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SNELLVILLE — The Snellville Police Department is hosting its annual Public Safety night from 6 to 8 p.m. June 8 at T.W. Briscoe Park.

Members of the Snellville Police Department will be out in force and encourage citizens bring the family for some fun and get information on protecting yourself, your family, your pets, your home and business, and your personal identity. 

The event is free and all are encouraged to attend. Area mascots will be on hand, along with activities to entertain children. Food and refreshments will be sold.  

Police vehicles with anti-crime accessories, tactical equipment and weapons and the Special Response Team will be on display. County police and fire equipment personnel will be on hand to meet the community. Emergency Medical Service officials and first responders will be available with information.

Demonstrations by the Snellville K-9 Officers will show off their skills.

Officers will demonstrate how to manage a traffic stop. Exhibitors will be providing information on personal safety, pet security gun safety and training, and financial security.

There will be information on road safety for adults, teens and young children. The event is sponsored by the Snellville Police Department and the Snellville Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association.

SNELLVILLE — Since speed-monitoring cameras were erected at three area schools, incidents of speeding have decreased drastically there, Snellville Police Department officials told Mayor and Council Monday.

The cameras, operated by independent company RedSpeed, have curbed speeding in front of South Gwinnett High, Snellville Middle and Britt Elementary schools and are working as they are intended, Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead told elected officials.

“Every day, more and more people are slowing down,” Whitehead said.

In April of 2020, Mayor and Council approved the use of the cameras and they went into effect in February of this year. The speed cameras record the highest number of daily violations on Highway 78 in front of South Gwinnett High School. In February of this year, the average number of daily speeding violations totaled 733 in front of SGHS. In April, the last full month of camera use, the number of daily violations dropped to 296.

The data also revealed:

Highway 78 Eastbound – 56 percent reduction in violations since February

Highway 78 Westbound – 68 percent reduction in violation since February

Skyland Drive North – 86 percent reduction in violations since February

Skyland Drive South – 64 percent reduction in violations since February

Pate Road Eastbound – 73 percent reduction in violations since February

Pate Road Westbound – 80 percent reduction in violations since February

Snellville followed the lead of the other cities in Gwinnett County that studied the need for public safety improvements to keep children attending schools safe. Whitehead said the cameras are an additional protective measure similar to the cameras installed on school buses to stem the danger created by passing stopped buses in an effort to keep students safe.

Enforcement is authorized for speeding 11 mph over the posted speed limit beginning one hour before classes start and ending one hour after each school lets out. This will also be the case when summer school is in session for four weeks in June and July. Warning signs indicating Photo Speed Enforcement is in effect are placed as required and authorized by the Georgia Department of Transportation before entering each school zone.

Yellow flashing lights on school zone signs are not required for enforcement. These lights reduce speed when flashing at the middle and elementary schools to 25 mph, but the speed remains a constant 35 mph on Highway 78, 24 hours per day, seven days per week as it has been for decades. Speed limits revert to the normal posted limit of 30 mph after the flashing lights ends and violations begin at 11 mph over those posted limits when not reduced. Citations are only issued according to the hours and attendance requirements authorized. The speed camera citations are only issued on days when students are physically present. Citations are not issued on digital learning days, holidays, teacher planning days and other absences. 

Whitehead points out, if a motorist is stopped by an officer when the lights on the school zone sign are flashing, the fine is triple the civil fine and points are assessed against a license at a minimum of two points and up depending on speed. The civil fine for a first offense on the speed camera is $80 and no points are assessed.

“Again, no fines are assessed for vehicles traveling 10 mph or less over the posted speed limit,” Whitehead said. “Please keep the safety of our young people in mind as you traverse school zones.”

The Snellville Police Department and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety are asking all motorists to make this summer a safe travel season by buckling their seatbelt before every trip, whether sitting in the front or back seat.

The Snellville Police Department is joining sheriff’s offices, police departments, and the Georgia State Patrol to enforce seat belt, speeding, DUI, distracted driving, and all traffic laws during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement and awareness mobilization from May 17 - June 6.

The annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt mobilization takes place during the Memorial Day holiday weekend when many people are taking their first trip of the summer.  According to NHTSA, almost 25 percent of the state’s yearly traffic deaths over a five-year period from 2015-19 happen during June, July, and August.

“Our officers see too many people who were not wearing seatbelts, die or be seriously injured in traffic crashes.  Accordingly, they concentrate on enforcement of Georgia’s primary seatbelt law daily,” Chief Roy Whitehead said.  “The more people who choose to wear a seatbelt means fewer families to be notified a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash.”

