chatt hills district 3 newsletter september 2020 · 2020. 9. 5. · chatt hills dist. 3 news by...

Chatt Hills Dist. 3 News by Laurie Searle – September 2020 | 770-463-5169 | [email protected] Page - 1

Dear Neighbors: September 2020

I recently worked with several volunteers to ready the Scout Hut for the

clearance event this month. While chatting and catching up with each other,

the overall sentiment was how much everyone has missed a “sense of

community” and the opportunity to gather with their friends and neighbors.

The good news is there are several community events this month you can

participate in, either in-person (following COVID-19 safety recommendations)

or via ZOOM conference. So, mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATES.

In this newsletter, I’ll share Dist. 3 news, city council updates, city departmental

updates, and items of importance. I’ll also repeat some news from August for

those who don’t receive the email news. But first I’ll share some exciting news

about the Rico Historic Crossroads District.

DISTRICT 3 NEWS

RICO HISTORIC CROSSROADS DESIGNATED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Center for Leadership, a program of the Urban Land Institute’s Atlanta

District Council, has designated the Rico Historic Crossroads District as a project

for its mTAP program. The “Mini-Technical Assistant Program” assists clients with

a specific land use or real estate problem consistent with its goal of creating and

sustaining thriving communities.

Mayor Reed reported this news in the August city council work session. He said

the mTAP program can help guide the Rico Community and the City in developing

a master plan for the historic district. Similar to the work done for Hutcheson

Ferry Park, college students in master degree programs will work with the

community to assess its needs and desires and then develop potential plans for

the City to consider. The project is expected to begin this fall.

This is the second phase of planning for the Rico Historic Crossroads District. The

first phase was facilitated by the Atlanta Regional Commission as a part of the

2016 Chatt Hills Comprehensive Plan Update. A planner met with residents of the

Rico Community and facilitated a process to map the boundary of the Rico

Historic Crossroads District and identify desirable development options.

Chatt Hills District 3 Newsletter – September 2020 From: Laurie Searle, Council Member, Dist. 3

Phone: 770-463-5169 City of Chattahoochee Hills Email: [email protected] 6505 Rico Rd, Chatt Hills GA 30268 Website: www.chatthillsdistrict3.com Website: www.chatthillsga.us Facebook: @chatthillsdist3 Phone: 770-463-8881

SAVE THE DATES

Sept. 17 (6-8pm) at City Hall

Dist. 3 Town Hall Meeting (pg. 2)

Sept. 19 (8am-noon) at Scout Hut

Scout Hut Clearance Day (pg. 3)

Sept. 25 (6:30 pm) at City Hall

Barn Quilt Trail Meeting (pg. 4)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/

http://www.chatthillsga.us/


District 3

Townhall Meeting Hosted by City Council Member Laurie Searle

September 17, 2020

6:00 PM Chatt Hills City Hall

6505 Rico Rd

Chattahoochee Hills

Come learn the latest updates about the City of Chattahoochee Hills and your District 3. Topics of

Discussion will include:

Staff Updates:

• City Finances: Budget results of COVID, Property Taxes

• Public Safety: Strengthening your Neighborhood Watch, Crime Prevention

• Fire & Rescue: Burn Bans, Fire Hydrant Release, Health Services

• Public Works: Gravel & Paved Roads Maintenance

• Parks: New Boat Ramp, New River Park, Cochran Mill Park Update

• Community Development: New Construction, Subdivisions in Chatt Hills

Hot Button Issues:

• Internet Services in Chatt Hills

• Citizen-Led Initiative to move City’s Boundary into Coweta County

• Carroll County Rock Quarry

Update on What’s Happening Near You

• Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail

• Cedar Grove Community Center

• Garretts Ferry Bridge

• Rico Scout Hut

City Hall meeting room will be set up to allow for social distancing.

Facemasks are recommended. Meeting will also be available via ZOOM.

Please check City’s Website prior to attending www.chatthillsga.us.

For more info: Laurie Searle at (770) 463-5169 or [email protected].


RICO SCOUT HUT - UPDATE

Last month I presented a proposal to the City Council that I take on the

Scout Hut as a project and create a plan for the City Council’s

consideration that would preserve the structure and find the best

possible use for this historic treasure.

The Council gave a “thumbs-up” to the proposal and so I’ve started the

first phase – cleaning out the Scout Hut.

There are currently many items stored in the Scout Hut from the previous

owner, who has given permission to dispose of the items. A resident Boy

Scout Leader has offered to take a good deal of the Scout supplies and

donate them to various troops in the nearby area, so we’ve mostly

cleaned out the top floor.

On Sept. 19 we will have a Scout Hut Clearance Day so the community

can come and take what they want. Please, share the news with

neighbors.

The Scout Hut is located at the corner of Upper Wooten Rd and Rico Rd, diagonally across from the Rico Park Ball Field.


LOCAL NEWS

CREATING A PATCHWORK TRAIL OF BARN QUILTS IN CHATT HILLS

When my husband recently built a yard shed in the back corner of

our pasture, I complained that it would spoil our view since we

could see it from our kitchen table. So he suggested I paint a barn

quilt on it.

I love quilting AND I love painting, so for me barn quilts are like a

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – the perfect combination.

I selected a quilt pattern that included a compass and painted it in

bright colors we could see from our kitchen. Now we have a piece

of rural art in our back yard.

After I finished, I wondered if there would be any interest in

creating a Barn Quilt Trail in Chatt Hills. These driving tour trails

are popular in many rural parts of the country. In fact, since the

first barn quilt was painted in 1989, there have been 9,000 more

painted and organized into 120 barn quilt trails throughout the

United States.

