HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 02/19/2020 (2)1
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Wednesday, February 19, 2020' at 6:00 pm
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These minutes have been transcribed verbatim. Any reproduction of these minutes must
include this notice. Public comments are noted and heard by Council. This document
includes presentation by Council and invited speakers. This is an official record of the
Milton City Council Meeting proceedings. Official Meetings are audio and video
recorded.
The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton V as held on
February 19, 2020 at 6:00 PM, Mayor Pro Tem Jamison presiding.
Peyton Jamison: Okay. I would like to call the regular meeting of the Milton City
Council for Monday, February 19, 2020 to order. The city strongly
recommends that you review tonight's agenda carefully and if you
wish to speak on any item on the agenda, please bring your
comment cards to the clerk as soon as possible. While the Milton
rules allow a speaker to turn in their comment card up until the
clerk calls the agenda item, once the agenda item is called, no more
comment cards can be accepted. Will the city clerk please call roll
and make general announcements?
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jamison, Councilmember
Moore, Councilmember Bentley, Councilmember Cooker/y, and
Councilmember Mohrig.
Councilmember Absent: Mayor Joe Lockwood and Councilmember
Longoria.
Sudie Gordon: Good evening, Mayor Pro Tem and Council. I'll be happy to call
roll for the February 19, 2020 regular meeting. I would like to
remind those in attendance to please silence all cell phones at this
time.
Those attending the meeting who would like to make a public
comment, you are required to complete a public comment prior to
speaking on the item. Your comment card must be presented to the
city clerk prior to the agenda item being called. All speakers,
please identify yourself by name, address, and organization before
beginning your comment. If you are representing an organization,
an affidavit is required stating you have the authority to speak on
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
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behalf of that organization. Please review tonight's agenda and if
you would like to make a comment, please bring your comment
card to me now.
Demonstration of any sort within this chamber is prohibited, so
please refrain from any applause, cheering, booing, outbursts, or
dialogue with any person speaking. Anyone in violation will be
asked to leave.
As I call roll this evening, please confirm your attendance. Mayor
Pro Tem Peyton Jamison?
Peyton Jamison: Here.
Sudie Gordon: Councilmember Paul Moore?
Paul Moore: Here.
Sudie Gordon: Councilmember Laura Bentley?
Laura Bentley: Here.
Sudie Gordon: Councilmember Carol Cookerly?
Carol Cookerly: Here.
Sudie Gordon: Councilmember Rick Mohrig?
Rick Mohrig: Here.
Sudie Gordon: And for the record, Mayor Joe Lockwood and Councilmember Joe
Longoria are absent. Would everyone please rise for the Pledge of
Allegiance?
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Multiple Speakers: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Peyton Jamison: Will the city clerk please sound the next item?
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APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
(Agenda Item No. 20-033)
Sudie Gordon: Our next item this evening is approval of the meeting agenda,
Agenda Item No. 20-033.
Peyton Jamison: I'd like to add an executive session to the agenda.
Paul Moore: For?
Peyton Jamison: For land acquisition.
Paul Moore: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I'd like to move that we approve the agenda
as suggested with the addition of the executive session.
Rick Mohrig: Second.
Peyton Jamison: All right. I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion?
All in favor, please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Moore moved to approve the
Meeting Agenda with the following change:
Add and Executive Session to discuss land acquisition.
Councilmember Mohrig seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0).
Mayor Lockwood & Councilmember Longoria were absent from the
meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT (General)
✓ Scott Reece, 13685 Highway 9, Milton, GA 30004
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? Okay. Is there any — Sudie, do we have any general
public comment? One? Okay. The next item is general public
comment. Public comment is a time for citizens to share
information with the Mayor Pro Tem and the City Council and to
provide input and opinions on any matter that is not scheduled for
its own public hearing during today's meeting. Each citizen who
chooses to participate in public comment must complete a
comment card and submit it to the city clerk prior to the agenda
item being called. Please remember that this is not a time to engage
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
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the Mayor Pro Tem or members of the City Council in
conversation.
When your name is called, please come forward and speak into the
microphone, stating your name and address for the record. You
will have five minutes for remarks. The city encourages you right
now to review the agenda, and if you wish to speak, to bring your
comment cards to the city clerk now. Will you please call the
public comment?
Sudie Gordon: Our first speaker this evening is Scott Reece.
J Scott Reece, 13685 Highway 9, Milton, GA 30004
Scott Reece: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, members of the council, I am Scott Reece
with Brumbelow-Reese and Associates, doing business at 13685
Highway 9, Milton, - Georgia, 30004. I'M here tonight to speak
about a particular ordinance in the city. It's the ordinance that
prohibits accessory structures being placed in front of the primary
residence on Ag -1 zoned property. I
think the intent was for one -acre lot subdivided neighborhoods
and not for large estates or farms. Many of these cases that I'm
dealing with, the house is 1,000 feet from the road and sometimes
the accessory structures cannot even be seen from the road. But
that does not preclude the city from forcing me to go before DRB
and the Board of Zoning Appeals and charging a citizen or a
potential citizen the time and effort required to obtain a variance to
this particular ordinance.
So, I would hope that we could find a way to tweak this ordinance.
That putting a minimum lot six — five acres, 10 acres, three acres,
whatever more brilliant minds than mine come up with — or put a
minimum distance — instead of the 60 -foot standard building
setback, maybe it's 100, 150, whatever the case may be. So, I
would just hope that you could look at this and see that it's kind of
a loophole. It's causing, in my opinion, a burden on the larger -tract
owners — the horse farmers, the farmers period — that want to put a
hay structure or a structure to house a tractor or whatever the case
may be — tools. And the way it's written now, it's only a structure
housing livestock and I just don't get the minutia in that.
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So, I hope you will find time to review and see if we can't work on
that. I'm gonna go out on a limb and go ahead and thank you in
advance for your keen insight and judicial governance, that you
will find a way to amend this without hiring consultants or taking
three or four years to go through this. Thank you so much for your
time.
Peyton Jamison: Thank you. Moving on to the consent agenda, would the city clerk
please sound the items?
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the Financial Statements and Investment Report for the
Period Ending November 2019.
(Agenda Item No. 20-034)
(Bernadette Horvill, Finance Director)
2. Approval of the Financial Statements and Investment Report for the
Period Ending December 2019.
(Agenda Item No. 20-035)
(Bernadette Harvill, Finance Director)
3. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of
Milton and CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. a Subsidiary of Jacobs
Engineering Group, Inc. for an Acquisition Agent for the City of
Milton Greenspace Bond Initiative.
(Agenda Item No. 20-036)
(Teresa Stickels, Conservation Program Manager)
4. Approval of a Banking Services Agreement between the City of
Milton and Truist Bank, successor by merger to SunTrust Bank.
(Agenda Item No. 20-037)
(Bernadette Horvill, Finance Director)
5. Approval of a Contract between the City of Milton and Crabapple
Green, LLC for "Meet Me in Milton" 2020 Dates.
(Agenda Item No. 20-038)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
6. Approval of a Construction Services Agreement between the City
of Milton and TriScapes, Inc. for the Installation of a Concrete
Driveway Apron for the Public Works Building.
(Agenda Item No. 20-039)
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(Robert Drewry, Public Works Director)
7. Approval of a Contract between the City of Milton and AT&T for
Dedicated Internet Services.
(Agenda Item No. 20-040)
(Steve Krokoff, City Manager)
8. Approval of a Contract between the City of Milton and AT&T for
Switched Ethernet Services.
(Agenda Item No. 20-041)
(Steve Krokoff, City Manager)
9. Approval of Subdivision Plats and Revisions.
T
Name of Development / Location
Action
Comments /
# lots
Total
Acres
Density
1. Susan Lesley Chandlee
LL 913, 914
Minor
Create 2
.13 Lots /
Plat
Lots
14.48
acre
13540 Bethany Road
(Agenda Item No. 20-042)
(Parag Agrawal, Community Development Director)
Sudie Gordon: First item is approval of the financial statements and investment
report for the period ending November 2019, Agenda Item No. 20-
034; approval of the financial statements and investment report for
the period ending December 2019, Agenda Item No. 20-035.
Next, approval of a professional services agreement between the
city of Milton and CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc., a subsidiary of
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., for an acquisition agent for the
city of the Milton Greenspace Bond Initiative, Agenda Item No.
20-036.
Next, approval of a banking services agreement between the city of
Milton and Truist Bank, successor by merger to SunTrust Bank,
Agenda Item No. 20-037.
Our fifth consent agenda item is approval of a contract between the
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city of Milton and Crabapple Green, LLC for "Meet Me in Milton"
2020 dates, Agenda Item No. 20-038.
Approval of a construction services agreement between the city of
Milton and TriScapes, Inc. for the installation of a concrete
driveway apron for the public works building, Agenda Item No.
20-039.
Next, approval of a contract between the city of Milton and AT&T
for dedicated internet services, Agenda Item No. 20-040.
Next, approval of a contract between the city of Milton and AT&T
for switched internet services, Agenda Item No. 20-041.
Our ninth and final consent agenda item is approval of subdivision
plats and revisions for Susan Lesley Chandlee, land lots 913 and
914, located at 13540 Bethany Road. These are minor plat, create
two lots, 14.48 total acres, .13 lots per acre. This is Agenda Item
No. 20-042.
Peyton Jamison: Thank you. Is there a motion and a second?
Laura Bentley: Mayor Pro Tem, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent
agenda as read by the city clerk.
Carol Cookerly: Second.
Peyton Jamison: All right. I have a motion by Councilmember Bentley and a second
by Councilmember Cookerly. All in favor, please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? It's unanimous. Moving on to reports and presentations.
Will the city clerk please sound the first item?
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Bentley moved to approve the
Consent Agenda Items. Councilmember Cookerly seconded the motion.
The motion passed (5-0). Mayor Lockwood & Councilmember Longoria
were absent from the meeting.
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REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of the Equestrian Friendly Zoning Project.
(Parag Agrawal, Community Development Director)
2. Proclamation Recognizing Arbor Day 2020.
(Mayor Joe Lockwood)
3. Presentation of Lighting and Landscape for Hopewell Road
Roundabouts.
(Robert Drewry, Public Works Director)
Sudie Gordon: First, we have a presentation of the Equestrian Friendly Zoning
Project. Mr. Parag Agrawal.
