HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes CC - 12/04/2017 - Regular Meeting MinutesRegular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Page 1 of 10
This summary is provided as a convenience and service to the public, media, and staff. It is not
the intent to transcribe proceedings verbatim. Any reproduction of this summary must include this
notice. Public comments are noted and heard by Council, but not quoted. This document includes
limited presentation by Council and invited speakers in summary form. 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 was held on
December 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM, Mayor Joe Lockwood presiding.
INVOCATION
Remco Brommet, Chaplain for the City of Milton Police and Fire
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Joe Lockwood called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Councilmember Thurman, Councilmember Kunz, Councilmember
Lusk, Councilmember Hewitt, and Councilmember Longoria, and Councilmember Mohrig.
Councilmember Mohrig arrived at 6:11 p.m.
Councilmember Lusk arrived at 6:26 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ((Led by the Sons of the American Revolution)
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
(Agenda Item No. 17-299)
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Hewitt moved to approve the Meeting Agenda with the
following change:
• Move Agenda Item No. 17-307, Consideration of a Resolution Appointing the Chief Judge
of the Municipal Court for the City of Milton, Georgia Pursuant to Article V of the City
Charter, to after Approval of Agenda.
Councilmember Longoria seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). Councilmember
Mohrig and Councilmember Lusk were absent for the vote.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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PUBLIC COMMENT
The following individuals submitted a public comment card:
Rose Prestianni, 105 Providence Oaks Pointe, Milton, GA 30004
Brad Serff, 15190 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Michael Martin, 1820 Highgrove Club Drive, Milton, GA 30004
Terre O'Brien, 2535 Bethany Church Road, Milton, GA 30004
Steve Tipton, 920 Autumn Close, Milton, GA 30004
Bob Volz, 15210 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Bill Bryant, 1740 Highgrove Club Drive, Milton, GA 30004
Brian Busch, 1425 Birmingham Road, Milton, GA 30004
James Brackett, 380 Eagles Pass, Alpharetta, GA 30004
Leslie Harper, 1490 Louis Road, Milton, GA 30004
Scott Sawyer, 787 Quarterpath Lane, Milton, GA 30004
Colt Whittall, 2005 Drummond Pond Road, Milton, GA 30004
Stephen Mayo, 15290 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Richard Euler, 15200 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Bruce Turyansky, 1850 Highgrove Club Drive, Milton, GA 30004
Nancy Volz, 15210 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Linda Weeks, 15220 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
David Weeks, 15220 Highgrove Road, Milton, GA 30004
Debbie Murphy, 440 North Valley Creek Court, Milton, GA 30004
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the November 20, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
(Agenda Item No. 17-300)
(Sudie Gordon, City Clerk)
2. Approval of the Financial Statements and Investment Report for the Period Ending
October 2017.
(Agenda Item No. 17-301)
(Bernadette Harvill, Finance Director)
3. Approval of an Enterprise License Agreement with Environmental Systems
Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) for Geographic Information Systems Software.
(Agenda Item No. 17-302)
(Alicia Newberry, GIS Manager)
4. Approval of a Resolution to Provide Cancer and Long-term Disability Coverage to
Certified Firefighting Personnel through the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management
Agency (GIRMA) in Compliance with HB 146.
RESOLUTION NO. 17-12-452
(Agenda Item No. 17-303)
(Sam Trager, Human Resources Director)
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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Motion and Vote: Councilmember Kunz
Councilmember Longoria seconded the motion
was absent for the vote.
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
moved to approve the Consent Agenda Items.
. The motion passed (6-0). Councilmember Lusk
1. Recognition and Presentation of City of Milton "Ten" Year Anniversary Pins to:
Mark Aral, Clay Barnette, Charles Barstow, Jason Baswell, Shane Black, Tyson Blake,
John Borsey, Jason Cantrell, Jeanette Citta, John Cunningham, John Dancsecs, Danny
Elliott, Matt Fallstrom, Tim Farnell, Johnny Gomez, Brian Hansford, James Hickerson,
Roth Hutcheson, Stacey Inglis, Ryan James, Angie Kapijimpanga, Sara Leaders, Matt
Marietta, Augie Mascioli, Shawn McCarty, Honor Motes, Tyler Nicholson, Don
Patterson, Josh Payne, Angela Rambeau, Chris Seay, Fran Shoenthal, Mark Slyman III,
Danny Snyder, Mark Stephens, Chad Sweeting, Chad Taylor, Kim Trawick, Russ
Womack, and Scott Wright. Retirees: Bill Bourn, Greg Foster, Bill Garrett, John Huey,
Jeff Humphrey, Mike Melson, Thomas Mickens, and Jimmy Sanders.
