of city government that could influence their review. City officials wanted to make it clear that, while they work cooperatively with the Douglas County government, the city of Douglasville is in the driver’s seat where this project is concerned.

Councilman Terry Miller expressed his concern in the committee and called meetings about what he said amounted to an endorsement of a project council members were just getting a look at for the first time.

“We’re endorsing something that might not be in the best interest of the community,” he said. “We’re being asked to endorse something at the last minute.”

He asked that they “put the brakes on,” saying that the city has been “burned before” in approving plans that look one way on paper but the project looked different when complete.

Mayor Pro Tem Roy Mims told Miller to “look at the big picture.”

“You’re not being asked to endorse the plan,” he said, reminding Miller that this was just the city’s response to questions about the project.

Councilman John Schildroth explained that the goal of the resolution was to “keep the dialogue between the parties involved — the city of Douglasville and the ARC — not the county.”

Miller and Councilwoman Callye B. Holmes said they didn’t think it right to discount concerns expressed by the ARC and GRTA.

The resolution was approved with Councilmen Charles Banks, Dennis McClain, Mims and Schildroth in favor of it. Miller and Holmes opposed it, and Councilwoman LaShun Burr Danley abstained.

City officials, along with O’Connor and Teague, will meet with the ARC Monday and with GRTA Tuesday to present their plan of action and to respond to questions.

“We are trying to have an official position from the council before these meetings,” Osborne said.