mayor and council work session - 03.16.10

8/14/2019 Mayor and Council Work Session - 03.16.10

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CITY COUNCIL

Eva Galambos, Mayor

John Paulson District 1

Dianne Fries District 2

Chip Collins District 3

Ashley Jenkins District 4

Tibby DeJulio District 5

Karen Meinzen McEnerny District 6

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Work Session Following the Regular Meeting

Staff Discussion Items

Ronnie Young, Director of Recreation & Parks

1. Hear an Update on the Bluestone Building Design Process

2. Update to the Hiking Trail Research at the Overlook Park Bluff

Thomas Black, Director of Public Works

1. Consideration of approval to use the remaining money from the US Department of Energys

Energy Efficiency Black Grant to purchase fiber optic cable and solar powered speed detection

signs

2. Discussion of Sidewalk Policy Revision

City Council Discussion Items

1. Recycling Requirements at Events in Sandy Springs that Require a Special Event Permit


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TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

FROM: John McDonough, City Manager

DATE: March 10, 2010, for Submission onto the Agenda of the March 16, 2010, CityCouncil Work Session

ITEM: Update of the Bluestone Design Process

CMO (City Managers Office) Presentation:

Paul Hass of the Sizemore Group will present an update of the design/engineering workbeing conducted for the outside and lower level of the Bluestone building located atHeritage Green.

Background:

Funding in the amount of $150,000.00 was approved for the design and engineering ofthe outside walls, balcony, and lower level of the Bluestone building located at HeritageGreen. The Sizemore Group was awarded the contract with a completion date ofSeptember 3, 2010.

Discussion:

The scope of work calls for design and engineering documents for renovation of thelower level, balcony and structure siding of the Bluestone building. The facility is beingrenovated to accommodate group activities such as wedding rehearsals, group training,banquets, etc. The project design is nearing completion and the Sizemore Group andBluestone Steering Committee would like to provide council with an update and seekcouncil feedback.

Financial Impact:

The design and engineering contract is covered in the current FY10 Capital

Improvement Project appropriations. An additional appropriation of $1.4m is projectedto pay for project management and construction. This is an item that will need councilconsideration during the FY11 Budget Process.


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To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

From: John McDonough, City Manager

Date: March 16, 2010

Work Session Item: Update to the Hiking Trail Research at the Overlook Park Bluff

CMO (City Managers Office)Presentation:

Linda Bain, Executive Director of the Sandy Springs Conservancy and Ronnie Young,

Parks Director will present an overview of ideas concerning the construction of hikingpaths at the Overlook Park Bluff.

Background:

The Conservancy has offered to secure a professional trail design firm to research,design and construct the areas trails. The conservancy also plans to secure a grant toprovide funding for trail amenities such as benches, trail signage, etc.

Discussion:

We have hiked this area with several trail design professionals and the city arborist.The area is very rough terrain dictating foot hiking, no ADA compliance trails. There

has been no contact with agencies relating to possible permitting at this time. We wouldpropose a time line be developed to coincide with the trail and Overlook Park opening atthe same time. Before moving forward with developing a final scope we are requestingcouncil input.

Financial Impact:

The conservancy is researching the possibility of funding the professional trail designcompany.


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TO: John McDonough, City Manager

FROM: Tom Black, Public Works Director

DATE: March 3, 2010 for Submission onto the Agenda of the March 16, 2010, CityCouncil Work Session

ITEM: Consideration of approval to use the remaining money from the US Department ofEnergys Energy Efficiency Black Grant to purchase fiber optic cable and solarpowered speed detection signs.

Public Works Departments Recommendation:

Staff is recommending procuring a combination of solar powered radar signs and fiber opticcable. Staff recommends approval of option 1 for the solar panel and procurement of 20,000feet of fiber optic cable.