(Presented by Mayor Joe Lockwood)
2. Recognition and Presentation of City of Milton "Five" Year Anniversary Pins to:
Khalil Bouziane, Marc Brown, Richard Bushman, Jim Cregge, Scott Harrell, Bernadette
Harvill, Matt Kunz, Wendy Lee, David Little, Dawn Serff, and Susan Wilmath.
(Presented by Mayor Joe Lockwood)
FIRST PRESENTATION
1. Consideration of RZ17-11 Text Amendment to Article XX — Deerfield Form Based Code,
Table 10: Specific Function and Use Regarding the T-6 Transect Zone.
(Agenda Item No. 17-304)
(Kathleen Field, Community Development Director)
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Longoria moved to approve the First Presentation Item.
Councilmember Mohrig seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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PUBLIC HEARING (None)
ZONING AGENDA (None)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (None)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of a Resolution of the City of Milton Authorizing A Pre -Application for a
Recreation Trails Program Grant with the Department of Natural Resources.
RESOLUTION NO. 17-12-453
(Agenda Item No. 17-305)
(Jim Cregge, Parks and Recreation Director)
Jim Cregge, Parks and Recreation Director
This is a resolution seeking the permission for staff to submit a pre -application grant to the
Department of Natural Resources. We are applying for a grant of $200,000 which will be
applied to a trails project at Providence Park. It is a 20% match so it is a total of $250,000
of which $50,000 would come from the city. The funding is available in the budget in the
Capital Improvement Plan for overall parks improvement. With your approval, we will
submit this application by December 31, 2017. It is a two-year application cycle. If we do
not apply at this time, we will not be able to apply for another two years. Once the funds
are applied to build the trail, the trail must stay in perpetuity.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Kunz moved to approve Agenda Item No. 17-305.
Councilmember Thurman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
2. Consideration of the following Subdivision Plat:
Name of Development / Location
Action
Comments / #
Total
Density
lots
Acres
1. Park at Bethany
Final
LL 832
Plat
27 Lots
8.887
3.04 Lots / acre
Bethany Bend Road
(Agenda Item No. 17-306)
(Melissa Branen, Plan Review Manager)
Melissa Branen, Plan Review Manager
The plat is located at Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road directly across the street from Cambridge
High School. The site area is 8.887 acres with 27 detached lots and includes 4.2 acres of open
space with a pond and some public open space. The entrance is off of Bethany Bend and is to be
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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private. One feature of this development is a 130 foot wide open space. There is also a 10 foot
wide sidewalk that runs along Cogburn and all the way down Bethany Bend. There is a mail
kiosk with on street parking. The entire project is curb and gutter so it has storm structures that
run to the pond. It also includes some very nice plantings.
Councilmember Lusk
When was this initially approved for rezoning?
Robyn MacDonald, Zoning Manager
2013
Councilmember Lusk
And, this is the third proposal that has come forth on this property?
Robyn MacDonald
Yes. It was proposed as a church, then the current developer asked for an assisted living facility,
then withdrew it and has now brought forth this development.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Longoria moved to approve Agenda Item No. 17-306.
Councilmember Kunz seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-1). Councilmember
Thurman recused herself from the vote. Councilmember Hewitt was in opposition.
The following Agenda Item No. 17-307 was moved by Motion and Vote to after Approval of
Agenda.
3. Consideration of a Resolution Appointing the Chief Judge of the Municipal Court for the
City of Milton, Georgia Pursuant to Article V of the City Charter.
RESOLUTION NO. 17-12-454
(Agenda Item No. 17-307)
(Mayor Joe Lockwood)
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Thurman moved to approve Agenda Item No. 17-307
appointing Brian A. Hansford as Chief Judge of the Municipal Court for the City of Milton.
Councilmember Longoria seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0). Councilmember
Mohrig and Councilmember Lusk were absent for the vote.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday; December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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4. Consideration of a Land Acquisition Agreement between the City of Milton, Georgia and
Triumph Golf, LLC related to the Purchase of the Milton Country Club, Tax Parcels: 22
440005280716 (16.80 acres), 22 441006000798 (31.34 acres), 22 457006010140 (11.60
acres), 22 456005290240 (16,50 acres), 22 442006720328 (56.00 acres), 22 441006250740
(4.85 acres), for $5,000,000.00.
