Light Up Dunwoody is this Sunday, Nov 17th from 2 to 6 pm in the Village. Menorah dedication for Rose Lubin will also be happening this evening.

Light up Dunwoody is a wonderful community event for the entire family and it has been presented by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association for many years.  The DHA does so much for our community (4th of July Parade, Farmers Market, Light Up, Food Trucks, and so much more) and a special Kudos goes out to DHA President Mr. Bob Fiscella for his leadership.   I believe Bob is dancing in the final number with Dan & company highlighting the high kicking can - can.  Please keep an eye out for him.

Besides all the typical festivities, the new 13-foot Menorah will be dedicated in a ceremony to honor Rose Lubin, the Dunwoody High School graduate who was killed Nov. 7, 2023 while serving with the Israeli Defense Force in Jerusalem.

The schedule above was taken from a previous years post but honestly it is basically the same every year so I am sure it is pretty close.  That being said, if you are going to see a specific neighbor or friend dance, please check with the friend on the time.   The lights are scheduled to go on at 6 pm so guessing the menorah dedication will take place immediately prior.

 Rough Draft Atlanta - Honoring the Life of Dunwoody Resident and IDF Soldier Rose Lubin.

Dunwoody City Council Meeting Agenda for Tuesday November 12, 2024

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday November 12, 2024 - 6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm  - City Site Agenda

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/84919972403 or  phone +14703812552,,84919972403#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Recognition of Citizens' Police Academy Class XV Graduates

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Public Comment allows the City Council the opportunity to listen to the public (3 minutes per speaker / 30 minutes total).

City Manager's Monthly Report

Dunwoody Community Garden & Orchard Annual Presentation

Stage Door Players Legal Entity Change

Skate Park Mural Surplus

On-Call Contract for Materials Testing, Geotechnical and Environmental Services

Funding Authorization for 4525 Sudbury Road Stormwater Repairs

Treetop Quest Dunwoody Renewal Agreement

SECOND READ: SLUP 24-01, 140 Perimeter Center W: The applicant, Starbucks Coffee Company c/o Gaskins + LeCraw, requests a Special Land Use Permit to Allow a Drive-Through Facility.

FIRST READ: Charter Amendment Article, Section 2.13(a)(4) - Prohibitions - Donations

City seeks to amend the charter prohibitions by permitting certain gifts or donations without limitations from individuals, charities, and benevolent or philanthropic organizations: (1) to provide aid and support of law enforcement; or (2) to provide aid and support of city personnel facing hardships due to a serious health condition of the employee (or immediate family member defined as spouse, child, or parent).

FIRST READ: Charter Amendment Article II, Section 2.13(e) - Prohibitions - Employment

City seeks to amend the charter prohibitions by permitting members of the city council to be employed by other governmental entities except Dunwoody, Georgia or DeKalb County, Georgia.

Construction Manager at Risk Contract for the Brook Run Maintenance Facility

2025 Athletic Association Agreements

Our Athletic Associations provide beneficial recreation services within the City. The City first partnered with Dunwoody Senior Baseball in 2012, followed by Rush Union Soccer (then Chiefs Futbol Club) in 2019; DHS Boys Soccer Booster Club, Dunwoody High Stix Club, and Dunwoody Wildcats Soccer in 2022; and Dunwoody High School Softball Booster Club and Atlanta MABL in 2023.

City of Dunwoody Presidential Election Results for 2024 - huge turnout as compared to City Council Elections.

The Presidential Election is now over and I figured I would look at the results via polling place and turn out.  The DeKalb Votes website is pretty limited as far as usual information therefore I went to the Secretary of State Election result site and got votes tallied but no turnout information.  Based on party line for the Presidential election, the City of Dunwoody leans about 60% Democratic and 40% Republican with fluctuations up or down in precincts (probably based on demographics, economics, home ownership vs rental, etc?).