Background:

The City was awarded $851,900 from the US Department of Energy to assist in implementingstrategies that could reduce fossil fuels, energy consumption or improve energy efficiency.Public Works was awarded $420,000 of this money to get bids to replace all of the incandescentbulbs and change out all of the school zones to solar power and therefore reduce our energyconsumption throughout the City. A contract is being awarded to Georgia Management Agencyin the amount of $260,000 in order to fulfill this request.

Discussion:

Staff is requesting the Mayor and City Council allow the City Manager to authorize the use ofthe remaining $160,000 to go towards the procurement of fiber optic cable and solar poweredspeed detection devices. We are looking at purchasing up to 50 additional solar powered radarsigns for some of our school zones. We also would like to procure 20,000 feet of additional fiberoptic cable that would start at Abernathy Rd and then go down Rivervalley to Riverside Dr andfinally end at I-285. We are also talking with the Georgia Department of Transportation to see ifwe can continue our fiber down I-285.

Option 1

Ask for radar signs to supplement all school zones as included on the radar permit. This wouldcover every school on a 35 mph or faster road. This would require 31 signs ($108,500).

Option 2

Ask for radar signs at all schools. This would require just fewer than 50 signs ($175,000).


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Option 3Ask for radar signs to supplement all school zone beacons. Compared to FCBOE's request thisadds three schools (1 public 2 private) and remove one. This would require 25 signs ($87,500)

Option 4

Ask for radar signs at all public schools (even through the initial grant did not separate publicand private). This would require 24 signs ($84,000).

Option 5

Ask for a staged approach to upgrading all school zones with these signs and pick the 10frontages with the highest volumes. 10 signs could be funded annually for a total of five yearsfor full roll-out. ($35,000)

Depending on which option was chosen we would then spend any remaining money on theprocurement of Fiber Optic Cable to expand the Traffic Management Centers network. Initially

we wanted to purchase 20,000 ft of fiber optic cable which would be installed along AbernathyRd to the west, then down Rivervalley Rd to Riverside Dr and terminate at the I-285 east boundramp. This would allow us an additional 7 intersections that we would be able to bring back intothe Traffic Management Center. This would also serve as the trunk line for any futureexpansion into the Northside Dr area. The cost for the fiber is approximately $23,000. Wewould additionally need some make ready work completed that is estimated at $30,000 andinstallation would cost us around $90,000.

Alternatives:

Council could decide not to proceed and return the funding to the Department of Energy.

Financial Impact:

There are no financial impacts as this is money being used from a grant award from theDepartment of Energy.

Attachments:

I. Map of fiber route


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TO: John McDonough, City Manager

FROM: Thomas Black, Public Works Director

DATE: March 9, 2010, for Submission onto the Agenda of the March 16, 2010, City CouncilWork Session

ITEM: Discussion of Sidewalk Policy Revision

Public Works Departments Recommendation:

Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council consider revising the Sidewalk MasterPolicy, originally adopted February 12, 2008. The revision is to include the NeighborhoodAccess Program.Background:

Based on discussions from the March 2, 2010 City Council meeting regarding the proposal for asidewalk to serve the Riverside Neighborhood, staff has developed a proposed policy revision.In the March 2 discussions, City Council identified a desire for a program that allows quickresponse to pedestrian access issues from residential neighborhoods to pedestriandestinations. Sidewalk segments of this type may take an unacceptably long time to prioritizewithin the Sidewalk Program due to their short length and disconnected nature. The proposedNeighborhood Access Program provides a separately funded annual budget allotment to bespent for small scale sidewalk projects on a first-come first-served basisDiscussion:

The Pedestrian Access Program addition to the Master Sidewalk Policy would allow an annualbudget allotment for small scale sidewalk projects that serve direct neighborhood access tovarious pedestrian destinations. These may be small, disconnected segments that wouldnormally score within the prioritization of the overall Sidewalk Program. Projects would have tomeet the following criteria to be eligible for funding under this program:

Projects have a maximum total cost of $50,000. Projects must be located on streets with a functional classification of collector or higher. Projects must connect a neighborhood to clear pedestrian destination, such as parks,

schools, playgrounds, community centers/pools, activity centers, sports facilities,libraries, etc. No compensation will be given for right of way or easements of any kind. All required

right of way and easements must be donated for a project to be eligible to use thesefunds.