(Agenda Item No. 17-308)
(Steve Krokgf f,' Cit) Manager)
Mayor Joe Lockwood
I want to thank everyone who is here tonight and especially those who spoke. We have received
a lot of good feedback and questions. A few weeks ago, our Greenspace Committee approached
us with this proposal. We are really excited because it made sense for what our citizens want based
on surveys, questiomiaires, and the overall goal of protecting greenspace in the city. There was
no intent on the part of the city to work a behind the scene deal or whatever. This was brought to
us as an opportunity. From what I understand, the sellers were going to sell it and had other
options. We had comments from people saying just tokeepit a golf course or country club. I do
not believe that is an option because the seller's intention is to parcel the land off for a developer
to build homes and possibly sell the building for private venues. I believe that is the direction they
were going so the opportunity presented itself to the city. Tonight we are looking at putting the
land under contract which will then give us the opportunity to conduct due diligence and obtain an
appraisal.
City Attorney Jarrard
First of all, the property is not under contract with the city. This opportunity came to the city
council with a time sensitive agenda. The legalities of this opportunity have occurred precisely as
the law anticipates. This opportunity came to the city council through the Greenspace Committee
and then was discussed with the council and the committee during an Executive Session to
determine if there was an interest in pursuing it. This opportunity has occurred at an accelerated
rate due to the time constraints incurred. The law anticipates that the city council can discuss it in
Executive Session but before anything binding can be done, it has to be discussed during a city
council meeting and presented to the public. The entity that is indicated on the documents is
Triumph Golf, LLC. However, Triumph Golf,,. LLC has formed another company that is now
called Milton Interests, LLC. Triumph Golf, LLC is a Texas corporation and Milton Interests,
LLC is a Georgia corporation in which Triumph Golf, LLC is the organizer of that entity. The
seller listed on the contract in front of you is Milton Interests, LLC. The acquisition price is $5
million. The due diligence period will go through December 15, 2017. By then, we should have
an appraisal, survey, title commitments, and title insurance completed. If you approve this contract
tonight, we would have until the close of business on December 15th to get out of the contract
without any loss of money. The earnest money the city will pay if it enters into this contract is
$100,000. After December 151h the city will lose the earnest money if it decides to back out of
the contract. The anticipated closing date is January 15, 2018. In addition, I would like to clarify
a mistake I made on the agenda. The parcel containing 31.34 acres, the parcel number is incorrect
on the agenda but is correct on the contract.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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Mayor Lockwood
I would like to address the timing of this transaction. It would be nice if we had six months to
conduct due diligence. Also, the comments we received regarding the price. From what I
understand, there was a package deal where they bought two golf courses and then the seller
decided to sell this property. Regardless of whether they bought it for apenny and sold it for $200;
we have to make sure we are being good stewards of taxpayer money. We need to ensure that the
city gets the best value that we can. If it doesn't appraise for the amount the contract states, then
we would certainly re -think the transaction. Steve, could you please address why the timeline is
so quick.
City Manager Krokoff
I don't know what the connection may be between the Milton Country Club and what is going on
with Crooked Creek. However, one thing that they made very clear in our conversations is that if
there is a connection it is very minimal and has nothing to do with the other. As far as the timeline,
they are looking to flip this property. They do not want to operate a golf course. There was no
intention for them to ever operate it as a golf course. This is information from conversations I had
with both the agent and the owner of the company. There were two options for the outcome of
this purchase. Either be sold to the highest bidder or the city. Those were the only two options.
They described to me other offers that they had. They want this transaction to be a quick flip
because they need the money from this sale to use elsewhere. So, they have been driving the
timeline. They want to close in the first half of January.
Mayor Lockwood
From what we were told, they had other options. To sell to the city was not their only option.
City Manager Krokoff
I was told that there were two developers who wanted to go in together and potentially sell off the
top piece.
Mayor Lockwood
We are working through this process. The first step is to put it under contract. If we purchase it,
we will handle it like any other public process. We will gather public input to develop a plan for
the land.
Council ember 'Thurman
Funds from the Greenspace Bond can only be used for passive parks and passive activity. So, any
property that we purchase using greenspace bond money, would remain passive and be trails with
walking, biking, and equestrian uses. It would be passive in perpetuity.
City Manager Krokoff
I am going to say that is a fair statement but I would also like for Ken to comment on that.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council'
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Page 8 of 10
City Attorney Jarrard
The greenspace bond has to be used for the purposes and intent that was set forth in the bond
referendum. So, yes, the land has to be kept as greenspace, however, with most things in the law
there is always the exception and that is that any government would have the right to convert that
property to an active use. However, if the city does that, it has to replenish the greenspace bond
fund to the same percentage that was used to purchase the portion of land that they want to convert.
For example, if thecitywanted to convert 50% of the land to an active use, then the city would
have to replenish the greenspace bond fund by 50% of the purchase price of the land.
City Manager Krokoff
So, if we wanted the land to remain a passive use into perpetuity then we could put easements on
the land so that it could not be converted to an active use. Another option is that it could be held
in a land trust to ensure that no one could turn it into a use that it was never intended for. There
are several methods that we could use to ensure that the land remains passive.