Read more about the Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail in the September

edition of the Chatt Hills Newsletter. And if you’re interested in

participating in the Barn Quilt Trail, attend the community meeting at City Hall on September 25 at 6:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY BRICKWORKS VOLUNTEERS HONORED BY CITY

Congratulations to Serenbe Neighbors Diane Hautt and Sandy

Simblist, who were honored by the City of Chatt Hills at the

September 1 city council meeting.

Mayor Reed read a Proclamation in Appreciation for Outstanding

Volunteer Service by Diane and Sandy that is summarized below:

WHEREAS, Diane Hautt’s and Sandy Simblist’s unwavering

commitment, willingness and ability to support Community

Brickworks and its mission to building a strong foundation for

the community has made a substantial contribution for the

betterment of the City of Chattahoochee Hills; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of

Chattahoochee Hills does hereby commend Diane Hautt and

Sandy Simblist for their time-honored dedication, enthusiasm, and outstanding volunteer service given to the

Chattahoochee Hills community for the past seven years.

Carla Carrabino from Community Brickworks presented Diane and Sandy with a commemorative brick and thanked them

for their years of service. Residents gave the honored guests a standing ovation.

My first Barn Quilt project has inspired me to start a Barn Quilt Trail in Chatt Hills. Come to our meeting to learn more.

Read more about the volunteer work of Diane Hautt & Sandy Simblist in the City's September newsletter.

Chatt Hills Barn Quilt Trail

Community Meeting at City Hall

Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m.


CENUS GIVE-AWAYS EVENT

Chattahoochee Hills City Councilmembers Ruby

Foster & Laurie Searle joined a host of public

officials in the 2020 Census Give-Away Event at

the Palmetto Library on August 26.

Volunteers helped residents complete their

census and then offered free chicken sausages,

milk, bread, cookies, and face masks. They also

visited several subdivisions.

The volunteers included Joe Carn, Fulton County Commissioner Dist. 6; Mandisha Thomas, State Representative Elect

Dist. 65; Teresa Smith, Tara Miller, and Deon Arnold, Palmetto City Councilmembers; Lynn King, and others not pictured.

SWEEP THE HOOCH EVENT

Eighteen volunteers from the Cities of Chattahoochee Hills &

South Fulton participated in “Sweep the Hooch” at

Campbellton Park on August 29. Working together, they

collected 48 bags of trash, and 4 tires.

The event is hosted by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper at 40

clean-up locations throughout the 100 miles of the

Chattahoochee River and tributaries. In the past nine years,

5,600 volunteers have picked up more than 113 tons of trash.

Diana Wilson, Chatt Hills Parks Commission Chair, coordinated

the event at Campbellton Park for the third year. Volunteers

included: Roland Alston, Tom Blum, Kelli Edwards, Felicia

Green, Trinity Green, Dave Hanson, Maria Hanson, Shelley

Lange, Kay Long, Camille Lowe, Nichole Orogun, Hannah Penn,

Tom Reed, Robbie Rokovitz, Joe Schoofs, Laurie Searle,

Faith Simpson, Diana Wilson.

STORM DAMEGED TREES REMOVED

Public Works Director Darold

Wendlandt and Fire Chief Greg Brett

responded in the early morning hours

last month to remove a large tree limb

from the roadway in front of city hall.

They later contracted with Southern

Tree Service who removed two mature

trees that were damaged and

diseased.


SERENBE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY – MANAGEMENT UPDATE

City Councilmember Alan Merrill (now retired) recently invited Councilmember Ruby Foster and me to meet Jennifer

Landers, V.P. and General Manager of Serenbe development. After meeting Jennifer, I was glad to learn that she has

many years of experience in homebuilding and development, AND she totally embraces both the Serenbe vision, as well

as the vision for Chattahoochee Hills. I thought our Chatt Hills residents might like to know about Jennifer too, so I’m

sharing some background and an introduction. ~ Laurie Searle

The development of Serenbe has played an integral part in the

community’s vision to “Keep Chatt Hills Rural,” by illustrating that smart

growth can happen without sprawl or negative impact to our rural

community. There has been a recent change in the management of the

development worth reporting to residents of Chattahoochee Hills.

Laying the Foundation for Smart Grown

The concept of clustering development in towns, villages, and hamlets was

initially presented to our community by the Chattahoochee Hill Country

Alliance. Working with residents and large landowners, the Alliance came

to the conclusion that, “Growth is inevitable in South Fulton, but together

we can determine where and how.” Over time, they created a master plan

for our unincorporated area that restricted development to 30% of the

community in relatively dense mixed-used communities to preserve the

rural heritage and green space in the rest of the 40,000-acre region.

When the City of Chattahoochee incorporated in 2007, it used that master

plan as a starting point to develop its Comprehensive Plan. The Serenbe community was first to test the waters with its

plan for a community consisting of several mixed-used hamlets, clustering homes and businesses to preserve 70 percent

of its greenspace.

Steve Nygren led the Serenbe Development team, and over the next 15 years built a successful, internationally

recognized “new urban” community that has become the model for many others across the country. Serenbe attracted

new residents to Chattahoochee Hills who desired a place in the country with many of the cultural amenities offered in

cities, and who valued a sense of community from living in close proximity to each other. For residents in the rural area

of Chatt Hills, Serenbe stayed true to the City’s vision by offering an area for smart growth and generating much needed

tax revenue with limited impact otherwise, while helping allow the rest of Chatt Hills to remain rural.

Management Update

Recently Serenbe Development hired a new V.P. and General Manager, Jennifer Landers. Jennifer is now the go-to

person running Serenbe Development and all of the Development related businesses: Serenbe Farms, The Blue Eyed

Daisy Bakeshop, the Serenbe Town Association (HOA), the Swim Club and Serenbe utilities, as well as the marketing

program and the Serenbe brand. Jennifer will continue to protect the guiding principles of Serenbe, including the unique

community architecture, preserving 70% of the community as green space, Earth Craft Certified homes, natural

landscaping, and a commitment to designed-In wellness.