The proposed sidewalk project must form a contiguous segment from either anintersection or the end of existing sidewalk facility to another intersection or end of asidewalk facility. No parcels may be omitted from contiguous segments. Any omissionswill make the project ineligible for funding.


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Projects will be initiated by written request from the community to the Director of PublicWorks. Priority will be given on a first-come first-serve basis with the date of letterreceived arbitrating.

Once the Director of Public Works deems that a proposed project meets all required criteria forthe program, the project request will be sent to the City Manager for final approval and funding

allotment.

Alternatives:

The Council can decide not to take action on this matter at this time and continue to address allrequested sidewalk projects within the FY 11 Sidewalk Program.

Financial Impact:

The proposed initial allotment for the Pedestrian Access Program is $100,000 and would bebudgeted to FY 10. This amount would come from the capital reserve fund.

Attachments:

1. Sidewalk Master Policy


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Sidewalk Master PolicyOriginally Adopted - February 12, 2008Amended March 16, 2010

Sidewalks provide serve a number of functions including: encouraging people to

make more use of the most basic form of transportation walking; providing non-vehicular mobility options; recreation space for walking and jogging; and informalmeeting places for neighbors. They also improve pedestrian safety throughoutthe City.

The sidewalk policy has three major components: a comprehensive sidewalkplan as part of the capital improvement program (CIP), developer requirements,and a neighborhood sidewalk program. Sidewalks constructed as part of the CIPfollow the Sidewalk Master Plan and focus on overall mobility needs. Developersinstall sidewalks or provide funding as required by the Citys developmentregulations and impact fee ordinance. The neighborhood sidewalk program is a

way to partner with the neighborhoods to provide primarily recreational andamenity features to local residential streets.

The main goals of this policy are to improve: Safety Pedestrian mobility School connectivity Recreation and park connectivity Transit access Multiple land use connectivity

CIP Sidewalk Program

Sidewalks installed with the Citys capital improvement funds follow a prioritizedmaster plan that is part of the overall Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP).The master plan outlines a desired future network of sidewalks and pedestrianconnections that improve safety and mobility throughout the City. The masterplan network includes roadways of a functional classification of collector andhigher, all City and PCID zoning overlay districts, and areas within a walkableradius of pedestrian destinations such as transit, schools, and parks.

The master plan network is prioritized on the basis of how many different criteria

a particular road meets. For example, a road that was a collector in the proximityof a school, park, and transit station would take priority over a local road only inproximity to a park. The master plan network map and the various criteria mapsused in its development can be found in the CTP document.

Construction of master plan network sidewalks will be handled as normal CIPprojects, to be programmed and managed in the Citys CIP work program. Theprimary funding sources for these projects are City CIP funds and impact fees.


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Individual projects may qualify for match funding from such sources as LCI funds,federal TE funds, State programs, and CDBG funds. Any matching funding willhave specific criteria and restrictions that must be met for eligibility.

Developer Requirements

All developers are required to install sidewalk along all roadway frontages of theirproperties as part of any land disturbance or building permit. Building permits thatare issued for renovation or accessory structures are excluded from thisrequirement. Any building permit issued for renovation in the Citys zoningoverlay district that meets the threshold amount specified in the zoning ordinancewill be required to install sidewalk along all property frontages.

Development projects with roadway frontages that are not on the master plannetwork can pay in lieu of installing the required sidewalk on those frontages.The payment will be based on a per linear foot amount that is determined by the

Director of Public Works. This amount will be evaluated on an annual basis toreflect current construction costs. In cases of hardship, where it would not besafe or advisable to construct sidewalk, the Director of Public Works can approvepayment in lieu for any development project. All funds collected as payment inlieu will be deposited in a unique account to be used solely to fund CIP sidewalkprojects.

