CITY OF JOHNS CREEK COUNCIL MEETING August 29, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m. The Mayor and Council of the City of Johns Creek held a meeting on Monday, August 29, 2016. The meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300 in Johns Creek, Georgia. COUNCIL PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Post 1-Leonard Zaprowski Post 2-Jay Lin Post 3-Cori Davenport Post 4-Bob Gray Post 5-Stephanie Endres Post 6-Steve Broadbent, Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Mike Bodker City Clerk Joan Jones City Manager Warren Hutmacher PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Pro Tem Steve Broadbent. OPENING REMARKS: Mayor Bodker welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated the local high schools, Northview, Johns Creek and Chattahoochee on their high ACT scores. All three schools achieved scores which were ranked among the top 5 for the state. The Mayor also congratulated Mt. Pisgah Christian School on turning 30 years old and mentioned that more than 10,000 Johns Creek area students have attended the school since 1986. Mayor Bodker deferred to Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent, Chair of the Public Safety Foundation, to provide a recap of Saturday s Casino Night event benefitting the Foundation. Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent commented the event was very well attended and over $20K was raised. Mayor Bodker commended the work of the foundation. The Mayor mentioned attending the ribbon cutting for a new Johns Creek business, Napoli 1 Pizza and welcomed them to the City. He reported staff held the first Community Participation Meeting for the Parks Design, and many citizens attended and provided great feedback and suggestions. Additional meetings will be scheduled as the process continues to finalize plans ahead of the November Parks Bond Referendum. In closing, Mayor Bodker reminded citizens to visit the City s website to get all the latest events, news, and updates on the City. MINUTES: Council Member Gray motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent, to approve the August 15, 2016, Council Meeting Minutes as presented. During discussion, Council Member Endres inquired about the absence of minutes from Council s August 15 Workshop/Mini Retreat. Mayor Bodker commented previous policy did not require taking minutes at a Council retreat/workshop; however the Mayor noted Council Members may opt to change this practice and suggested a discussion on this policy could continue following the conclusion of this item on the agenda. There being no further discussion Mayor Bodker called the question on approving the August 15 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Council discussed the pros and cons on keeping minutes for a Council workshop or retreat and whether there were any legal mandates. As there were no legal mandates requiring minutes, there was consensus from Mayor and Council that a summary, to include action items would be appropriate. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED: Council Member Endres motioned, seconded by Council Member Gray to amend the meeting agenda by removing from REPORTS AND PRESENTATION item 4) Discussion of Thornhill Access and to hold an EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss Land, Legal and/or Personnel matters. 08-29-2016 Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT Page 1 of 5
During discussion, Council Member Endres commented she has been asked by the Thornhill HOA to remove this item. There being no further discussion, the amended Agenda was approved. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Andy Chandler representing the Thornhill Subdivision addressed Council and commented on the request to remove the discussion of access, noting he has requested that staff present the proposal to the neighborhood to get their feedback before making the presentation to Council. He talked about a recent home invasion in the neighborhood and asked for Council s support in finding a suitable, legal solution and thanked Council for all their support. Edward Thompson a resident of the St. Ives Subdivision voiced his objections to the plans to erect a LED billboard on Medlock Bridge Road, adjacent to his community, which he feels will adversely impact his home and that of many of his neighbors. He cited sections of the City s zoning ordinance and state law which he contends would prohibit the billboard at this location. He also noted this is one of the busiest and most dangerous intersections in the City and submitted 24 letters from other residents objecting to the billboard at this location, adding that this billboard will generate many nuisance complaints and exacerbate the already congested conditions of this intersection. Karen Daniel, President of the Board of Directors of the Autry Mill Nature Preserve invited everyone to the Center s September 10 fundraiser the second annual Wild about Autrey Mills and thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued support of the Center. CONSENT AGENDA: No Consent Agenda Items. ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Clerk Jones announced the following upcoming meetings: Monday, September 5, City Offices Closed for Labor Day Tuesday, September 6, 7:00pm, Planning Commission Meeting is Cancelled Thursday, September 8, 6:30-8:30pm Rezoning Public Participation Meeting Tuesday, September 13, 9:00am, CVB Meeting and at 6:30pm Public Arts Board Meeting Monday, September 19, 5:00pm Work Session followed by a City Council Meeting at 7:00pm and a Public Hearing on the Draft FY 2017 Budget Mayor Bodker noted he will be holding town hall meetings on September 15 from 6:00-8:00pm here at City Hall dedicated to the upcoming T-Splost and Park Bond Referendum and again on October 13 and 27 at locations around the City to be announced. The Mayor also mentioned in the coming year he, along with Council Members will hold quarterly town hall meetings on January 12, April 13, July 13, and October 12, 2017. