At our last meeting the City Council created a Citizens Advisory Capital Improvements Committee which shall be a temporary committee, charged with responsibility of reviewing Dunwoody’s capital improvements needs and providing input and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding capital needs and projects.
Meetings are scheduled to take place weekly on Wednesday evenings at City Hall from 6 to 7:30 starting September 14 &
concluding Wed, December 7th.
The proposed members as nominated by
Council to the Mayor to discuss capital desires of community are as
follows: Remi Bullard, Abby Lesorgen, Steve Ellet, Joe Martinez, Su
Ellis, Mereca Smith, Brian Gee, and Sarah Smith, as Max Leighman (declined).
The focus of these committee meetings is determining the City's Future Capital Needs (not the funding of the final determined list - that comes later by Council) we welcome community participation in making public comments as to what investments you the community want to see as far as Capital Improvement Needs are desired.
Are there specific intersections that need to be redesigned? Do we need pocket parks deep in neighborhoods? Should we be focusing more money towards intersection and crosswalk safety? Do we want more sidewalks or maybe Paths though our community? Is Green or Public Spaces missing in our community and if so where? Is public art worth a public investment? Should we four lane Mount Vernon into a true highway or maybe we need to invest in a Dunwoody Space Port to reduce congestion? Do we need a natatorium, a gymnasium and a velodrome all in one specific park, or maybe you just want to say we need none of these things. We welcome those comments too!
I am excited to have this committee meet to have these important discussions as I
believe there is a diverse mix of young faces along with a few more
established members of our community. As a person who gets to weigh in and set priorities after hearing the outcomes of these meetings, I personally don't want to overly
influence the discussions of the members of this committee in any way
as my list above was intended as being thought provoking and not my
personal desires. But that being said, you may want to lend your voice as to what you believe the capital priorities of this city should be.
As an example, I have a true story. Many years ago, an organized group of skateboarders from all around Atlanta once attended a public meeting held by DeKalb County at Brook Run Park and at this meeting everyone received three post-it notes to use as votes of what amenity they wanted constructed at the new Brook Run Park. Most attendees spread their three votes around, but the hundred skaters all voted for only a skate park therefore with 300 votes a skate park was installed along with a playground that I believe came in second place. I guess what I am saying is sometimes you are governed by those who vote, those who speak up or make their desires heard.
As your City Councilman, I am always listening be it one on one conversations, reading social media comments, seeing email campaigns, reading newspaper articles, etc but I will also be interested in the final results of this committees work in order to assist me in setting capital improvements as desired by the community.
Based on the published agenda, there is no live stream of the meeting nor remote public comment available, but the meetings are open and public comment is available both before and after the main discussion. You will need to show up in person to participate.
A "wish list" is not a "need". Is it out of the question to live within your means? At least until economic conditions improve?? I vote for putting the skids on!
ReplyDeleteJohn -
ReplyDeleteFrom your blog post on August 21st, and regarding Page #3 of the Bikeway Policy Discussion (Pg.4 of the document from the link) - are these pathways from 2011 still under consideration?
The majority of these run right through peoples' back yards and would diminish their property values and quality of life/privacy.
This is similar to the Georgia Path presentation you shared last week. Our neighborhood streets are fine for walking and riding. There is absolutely no need to destroy green areas and diminish someone's' quality of life.
Thank you -
Eric
Thanks Unknown for the comment.
ReplyDeleteEric, back in the day, there was an idea to put a path across Dunwoody under the power transmission lines using electric company easements. This idea was quickly quashed when discovered that there were air easements and no ability to legally do the trails without a taking from the 100's of residents along the power line. That proposed path would have gone through the backyards of residents.
Most paths being explored now are being attempted to shoehorn in 12 feet of concrete within the right of way which leaves limited space for trees, shade and beauty. Lots of studies, planning and committees happening now, so I am in a wait-and-see mode until more information is available. After capital planning, there is bound to be financial planning.
John -
ReplyDeleteWhat about unused sanitary/water line easements?
Would those be in the same category - not wanting to take land from residents?
Thank you -
Eric
Don't know, easements are typically for specific purposes, and guessing expanding the use over the intended places a burden on the landowner? For the big power company lines, we were thinking the power company owned the land which might make it an easy one-stop agreement with the power company to get trail rights. That wasn't the case, homeowners owned the land and the power company had easements with specific and limited rights.
ReplyDeleteEric, hard to answer your question but show me a map and a willing landowner who controls and you might be on to something. Without a willing landowner, it might be impossible but I am just talking off the cuff, not a lawyer.