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SNELLVILLE – The city's Youth Commission has a new leader.

Snellville resident Christopher O'Donoghue was tapped to lead the commission designed to promote high school student participation in local government.

O'Donoghue will oversee all activities related to the Snellville Youth Commission, including the student recruitment process, records management and promotion of the SYC, according to the job's description.

"In order to be a productive citizen, it makes sense to make sure you know how the world works around you," O'Donoghue said. "The idea for (students in the Youth Commission) is to bridge the gap between them and elected officials and see it play out – at least understand why things (in government) happen."

O'Donoghue, who is a systems analyst for human resource company Aon Hewitt, will serve as Youth Outreach Coordinator on a part-time basis.

The Snellville Youth Commission is the brainchild of Councilwoman and South Gwinnett High School teacher Cristy Lenski who created it as a way to get students more involved in the city.

SNELLVILLE – The Mayor and Council approved an overall budget of $11,344,770 Monday, keeping the millage rate at 4.588 mills, the same as last year.

"The new budget keeps the same millage rate and allows us to stay on track for our three-year plan to be salary competitive for all our employees," said City Manager Butch Sanders. "We also continue to meet our capital needs in street paving and storm water system repair."

Overall, the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget is up 4.9 percent or $549,000 over the 2017 FY Budget. A bulk of the increase comes from a lengthy renovation of the city's Unified Development Ordinance which will pave the way for future development in the city. The renovation will cost $120,000.

Capital needs are being met with $680,000 for street resurfacing and $662,000 in stormwater improvements.

Positive local economic growth is shown in several strong city revenue items including four years of positive Occupational Tax growth, a 40 percent increase in building permits in the past three years and a 20-percent increase in recreation programs in the last two years.

There will be millage rate hearings at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 30 and at 7:30 p.m. July 10 in Council Chambers in City Hall.

SNELLVILLE – The Rotary Club of Gwinnett Sunrise has begun a concerted effort of community involvement with the completion of two successful projects.

The first was a clean-up effort at the house of a local resident who, due to poor health, could not meet the city's Code Enforcement guidelines. A team of Rotary members assembled at the property recently and went to work cleaning and beautifying the property to bring it into compliance and put smiles on the faces of the homeowner and the neighbors. Snellville Public Works helped with power equipment and the use of a truck and the Rotarians provided the time and effort to improve the property.

The club's second project was a clean-up and landscaping effort at one of Snellville's busiest intersections: Wisteria Drive at Highway 78. Accomplished the morning of June 10, a group of club members collected litter and debris, weeded and dressed up all sides of the intersection helping the town to look better and making travel safer and less unsightly. The Snellville Police Department provided traffic control to make the whole worksite a safe one.

The intrepid Sunrise Rotarians plan to continue their community efforts on a regular schedule with another property clean-up scheduled for July 8. The city appreciates all the volunteers and thanks the Rotarians for their efforts and for their dedication to carrying on the community spirit of the Rotary organization.

Upcoming Senior Center Events

Upcoming Parks and Recreation Events

CITY OF SNELLVILLE
PUBLIC HEARING
FY-2018 BUDGET

On Monday, May 22, 2017 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 2018 budget. All citizens are urged to attend this Public Hearing on May 22, 2017 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 2018 budget on Monday, June 12, 2017 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

SNELLVILLE – If you cut down a tree without permission in the city, expect to pay a heavy price in the near future.

That's the word from city officials who, following two tree-cutting sprees committed by shopping plaza owners, are in the process of adding more teeth to an already existing ordinance designed to prevent unwarranted tree removal by commercial property owners.

"In spite of Snellville's long-standing ordinances prohibiting the arbitrary removal of trees, we have recently had some violations of those ordinances," said Councilman Dave Emanuel. "While some violators plead ignorance, I believe they were in fact subscribing to the philosophy that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. It may be easier, but it will become a lot more expensive."

Currently the fee for cutting down trees without permission is a minimum of $356 per tree per day. Under the new measure, which still awaits formal review and approval, violators would pay $995 per tree per day. Also under the proposed ordinance removal of any tree without the approval from the city's Planning Director is prohibited.

"I've proposed raising the fine to $995 per tree per day, for any tree removed prior to the Planning Director approving a tree removal permit," Emanuel said. "We will also be updating all business property owners of our revised tree removal requirements and fine amount. Our intent is not to raise revenue, but to preserve our trees."

If you think a commercial business is cutting down a tree without permission, call the Snellville Planning Department at 770-985-3513.

SNELLVILLE – The Towne Green will be the site of a celebration to remember all those who have served our country and paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedom Saturday, May 27.

Beginning at 4 p.m., on the lawn in front of the Veterans Memorial, 2342 Oak Road, attendees 9 years old and older can learn how to make corn husk dolls, candles and corn cob darts like they did in Colonial Times. If you want to participate in the program and you are 9 years of age or older, meet the Button Gwinnett Militia near the Veterans Memorial at 4 p.m. and learn the Manuel of Arms. A Revolutionary War encampment will be on display, weather permitting. The almost 50-piece Gwinnett Community Band will be playing patriotic music starting at 4:30 p.m. and throughout the program honoring our veterans.

"Each year our Memorial Celebration gets bigger and better and I am looking forward to this year's event," said U.S. Navy Veteran and Mayor Tom Witts.

