Roswell Council Makes Quick Work of Agenda

publication date: May 26, 2008

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author/source: Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

It was a lightning-quick council meeting covering all sorts of ground at Roswell last week. All council members were present except for Rich Dippolito. The meeting began at the usual 7:30 p.m. and ended just after 8 p.m. Having just come from a lavish dinner at the nearby Smith Plantation, it could be that the Mayor and Council were just happily full.

Fulton’s Mess
• An item on the consent agenda was the repair of Fulton County’s damage to a stream bank in Barrington Farms. The damage was caused by a sewer pipe. The city will contract with Aquascape Environmental to the amount of $85,000. Councilman Jerry Orlans made the motion to approve and the item passed unanimously.

Roswell Linked to Alpharetta Greenway
• The Alpharetta Greenway is one more step closer to being complete, with another little hole filled by a new contract with Georgia Development Partners to build a new concrete pedestrian trail, a boardwalk and a park which will connect Roswell’s Big Creek Park to Alpharetta’s Greenway. Orlans motioned for approval and it passed unanimously.

Water Issues
• Roswell approved a program that will save the city water and its customers money. The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District has developed a program to let municipalities offer rebates for refitting their homes with low-flow toilets, up to two per household. Rebates of $100 are offered for adding a 1.28 gallon-per-flush toilet and $50 for a 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilet. Fulton County also has a rebate program for those using Fulton County water. Councilman David Tolleson made the motion to pass and the vote was unanimous.

• A tiered multi-family water rate structure was passed for private subdivisions. The new structure was created to include multi-family private subdivisions under the residential rate structure, as opposed to the commercial structure such subdivisions currently fall under. Tolleson moved for approval and the council voted unanimous approval.

• A new Environmental ordinance was presented that aims to bring the city in line with Metro North Water Planning District requirements. The ordinance will change slightly what the city does with floodplains. Tolleson made the motion and the council voted unanimously.

The Arts and Education
• The Georgia Ensemble Theatre signed a contract with the city to become the resident company for 2008. A 10 percent rent raise for 2008 was included in the new contract, with a 5 percent raise in 2009. Councilman Orlans motioned for approval and the motion passed unanimously.

• Roswell submitted for a Challenge America grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The hope is to win the $10,000 grant to build a sculpture garden behind the Visual Arts building in Roswell Area Park. The grant requires matching funds from the city, which will be split between money from the Recreation Participation Fund and in-kind services from the city’s landscape architect. Orlans made the motion and it was unanimously approved.

• Some good news for those who like numbers: Newsweek Magazine compiled a ranking of the best public high schools in the country and two Roswell schools made the list: Centennial ranked 272 out of the 1,300 and Roswell High ranked 529.

Emergency Services
• A contract was presented allowing Rural Metro Ambulance to provide emergency services to Roswell. Fulton County recently decreed that ambulance services should be paid for and organized by the municipalities. Councilwoman Lori Henry motioned for approval and it passed unanimously.

• On the same note, the six cities of North Fulton County (Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Mountain Park and Sandy Springs) have agreed to coordinate their services to proved acceptable emergency coverage of the entire area, with the creation of the Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee. Henry moved for approval and the item passed unanimously. 

No Smoking
• In another blow to smokers, City of Roswell employees are no longer allowed to smoke or use tobacco products on city property, in city vehicles and while using city equipment. Councilman Kent Igleheart made the motion for approval and council unanimously agreed.

Proclamations
• Two proclamations were read, the first declaring the week of May 18-24 as National Public Works Week, honoring the men and women who have dedicated themselves to a career in public works. Next came a proclamation declaring City Clerk’s Appreciation Day. Roswell’s City Clerk, Sue Creel, and Deputy City Clerk, Betsy Branch, were honored for the exemplary way they have handled their jobs serving the people of Roswell.

• A special presentation followed, with members of Bike Roswell presenting Mayor Wood with a goody bag from this year’s Mayor’s Ride, which was held on May 4. More than 500 people turned out for the Ride. The Mayor and Council, as well as city administrator Kay Love, were invited to join Bike Roswell for the family free ride that will take place this summer.