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS: City Manager s Monthly Report: City Manager Hutmacher provided his monthly status report and reviewed the highlights. He reported to Council staff has prepared a plan of action to educate the citizens on the upcoming T-Splost and Bond referendum which will be on the November ballot. The August 18 public information meeting on the Parks Design Plan was well attended and the consultants are preparing a draft plan incorporating some of the feedback received. City Manager Hutmacher noted there will be another meeting with the community, with an expectation to have final plans for presentation in October for Mayor and Council s consideration. He mentioned the Open Checkbook on-line portal went live on the City s website and will be augmented by the Open Budget platform in the next couple of weeks. He provided an update on the Public Safety staffing, noting the Fire Department is fully staffed and the Police Department is in the final stages of filling three vacancies. Other highlights included an update on the next steps in working with the Fire Staff and consultants to present a five-year strategy for the Fire Department and the ongoing dialogue with the Long Indian Creek and Double Gate neighborhoods on traffic Issues. Council Member Gray asked for an update on Task Force meetings. Staff will provide. City Manager provided an update on the traffic accident which occurred in the Long Indian Creek neighborhood; there were no injuries. 08-29-2016 Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT Page 2 of 5
Swearing In of K-9 Officer Dane: Mayor Bodker administered the Oath of Office to Canine Officer Dane and his handler Corporal Elizabeth Roberts. Kickoff for the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan: City Engineer Cindy Jenkins Introduced Cristina Pastore from Kimley Horn and Associates who reported on the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan (NFCTP). Ms. Pastore talked about the goal of the plan and the 10 month process. Council inquired into how this would impact the T-SPLOST projects. Ms. Pastore explained that many of the projects on T-SPLOST list resulted from the 2010 NFCTP process and the group will be building on the work that has been done and revised to address the current traffic conditions. Council Member Gray asked about the how the plan would address the issue of automated vehicles and whether Kimley Horn has staff equipped to study the evolution of the automated vehicles and their impact on traffic patterns. Ms. Pastore responded the company has professional staff equipped to factor in the impact of automated vehicles in the transportation planning. OLD BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING ON FY2017 BUDGET: Finance Director Toni Jo Howard reviewed the proposed FY2017 Budget, including the Revenue and Expenses, budgeted projects which align with the strategic goals and objectives identified by the Council, such as transportation, recreation and economic development projects, and the list of Capital and other enhancement projects. Mayor Bodker opened the Public Hearing on the FY2017 Budget and called for all those wishing to speak. Royce Reineke commented about setting strategic goals and metrics to inform the budget and suggested Council should begin by determining a reasonable overall tax burden which should be imposed on the citizenry in order to raise sufficient capital to effectively manage the City, no more, no less. He noted that although there is no property tax increase anticipated this year, citizens will pay more in taxes should the T- SPLOST referendum pass and this should be given some consideration, and the City should work on prioritizing spending. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Bodker closed the public hearing. Council Member Gray discussed the makeup of the FY 2017 Budget and how the City s overall spending proposals may financially impact citizens. He commented on staff s proposal to reduce the FY 2017 budget by $5M, distributed his revisions to these recommendations and submitted for consideration a resolution proposing an additional $2M reduction for a total reduction of $7M, with the $2M to be placed in Reserves along with a recommendation to reduce the current millage rate. He outlined the public works capital projects which could be removed to realize the $2M in savings, noting that these projects could be funded with the T-SPLOST should the referendum pass and/or reconsidered should it not pass. Mayor Bodker commented on the various tasks ahead of the City as it grows and the need to meet the demands of that growth, involving the possibility of adding a Fire Station, finding a larger space for the Police Department, developing the parks and the financial obligations associated with the Parks Bond. He reviewed his list of recommended items which could be removed from the budget totaling about $3M, and suggested these savings could be placed in the Reserves and designated for a new Fire station or another high priority item. There was further discussion on the efficiency in which the City has operated over its 10 year history and Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent expressed some concerns on the impact a millage rate reduction may have on the City s ability to meet the service needs that will dictated by population growth, such as the need for a new fire station. 08-29-2016 Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT Page 3 of 5
Council Member Endres reviewed her analysis of the budget and presented various scenarios for cost savings and the possible impacts on the budget, such as changes to employee compensation, reducing the fees for contractors, and focusing spending on the priorities and items which are critical to the City. Council Members Zaprowski, Lin and Davenport shared their views on the proposed budget with some consensus it was possible to identify between $2M and $3M in reductions which would not necessarily impact service delivery. Council held additional discussion and clarified documents presented by Council Member Endres. Mayor Bodker called for a five minute recess after which the meeting resumed. Council Member Davenport asked for clarification on the change in the assessments advertised with the millage rate notice. Finance Director Howard and Mayor Bodker clarified the projected tax collection increased over last year, but not due to an increase in assessed values, but attributed to the growth in the Community. Council Member Gray proposed an option to reduce the Budget in an amount equal to a millage rate reduction; Council Member Endres suggested reductions should be around establishing funding priorities. There was further discussion and no consensus on an approach to finalizing the budget. Mayor Bodker suggested Council dedicate the September 19 Work Session solely to discussing the budget. