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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION NO 12 04 217STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF FULTON RESOLUTION NO. 12-04-217 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA RENEWING AND EXTENDING A MORATORIUM ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATING LICENSE FEE ASSOCIATED WITH ANNUAL REGISTRATION FOR OWNERS AND USERS OF TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council presently have in effect a regulatory framework set forth in Chapter 54 of the City of Milton City Code ("City Code") wherein private entities may apply for and receive permits to construct and utilize telecommunications Towers; and WHEREAS, in accord with this framework, section 54-8(c) of the City Code requires owners or users of new or existing telecommunications facilities to annually register and obtain a "telecommunications operating license," for which the City has established a fee of $1,000 ("telecommunications license fee"), in order to collect current information regarding telecommunication permit holders and to cover the costs of inspecting and documenting the condition of permitted towers, antennae, and other telecommunications facilities; and WHEREAS, on July 6, 2011, the City of Milton, Georgia adopted a Resolution Establishing a Moratorium on the Enforcement of the Telecommunications Operation License Fee Associated with Annual Registration for Owners and Users of Telecommunication Facilities (Previous Moratorium); and WHEREAS, the Previous Moratorium was adopted with the intention of allowing the City of Milton to monitor litigation in another local government jurisdiction pertaining to the same sort of regulatory fee (the Liberty County litigation) — in order to take reasonable precautions to ensure that Milton taxpayers were not required to fund a defense of this telecommunications tower inspection fee; and WHEREAS, by its express terms, the Previous Moratorium was to expire upon the earlier of 1) the final conclusion of the Liberty County litigation; or 2) nine months from the adoption of this moratorium; at which time the Mayor and City Council may consider whether further extension of the moratorium is reasonable and in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, the Liberty County litigation is not resolved, but the City Attorney has received information that Liberty County is modifying its regulatory fee downward as a mechanism to resolve the litigation; and WHEREAS, the City of Milton believes that an additional six (6) month extension of the Previous Moratorium will work to serve the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Milton. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA, AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the Previous Moratorium, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby renewed and extended until the earlier of: (a) six (6) months from the date of adoption of this Resolution, or (b) such time as that provision of the City of Milton Schedule of Fees referencing section 54-8(c) is modified in accord with the recommendation of the City Attorney, the Director of Community Development, and the City Manager; and, 2. The moratorium adopted by this Resolution does not limit the ability of property owners to develop their land as currently zoned, nor does this moratorium prohibit consideration of permit applications, nor does it prohibit the construction of telecommunication Towers where a permit has been issued; This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. SO RESOLVED, the public's health, safety, and welfare demanding it. This 9T" day of April, 2012. Attest: Sudie AM Gordon, City Clerk 2 (1111� Joe Lock o ayor