The following is a wrap-up of the meeting of Snellville Mayor and Council of April 27, 2020.
Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the meeting was conducted via Zoom.
You Can't Drive 55. Three automated traffic devices to help curb speeding will be placed in front of a trio of Snellville schools when they re-open.
Snellville Middle on Pate Road, Britt Elementary on Skyland Drive and South Gwinnett High School on Highway 78 will have cameras placed in front of them to keep speeders at bay.
Cameras will be placed on posts outside the schools and take pictures of the license plates on the offending cars. An officer will verify the license plate number before the fine is levied.
Following a move by the Georgia Legislature making way for the devices, the program has been a success in locales such as Alpharetta, Lilburn and Duluth. Infractions start at 11 mph over the school zone speed limit.
The program is administered by RedSpeed Georgia LLC which provides the equipment, sends the citation and collects the fine. The city will receive 65 percent of revenue from the program which will be used toward public safety.
Offenders will not be given points on their license and the offense is not reported to state.
"Where automated enforcement is in use, violations go down and that's good," said Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead.
For the Trees. April 24 was proclaimed Arbor Day in Snellville.
"I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect out trees and woodlands," Mayor Barbara Bender said in the proclamation from Monday's meeting. "I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations."
The city is proud of its tree-loving roots (pun intended) as it has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation 19 years running.
Down the Drain. The Dickerson Group, Inc. was awarded $263,434 for five stormwater drainage projects, which will improve the handling of stormwater and reduce the city's overall inventory of poor infrastructure.
The projects, located at 1525 Winding Creek Circle, 1670 Winding Creek Circle, 1715 Winding Creek Circle, 1340 Summit Chase Drive and 3096 Brooks Drive, will will begin immediately and hopefully be completed by June.
"The financial impact is one of great importance when taking into consideration our volume of drainage projects that have been identified as being in poor condition," said Public Works Director Gaye Johnson. "The use of our Stormwater Utility Fee will be put to work."
The estimated total for all locations is $263,434, but not to exceed the FY 2019-2020 Stormwater budget of $762,000. City officials said they expect a reserve of $100,000 to be carried over to next year's stormwater budget.
This latest batch of projects will make 15 stormwater projects for the year for Public Works.
City Clerk Melisa ArnoldClerk Kudos. On Monday, Mayor Barbara Bender read a proclamation stating: "It is most appropriate that we recognize the accomplishments of the Office of the Professional Municipal Clerk." The proclamation declared next week the 51st Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
In Snellville, we're lucky to have Melisa Arnold at that post.
On behalf of the city, the Mayor and Council want to "extend appreciation to our Professional Municipal Clerk, Melisa Arnold and to all Professional Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent," the proclamation reads.
Tid Bits:
•Next week is also National Travel and Tourism Week in the city Snellville Tourism and Trade was recognized for "the critical role this industry places in our community," according to another proclamations from Monday. For information on city events, visit STAT's website at SnellvilleEvents.com.
•The Snellville Farmers' Market will have a drive-through market Saturday from 9 – 12 p.m. behind City Hall. Because of COVID-19, patrons are required to stay in their cars and drive up to vendors. A plan is in the works to make the regular season of the Snellville Farmers' Market better align with social distancing guidelines when it opens in June for the summer season.
•Elizabeth Reisner was officially appointed to prosecuting attorney for the Municipal Court of the City of Snellville.