Sidewalks and streetscapes are project improvements for individualdevelopments along their property frontages. This includes curb, gutter, andpedestrian signalization upgrades. As project improvements, work along theproperty frontage does not qualify for any impact fee credits. Additional work on

off-site improvements may qualify and will be approved on a case-by-case basisby the Directors of Public Works and Community Development. Standards andconstruction specifications for all work done in the right of way can be found inthe Citys development regulations.

Pedestrian Access Program

The City Council identified a need for a program that allows quick response topedestrian access issues from residential neighborhoods to pedestriandestinations. Sidewalk segments of this type may take an unacceptably long timeto prioritize within the capital sidewalk construction program funding mechanism

due to their short length and disconnected nature. Therefore, the PedestrianAccess Program provides a separately funded annual budget allotment to bespent for small scale sidewalk projects on a first-come first-served basis. Projectsmust meet the following criteria to qualify for this program:

Projects have a maximum total cost of $50,000. Projects must be located on streets with a functional classification of

collector or higher.


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Projects must connect a neighborhood to clear pedestrian destination,

such as parks, schools, playgrounds, community centers/pools, activitycenters, sports facilities, libraries, etc.

No compensation will be given for right of way or easements of any kind.All required right of way and easements must be donated for a project to

be eligible to use these funds. The proposed sidewalk project must form a contiguous segment from

either an intersection or the end of existing sidewalk facility to anotherintersection or end of a sidewalk facility. No parcels may be omitted fromcontiguous segments. Any omissions will make the project ineligible forfunding.

Projects will be initiated by written request from the community to theDirector of Public Works. Priority will be given on a first-come first-servebasis with the date of letter received arbitrating.

Once Director of Public Works deems that a proposed project meets all required

criteria for the program, the project request will be sent to the City Manager forfinal approval and funding allotment.

Neighborhood Sidewalk Program

The most immediate and significant mobility and safety concerns are addressedin the sidewalk master plan as part of the Citys CTP. The planned network doesnot, however, address all desires for sidewalks within local neighborhood streets.Many of these sidewalks serve more recreational needs and act as neighborhoodamenities.

The Neighborhood Sidewalk Program addressed the community desire for thesepedestrian facilities by allowing them a way to participate in requesting andfunding projects for their neighborhood. The program is funded separately fromthe CIP, with neighborhoods sharing the in cost and showing further communitysupport in the form of a petition process.

Neighborhood Sidewalk Request Process

1. A Homeowners Association, neighborhood group, or individual mayrequest to have sidewalks installed in their neighborhood

2. The neighborhood must show support for proposed solution by submittinga petition to the Public Works for verification

3. Once the petition is verified, Public Works staff will submit the request andpetition to the City Manager for direction


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4. Public Works will make a field review of the area, document findings, and

develop a conceptual cost estimate for the request

5. A score will be developed for the request and the Public Works staff willdevelop a recommendation for the City Manager

6. The sidewalk is included on the list of neighborhood sidewalk projects andplaced in order based upon the site score

7. If directed by the City Manager, Public Works staff will develop a finalproject design and cost which will be presented to the neighborhood in aneighborhood information meeting

8. Once the neighborhood can provide the matching funding, the final designand cost will be presented to the Mayor and City Council for considerationof approval and funding

9. Upon City Council approval, the sidewalk project will be implemented atthe direction of the City Manager

Neighborhood Petitions

The City of Sandy Springs requires that there be wide support from thecommunity for implementing sidewalks in its neighborhoods. All of the impactedproperty owners on the street where the sidewalk is being requested should becontacted and given an opportunity to sign this petition, indicating their opinionconcerning the installation of the sidewalk. Any abstention or indication otherthan a yes will be considered a no.

