Thursday, December 8, 2011

Dunwoody City Council Meeting Agenda for Monday December 12th


Monday, December 12th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346
7:00 p.m. - Voting
Watch Live

12 comments:

GaryRayBetz said...

As the 53rd anniversary (December 1, 1958) of "The Our Lady of the Angels School" fire has just past, a school which was part of what was then one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago, where 92 pupils and three nuns lost their lives and another 100 student and staff were critically injured when smoke, heat, and fire cut off their normal means of escape through corridors and stairways (I'm sure, you John, as a fellow Chicagoan are well aware of this terrible tragedy. I know I am still haunted with having it graphically described to my classes every annual Fire Safety day.), if at the next Dunwoody City Council Meeting you could add to the agenda that at a future date there be a review of the DeKalb County School fire safety inspection process for Dunwoody public schools? Thank-you!

I just had a little concern about tripping hazards or impeded egresses when I've noted doormats with their edges curled up and kiosk-use tables setting unattended at the school building exits through the years, but nothing more. Just thought of it again, when I voted this past Tuesday. Once again, thank-you!

I'm watching you said...

As a call center person I see one report missing. The trunk usage report. I was told from CHATCOM that they only have 8 lines for inbound 911 calls. I want to see how many times the 8th trunk has been used. If the usage for trunk 8 exceeds 1% then all the reports mean nothing and people are unable to call CHATCOM. If no one can call then I would hope the answer time is quick. The most important report is the trunk usage report.

John Heneghan said...

Thanks, I'm watching you. I will follow up on this.

John Heneghan said...

Thanks Gary, I remember reading historical news stories on the tragedy but the City of Dunwoody has limited control over anything the DeKalb County School System does.

That being said the City does numerous code enforcement sweeps on other things that we do have jurisdiction on, therefore if the Schools fall into this type of jurisdiction we will explore further.

Finally, I remember conversations whereby if the city had 50,000 residents on the census that we could move forward with a City Fire Marshal that would probably do these types of inspections as well as code compliance on new construction plans. We are under the 50,000 number but anything could happen if the cost / benefit analysis makes sense. Either way, I will talk to code enforcement on the subject who will talk to others involved in school safety. Thanks.

GaryRayBetz said...

John,

Thank-you for your swift and comprehensive reply.

gary

Anon said...

As an active parent volunteer for the last decade in the schools, I can assure Gary that the DeKalb Fire Marshall is very serious and therefore, does pretty comprehensive inspections.

Most local schools have had to get rid of certain types of fabric furniture, limit the percentage of walls that can be covered by children's work, and much more.

At one school, the PTA had purchased awnings for the cafeteria more than a decade ago and the current fire marshal made them come down.

(Apparently certain fabrics emit poisonous/toxic odors when burning.)

The Fire Marshall takes his/her job very seriously when it relates to schools.

John Heneghan said...

I have been talking to a number of educated folks on the subject of a city Fire Marshal and have determined that the idea needs to be explored further and flushed out. I will be requesting that the city do cost benefit analysis on the hiring (contracting) of a City Fire Marshal outlining duties and responsibilities vs expenses and revenue expected. I see value in the position but at what cost?

Found out that according to state regs (OCGA 25-2-12) the population requirement for a fire marshal is 45,000 not 50,000 as I said in a comment above therefore we are eligible.

Saw the link below which shows school fire drill dates but those are self reported by the schools and are not inspections by the Fire Marshal.

http://www.gainsurance.org/PublicEducation/SchoolFireDrillReport.aspx

More research is to be done but this is much more than a school inspection issue.

.

Colleen O'Casey said...

You probably should just not even bother with a cost analysis, Mr. Heneghan, because with this new Tea Party administration that was just voted in, they will overrule it, even if it meant keeping our children safe.

GaryRayBetz said...

John, I'm very impressed with your conscientious and comprehensive research on this subject. Thank-you much!

Bob Turner said...

"As far as I’m concerned, the ‘tea party’ can go straight to Hell!"

US Representative Maxine Waters

Max said...

Invoking a quote from Rep. Maxine Waters is incredible to me!

Rep. Barney Frank announced his retirement recently. Frank was the Chair of the powerful Financial Services Committee, FSC, which has thus far poorly 'regulated' our banking system. Rep. Waters seniority puts her next in line for Chair of FSC.

I could take the easy route and suggest Rep. Waters is the embodiment of far-left-of-center
viewpoints; however, I will allow neighbors to weigh in after familiarizing themselves with the issue(s).

The link below is an objective description of various challenges Rep. Waters faces to Chair, FSC. In summary, those challenges include ethics charges, criticism of the President, lack of expertise, and a variety of other concerns.

http://www.urbanfaith.com/2011/11/will-maxine-waters-be-bad-for-business.html/

This link shows Rep. Waters questioning major bank CEO's after TARP1:

http://www.businessinsider.com/rep-maxine-waters-deranged-questioning-video-2009-2

I suggest the Taxed Enough Already Party, of which I am NOT a member, might say, "As far as we're concerned, Rep. Waters can go straight to business school."

The center always saves America. Right now, America has little time to indulge ourselves with zealots on either side of the aisle.

GaryRayBetz said...

And Vaclav Havel died today, very sad, but not pertinent in this venue.

John, thanks for your research on this topic. If anything further comes of it, please let us know.