May 1 BOC Meeting Agenda

As always, the meeting will be at 10a.m. at Citizen's Hall.  You can also watch it live on channel 23.  I've looked on all of the Planning and Zoning pages on the county website and did not see Tuesday's agenda.  If anyone has it please email it to me.  Thanks.

 

WORK SESSION AGENDA APRIL 30, 2007 10:00 A.M. – BOARD ROOM
CITIZENS' INPUT APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Commission Meeting of April 17, 2007.

PROCLAMATIONS
2. Declaring the week of May 13-19, 2007 as Police Week in Douglas County and observing the May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of those law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
3. Declaring May 3, 2007 as National Day of Prayer in Douglas County.

PUBLIC HEARINGS (Beverly)
4. Douglasville Therapeutic Massage, Inc.
4147 N. Quail Drive, Douglasville, GA 30135
(Applicant: Mary Lou Ross)

5. Liquor and Beer & Wine License (New)
Paradise Package Store
2785 Lee Road, Suite B-10, Lithia Springs, GA
(Licensee: Satya Rupa Jasti)

6. Metropolitan River Protection Act Certificate for a swimming pool at 3479 Olde River Road (Lot 11 of Olde River Plantation S/D) (TABLED 4/17/07)

7. to consider adding a new Chapter 12.5 to the Douglas County Code of Ordinance regarding Parks and Recreation. (Gary)

8. to consider adding a change to the Animal Control Ordinance to create an Animal Advisory Board. (Tim)

9. to consider the adoption of the Property Maintenance Code and changes to the Litter Ordinance. (Mark)

PLAT APPROVALS – FINAL PLAT ACCEPTANCE (Cynde)
10. Lithia Springs Home Depot – Tract #2 – Revised Final

 

11. Approval of EMS Billing and Collections Policies and amend the budget by increasing EMS Revenue by $281,000, Fire/EMS by $60,000 and General Appropriations by $221,000 for anticipated additional revenue, to pay for Alpha & Omega services and place the remaining in budget reserve. (Jennifer)

12. In 2006 the Fire & EMS Department received a $132,920 grant. GEMA has now authorized them to purchase items approved by the grant. Amend the budget by increasing State Grants by $132,920 and Fire & EMS by $132,920. (Jennifer)

13. The Sheriff Enforcement Department received a $2,000 donation from Greystone Power Foundation for Meth Task Force activities. Communications received a $1,500 donation from Sprint Nextel. Amend the budget by increasing Donations by $3,500, Sheriff Enforcement by $2,000 and Communications by $1,500. (Jennifer)

14. The Fire/EMS Department received a $22,882 insurance check to repair a vehicle which was damaged last year. The repair was completed this year but the funds were not encumbered. Transfer $22,882 from General Appropriations to Fire/EMS to repair the vehicle. (Jennifer)

15. Authorization to place a limitation of use on a portion of Dog River area park property. (Gary)

16. Approval of contracts with First Baptist Church of Douglasville and Victory Baptist Church for Use of Facilities as Voter Precincts.

17. Little Ridge Subdivision Letter of Credit - authorize the acceptance of $58,432 from McIntosh Commercial Bank, deposit into the SPLOST Resurfacing Account and refund McIntosh Commercial Bank the amount remaining after the work is completed. (Mark)

18. Award of bid for gravel. (Diane)

19. Award of bid for ready-mix concrete. (Diane)

20. Approve the selection of engineering and environmental consultant for Solid Waste Management. (Diane)

21. Approve the selection for lease/retail services for the Skate Park. (Diane)

22. Request authorization to advertise for a grading permit for Winston Ball Park. (Wayne)

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• The Douglas County Board of Commissioners intends to call for a referendum on September 18th for a one percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The County has scheduled public input
meetings to hear comments from our citizens on projects they would like to have considered should the referendum pass. The next scheduled meetings are: Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Clinton Nature Preserve and Thursday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. at Citizens' Hall, Douglas County Courthouse.

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel, Litigation, Land Acquisition

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Crimestoppers

Does anyone know if Douglasville has a Crime Stoppers?  Carrollton does--they even have a website.  In the meantime, Crime Stoppers Atlanta posted a request from the Douglasville Police Department about the death of Barbara Butler, who was found dead in her apartment on October 30 of last year.  Apparently this crime is still unsolved.  Click here for more info-- http://www.crimestoppersatlanta.org/0/

 

WSB also has a notice on their website saying that the Douglasville Police Department is increasing the reward for clues to Ms. Butler's death in hopes they will get some answers.

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No Rain At Bluegrass Springfest

  I thoroughly enjoyed the Bluegrass Springfest in Villa Rica, GA today.  All of the bluegrass groups were amazing, especially The Suggins Brothers, but the highlight of the bluegrass festival was the awesome and spectacular performance by Mountain Heart.  My only regret of the entire day was that I forgot to bring my camera.  I am still kicking myself.

