Showing posts with label Mike Davis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Davis. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
Dunwoody Mayoral Candidate responses to the @AJC & @LWVGA voter guide. #gapol
Below are the responses by the Dunwoody Mayoral Candidates to the League of Woman Voters and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2015 Voter Guide.
Based on the AJC website, it appears that Candidate Dennis Shortal did not complete the survey.
What experience do you bring to the job to set policy for your city and what is your motivation to serve?
Steve Chipka Retired BellSouth Manager, started as a technician, moved into Sales, then on to corporate training with a focus on Financial Management training for Account Teams to better relate to customer CFOs. Moved into Market Management, working with new product teams focusing on customer needs. Finished my career at BellSouth in the Performance Improvement and Organizational Effectiveness teams, helping internal clients meet their objectives with systems, processes, and people. I believe the City of Dunwoody needs someone who can listen to the residents and use business skills to mange city resources more effectively.
Mike Davis My motivation to serve is that I love Dunwoody, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead Dunwoody as the Mayor for the past four years. We have term limits for the Mayoral position, and I want to continue the work that has been done in making Dunwoody the best city that it can be for another term. I have raised my family here and have been passionate about serving this community thru years of civic involvement and leadership. My professional experience is in business management which serves me well in the policy setting role of Mayor. I have spent the last four years building relationships with elected officials and community leaders in the county, state, and other municipalities, enabling us to work together on policies affecting Dunwoody and the surrounding areas. The members of our city council work well together under my leadership and are respectful of each other’s view and opinions, while voting with our own consciences on every topic. We read often about municipal governments that are dysfunctional because the elected officials can’t seem to work together. I’ve worked hard to create an environment of trust and respect, allowing us to do the work of the city efficiently and effectively.
Chris Grivakis Financial/analytical background useful/needed to analyze cost/benefit of projects, setting budgets, and adjusting budget as needed. I have been an active participant in Dunwoody Homeowner Meetings (DHA) meetings for several years, where city issues are presented, and have questioned potentially adverse proposals (traffic circle, higher-density Perimeter area, high-density townhomes). My motivation to serve: (1) avoid over-urbanization of Perimeter area under guise of all-growth-is- good mantra. High density/excess growth will create excess traffic that will choke area and have potential to increase school population in an already taxed school system with some of the traffic invariably flowing through our city and neighborhoods; (2) maintain current zoning in residential areas to maintain our property values and our suburban aspect which is why we all moved and remained here; (3) prioritize all projects and ensure that needed projects (sidewalks) are placed ahead of nice-to-have projects (city hall/gateways). There are many projects we would like such as a city hall and gateway entrances but we need to defer these to future after pressing projects are completed; (4) change city charter to require voter approval for taking over county-provided service (fire, waste) so that all of us get to decide rather than only 4 of use deciding (in 4 to 3 council vote).
What will be your top two priorities during your term of office and how will you pursue them?
Steve Chipka 1. Create a project tracking system which will track resources for a project from planning to completion. Present method seems to be calendar based with no transparency or accountability. An example is the 911 CAD-to-CAD Interface project which has gone on for 4 years. 2. Improve the lead time of City Council Agenda availability so the public has more time to research and develop public comments at City Council meetings. I will pursue these priorities by ensuring I have an understanding of current issues related to them and develop recommendations for systems/processes to improve performance.
Mike Davis My top priority is making Dunwoody an attractive place to live, work, and play. To me that means having the kinds of amenities that attract well educated and involved families and singles, as well as top notch employers. This is what keeps the values of our houses high and provides demand for our neighborhoods when our older citizens are ready to downsize. With a vibrant community comes challenges such as traffic and schools. I have been very involved in getting the Georgia DOT to fund the 285/400 intersection fix. On the local level we can impact traffic positively by maintaining and upgrading our intersections, thirteen of which are in our current plan. As for schools, we are very focused upon working with our state legislators to bring about a constitutional amendment which will, when passed, give Dunwoody and other communities the right to establish right sized locally controlled school systems. Safety also a top priority. Dunwoody is already considered in the region to be a very safe community, and we need to maintain that vision by providing the optimal sized police force to keep not only our 45,000 residents safe, but our 125,000 work day population safe. I fully support our police chief in his implementation of new ideas, such as body cameras, etc.