A spouses signature will not be acceptable if he/she is not the legal owner. Ifboth husband and wife are joint legal owners, both signatures are required. AMr. and Mrs. signature is not acceptable. All owners must sign individually,including owners of undeveloped lots. Renting tenants are not an acceptablesubstitute for the legal homeowner. The percentages will be calculated, based onindividual lots where the owners sign affirmatively, divided by the total number oflots in the neighborhood. Each lot counts as only one lot regardless of thenumber of owners signing. At least 65% of the homeowners in the impacted areamust vote in favor of installing the sidewalk, before the petition will be accepted.Where a neighborhood has a homeowners association or other legal mechanism

allowing a group less than the previously stated required percentages torepresent their position on matters such as these, this mechanism may replacethe petition process as approved by the City Manager after consultation with theCity Attorney.

The completed petition must be returned to Public Works where it will be verifiedagainst tax records and land lot maps to ensure that it meets all requirements.The petition will be presented to the City Manager for action. Public Works and


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Attn: The Honorable Karen Meinzen McEnerny, City Council, District 6

Dear Ms. McEnerny,

Thank you again for speaking to the board of Keep North Fulton Beautiful. Your

comments were very helpful to us and your enthusiasm for our efforts was heart

warming.

As promised, the following is a quick discussion of the idea presented to you at that

meeting regarding amending the event license ordinance.

Event promoters intending to have an outdoor event are required to obtain an event

license (Ordinance, Section IV, 50-108 et seq.). KNFB proposes that you introduce

legislation that would amend this licensing procedure to require the Promoter to recyclecertain materials generated at the event: specifically, glass, metal and plastic. Both at the

time of the application and separately as a mailing done by KNFB we can be positioned

as a provider of recycling services, for a fee.

Several beneficial results obtain from such legislation:

First, the materials collected for recycling will be included in the report of the

Citys efforts at meeting its Solid Waste Management Plan.Second, the City is actually made more attractive

Third, the City saves on the expense of cleaning the site used for the event.Fourth, KNFB receives revenue from this activity and in so doing finds revenue

sources other than the City itself.

I do not believe that the cost to the Promoter will be such as will turn them away from the

City as a site for their event. Our schedule of fees for performing the recycling effort is

quite nominal and can easily be spread over the fees the Promoter charges eventparticipants and vendors.

The City of Atlanta has already introduced this ordinance and I attach a copy of their

ordinance as a conceptual format for Sandy Springs.

The board of KNFB and I are eager to assist in this effort and will be delighted to meet

with you and with a working group from the City to discuss and finalize the proposedlegislation.

Sincerely,

Matt Drain, Esq., on behalf of the Board of Directors of Keep North Fulton Beautiful


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Sec. 142-25. Recycling and other solid waste issues.

All hosts of outdoor events requiring a permit pursuant to this chapter must comply with

the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances section 130-44, as well as all other applicablecity, Fulton County, DeKalb County, state and federal laws. Said section 130-44 sets

forth requirements regarding recycling, as well as timeframes for removal of solid wastefrom the property on which the outdoor event is held.(Ord. No. 2006-66, 15, 9-26-06

Sec. 130-44. Same--Outdoor events.(a) Outdoor events on private property. The owner of any outdoor event property shall

clear and remove all solid waste from the outdoor event property after the outdoor event

ends, to the satisfaction of the chief of staff, in consultation with the commissioner ofplanning.

(1) If the outdoor event had fewer than 20,000 attendees, the property owner shall clear

and remove all solid waste within 24 hours of the conclusion of the outdoor event.(2) If the outdoor event had 20,000 or more attendees but fewer than 49,999 attendees,

the property owner shall clear and remove all solid waste within 48 hours of the

conclusion of the outdoor event.

(3) If the outdoor event had 50,000 attendees or more, the property owner shall clearand remove all solid waste within 72 hours of the conclusion of the outdoor event.

(b) Outdoor events on public property.

