Below is my recap and thoughts on the latest city council meetings. I had to take this meeting remotely as I was traveling for work.
Announcements and Presentations
LifeLine Animal Showcase
Eva was our showcased dog! Lifeline is vastly overpopulated, and you can help by fostering or adopting. You can adopt all dogs for free through this Sunday! Additionally, dogs over seven or at the facility for over 100 days can be adopted for free. Ready to add a family member? You can find more info by following this link: https://lifelineanimal.org/
2023 Audit Results Presentation
Mauldin and Jenkins presented the audit results from 2023. They specialize in government audits. We undergo these audits to ensure no final maleficence in City Hall. Engaging with Mauldin and Jenkins to conduct an independent audit ensures that it would be uncovered if any maleficence was present.
The net: everything was “clean” in M&J’s words. Please watch the live stream for more details.
Old Business
Ordinances - 2nd Read
Alcohol Ordinance Amendments
The ordinance will allow self-pour tap rooms and wine shops to sell by the glass in the Downtown Entertainment District, subject to specific regulations.
The Council motioned and APPROVED the ordinance unanimously.
New Business
Staff Action Items
URA Bond Resolution and IGA
A motion was made to issue URA bonds and to enter an intergovernmental agreement, which was PASSED unanimously.
The bonds will reimburse the city for properties bought along Broad Street.
Resolution Appointing Public Facilities Authority Members and Establishing Initial Terms of Office
What is a PFA? The purpose of this Authority is to create a governmental entity by which a municipality can, through contractual relationships, lease space for terms over one year by using the Authority to serve as a financing and ownership partner for significant city developments. We created this to finance the new Public Works building. A motion was made to appoint the Council to the board of the PFA, and it PASSED unanimously.
Approval of Funds for Babe Walls Mural Festival
Babe Walls is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports and celebrates women and non-binary artists worldwide. Our festivals celebrate women and non-binary folks in art, along with the celebration of the community that we can create together. It is not to be excluded by gender – but to celebrate our community formed by the feminine, which we inherently relate to.
The Public Art Commission has asked the Council to approve the expenditure on the festival from its budget.
A motion was made to approve funding, and it was PASSED unanimously.
City Manager Appointment
I’m happy to announce that Deputy City Manager Kristen Gorham will be Chamblee’s next City Manager.
For more than five years at the City of Chamblee, she has served as Chamblee’s Deputy City Manager, Interim City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Senior Management Analyst. She received her master’s in public administration from the University of Georgia and has experience in Grant Compliance, Strategic Planning, and Performance Management for several municipalities in Florida. Gorham has been instrumental in spearheading large-scale capital projects, including Chamblee’s new city hall, launching Chamblee’s Open Container Policy in the Downtown Entertainment District, creating a sustainability team, and ensuring that departments are achieving their goals and objectives outlined in Chamblee’s five-year strategic plan.
A motion was made to appoint Mrs. Gorham, and it PASSED unanimously.
Moreover, I would like to thank Chuck Button for his service over the past six months as the interim City Manager. Chuck handled the role with aplomb, which Chamblee needed while we searched for a new City Manager.
Read the press release here: https://www.chambleega.com/news_detail_T2_R125.php
PZ2024-1278: Dresden Elementary Development of Community Impact
PASSED with Conditions
PZ2024-1305: 3300 Burk Drive
DEFERRED
PZ2024-1307: 1888 Keswick Lane
DEFERRED
PZ2024-1315: 2840 NE EXPWY
PASSED with conditions. See my last blog post for more info on these four items.
Mayor and Council Items
Councilmember Jimmy Furst, At-Large
Dresden Special Services District
Councilman Veith made a motion on my behalf. The motion asked Staff to seek additional input from Councilmembers to establish map options for an SSD around Dresden Park and to determine the funds raised based on a 1.75 mileage rate.
You can find the agenda and live stream by following this link: https://chambleega.new.swagit.com/videos/310427 Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov
Mobile: 770-901-1121
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