Chris Grivakis Maintain zoning: the city is reviewing the land-use for Perimeter, and initial consultant proposal is 30-story buildings near mall and 14-story buildings near Wal-Mart and Ashford Dunwoody Rd. The proposal was deferred by council and it is unclear what type of change could be approved (current zoning is 5-stories with variance needed to exceed). I would work to maintain zoning so we have development compatible with our suburban character so that our schools and roads are not overburdened. Large projects would require council review, a process that is diminished if zoning changed to allow taller buildings. Excess traffic from higher density threatens the Perimeter area’s viability. Traffic will flow through city and clog our roads (traffic has worsened without this development). Prioritize all projects: there are many projects we would like to have. Some are needed (sidewalks, repave streets) while some are not pressing (city hall, gateways) or ever needed (traffic circles). I would shift all spending to needed projects and put nice-to-have projects at bottom of list – we’ll get to them after necessary projects are done, if we have funds and citizens want them. We voted to become a city so that we can have sidewalks/paving not gateways/city hall.
The 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) is levied by counties and shared with cities therein based on a formula agreed to at least once every 10 years. LOST used for annual operational expenses and reduces property taxes. Do you support or oppose the formula which is currently used to determine your city’s share? Why or why not?
Steve Chipka I support the current formula based on property value of the cities. The property taxes are the basis for the County collecting revenue for services delivered. The primary reason, as I understand it, for incorporating cities was the perceived lack of equitable County spending based on at least some form of rationale.
Mike Davis Dekalb County does not have a LOST like most counties in Georgia. It has a 1% Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST). They are similar but different in many ways. I oppose the system used by the county and will be working to change the formula. Forty percent of all the sales tax collected in Dekalb County is collected in Dunwoody, in particular at Perimeter Mall. I'm not suggesting that we should get 40% of the entire county’s sales tax revenue, but people like to shop at our mall due to the efforts the city puts forth in safety, beauty and infrastructure. Dunwoody represents 6.5% of the population, brings in 40% of the revenue and gets back 5%. I believe we should get 12% of the revenue. The bigger tax argument I have with the county is their plan to put forth an additional 1% sales tax for a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). This will make Dekalb the highest sales tax county in the state at 8%. Dunwoody is in the corner of the county surrounded by Gwinnett 6%, Fulton 7% and Cobb 6%. We are running the risk of pricing ourselves out of competition. And for what? The county has mismanaged their budgets for years and their solution is to raise taxes. They are 400 miles behind in paving and repaving. They see no way to catch up without raising taxes. I will oppose this solution.
Chris Grivakis I favor continuance of LOST. The formula has many nuances and complexities including whether to base the formula on population, amount of taxes collected within our city’s boundaries, or amount of services that we provide which reduces the county’s need for the funds and increases our need for funds. I would have us determine the calculation using the different methods, determine an average after removing outlier results, and try to at least obtain the average of the amount determined. This process would require input from City Manager, Finance Director, all council members, along with our state representative/senator to come up with a consensus.
Cities often set aside unspent funds as reserves. If your city budget has reserves, is there a minimum balance which should not be touched except in emergencies? What is it? What constitutes ‘emergencies’ in your city?
Steve Chipka The City of Dunwoody has an implied Reserve Requirement of $400,000. Some on City Council have wanted to use the Reserves for additional paving. In my definition that is not an emergency. I have never seen a definition of qualified “emergencies” published. My definition of an emergency is a catastrophic event, uncontrollable by the residents of the city, i.e. a tornado.
Mike Davis We keep a minimum of four months and maximum of eight months of General fund revenue in our reserve account. This was agreed on early in my tenure as Mayor and has been the rule since. We as a city council have not actually identified what constitutes an emergency, but in my opinion an emergency situation would be triggered by some kind of natural disaster such as the 1998 tornado and the 2009 flooding. In both situations, a great deal of damage was done in Dunwoody.
Chris Grivakis Best practices dictate a minimum of 90 days worth of working capital. I would work with City Manager, Finance Director, and council members for an appropriate amount. Some examples of an emergency where we could use these funds would be after a natural disaster (tornado) or stopping an immediate threat to residences or roads such as swift erosion from nearby creek/river.
Would you support a “Pay to Play” ordinance which could ban or limit municipal candidates from receiving campaign contributions from holders and/or seekers of City contracts? If yes, please explain the parameters you would support, in terms of dollar limits, time limits, and ease of access for public review. If no, please explain.
Steve Chipka Yes, I would support an ordinance which would limit the contributions from holders and seekers of City Contracts. I recommend that a Dollar amount of contracts be used to set the contribution limits. The higher the amount of contracts held during a time period, say a year, the lower the amount of contribution the contract holder/seeker could provide to a candidate. All contributions are required to be disclosed on the Contributions and Expenditures form, which, when filed, is available online at dunwoodycity.gaeasyfile.com.