Jennifer introduced herself to the Chatt Hills City Council at its September 1 meeting, and she has offered to meet

individually with Chatt Hills City Councilmembers to share more about her role.

Jennifer Landers, V.P. and General Manager of Serenbe Development


CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

AUGUST 27 COUNCIL WORK SESSION REPORT

1. Southern Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan

Keli Kemp gave a summary presentation.

The Southern Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan (SFCTP) was conducted over 20 months from February 2019 to

September 2020 to update local transportation plans that are used as input into the regional transportation planning

process. The study area for the SFCTP includes the Cities of Chattahoochee Hills, College Park, East Point, Fairburn,

Hapeville, Palmetto, South Fulton, and Union City, as well as the unincorporated portion of Fulton County along Fulton

Industrial Blvd.

The SFCTP evaluates current and future transportation conditions in the study area and determines transportation

needs, across all modes, through the year 2050. The outcome is a recommended list of transportation projects to be

implemented in the near-term (1-5 years), mid-term (6-10 years), and long-term (11+ years) for the entire Southern

Fulton region, as well as by City, based on anticipated revenues.

Comment: None of the recommended projects get done unless there is funding for them. Federal funding may

NOT be available to cities unless they are a part of this Plan. Even if Federal Funding is available for Chatt Hills,

there may be a requirement for matching funds or support from the City, which we may not have. Our list of

recommended projects is mostly bridge repair. The Summary and Full Presentation are on the City’s website at

the following link:

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/chattahoochhillsga/departments/comprehensive_transportation_plan.php)

2. Council Meeting Agenda Review (for September 1 City Council Meeting)

Comment: No changes to agenda.

3. Outside Use of Public Works Equipment

Discussion: Mayor Reed said this is to close out the discussion from last month.

Comment: Previously, Serenbe had asked if city staff and equipment could be hired out to do private work on a

gravel road in their community near the Farm House. They had looked for a contractor for this small job but

couldn’t find one available. Public Works director compiled a report that estimated the cost of renting the

equipment to private citizens, and determined the cost was prohibitive.

4. First Read Procedures Discussion: Councilmember Richie Schmidt said he does not get enough information during the “first read” of a zoning proposal, special use permit or variance; and he would prefer having the first read after the planning commission has reviewed. Mayor Reed said the purpose of the first read is to inform the council that a plan has been submitted, and that detailed information follows after the planning commission review. Comment: I seem to recall that when our city first formed, three reads were required by our code. Council voted to change to two reads to expiate the process for those submitting plans so they wouldn’t not be delayed by three city council meetings. Since then, it has been the practice for council members to meet with staff if they needed additional information, or to attend the planning commissions meetings.

5. Chatt Hills News – What is permitted, who decides on articles/news

Discussion: Councilmember Richie Schmidt said the municipal newsletter should not be limited in what type of

articles it accepts, and that it should report political news since the newsletter is the only media outlet available

to the city’s public officials and to residents. He also said having a councilmember on the editorial team seems

like a conflict of interest.

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/chattahoochhillsga/departments/comprehensive_transportation_plan.php


The City Manager said that since the community newsletter transitioned to the City, it is now funded through

hotel/motel tax revenue, which may only be spent on specific areas that attract tourism.

Mayor Reed said he is on many municipal newsletters lists and noticed that council members in other cities

typically have their own newsletter.

The City Attorney has said that the City cannot be seen as supporting political issues, but it can use the

newsletter to report city government news.

Councilmember Laurie Searle that she has worked on the community newsletter since 2006 and the volunteers

developed editorial policies which included no political opinion pieces. She also said that the Mayor and City

Manager are the final editors of the city’s newsletter – so there is no conflict of interest by her serving. And that

without community reporters, there would be no news and no newsletter. She agreed with the Mayor’s

comments, and said she has a newsletter, Facebook, and website for her District 3, which she personally funds;

and Councilmember Ruby Foster also has a Facebook to keep her District 1 informed.

6. Signs – Rules regarding yard/political signage

Discussion: Councilmembers Richie Schmidt and Troy Bettis led this discussion. A citizens’ group set out yard

signs on private property and in public right-of-ways on Friday. City Public Works staff picked up the signs in the

right-of-way so they could mow. Richie and Troy asked for an exemption for these particular signs.

Mayor Reed stated that the sign ordinance only allows for up to two yard signs (of a specific dimension) on

public property, and that it prohibits signs placed in the right-of-way. He cautioned against differential

enforcement of this law, saying that what we do for one group, we need to do for all groups.

The City Manager said it causes a lot of extra work for the public service team to move the signs so they can

mow the right-of-way. He said the City has shown some leniency on placing small signs in the public right-of-way

during the political campaigns, since that is for a short, specified timeframe. However, once the City receives a

complaint, they are obligated to remove the signs.

7. Barn Quilt Trail

Discussion: Councilmember Laurie Searle said she wants to start a Chatt Hills Quilt Trail as a rural art project and

requested the use of hotel / motel tax funds to support this as agritourism. Volunteers will create the works of

art, which resemble large quilts, painted on 4x4 or 8x8 panels, and affix them to barns and other locations, so as

to create a driving tour as part of the nation-wide Barn Quilt Trails. She estimates material for each quilt will cost

between $300-$500, and hopes to recruit 10-20 hosts (or more) to display the quilts.

Comment: I have scheduled a community meeting at City Hall on September 25 at 6:30 to share information and

recruit volunteers.

