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

Monday Night City Council Meeting to be held at Dunwoody High School Auditorium, 6 p.m. - Agenda includes 5 year paving plan, sign code changes, budget modifications and plans for Mt. Vernon

Dunwoody City Council Meeting
Special Called Meeting
Monday January 22, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Dunwoody High School Auditorium
5035 Vermack 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/86390235645 or  phone +14703812552,,86390235645#

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

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 

Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed.

Capital Project Closeout and Reallocate Funding

Approval of Five-Year Contract for License Plate Readers with Flock Safety

Contract Award for Brook Run Skate Park Concessionaire

Approval of Contract for Shade Structures at Two Bridges Park

SECOND READ: Review and Consideration of a Text Amendment to Amend the Sign Code Regulations and Procedures for Animated Signs, Chapter 20

SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Bond Results Declaration

On-Call Skilled Trade Vendors

Five Year Paving Plan Update 

The city has budgeted $2,750,000 of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds for 2023 repaving. The Georgia Department of Transportation will also provide $488,000 through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG).

Paving Plan Map for 2024-2028 & listing streets to be paved each year.

The streets scheduled for resurfacing include the following: Adams Road, Adams Walk, Ashford Dunwoody Road, Ashwoody Parkway, Bridle Path, Buckline Circle, Buckline Court, Buckline Way, Buckline Crossing, Cambridge Trace, Chesnut Ridge Drive, Equestrian Court, Equestrian Way, Joberry Court, Northbrooke Circle, Northbrooke Lane, Perimeter Center West, Ridgeview Road (south end), Village North Court and Village North Road.

Recommendation from paving study
Increase annual pavement maintenance and rehabilitation funds
In the City of Dunwoody, approximately 14.9% of the pavement (53 lane miles) is classified in 2023 as being in 'poor,’ ‘very poor’, and ‘serious,’ conditions. Although the current annual fund ($3M/year) has been able to keep the overall condition above 70 and backlog at around 15%, it is recommended to increase the fund gradually to $4.0M/year to mitigate the challenges comes with increase materials and construction costs, inflation, and increased weight limit.

Design Contract Amendment with NV5 for Mount Vernon Road Improvements between Vermack Road and Mount Vernon Place

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday November 27, 2023 (Create Dunwoody, Road Safety Plan, Final ARP Grant funding to non-profits, Brook Run SkatePark).

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday November 27, 2023 - 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/82324264973 or  phone +14702509358,,82324264973#

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

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Public comments - in person 3 min each / 30 min max with additional at end of meeting if needed. 

Create Dunwoody - 2023 Report (Jennifer Long)

Construction Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for the Ashford Dunwoody Eastbound On-Ramp Widening Project

Approval of a Contract with AVI-SPL for the Construction of a Video Wall for Real Time Crime Center.

Adoption of the Road Safety Action Plan (Jonathan DiGioia & TOOLE Design)

Contract Amendment to Collaborative Contract for Senior Planner Position

Final ARP (American Rescue Plan) Grant Funding (J. Jay Vinicki)

Approval of a Contract Amendment with Lowe Engineers - Increased Park Staffing

Contract Award for Brook Run Skate Park Concessionaire (Brent Walker)

Dunwoody City Council agenda for Monday Feb 24, 2020

Monday, February 24, 2020
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd

Dunwoody, GA 30338

6:00 p.m. - Watch Live

Agenda

Discover Dunwoody Gateway & Wayfinding Plan

SECOND READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding Construction Fence Wrap (Chapter 20)

5. SECOND READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding Breweries (Chapters 27)

SECOND READ: MA 19-03: Laurel David, Attorney on Behalf of Branch Ashwood Associates, L.P., Owner of 1250 Meadow Lane Road, and 500, 600, and 700 Ashwood Parkway, Seeks a Major Modification to Conditions of Zoning. The Tax Parcel Numbers for the Site are 18-350-02-001, 18-350-02-003, 18-349-01-037, and 18-349-01-046

SECOND READ: Review and Consideration of Text Amendments Regarding an Entertainment District (Chapter 4)

Resolution to Increase the Assessment of the Annual Cost of Maintaining and Operating Streetlights in Established Streetlight Districts

Resolution to Create a Commercial Streetlight District

Approval of a Contract Amendment with Wolverton for Final Design of the Ashford Dunwoody Commuter Trail Phase II

Approval of an Agreement for the Brook Run Skate Park Concessionaire

Approval of Contract With RedSpeed for the Installation and Implementation of School Zone Speed Detection Cameras

Dunwoody City Council Meeting for Monday January 13, 2020

Monday, January 13, 2020
Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd

Dunwoody, GA 30338

6:00 p.m. - Watch Live

Agenda

Pledge of Allegiance led by Dunwoody Elementary Girl Scout Troop 17558.