Parag Agrawal: I also have with me Michele McIntosh -Ross, our principle planner,
and Shubhangi Jangam, she's a senior planner and is the project
manager for this project. So, as the city councilmembers are aware,
starting fall of last year, we started working on a very interesting
project that would preserve and enhance the character — the
equestrian and agricultural character of the city of Milton by the
streamlining the development regulations, like zoning ordinances
and subdivision regulations.
So, we came in front of the city council last month and we gave a
presentation. And based on the feedback which we received from
the city council, we have gone back and we have refined the goals
and objectives for this project. So, the purpose of today's
presentation is just to discuss the goals and objectives of this
project. We will not be making any recommendations moving
forward because based on the conversation which we had last
month, we thought that the project scope is getting too wide, so we
thought maybe it's better to come back in front of the city council
to discuss the goals and objectives.
So, talking about the problem statement. So, why are we every
working on this project? So, as we know, when the city was
incorporated in 2006, the original vision of the city of Milton was
focused on the preservation of the agricultural character,
community heritage, and the small-town quality of life. If you look
at the city's comprehensive plan from 2016, one of the major
objectives is the maintenance of the unique agricultural elements,
lower density development patterns, equestrian estates — lifestyle
and character of the existing community is central to the vision of
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many local residents.
In the last 10 years, as we know, most of the city, around 85
percent of the city, is zones as AG -1, in which you can have one -
acre lot subdivisions. What we are seeing in the last 10 years,
around more than 2,000 single-family permits have been issued, so
there's a lot of fragmentation of the land that's taking place, and we
think that's going against the objectives of the city's comprehensive
plan and the original vision of the city.
After this problem statement, if you look at the goals of this
project, the goals — again, this is the planning department, so we
basically focused on development regulations, like the zoning
ordinance. So, the goal is to identify the zoning and other
development tools to preserve and enhance the city's equestrian
and agricultural heritage, like we have a phone -based code in the
Crabapple development area that's helping to facilitate the
development of the new downtown. So, maybe we can come up
with some new zoning tools that will help to preserve the character
of Milton.
And the second major goal is — as I just mentioned, a lot of
fragmentation of the land is taking place. So, the second goal is to
minimize fragmentation of the agricultural landscape by
streamlining development regulations.
So, how do you achieve this? So, this — to preserve and enhance is
the goal of this project, but we think it can be done in two ways.
As Mr. Scott Reece just mentioned, we want to preserve the
existing farms and equestrian estates. We want to streamline our
development regulations so that the existing residents can hold on
to their farms and equestrian estates. So, No. 1 thing is
preservation of the existing farmland.
And, second, no matter how many incentives you offer, because of
the priorities, because of individual property rights, some
development will happen. So, if the development is happening and
if we are not able to preserve the existing farmland, we want to
encourage larger lots and more equestrian developments in the city
of Milton. So, again, we want to preserve the existing farmland,
and if something happens, we want to encourage more larger lots
and equestrian estates.
So, based on this, we have come up with these four objectives. No.
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1 is to streamline the development regulations to keep existing
farms functioning in the city of Milton. How can we streamline the
regulations so that the existing farms stay in business?
No. 2 is basically allow additional uses by right that are compatible
with agricultural character to encourage agricultural and equestrian
development in the city. So, the last month, we had a good
discussion with the city council in which we were basically
looking at the various additional uses which can be allowed in the
AG -1 zones. So, it's basically looking at'additional uses that are
allowed which are compatible with the agricultural character of
Milton.
No. 3 is to identify non -development tools, such as speed limits,
noise issues, education, tax incentives for future consideration.
And No. 4 is to develop additional incentives to large lot and
equestrian developments in the city of Milton. So, based on these
two goals, we have these four objectives.
Project phases. So, as I mentioned, we started this project in late
fall, early winter last year. We met with the city staff. We also
worked with some city councilmembers to tour the city. We did a
lot of branding. We also met with the equestrian committee. We
also met with the planning commission members. We had one-to-
one phone calls with the major stakeholders, major farmland
owners, major equestrian estate owners, basically looking at what
type of incentives do they want so that they can remain in business.
We had a city council work session and based on the feedback
which we received in the city council work session, that's the
reason why we are here today to refine the goals and objectives.
And moving forward, we want to come back after we have
discussed these goals and objectives with you and we get your
feedback, so we want to move forward with this project and we
can get some draft recommendations in front of you next month in
March.
And then, again, based on the feedback, we again want to present
the draft to the equestrian committee and to the planning
commission, and we can come back to the city council in April —
April, May.
Steve Krokoff: Can I jump in? So, this project phases makes it appear that we're
far further along than we actually are. What we're trying to achieve
from tonight's meeting is some type of consensus from the council
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on the overall goals and objectives for this new — we're calling it
equestrian zoning. We don't know what it's going to be yet. But we
want to make sure that we are achieving the goals and objectives
that this council wants to see happen before we move another inch
on this.
So, I don't want to reiterate what Parag has already identified, but
we are looking — the two goals, if you look at this, are the
overarching. What is it we're trying to achieve? And how he did it
in the second graphic, first we're going to try to find a way to
prevent any further fragmentation of these farms. We want to find
ways to keep these farms. And if you remember, we had the
consultant here several meetings back when we started talking
about some of the potential options — no pun intended, but I think
we were putting the cart before the horse.
We needed to — we were talking about different economic
incentives, allowing different opportunities to be able to create
revenues, maybe some ways to reduce expenses so they're not
necessarily incentivized to sell. So, the first goal we're going to be
looking at through this equestrian zoning — again, if that's what this
turns out to be — is going to preserve the existing farms. I think that
that is what the city most wants to see. They want to see the
remaining farms stay if in any way, shape, or form we can make
that happen.
If we can't make that happen, if someone is going to sell, then the
second. We want to encourage the large -lot development, which
could include the smaller types of farms, gentleman farms, things
along those lines, so we can continue to maintain that heritage.
And then the four objectives — so, this is more the how. These are
the objectives that we think that if we can achieve these objectives,
we can meet those overall goals. So, what we are looking for from
council tonight is your blessing on these goals and objectives or
additional goals and objectives that you would like to see achieved
as a result of this. Because I want to make sure right from the get -
go, even though we've had some very preliminary meetings, we
want to make sure we're on the right path here. So, that's what
we're looking for from council tonight.
Peyton Jamison: Questions or comments? Carol?
Carol Cookerly: So, in no way do I want this to discourage. I only want to
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encourage on this path. But let's talk realistically for a minute
about why farms stay as farms. Typically, farms stay as farms
because there is a central driving force — horse show grounds, the
Kentucky Horse Park. Now, what's happening in Ocala — Golden
Ocala. I was just on the phone today with somebody trying to sell
me land around it. I mean, it's exploding. It's a massive new horse
show ground. All those properties become very valuable. People
don't sell them. Developers can't afford them because the horse
people want them. So, it's a different situation.
We are a commuter horse community. We commute out to horse
shows. We commute to go ride trails. It's commuter oriented. And
the way that we're structured with our roads, with our traffic, with
our congestion, that's really not gonna change unless we had a
commercial enterprise that attracted people. And we really can't
replicate that in this day and age because there are horse show
facilities. You've got to get dates and you've got to get all this other
stuff. And Laura and I have batted it around a little bit. I don't
know if there's anything that is fundamentally an attractor that
makes sense with the different riding disciplines that are in this
market.
So, we have to look at it from the commuter standpoint. We have
Birmingham Park. We can play up some of our assets that other
places don't have. And we need to look at those in terms of helping
people. But we are missing a fundamental economic driver, in a
competitive place or a sport horse place, that makes a difference.
And so I feel your frustration, but we keep saying we've got to
develop additional incentives but the problem is I'm not sure we're
going to find anything that is truly gonna ring the bell. And I think
we have to — I mean, other than some sort of huge financial
assistance, like tax credits for a corporation, which is not feasible
and we don't have the latitude to do, there are certain limitations
here.
And so it may be more of a marketing approach and how we talk
about and what we highlight and what we do for people who are in
a landlocked commuter situation and how we access the property
that we do have. And I know that this is more for committee, but
we keep talking about this objective and I don't feel like we're
getting there very quickly. That is a realistic look at it.
Steve Krokoff: So, if I could just follow up on that statement. Is there an objective
you'd like to see us achieve? Because that still falls under the
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original goals that we identified. But if I'm understanding, what
you're stating is that part of the draw is going to be some of the
amenities that people with horse farms would be able to use. You'd
be able to trailer up your horses and go up to Birmingham Park.
So, are you recommending that we need to improve Birmingham
Park as an amenity?
Carol Cookerly: That would be one of them that needs to happen quickly. I mean,
that has taken forever. I mean, that is a no-brainer and that just
seems to take forever. Has the equestrian committee sat down on
this issue with you all and have you been through this with them?
Parag Agrawal: We have discussed — as Steve mentioned, it was a preliminary
meeting. So, we did discuss this project with them, and some of the
things that you are saying, they did come as part of the discussion.
Steve Krokoff. And we're — I want to be very clear. I don't want this project
moving another inch unless the council has agreed on goals and
objectives. Otherwise, we're going to waste time and money.
Carol Cookerly: I think the goals are fine. I feel like we could move a lot faster if
the equestrian committee, a couple of us — Scott and other people
who know the technicalities, you all — I mean, we could probably
hash this out in a day. It just seems to go on and on and on. It's not
that complicated.
Steve Krokoff: I appreciate that. But before we start bringing in all the different
stakeholders, I need some framework. And that might be a
strategy. Maybe marketing is one of the strategies that tuck up
under one of these objectives.
Carol Cookerly: Why don't we have a work session on it? Can we have an in -city —
you know —?
Steve Krokoff: Yes.
Carol Cookerly: Equestrian, you all, us, and let's kind of get to this and just knock it
out. Because I just don't think it's gonna be that complicated.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Laura?
Laura Bentley: So, I support having some sort of anchor draw, which I've always
felt Birmingham Park could be that because we've got — and Wells
Park is being developed and being refurbished and whatnot. So,
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that's a great point. I think that, from the equestrian angle, I really
feel like the speed limits, doing that study, getting that going,
because most of these farms are`in our open -road neighborhoods.
And it's either road noise or being able to safely get in and out of
the driveway with the trailer.
Carol Cookerly: It's -miserable. It's absolutely miserable.
Laura Bentley: But I do want — and I appreciate the graphic. So, when we can't
resell farms and they're going to subdivision — okay? Let's just
accept that as a reality of what's happening in our community. I do
think we need to embrace the — and I don't know. For me, it's three
acres or above. So, let's just say we're gonna go and we want to
grab every potential subdivision and motivate them to do three
acres and above.