8. Chatt Hills Coalition

Discussion: You may have seen signs from a group called the ‘Chatt Hills Coalition” about moving to Coweta for

better schools and wondered what that was about, the idea of the City leaving Fulton County and joining

Coweta County instead.

The Mayor and Council addressed the issue in the work session and the conversation is shared here. Please

note, the following text was transcribed from the audio recording of the Work Session. It is marked (audio

unclear) in places where the speaker could not be understood.

Mayor Tom Reed – Overview of Coweta County Boundary Change

The next thing on the Agenda was a conversation about the Chatt Hills Coalition. I know that everybody has seen

the signs going up and I’ve gotten a ton of calls, as I’m sure everybody has, asking, “What’s that about?” And,

before we talked about it, I wanted to offer a little bit of historical perspective.


There is a section in the code of Georgia about how boundary alignments can be changed between counties. The

way it is written, it looks like it was made for things like when a river changes course or whatever, and results in

a need to change the county line. But it allows changes in county boundaries, period. And there’s an involved

process by which that happens. A petitioner that owns land in the area that wants to be changed petitions the

courts in both the county they’re wanting to leave and the county then want to come into. It’s a legal process.

Basically, you’re filing a legal pleading to make that change.

There’s a requirement that both of the counties impanel a grand jury that hears that case. There’s an application

(filed by the petitioner) to make the arguments about why it makes sense to do this thing, and both of those

grand juries hear it, and they have to agree that that makes sense, and it must pass by a two-thirds vote. The

grand juries in each of the counties has to hear that and then once the grand juries have signed off saying it’s in

the public interest for this to happen, then the County Commissions both of the Counties also need to sign off

on that. And then it just happens. The State of Georgia makes the appropriate changes, sends that information

back to the counties, and it’s done.

Over the course of time, there have been at least three efforts to make that happen here in the area that is

Chattahoochee Hills. Or at least the part of Chattahoochee Hills that was going to be Chattahoochee Hills before

the city was formed, which actually included more land that it does now. Those efforts basically went the same

route that this one is going. A bunch of people in the community got together and started looking into this;

started talking to the politicians on both sides of the line about how that would happen. Again, 20 years ago –

actually longer than that now – it happened, and a lot of the people in the community that worked on that are

still involved with.

And then after the City was formed, after the city vote happened, we looked at it again, the Mayor and Council

and me in my role as the President of the Civic Association. In the previous efforts, at some time it became

obvious at some point in the process that one of the counties or the other was not going to accept it, and those

efforts didn’t go through the whole process. This is a conversation that has been bubbling in the city ever since,

and it’s a conversation I’ve had with people at a regular basis since then.

There is a new citizen’s group that has formed (called the Coweta Coalition) that is pushing that forward again.

At least a couple of the council people and I have had meetings with some people, helping to inform the

conversation, and that is the very high-level background of this effort.

The most common argument and the one that easiest for people to relate to is the idea that the schools are

better in Coweta County – that’s a fact. Another one is that services would be easier to get to. Newnan is much

easier to get to than Atlanta, because we shop there anyway. And that’s kind of the very high-level overview.

We have talked a lot to the City Attorney about this and the way that this process works, it’s inappropriate for

the City to get involved with in this in any way, so any work that is to be done needs to be done at a personal

level and the City has not taken a position on this issue. And that’s all I’ve got. I know Troy and Richie probably

have some things to say as well.

Council Discussion

Councilmember Troy Bettis - It’s not clear what I can and can’t say. But it looks good. That’s what I’m hearing

from them. Paul Pool is a friend of mine, we eat breakfast together periodically (he is a commissioner in Coweta

County) (audio unclear). So, things look good.

Mayor Reed – If feels important to me to help people get good data, without again, (personally) taking a

position on it.

Councilmember Richie Schmidt – The City is in a better situation than last time, when Coweta didn’t want us.

(Audio unclear.) My personal opinion is that Chattahoochee Hills cannot grow in Fulton County. Our census data


proves that. (Audio unclear). Another good reason is the COVID-10 (Fulton County not distributing a rightful

share to its municipalities for reimbursement). Bottom line is that I’d rather be in a place we can grow in. The

twenty-year census shows we can’t grow in Fulton County.

Councilmember Betis – Once of the concerns is with (Chattahoochee Hills) staff. I want you to know our staff will

not be affected. Your all’s positions are not in jeopardy. This community loves you all. There is no way that

anyone would even propose anything. I don’t think there is a better fire department in the state of Georgia. I

mean, you call Greg (Fire Chief Brett) and he’s there. And the Chief of Police, he’s great too. I’ve heard people

say that you all might not understand that. (Audio unclear.)

Councilmember Schmidt – The only change I understand Troy, is that we re-draw the Commission line.

Councilmember Laurie Searle – I did want to mention that at our Dist. 3 Townhall meeting next month, we did

invite someone from that Coalition to come answer questions. It might be best for Tom to give that generic legal

kind of thing. And then whoever, I think Rebekah is going to come answer questions. However, we decide to do

that, is OK. A question I have about as a council person, I want to learn more about it. But as I have questions

that deal with city stuff, I’m not quite sure it’s really not appropriate for me to go to those committee meetings.

Like for tonight, we just had that whole presentation on the Transportation Plan, and I heard Ms. Kerri say, if

you’re not in this, if the eight cities don’t agree to it, it doesn’t move forward. And if (your city’s) not in it, you’re

not eligible for federal funding. Say, that we’re all in, and this thing (the boundary change) make take a couple of

years, and it happens. Then are we in this limbo for a while, while we transition into Coweta County? If we’re

not in Fulton County and we don’t have a plan anymore, and Coweta’s already done their plan. I have those

kinds of operational questions, how that transition works.