Mike Davis I personally don’t accept campaign contributions from anyone who does business with the city, including contractors or developers. I don’t support an ordinance because campaign disclosure rules already are in place to report significant contributions. I have never supported knee jerk reactions leading to more laws/ordinances which must then be enforced by more government. The citizens are intelligent enough to look at campaign contributions to decide for themselves if there is an appearance of undue influence. All my campaign contributions are disclosed on the proper sites, mandated by the State Ethics commission. I seek contributions from friends, family, and neighbors who support my candidacy and philosophies and who like the way the city is currently being represented.
Chris Grivakis Current holders of city contracts should not be allowed to contribute to candidates. Other contributors to candidates should be limited to a modest contribution and not allowed city contracts for two years after contribution.
Some cities have faced legal action because of the use of prayer in government meetings. What is your opinion on this issue for your city?
Steve Chipka I firmly believe in the separation of church and state. The City of Dunwoody uses a generic invocation which does not specifically represent a religious point of view.
Mike Davis We’ve come up with an Invocation that is used to open our meetings. It is as follows: “At this Council Meeting, help us to make decisions which keep us faithful to our mission and reflect our values. Give us strength to hold to our purpose; wisdom to guide us; and a keen perception to lead us. And above all, keep us charitable as we deliberate.”
Chris Grivakis Be respectful of all religions. A moment of silence is appropriate to give everyone the opportunity to pray or meditate if they wish to do so.
Dunwoody Candidate Profiles as submitted to DHA for Sunday Forum
See Full Candidate Profiles - here.
Date: October 11, 2015 Time: 4:00 PM
Dunwoody Candidate Forum
Dunwoody High School Auditorium
5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Mayor Mike Davis interview on WABE Radio: Dunwoody Attracting High-Tech, White-Collar Companies
Dunwoody, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta, is located in DeKalb County close to where Interstate 400 intersects with Interstate 285. More than 46,000 people call Dunwoody home, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The city boasts a range of amenities, including shopping, entertainment, hotels, office space, the nearby DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and more.
The city's wide range of offerings is what's drawing high-tech and white-collar companies to Dunwoody, according to Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis. Davis has been leading the city since 2012. He joined WABE’s Rose Scott and Denis O’Hayer on “Closer Look” for a talk about his city. He discussed the city’s schools, traffic issues, affordable housing, economic development and even Dunwoody’s draw as a great filming location.
Dunwoody Food Truck Thursdays welcomes "The Doors" at Brook Run Park from 5 to Dark
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Mayor Davis presents his draft 2016 City of Dunwoody Budget
Excerpt below - click here for full document.
The list of enhancements to the 2016 budget and their costs can be found on page 35 of the document and I recommend that this be reviewed for both what is there and what is not. It is this list of new items being proposed that the budget committee will need to be determining if appropriate or if other items are missing. The budget committee this year is Lynn Deutsch, Doug Thompson, & Jim Riticher and the first formal hearing has been set for the City Council Meeting of October 12th.
We are pleased to submit the following Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Budget to City Council and residents for examination and consideration. We encourage citizen feedback and involvement throughout the budget process to facilitate the development of an annual fiscal plan which meets the needs of the City of Dunwoody.
The past six years of cityhood have demonstrated the resilience and fortitude of our city and its residents. Starting out in a time of economic uncertainty and market trepidation, the city strategically moved to establish sound, prudent policies and investments which would help bring services and infrastructure back within acceptable levels. Community safety, public amenities and basic fundamentals, which had been long neglected, began being addressed over time thanks in part to pragmatic fiscal planning and prioritization.
Building upon the experience, achievements and fundamentals from the previous six years, the City of Dunwoody is poised to address the critical needs as identified by city staff and our community while systematically implementing plans with a clear focus on the longer term vision for the City. The FY 2016 Budget represents a distinctive path for progress. The directive contained herein provides opportunities for continuous improvement, carefully nurturing the pillars of stability (safety, infrastructure and amenities) while simultaneously balancing strategies for future success. By continually fine tuning the City’s path for progress, we seek to advance the kind of quality of life attributes which have shaped Dunwoody.
Retaining the fiscally conservative approach which fostered previous success, standards which our residents have come to expect, the FY 2016 Budget forecasts conservative revenue growth. This cautious planning affords the City the opportunity to maintain our original 2.74 millage rate while also aligning expectations for modest revenues from property taxes and new building permit collections.
Overall Economic Condition of the City
The City experienced a rise in the tax digest and slower-paced economic growth in 2015. The tax digest rose just slightly and business licenses are falling short of last year’s pace. The diversity in the City’s revenue streams lessens the effects of this slowed growth. Building permits are strong as a result of business relocations and expansions and hotel taxes are on track to exceed budgeted levels. The City’s overall revenues are anticipated to exceed the $31.7 million in revenues appropriated in the FY 2015 Budget.
