The Douglas County Sentinel (requires registration) is reporting today about yesterday morning’s Board of Commissioners meeting. The Board unanimously approved the 2008 budget at $99,618,521, merely a 2.8% increase over the previous year.

Figures from the 2002 SPLOST have finally been tabulated. Originally the expected amount of funds to be collected was $102 million, however actual numbers suggest $105,610,889 - roughly a $3.6 million surplus. Add in some interest, grant money and revenue transfers and the total becomes a whooping $9,010,115.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting today that 61 of the counties in north Georgia that have been affected by the drought have surpassed the 10% conservancy mark for water usage in November set by Governor Perdue. Perdue’s goal was to meet a reduction of 230 million gallons of water per day, however actual numbers speak of 348 million gallons.

What’s the old saying, “Old news is better than no news.” Two days after some robberies and a car chase down Highway 5, the Douglas County Sentinel reports this morning about details of the incident. The suspects were spotted on Douglas Boulevard after leaving Arbor Place Mall where they robbed two people. Douglasville Police were in pursuit heading south on Highway 5 where the suspects sidewiped a few vehicles before crashing into a tree just south of the Central Church Road intersection.

The weapon used in the crimes was a “snub-nose .38 revolver.” The paper reported that the car was not totaled, according to Police Chief Joe Whisenant. However yesterday WMAZ quotes Whisenant as saying the “vehicle suffered substantial damage.”

News out of WMAZ - Macon says that the two suspects that were responsible for carjacking Atlanta Hawks Shelden Williams and then robbing two people at Arbor Place Mall on Saturday, are locked up in the Douglas County jail awaiting charges to come down from Fulton County on carjacking. The suspects apprehended were “Bernard Moss and Darius Mathis, both 18 and from Atlanta.”

Fleeing in Williams’ 2008 Chrysler Aspen down Highway 5, the suspects grazed numerous vehicles before colliding into a tree. It was then that both young men tried to flee on foot, however drug dogs chased them down with one suspect was treated for a dog bite. However the SUV was totaled.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting today that traffic is the major concern for luring away business that are wanting to relocate into Atlanta, the L.A. of the South. With impending gridlock on the way, businesses are taking in consideration of moving to Dallas and Charlotte because of better transportation models. Despite the traffic, Georgia now is offering less-than satisfying incentives for businesses.

On Thursday, December 27th, the Douglas County Fire Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Douglasville Police Department will be in competition to see which public safety organization can bring in the highest number of donors during the annual Badges of Life Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. The Blood Drive will be held from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. in Citizen’s Hall of the Douglas County Courthouse, and the winning public safety organization takes home the Badges of Life trophy for 2007. Please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment to donate a pint of blood.

COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
DECEMBER 18, 2007
10:00 A.M. – CITIZENS’ HALL

INVOCATION

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

CITIZENS’ INPUT

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of December 4, 2007.

PLAT APPROVALS – PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL (Cynde Welch)
2. Sanctuary Cove – Preliminary Plat

CONSENT AGENDA

3. The Sheriff’s Department was awarded the HEAT Grant. They agreed to provide funds for additional equipment that the grant did not reimburse for in the amount of $42,820. Therefore, the budget needs to be amended to accept and record the funds. Amend the budget by increasing Transfers In and Grant Department by $42,820.

4. More Hotel/ Motel Tax revenue was received than budgeted. A portion of this revenue is allocated to the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism and History Commission. Amend the General Fund and Hotel/Motel Tax Fund budget by $6,000 due to additional revenue received.

5. Douglas County originally forecasted SPLOST collections of $102,000,000 over five years. Now that the collection of SPLOST has ended, we received $105,610,889, which is allocated to County projects and City projects. Amend the SPLOST budget by increasing SPLOST Proceeds, Interest, Grants & Transfers In revenue and Douglas County, Douglasville, Austell, and Villa Rica SPLOST Projects by $9,010,115.

6. Authorization for Chairman to sign related materials for the renewal of the liability package policies; to include general liability, employee benefits liability, automobile, property, travel accident, law enforcement liability and public officials liability policies at a reduced rate.

7. Authorization for Chairman to execute Family Treatment Program Court Assessor Grant Employment Agreement with Leisa Mason.

8. Authorization to enter into an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for acquisition of right-of-way on SR 5/Bill Arp Road @ CR 192/Bright Star Road and authorize Chairman to sign all related documents - Project #CSSTP-0007-00(069)

9. Authorization for Chairman to execute annual agreements with the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and History Commission/Old Courthouse, Inc., Sheriff’s Department Chaplain, Cultural Arts Center, Julie Banks (Probation Office), SHARE House, Whaley Lease, Juvenile Prosecutor, Juvenile Defender and Court Administrator.