I have no good information on turnout for this election as I do not have the current number of registered voters within the city limits, but I do have past election information and will use that as a baseline.  In last Novembers Mayoral and City Council Election where there was also a $60 Million dollar bond referendum on the ballot, we had almost 31,000 registered voters in the City and the turn out was at 8,500 votes or 28% percent of the electorate.  With four council seats (Mayor and three at large seats) and a huge bond referendum; you would have thought the turnout would have been higher, but it wasn't.

This Presidential election with us being a "swing state" the voting tally was much higher with 25,000 votes cast in the City and if the number of registered voters jumped to 32,000, the voting percentage for this presidential election would be close to 80%; which is huge.  Looking back at the presidential election results of 2020 & 2016 the turnout percentages are comparable.

The next City Council election is a year away, it is the three City Council District representatives whereby you are only going to the polls to vote for your one district representative.  These seats are currently being held by Catherine Lautenbacher, District 1 (West Side of Dunwoody), Rob Price, District 2 (Center of Dunwoody) and Tom Lambert, District 3 (East Side of Dunwoody).   In the 2021 District Representative Election, the voter turnout was lucky to hit 20% as I guess voters don't think this is an important election. 

Unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth as there are a total of 6 council members, 3 at large voted upon by the entire city, the 3 district representatives and the Mayor.  As a weak Mayor, City Manager form of government; the Mayor votes on everything, has no veto power and therefore is basically an equal on the council.  As it takes the approval of four council members to make any decision, these three representatives are equal to all the others but are only elected by their small slice of the city.

I guess the saying that "All Politics are Local" is still very true and the people of Dunwoody voted their conscious in this Presidential election based on what and who they believed would be best for their family, the community and the future of our Nation.  Believe it or not, next years City Council election will be the same (with less effect but still meaningful impacts); I just wish there were more voters being involved in the outcomes of our local elections.   

Reminder - there will be Veteran's Day Ceremony at 10 am Monday at Brook Run Park and our regular City Council Meeting is moved to Tuesday as Monday is a holiday.  I'll be reviewing the agenda and posting tomorrow.

 

Dunwoody City Council Meeting Agenda for Monday October 28, 2024

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday October 28, 2024 - 6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm  - City Site Agenda

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/84919972403 or  phone +14703812552,,84919972403#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Public Comment allows the City Council the opportunity to listen to the public (3 minutes per speaker / 30 minutes total).

Third Quarter Economic Development Update

Dunwoody Senior Baseball Annual Report

Resolution Adopting Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

Contract Amendment with Triscapes for Road and Stormwater Maintenance

Treetop Quest Dunwoody Renewal

On-Call Contract for Materials Testing, Geotechnical and Environmental Services

Georgetown Gateway Public Art Project

Memorandum of Agreement between Dunwoody Police Department and Flock Group, Inc.

Stage Door Players Legal Entity Change

Brook Run Skate Park Mural Surplus

Veterans Memorial Design

Dunwoody Halloween Farm Festival for Children of all ages - Saturday, October 19, 12:00 to 6:00pm at Donaldson-Bannister Farm

Saturday, October 19, 12:00 to 6:00pm
Donaldson-Bannister Farm, 4831 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody

Come enjoy Scout Troop 477 and 1919’s annual Halloween Farm Festival.

Kids of all ages can go on the “Trick or Treat Mystery Adventure”, help solve the mystery and win candy.

Enjoy games with prizes, crafts, a petting zoo, live music, and an outdoor food court with fresh grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken or veggie burritos, fresh fruit and more. Don't miss Dunwoody's favorite fall tradition, hosted with support from Dunwoody Preservation Trust. Costumes are Welcome!

Dunwoody City Council meeting analysis by John Heneghan prior to first 2025 budget hearing - Charter changes and future taxation matters.

A couple of young empty-nesters.

Below is a preview or my analysis of the Tuesday City Council Meeting agenda items where I dig a little deeper on a few items to keep you informed of my thinking.  After typing for awhile, I may have buried the most important conversation regarding City Operations at the end of the post but figured I would mention now for those who might only skim this stuff. 