The City of Dunwoody continues to operate a lean and efficient model of governing with the Split Contract Service model, outsourcing the majority of government service functions. The Split Contract Service model enables the City to maintain a high level of service for its citizens while maintaining expenditures at or near the level established when the City was incorporated in a down economy. With investments in outside training and internal cross-training, the City works diligently to staff departments efficiently.
Budget Brief
The FY 2016 Budget establishes a systematic approach to implementing plans and appropriately preparing for the future identity and long-term viability of the City. This forward-looking approach symbolizes a Path for Progress, a distinctive set of considerations and principals which can help usher upcoming possibility and achievement. While upholding public safety and the continued implementation of successful infrastructure initiatives are tantamount, the FY 2016 Budget provides an opportunity to invest in what has made Dunwoody a “big-city community with a small-town feel.”
The FY 2016 Budget for all appropriated funds totals approximately $34 million in revenues. The defining Path for Progress elements of the FY 2016 Budget include allocating more than $4.5 million for paving, intersection and sidewalk improvements and specific allocations for long-term enhancements such as a connector road, a gateway augmentation and planning and design of future City Hall.
The FY 2016 Budget includes a $1.6 million transfer in General Fund dollars to pay debt associated with Project Renaissance land purchases. These debt payments will be offset with revenue generated from the sale of lots related to Project Renaissance. Of this transfer, $1.4 million represents an additional principal payment toward the variable rate series of this debt.
The FY 2016 Budget also includes $2.3 million in General Fund transfers and $5 million in HOST Fund transfers to our Capital Projects program for the development of critical city assets, infrastructure projects, and public safety enhancements. The Capital Projects list for 2016 includes street resurfacing, sidewalk construction, intersection improvements, park improvements, and public safety equipment.
The FY 2016 Budget utilizes approximately $25,000 of reserves in the Stormwater Utility Fund to speed up the timing of significant improvements to stormwater infrastructure while maintaining the healthy $3 million stormwater fund reserve for catastrophic stormwater events.
The remaining $25 million in revenue is budgeted for operations and cash reserves. Based on Council policy, the FY 2016 Budget anticipates maintaining a reserve sufficient to cover government operations for four months. The FY 2016 Budget maintains the City’s original 2.74 millage rate and does not anticipate an increase in that rate.
FY 2016 Expenditure Highlights
The city’s emphasis on the “Three P’s”: Police, Paving, and Parks has not diminished and is further supported through the FY 2016 Budget. In order to address the needs of the community and the challenges presented for the future the City has created a FY 2016 Budget list of key expenditures and improvements which clearly demonstrate the focus on the needs of today and the Path for Progress.
Paving / Infrastructure
2016 street resurfacing and paving and sidewalk improvements ($2,500,000)
The Local Maintenance Improvement Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation represents $300,000 of this total
Construction funding for Chamblee Dunwoody Road bicycle and pedestrian improvements ($1,600,000)
Construction funding for Tilly Mill at North Peachtree intersection improvement ($500,000)
Concept funding for a connector road between the Ashford Dunwoody off ramp and Perimeter Center Parkway ($200,000)
Construction funding for Tilly Mill sidewalk from Womack to North Peachtree ($250,000)
Right Of Way (ROW) acquisition for the Georgetown Gateway Project ($750,000)
Parks
Donaldson Bannister Farm site improvements ($100,000)
Park Surveillance at Georgetown Park & Pernoshal Park ($266,000)
Police Department/Public Safety
Three Patrol Officers, cars and equipment ($395,863)
Detective, car and equipment ($102,154)
Funding for vehicle replacement ($200,000)
End of life replacement for equipment ($211,500)
Average merit-based increase ($248,308)
Community Development
Sign Code Update Project ($25,000)
Permit Tracking Software ($150,000)
Finance & Administration
Facilities Improvement Partnership Program ($250,000)
Planning and design of future City Hall ($250,000)
System upgrades ($39,000)
Stormwater Utility
Street Sweeping ($24,000)
While this is not a comprehensive list of enhancement requests, it does highlight the City’s focus on continued fiscally conservative spending while supporting the primary reasons for becoming a city – namely the local control over safety, infrastructure, and community development to improve the quality of life for all of Dunwoody’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
Issues on the Horizon
In 2015 the City concluded the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to rebid the City of Dunwoody Split Contract Service model by which the City staffs a majority of government service functions. At the conclusion of the RFP selection process, the City decided to bring in-house five formerly contracted positions (Community Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Economic Development Director, a part time Economic Development Retention Manager, Human Resources Director and a Human Resources Specialist). These new City employees, along with one new contract service provider chosen from the RFP process presents a change in the makeup of previous staffing structure which will be sensible to monitor and assess for a customer service and performance standpoint.