Mayor Reed – Those are the kind of questions I’m trying to answer. I’m talking to Fulton’s school

superintendent, Coweta’s, etc. because there are a lot of technical questions around losing TSPLOST, LOST; and

the question is how quickly you can resolve that impact. If you think back to when the city as formed it took us a

couple of years to get into the tax programs that other people were getting. We just didn’t have access to those

funds. But those impacts are all questions that have answers, and we’re trying to get those answers together, so

that it’s a fully informed conversation.

Councilmember Schmidt – (Audio unclear.) This conversation is nothing new. This is a continuation of previous

conversations. The only thing that has changes is the city is on more level ground (audio unclear). Yes, there is a

gap, we’ll miss out on TSPLOST. But TSPLOST is not figured in our budget. (Audio unclear.)

Mayor Reed – To Richie’s point, people are irate about Fulton County spending the CARE funds and not

distributing them equitably. None of the cities are getting what they want out of this deal. The (COVID-19)

testing facilities they did and all that, that was all good. People got tested. But that’s a small part of the money.

They’re doing things like giving stuff to jail and things like that.

And the biggest issue we’ve had, the one we’ve been going back and forth around is this: you know the CARES

act law assumed that all of your public safety spending during COVID was COVID related – that all of your CARES

act money can go toward funding regular operations of your public safety. And for a city like ours, that’s losing

money through Local Option Sales Tax and TSPLOST right now which has an impact on our budget we need to

off-set, some of that using that money with have been a huge benefit to filling that gap. A city like Roswell that

has a lot of money has different needs than we do – we should have been able to make those decisions locally.

We’re just throwing all (of our) money at our roads. It proves a point (about Fulton County) for sure.


SEPTEMBER 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING REPORT

Presentations / Proclamations

(1) Proclamation for Diane Hautt and Sandy Simblist in appreciation of their seven years of volunteer service with

Community Brickworks. Comment: See this newsletter, page 4.

(2) Proclamation for National Suicide Prevent Month. Goal is to raise the visibility of the mental health resources and

suicide prevention services available in our community.

Public Comments

(1) Jennifer Landers, 9110 Selbore Lane. She wanted to introduce herself as the V.P. of Development at Serenbe. She has

been here a couple of months. She wanted to let the council know if they have any questions to give her a call, and that

she looks forward to working with the City.

Comment: Councilmembers Alan Merrill, Ruby Foster, and I met with Jennifer last month to learn about her role

at Serenbe Development. (See page 6.)

(2) Danean Crawford, 5575 Cochran Mill Rd. She thanked Public Works Director Darold Wendlandt for “carting her

around the City to reposition the yard signs.” She said she wanted to speak to the Council tonight about the agenda item

to mandate the wearing of facemasks. She said she is a registered nurse with 18 years of experience working in the

Piedmont Health Care System. She has tracked the COVID numbers system-wide as well as in Fayette Piedmont, and

they show very few positive cases, and fewer still in the ICU. She asked the council to consider NOT mandating the

wearing of facemasks in our City because we have so much land, residents and visitors can safely social distance.

Public Hearing

Item 20-010:

Public Hearing and Action on Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning Map to Rezone Ten Acres from the RL

(Rural) District to the HM-MU (Mixed-Used Hamlet) District – property is ten acres in two parcels on the west

side of Atlanta Newnan Road between Selborne Way and Selborne Lane.

(1) John Reid, the applicant, said he and his family currently live on Hearn Rd. They own the 10-acre parcel

known as Deer Hollow, and one day hope to build homes there for themselves and family members. He said

the property is very special to him and his wife, and they have supported its use by the Serenbe playhouse

and ballet for public entertainment. While they could build houses on the property under its current zoning,

re-zoning it to HM-MU will still enable them to build up to four houses while preserving 7 acres for green

space.

(2) A written public comment was made by Pepper Bullock (sp), a nearby property owner and resident, in

support of the application.

New Business

Item 20-027:

Ordinance for a Variance to the Required Zoning District Buffer–application is to eliminate the required district

buffer. Property is ten acres in two parcels on the west side of Atlanta Newnan Road between Selborne Way and

Selborne Lane. First read only. No action will be taken.

Item 20-028:

Approval of the Southern Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

As presented in the Council Work Session, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the plan.


Item 20-029:

Resolution Adopting Revisions to the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget.

A new article to Chapter 21, O.C.G.A. 15-21-200, shall be known as the Court Technology Funding Act which

requires the City to formally adopt a budget for these funds. The City has added a line item in the Budget to

provide for these revenues and appropriated expenditures. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Item 20-030:

Ordinance Requiring the Use of Masks or Face Coverings in Public During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Discussion: Mayor Reed listed the many health organizations that have supported the mandatory wearing of

facemasks, and said that Georgia Governor Kemp issued Executive Order 08.15.20.01 which specifically offers

guidelines for local government mask mandates.

Councilmember Troy Bettis said he does not support this ordinance, saying government should not make this

mandate. Councilmembers Richie Schmidt and Laurie Searle agreed. Council voted 3 to 2 not to adopt this

resolution.

Item 20-031:

Resolution Accepting a Donation from K.D. McMurrain, M.D., in the Form of Two 72-inch Skag Diesel

Lawnmowers. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Announcement:

Alan Merrill resigned his position as Council Member representing Chatt Hills District 4, effective at the end of

the City Council Meeting on September 1, 2020. Alan said he and his wife Lynn will be moving out of District

Four in early 2021, and resigning now enables the citizens of District 4 to elect his successor.

Alan expressed his appreciation for working with city councilmembers and staff, and attributes the success of

the City to teamwork and respect for one another. He said it has been an honor and privilege to represent

citizens in District 4, and also help the communities of Chattahoochee Hills through his years of volunteer

service.