First things First, don't miss the final Groovin on the Green concert of the year this Saturday (tomorrow / tonight) from 6-9 PM. at the Brook Run Park Amphitheater there will be an epic rock night with Corporate Therapy & LANDSLIDE - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Bring your blankets, appetites (food trucks on site!), and get ready to rock Dunwoody one last time this season. It's free, family-friendly, and guaranteed to have you groovin'!

Monday is a holiday and the City Council meeting is moved to Tuesday night.

 

The City Manager Monthly report to Council has some interesting things... 

Upcoming Events:

•  October 12: Groovin’ on the Green Series Finale with Corporate Therapy and LANDSLIDE – A TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC
•  October 24: Truck or Treat
•  October 27: Howling Halloween Photos & Blessing of the Pets
•  November 11: Veterans Day Ceremony
•  November 14: Holiday Family Photos at N. Shallowford Annex
•  December 1: Holiday Lights Opening Night
  
  

• October 3, 2024: Public Works Director Michael Smith, Deputy Chief Fladrich and Lt. Dove attended a half-day tabletop exercise orchestrated by Dekalb EMA and Dekalb watershed to address the public safety and governmental response to a potential dam collapse to the north (towards Sandy Springs and Gwinnett Co.) and the resulting destruction from such a catastrophic event.   (Because of all the storms, a resident raised this topic just this week as I previously raised concerns on DeKalb Water Works Dam Inspections and the outdated emergency safety policy.  The emergency policy was being updated by DeKalb & Dunwoody last I heard and the Dam was inspected.)
  
  
• Lots of other interesting tidbits in the City Manager Report

A new Starbucks is proposed on Perimeter Center West near the Total Wine, FedEx Office, Havertys Furniture & TJ Max.  I am not allowed to comment pro or con on this matter until the public hearing takes place but when I need a hit of caffeine my go to drink use to be a Quad Long Shot Espresso in a tall cup whereby I would top it off with cream.  It was cheap, tasty & potent but under doctors orders, this night owl has slowed down his caffeine consumption and I haven't ordered it in over a year.

There was a City Council Budget Committee meeting last month but there are no published changes to the proposed 2025 Budget and the first hearing is Tuesday.  Here is my analysis of the proposed 2025 budget that I published several weeks ago whereby I am concerned for the coming years.

The 2025 general fund budget is pretty bare-bones except for cost increases (salary, health insurance, contract escalations, & fully funding the nine police positions we added in 24).  Many of the additional police personnel expenses in 2025 are being paid with ARPA (Federal) Funds that will not be available in the future and with city expenses escalating faster than revenue, I understand that the city is facing an issue in the coming years in order to maintain the same level of service; especially as all city service contracts will be renegotiated with expected large increases. 

Capital funds are special revenue streams that typically can not be used for General Fund (operating) expenses like salaries, so these funds can not be used for those expenses but instead can be used for things and construction.  On the 2025 Capital funds front, we estimate $20 Million will be spent, with street paving & intersection improvements being a big chunk of those funds.  Besides streets, there is $3 Million for path construction, $1.8 Million for a new bridge over 285 at Chamblee Dunwoody, $1.7 Million for new Police Vehicles / Equipment, $1.3 Million for a new Brook Run Maintenance Building, $1 Million for the Dunwoody Nature Center Expansion, $1 Million for the new turf at Peachtree Middle School where the city already has a long term lease, $700K for a new SWAT Storage Building as well as another $1.7 Million for contingency and/or possible other additions like Sand Volleyball courts that were programed for the back of Brook Run near Tree Top Quest.