According to NHTSA, there were 9,466 unbuckled people riding in passenger vehicles who were killed in crashes in the United States in 2019.  Of the young adults aged 18 to 34 who were killed in passenger vehicle crashes in 2019, 57 percent were completely unrestrained. 

The belief that people do not need to wear a seatbelt sitting in the back seat of a vehicle is false.  In 2019, 58 percent of persons sitting in the backseat killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt as were 45 percent of front seat passengers killed in crashes.

There were also more people killed in passenger vehicle crashes in rural areas than urban areas in 2019.  According to NHTSA, there were 11,971 passenger vehicle fatalities in rural areas in the United States and 10,187 fatalities in urban locations.  

“With more vehicles expected on the road during the summer, it is important for everyone to wear their seatbelt on every trip and for kids under eight to be in a properly installed child safety seat as required by law,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said.  “No one knows what will happen when we are traveling, but a properly worn seatbelt offers the best protection in the event of a traffic crash.”

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Snellville Police Department offer these safe driving tips:

1. Drive the speed limit.  Speeding only increases the chances of being in a crash.
2. Do not try to make up time by speeding.  Studies show speeding does not get you to your destination faster.
3. Keep your focus on the road by avoiding distractions such as the electronic devices, conversations with passengers, eating, grooming and daydreaming.
4. Set mirrors and navigation devices before getting on the road.
5. Do not drive after drinking.  Pass the keys to a sober driver.

NHTSA also recommends having your tires checked at least once a year to make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread.  One out of every four cars on the road has at least one tire that is significantly underinflated. Tires should be rotated most vehicles every 5,000-8,000 miles. Proper tire maintenance may not only save lives, but it can also save about 11 cents per gallon of fuel.

More information can be found at gahighwaysafety.org.

CITY OF SNELLVILLE
PUBLIC HEARING
FY-2022 BUDGET

On Monday, May 24, 2021 the Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. to give its citizens the opportunity to provide written and oral comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget.  All citizens are urged to attend this Public Hearing on May 24th at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, located at 2342 Oak Road, Snellville Georgia.

The proposed budget is available for inspection at Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or on the City website at www.snellville.org.

The Mayor and City Council will consider adoption of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, Georgia.

Melisa Arnold, City Clerk
City of Snellville

The results of the 2021 Snellville Entrepreneurship Alliance’s Shark Tank student entrepreneur contest are in.

Malcolm Frandsen, of Brookwood High School, was awarded $1,300 to fund his lawn care business; Trase Lee, of South Gwinnett High School, was awarded $1,000 for his photography business; Noila Rahimjon, of BHS, was awarded $400 for her skin care line; and Lena Tata, of Grayson High School, was awarded $300 for her clothing business.

The contest, based on the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” encourages local students to create a business and “pitch” it to a group of local business professionals who divvy up a pile of money to give the student businesses a boost.

The judges for this year’s Shark Tank were: Renea Johnson, owner of Get Stranded Hair; Chris Turner, representing Sunrise Rotary Club; former Councilman Bobby Howard; Shark Tank veteran Kathy Emanuel, former Mayor Tom Witts; Snellville Tourism and Trade Executive Director Kelly McAloon; Ashley Franklin of Walton EMC; and Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce President Marianatte Refour.

The Shark Tank took place May 6.

“The past nine months have been difficult for many entrepreneurs,” said Snellville Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. “But what if you are in high school launching a startup business? A select group of Snellville young entrepreneurs overcame the many obstacles and pitched at the 2021 Snellville Shark Tank Pitch completion for startup money. I believe that one of the key moments of the 2020-21 school year for 10 young entrepreneurs was their nine minutes in the Tank."

One of the four students will be named Entrepreneur of the Year at the May 24 meeting of Mayor and Council.

Construction is expected to begin next week on installation of the sewer extension that will serve Phase 2 of The Grove at Towne Center and the Eastwood Drive neighborhood.

The project, conducted by the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, will take place along Eastwood Drive and connect through to the back of Olde Hickory Village subdivision. The contractor, Dickerson Group, will start next week with the installation of environmental protections and the installation of a waterline following Eastwood Drive. The next step will be tree removal along the surveyed installation route from Eastwood Drive to the back of Olde Hickory Village. The purpose of this project is to bring adequate sewer service to the highly anticipated development located in the heart of Snellville. There are no lane closures anticipated in the next three to four weeks. Continue to follow the City of Snellville’s website for updated information.