Administration of Oath of Office for Officer Wilberto Correa

Amendment to 2020 City Council Meeting Schedule (Added meeting to November)

Award of Contract for Peachtree Charter Middle School Field House

Approval of an Agreement for the Brook Run Skatepark Concessionaire

A Resolution Amending The Temporary Moratorium On The Acceptance New Applications For Special Use Approval, Permitted Use Approval, Or Building, Land Disturbance, Site Plan And Design Review Or Other Permits For Any Construction In The Dunwoody Village Overlay District

Brook Run Skate Park is still rated one of the best in the Atlanta Metro Area - @park_sharks

Video

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday Sept 8, 2014

Monday, September 8, 2014
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Watch Live at 6:00 p.m. - Work Session
Watch Live at 7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

Agenda 6 pm

Update on the CAD-to-CAD Interface Project from L.R. Kimball. (Gary Rapp)

Economic Development Program Annual Implementation Update.

Discussion of Six Month Review for City Code Chapters 16, Land Development, and Chapter 27, Zoning. (Opinion - This item has numerous changes that need to be reviewed carefully, one of which is the removal of Personal Care Homes to be allowed in single family districts. The recent issue over a "personal care home" was that it was not a "personal care home" as allowed by code but instead it intended to be a for profit nursing / therapy location.  Brook Run Hospital closed and the residents moved to group homes in the area, now the proposal on the table is to remove that ability to continue  to provide that same housing option here in Dunwoody, therefore maybe we should give back the 102 acre park that the State offered up because because we don't deserve it?   I have a neighbor and his wife who has a handicapped daughter, the parents are getting up in age and they want to have a long term plan for the well being of their child therefore they and three similar couples in the same situation are thinking of pooling resources and purchasing a group home for their children.   Why would this be scary to our community?  The Dunwoody Homeowners Association has picked up on this item and will discuss it on Sunday Night.)

Agenda 7 pm

Adoption of Sustainability Plan.

Discussion of Amendments to Chapter 8, Buildings and Building Regulations.

Discussion of RFP 2014-06 Brook Run Skate Park Concessionaire Award.

Discussion of Resolutions in Support of LCI Studies and Implementation Applications.

Discussion of Contract for Fabrication and Installation of Brook Run trail signs (Phase II).

Discussion of Waiver Request for Public Improvements at 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road. Chick-Fil-A

FIRST READ: Amendment to Chapter 26, Article VIII Special Events and Public Assemblages.

Discussion of Fees for Special Events and Public Assemblages.

Discussion of Contract for Annual Storm Water Infrastructure Inspections.

FIRST READ: Amendments to the Text of Chapter 20, Specifically Section 20-66, “Flags."

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

Proposals needed for new concession operator for the Brook Run Skate Park.   Does anyone know if Starbucks, Bruster's or Rita's Italian Ice would like to expand into subcontracting a Skate Rental desk? I don't know about you but I would like to see more than just a skate shop serving the park.

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?

Dunwoody tidbits and other items that have crossed my desk.

http://www.thecrier.net

I read most of my news on line and am excited to see some upgrades to the Dunwoody Crier webpage. It has rss feeds, twitter & Facebook sections along with much more, including an e-edition just for tablets like the I-Pad. It looks like a work in progress but I really look forward to the changes.

During a recent walk through Brook Run with the family, I stopped by Skate Park to check out the conversion from a pay facility to a use at your own risk - free facility. I talked to Mr. John Kurg the former Manager who took over the concession contract and moved his Woody's Halfpipe Skateboard Shop into the facility. Everything is going smoothly, but the biggest news is that he has a full snack bar in the facility available to anyone in the park. He has coffee in the morning for the parents at the playground, 40 types of bottled drinks for the joggers running by, 8 different ice cream bars for the kids on a hot summer day, as well as candy bars, pizza and hotdogs for you junk food junkies. Tuesday June 21st is "Go Skateboarding Day" with a contest for those who know what they are doing, as well as an excuse for me get back on my long board to try not to kill myself.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported that Dunwoody was the most expensive home market in Georgia with an average price of $379,866.  The data was pulled from a Coldwell Banker site and when you scroll down to the bottom of the second page of the list, there is a link for listings.  Upon clicking that, then removing the price limits, I see flaws in the information as there are houses are outside our city boundaries.

