Wednesday, July 31, 2024

DeKalb Schools are back in session on Monday, please slow down and be aware of new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon in front of Chesnut on North Peachtree.

Video

DeKalb School System returns on Monday August 5th therefore there will be a new routine for students, parents, bus drivers and 1,000's of commuters who travel though our streets.  Please slow down and be patient during the school rush.

The City of Dunwoody has installed a *NEW* Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) on N. Peachtree Road at Chesnut Elementary School and I recommend everyone check out the informational video.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Dunwoody City Council Meeting agenda for Monday July 8th (Bill McCahan, City Manager Report, Millage Rate, Recovery Facilities, Chamblee Dunwoody Paths, new board members)

Bill McCahan is being honored Monday!

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday July 8, 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 

Administration of Oath of Office to Officer Ramatu Kamara

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

City Manager's Monthly Report 

Special Recognition of Bill McCahan - Bill and Louise McCahan are long time friends and heavily involved in the community, Kingswood Church, Citizens for Dunwoody, Park Committees, Zoning Board, Development Authority, Preservation Trust, DHA and many other activities. 

Public Hearing & Approval for Establishing 2024 Millage Rate (Delisha Robinson, Assistant Finance Director)

Public Hearing & First Read - An Ordinance to Define Community Residences and Recovery Communities and Create Use Regulations for Such Uses, Chapter 27

American Rescue Plan - Timeline Extension on Grants

Award of a Contract to KCI Technologies to Provide Preliminary Design for the Chamblee Dunwoody-Village Crossroads Project

There were several special called meetings that took place in June while I was away on vacation that were called to have preliminary hearings on the setting the Millage Tax Rate for the City.   The tax rate is not changing as we are already at the maximum allowed per the charter but there was a 3% increase in the valuations therefore we need to advertise this as a tax increase.  Reminder that homeowners with an Homestead exemption and freeze in place, will not see a City of Dunwoody millage tax increase over last year.  Besides the millage rate item, the first special called meeting the evening of June 26th, had a few other items on the agenda I wanted to recognize.

Resolution to Adopt Community Development Fee Schedule to Comply with State Law

Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals - Erika Harris

Resolution Appointing Member to Serve on the Development Authority - Keith Wilson

Resolution Appointing Members to Serve on the Planning Commission - Alex Wallach

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday June 10, 2024

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday June 10, 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 

Administration of Oath of Office to Officer Sebastian Wright

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

City Manager's Monthly Report 

Minutes from May 28 - huge error on Vermack / DHS Lights vote tally *

Resolution to Surplus Twelve Vehicles and One Trailer

Updating Permitting Fee Schedule to Comply with State Law Changes

* On May 28th, there were only five members of Council in attendance as Mayor Detusch and Joe Seconder were away. The approval of 18, 12 foot high lights was discussed whereby Councilmember Price wanted to defer approval until others were in the room and I stated I was against the measure completely.  The motion to approve was made by Councilmember Harris and I believe seconded by Councilmember Lautenbacher prior to Councilmember Price's formal request to defer therefore the City Attorney stated we should move forward with the motion on the table and not defer.  The vote went forward with a 3 to 2 vote (Harris, Lambert & Lautenbacher in favor with Heneghan & Price against) making this the first city council item in 15 years to pass with less than the four members needed for majority.  With the 3 to 2 vote there was a quick discussion on weather the item passed or failed and with the reading of the Charter it was confirmed that it passed.  The minutes up for approval at this mistakenly shows a 5 to 0 vote for approval, it fails to identify the discussion / motion made by Councilmember Price nor any notes as to the discussions / decisions of the City Attorney nor my questioning as to the funding for this project.  If this item was deferred as normal course in order to allow the full Council to vote, who knows it might have failed, been modified or it might have passed with me being the lone no vote. Guess we will never know?

To me, the approved lighting of the "Vermack Trail" (located only in front of Dunwoody High School and not planned to go anywhere else) with 18 lights (identical to what is now on Winters Chapel) is excessive in both the amount of lighting and monthly cost and it also goes against the desires of the neighbors directly across the street from the school.  It was also unclear to me as to who would be picking up this expense (be it General Fund or DeKalb County School System) for pedestrian lighting as I have looked at the tax records and don't see a street light fee being paid by either the school, or the residents of Vermack.  As these are "12 foot tall" pedestrian lights, they are not street lights and therefore not a fee that we can pass on to the adjoining property owners.  I believe this approval also sets a bad precedent for all future trail lighting, including all those planed on Winters Chapel, Peeler, Chamblee Dunwoody and maybe someday to a street in front of, or across from your home. 

Here is a public recap of the meeting from the Dunwoody Crier.

I have asked the City Manager and City Clerk to correct the minutes.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Monday 10 am, Dunwoody Memorial Day Ceremony at Brook Run with Chief Michael Carlson giving keynote, Tuesday is a short City Council Meeting.

Monday

The City of Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 27 at the DeKalb Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park, located at 4770 N. Peachtree Road. The ceremony is open to all and co-hosted by Dunwoody’s Veteran Events Planning Committee.

Chief Michael Carlson is the keynote speaker and I highly recommend Dunwoody Families attend this short but moving ceremony.  Parents if you are able please bring your children to explain the meaning of the holiday, please do.   It is worth your & their time.   Thanks.

Tuesday

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday May 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/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 

Award Presentation, 2024 Officer of the First Quarter: Det. Eric Haviland, and Employee of the First Quarter: Sybil Fisher (Chief Carlson)

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

Proclamation in Recognition of Municipal Court Clerks Week (Mayor Deutsch)

Contract Award for Waterford Park Playground Equipment (Rachel Waldron)

Approval of a Lighting Services Agreement with Georgia Power for 18, 12 foot streetlights in front of Dunwoody High School

Resolution to Surplus Twelve Vehicles and One Trailer