 

Mountain Heart's performance brought me full circle--I reviewed Jim Van Cleve's debut album, "No Apologies," last year and it was thrilling to actually see him tear up the fiddle on stage.  I thought he was going to break a string or two.  And to see mandolin player Adam Steffey--now that was a treat in itself.  Every single member of the band is extremely talented, including new member Josh Shilling.  He has quite a vocal range--I was very, very impressed.

 

Near the end of the show someone in the audience requested "Soul Shine" and it was a beautiful way to close out a bluegrass show blessed with such beautiful weather.  It was an afternoon I will never forget and I may get some emails after saying this, but I think it was better than spending an evening at the Grand Ole Opry.

 

Here's hoping the Villa Rica Parks & Recreation Department chooses a nationally-known band just as good as Mountain Heart to headline next year's festival.  After this year's great turnout--I estimated about 200-400 people showed up just for the bluegrass festival--surely they will want to book another national act.  I vote for Chris Thile, though I think they'd have quite a traffic problem on their hands if they booked him.  Whomever it will be, I'm sure it will be a great group.  But right now, it's hard to believe anything could top this year's festival!

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Wednesday's Douglasville City Council Meeting

I have no idea what was approved(thankfully they will start broadcasting them this summer on channel 25) but here is the agenda:

 

CITY OF DOUGLASVILLE CITY COUNCIL

Special Meeting

April 26, 2007 8:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Safety Committee/Dennis McLain
a. 20-07-22 - Authorize the City of Douglasville Police Department to submit an application to the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for a matching fund grant under the Fiscal Year 2007 Bulletproof Vest Partnership program to include 23 SWAT vests, as well as vests for 44 police officers, at a total cost for this equipment of some $45,560.00.

5. Community & Economic Development Committee/John Schildroth
a. 21-07-23 - Approve for submission to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs the Certification of S.H.A.R.E. House as a participant in local homeless provider activities and in continuum of care plan activities.

b. 21-07-24 - Approve for submission to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs the Certification of Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc., as a participant in local homeless provider activities and in continuum of care plan activities.

6. Planning & Zoning Committee/Michael Carter
a. 22-07-38 - Consider adopting a resolution to submit the City of Douglasville's revised Capital Improvements Element (CIE) prepared by Carter & Burgess, Inc., and the new impact fee report prepared by TischlerBise to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

7. Finance Committee/Henry Mitchell III
a. 24-07-08 - Adopt a resolution to notify the Douglas County Board of Commissioners of the City of Douglasville's portion of the wording for the ballot for the September 2007 SPLOST referendum.

8. Transportation Committee/Michael Carter
a. 27-07-07 - Consider authorizing the Mayor to sign a Development Agreement with Conroy Development Company for the City of Douglasville to receive donation of right of way for the Bright Star Road Connector Project in exchange for certain development considerations.

9. Ordinances & Intergovernmental Committee/Callye B. Holmes
a. 29-07-07 - Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for applicants to complete the unexpired term of Rock Pursley on the Douglasville - Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority (WSA) Board of Directors.

10. Other Business

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From ScanAlert

Cobb Fire & Rescue enroute to 6 Flags Drive on a possible 3 y/o child shot.
Dispatch advising it is possibly self-inflicted.

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Police Scanner Happenings

12:40pm – Police on lookout for tractor trailer going eastbound on I-20 near Post Rd—caller reported driver was falling asleep at the wheel and driving recklessly.

12:42pm Someone shooting off firearms on N. County Line Road over the interstate.

12:43pm Reckless vehicle report (not the same as 12:40pm)

12:44pm Reckless 20 Eastbound from S. Baggett—lumber truck weaving on interstate.

12:46pm Officer stopping suspicious vehicle

12:47pm Larceny reported.

12:48pm Alarm going off at a residence in one of the Anawakee subdivisions.

12:50pm License being run.

12:52pm License being run.

12:54pm Looks like the suspects from the firearm incident have been arrested.  Two firearms involved.

12:56pm Alarm going off at a residence in another Anawakee subdivision.

12:57pm Report of a rundown vehicle being parked in an area for several months.

12:58pm License being run.

1:01pm License being run.

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Police Scanner Happenings

5:13 p.m. - Accident in front of Texas Roadhouse on Chapel Hill Road.

5:14 p.m. On lookout for two reckless/speeding/road rage trucks on I-20.

5:18 p.m. Mechanical breakdown on Maxham Rd.

5:19 p.m. Someone on Burnt Hickory making threats.

5:26 p.m. Someone is running into the middle of traffic and trying to break into cars??  This is near a Citco--not sure where that is.