And those are the things that Mr. Reece mentioned — accessory
structures, setbacks — let's lift — I'm just saying if someone's gonna
have a horse farm, maybe they don't have to have a use permit for
a riding ring because there's gonna be acreage there. Maybe with
the tree ordinance, if you say three acres or above and it's pasture,
you only have to have 10 percent canopy. I don't know what all the
numbers are.
I'm not that expert, but I think that, realistically, a goal should be if
we can't keep it a farm — any kind of farm, llamas, whatever — let's
go for three -acre estates, hobby farms,. And sometimes accessory
structures — guest houses — become the way to keep it three acres.
Let's let them have — let's keep a guest house there. I mean, even if
it's in front of the house. If we have the right design standards, I'm
okay with that. Those are just some of my suggestions and I'd
support a work session to where we can get that list of things
going.
Steve Krokoff: And without a doubt, we'll have the work session. But before we
come up with all of those — the accessory structures and all that — I
want to make sure that we're clear on what it is we're trying to
achieve. Those are all great ideas. They're undoubtedly going to be
part of the final project.
Carol Cookerly: All four points are reasonable.
Parag Agrawal: So, maybe, again, add the fifth point based on the comment which
Councilmember Cookerly mentioned. Maybe we can say, "Identify
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the various amenities supporting the equestrian uses." Something.
When you say amenities, amenities become trades, the park, the
draw, whatever we can think of.
Steve Krokoff: And once we create these, that's when the work actually begins.
This is — that last graphic was misleading. We really have done
very little to accomplish because we don't know, necessarily, what
it is we're trying to accomplish without the council blessing the
goals and objectives. And I think that may have been where we've
stumbled in the past. I want to ensure that we're achieving what it
is this council wants us to achieve with the work we're doing. And
if that requires — if that brings in — if we need to do this in a work
session, by all means, let's do it in a work session. But the
objective of that work session is not going to be —
Carol Cookerly: No, we got it.
Steve Krokoff: — coming up with —
Carol Cookerly: These objectives, I think, are fine. How about you all?
Peyton Jamison: Yeah. Rick?
Rick Mohrig: I'd say I support the objectives. I think the challenge and what
Lauren and Carol were talking about is how do we actually
encourage this, and that's gonna be the part of the work session and
actually where you guys go with it. But as far as the objectives, I
think those are good from a high level and what we want to
accomplish. I think we've been talking about this for the last
couple of years and what we'd like to see.
Steve Krokoff: So, without a doubt, once we agree on this, now we bring this back
out and we start further engaging the equestrian committee. We
start further engaging the planning commission. We could start
doing surveys. One of the debates we had — from an economic
standpoint, what's driving people to sell right now? And sometimes
they recognize the cost -benefit of maintaining the land, but others
really want to hold onto the property, but they can't just make the
numbers work.
So, do we — that might just be an answer of creating a different
economic equation. Allow them to derive more revenue from the
land that they have. Maybe you couple that with decreasing some
of the regulatory effect and, most likely, translates into expenses,
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and the two together, those that don't want to sell, we can possibly
create that environment. Which brings in the guest home
opportunities. Maybe there's where — some of the things that were
brought up, there were a whole host of opportunities for people to
be able to drive revenue off their land. And possibly stop even
having to look at even the large -lot subdivision.
Because I think in a hierarchal look at this, you would want to say,
"Hey, my first choice is no subdivision, no settlement. Let's keep
the farm." !If we're gonna lose the farm, then we want to see the
large -lot subdivisions. That's kind of how we're — we wanted to
make sure that, first of all, that's what council is truly looking for.
And, second, can we coalesce around these objectives. That's the
whole purpose of tonight.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Paul?
Paul Moore: Yeah, Steve, I think you hit on a couple key points. And I applaud
the work that the team has done to get to this point. I think the
goals and objectives are good and I think that they are structurally
sound to be able to begin some of the project work. I want to build
on a couple things that everybody has said as well, and that is I
value the equestrian community, first and foremost, and we want to
preserve that as best we can.
I think there's another driver behind some of that change and that is
the economic force behind the Fulton County tax assessment.
We've now got some families that are land poor and that's a big
decision in whether or not those farms can stay or those large lots
can stay in the family. So, I still think we need to look for those
incentives that we talked about, and many more, to encourage the
preservation of the equestrian community. I don't know what those
solutions are yet.
But I think there's another player that needs to come to the table in
this discussion, and I don't think we've talked about it yet, and
that's the development community. We know that there's powerful
trends happening in the marketplace right now and the economy is
healthy, so there's a lot of energy from the development
community that is gonna come to Milton. We have all the
accolades that are gonna attract both the development community
as well as the resident community that wants to buy those houses
here with quality schools and quality of life and the things that we
continue to win awards for.
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So, I think we need to make sure we get the development
community to the table to say what is it that's in Milton that we can
encourage you to do as the development community to look at/
Rather than talking about large -lot subdivisions, drop off the last
word. Just large -lot development without necessarily being —
finish that sentence with it being a subdivision. Just large -lot
development, period, so that you get a different kind of look and
feel that's not cookie cutter, where you've got one or two or three
or four or five builders and you've got the end result – I live in one
of those, so I'm not complaining about that.
But I also believe that there's a value to the one -offs with some of
the more premier homes that we're seeing developing right now on
larger lots because they demand – the larger homes demand the
larger lot. Which brings me to a pet peeve of mine that I've been
carrying for a long time. One of the reasons I look forward to
having a voice on council and that is to eventually change a
decision that was made by council a number of years ago and that
was the percentage of lot development on each acre.
I think we allow too much development on a single acre – that the
lot coverage is too big. I don't recall what the percentage is at the
moment off the top of my head, but by the time you put a four or
five of six -thousand -square -foot home and you put a pool and an
accessory structure and a three -car garage and a tennis court and
whatever, you've used up all the greenspace on that.
And I think we should take a real hard look at – and this is a
solution, not necessarily a goal or objective, but it's something I
want to see us drill into – is taking a hard look at reducing the
allowable lot coverage. So, if somebody wants to have all those
things, it can't necessarily be accomplished on a single acre. But if
they want to have all those things, it's a two -acre minimum or a
two -and -a -half -acre minimum to get some of that coverage that
we're allowing today as a buy right. So, those are my thoughts.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Good. I agree with a lot of that. And I guess I agree with
the objectives. I think we're on the right path and this is a priority
and we'll look forward to a future work session. Is that good?
Steve Krokoff:
Absolutely.
Peyton Jamison: Sounds good.
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Carol Cookerly: Thank you.
Steve Krokoff: Thanks.
Peyton Jamison: All right. City clerk will please sound the next item.
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Sudie Gordon: Our next item is a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day 2020. This
is being presented by Mayor Pro Tem Peyton Jamison.
Peyton Jamison: Thanks, Sudie. I am honored to read and present the proclamation
for Arbor Day. I will read this proclamation.
Whereas, in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska
Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting
of trees; and whereas this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first
observed with the planting of over a million trees in Nebraska; and
whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the
world; and whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious
topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate
the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, and
provide habitat for wildlife; and whereas trees in our city increase
property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas,
beautify our community, and are a source of joy and spiritual
renewal; and whereas the city of Milton has been recognized as a
"Tree City USA" community each year since 2009; and whereas
the city of Milton and our citizens are committed to the
stewardship of our natural resources.
Now, therefore, we, the Mayor and City Council of the City of
Milton, hereby recognize and proclaim for the year 2020, February
21 st as Arbor Day and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and
to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands to make
Milton an even greater place to live, work; and raise a family, and
further we urge all citizens to plant trees to promote the well-being
of future generations. Given under my hand and seal of the city of
Milton, Georgia on this 19th day of February 2020.
So, I have this proclamation. City staff— Sandra, Teresa, if anyone
wants to come up, we'll take a picture. Oh, Barb?
Barb: I just wanted to say something real quick. Thank you for being
here, Sandra, our arborist. And this award of being a Tree City
always makes me think of Mark Law and all that he did to set us
up for this award year over year. And so I know that Mark's
looking down on us very pleased.
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Peyton Jamison: And speaking of that, is it 10:00 on Friday? 10:30 on Friday at Bell
Memorial Park? Okay.
Unidentified Speaker: And we're going to be handing out [inaudible] [00:37:30]
seedlings so everyone can plant a tree.
Peyton Jamison: Good. Thank you.
Barb: Awesome.
[Picture taking]
Peyton Jamison: All right. Moving on, will the city clerk please sound the final
presentation item.
Sudie Gordon: This item is presentation of lighting and landscape for Hopewell
Road roundabouts. Mr. Robert Drewry.
Robert Drewry: Good evening. We prepared a presentation for the lighting and
landscaping of the Hopewell Road roundabouts, specifically we're
gonna look at the roundabout at Hamby and the roundabout at
Thompson Road. These are proposed projects coming up. We
should be bidding these out in April, but we wanted to give you an
opportunity to see those before we put them out on the streets for
bidding, specifically, again, the lighting and the landscape.
Sara has prepared a presentation and I'm going to turn it over to
her, but we are gonna talk a little bit about some of the other past
roundabout projects, show you those, we're gonna show you a little
bit of the design guidance that our design engineers use when they
design these roads, specifically, again, the lighting and landscaping
— and specifically look at those two roundabouts, the proposals on
the table, and we'll round it out with any discussion. So, we just
wanted to give you an opportunity to kind of look at these, weigh
in where you can and where you need to, and I'm gonna turn it
over to Sara Leaders.
Sara Leaders: Good evening. Lighting and landscaping are important elements in
the operation of roundabouts. We have seven roundabouts
complete to date. One is under construction. Like Robert said, two
that will go to bid in April, one that will bid in the summer, and
two more that are in design. So, lots more coming. And related to
all the roundabouts, the city maintains all the landscaping
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associated with those, even on the state routes.
So, first of all, the first roundabout constructed, Hopewell at
Francis and Cogburn, the top image is when it was constructed in
2014. We didn't have any supplemental lighting out there and the
landscaping was installed according to a standard detail that DOT
provides. The bottom image is what's out there currently. We
added a wooden pole on the southeast corner with two floodlights,
and then we added floodlights on a power pole on the northwest
corner with, again, two lights, and did some supplemental
plantings, more native -type plants, in the center island. So, those
additional four lights that were added, that is costing us about
$65.00 a month in just a rate for that wattage of light.