Public comment is actually one of my favorite segments of a City Council meeting as we have a few colorful regulars, surprises that no one expects and it allows everyone the opportunity to communicate freely and openly to your elected officials. My friends over at the DeKalb Officers Speak blog posted a doozie of a comment showing a citizen communicating freely and openly to the DeKalb Board of Commissioners.

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon officially shut its doors on Sunday after 15 years. The museum will return some items in its 31,000-piece collection to donors who want the items back and return other artifacts that were on long-term loan to the hall. Other items will be loaned to other museums to put on display before the hall's staff will begin taking inventory to put the items in storage in archives at three universities.

Kudos to Brian and Page Olson the owners of Cafe Intermezzo who will now be opening their fifth European coffee house in the Atlanta area, as well as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int'l.

Tuesday must have been a slow news day because Peach Pundit pulled a Georgia Gang trick out of the bag and had a special DeKalb County Segment.

I hear Georgetown Kroger redevelopment is starting soon.

Save Our Skin 5K race in Dunwoody on Sat June 25th

Could this work here?  The City of Decatur has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to upgrade, operate and maintain the city’s existing municipal WiFi network. The network currently serves educational, residential, commercial, and municipal customers within the City of Decatur boundaries.

Dunwoody City Council to discuss master plans on Parks, Transportation, Dunwoody Village & Georgetown on Monday March 14th

Monday, March 14th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East

Dunwoody, GA 30346

Work Session at 7:00 p.m.
Watch Live

Work Session Agenda and Full Packet from City

• Introduction of Ukrainian Legislators.
• Discussion of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. Large File
• Discussion of Citywide Transportation Plan. Large File
• Discussion of Dunwoody Village Master Plan. Large File
• Discussion of the Georgetown / North Shallowford Master Plan. Large File
• Discussion of E911 Consultant.  
• Discussion of E911. 
• Amended Budget for the Year Ending December 31, 2011.
• Discussion of Art Festival Special Event Signage Request.
• Discussion of Rezoning Application for 5528 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
• Discussion of 2011 Capital Sidewalk Construction.
• Discussion of Special Event Sponsorship.
• Discussion of Brook Run Skate Park Concessionaire Contract Award.

Dunwoody Park Proposals Revealed - Brook Run

 Brook Run Park Proposal

Thursday night the consultant for the City of Dunwoody revealed a comprehensive layout as to what five city parks and a trail system could look like in a few years. Though the drawings are conceptual at this point, I liked at lot of what I saw of the parks at first glance but with so many changes, several questions and concerns arise as well. I believe the City Council will have a more detailed review of the these plans at the Feb 15th (Tuesday) work session therefore I will hold my personal comments until then.

Here is a really rough overview of what I see being presented at Brook Run. The park will have three entrances for vehicles, Peeler, North Peachtree & Barclay but the park will be divided into two sections by removable bollards in the park road just past the community garden. The front main part of the park will be serviced by Peeler and N Peachtree and the back "active section" of the park where ball fields will be installed will only be available via Barclay. I counted six walking / biking entrances into the park with noticeable sidewalk improvements completely surrounding the park including Peeler and Barclay. There will be multi-use trails throughout the park, including though the heavily wooded area where the dog park is now. The dog park will be moved across the street and broken into three areas to differentiate between Large and Small dogs. The community garden, skate park, playground and green house all seem to stay in place.

The big open area near the front of the park at the corner of N Peachtree and Peeler will be converted into a water feature or splash area and I see eight tennis courts with rest rooms being added into an open area past the skate park. There are a number of buildings removed in this drawing including the theater, the maintenance facility and the dormitory which are currently located off Azalea Drive (the Peeler access point). The Veterans memorial is also relocated to be surrounded by a water feature and adjacent to the great lawn and special events area (stage, bandshell?) and opposite the chapel which will remain. The back of the park where the old hospital was located now shows three large ball fields and or multi-use fields as well as a few group picnic pavilions. Brook Run is slated to handle most of the active ball playing since Dunwoody Park's ball fields will be removed to allow other recreational amenities (playground) on the far North side of town as well to allow an improved Dunwoody Nature Center.