The Memorial Day program starts at 5 p.m. The Button Gwinnett Chapter Militia will be firing muskets throughout the program.

A large silent auction benefiting the Veterans Memorial will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.

At 6 p.m., all eyes will turn to the Towne Green stage as the Ultimate Eagles Tribute - ON THE BORDER will take the stage. Food, beer and wine will be available on site. At 6 p.m., the Lincoln Fill Station will tap a one-of-a-kind beer called the Snellville Memorial Summer Ale especially made for the Snellville Memorial Celebration by the Lincoln Fill Station and Southern Brewing Company.

"We are very excited about having the Ultimate Eagles Tribute - ON THE BORDER back in Snellville to rock the Towne Green," said STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon.

For more information visit www.SnellvilleEvents.com.

SNELLVILLE – Can't make it to the beach? No problem. Snellville Tourism and Trade is bringing the beach to you.

The 6th annual Beach Blast will take place from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 20 on the Towne Green in front of City Hall, 2342 Oak Road.

More than 70 tons of sand will cover Oak Road for visitors to play in. There will be a Mascot Parade around the Green, fun and games with DJ Lee, a rock wall, a bungee jump, inflatables, a trackless train, the Big Kahuna Water Slide and a 9-hole mini golf course. An all-day pass is $10. Individual tickets are also available.

The Gold Standard Band will rock the Green from 5 to 7 p.m.

"We are looking forward to our 6th annual Beach Blast and having fun in the sun in 70 tons of sand," said STAT Executive Director Kelly McAloon. "Join us for great music, great food, shop with our vendors and have a lot of family fun on the Towne Green."

For more information visit www.SnellvilleEvents.com.

SNELLVILLE – Two area students nearly took home the top prize in the Gwinnett Chamber Shark Tank Tuesday.

Emma Hearn and Morgan Hongkham, both of Brookwood High School, placed second and third respectively in the countywide competition that rewards students for their entrepreneurial prowess. Hearn pitched her photography business, These Moments Captured, while Hongkham, wowed judges with his Smokey Mountain Cutting Boards.

Hearn, who was also named Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Snellville, and Hongkham, the runner-up, were two of more than a dozen students from Brookwood, Grayson and South Gwinnett high schools who took part in the Snellville Shark Tank program created by the Snellville Entrepreneur Council. The program, based on the popular television show, asks students to create an actual business and compete to win seed money after pitching their business to a panel of judges.

"The Shark Tank is always an awarding opportunity for the students, jury members, and me," said Economic Developer Eric Van Otteren. "To see our young people stand in front of a jury of local business men and women and pitch their business idea impacts all involved for a long time."

Isaiah Jackson, creator of Dragon's Bread Pudding, and Brandy Star Merriweather, owner of Elite Services, both of GHS, were also invited to compete at the Gwinnett Chamber Shark Tank after wooing the judges during the two-day Snellville Shark Tank event May 2 and 3.

A special award - "Most Likely to Have a Business in Support of the Towne Center Plan" - went to Jackson who developed a business which would be a good fit for the Towne Center project.

"The 6th annual Shark Tank will award the 2017 Young Entrepreneur of the Year certificate and prize money at the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council on May 22," Van Otteren said. "This year there is a special award to an amazing aspiring chef that embodies the spirit of Snellville: Where Everybody is Proud to Be Somebody, and engages the concept of The Towne Center at Snellville."

Those who participated in the Snellville Shark Tank are as follows:

Tuesday, May 2 Pitches to the Shark Tank

Malika Kapasi

Paradise Bracelets

award $100

Brookwood HS

Casey Newel

Hidden Streetwear

Brookwood HS

Morgan Hongkham

Smokey Mountain Cutting Boards

award $600

Brookwood HS

Zarian Anderson

Sneak Peak

South Gwinnett HS

Kimberly Sams

Grafi-Schal

award $100

South Gwinnett HS

Emma Hearn

These Moments Captured

award $1,000

Brookwood HS

Nadine Leggett

Nadia's Naturals

award $100

Brookwood HS

Tajauna Aliquekwe

Tixouava

South Gwinnett HS

Jahbrea Troxier

BrainLane

award $100

South Gwinnett HS

Delora Schmidt

Journey Boards

Brookwood HS

Wednesday, May 3 Pitches to the Shark Tank

Sydney Roney

Sydney

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Patrice Smith

Blurred Waves

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Ariayanna Centeio/Kalan Burton

Fresh-N-Go

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Angela Salinass

The Salinass Bakery

South Gwinnett HS

Akeyjah Charles

The Key Images

award $300

South Gwinnett HS

Isaiah Jackson

Dragon's Bread Pudding

award $500

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Brandy Star Merriweather

Elite Services

award $500

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Ariyana Wallace

Tier Fest

award $200

Grayson Tech/Grayson HS

Kemba Alexander

KemCakes

South Gwinnett HS

Judges

Tom Witts, Mayor of Snellville

Leslie Trimmer, Webb, Tanner & Powell

Rob Gannaway, Steppingblocks

Josh Sweeney, Atcore Systems

Kelly McAloon, Snellville Tourism and Trade

Mike Burns, Sunshine Rotary Club

Doug Adams, Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce

Rebecca Kay Sapp, Sapp Law Firm

Kathy Emanuel, businesswoman

Jamey Toney, Country Financial

Barbara Bender, Bender CPA, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Snellville

Sandra Hill, professional life coach