The Birmingham State Route 372 at Providence roundabout — that
location, because it's on a state route and had federal money, as
part of DOT's process, one of the first things that is done in
concept phase is a roundabout support letter. So, that commits that
the city will provide landscaping and lighting for the roundabout in
accordance with DOT standards. This location, we have, actually,
31 light poles and that monthly electricity bill is about $300.00 a
month. And, again, we maintain those lights as well, so if one gets
hit in an accident or a light bulb goes out, we have to be
responsible for repairing those.
Birmingham at Hopewell. The graphic on the right shows the
current lighting alignment approaching the intersection. Those are
a cobra head -type light that is on an existing power pole and the
spacing of those is approximately 250 feet. When the roundabout
was built, we did a unique landscaping for that. During the
warranty period, some of the landscaping didn't survive, so there
may have been a time where it looked like it was struggling, but
those were under warranty and replaced. And then we came back
and added a single light on the eastern side of the roundabout on a
relocated power pole after it was constructed. And then that light
runs us about $26.00 a month.
Heritage Walk. This is another state route project with federal
funds. So, the lighting and the landscaping on this had to follow
the DOT standards. So, in this area, we utilized a shepherd's crook
type light fixture and you can see the numbers that are associated
with each of those two roundabouts and the electricity cost for
those.
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Morris Road Web. As you all know, it's an interim project that will
be expanded when the Morris Road widening project comes into
construction. So, when the roundabout was built, we didn't invest a
lot in the lighting or landscaping knowing that a bigger project was
coming. The center island is planned to stay where it is in the
ultimate location, but we wanted to look at the area more as we get
into design. The light on the left here is the parkway -type lighting
that currently exists on Morris Road and Deerfield Parkway. And
the bottom right graphic shows, again, the existing lights on that
Morris Road approach to the intersection.
Most recently completed roundabout, Freemanville at Providence,
also had a unique design for the landscaping. Let's see. Once the
power poles were relocated, we came back and installed two flood -
type lights, one on the southwest corner and one on the southeast
corner. It is a flood -type attachment. You can kind of see it in this
picture on the right. It blends in fairly well with the pole there. And
then the other one is on this pole that's by the Oak Farms corner of
the intersection. And those two lights are about $32.00 a month as
a fee for that wattage.
It's getting into what DOT's design guidance is on lighting. The
design policy manual does say it's important to the operational
performance. And so they reference an organization, the
Elimination Engineering Society Values for Design. That chart on
the right is a sample of what that looks like. And it's just a
measurement of the amount of foot candle that the lighting
produces to illuminate the road.
Then the critical areas that they want to eliminate are those
entering points where you have the conflict points, any crosswalks,
and where the splitter islands — where the medians begin on the
roadways. They also talk about approach lighting, so to make sure
that, as you're approaching the roundabout, there's sufficient
lighting, about 600 or 700 feet on the approaches. And then
looking at supplemental elements where we can, with the use of
raised pavement markers or other things that can help with the
illumination.
These are the different types of lighting that are available for
roadway lighting. Under our ordinance, the roadway lighting is
exempt from the requirements of what a subdivision would put in.
The goal of this ordinance is to use a cutoff -type fixture so that the
light projects in a downward direction rather than lighting up the
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sky. And the forms of lighting that aren't necessarily allowed in the
ordinance can still meet that cutoff requirement. There's different
lamp types that can be used in these, from LED to the high-
pressure sodium, and each of these have a different foot candle or
light footprint that they create.
In the overlay districts, like the Crabapple area, we did use on
Heritage Walk here in front of City Hall, the post -top pedestrian -
style light, and then along the roundabouts, this is a roadway,
-shepherd's crook -type light. The first image - we don't have any of
these in the city, but Sawnee has this one available. It's called a
shoebox-type light and -that one particularly comes in LED. So,
those are more for parkway -type lighting: The second image is
what exists on Morris and Deerfield, and the third image is what
we have most frequently. It's just an attachment to the power poles.
And then the one that -I described at Hopewell and Cogburn are the
floods that are attached to a wooden pole.
And looking at GDOT's standard guidance on landscaping, they do
have a standard detail that we've used in several of our
roundabouts with shrubs and three trees in the middle. The one
thing they do like to took at with kind of this grassed area between
the truck apron and the plantings is to maintain site visibility of the
approaches. And landscaping is important in that it increases the
visibility of the roundabout from a distance. If it's landscaped in
the center, you can — it stands out more as you're approaching it.
Just some information on fixed objects in the center islands. The
clear zone isn't necessarily applicable for this type of intersection
approach with curb and gutter. You usually don't look at clear
zone, you look at lateral offsets. So, with both of these designs, and
all of ours, kind of that grassed area between the truck apron and
the landscaping serves as that lateral offset. And for 35 miles an
hour, it's four feet to trees or shrubs. And typically that grass area
is more like the eight feet that you would see in a median.
And the image on the right is just some research that we found. It's
an example of a context approach to landscaping and lighting that
you want to look at the approach roads, the speed on those roads,
and then the context — if it's an urban area, transition area, or rural
area. And this just defined a roundabout committee, which consists
of the designers and then the in-house engineering staff of this
particular municipality.
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Currently underway and in roundabout operation right now is the
Charlotte Drive extension at Charlotte and Mayfield roundabout.
So, for the lighting on this one, we've proposed and we've already
submitted and approved as an agenda item that lighting agreement
with Georgia Power for these lights. We're looking at 12 of the
shepherd's crook and then 55 pedestrian lights. So, that'll be along
the new Charlotte Road and then down the existing Charlotte Drive
next to the library. And that's our monthly cost for Georgia Power
to both energize and maintain those lights. So, if a bulb goes out,
they'll come out and fix it.
For the landscaping, we're moving toward landscaping the splitter
islands so they're not just solid concrete, some substantial center
island, and in this case, we are gonna do the horse statue in the
center island of the roundabout.
Carol Cookerly: Sara, I have a question because I'm confused because those are not
— I thought the lighting that you said you were gonna use is the
shepherd's crook but that's not what that picture was.
Sara Leaders: That's not. Sorry.
Carol Cookerly: So, those are the lights that are going to be used?
Sara Leaders: They will be the ones that are right around the roundabout. This
visualization shows the pedestrian lights. They'll be more — after
the — at the end of the splitter islands is when it transitions from the
shepherd's crook to the pedestrian —
Carol Cookerly: Pedestal —
Sara Leaders: Yeah, pedestrian light.
Carol Cookerly: Okay. Got it.
Sara Leaders: So, this is a map. The highlighted areas are the areas we're talking
about tonight: Hopewell/Hamby and Hopewell/Thompson. But this
shows other lighting. We have a map of — this is Sawnee EMC's
map of the streetlights in the city. You can see they go into
subdivisions and along the main roadways on existing power poles.
We did look up what our monthly city-wide lighting cost is
between our three power providers and it's around $35,000.00 a
month for the lighting bills.
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Another ting with these two intersections is the change in
operation. So, we did weigh that into looking at the design.
Currently, Hopewell Road does not stop. Only side streets stop. So,
making sure it's lit well enough that drivers will be aware of a
change in operation.
Rick Mohrig: Sara, quick question. As far as Sawnee EMC, so they maintain the
lights. Do they do any type of check? Because I notice along
Highway 9, we'll have lights that will be out for months unless
somebody calls. Is that something that, as we're paying this amount
for the power and maintenance, are they actually ever gonna check
them occasionally? I know in subdivisions, it's almost up to us to
self-report to Sawnee for them to actually come out and change
lights that are flickering on and off or burn out. What about the
main roadways or the parkways?
Sara Leaders: Not aware of the program they may have in place for monitoring
those. I'm not aware of anything, but it's a conversation we can
have with them as we're working out this upcoming lighting.
Rick Mohrig: Okay. Thanks.
Sara Leaders: So, then getting into our proposals. First, we'll look at Hopewell at
Hamby. The picture on this slide shows one of the entrances to the
manor with its proximity in location to the manor. We wanted to
try to go with a consistent look with what exists there. We are
utilizing some medium ornamental rocks, similar to what you see
at the manor. The plantings will be similar and we did run this
through the manor for their thoughts on the proposal as well.
Doing some — a few trees on the edges of the roadways and some
shrubs as well.
Going with a pedestal -type light, like we have in the subdivisions,
that Sawnee EMC provides to light, according to the DOT
illumination standards, this would be 11 lights. And the picture of
the type of light is shown on here. So, this shows — the green is that
footprint of the light and then there's numbers that are — you can't
really read those, but those correspond again back to that table on
the slide about the GDOT standards.
Rick Mohrig: Can I interrupt you real quick? So, I see for the Hopewell/Hamby
lighting, we're going with that light schematic. For the
Freemanville and Providence, why did it not require that same
schematic?
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Sara Leaders: We didn't proceed with our designer to design a lighting plan with
that one. Our approach had been let's see where the power poles
get placed and where we can do a different type of fixture. And we
can, after we show these proposals, go back and look at all the
lights that are available and look at what we want to look at.
And Sawnee helped produce this graphic for us, so they can look at
other — different lighting styles have different footprints. So, this is
just based on this style. When they first started talking to us about
streetlights, they offered the shoebox-style or this pedestal style.
And with this being found more in the subdivisions around the
area, it was more appropriate, but there's an opportunity to look at
other fixture styles as well.
Rick Mohrig: The reason I ask is because we have three existing circles,
Hopewell and Birmingham, Thompson, and now Freemanville and
Providence, that have that —just the — I forgot — I don't know if it's
the cobra heads or what they're called on the poles. I'd be
wondering why would we go with a different style here? Is that a
possibility to go with that other style?
Sara Leaders: It is.
Rick Mohrig: Because I'm thinking that it's less cost, not only upfront — well, I
don't know if we pay for those, but we have to pay for it in the
long run anyway. But then also for lighting up 11 lights as opposed
to one or two. And it's something I just want the council to be
aware of.
Peyton Jamison: It's a good point.
Carol Cookerly: No. And I would agree as well because there's less of an
opportunity to run them over. I mean, because that's got to be an
expensive thing to replace as well. I'm on the same page as far as
co -locating it with an existing pole if it does the necessary job.
Paul Moore: Actually, I'm not on that page, if I can just talk about that for a
minute. I think there's potentially some value to creating a sense of
place with the lighting at our roundabouts. Providing we meet the
safety standard for the appropriate lighting to make sure it's bright
enough to be navigated and we don't create an unsafe situation by
under lighting, I think there's something to be gained by, if you
know you're in Milton and there's a certain kind of lighting — I'm a
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fan of the shepherd's hook — if you know all of a sudden you're in a
shepherd's hook area, it's like, "Oh, I'm approaching a roundabout."