Since the City is currently in discussions with the DeKalb County School System and Peachtree Charter Middle School to have a joint use agreement put into place to share the Peachtree amenities; this plan shows a few improvements there too. First item is that Barclay will no longer be a thru street whereby the section around the curve between the new Brook Run Entrance on Barclay (near fire station) and the back entrance to the Peachtree Middle School football field will be closed off to allow and encourage more foot traffic between the park and the school fields thereby attempting to make it a seamless park structure with new paths into the park. There are also plans for the City to possibly improve or install fields at Peachtree therefore they are part of the active layout of the park.

Please take a look at the large pdf of Brook Run Park to zoom in as well as look at the other park designs located on the City's Parks and Greenspace Master Plan page.

Job Fair on Friday and other things that have crossed my inbox.

 Dunwoody Job Fair with 30 companies on site, Friday Nov 5th at Crowne Plaza Hotel At Ravinia

Congratulations to our local State Gov reps Fran Millar, Tom Taylor, Mike Jacobs and our newest representative Ms. Elena Parent who now represents part of my Dunwoody North neighborhood.  Runoffs for School Board (Redovian & Jester) and judges (Nahmias and Adkins) and (Rothenberg & Johnson) are scheduled for November 30th.

The residents of unincorporated DeKalb in the Huntley Hills area inside 285 voted to become part of the City of Chamblee which will now mirror the City of Dunwoody boundaries at our South East corner of the city.

Do you have papers (credit card and bank statements) to shred or electronics to recycle? Congregation Beth Shalom can hook you up on December 5th.

Local arts and crafts show comprised of only Dunwoody area Artisans at the Dunwoody North Swim and Tennis Club, Sat. November 6th from 10am til 4 pm. While there buy a hat or tote from Susan and the girls, as I know she does great work.

Dunwoody Library Appreciation Day, Sat. November 6th from 10 am until 4 pm

Who wants to manage the Brook Run Skate Park?

Did you know that monthly financial statements for the City are available on the web? The first official audit is also coming soon.

I just received my renewal notice for the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and will be renewing by weeks end.  Sunday night, Nov 7th is the next monthly meeting where I am guessing Chick-fil-a will be the biggest item on the agenda and then Light Up Dunwoody is Nov 21st.

DeKalb Green products EXPO on Nov 13th will feature local green businesses demonstrating eco-friendly products and services.

Falcons players pay it forward to military families at Brook Run Park

Concrete Rodeo & Free Ice Cream at Brook Run Skate Park on Father's Day

The Brook Run Skate Park will be hosting a Concrete Rodeo on Fathers Day for those who skate and it should be a pretty good show for the non-skaters as well.

Q100 & Blue Bell Ice Cream will also be serving free ice cream, so now you have no excuses for not stopping by.

Event Flyer

Atlanta Magazine, Best of Dunwoody 2008

The December issue of Atlanta Magazine has just hit the stands with their Best of Atlanta issue and since there were a number of Dunwoody entries, I wanted to congratulate the fine establishments on their selection. On a personal note, I also want to congratulate my good friends Brian & Page Olson the owners of Cafe' Intermezzo and Mr. Bob Leavey of the D'Vine Wine Bar and wish you all continued success in Dunwoody.

Editor’s Choice

• D’Vine Wine Bar & Shop, Best Neighborhood Bar
  
  
• Pho 79, Best Pho Restaurant
  
  
• Insidesign, Best New Cabinetry Concept
  
  
• Artichoke Designs, Best One Stop Gift Shop
  
  
• Brook Run Park, Best Neighborhood Park

Readers' Choice

• Alon’s Bakery, Best Bakery
  
  
• Café Intermezzo, Best Late Night Coffee Shop
  
  
• Maggiano’s Little Italy, Best Italian Restaurant
  
  
• Taco Mac, Best Sports Bar
  
  
• Perimeter Mall, Best Indoor Mall
  
  
• Jos. A. Bank, Best Place to Buy Men’s Suits
  
  
• Ann Taylor Loft, Best Place to Buy Woman’s Work Clothes
  
  
• Nordstrom, Best Department Store
  
  
• Spa Sydell, Best Manicure
  
  
• Bruster’s, Best Ice Cream
  
  
• Publix, Best Birthday Cake
  
  
• Mellow Mushroom, Best Pizza
  
  
• Old Navy / Target (tie), Best Place to buy Clothes for Kids
  
  
• Primrose Schools, Best Daycare

Skate Park Removal? - I’m not one to rip out infrastructure.