As a parting gift to the City, Alan honored its First Responders

(Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works) by presenting a First Responders’

Flag – A United States Flag with a thin blue and red line in honor of

those First Responders mentioned above.

Council Members and residents expressed gratitude to both Alan

and Lynn for their many years of service, and wished them well with

their move.

The City will hold a reception honoring Alan and Lynn Merrill at the

October City Council Meeting.

Item 20-032:

Resolution for a Special Election to Fill the Council Seat for District 4.

A Special Election to fill the empty seat for City Council District 4 shall be the date of the general election,

November 3, 2020. Qualifying shall begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8 and shall end at 5:00 p.m. on

Friday, September 11, 2020. All those wishing to quality shall do so at City Hall. The qualifying fee for all

candidates shall be $36.00. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.


NEWS WORTH REPEATING

The following two updates are repeated here for residents who are not on the Dist. 3 email news list.

Fulton County Cell Tower Update

Jim Milsap, Fulton County Emergency Services, gave a

presentation at the August Council Work Session.

Fulton County Emergency Services is currently researching options

to construct a self-supporting tower in Chattahoochee Hills for the

purpose of moving its P25 Radio site from Palmetto American

Tower Co. to the new tower.

Opportunities:

1. Provides enhanced radio coverage in Chattahoochee Hills

& surrounding areas as identified with new radio

coverage map on a new 350’ self-supporting tower

2. Allows for additional cellular coverage in Chattahoochee

Hills on new tower

3. Site selected: On South Fulton Parkway, Fulton Parcel ID

08 240001030878, 15.6 acres, located between Rico Rd and Campbellton Redwine Road

Status:

1. Obtained Project Management vendor quotes to include obtaining FAA, FCC, State of GA Frequency

Coordination, Environmental approvals, permits, site plans, site preparation for proposed 100’x100’ fenced

tower site & Project Mgt. Current site has existing Parking Type: 2-on street pull off, secure gate & road.

2. New radio Coverage Maps completed

3. No costs to City of Chattahoochee Hills

Items Needed to Proceed:

1. Approval to proceed by City of Chattahoochee Hills

2. Approval of Fulton County Board of Commissioners with projected $1m cost of entire project and funding

3. Select Project Management Vendor and issue payment to start project

4. Approval of site plans

5. Obtain permits, begin and finish all site preparations, power, fence, gate, etc.

6. Once 1-4 approvals and plans are complete (6 months); then tower construction, new pre-fab communications

building (6-12 months) and Radio Tower work and Radio Equipment moved from Palmetto American Tower Co.

site to new site and turn up/test

7. Estimated time start to completion 12-18 months

Comment: Fulton County initially suggested building a tower behind City Hall several years ago; however, budgetary

constraints stalled the project. The County has since said this project has been approved in its budget.

During Jim Milsap presentation, he mentioned that Fulton County has decided on a different location for the tower. The

site mentioned above is owned by Fulton County and apparently will offer better coverage than the previous site by City

Hall.

In later discussions, there was a recommendation for the City to create a handout for residents to let them know the

status of Internet Services in Chatt Hills. I have volunteered to assist with that, and have requested that the topic of

Internet Services be added to the agenda of the District 3 Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 17.

Example of what tower and building may look like.


Carroll County Rock Quarry Update

About the Quarry

Green Rock, LLC, proposes to construct a new construction aggregate facility for mining and shipping off of GA SR5

within Carroll County on approximately 360+/- acres. Construction completion on this project is 9 +/- months at this time

and is pending approval from all necessary parties. The proposed end use for the facility will be an establishment of a

construction aggregate facility.

The developer estimates the value of the property at build-out will be approximately $20,000,000. No existing land uses

will be displaced, and the developer has determined that the regional workforce supply is sufficient. The developer has

also determined water will be supplied via an onsite private well, wastewater will be treated by a private septic system,

and landfill capacity exists for this project. The proposed development will affect protected river corridors and

floodplains. Buffers, retention ponds, and storm water drainage designs will comply with the Army Corps of Engineers

and State of Georgia surface mining requirements for required permits. It is anticipated that there will be transportation

improvements required that have yet to be determined at this time. Documents state the business could see traffic of

50 truckloads per day at peak.

Review Process & Public Comment Period

Since this project has regional impact, it is being reviewed by The Three Rivers Regional Commission (TRRC), which also

includes a process for Public Comments. The Public Comment period has been extended to September 26, 2020. To

comment, write an email stating your concerns to the Three Rivers Commission ([email protected]).

Impact to Chattahoochee Hills

While the proposed quarry is in Carroll County, its potential impact

area reaches 5 miles into Chatt Hills, including South Fulton Parkway

from the Capps Ferry Bridge to Hutcheson Ferry Rd.

At the Chatt Hills Special Called City Council Meeting on Aug. 20, the

council approved sending a letter to the TTRC requesting a

30-day extension for public comment, and stating the City’s position

on the quarry as follows:

“The Mayor and Council believe it is not in the interest of the public

to allow a rock quarry to be located close to the Chattahoochee

River especially in such close proximity to the new park for which

the City has worked so diligently to bring to fruition. The Mayor and

Council believe that there are other uses of property in close

proximity to the Chattahoochee River that are far superior to that of

a rock quarry with the accompanying noise, dust, and other

pollution.”