And this is an area that has a sense of place as well as an
awareness raised because of that lighting that's been introduced
there. And you create that consistency throughout the community
and there's a raised value to the area because of that aesthetic that
we've got.
Robert Drewry: This is why we're having this conversation.
Paul Moore: That's regardless — that's not looking at cost, obviously.
Robert Drewry: Because we could actually go back and retrofit, I know for sure,
Freemanville and Providence — I don't know about the others —
with a different style of lights. And this is why this presentation is
happening tonight. I want to make sure that we're developing along
with the standards that this council wants to see and that's it.
Rick Mohrig: Covered it. I guess my question or recommendation is take a look
at the location but then also the efficiency because we're gonna pay
for these. I mean, if it's cost -neutral from running, then maybe go
with something that actually is a little bit more attractive. If it's
gonna be from a long-term cost, if this is a roundabout and it's —
look at really what's the most efficient thing from a cost — from a
taxpayer.
I agree with what we're doing along here because this is sort of our
downtown area. This is a little bit more rural. I guess I would just
say you can tell us a little bit what the — I would assume the foot
candles or the lumens are gonna be — the requirements are the
requirements. So, whatever type of light you use has to put a
minimum standard of lighting for that intersection. Is that correct?
Robert Drewry: That is correct. And you saw the graphic that the DOT had on their
standard. One thing I do want to make a note of that Sara did
mention — critical areas — this is currently substantially a dark
intersection now. And traffic on Hopewell is not stopping. We're
changing the operation. We're asking those drivers now to pay
attention. So, it's critical we do have lighting there, and as much as
we — I feel like we're gonna need to meet those standards. So, I just
want to make sure that's brought up.
Rick Mohrig: I think from an approach of the intersection, it is important because
you're out there at night and it's totally dark. It's different from
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when you're along Highway 9 and you've got lights all going
down. So, I just would suggest you — I agree with what Paul is
saying as far as creating a sense of place. I'd look at what the long-
term cost is. What are the tradeoffs we'd be looking at between the
two?
Steve Krokoff: And, again, that's why they're introducing all the costs. So, if we
were to light up Freemanville and Providence, convect me if I'm
wrong, the fixtures alone would be about a quarter of a million
dollars. Was that around the number?
Robert Drewry: Installation cost, I think, was, like, $130,000.00 if I'm not
mistaken. And monthly energize cost was about $1,200.00 a
month. I don't know if we ever got an estimate for that.
Sara Leaders: It would probably be similar to some of the Crabapple ones at
$300.00 or so a month. I think they're about $12.50 a light per
month at the 150 -watt wattage light.
Steve Krokoff: So, I overshot that. It was around $130,000.00 to light up that
intersection with the different kinds of lights for the equipment and
then the monthly charge. Ultimately, it's up to the council what
they want to see. And, of course, there's gonna be a cost associated
with anything you do. So, I just — again, I want to make sure we're
accomplishing what you want to see us accomplish here in the city.
So, that's the presentation.
Sara Leaders: So, looking at Thompson, the landscaping proposal, we looked at
what's existing at Bell Park with the horse fence that surrounds it.
So, we're proposing a four -board fence in the central island with
some landscaping around it. We're also looking at opportunities to
do some landscaping in areas that — where the old roadbed was that
could be enhanced. Let's see. And, again, looking at, if this type of
fixture was used and the extent of the lumens went to where the
road realigns, it would be about 20 lights.
And kind of back to the ones that have already been constructed,
the Hopewell/Cogburn and the Freemanville/Providence and
Hopewell/Birmingham, because GDOT's policy is more of a
guidance related to lighting — that's what they require on their state
routes — we have not gone through the exercise of looking at the
footprint of what the lights we've installed. It's been more of a
visual. Where can we put lights on existing poles that would
eliminate the roundabout? So, we've not done this full exercise
before.
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Steve Krokoff: It's been entirely utility driven.
Peyton Jamison: So, what do you need from us tonight, Steve?
Steve Krokoff. So, correct me if I'm wrong, we're about to introduce a handful of
new roundabouts and the lighting schematics that you've shown
tonight are what we're planning on installing, correct?
Robert Drewry: That is correct.
Steve Krokoff: Now, I wanted to see — we wanted to see if council is good with
that because it is kind of a departure from what we've been doing
in the ones that aren't on state routes because it's adding just a little
more — kind of what Councilmember Moore was mentioning. It's
adding a little bit more — I don't know if pizazz is the right word. A
little style, something to the roundabout. Once we start installing
those in some of the new roundabouts, you may start hearing,
"Well, what about this roundabout?"
So, I just want to — we probably should have some uniform policy
or approach to these and just wanted to get a feel from you. That's
really the purpose for -this presentation. If you're okay with it, we're
moving forward with those — with what you saw there. Just kind of
putting it out there.
Peyton Jamison: Council, you all got ,any comments? I'm not an aesthetic person
when it comes to the lights, so I'm kind of —
Paul Moore: Utilitarian?
Peyton Jamison: Yeah.
Paul Moore: I'll go back to what I said before. I think it's an opportunity for us
to make a statement, as soft a statement as it is, with lighting. I
think it creates a sense of place.
Peyton Jamison: So, you're good with what they presented, right?
Paul Moore: Well, no. I'd like to see the shepherd hook become the standard as
best as it can be applied without compromising safety. I also
believe that the — the pedestal light or whatever you might have
called it — is the second -choice alternative for me. I know there are
places that that's completely appropriate and you've already
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identified many of those. But I think in the more rural area, if we
can get — so, let me say it differently.
So, you've got pedestrian areas where the pedestal light is
completely appropriate — city center, Heritage Walk, nearby
roundabouts here. Completely appropriate to take the light up a
little bit for safety where there's gonna be more pedestrian walking
as well. In the more rural area, if you can get away with a look and
feel without something quite as bright, but still produce the safety
value, and you can do that with the shepherd hook, I would like to
see that. And get away from the big, bright, high elevation, full
flood lights in their entirety.
Carol Cookerly: And I'm gonna — so, do you have any feel for costs on the shepherd
hook? Because I'm just guessing it's more stylish and it's more
expensive.
Sara Leaders: The energizing cost, it's gonna be — the wattage will determine the
ultimate energy cost longer term. As far as the fixture, yes, it
would be — I pulled up the graphic again with all the different
options available. The flood -type light, those have no installation
fee. They just put them up on a pole. If we have to install a wooden
— a timber pole to put those on — it's a one-time, usually $500.00, to
put up the pole. But the energy cost is the same for those versus a
decorative.
For — let's see, for Birmingham/Providence, those 30 lights, that
was in 2014-2015. Seems like those ran about $120,000.00-
130,000.00, which is where we got the estimate for if we were to
do Freemanville/Providence. So, that was through Georgia Power's
lighting group. The benefit of using the power company's lighting
group is when they install them, they maintain them. If they don't
install them, like on the state projects, the city has to maintain
those lights.
Paul Moore: So, it's really between the two on the right?
Carol Cookerly: Yeah.
Paul Moore: Okay, the cost between —
[Crosstalk]
Paul Moore: There's potentially application for both the way I was describing —
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right?
Rick Mohrig: Again, I would be interested to see what's the cost and the cost
differential, if you did one versus the other. I'm for, especially as
we look at new roundabouts that are going — we're going to have
Birmingham and Freemanville. I mean, there's different ones that
we're gonna be looking at. So, making a decision now, I think,
makes sense, but I'd like to understand a little bit more about the
costs. What's the cost differential both for the wattage as well as
for the number of lights and the style of light? That would be
something I would be interested in seeing.
Peyton Jamison: Well, really quick, if money isn't an option, which one would we
prefer? I mean, is there a style that we prefer? You're a shepherd
hook guy?
Rick Mohrig: I'm a shepherd hook guy.
Paul Moore: Well, shepherd hook where appropriate and then supplemented by
the pedestal.
Peyton Jamison: How about you, Laura?
Laura Bentley: Um —
Peyton Jamison: I had no idea, on the agenda tonight, this is where we'd spend all
our time.
Laura Bentley: Sorry.
Peyton Jamison: But, no, it's good.
Laura Bentley: So, are the shepherd hooks at Birmingham — I'm sorry, Providence
— are they anywhere in more rural Milton?
Sara Leaders: That area — Birmingham at Providence.
Laura Bentley: Okay. All right. Okay. They're already there. So, yeah, I'm good
with it.
Peyton Jamison: Carol?
Carol Cookerly: Yeah, I'm fine.
Peyton Jamison: All right. So, I'd say come — maybe send us an email on the cost.
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And if it's something crazy, then we need to go back.
Steve Krokoff: Absolutely. We'll cost all options. We'll cost those options out.
Again, it is going to depend on the area because some places, the
shepherd's hooks, if that's what they're called, won't make sense
but the standing regular poles will. But I'll also cost out what we've
been doing on those others for you, so you can just get a good idea
and I'll get them back out to you via email.
Peyton Jamison: Great. Rick, you got something?
Rick Mohrig: Yeah, just the last thing. Because the net, regardless of what we
use, the standard has to come up with the same type of lighting as
far as the total lighting of that intersection. So, that's where it
would determine — you could tell us if it's the shepherd hook or the
standard, what our cost is.
Steve Krokoff: And there are other options out there for — yes, I should say, you
have to meet the certain standards, but there's other options to
improve — additionally improve safety, like that solar -powered
light that's by the Birmingham and Hopewell circle that's solar
operated that flashes when you come upon it saying that there's a
circle ahead. So, there's a lot of other options we can introduce to
even improve safety more.
Peyton Jamison: Laura, you got anything or are you good?
Laura Bentley: I just want to say that the statue of the horses, it was bronze, not
gold. I'm sorry. I just can't let that go. It was bronze, not gold.
Steve Krokoff: We are expecting delivery of the horse in the next two weeks.
Laura Bentley: It's bronze, right? It's not gold.
Steve Krokoff: It is. That's just a concept.
Laura Bentley: Okay. Because that gold is really loud.
Steve Krokoff: No, just concept.
Laura Bentley: Okay. Sorry.
Robert Drewry: Thank you for your guidance. I appreciate that very much.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
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Laura Bentley: Thank you.