There is an item in front of Council to fund final design of intersection improvements at Mt. Vernon & Tilly Mill at a cost of $250K and as this includes 12 foot paths in front of single family homes where there is already sidewalk, I am guessing I will vote no.  Reading letters to the editor, and talking to residents; there are those who thing we are going too far on capital improvements and others who think we should stay the course.  I think the 12 foot trails are excessive especially in front of single family homes and I have had that opinion for quite awhile but the bond questions wasn't split into two questions (parks & paths) as I recommended therefore the city continues to move forward on a number of these projects where current finances allow.

There is an item regarding changing the rules on who can place Pole Banners (city event signs on light poles) and as it is odd as to who can and can not use the banners I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze, need to hear more from other Council members but leaning no.

There is an item on Tuesday to fund $1.2 million of stream, wetland & boardwalk restoration at the Dunwoody Nature Center and as I do know the boardwalk is dangerous therefore I am in favor of doing the repairs, especially as there is a State grant and we can use storm water funds.  Besides this project we have also promised an additional $1 million of city funds in 2025 for DNC Expansion.

Tuesday we are discussing the renewal of the 10 year contract with the Tree Top Quest, zip lining attraction in Brook Run with almost no modifications on the terms after 10 years.  Besides no real escalation to the rental funds received, I am interested more in the quality and safety upgrades that have been made.  I haven't been on the attraction in many years, maybe I need to go prior to approval of the contract at the next meeting; does anyone have feedback on this matter for Council?

Another Council discussion on Tuesday is reviewing a staff request to add another road / storm water maintenance crew (3 people) to the City Contracted staff for two years, at the additional annual cost of $325K.  Staff says it is needed and I trust that statement as well as the statement that we can "afford" it for the next two years; unfortunately this ties directly into my budget observations above whereby cost escalations are not sustainable with the current revenue stream.  Residents wants, needs and expectations have risen over the last 15 years and at some point we need to cut services or raise revenue.  Hard conversations regarding taxation and service levels are coming soon to this community.

City Charter changes as related to future taxation.

The final two discussion items are both mundane and extremely important because on the surface tweaking our City Charter on minor items does make sense to me but it also sets a precedent for future changes that may not have been intended 15 years ago when the citizens voted to allow incorporation under a limited governmental authority.  The changes presented at this time are regarding allowing public donations to city staff (Police) who may need the community support in times of need whereby the Charter may not currently allow organizations like the Dunwoody Police Foundation to do so.  The other proposed change opens the door for City Council employment to other cities and counties outside Dunwoody & DeKalb; I am fine with this change too.  

Here is the kicker, we have been a City in excess of 15 years and have never changed our Charter, even though we have held at least two "Charter Commission" exercises that have made numerous recommendations for changes.  Here are the 2021 recommended Charter changes and here are 2013 proposed changes. Those Charter recommendations were sent to the State Legislature where they were not acted upon.  If you review the State Legislature website, cities go to the Capital to change their charter on a regular basis, but there are provisions of State Law that do allow charter changes under the "Home Rule" doctrine.

State law clearly states that the City can change it's charter and operating procedures in O.C.G.A. § 36-35-3 but in O.C.G.A. § 36-35-6 it also sets limitations and exclusions on doing so, one of these exclusions is based on taxes. Council may have received legal opinions that we can raise funds (taxes) based on "Home Rule" and "Special Taxation Districts".  Though allowing the City Council to make unilateral Charter changes regarding raising taxes may be legally acceptable through a Special Taxation District, I question weather it is ethically acceptable to those residents who approved our incorporation based on a maximum level of taxation, whereby the Charter states there will be a referendum in order to do so?  As the last original member of the City Council, I feel compelled to lobby for a referendum if additional taxes are needed as those were the terms in which we started this City. 

On the flip side, 15 years is a long time and a majority of current residents didn't vote for incorporation and these new residents are now accustomed to the City services being provided and therefore don't want reductions but instead trust the City Council to set tax policy to protect the safety, viability and atmosphere currently provided, if not add more services; and are willing to pay to maintain values.

As I said above, hard conversations regarding taxation and service levels are coming soon to this community.