5:28 p.m. Tractor-trailer accident on West Strickland Street.

5:39 p.m. Accident - I-20 Eastbound @ Post Road.  Apparently it was a pretty bad wreck.  2 vehicles involved, right two lanes blocked, asking for additional unit to deal with traffic. Injuries.  Requesting two ambulances for two injured persons and two wreckers for the two vehicles involved.

5:44 p.m. Someone locked their keys in their car at Sam's Club.

5:47 p.m. An ambulance is going to Longhorn's.  Didn't hear why.

5:48 p.m. Ambulance dispatches one ambulance to 5:39 p.m. I-20/Post Rd. accident.

5:52 p.m. Somebody was stuck in the elevator at Arbor Place, but got out before the fire department arrived.

5:53 p.m. - More fire or ambulance units are heading to the I-20/Post Rd accident.

6:00 p.m.  They're bringing in an Emory life-flight helicopter for the I-20/Post Rd accident.

6:02 p.m. Helicopter hovering over accident.

6:03 p.m. Fall at a karate studio.

 

 

 

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Question

I know some of you who read my blog are most likely college students or writers.  My question is this: where do you go to study and/or write?  I'm a writer--at least, I'm trying my hardest to be one in my spare time--and I have one good place to write--but if it rains, well, I can't go there because it's outdoors.  Preferably somewhere in Douglas County.  Thanks.

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Property Info

In response to someone's question of where I get the property information, most of it is obtained from http://www.loopnet.com .

Douglas County Food Bank To Close

This is in tomorrow's paper.  It's a shame.  Someone or a group of people or businesses should contribute enough to keep it going.  Surely there should be someone in this county who cares enough about the food bank and those who live on very little each month and depend on this food bank for food every month.

 

Food Bank may be closing By Bobby Moore

After 13 years of service to Douglasville and other surrounding communities, the Douglas County Food Bank's future is in jeopardy. While giving away an estimated 100,000 pounds of food every month, the Food Bank has received very little financial support outside of the money they make off of their thrift store, director John Wilson said. The thrift store and the warehouse will both shut their doors on April 23 barring an influx of financial support. `We'll have to close up if no one steps forward,` said Wilson. Wilson and his wife founded the food bank in 1994, and keeping it in operation has been financially taxing for the couple.

`My wife and I have spent hundreds of thousands out of our pockets into this thing to keep it running,` he said. In the past, the food bank has received some funding, but it was all from individuals. `We've never gotten any funding from the county or city governments,` Wilson said. Because of this lack of support, Wilson said that the food bank has performed a thankless task. `You don't know about it, but we help thousands of families each year, and no one gives back to us,` he said.

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YMCA to Possibly Be Built In Hunter Park

There have been rumors, but tomorrow's Sentinel confirms that it might be possible.  Also, we might be getting a facelift for Hunter Park.  This and other topics, including the gang problem, will be talked about at a town hall meeting at First Baptist Church on April 17 at 7:30p.m.  Here's what will be on the agenda:

 

• a report on transportation projects at Hospital Drive, Chapel Hill Road, Prestley Mill Road, Timber Ridge Drive, Georgia Highway 92, the Bright Star Road Connector and Georgia Highway 5;

• a report on the city's parks, including Hunter Park, a proposed new park south of Interstate 20, West Pines Golf Course and a proposed new YMCA facility in Hunter Park;

 

• a report on the September 2007 SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax), including the Douglas County jail site away from downtown Douglasville and possible new projects for the city;

• a report on the possible implementation of impact fees;

• a report on gang activity and the city's response, including key points from the Douglasville Police Department and the new Arbor Place mall policy;

• planned facilities for the Douglasville Police Department.

 

Unfortunately I will not be able to go to the meeting.  If someone would like to volunteer to go I'll let you write about it on my blog.

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Franchises & Property For Sale In Douglas County

The Douglasville franchise of Cold Stone Creamery went up for sale at the end of February.  The asking price is $130,000 with $130,000 down.  For some odd reason, ice cream shops have never done well in Douglasville.  We had a Baskin-Robbins in the K-Mart shopping center but it closed(I think there's still one on Fairburn road combined with a Dunkin Donuts), and Bruster's is still open but every time I go by there I never see anyone in the parking lot.  It might be hurting since Ben & Jerry's opened in the mall last year.

 

Also a games and hobby shop was up for sale, but is now off the market.  It is most likely the store in the old Wal-Mart parking lot or the games store in the mall.  It was being sold for $275,000 and $325,000 down. 

 

West Georgia Auto Repair on Bankhead Highway is for sale for $495,000.

 

MRI Imaging of Georgia on Fairburn Road is for sale for $1.2 million.  Was this the only Open MRI in Douglasville?

 

Puna Plaza on Fairburn Road is still for sale.

 

 

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