By Tom Spigolon for DeKalb Neighbor News Editor

Joe Riiska is a regular customer of Dunwoody’s Brook Run skate park — traveling from his Chamblee home to ride his bicycle on the steep inclines of the professionally-built facility. The 25-year-old, who works for a tool rental company, believes Brook Run’s course for skateboarders and bikers should remain in operation because it is one of the best of its kind in metro Atlanta — and the closest for those living inside the Perimeter.

“If anything would happen it’d be a huge blow,” he said.

DeKalb County has operated the lighted, five-acre facility — which resembles a series of dry swimming pools of varying depths — since mid-2007. Though Brook Run reportedly has not yet been discussed, the future of county-operated parks and their amenities within Dunwoody will be among the subjects of discussions between DeKalb County and the city as it seeks to take control of some county properties within its limits.

One city official who believes the skate park should remain open and operating is newly elected Councilman John Heneghan, who heads the Dunwoody North Civic Association which represents homeowners in neighborhoods near Brook Run.

Heneghan, who was elected on Sept. 16 and sworn into office Sept. 24, said he believed the removal of five acres of trees to build the facility was a mistake. However, the skate park is a “multi-million-dollar facility” which provides a service to taxpayers — including Heneghan who bought a season pass for himself and his skateboard.

“I’m not one to rip out infrastructure,” he said, in response to a question about removal of the sometimes controversial skate park.

He noted the county is not taking in enough revenue from entrance fees and other sales to cover the cost of operations — a fact Dunwoody likely will consider as it moves forward in negotiations with DeKalb for operation of Brook Run, Heneghan noted.

Nearby counties like Gwinnett have invested heavily in skate parks. Five are in operation and two under construction in Gwinnett parks. All are free of charge, including three which are lighted, with a special purpose local option sales tax footing the bill.

Riiska noted he has met young skateboarding enthusiasts from as far as Alabama who traveled to Atlanta specifically to use Brook Run.

“It’s a good meeting spot,” he said.

Brook Run Skate Park revenues, attendance lagging

The Crier; Feb 26, 2008

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation officials are looking at expanding the concessions, offering training and holding tournaments at the Brook Run Skate Park as they try to close the gap between the operating expenses and revenue. However, DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones resisted a suggestion to raise the fees at the February 19 board of commissioners work session.

Since the opening on July 28, 2007, fees from skaters and BMX bike riders have totaled $48,279 and the county has netted $10,430 from concession machines. Meanwhile personnel expense at the skate park has reached $66,798. In its presentation on the first five months of operations, the Parks Department did not mention the cost of electricity for the 27,000-square foot lighted skate park.

DeKalb County Associate Parks Director Marvin Billups said 3,555 people have registered to use the park and signed waivers. Of these, 77 percent were DeKalb County residents, 15 percent were other Georgia residents and 8 percent lived outside the state.

“In the early going, we thought we were going to have a premier facility and everybody from everywhere was going to come in,” Billups said. There has been little marketing beyond the immediate area, but a Canadian and a national magazine have featured the new skate park, he added.

Commissioner Jeff Rader noted the annual pass for DeKalb youths for the skate park was $40, the same as a two-month pass for county swimming pools. While swimming pools draw from a limited area, the state-of-the-art skate park could pull from Fulton and Gwinnett Counties and still have access for DeKalb residents, he said. Rader suggested the county promote the skate park in skater publications and at skate shops and consider raising the fees.

“Given the tight budget, it is a top priority to avoid subsidizing programs where it makes sense,” Rader said, adding that the county might have to raise taxes to fund the skate park. He pointed out bonds paid for the capital expenses. “It seems reasonable that those people using it should pay toward the operating expenses.”

“We did not build that facility with the primary purpose of making money. We built that facility as a quality-of-life facility,” Jones said, adding that the Parks Department was not in the business of managing a chief money-raising operation and he was more concerned with the accurate accounting of money from the facility.

“That is a public park and I don’t want to discourage young people from coming to that park,” the CEO said. “Their parents are paying for it.”

To attract more regional users to the park, Commissioner Larry Johnson asked if a BMX bike tournament was included in the strategic plan. In response, Parks Director Marilyn Boyd Drew said she did not have a completion date for the plan, which would include regional tournaments.