(1) The permit holder for any outdoor event on public property shall clear and removeall solid waste from the outdoor event property after the outdoor event ends, according to

the following guidelines:a. If the outdoor event had fewer than 20,000 attendees, the permit holder shall clear and

remove all solid waste within 24 hours of the conclusion of the outdoor event.

b. If the outdoor event had 20,000 or more attendees but fewer than 49,999 attendees,the permit holder shall clear and remove all solid waste within 48 hours of the conclusion

of the outdoor event.

c. If the outdoor event had 50,000 attendees or more, the permit holder shall clear andremove all solid waste within 72 hours of the conclusion of the outdoor event.

(2) Following any outdoor event on property belonging to the city, solid waste shall be

cleared and removed from the outdoor event property according to the following

provisions:a. Where property belonging to the city has been used as a outdoor event property, and

said property is a designated city park, the permit holder shall clear and remove all solid

waste from the outdoor event property after the outdoor event ends, to the satisfaction ofthe chief of staff, in consultation with the commissioner of parks.

b. Where property belonging to the city has been used as outdoor event property, and

said property is not a designated city park, the permit holder shall clear and remove allsolid waste from the outdoor event property after the outdoor event ends, to the

satisfaction of the chief of staff, in consultation with the commissioner of public works.

(c) The chief of staff may grant an extension of time in which to clear and remove solidwaste, pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) above, where the property owner or the permit


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holder applies for an extension of time in writing, providing a detailed reason for therequest, and where the chief of staff determines that inclement weather or other

circumstances outside of the property owner's or permit holder's control make

enforcement of the timeframes set forth in sections (b) and (c) above unreasonable orunrealistic. The chief of staff shall provide his response to the property owner's or permit

holder's request in writing, and shall provide the reasoning for his decision therein.(d) Recycling required. As a part of requirements to clear and remove all solid wastefrom a outdoor event property, recycling shall be provided at all outdoor events according

to the following provisions:

(1) A property owner of any outdoor event property shall provide a sufficient number of

containers for the separate recovery, collection, and removal of recyclable materials,including, but not limited to aluminum, glass, and plastic #1 and #2, during any outdoor

event. At a minimum, the property owner shall have recycle containers next to each and

every trashcan located on the outdoor event property during the outdoor event. Separaterecovery, collection, and removal of glass shall not be required where glass is prohibited

on the outdoor event property during the outdoor event, but only if said prohibition is

established in writing prior to and at the entrance to the outdoor event and is enforced.(2) Where property belonging to the city has been used as outdoor event property, the

permit holder shall provide a sufficient number of containers for the separate recovery,

collection, and removal of recyclable materials, including, but not limited to aluminum,

glass, and plastic #1 and #2, during the outdoor event. At a minimum, the permit holdershall have recycle containers next to each and every trashcan located on the outdoor event

property during the outdoor event. Separate recovery, collection, and removal of glass

shall not be required where glass is prohibited on the outdoor event property during theoutdoor event pursuant to the City Code of Ordinances or other city legislation.

(e) Failure of a property owner or a permit holder to remove all solid waste from anyoutdoor event property, in the manner prescribed in this section, shall be deemed a Class

D offense pursuant to the provisions of section 130-12 of this chapter, and the property

owner or permit holder shall be subject to any and all penalties established by subsection130-12(b)(4).

(f) Failure of a property owner or a permit holder to provide the minimum number of

containers, as established in subsection (d) above, for the collection of recyclable materialfrom any outdoor event property shall be deemed a Class C offense pursuant to the

provisions of section 130-12 of this chapter, and the property owner or permit holder

shall be subject to any and all penalties established by subsection 130-12(b)(3).

(Ord. No. 2004-06, 1, 1-12-04; Ord. No. 2004-11, 2, 3-9-04; Ord. No. 2006-66, 7,9-26-06)

Editor's note: Ord. No. 2006-66, 14, provided for an effective date of Jan. 1, 2007.

mayor and council work session - 03.16.10

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