Alpharetta Joins Fulton in Relaxing Watering Restrictions
By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF
Last week’s Alpharetta council meeting featured a proclamation for the Sons of the American Revolution by Mayor Arthur Letchas. The Mayor’s declaration made April 19 as Patriot’s Day.
“The Patriots of that time were the unknowns and we thank you for remembering them,” said Jack Ferguson of the Piedmont Chapter of the SAR, after a short story about how Paul Revere did not ride alone on his famous Midnight Ride – there were several other men who popular history chose to ignore.
Alcohol
The city addressed several applications for permission to serve alcohol. Of particular note was that Ovations Food Services had asked to be allowed alcohol consumption and Sunday sale of liquor, beer and wine in the new Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. The Amphitheater’s grand opening is scheduled for May 10, and the venue, owned and operated by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, will host a series of concerts and events throughout the summer.
“This is the first one of these types of establishments, and they are going to be opening up on May 10,” said Letchas, obviously excited. “This is going to be a good endeavor that we are participating in.”
Water
With the consent agenda passed, a second reading of an ordinance on watering restrictions was passed unanimously by council. This ordinance brings Alpharetta into the same recently relaxed level of restrictions as Fulton County, which allows residents to water by hand for 25 minutes per week.
Residents with odd numbered addresses can water for 25 minutes on Sunday morning between midnight and 10 a.m.; and those with even numbered addresses can water on Saturday between the same hours. The watering is “by hand” only, which is defined as a person with a hose. The hose must have an auto shut-off trigger handle attached so that the water does not continue to run when the hose is unattended. Sprinklers, timers and soaker hoses are still off limits.
Residents can also apply for a permit to water once a day for 30 days for new landscaping.
De-Annex
An ordinance was passed unanimously that allowed a parcel of land on Douglas Road to be de-annexed from Alpharetta to Johns Creek. This de-annexation does not include any right-of-way. The Council also made clear their preference that the land not be allowed for retail use by Johns Creek, as the residents in the area had voiced concerns about this.
Green
Amanda Day, the city’s grants administrator, presented a resolution for the city to apply to have 43 recycle bins placed in the city’s parks beside trashcans. The bins would be part of a Coca-Cola and National Recycling Coalition recycling program in which they are given to the city. Council unanimously voted in support of the resolution, and the application for the grant will be submitted soon.
Development Vendor
Community Development Director Diana Wheeler presented a resolution to officially recognize Solomon Holdings, LLC as the vendor for the development of Alpharetta’s city center and authorizing the firm to begin negotiations to purchase the properties surrounding the city hall. Councilman David Belle Isle motioned for approval of the resolution and it passed unanimously.
“Now its time to get to work and get started,” said Belle Isle to the Solomon group. “There are a lot of people in the city excited about it.” Councilwoman Cheryl Oakes seconded his enthusiasm.
Traffic
Dr. John Moskaluk, the city’s engineering and public works director, presented an agreement between the city of Sandy Springs and Alpharetta on the State Route 9 Advanced Transportation Management System.
Essentially this is a project in which Roswell, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs would coordinate all of the traffic lights and traffic monitoring systems so as to provide better service to drivers of Route 9 as they go through those cities. The current agreement is to contract an engineering firm to develop designs for the road. The cost for Alpharetta would be $45,940, based on the city’s proportional mileage of SR 9.
There was one public comment, made by Don Nahser of Alpharetta who pointed out that Sandy Springs attempted to make such improvements several years ago only to tear up the road and traffic systems two months later for repaving. Letchas and Moskaluk both promised that would not happen in this case. A motion was made by Councilman Monson and passed unanimously.
The New Guys
Bob Regus, City Administrator, announced that James Drinkard has been selected to become the Assistant City Administrator effective April 14 to replace Robert Rokovitz, who is taking a new position as General Manager of Holly Springs.
• In the final action of the night, Mayor Letchas appointed a new member to the Tree Commission. He selected Linda Breads, a nurse for a transportation company. She was warmly greeted by council and pledged to work hard for the trees of the city.
Council members Paine and DeRito were absent from the meeting.