10. Authorization to enter into agreement with Bentley Systems, Inc. to purchase MicroStation software license and subscribe to the MicroStation SELECT subscription for a one-year period pending review by Information Services and the Legal Departments.

11. Award of bid for traffic signal equipment for the Traffic Operation Division to all firms: Temple, Inc., Traffic Products, Inc. and Quality Traffic Systems, Inc.

12. Award of proposal for security camera system installation at the Post Road Park and Ride lot to Security Solutions and authorize Chairman to sign related documents as necessary.

13. Approval of agreement between the Douglas County School System and the Parks and Recreation Department.

14. Approval of the Southwire/Villa Rica Industrial, LLC Tax Incentive Plan subject to reciprocal approval of a companion incentive plan by the city of Villa Rica, and authorization for Chairman to execute documents subject to legal review.

15. Adoption of the 2008 budget.

NEW BUSINESS

ANNOUNCEMENTS
On Thursday, December 27th, the Douglas County Fire Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Douglasville Police Department will be in competition to see which public safety organization can bring in the highest number of donors during the annual Badges of Life Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. The Blood Drive will be held from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. in Citizen’s Hall of the Douglas County Courthouse, and the winning public safety organization takes home the Badges of Life trophy for 2007. Please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment to donate a pint of blood.

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

ADJOURN

The Work Session scheduled for Thursday, December 27th at 10:00 a.m. has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.

The Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2008 will still be held at 10:00 a.m. in Citizens Hall.

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution is reporting today that local indoor play center Monkey Joe’s (Highway 5) and Antioch Urban Ministries is being sued my a Marietta couple after they discovered their son had fractured skull. The Fitzpatrick family had their five-year-old son, Caleb, enrolled in the church’s summer camp earlier this year.

Caleb Fitzpatrick was hurt while at Monkey Joe’s, receiving no help from employees or church officials. After the family noticed that something was wrong with Caleb after picking him up, the next day they went to “Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, where doctors found a fractured skull and blood clot. They rushed him into surgery.”

Afterwards the Fitzpatrick family “filed a lawsuit in Fulton Superior Court against” Monkey Joe’s and Antioch Urban Ministries. The incident took place on June 23.

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE
CITY COUNCIL

Regular Meeting

December 17, 2007
7:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Minutes of regular meeting of December 3, 2007, and legislative session of November 29, 2007.

5. Consent Agenda:

Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth
a. 21-07-56 - Rescind the City Council action on Item 21-07-09 on February 5, 2007, to authorize the Mayor to sign agreements with Sign A Rama and Benjamin Cordell Masonry for construction of a monument sign in Downtown Douglasville across Church Street from City Hall.

Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims
a. 23-07-26 - Authorize the Mayor to sign an agreement with Jackson Paving Company, Inc., for construction of a walking track in the City’s Fowler Field Park at a cost not to exceed $36,700.00.

b. 23-07-27 - Rescind the City Council action on Item 23-07-03 on February 5, 2007, to authorize the Mayor to sign agreements with Sign A Rama and Benjamin Cordell Masonry for construction of the entrance sign on Rose Avenue at the City’s West Pines Golf Course.

Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 24-07-26 - Adopt a resolution to continue the City of Douglasville’s participation in the Georgia Municipal Association’s Direct Lease Program through December 31, 2008.

b. 24-07-27 - Authorize the City Manager to have a survey prepared of the City-owned property on Fairburn Road (Georgia Highway 92), which is to be the site of the City’s Public Safety and Municipal Court Building.

Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 25-07-21 - Authorize the Mayor to sign a Channel Service Agreement with Avaya, Inc., for 48 months for maintenance coverage of the City’s telephone communications system, continuing service through December 21, 2011.

b. 25-07-22 - Consider the request of Southern Digital Network, Inc., DBA FDN Communications, for merger with Nu Vox Communication, Inc., pursuant to the terms of its franchise agreement with the City of Douglasville for non-video cable communications.

c. 25-07-23 - Authorize the Mayor to sign a First Amendment to the City’s Intergovernmental Agreement with the Cobb County Board of Commissioners for the City’s use of a communications tower near Factory Shoals Road and Interstate Highway 20 in Cobb County.

Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks
a. 26-07-25 - Authorize the Mayor to sign a Fourth Amendment to the City’s franchise agreement with Waste Industries Atlanta, LLC, for solid waste disposal (transfer station) services and front end collection services, with modified provisions regarding a rate increase due to fuel prices and subsequent reviews for fuel increase requests.

b. 26-07-26 - For the Keep Douglasville Beautiful Board for terms extending through December 31, 2009, reappoint Louis Downer to the Post 7 position and Angela C. Smith to the Post 6 position and appoint Ang’elle A. Ancar to the Post 8 position.

6. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. 20-07-70 - Request for a change in the agent outlet manager for the alcohol beverage license for Pizza Hut of America, Inc., DBA Pizza Hut #621198 for the on premises sale and consumption of wine and malt beverage at 5636 Fairburn Road (Georgia Highway 92). Application by Pizza Hut of America, Inc.

b. 20-07-71 - Request for a change in the agent outlet manager and to add the on premises sale and consumption of spirituous liquor for the alcohol beverage license for WJE, Inc., DBA Topps Bar & Grill at 7214 Douglasville Boulevard. Application by WJE, Inc.

c. 20-07-72 - Request for a change of ownership, a change in the agent outlet manager, and a license transfer for the alcohol beverage license for A & H Express, Inc., DBA Food Mart #551 - Shell for the retail package sale of wine and malt beverage at 5652 Fairburn Road (Georgia Highway 92). Application by A & H Express, Inc.

d. 20-07-73 - Authorize the City Manager to advertise and issue a Request for Proposals from firms interested in being considered to provide design build services for the City’s planned Public Safety and Municipal Court Building, with the deadline for receipt of said RFPs being Friday, February 15, 2008.

7. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth

8. Planning & Zoning Committee/Michael Carter
a. 22-07-121 - Request for a change in zoning from CG (General Commercial District) to CG (General Commercial District) with a Special Land Use Permit for a church on approximately 1.86 acres at 6976 Bankhead Highway (U. S. Highway 78). Application by Crossroads for Life Ministries.

b. 22-07-122 - Request approval of a final plat for Rolling Hills Estates, combined lots 20 and 21, on Paul Street. Application by Michael Alan Lane.

c. 22-07-123 - Request for a variance from the City Zoning Code in order to reduce the rear yard setback from the required 30 linear feet down to a minimum of 10 linear feet in an R-2 (Single Family Detached Residential District) on approximately .576 acre at 3867 Paul Street. Application by Michael Alan Lane and Claudia Jean Lane.

d. 22-07-124 - Request for a variance from the City Zoning Code in order to reduce the rear yard setback from the required 50 linear feet down to a minimum of 12 linear feet in a DCD (Design Concept Development District) with a base zone of R-2 (Single Family Detached Residential District) on approximately 17,690 square feet at 7108 Rose Lake Circle. Application by Pedro Franco.

9. Parks & Recreation Committee/Roy Mims

10. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 24-07-28 - Authorize approval from the City’s General Fund of funds in the Community Projects line item in the Legislative budget and from the Contingency line item in the Non-Department budget for improving the City’s Fowler Field Park through purchase and installation of playground equipment and through construction of a walking track.

b. 24-07-29 - Adopt an ordinance to amend the City’s General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 - 2008.

11. Information Technology Committee/Henry Mitchell III

12. Maintenance & Sanitation Committee/Charles Banks

13. Transportation Committee/Michael Carter
a. 27-07-30 - Authorize the City to enter into a Temporary Construction Easement agreement with Douglasville Medical Plaza, LLC, involving a portion of Parcel 09 of the Georgia Department of Transportation project on Chapel Hill Road and Douglas Boulevard/Timber Ridge Drive, at a total cost of $815.00.

b. 27-07-31 - Authorize the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings for acquisition of property at the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and Douglas Boulevard, being a portion of Parcel 02 of the Georgia Department of Transportation project on Chapel Hill Road and Douglas Boulevard/Timber Ridge Drive and being owned by BP Products North America, Inc.

c. 27-07-32 - Authorize the City Attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings for acquisition of property on Georgia Highway 5 at said highway’s planned intersection with the Bright Star Road Connector, being Parcel 09 of the City’s Bright Star Road Connector project and being owned by Gwinnett Dialysis Clinic.

14. Personnel & Organization Committee/Roy Mims
a. 28-07-39 - Waive the requirement for a City of Douglasville logo on the Mayor’s and City Manager’s work vehicles in calendar 2008.

15. Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/Callye B. Holmes

16. Other Business

17. City Attorney/Joel Dodson

18. Chief Assistant City Attorney/Suzan Littlefield

19. City Manager/Bill Osborne

20. Comments from Citizens and Delegates