Admission fees for DeKalb residents are $3 for youths and $4 for adults, and for non-residents, $5 for youths and $6 for adults. Annual passes cost $40 for DeKalb youths, $50 for DeKalb adults, $60 for non-resident youths and $70 for non-resident adults. Of the annual passes issued, 222 went to DeKalb youths, 68 to DeKalb adults, 81 to non-resident youths and 48 to non-resident adults.

There have been 11,844 visitors to the skate park so far.

“We were looking for something for teenagers to do,” Billups said.

While 58 percent of the skate park users were between 16 and 25 years old, nine percent were between 46 and 55 years old. Skaters ranged in age from five to 62. Because of the older demographics and the staffing, the skate park has not had the discipline problems that other skate parks had, Billups said. The skate park also has a security camera and monitors.

Billups said plans under consideration included selling merchandise and hot food such as pizza at the skate park, holding a skating camp this summer, providing training tapes on monitors, and installing a change machine and wireless computer connectivity for parents.

In June 2007, the Parks Department reported that their survey of eight organizations indicated operating budgets for skate parks ranged from $75,000 to $200,000 and the average revenue was $135,000 with an average annual attendance of 30,000.

Skateboard Lessons @ Brook Run - Every Sat 9 am

Skateboard lessons are being offered by the staff of the Brook Run Skate Park, every Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 noon. Each child is required to have their own skate board and helmet. Pads are not required but highly recommended. These group lessons which take place prior to the parks official opening are ideal for young skaters who would prefer to have a little extra space. The $25 fee covers not only the lesson but also the days admittance fee.

A waiver which also contains the park rules must be signed in the presence of park staff. For more information about the Brook Run Skate Park or group lessons, please contact the Manager, Mr. John Korg at 770-394-5703.

Brook Run Skate Park
4770 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody 30338
770-394-5703

Daily Fee - Youth: $3 (DeKalb Resident), $5 (non-resident);
Adult: $4 (resident), $6 (non-resident)

Hours of Operation
M - F 3 pm to 10 pm
Sat 10 am to 10:30 pm
Sun 12 noon to 10:30 pm

BMX Bikes Only
Tuesday 6 - 10
Thursday 3 - 5
Sunday 12 - 2

Skate Park is now officially open.

http://wm.wxia.gannett.edgestreams.net/news/leslieskatepark072807-6p.wmv

To the skaters who are directing a certain amount of anger at me & this board, there is no reason to do so. The park is built & not going away.

My neighbors & I have expressed numerous frustrations at the operational policies of Brook Run Park for years (just look at the website) and the skate park is just the most recent. We will remain involved in all aspects of operations at Brook Run to insure that the park and the community can coexist in harmony.

With your help that can be achievable.

Now for the serious question. Can someone please recommend the right board for a 6 foot 5, 245 lb novice skateboarder? I plan to buy it at Woody's so if they carry something suitable there for me, please let me know.

Thanks.

John

Brook Run opens, now largest skate park in Ga.

The AJC Published on: 07/27/07
By MARCUS K. GARNER

At 27,000 square feet, Brook Run Skate Park is expected to open Saturday in Dunwoody as the largest public facility of its kind in Georgia. (The Factory Skatepark in Newnan, and Woodward Skate Park at Discover Mill in Gwinnett, are privately owned operations with more than 34,000 square feet each.)

Brook Run, is unique among Georgia's public skate parks because users must pay a fee, wear a helmet and sign a liability waiver.

Here is a comparison of some public skate parks around Metro Atlanta:

Brook Run Skate Park
4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody
Operated by: DeKalb County Parks & Recreation
Helmets / pads: Required / recommended
Fee: Daily — Youth: $3 (DeKalb Resident), $5 (non-resident); Adult: $4 (resident), $6 (non-resident)
Hours: May-August: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Noon-10:30 p.m. Sunday; September-April: 3-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday; Noon-10:30 p.m. Sunday
Lights / music provided: Yes / Yes
Bikes: BMX bikes allowed (without pegs).
Liability waiver: Required (those under 18 must have parent or guardian sign, too).
Size: 27,000 square feet.
Features: 12-foot "pool" area, streetscape area with steps, grind rails, ramps and boxes, "flow bowl" area with concaved clamshell feature

Skatepark of Athens
4440 Lexington Road, Athens
Operated by: Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services
Helmets / pads: Required / recommended
Fee: No
Hours: Sun-up to sundown
Lights / music provided: No / No
Bikes: BMX bikes allowed (without pegs), rollerblades allowed
Liability waiver: No
Size: 14,000 square feet
Features: Streetscape with steps, ramps, grinding edges and rails, and a 4,500 square foot flow bowl

