HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CC - 11/10/2008 - MINS 11 10 08 SC (Migrated from Optiview)Special Called Work Session of the Milton City Council
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 5:00 pm
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The Special Called Work Session of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton was held on November 10,
2008 at 5:00 PM, Mayor Joe Lockwood presiding.
Council Members Present: Councilmember Karen Thurman, Councilmember Julie Zahner Bailey,
Councilmember Bill Lusk, Councilmember Burt Hewitt, Councilmember Tina D'Aversa, Councilmember Alan
Tart
Mayor Lockwood
• Welcomed Representative Jan Jones.
Representative Jan Jones stated that she was proud to serve the citizens of Milton and was pleased to inform the
Mayor and Council that she won the majority whip today.
She stated that the State budget is being cut more this year leaving fewer funds than anticipated.
Mayor Lockwood
• We have prepared topics for discussion and asked for her comments/updates.
The following topics were discussed:
Special Services District (SSD) Funds
Representative Jones stated she spoke briefly with Legislative Council on this issue. This will probably
require legal involvement since it is a legal interpretation of the law. She may introduce a very narrowly
worded bill that could involve penalties and possibly legal fees. The Mayor, City Manager, and City
Attorney will meet again on this issue and are committed to bring this to a resolution.
$850M in Insurance Premium Tax Dollars still due Milton
Representative Jones stated that they took this to the edge. The law is clear on this issue. She added that
our constituents are getting the benefit of many more millions since incorporation.
Transportation Funding:
■ What grants/or funding options might exist at the state level that Jan could direct towards
Milton? What categories of transportation improvements might have a greater
probability of funding assistance?
■ Possible transportation dollars from the state specific for new school construction
including: Birmingham Elementary School, the new High School planned for
Cogburn/Bethany as well as the Middle School still slated for Freemanville School site.
■ Trails - additional funding options for implementation of the Milton Bike/Pedestrian
pathways
■ Does Jan know of any specific grants she believes we should pursue in any areas?
■ TIP funds for Crabapple, Alpharetta Highway and/or 140?
■ LCI Initiatives - anything Jan's office could do to help support these soon to be submitted
requests to the ARC?
Work Session of the Milton City Council
Monday, November 10, 2008, 5:00 PM
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• Any updates regarding Ga. DOT projects including Hwy. 140? In partnership with
im" Alpharetta, Roswell and Cherokee, might we increase the chances of getting theses
roadway projects moved forward? Same holds true for Highway 9. What can we do
collectively to increase the probability of getting funding allocated to Hwy. 9 and Hwy.
140?
Representative Jones stated that GDOT has a lot less money than they originally thought. She pledged
that she will work to get our fair share of the local assistance road funds. During the legislative session,
she was advised that there is also a lot less LARP money coming in. She plans to lobby on this issue and
will continue to try and secure funds for Milton. This will be an ongoing process.
She would love to have some funds for trails. There is federal money, but the State just does not have
anything.
She suggested a partnership with our Congressman for TEA grant money.
She does not think that State Route 140 is high on the priority list after seeing that Holcomb Bridge and
GA 400 was put on hold.
• Parks:
■ Are there any funds that might be available to assist Milton with park land acquisition
and/or operating dollars to begin to construct new parks with existing land?
■ Are there any greenspace dollars available for acquisitions?
■ Are there any master planning funds for parks?
Representative Jones stated that with budget cuts, she will continue to pursue any funding available and
if there is any money, she will find it. She added that the budgeted green space program will be cut this
year by at least 6%. They want to cut back on the "want to dos" and take it to the "must dos".
• Homeowners Tax Relief:
Representative Jones stated there is 100% commitment from the legislature. She projects that the
October numbers will be down and added that sales tax in August was down 13%.
Update on Milton County
Representative Jones stated that it is her intention to get this passed in the upcoming legislative session.
She hopes that it will appear on the general ballot for citizens of Georgia to decide if a historically merged
county should be recreated. She would like to hand this to the Senate and hopefully it will be on the
2010 ballot. They are working on creating a Charter for Milton County. Her goal for completing that
Charter is 2011.
Mayor Lockwood stated that due to the regularly scheduled Work Session, we will need to adjourn this meeting.
He thanked Representative Jones for taking time to meet with us this evening. He asked her to let us know what
we can do to help her pursue certain funding options for any of these categories and any other things we can do to
support her initiatives for our area and region.
Work Session of the Milton City Council
Monday, November 10, 2008, 5:00 PM
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After no further business, the Special Called Work Session adjourned 6:14 p.m.
Date Approved: December 1, 2008
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Voa&tte R. Marchiafava, City Clerk Joe Lockwo��Yor
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