 |
| 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resident raised this topic just this week as I previously raised concerns on DeKalb Water Works Dam Inspections and the outdated emergency safety policy.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 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?
As I said above, hard conversations regarding taxation and service levels are coming soon to this community.