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT THE 2016 MILLAGE RATE: Finance Director Howard presented and reported the City received the 2016 Tax Digest from Fulton County and there is a requirement that the City hold at least one public hearing. She explained to Council they are approving the Millage Rate for the 2016 budget year. She mentioned both the County and the Board of Education has requested Council set the 2016 Millage rate expeditiously so tax bills can be processed and mailed out. Mayor Bodker commented on the City s timeline for approving the millage rate which he noted is attributed to the oddity of the City s fiscal year and suggested that Council may at some time in the future align the City s Fiscal Year with that of the state. Mayor Bodker opened the Public Hearing on the 2016 Millage Rate, currently set at 4.614 Mils and called for all those wishing to speak. Royce Reineke commented he was surprised the City is approving a 2016 Millage Rate while considering a 2017 Budget. He shared the Mayor s sentiment on aligning the City s fiscal year with the state s FY. He was pleased there was no increase in the assessments, suggested Council solicit feedback from citizens on funding priorities, and added there will be a tax increase resulting from the Parks Bond and T-SPLOST and there should be a roll back to lessen the tax burden on the citizens. Mr. Reineke explained there should be metrics to show the tangible improvements resulting from spending initiatives and expressed his support for developing the parks; Chuck Olis commented the City has had phenomenal growth and with this, there have been increases in property assessments; and he suggested that Council work together to come to an amicable agreement on the budget. John Bradberry commented on statements made that the City has backlog of transportation projects totaling nearly $270M and he has requested that list from Public Works and suggested posting this information on the City s website. He commented on the increased tax burden which will be placed on citizens as a result of the T-SPLOST and Parks Bond Referendum, and added, if the measures pass, the City s spending will be increased by about 46%, and although city spending and revenues have increased, most citizens have not seen their wages increase. He asked Council to consider reducing the current Millage rate. 08-29-2016 Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT Page 4 of 5
Council Member Lin motioned, seconded by Council Member Davenport to set the millage at the current rate of 4.614 Mils. During discussion, Council Member Lin supported his position, noting there is uncertainty the Parks Bond will pass and the City has invested money to purchase land that must be developed; Council Member Davenport asked Finance Director Howard for clarification on the cost to a tax payer if the voters approve the Parks bond referendum, Director Howard responded the cost would be based on the individual property value. There was further discussion on the 2016 Tax Digest and the increase in revenue attributed to growth and not an increase in assessed values, an historical analysis of the millage rate, budget surplus and the Reserve balance. Council Member Zaprowski spoke in support of a reduction in the millage rate; Council Member Endres commented Council can find other funds to develop the parks and still reduce the millage rate; Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent spoke in support of a marginal reduction in the millage rate at a level which would provide sufficient revenue to support a new fire station if needed. Council continued to discuss the options in favor of keeping or reducing the current millage rate. After all viewpoints were expressed, Mayor Bodker called the question on the motion to set the 2016 Millage Rate at 4.614 Mils. The motion failed three in favor and four opposed; with Council Members Lin, Davenport, and Mayor Bodker voting in support of the motion and Council Members Gray, Endres, Zaprowski and Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent voting in opposition. Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent motioned, seconded by Council Member Zaprowski to set the 2016 Millage at 4.360 Mil; during discussion, Council Members Gray and Endres suggested a further reduction in the millage rate and Council Member Endres suggested setting funding priorities to add further reductions. Finance Director Howard clarified the rate reduction will amount to about $1M. There being no further discussion, Mayor Bodker called the question on the motion which passed four in favor three opposed, with Council Members Gray, Endres, Zaprowski and Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent voting in support of the motion and Council Members Lin, Davenport, and Mayor Bodker voting in opposition. (ORDINANCE 2016-09-16) OTHER BUSINESS: No Other Business. PUBLIC COMMENT: Royce Reineke thanked Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent for taking the initiative and offering a compromise in his motion for the rate reduction. MAYOR S COMMENT: Mayor Bodker thanked everyone for attending the meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council Member Zaprowski motioned seconded by Council Member Endres to adjourn into an Executive Session to discuss land, legal and/or personnel matters. There being no discussion, the motion passed unanimously and an Executive Session was held. Council Member Zaprowski motioned, seconded by Council Member Davenport to adjourn out of Executive Session and resume the regular meeting. There being no discussion, the motioned passed unanimously. Mayor Bodker noted the Executive Session was held to discuss one (1) Land and one (1) Personnel Matter. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Broadbent motioned, seconded by Council Member Gray to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned. Approved by: Attested: Michael E. Bodker, Mayor Joan C. Jones, City Clerk 08-29-2016 Council Meeting Minutes DRAFT Page 5 of 5