Additional Information from Citizens Opposed to Carroll County Rock Quarry

• Quarry Brochure for Fulton County Residents

http://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/fulton_quarry_brochure_-_pdf__003_.pdf

• DRI 3115 Invitation for Comments

http://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/dri_3115_invitation_for_comments.pdf

• Link to Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/Citizens-Opposed-to-Carroll-County-Rock-Quarry-106115781151785/

Quarry Impact Map provided by Citizens Opposed to Carroll County Rock Quarry

http://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/fulton_quarry_brochure_-_pdf__003_.pdf

http://www.chatthillsdistrict3.com/uploads/3/4/8/4/3484343/dri_3115_invitation_for_comments.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/Citizens-Opposed-to-Carroll-County-Rock-Quarry-106115781151785/


ADDITIONAL UPDATES

Public Works Staff

With the new boat ramp under construction at Campbellton Park, the new River Park at the south end of the City, and

the potential ownership by the City of the Cedar Grove Community Center, the City Council agrees that additional staff is

needed for Public Works. At the August council meeting, Council asked the City Manager to hire two additional staff for

public works.

Update: (Sept. 3) Two public work staff have been hired: Arnold Gonzales, and Galvan Cabrea.

Cedar Grove Community Center

The City has an opportunity to purchase the Cedar Grove Community, which is located in Chattahoochee Hills and

currently owned and operated by the Fulton County. The building is being offered at a reduced cost.

Update: (Sept. 3) The City Attorney is the process of working with the Fulton County Board of Education to remove an

ownership restriction from the deed.

Garretts Ferry Bridge Update

The City had submitted an application to the Georgia Department of Transportation for its Local Bridge Replacement

Program for repair of the Garretts Ferry Bridge.

Update: The next step in the application process is for a final evaluation called a Field Scoping Meeting. This is where the

engineers and powers that be take a technical look at the bridge and do their final assessments, before making the final

determination that our bridge will be accepted into the program. The Field Scoping Meeting has been scheduled for

October. If we are accepted in the Low Impact Bridge Program, it may take 18-24 months for our bridge to be repaired.

But it will more than likely be a much better job than our city could ever afford to do, AND, our city won’t have to pay

for it. I’ve been invited to the October meeting, so I’ll send another update when I have more to report.

Scout Hut Roof Repair (Volunteer Waiver)

A volunteer has offered to help patch leaks in the Scout Hut porch roof. The City offered to create a volunteer waiver.

Update: Upon closer inspection, the damage appears to be on the porch roof only, so a recommendation is to hold off

until after the full assessment.

ZIP Code Boundary Realignment and use of Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

The City sent a request to the US Postal Service (USPS) for a ZIP Code Boundary Review. The City asked USPS to grant the

use of “Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268” as the mailing address for all residents within the City’s boundary.

Update: The request was mailed to the USPS on August 4. USPS sent follow-up questions, which the Mayor is in the

process of answering.

Zoning Rewrite

There is an on-going contracted project to re-write the Chattahoochee Zoning. Council asked for a status, and staff said

the project team should have something to report in the next few weeks.

Update: (Sept. 3) The project team reports a delay due to working remotely because of COVID-19 restrictions. They do

not have a projected date for their deliverable at this time.


CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS (for complete reports see the City’s website)

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

FY2021 Budget Summary

Budget to Actual as of August 31, 2020 – 17% of Year Lapsed

Item FY2021 Budget FY2021 (YTD) August 31 % Collected

Total All Funds Revenues: $5,137,203 $2,121,703 41%

Total All Funds Expenditures: $5,137,203 $578,003 11.1%

Revenues in Excess of Expenditures: -0- $1,543,700

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Permits Issued August 2020 August 2019

Commercial Alteration 0 1

Commercial Electrical 0 1

Residential Electrical 3 1

Residential Mechanical 0 1

Residential Alteration 3 4

Residential Accessory Structure 2 0

Residential Single-Family Dwelling 5 0

Residential Pool/Hot Tub 1 0

Totals Permits Issued 14 8

Certificates of Occupancy Issued: 7 2

Inspections Conducted 124 108

CAMPBELLTON CROSSROADS MASTER PLAN

Final revisions are being made to the draft plan document, which will be presented for approval and adoption by the city

councils of Chattahoochee Hills and South Fulton in November 2020.

To review all documentation, visit project website for the Campbellton Crossroads Village Master Plan:

https://planningatpond.com/campbellton-crossroads-master-plan

https://planningatpond.com/campbellton-crossroads-master-plan


FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT

August 2020 Incidents: 55 (year-to-date: 355)

• EMS – 30

o Grady transports – 20

o CHFD transports – 0

o Patient Refusal – 4

o Air/Medivac – 0

o Deaths – 0

o COVID-13 (confirmed/suspected)

o Other –6 (Cx)

• Fire – 1

o Structure/residential – 1

o Structure/commercial – 0

o Structure/outbuilding – 0

o Woods/Grass – 0

o Fire Alarm – 1

o Smoke investigation – 0

o Vehicle – 1

o Sprinkler system – 0

o Illegal burn – 0

o Other - 0

Department Operations & Response

Red or Blue lights mean SLOW DOWN! Vehicle accidents are frightening situations, certainly for those directly involved,

but for first responders as well.

Remember these three rules when approaching a wreck scene or flashing lights where first responders are at work:

1. Slow Down

2. Move over

3. Don’t “rubber neck”

Wilson named Fire Lieutenant - A-shift employee, Brad Wilson, has been promoted to Fire Lieutenant. LT Wilson has

been employed with Chattahoochee Hills since August 2017. Wilson has been Acting Officer for A-shift since March 2020

and is a veteran Paramedic.

ALS (Advanced Life Saving) – ALS medical and fire response times have not degraded whatsoever, during these

challenging (COVID-19) times, and Grady ambulance services have been maintained at a 17-minute average response

time.