FIRST PRESENTATION
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Consideration of ZM20-02/VC20-02 at 15260 Hopewell Road by Chris
Sedgwick to revise conditions 2a, 3a, 3g and to request to delete
conditions 3b and 3c [H (Historic) RZ12-15] to construct additional
parking on the site. Concurrent variance to Sec. 64-2455 - To allow
application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to be considered by
the Design Review Board instead of the Historic Preservation
Commission.
(Agenda Item No. 20-043)
(Parag Agrawal, Community Development Director)
2. Consideration of RZ20-01 Definitions.
(Agenda Item No. 20-044)
(Sarah LoDart, Economic Development Manager)
3. Consideration of RZ20-02 Sec. 64-395, Uses Prohibited in All Districts.
(Agenda Item No. 20-045)
(Sarah LoDort, Economic Development Manager)
4. Consideration of RZ20-03 Sec. 64-752(1), Mixed Use District Permitted
Uses.
(Agenda Item No. 20-046)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
Consideration of RZ20-04 Sec. 64-775(1), Sec. 64-775(2), Permitted
and Accessory Uses in C-1 (Community Business) District.
(Agenda Item No. 20-047)
(Sarah LoDart, Economic Development Manager)
Consideration of RZ20-05 Sec. 64-798(1), Sec. 64-798(2) Permitted
and Accessory Uses in C-2 (Community Business) District.
(Agenda Item No. 20-048)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
Consideration of RZ20-06 Sec. 64-895(1), Sec. 64-895(2) Permitted
and Accessory Uses in Community Unit Plan (CUP) District.
(Agenda Item No. 20-049)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
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8. Consideration of RZ20-07 Sec. 64-1 1 12, Allowed Use Chart.
(Agenda Item No. 20-050)
(Sarah LaDort, Economic Development Manager)
9. Consideration of RZ20-08 Sec. 64, Article XIX, Crabapple Form Based
Code, 6-1 Definitions, Table 9.
(Agenda Item No. 20-051)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
10. Consideration of RZ20-09 Sec. 64, Article XX, Deerfield Form Based
Code, 6-1 Definitions, Table 10.
(Agenda Item No. 20-052)
(Sarah LoDart, Economic Development Manager)
11. Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 4, Alcoholic
Beverages of the Code of the City of Milton, Georgia.
(Agenda Item No. 20-053)
(Sarah LaDart, Economic Development Manager)
12. Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend Appendix A, Section 4-52
Related to Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages of the Code of the City
of Milton, Georgia.
(Agenda Item No. 20-054)
(Sarah LoDart, Economic Development Manager)
Peyton Jamison: All right. Next is the first presentation. Will the city clerk please
sound those items?
Sudie Gordon: First item is consideration of ZM20-02/VC20-02 at 15260
Hopewell Road by Chris Sedgwick to revise conditions 2a, 3a, 3g
and to request to delete conditions 3b and 3c [H (Historic) RZ12-
15] to construct additional parking on the site. Concurrent variance
to Section 64-2455, to allow application for a certificate of
appropriateness to be considered by the Design Review Board
instead of the Historical Preservation Commission, Agenda Item
No. 20-043.
Next is consideration of RZ20-01 definitions, Agenda Item No. 20-
044. Consideration of RZ20-02, Section 64-395, uses prohibited in
all districts, Agenda Item No. 20-045. Next is consideration of
RZ20-03, Section 64-752(1), mixed use district permitted uses,
Agenda Item No. 20-046. Next, consideration of RZ20-04, Section
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64-774(1), Section 64-775(2), permitted and accessory uses in C-1
(Community Business) District, Agenda Item No. 20-047.
Consideration of RZ20-05, Section 64-796(1), Section 64-798(2),
permitted and accessory uses in C-2 (Community Business)
District, Agenda Item No. 20-048. Consideration of RZ20-06,
Section 64-895(1), Section 64-895(2), permitted and accessory
uses in Community Unit Plan (CUP) District, Agenda Item No. 20-
049. Next, consideration of RZ20-07, Section 64-1112, allowed
use chart, Agenda Item No. 20-050. Consideration of RZ20-08,
Section 64, Article XIX, Crabapple Form Based Code, 6-1,
definitions, Table 9, Agenda Item No. 20-051
Next, consideration of RZ20-09, Section 64, Article XX, Deerfield
Form Based Code, 6-T; definitions, Table 10; Agenda Item No. 20-
052. Next, consideration of an ordinance 1 to amend Chapter 4,
Alcoholic Beverages; of the Code of the City of Milton, Georgia,
Agenda Item. No. 20-053. Our twelfth and final first presentation
item is consideration of an ordinance to amend Appendix A,
Section 4-52 related to Chapter 4, Alcoholic Beverages, of the
Code of the City of Milton, Georgia, Agenda Item No. 20-054.
Peyton Jamison: Thank you. Is there a motion and a second?
Laura Bentley: Mayor Pro Tem, I'dlike to make a motion to accept the First
Presentation items as read.
Rick Mohrig: Second.
Peyton Jamison: All right. I have a motion from Councilmember Bentley and a
second from Councilmember Mohrig to approve the First
Presentation items. All in favor, please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Bentley moved to approve the First
Presentation Items. Councilmember Mohrig seconded the motion. The
motion passed (5-0). Mayor Lockwood & Councilmember Longoria were
absent from the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING (None)
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ZONING AGENDA (None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None)
35
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? Okay. That was unanimous. There are no items under
the public hearing, zoning agenda, or unfinished business. Moving
on to new business, will the city clerk please sound the first item?
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of a Land Acquisition Agreement for Purchase of
Realty between the City of Milton and GFLIRB LLC, a Delaware
Limited Liability Company, and Douglas R. Coe, an Individual for
Fulton Tax Parcel No. 22 462009610557, 13502 Providence Road
(approximately 15.853 acres), for a Purchase Price of $72,500 per
Acre.
(Agenda Item No. 20-055)
(Ken Jorrord, City Attorney)
Sudie Gordon: First item is consideration of a land acquisition agreement for
purchase of realty between the city of Milton and GFLIRB LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and Douglas R. Coe, and
individual, for Fulton Tax Parcel No. 22 462009610557, at 13502
Providence Road, approximately 15.853 acres, for a purchase price
of $72,500.00 per acre, Agenda Item No. 20-055. Mr. Ken Jarrard.
Ken Jarrard: Mayor Pro Tem.
Carol Cookerly: Mayor Pro Tem and fellow members of council, I will remain
recused on this issue based on my proximity of my property to this
property under discussion.
Peyton Jamison: Thank you.
Ken Jarrard: I'll go ahead and begin then, just with respect to the introduction.
Mayor Pro Tem, members of the council, you have in front of you
this evening an agreement for sale of realty. Acquiring, obviously,
is the city of Milton. The seller is GFLIRB LLC and Douglas R.
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Coe. This is for property located at 13502 Providence Road,
Milton, Fulton County, Georgia, which is a total of approximately
15.853 acres as set forth in the book. The acquisition price is
$1,149,342.50, translated into $72,500.00 per acre. Those are the
material terms of the agreement which state law requires us to
articulate in the open session prior to any final and binding
ratification of the agreement.
This contract is fairly standard. You all have seen these variety of
contracts before. This is the standard contract that my office
prepares. There is an 80 -day due diligence. The earnest money is a
little richer than we typically do. It's $50,000.00. Most of the time,
we;do $10,000.00, but the refundability remains the same, so it's
simply another manifestation of our seriousness. But if we, in fact,
walk away from the contract, we would still get it back.
There is a closing that is anticipated to occur 10 days following the
conclusion of due diligence. We don't know that due diligence will
take 80 days. We obviously can close earlier, but that's the end
when we would have the opportunity to close. Otherwise, it's just
what you've seen before: the right of entry, the ability to terminate
during due diligence. Let me confirm that really quickly. I just
want to make sure we can terminate during due diligence for any
reason. Yeah, with or without cause, which is what we want and
we have the right there.
Of course, the final thing — the only thing I wanted to mention to
you that's the least bit curious about this one is I think the seller
wanted there to be some eminent domain language in there and I
have put the eminent domain language that I am comfortable with.
And the eminent domain language that I'm comfortable with is that
it is being purchased by an entity with the power of eminent
domain. That is legally accurate and that is as far as I was prepared
to go, but that's in there.
Mayor Pro Tem, that's my presentation on the agreement. It is up
for your approval, but I know there's gonna be further discussion
on it.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Anybody have any —
Paul Moore: Teresa's got a presentation.
Peyton Jamison: Let's do it. Yeah.
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Teresa Stickels: — to hear it. So, this is a map that shows the greenspace
acquisitions the city has made up to this point. As you know,
because you've all looked through them, there's seven, the first one
being the former Milton Country Club. And at this point, I'm really
only speaking about greenspace. So, there was 130 acres there.
And then there was the purchase of 106 acres at Lackey Road.
Then there was a 21 -acre purchase at Beaumont Farms. And then
an 88 -acre purchase at the intersection of — well, we've been kind
of informally calling it Cooper Sandy, but the intersection of
Providence and Bethany.
And then there was a simultaneous purchase: this Hamby Road, 28
acres, and the just under five acres at Webb Road. And then,
finally, this little adjoining parcel on Freemanville that added 12
acres to the property that's the former Milton Country Club. So,
that's what's been acquired at this point. That is 390 acres and it's
approximately $19.2 million has been spent so far.
So, this property is on Providence Road. It is this oddly shaped
property. And I'm going to show you just the highlights of this
potential acquisition. So, this right beside it is the 88 acres, again,
sort of informally called the Preserve at Cooper Sandy because
Cooper Sandy runs right here along the top of this property. So,
that's 88 acres. That includes half of Eads Lake here and the
property before you tonight would include the remainder of the
lake. And so the first highlight is that it has adjacency to currently
owned greenspace.
The second highlight is that we would own the entirety of the lake.
It has right here approximately 425 feet of view shed. And even
though the property narrows here, of course, when you're driving
through, you see the width of the view shed and it's very natural.
There are some — probably, there's some privet there, but it looks
like there's some dogwoods, so there is some natural vegetation.
And it would protect more than 15 acres from development. Eads
Lake is the lake that we currently own half of.
These pictures were taken from our side of the lake. And someone
once said to me that you can own one half of the lake, but what
you see is the other half of the lake. So, as this greenspace that we
own, we own this view. So, this property that we're bringing before
you tonight is the other side of the lake. So, we would be
protecting not only the entire lake as a water feature or a water
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source, but also the view, which is very valuable. And the Milton
Greenspace Advisory Committee had recommended this purchase
very early on because they always wanted the city to own the
entire lake and to protect it.
