Spec Call M&C/Work Session Agenda

September 23 2013

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WORK SESSION OF
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
CITY OF DULUTH, GA
Nancy Harris, Mayor
Marsha Anderson Bomar, Post 1
Jim Dugan, Post 2
Billy Jones, Post 3
Kelly Kelkenberg, Post 4
Greg Whitlock, Post 5

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013Mayor and City CouncilWork Session 5:30 pm

COMMUNITY ROOM

NOTE: This and other city meetings may be audio and/or videotaped for broadcast, transcription and/or archival purposes.

As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA) of 1992, the City of Duluth government does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to or treatment of employment in its programs or activities, and complies with the requirements contained in section 35.107 of the Department of Justice regulations. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals to fully participate in any open meeting, program, or activity of the City of Duluth government should be made seven days prior to the event. Inquiries should be directed to the ADA Coordinator in the Planning Department, located at 3167 Main Street, Duluth, GA. 30096, telephone (770) 476-1790.

5:30 - PM CALL TO ORDER

  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Two minutes per person, maximum 6 speakers. Sign-up sheet available.

  1. PRESENTATIONS
  1. SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS

Kathy Marelle and Jason Rogers will give an overview of the summer camp programs, including types of camps, camp revenue, etc. and recommended changes for future summer programs.

  1. DISCUSSION ITEMS
  1. FALSE ALARM AMENDMENT

Due to recent concerns relating to the city's current "False Alarm" ordinance fee structure, staff has researched the alarm ordinances from eight (8) other jurisdictions in and around Gwinnett County.

It is staff’s recommendation that the current fee structure be changed as listed in the attachment. These changes will bring the City's fee structure more in-line with our surrounding communities.

Should the Council agree with the above recommendations, staff would ask that this item be placed on the upcoming agenda for approval.

  1. ORDINANCE REGULATING COIN OPERATED AMUSEMENT DEVICES

The Georgia Legislature amended state law in 2012 to clarify state and local regulation of coin-operated amusement devices. Duluth's current ordinance needs to be updated to comply with Georgia law. The City is not required to regulate this industry, but state law provides for the opportunity for municipal regulation.

If the City chooses to regulate businesses with coin-operated amusement devices the City Clerk's office should expect administrative costs associated with licensing the businesses operating these devices. There will also be costs associated with enforcement of the ordinance by the City of Duluth Police Department and/or code enforcement.

Should the Council agree with the above recommendations, staff would ask that this item be placed on the upcoming agenda for approval.

  1. PROPOSED BOARD APPOINTMENTS – PLANNING COMMISSION, ZBA

Appointment of Miguel Figueroa to Planning Commission and Alana Moss to Zoning Board of Appeals for vacated term of John Bell.

In August of this year, staff received a letter of resignation from John Bell relating to his appointment on the Planning Commission. In response, staff and Planning Commission Chairman Greg Lock reviewed several applications from interested citizens regarding the opening. Following in person interviews, staff and Chairman Lock recommend Miguel Figueroa be appointed to the Planning Commission to complete the remainder of Mr. Bell's term. Mr. Figueroa has served on the Citizens Budget Review Committee and completed the City's L.E.A.D. program.

The Zoning Code also requires a member of the Planning Commission serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Given that Mr. Bell provided this representation, the Council must appoint a current member of the Planning Commission to the ZBA. Accordingly, staff and Chairman Lock recommend that Alana Moss serve in this capacity.

Should the Council agree with the above recommendations, staff would ask that this item be placed on the upcoming agenda for approval.

  1. PROPOSED BOARD APPOINTMENT – FINANCE COMMITTEE

Appointment to fill the vacant position on the City's Finance Committee due to the resignation of Mr. James McKee.

Applicant applications were reviewed by the Finance Committee at its regular meeting September 12th. Finance Committee Chair John Moore was directed to meet with and interview applicant Mr. John Howard. Mr. Howard is a former Council Member with the City of Covington ; is a finance/accounting manager by trade, lives at Duluth Parc and is retired. Has a keen interest in serving, is very humble and appears fiscally conservative and good analyzer; understands municipal business.

The Finance Committee and staff recommend Council consideration of appointment of Mr. John Howard to fulfill the term of Mr. McKee, ending March 31st 2017. Should the Council agree with the above recommendations, staff would ask that this item be placed on the upcoming agenda for approval.

  1. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER
  1. DULUTH PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION CANDIDATES

DPAC applications have been received and Council needs to approve the appointments, possibly consider an alternate, and also decide which City Council Member will be on the DPAC.

Based on the guidelines approved by Council, the DPAC will consist of 9 regular members and up to 2 ex-officio members chosen from City Staff. Regular members shall be appointed by Mayor and Council and shall include one member from Mayor and Council, four (4) members who are art professionals and four (4) members made up of business owners or private citizens interested in advancing public art in Duluth. DPAC membership must at all times contain at least five (5) members who reside in the City proper. We have nine (9) total applicants, four (4) reside within the City limits and then the member chosen from Mayor and Council would be the 5th member residing within City limits. With nine (9) total applicants and only 8 required, the 9th applicant could be selected as a possible alternate if needed at a later time and the DPAC guidelines would be modified to reflect an alternate.

At this time, Mayor and Council need to discuss the following items for possible inclusion on a future regular city council agenda: (1) whether or not to create an alternate position (this person would participate and vote in the absence of a regular member), (2) review the applications and decide whether or not to consider appointments (8 needed with 4 being in City residents) and (3) recommend from Mayor and Council, a member to serve on the DPAC

  1. ADJOURN TO SPECIAL CALLED MEETING

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AGENDA

CITY OF DULUTH, GA

CALL TO ORDER

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION

It will be necessary to hold an executive session on Real Estate, Pending/Potential Litigation, Personnel.

  1. ADJOURNMENT

The next scheduled meeting of the Mayor and Council is a work session on September 30that 5:30 p.m.

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