The economic downturn experienced since 2009 has not yet completely returned Dunwoody revenues to pre-recession peaks and office vacancy rates indicate the economy has not reentered full recovery mode. The potential for rising interest rates and increased construction costs is possible and this could impede borrowing, construction, and development initiatives within the city and region. The City must prepare for general gaps in revenue streams and be mindful of longer-term external factors which may be out of the City’s control but also present issues for prudent economic management.
With future planning and projects being forwarded, it will be especially pragmatic for the City to practice transparency and civic engagement as it moves forward with planning for the design and construction of a City Hall. A City Hall can become a signature facility and a symbol of the character, persona and style of a city and its services. It will be important to work with the community to help determine the best fit, place and design for a government facility. Construction activities, both those performed by the city and those being done by the private sector (i.e. State Farm, Hotel Equities, etc.) may have a tendency to create congestion and deviations in various traffic and business patterns. Also, improvements at the Tilly Mill at North Peachtree intersection will commence in 2015, and carry on into 2016, which could potentially bring additional attention to a high-profile project and heavily trafficked intersection. Construction activity and changes at various locations in the City will need to be monitored and addressed to ensure productivity and efficiency are not compromised.
Elements of the community-developed Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan; Georgetown/North Shallowford Master Plan; and Dunwoody Village Master Plan each will undergo implementation activities and plan upgrades at different phases in the coming year. The continued revitalization efforts for Georgetown and Chamblee Dunwoody corridor will continue throughout 2016 and residents, businesses and visitors will begin to experience the benefits provided through the program. Appropriate and timely community input will need to be gauged and addresses to ensure project successes and continued redevelopment and growth of these areas as outlined in their respective Master Plans.
Because the City’s lawsuit with DeKalb County wrapped up and settled in 2015, the City is lowering its anticipated legal expenses for 2016. The lawsuit was a leading contributor to the City’s legal preparation and activities and a reduction in this expense may leave the City vulnerable to unforeseen lawsuits.
Summary
Careful nurturing, attention and collaboration with the community will enable the City to address future stability and successful program advancement. A Path for Progress is a longer-term objective which comes to fruition with watchful foresight, contentious planning and vigilant implementation. Through the FY 2016 Budget, the City seeks to continue its delivery of quality customer service based upon a financially responsible and fiscally sound framework and provide deliverable solutions for the community’s vision of a better Dunwoody. We look forward to a collaborative review of the FY 2015 Budget proposal over the next two months and appreciate your thoughtful input throughout the process.
Michael G. Davis Eric Linton, ICMA-CM, AICP
Mayor City Manager
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The City of Dunwoody Sustainability Committee will soon be exploring solar options for implementation.
Important note: This media release is not currently
real. But it could be.
Pattie Baker wrote it this morning following a brainstorming session we attended last night with the Mayor, Councilman Riticher and a few members of the Sustainability Committee who will be researching options for consideration by the City Council.
CITY OF DUNWOODY, GA ANNOUNCES SUNWOODY SOLAR PROJECT
"City of Dunwoody solar barriers were eliminated in our very first set of ordinances," stated City Council Member John Heneghan, a city founder and council member from day one. "Therefore, we differ from other cities in that we don't need to rewrite our rules to allow solar. That means we are ready for action immediately. We now want to provide the community service of helping facilitate the adoption of solar power by citizens, businesses, and nonprofit entities such as places of worship, community centers, and schools."
The City has decided on a three-pronged approach that maximizes its potential impact while minimizing government involvement.
"The best way to prepare a home or business for solar is to make structures as energy efficient as possible beforehand," stated Lee Peterson, a solar industry expert who is a member of the city's Sustainability Committee (which, originally called a commission, was the first citizen group formed by the City of Dunwoody, just three weeks after the city started operating on December 1, 2008).
Therefore, the City will kick off The Sunwoody Project with tips about increasing energy efficiency and encouragement of free home energy audits provided by Georgia Power. Through expedited permitting procedures, it will also encourage green remodeling of the older housing stock throughout the city to make homes more attractive to younger home buyers who are seeking these health-enhancing and money-saving attributes.