And because I can't help myself, I will add that the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service lists these migratorybirds as being birds of
particular concern. There are a couple of lists that they could be on,
either widespread lists or lists related to how they're found in this
Area. So, it has the potential of being a lovely habitat for these
birds that need some protection. So, that's — do you have any
questions for me?
Peyton Jamison: Thank you. Any questions for staff? Okay. Thank you. I will open
it up for a motion.
Rick Mohrig: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem; I make a motion that we approve this land
acquisition agreement.
Paul Moore: I'll second.
Peyton Jamison: Okay. Is there any council discussion the motion? All right. So, we
have a motion to approve a land acquisition agreement for
purchase of realty between the city of Milton and GFLIRB LLB, a
Delaware limited liability company, and Douglas R. Coe, an
individual, for Tax Parcel No 22-462009610557 at 13052
Providence Road, approximately 15.853 acres for a purchase price
of $72,500.00 per acre. That's the motion. All in favor, please say
aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Mohrig moved to approve Agenda
Item No. 20-055. Councilmember Moore seconded the motion. The
motion passed 4-0).
Councilmember Cookerly recused herself from Agenda item No. 20-055
Mayor Lockwood & Councilmember Longoria were absent from the
meeting.
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? Okay. That's unanimous. Thank you. Will the city clerk
please sound the final new business item?
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2. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between the City of
Milton and MCCi, LLC for Scanning Services
(Agenda Item No. 20-056)
(Stacey Inglis, Assistant City Manager)
Sudie Gordon: The final item is approval of a professional services agreement
between the city of Milton and MCCI LLC for scanning services,
Agenda Item No. 20-056. I do have a public comment card that
came in before the item was called. And that would be Mr. Gary
Jablonski. Did you want to speak?
Peyton Jamison: Yeah. Yeah.
Gary Jablonski: Gary Jablonski, 2680 Grass View Drive, Milton. I just heard you
discuss a contract of a million dollars or so. This particular
contract, I see, is in the order of $70,000.00, so it's minor, but I'd
like to make some points about it. I have experience in — 27 years
of experience in computer graphics although I'm not speaking in
any technical capacity. It's just my background. I've read the city
proposal and the response by the contractor.
A few things — I can't ask the questions, but I'm gonna encourage
the council to ask these questions. The contract as I read it says:
scanning at 300 dot per inch. Three hundred dot per inch is old
technology. You can do better than that. So, ask the question,
"Why can't you do better than 300 dot per inch?"
Second, scanning — from what I read, all the scanning is black and
white. No half tones, no color. Why not gray scale? Why not
color? If you have the original that has tone nuances, you lose
them completely as you scan, because if you're scanning black and
white, it's black or white. Okay? Those are the technical issues.
Now, will the documents be moved offsite during the scanning
process? And if so, do you have in the contract any trail of
accountability of the handling of the documents as they are moved
from the city to wherever they're gonna be scanned.
And, finally, who is responsible to secure the documents? Some of
these documents may have sensitive personal information,
proprietary information. What happens if there's a data breach —
these documents get out in hands? Is the city financially
responsible for any misuse of the data or are there penalties to the
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Page 40 of 51
contractor if the data gets into the wrong hands? So, what are the
penalties imposed on the service provider and is that written in the
contract? I didn't see it. Maybe I'm missing something. And that's
all. Just please ask those questions.
Peyton Jamison: Thank you.
Sudie Gordon: Ms. Stacey Inglis.
Stacey Inglis: Good evening.. I just have a very short' presentation because I
figured a picture is worth a thousand words. So, the scanning
services contract we have here before you tonight is with MCCI.
MCCI is a broker for Laserfiche, and I'll talk about them in just a
moment. But the issue — I'll talk about that first — is what we have
is 13 years of documents that are in paper form that are taking up
valuable storage space, taking up valuable possible workspace.
The picture that you see here on this slide is showing the office
space up on the second floor that's kind of in an open area that we
would like to eventually complete — fill out in workspaces. So, that
is occupying some valuable area right now. And not only do we
have just the 13 years of documents since we've become a city, we
also have some previous documents that were transferred over
from Fulton County and those need to be scanned in as well. And
then right now we do not have the equipment available and the
time to digitize these documents.
So, why do we need to digitize? Well, aside from the valuable
workspace and storage space that we have been taking up, we need
to protect these documents and we need to make them accessible.
Right now, we know what are in the boxes. It just takes time to go
and fish them out of the boxes. So, we need to make them instantly
accessible for us to be able to share them with our citizens as well
as staff members.
And then also, in case there's a natural disaster or anything like
that, we want to make sure that these are protected. So, they're in a
digitized form, obviously they're backed up offsite. So, we'll have
access to them immediately if we ever need them.
So, why MCCI? As I mentioned earlier, they're a leading provider
of Laserfiche. We have a relationship with this firm. We've had
Laserfiche as our document management repository. This is where
we — we are using this system and we do have plans in place to use
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it going forward — to be able to scan the documents. We're doing it
now in several different departments. We just had this backlog of
documents that need to be scanned in. So, we've had a relationship
with this firm for the past three years. They implemented and are
maintaining Laserfiche for us.
And what MCCI does, part of their processes or part of their
services that they're offering us is they provide secure
transportation. So, as Mr. Jablonski asked, yes, these will be
transported offsite because they are located in Florida. So, they
will be — it's a secure transportation. I don't know the answer about
the sign -off and all that. I'm sure that's been discussed. I'm not the
one that — the person that has been discussing one-on-one with
MCCI, but I can certainly get that information for you to make
sure that we have the accountability with the company to make
sure that that information is —
Steve Krokoff: I can answer that for you now. Each box is inventoried already and
they'll be signing off on each box for the full inventory.
Stacey Inglis: Thank you very much.
Steve Krokoff: No problem.
Stacey Inglis: Whenever they get the documents, there is a team of people that
they will be using to prepare the documents and then scan the
documents and then do indexing on the documents based on what
we have told them that we want them indexed. And then there's a
QC — a quality control aspect of it. So, it takes three or four people
to be able to do this process and to do it well with all of the
different controls in place, because you don't want the same person
scanning doing the quality control. And we don't have that here
either. Whenever we scan our own documents right now, we have
a different person doing quality control before we destroy the
paper documents.
And then the main reason why we wanted to use MCCI or
somebody who is familiar with Laserfiche is because they can
import a file directly into Laserfiche for us. This is very important.
If we use just a one-off company who just did the scanning for us,
there's a whole aspect of indexing and making sure it gets into our
Laserfiche system appropriately.
So, the proposal. There's roughly 150,000 documents and that is a
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very rough estimate. We are occupying at least one storage unit. I
believe it's only one storage unit. I think we got rid of the second
one when we moved over to City Hall. Occupying the workspace
up on the second floor and several storage areas, storage rooms
around City Hall. And not just City Hall, there's also some
documents that are from fire, I believe. And police have already
got -theirs scanned.
It'll take teams of three or four people each and be about two to
four months of scanning to get the project done. Once the project is
done, they will turn the files over to the city of Milton, at least the
digitized file. We have 90 days in which to look through the
documents to make sure that they are indexing everything
appropriately, that everything is scanned appropriately, and the
cost of this is around almost $70,000.00.
So, this is — if you consider the amount of time and the amount of
people that they are using and the equipment that they're using —
like I mentioned, we don't have the appropriate equipment to scan
some of these large plans that we have. It would cost - I think I
looked really quick — about $15,000.00 just to have the appropriate
equipment. That's not including the time that's invested in it as
well. And just for giggles, I have more pictures.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Questions? Carol?
Carol Cookerly: No, I was gonna make a motion if you're ready.
Peyton Jamison: Oh, you're good? Rick?
Rick Mohrig: Quick question. So, this, by doing this, this is gonna save us
transferring the data over to our storage facility? I think we said we
were gonna have that down in the basement of one of our public
safety area or is that only the court documents that would be stored
there?
Steve Krokoff: These documents are going to be destroyed.
Rick Mohrig: Right. So, we're saving on future storage —
Steve Krokoff: Oh, tremendously. Right now, we're paying for offsite storage as
well. But the real issue here is that we don't have access to this and
neither does the public. Once we get this information in a digital
format, we can make this accessible to people. We should be able —
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especially with Laserfiche, we should be able to reduce the amount
of open records requests because people will be able to just access
this data through a public portal, so we can reduce that. So, we're
gonna reduce costs along with storage also, associated with
personnel costs related to open records requests. And this is the
people's data, so we want to make sure we get it out — information
we want to get out to them.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Anything else?
Rick Mohrig: Yeah. Just, Steve, to your point about it being destroyed, who
actually does the — who destroys the paper?
Steve Krokoff: MCCI will destroy it for us.
Rick Mohrig: And that's a part of the cost that's already in this quote?
Steve Krokoff. It is.
Rick Mohrig: And just one more question. Mr. Jablonski raised the question
about the gray scale and other — is that — is what they're providing
to us today the industry standard? And is there any value to a gray
scale to be considered if there's some — is it a service that they may
offer that we haven't asked about?
Stacey Inglis: I'll ask that question. I'm not sure. I do know that 300 dpi is what is
required by — at least 300 dpi is what was required by the state in
order for us to use digitized files as our official record. So —
Ken Jarrard: Let me offer up this. This is all very regulated. There's a state
statute that directly addresses the electronic storage and retention
and destruction of government documents. The city of Milton also
has a very vigorous — not only a conversion ordinance, which,
candidly, the state statute anticipates we would have to adopt, but
also a fairly hefty record management program. The state statute
anticipates that when you convert a public record to a digitized
format, the key is it has to accurately depict the record that it is
replacing because the state statute anticipates that, typically, what
most governments do is exactly what is being proposed.
They digitize them, make them more accessible, and then they
destroy them because that is a double win for the taxpayers. It
saves space, it saves resources, and the digitized document has a
much longer shelf life than the paper document. So, I'm not sure
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what was Striving the 300, whether that's the best practice, but the
reality is this is a consulting firm that knows what they're doing in
this environment, and as long as the actual digitized document
accurately reflects the original, I'm good.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Laura?
Laura Bentley: I'm good also, especially since we've already used them, but my
question is how are we — how do we avoid the backlog going
forward?
Stacey Inglis: It's a very good question. We are having processes in place. I know
a lot of these files are community development files. So, one of the
things that we're gonna start requiring once we get a new system in
place — we have City View that's coming in place. It's being
implemented now — is digital blueprints. That's a large part of what
we're having to keep right now are the plans. And so if we can get
them digitil to us, submitted to us, then we won't have to have the
equipment necessary in order to scan these.
