Here's a recap of the March Work Session and my thoughts. This agenda was the shortest I've seen on Council: 17 pages. The agenda and live stream can be found here.
Chamblee PD's New Assistant Chief
Police Chief Dieppe introduced Assistant Chief Nelson Aloy, who brings 33 years of law enforcement experience. He recently retired from the Miami-Dade Police Department, and we are excited to add an officer of his caliber to our already stellar department.
Book Drive Dilemma
Under new business was the Kovel, Ukraine Book Drive. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community in donating books. However, due to budget constraints, we faced a logistical challenge when sending these books to our sister city. Despite collecting more books than anticipated, the funds allocated weren't sufficient to cover the shipping costs.
Our staff diligently researched cost-effective shipping options and found a vendor who can transport the books for $3500, a significant reduction from other quotes. However, we encountered a hurdle due to gratitude laws restricting us from exceeding the original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU.) Staff will continue researching a solution, and we're committed to delivering these books to Kovel.
Art Master Plan Update & Art Gallery Space
Councilwoman Robson brought forth the discussion on updating our Art Master Plan (AMP) and the potential establishment of an art gallery space. Recognizing the importance of cultural enrichment in our City, we agreed to revisit the AMP, which we last updated in 2019. Our staff will research the costs of producing a new Master Plan and explore funding options. We anticipate presenting these findings in June, preceding a vote on mid-year budget adjustments in July.
Regarding the art gallery, the City may have an opportunity to lease space for this purpose. After discussion, the City Manager will contact the landlord to see if this is a real opportunity. If it is, staff will work on a business plan to see if an art gallery run by the City is economically feasible. I'll have difficulty supporting the gallery if it is not revenue-neutral/positive.
Amended Agenda
Following an Executive Session, the Council voted to amend the agenda to include an item regarding land acquisition. While I cannot disclose specific details now, rest assured we made this decision with the City's growth in mind. I'll keep you updated on further developments regarding this matter.
Thank you for your continued support, and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
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