Next, the City will offer a group purchasing opportunity for home solar systems to citizens in a pilot project similar to the Solarize Tybee initiative in Chatham County, GA, and related programs in about 100 communities nationwide. It will also host a forum for solar companies to offer solar system leasing options direct to homeowners and businesses (which is now legal in Georgia for the first time, due to HB 57). Concurrently, through its newly-formed Veterans Committee, the City will encourage its veterans of war returning home from service to pursue job opportunities with solar companies, as about 50 percent of all new hires in the solar industry nationwide are veterans.
Third, the City will create three demonstration solar roofs at its largest public park, Brook Run Park. These will be on its skate park concession stand (which serves predominantly youth), on the greenhouse as part of the Dunwoody Community Garden (where organic vegetables are grown for sale to the community and for its outreach initiative to a local food pantry), and on a soon-to-be-built new restroom facility (conveniently located to serve dog park visitors as well as people of all ages, especially seniors and parents with children while out walking or riding bikes on the park's new multi-use path). Additionally, the City will add solar charging stations for electric cars at all of its parks that currently have parking lots as well as encouraging the inclusion of these stations in all its commercial centers. Local schools (including the middle school, which is directly across the street from Brook Run Park) will be encouraged to visit to learn more about solar technology. (Note: the City does not currently own the schools but will work to coordinate with the county to encourage this educational experience.)
Fourth, the city will showcase the new solar features on the currently-under-construction global headquarters of State Farm Insurance Company (which is seeking LEED certification for the building). These are expected to include a solar walkway to the MARTA bus and rail station and solar panels over parked cars on the top level of the parking garage.
Finally, the city (which currently leases its City Hall space) aims to utilize solar significantly in its future city hall. It already has a government policy to seek LEED certification for any city-owned buildings.
"As a certified Gold-level Green Community with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), we are now looking ahead to achieving Platinum status," said Rebecca Keefer, the city's director of sustainability. "We believe these initiatives will enable us to attain points for both solar improvements as well as innovation on the ARC Green Communities checklist."
"Even more importantly," added City of Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis, "these combined efforts will enable our city to maintain its leadership role as a social, environmental, and economic sustainability example of what's possible in metropolitan Atlanta and the State of Georgia, and will make us even more attractive to new businesses and residents. We also believe that having a secure and affordable source of power, such as the abundant gift of sunlight in our beautiful city of Dunwoody, increases our resiliency as a community."
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
City of Dunwoody Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday featuring Mayor, Mike Davis and City Manager, Eric Linton
Town Hall with Mayor Mike Davis
Georgia Perimeter College - Dunwoody Campus
2101 Womack Road
Dunwoody, Georgia
2101 Womack Road
Dunwoody, Georgia
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The City is holding a Town Hall Meeting and we want to hear from you! Become an active part of your local government and share your thoughts, questions and ideas at the Dunwoody 2015 Town Hall Meeting.
This is a FREE event and open to the public.
The Town Hall will be from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Georgia Perimeter College - Dunwoody Campus Auditorium, 2101 Womack Road.
This is your chance to participate in authentic conversation focused on pertinent community issues and topics selected by you, the participants. Featured speakers include Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis and City Manager, Eric Linton.
Visit ConnectDunwoody.com to let us know what topics and issues you would like to see discussed.
Besides of thinking of questions for the Mayor, the City of Dunwoody would also like your input on the future direction of the city. Your answers to the Shape Dunwoody - Comprehensive Plan Survey will help inform the five-year Comprehensive Plan team. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Thanks
The Town Hall will be from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Georgia Perimeter College - Dunwoody Campus Auditorium, 2101 Womack Road.
This is your chance to participate in authentic conversation focused on pertinent community issues and topics selected by you, the participants. Featured speakers include Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis and City Manager, Eric Linton.
Visit ConnectDunwoody.com to let us know what topics and issues you would like to see discussed.
Besides of thinking of questions for the Mayor, the City of Dunwoody would also like your input on the future direction of the city. Your answers to the Shape Dunwoody - Comprehensive Plan Survey will help inform the five-year Comprehensive Plan team. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Thanks
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Holy urbanization! Dunwoody Megapolis just ate my office! by Bill Torpy of the AJC
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Bill Torpy of the AJC is one of my favorite columnists and today's article about the "Megapolis" that will replace the current location of the AJC, located next to the Dunwoody Marta station is spot on and therefore recommended reading. The article is currently behind the "paywall" but I have published just a bit of it below for you to get a feel for the article. Transportation, traffic, future 285 construction, and schools are all discussed, with the article quoting Mayor Mike Davis, Representative Tom Taylor and Senator Fran Millar.
Holy urbanization! Megapolis just ate my office! by Bill Torpy
Sometimes news hits you over the head.