Steve Krokoff: Plus, you authorized the hiring of a part-time individual. Santino is
one of our newest acquisitions. He's fit in nicely and there are
some things that just can't enter the system digitally and he's taking
care of that for us. Doing a great job.
Laura Bentley: Okay. Thank you.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Thanks. All right. Is there a motion and a second?
Carol Cookerly: Mr. Pro Tem, I'd like to make a motion that we approve this
professional services agreement, Agenda Item No. 20-056.
Laura Bentley: Second.
Peyton Jamison: All right. Is there any council discussion? I have a motion from
Councilmember Cookerly and a second from Councilmember
Bentley to approve a professional service agreement between the
city of Milton and MCCI LLC for scanning services. All in favor,
please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
1
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Motion and Vote: Councilmember Cookerly moved to approve Agenda
item No. 20-056. Councilmember Bentley seconded the motion. The
motion passed (5-0). Mayor Lockwood and Councilmember Longoria
were absent from the meeting.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? That's unanimous. Council reports. Laura?
Laura Bentley: I just quickly wanted to ask for an update from Mr. Jarrard on the
short-term rentals. I know that it's getting momentum and the
momentum seems to be to have our local control lifted. And so
that's a concern to me and I just wanted to make sure the council
was aware of where that was going.
Ken Jarrard: Thank you, Councilmember Bentley. Right. So, the update that I
have for you is, obviously, we're in session right now. So,
candidly, the speed at which a bill can be presented and then can
make its way to some form of a committee can be very rapid. So,
the latest intel I have is the current permutation of what I'm calling
the short-term rental preemption bill is HB523. That's at least the
last version that I have. And the language, in fact, was provided to
me and it says this: An ordinance, resolution, regulation, or code of
a local government authority of a county, city, or consolidated
government may regulate activities that arise when property is
used as a short-term rental.
So, that's the first. It's a grant: may regulate activities that arise
when property is used as a short-term rental if such ordinance,
resolution, regulation, or code does not prohibit the use of property
as a short-term rental or long-term rental, does not require the
registration of residential rental property, and applies uniformly to
all residences without regard to whether such property are used as
short-term rentals, long-term rentals, or not rented at all.
I don't believe that is the final manifestation of that bill that will
actually make it to a vote, if, in fact, it even makes it to a vote. I
will tell you I believe that that paragraph is remarkable in its
breadth. Because what that says is that we can regulate a use
within the confines of the city of Milton from a land use
perspective, but we can't prohibit it.
That's remarkable to me because the whole basis of Euclidian
zoning is the ability to put different uses in different areas of a
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jurisdiction. That has been the context within which zoning has
been applied for decades. Now, to be fair, we've been sort of
walking away from Euclidian zoning in America into more of
maybe a form -based code or mixed use, but still the underlying
notion of zoning is the ability to keep uses in districts separate.
You don't want the livestock pen next to the commercial property
next to the home next to the church next to whatever it may be. But
you understand.
My only point — the thing about this bill that concerns me is that if
this is true, that the general assembly can, in fact, tell you as a local
government that you do not have the right to prohibit a particular
use in a particular district, then where does it stop? It's not just
short-term rental. That could just as easily say a commercial
building cannot be prohibited or an office complex or anything
else. Right now, it's short-term rental.
And so I am concerned as to the constitutionality of that.
Sometimes this is easy to forget, but a city and county have their
zoning power not as a grant of power from the general assembly.
We have our zoning power as a grant of power from the people by
the way of the constitution. So, this is not a delegated or conferred
power. It is, in fact, a power reserved to us by the people of the
state of Georgia presumably because local governments are better
equipped to know local land use than, with respect, the general
assembly under the gold dome.
That's more than you asked for. The point is that's where the bill is.
I believe it is being negotiated and I'm sure GMA is negotiating
this hard. I am sure that they are as concerned about this bill as I
am. And ACCG, on behalf of the counties, is likewise doing the
same. But I also believe that if you want the city of Milton's voice
to be heard on this, you might want to get some direction.
Laura Bentley: Okay. So, that would be my suggestion is that we get a resolution
down to the general assembly and our representative so that —
Ken Jarrard: I may know someone that has one that you can use.
Peyton Jamison: Rick?
Rick Mohrig: I appreciate you bringing that up, Laura. Just like the other
resolution that we did to oppose the other —
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Ken Jarrard: Architectural design criteria.
Rick Mohrig: Yeah, for local — to preserve local control. I'm fully supportive of
actually saying, "Let's do it at our next meeting." Bring one
forward that we can actually vote on and get it down to the state
house. Is there a — when we have bills like this, is there a similar
senate bill that we need to include in that or just by opposing or
doing a resolution to oppose a house bill, does that kind of
encompass anything that goes over to senate?
Ken Jarrard: I'm not aware of the SB counterpart right now, but if there is one,
I'll find it and put it in a resolution.
Carol Cookerly: When is crossover?
Ken Jarrard: That's a good question. I'm not exactly sure. It's got to be close.
Carol Cookerly: I would think so.
Ken Jarrard: Be very close.
Peyton Jamison: What's the resolution on wanting the city to —?
Ken Jarrard: To oppose this house bill.
Peyton Jamison: Just oppose that as far as we don't — the resolution isn't for us to
prohibit the use, correct?
Ken Jarrard: My understanding would be the resolution would be to ask the
general assembly to not adopt any preemption — any preemption of
short-term rental regulations locally.
Peyton Jamison: Got you. Sounds good. Okay. Anybody —
Ken Jarrard: That's all I need. I understand what you want.
Laura Bentley: Thank you.
STAFF REPORTS
Department Updates
1. Community Development
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Peyton Jamison: Any other council reports? All right. Moving on to staff reports,
community development?
Parag Agrawal: I just want to present some highlights from the various projects
going on at the department. We have already discussed this, the
Arbor Day. The city of Milton will be celebrating Arbor Day at
Bell Memorial Park on February 21 st — that's on Friday — at 10:30.
The final advisory committee meeting and the open house to
discuss the creative master plan has been scheduled for Tuesday.
That's February 25th.
We will be having an open house for the general public at 5:30
p.m. in this building. The staff will be available to discuss the
creative master plan with the public and to get their feedback.
Following the open house, we will be having the final creative
advisory committee meeting, and based on the feedback which we
receive, we will be coming in front of the city council, hopefully in
March, as part of the work session to present you the draft of that
creative master plan.
Our comprehensive plan kickoff — the city is moving forward with
the city's comprehensive plan update project. So, the project RFPs
are due tomorrow. The contract process takes generally a month,
so we are planning to have a small event for plan kickoff
sometimes in early April. We will be coming in front of you to
have — for the CPAC members, we will be writing you an email
sometime tomorrow requesting CPAC members.
Smart Communities Challenge Grant event. As you know, the city
of Milton is one of the four communities that received the Smart
Communities Challenge Grant. And we are working with the state
Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Tech professors
and the various schools in Crabapple to develop an app that will
encourage walkability in Crabapple area. As part of this grant
requirement, every city has to schedule an event to showcase the
work that's taking place.
So, our event has been scheduled for April 27th. I know Tammy
wrote an email to all the city councilmembers to invite you all.
And this event, the state folks will be here, the professors from
Georgia Tech will be here, and the communities that received this
Georgia Tech grant, they will also be here. So, this event will be
starting at 11:00 a.m. and we'll be going until 5:00. So, initially,
there will be a networking event and then there will be lunch. So,
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we will request you — if you want, you can stay for the whole day,
but still, if you can come for the first couple of hours, that would
be treat.
Rick Mohrig: Parag that was April 27th?
Parag Agrawal: Yes, sir, April 27th.
Rick Mohrig: And what time did you say it was?
Parag Agrawal: It will be starting at 11:00.
Rick Mohrig: 11:00?
Parag Agrawal: Yes.
Rick Mohrig: So, just for, like, two hours then?
Parag Agrawal: Yes. Septic tank workshop. The city had scheduled a septic tank
workshop on January 29th along with Fulton County and the city
of Alpharetta. This workshop was attended by more than 50
residents. And we are also planning to schedule — again, last year,
we scheduled a core workshop that was well -attended. So, we are
planning to schedule a second core workshop sometime in spring
of this year.
The last item which I have is this Ebenezer United Methodist
Church. So, our office has been working on a special use permit
for event facility as part of this church. This application will be
going in front of the planning commission on February 26th. The
staff met with the applicants yesterday and they will be revising
the site plan. So, most likely, this application will be deferred at
the planning commission and it will again — there will be some lag
to come in front of the city council.
That's all from me. Any questions?
Peyton Jamison: All right. Any questions for Parag? Okay. Thank you.
Parag Agrawal: Thank you.
Peyton Jamison: All right. So, we are not having IT tonight and we will have a
motion to adjourn to executive session.
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Rick Mohrig: So move.
Ken Jarrard: If you wouldn't mind, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, identify the reasons —
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Land Acquisition)
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Mohrig moved to adjourn into
Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss land acquisition.
Councilmember Cookerly seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0).
Mayor Lockwood and Councilmember Longoria were absent from the
meeting.
Peyton Jamison: Got it. I would like to have a motion to adjourn to executive
session for land acquisition.
Rick Mohrig: So move.
Peyton Jamison: All right. I have a motion —
Carol Cookerly: Second.
Peyton Jamison: — from Mohrig and a second from Cookerly. All in favor, please
say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Peyton Jamison: Okay.
RECONVENE
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Mohrig moved to reconvene the
Regular Meeting at 8:19 p.m. Councilmember Cookerly seconded the
motion. The motion passed (5-0). Mayor Lockwood and Councilmember
Longoria were absent from the meeting.
Carol Cookerly: So move.
Paul Moore: Second.
11
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Peyton Jamison: All right. All in favor, please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Peyton Jamison: Motion to adjourn. All right. All in favor, please say aye.
Multiple Speakers: Aye.
Peyton Jamison: Opposed? That's it.
ADJOURNMENT
(Agenda Item No. 20-057)
51
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Cookerly moved to adjourn the
Regular Meeting at 8:15 p.m. Councilmember Moore seconded the
motion. The motion passed (5-0). Mayor Lockwood and Councilmember
Longoria were absent from the meeting.
Date Approved: March 16, 2020
Sudie AM Gordon, City C erk
Joe Lockwood,