Councilmember Hewitt
I think this is a great opportunity for our city. The residents that are directly affected will
certainly get a voice in hove the property is pursued. I am in full support of this purchase.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Hewitt moved to approve Agenda Item No. 17-308 with
the correction of the parcel number for the 31.34 acres. Councilmember: Kunz seconded
the motion. The motion passed (6-0). Councilmember Longoria recused himself from the vote.
Department Updates
1. Public Works
2. Fire
3. Human Resources
4. Community Outreach
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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Carter Lucas, Assistant City Manager
We are continuing to work on the Heritage Walk project and the roundabout at Crabapple Chase
and Crabapple Road. We hoped to have it open by Thanksgiving and now it looks like it will be
Christmastime before it is completed. At this time, they are not going to open the Heritage Walk
portion of the project when the project is completed. They are concerned about the influx of traffic
that will occur at the stop sign at Heritage Walk and 372 so they are going to have a three legged
roundabout temporarily. The last phase of that project will be to add turn lanes at that intersection
on three of the legs and the overall project completion is scheduled for June 2018. The Mayfield
Road sidewalk project is scheduled to begin next week and we will only have westbound traffic
moving in that area for about two months. We are currently in the acquisition phase of the
roundabout at Providence and Freemanville. We are currently running at about 85% of the
TSPLOST projected revenue. They are going back to Georgia State who originally projected the
numbers to see if there could possibly be some revenue that has not been accounted for. We are
still looking at the HopewellBethanys project. The numbers have changed since the original
projection a few years ago so we are doing some additional modeling on that project. We are
working on concept plans for Hopewell at Thompsons and Hopewell at Hamby. We are in the final
process of selecting a contractor to provide those services for us. We are working with GDOT on
the Greene at SR140 TSPLOST project as well as the Morris and Webb project.
Bob Edgar, Fire Chief
Since this is my last report for 2017, I would like to highlight a few of the accomplishments of our
department. We have upgraded all of our radios. We are now 100% compatible with the North
Fulton Radio System which means that multiple users can use one frequency. We have hired ten
new employees. We have had promotions for four captains and one battalion chief. Our in-house
paramedic program began this year and we expect completion of six new paramedics by February.
We have acquired a search and rescue dog and she recently found a drowning victim at Lake
Lanier. We have ordered our mobile fire training facility which is scheduled to be delivered in
early January. We are second in the state for MDA collections. We collected almost $80,000 this
year. Our CERT program started in early November and completion of the program will be in
January and we will then have our first CERT team. Our community para medicine program
officially kicked off on December 1st and we had three visits today and three more visits later this
week. We had four people this year who were declared clinically dead and we were able to revive
them and transport them to the hospital and all four of those individuals walked out of the hospital.
Our call volume has increased by 7%. Our pancake breakfast is on Saturday and we hope you will
join us.
Regular Meeting of the Milton City Council
Monday, December 4,.2017 at 6:00 pm
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Sam Trager, Human Resources Director
Earlier this evening, we gave out 40 ten year pins. Those employees have been with the city since
2007. That is a pretty impressive retention rate. We are doing our annual maintain don't gain
challenge. The city was recognized by the Georgia Government Personnel Association and our
Human Resources Department as Agency of the Year. This is the second time in four years that
we have won this award. In order to achieve this award, we implemented paid maternity leave for
our employees. We transitioned from a vacation and sick leave policy to a PTO policy. We made
changes to our defined benefit plan. We also implemented a pay study and as of today we have
only one vacancy in our police department and one in our fire department. We switched from Blue
Cross Blue Shield to Cigna and saved the city from a 25% increase in health costs to only a 9%
increase.
Courtney Spriggs, Community Outreach Manager
In September, we had Carvin In Crabapple. We launched our new event Rock for Rescues which
received a very positive response. There will be a lot of fundraising initiatives related to this event
from now until April when the actual event will be held. In November, we had our first Veterans
Breakfast which was a huge success. Immediately following that was our Literary Festival which
was very well attended. In December, we had Christmas in Crabapple and our annual Tree
Lighting. Our partnership with the Crabapple Association is fantastic and these events are always
very successful. I am working with Kathy Field on our Milton Museum. We want to make the
lobby space in the upstairs of City Hall a place where people can come and learn about the history
of Milton.
ADJOURNMENT
(Agenda Item No. 17-309)
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Mohrig moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 9:34 p.m.
Councilmember Thurman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Date Approved: December 18, 2017
L�-Alo?
Sudie AM Gordon, City erk
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Joe Lock ayor