That’s the case with an e-mail last week telling us AJC employees that we’re moving around the corner to the Cox Enterprises headquarters. It turns out the ugly building we currently rent will be levelled to create a development whose working title is Megapolis Behind The Mall.
The preliminary plan would create a 42-acre-complex with 3,000 rental and condo units. It would cram a population more than twice that of Avondale Estates into a few blocks of live/work/play hipness. High Street, its official name, could include 400,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, a million square feet of office space, 750 hotel rooms, promenades, parks and plazas. It would, according to its Boston developers, “transform Atlanta’s Perimeter Center area and become its urban heart.”
Dunwoody officials inherited Megapolis from DeKalb County, which approved the zoning before the city was incorporated in 2008. In fact, it would be fair to say that former county CEO Vernon Jones, a large reason why Dunwoody was created in the first place, is enjoying this a good bit.
The city was created as a leafy suburb with 4-bedroom ranches walking distance from community swimming pools. But, Davis said, “the millennials don’t want that. They want to go downstairs and have their pick of six restaurants.”
Millennials are the new generation that developers are still trying to figure out. Millennials wear porkpie hats and make us Boomers look old, stodgy and avaricious because they don’t want to drive or buy homes. And they love craft breweries and tapas.
The mayor and council members must toe a fine line between accommodating growth and keeping true to the folks who take time from watering their lawns to vote in local elections.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
State of Georgia likes Dunwoody's Tilly Mill / Peeler / North Peachtree intersection plans so much, Governor Deal thought they should chip in on the funding.
Governor Nathan Deal awards City of Dunwoody transportation grant.
The City of Dunwoody received a $784,000 Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Grant for intersection improvements at Till Mill, Peeler and North Peachtree that will include new turn lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks to all approaches of the intersection as well as a new traffic light at North Peachtree and Peeler.
Tilly Mill & North Peachtree; is shown above as being scheduled for 2015 completion.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Dunwoody Interim City Manager, Two Hotels, Corner Cafe, Construction Update, Starbucks in Brook Run Park, Perimeter Zoning and other tidbits.
Special Called Meeting on April 1st - Resolution to Appoint an Interim City Manager.
I was invited to this special called meeting of the Dunwoody City Council but there is little or no other documentation available therefore I expect that we will be called into Executive Session to discuss a "personnel matter" and if there is an official nomination by Mayor Davis that we will come out to discuss and approve the action publicly. I have no inside information on this though there are a number of City Department Heads who could easily hold the acting position for several months and/or the position could be filled by a "Loaned Executive" or even a person from the community.
The initial decision is the choice of the Mayor and he may or may not be waiting until the Dunwoody Talk - March City Manager Madness Tournament is complete.
Biznow.com Atlanta reports - Hotel Equities plans to break ground this year on a 132-key Hampton Inn and a 124-key Residence Inn. The Hampton Inn will be next to Sterling Point office park off Ashford-Dunwoody Road; the Residence Inn will connect to the current home of the Spruill Center for the Arts. We had a sprawling interview with Hotel Equities' COO Brad Rahinsky yesterday during the Hunter Hotel Conference at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Atlanta. Brad says Central Perimeter is justifying the additional rooms in large part thanks to State Farm, which has tightened the office market and helped supply not only occupancy increases during the week, but on the weekends as well. Hotel Equities owns the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Sandy Springs, where nightly rates have climbed past $200. Plus, to offset development costs, Brad says it's selling four outparcels at its Hampton site, one already slated for a Corner Cafe. “The revenue that would be thrown off on those outparcels will pay for the debt service,” he says. “[The Hampton] starts cash flowing the day we open the doors.
Dunwoody Construction Update
Brook Run Trail
Dunwoody Village Main Street Project
New Perimeter Park at Dunwoody Marta Station
Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. and Spalding Dr. Intersection Improvement
Sidewalk Projects
Kingsley Safe Routes to School Improvement Project
City of Dunwoody starts process to create a new Perimeter Center Zoning District.
Design and plan development for Chamblee‐Dunwoody Road Multimodal Improvements from Cotillion to Peeler Road and improvements to the Intersection of Chamblee‐Dunwoody Road, North Shallowford Road, and Peeler Road
PCID Crosswalk repairs around Mall and Ashford Dunwoody or Textured Option?
Friday, March 7, 2014
Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis presents the State of the City with keynote by Julie Bolton of State Farm on their future operations.
Julie Bolton of State Farm Keynote
The quality of the sound is lacking but turn up the volume and it is understandable.
The quality of the sound is lacking but turn up the volume and it is understandable.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Dunwoody's State of the City Event is open to the public on Thursday with a 6 pm reception at Crowne Plaza Ravinia
Thursday, March 6, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Ravinia
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road
The City of Dunwoody, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, and the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the fifth annual State of the City event!