In the future, work generated by this project will result in an in-place two lane detour around the construction site. There will be potential road closures and flagging of traffic when construction activities require road closure and diversion of traffic.

County officials said construction should be completed in November 2021.

The Snellville Police Department received a $209,816.76 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in October, 2020. The funds were designated to help establish and support the SPD Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Unit.

“We are grateful for the grant and the opportunity it provides to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities keeping our roadways safe,” said Chief Roy Whitehead.

Halfway through the grant period, SPD HEAT has been hard at work.

Two officers are designated as HEAT officers and they focus on reducing injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents through education and enforcement efforts. In the course of its duties, the SPD HEAT unit has participated in 13 educational events for the community, 12 joint operations with other agencies and one statewide Thunder Task Force mobilization. The HEAT officers have completed training for child protective seat inspection and installation and worked four events to ensure child safety seats are being properly installed and used. One of the HEAT officers has completed a 160-hour course of instruction to become a Drug Recognition Expert, which is an advanced certification to recognize drug impairment in drivers.

The SPD HEAT unit has conducted 142 investigations of suspected impaired drivers. They have stopped 267 violators for child safety seat and seatbelt violations. They have also stopped 985 violators for speeding in identified hot spot locations.

The SPD HEAT unit will continue its efforts through the remainder of the year and beyond. They will continue to focus on violations related to impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by traffic accidents. The HEAT unit will also continue to participate in educational events and multi-agency efforts to keep our highways safe.

Covid-19 vaccines will be available at First Baptist Snellville, 2400 Main Street East on Wednesday, May 12, from 2-7 p.m. A medical professional will be on hand to administer the first dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Those who receive their first shot on May 12, will be scheduled to receive their second Moderna shot on Wednesday, June 9.

All vaccines are no charge to the patient.

To register for your vaccine, please call 770-978-7000 between the hours of 8:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

TO PREPARE FOR YOUR VACCINE:

• PRINT and COMPLETE this form and bring it with you to your scheduled appointment time.
• BRING A COPY of the front and back of your Driver's License and copy of Prescription and Medical Insurance Cards (including Medicare Part B cards when applicable)
• Vaccines will be administered just inside our East Commons Entrance (Golden Crust/Britt Elementary side)
• Please wear masks inside the facility

SNELLVILLE — A 90-unit townhome development has been approved for construction on a 14.75 acres site on Scenic Highway on the city’s south side.

By a vote of 5-1, with Councilwoman Cristy Lenski dissenting, Mayor and Council approved the development following compromises accepted by developers which reduced the amount of units at 2465 Scenic Highway South from 101 to 90 and making accommodations for increased landscape buffers, guest parking spaces and better-looking garage doors among others.

The original proposal was tabled the last time it was heard before Mayor and Council so the developers could address concerns from nearby residents and city officials.

“The site plan also pulls the development further back from Lanier Forest,” said Planning Development Director Jason Thompson. “The applicant concurrently provided revised front elevations with enhancements made to the garages to make them more aesthetically pleasing.”

Members of Council praised the applicant Meritage Homes for its willingness to work with residents and city officials about their concerns and ultimately voted to approve the plan to make way for the development.

SNELLVILLE — Atlanta-based Place Maker Design has been tapped by Mayor and Council to design the Mercantile building, a unique city market planned for The Grove at Towne Center.

By 6-0 vote, Mayor and Council agreed to pay the firm $118,500 for its services to create a signature, 25,000-square-foot, two-floor building which will be a centerpiece of The Grove. Place Maker Design has designed prominent buildings in Woodstock, Alpharetta and Atlanta, among other locations.

"The group that we settled on got it," said Mayor Pro Tem Dave Emanuel. "They seemed very open. They seemed sincerely concerned about what we wanted. So I think we all came to the same conclusion that they were the best suited for what we needed and really understood (our goal)."

Costs cover schematic design, design development and construction document services of the $6 million project. Also included are architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineering services as well as administration services.

The design will be completed by late summer in time to start construction this fall. It is scheduled to open in September of 2022.

A city market concept will be offered on the first floor, while event space will be offered on the second level.

The Grove at Towne Center's first phase will include over 50,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, office and entertainment space, and approximately 262 multi-family luxury apartments. In addition, the new Elizabeth Williams Library will be constructed and include a second-floor business development/accelerator space.