McKoy Park
534 McKoy Street, Decatur
Operated by: City of Decatur Recreation and Community Services
Helmets/pads: Recommended
Fee: No
Hours: 7 a.m. — dusk
Lights / music provided: Yes / no
Bikes: No
Liability waiver: No
Size: 4,750 square feet
Features: old tennis court with metal 5 ramps donated; 2 spines, a pyramid, a grind rail and grind box, 1 breaker

Pinkneyville Park
4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross
Operated by: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation
Helmets/pads: Recommended
Fee: NoHours: Sun-up — 11 p.m.
Lights / music provided: Yes / No
Bikes: No
Liability waiver: No
Size: 9,500 square feet
Features: 2 connected bowls, a plaza/streetscape with grinding rails, and a box ramp in the center of the park

Ronald Reagan Park
2777 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville
Operated by: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation
Helmets/pads: Recommended
Fee: No
Hours: Sun-up — sunset
Lights / music provided: No / No
Bikes: No
Liability waiver: No
Size: 4,500 square feet
Features: Plaza/streetscape with grinding rails, and a box ramp in the center of the park

DeShong Park (opens Aug. 11)
2859 North DeShong Road, Stone Mountain
Operated by: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation
Helmets/pads: Recommended
Fee: No
Hours: Sun-up to sunset
Lights / music provided: No / No
Bikes: No
Waiver: No
Size: 10,000 square feet
Features: Streetscape with stairs and grinding rails

Mountain Park Park (opens end of summer 2007)
5050 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn
Jurisdiction: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation
Helmets/pads: Recommended
Fee: No
Hours: Sun-up to sunset
Lights / music provided: No / No
Bikes: No
Waiver: No
Size: 8,500 square feet
Features: 10-foot deep bowl, 6-foot half pipe, 6-foot volcano ramp

Skate park built at residents' expense - AJC Editorial

CityLife Opinions: Skate park built at residents' expense

By John Heneghan
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/26/07

DeKalb County is about to open Georgia's premier skate park at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, just three blocks from my home. As the father of three young boys, you would think that I would be ecstatic over this type of attraction being so close. Well, I'm not. You see, I am also president of my subdivision's homeowners association. Residents of our neighborhood have witnessed the clear-cutting of more than five acres of aged hardwoods to allow for construction of the attraction.

Now that it is here, we must endure bright lights and music blaring through speakers until 10:30 p.m., seven nights a week.

Four years ago, a 16-point comprehensive master plan was developed for the park. One of the suggestions was a skate park for teenagers and post-playground kids. The park, according to the plan, would be sculpted to fit the existing topography and wooded areas.

Instead, the largest, most technical skate park in the Southeast with professional-grade attributes stands where a huge grove of trees once stood.

You see, DeKalb County wants this $2.1 million attraction to generate revenue for other parts of the county. So when the county reviewed the small skate parks in Decatur, Gwinnett and Athens (none of which have lights, staff, remain open after dark or charge a fee), they decided to go much bigger, charge admission and maximize revenue by adding lights to extend the hours so this facility could "produce" revenue.

The immediate residential neighborhoods surrounding the park did not ask for Georgia's biggest commercial skate park to be installed, but it was, and we certainly did not ask for it to be open so late.

I met with Commissioners Elaine Boyer and Kathie Gannon who, after visiting the park, agreed that hours should be rolled back and additional trees planted to re-establish a visual screen from Peeler Road.

Supposedly, these two commissioners convinced several upper levels of DeKalb management of the mistake being made with the extended hours of operation. Boyer made a formal request to CEO Vernon Jones for an official modification of the proposed hours of operation. Unfortunately, in spite of what the commissioners' recommendations were, the request was denied.

It would appear that Jones is no longer acting in the best interest of ALL DeKalb residents. If he were, he would have recognized the flawed policies instituted by the parks department and followed the recommendations of the commissioners elected to speak for us. Instead, Jones is a candidate for the U.S. Senate first and foremost. It would appear he is using the operational policies of this Dunwoody skate park to make a statement to his other DeKalb constituents hoping to gain some warped sense of political favoritism from this matter.

Ironically, Jones is campaigning on the improved "quality of life" platform in DeKalb. Funny, I never thought lower property values meant improvement.

Heneghan is president of Dunwoody North Civic Association.