The State of the City is the premier city sponsored event showcasing our accomplishments from 2013 and provides a look ahead into the future of Dunwoody. This year we also celebrate a milestone birthday, our 5th year as a city!
We invite you to come celebrate with us, and not only wish a happy birthday, but another successful year in the City of Dunwoody. The State of the City is being held at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road and begins with a public reception at 6 p.m.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Video of Dunwoody Town Hall Meeting of Feb 20, 2014
On February 20, 2014 the City of Dunwoody hosted a Town Hall meeting with residents and community members to further the conversation about city governance, spending, projects and initiatives. Town Hall attendees had the opportunity to vote on and prioritize the topics for discussion, ask questions in an open meeting format and participate in a transparent and informative dialogue.
My favorite question of the night comes from an 8th grade young lady at the 1 hour 15 min mark asking about what we are going to be doing about providing park space for more active recreation.
The issue of what to do with the back 30 acres of Brook Run Park can be debated and voted upon now but the reality is that DeKalb County owes us 7 million dollars that can only be spent in Brook Run. No large scale recreational development will happen until that money is obtained and it will be the sitting City Council at the time who will ultimately be making the decision.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
High Velocity Radio hosts Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis and others to discuss why Dunwoody is a vibrant community for business.
Podcast: Play in new window
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For those who may not be aware, Mayor Mike Davis has done a wonderful job in making business retention and commercial growth a top priority.
I highly recommend that anyone who wants to learn what the City does to promote the business interests of the city to please listen to this wonderful interview done by Kevin Finn of High Velocity Radio.
Beth Summers, Executive Director of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce highlights the activities of the Chamber and the upcoming intern program with Dunwoody High School.
Andy Williams, Director of Sales, Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody highlights why Dunwoody, GA is the place to hold your next meeting or small convention.
Mayor Mike Davis highlights all of the great businesses moving into Dunwoody and the benefits of living our fair city. Discusses the new grocery store Sprouts that will be filling the old Ace Home Place store on Mount Vernon.
Alison Nalley is the Business Retention Manager for the City of Dunwoody who describes all of the work that the city does to retain the companies that are located here.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Importance of Dunwoody Homeowners Association stressed at Annual Meeting.
Great introduction speech by Dunwoody Homeowners Association President Stacey Harris on the importance of the DHA and all of the great things they do for the community. If you are not a paying member, please register.
Huge kudos to the DHA Citizen of the Year: Jay Kapp, for his support of community events.
DHA Community Service Awards to Bill Grossman, former president of the association, and former Dunwoody City Council member Adrian Bonser.
Dunwoody Nature Center presents the Dave Adams Award to Rotary Club officials Harvey Rosenzweig and Rick Woods
Speeches by Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis on City topics and Robert Wittenstein on an independent school system.
Announcement that Gov. Nathan Deal will serve as grand marshal of Dunwoody's Fourth of July parade
Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQZebsGkAsA
Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWS0FHm04tQ
Video 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcDVW9WYd7k
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
City of Dunwoody to look closely at additional sidewalks and school safety improvements.
At the State of the City Address, Mayor Mike Davis announced that safety improvements will be made around Dunwoody schools. At this evenings City Council Meeting the Mayor announced that at the March work session, the City Council will be discussing adding missing sidewalks like the one on Hensley Drive shown above as well as contemplate other safety improvements that are needed around our schools.
Watch the youtube video published back in November and then read the comments by this Father regarding almost being forced to drive his kids to school when they live just a half mile to school. It is this exact reason why our streets
The City Council pulled $700,000 of funding off the Womack / Vermack roundabout and those funds are are sitting in reserves until needed. It appears that the final roundabout design will not be brought back to Council until late in the year therefore a portion of those funds could be used for the Mayor's announced safety improvements.
Besides looking at crosswalks, school signage and lighting systems should be reviewed and upgraded as needed to the 2013 standards from the 1960 standards when they were first installed. I believe HAWK beacons may be needed at several specific crosswalks located on heavily traveled streets and we will be looking for location recommendations from the Public Works Department, the School PTA's and the general public.
Watch the video. Where would you like to see these devices installed? Near Schools like Mt Vernon at Stratham near Vanderlyn, Chesnut Crosswalk on North Peachtree, Chamblee Dunwoody at Redfield near Austin, or maybe on other high traffic areas away from standard traffic lights like Mt Vernon near the Branches, Chamblee Dunwoody at Kings Down or Tilly Mill at Stonington or Andover Rd's.
Where are the highest needs and where would you like to see improvements?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
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