COVID-19 ACTIVE CASE REPORT

• Service – 19

o Trees down – 9

o Wires down – 1

o Lockout – 0

o Invalid Assist – 5

o Wellness check – 4

o Water leak – 0

o Gas leak – 0

o Public Service – 0

o Other – 0

• Vehicle Accidents – 1

o Extrication – 0

• HAZMAT – 0

• Rescue/Search – 3

• Other - 0

Our Georgia Report (since May 2020)

Georgia Fulton Chatt Hills

Cases 270,471 24,891 31

Hospital 19,064 1,758 8

Deaths 3,840 398 0

Chatt Hills by District (since May 2020)

Total Cases Active Cases

Dist. 1 5 0

Dist. 2 10 0

Dist. 3 4 1

Dist. 4 9 1

Dist. 5 3 0


OUTDOOR BURN BAN ENDS SEPT. 30

The outdoor burning ban is under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental

Protection Division (EPD), Air Protection Branch.

The Georgia EPD imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. During the summer

months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. The Georgia EPD has identified open

burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Consequently, open burning in metro Atlanta and

larger counties must be restricted during the summer months.

Fulton County is included in the burn ban which is in effect from May 1 through September 30 each year.

Open burning is allowed October 1 through April 30 each year. During this time, you may burn limited yard debris

(leaves, pine straw, and small limbs). The following restrictions for burning also apply:

• Burning is allowed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset (no smoldering or hot coals

remaining).

• No burning is allowed on windy days (10 mph or higher) or on days when the atmospheric conditions (cloudy,

overcast or raining) would cause the smoke to remain low to the ground.

• Burning must be attended by an adult who must be watching the fire at all times. Never leave a fire unattended.

• A water hose must be on hand that can reach the fire, and can be ready to use if needed.

• Fires must be at least 50 feet from all structures, including fences of combustible material, etc.

• Fires may not be started with petroleum-based products.

• You may not burn refuse or other combustibles, such as garbage of any kind, construction material, plastic

products, fiberglass, tree trunks, stumps, kudzu vines, or corn stalks. Any material that is moved from one

location to a different property cannot be burned. Burning for recycling wires (to access metal) or tires (to

access wheels) is not allowed. For information regarding alternative methods to dispose of yard waste, contact

the Georgia Environmental Division at 404-362-2537.

Please understand that even if you follow all of the guidelines for burning, you may be required to extinguish the fire if it

adversely interferes with another’s enjoyment of life, use of property, or if someone with a health problem is affected.

Contact the Chattahoochee Hills Fire Department at 770-463-8177 prior to any outdoor burning.

NOTE: During the burning period, a fire official may prohibit burning at times when atmospheric conditions or local

circumstances make burning hazardous.

For additional information, please visit the Georgia Forestry Commission website

at: http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestFire/GeorgiaBurnBan.cfm

http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestFire/GeorgiaBurnBan.cfm


POLICE DEPARTMENT

Statistics August 2020 August 2019

Dispatched Calls: 118 107

Self-Initiated Calls: 1627 1571

Citations: 88 292

Warnings: 96 73

Parking Citations: 154 44

Misdemeanor Arrests: 10 8

Felony Arrests: 0 1

Incident Reports: 16 22

Accident Reports: 5 7

Business Checks: 439 368

Residence Checks: 836 793

Investigations: The department’s Criminal Investigations Division received reports of the following offenses during the

month of July.

• 2020-00833- Sexual Assault. Case turned over to GPI.

• 2020-00876- Found Property. 22 Amazon Packages located on the side of the road.

• 2020-00888 – Criminal Trespass. Locked mailbox pried open. Rivertown Rd

Case Updates:

• 2020-00780 – Stolen motorcycle recovered in Palmetto and returned to victim.

COURT SERVICES

18 Citations 177 Cases were issued for Arraignment between 4/20 and 7/20

4 Trials 10 Repeat Offenders 1 Bind-overs 10 resets

30 FTA’S 10 Paid Since Court 63 paid before court 157 settled by month end

59 Attended court 0 refunds 25 warnings


PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – ROADS

Roadways ditched, scraped, crowned and graveled:

• Jones Ferry, Atlanta Newnan, Old Rico.

Storm/Debris Removal

• Crews removed debris from ditches throughout the city. Preventive maintenance.

Right of Way Maintenance

• Grass cut in ROW throughout the city.

Roadway Repair and Maintenance:

• Crews filled pot holes with cold patch on the following roads: Water Works, Hutcheson Ferry, Sardis Church,

Cochran Mill, S. Fulton Pkwy, Campbellton Redwine.

Sign Repair and Maintenance:

• Crews replaced sign on the corner of S. Fulton PKWY and Campbellton Redwine.

Equipment repair:

• John deer tractor out of service. Also New Holland tractor down, but being repaired.

Trash pickup on roads

• Petersburg, Wilkerson Mill, S. Fulton PKWY, Rico, Campbellton Redwine, Cochran Mill, Rivertown, Cedar Grove.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARMENT - PARKS

Weekly Maintenance

• Rico Park, Hutcheson Ferry Park, Cochran Mill Park, Campbellton Park; and City Hall – grass cutting, weed eating,

and general cleaning

Equipment Donation

• The City accepted a donation of two 72-inch Skag Diesel Lawnmowers from resident K.D. McMurrain, M.D.

9/11: REMEMBRANCE AND MEMORIALS

September 11th is now known as "Patriot Day” in the United

States and is observed as the National Day of Service and

Remembrance of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Across the country, numerous events are held on this day to

honor the loss of thousands of lives.

There are also three somber and beautiful memorial sites

dedicated to remembering the victims of 9/11.

For more information about these memorial sites visit:

https://www.biography.com/news/911-anniversary-facts

https://www.biography.com/news/911-anniversary-facts