City Council will consider a request Wednesday that could pave the way for a significant expansion of a private Montessori school in southwestern Milton.

That’s one of many items on the agenda for the September 4 meeting, which is two days later than the usual Monday date due to the Labor Day holiday. People can attend this meeting, which starts at 6 p.m., live in-person at City Hall (2006 Heritage Walk). Or they can watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9f1CHa3eBk. 

As is the case with Regular Meetings, the agenda for this one is split into sections that each have their own ground rules. They are:

• The CONSENT AGENDA, for routine items that the Council votes on collectively (so a single yes-no vote covering all items)
• REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS, where you’ll find proclamations and presentations during which the Council may offer general direction but cannot cast votes
• FIRST PRESENTATION, which is for items appearing on a Council agenda for the first time that cannot be conclusively voted on until a future meeting
• PUBLIC HEARING, which allows special public comment periods reserved for certain types of items
• ZONING AGENDA, the home for zoning-related items that appeared under First Presentation at a previous meeting that can now be voted on
• NEW BUSINESS, which is for items appearing on a Council for the first time that can be voted on decisively

Below are summaries of every item on the September 4 agenda.

• Approval of the August 5, 2024, Special Called City Council Meeting Minutes.

  This is a vote to approve the “minutes” – or official written public record – of when the City Council held a Special Called Meeting the morning of August 5. The only items on this agenda, under First Presentation and then Public Hearing, related to the ad valorem tax rate (or millage rate) for the coming year.

• Approval of the August 5, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.

  These minutes are from the Council’s meeting the evening of August 5, when they celebrated the contributions of the Friends of Mayfield Park and the success of the State-championship winning Cambridge High School girls lacrosse team. The Council also approved a text amendment that prohibits new businesses from selling “retail consumable hemp products” as well as opening “unregulated marijuana substitutes retail shops.” For a recap of this meeting, click HERE: https://www.miltonga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2528/1351.

• Approval of the August 19, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.

  At the August 19 meeting for which these minutes are for, the City Council voted to approve lowering the speed limits to 40mph (from 45mph) on Batesville, Hamby, and Hickory Flat roads. The former chair of the Milton Greenspace Advisory Committee and Cambridge Youth Track program were honored at this meeting as well. Go to https://www.miltonga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2544/1351 to read a recap.

• Approval of the Financial Statements & Investment Report for the Period Ending July 31, 2024.

  This item refers to the City of Milton government’s financial statements and investment report for this past July.

• Approval of an Agreement between the City of Milton and Bounce House Inflatables of Atlanta LLC, dba Bounce House Atlanta Regarding Children’s Activities for Crabapple Fest 2024.

  This is an agreement for Bounce House Inflatables of Atlanta to provide children’s entertainment options for Crabapple Fest, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 5 in downtown Milton. These will include a games trailer, pirate ship carnival ride, inflatable corn maze, and bounce house.

• Approval of a Services Agreement between the City of Milton and S&S Security Sales Corp. dba Flylock Security Solutions for the Installation of Overhead Automatic Door Openers at Milton City Hall.

  With approval of this item, Flylock Security Solutions will replace the system to automatically open the two public entry doors to Milton’s City Hall from the parking lot side.

• Approval of a Services Agreement between the City of Milton and American Alarm Corporation, Inc. for Alarm Monitoring Services for City Elevator, Fire, and Burglar Systems.

  With approval of this agreement, American Alarm Corporation will provide alarm monitoring tied to the burglar systems and fire panels at City facilities, as well as special phones within elevators. This company’s alarm services can send signals and pertinent information that can be processed and sent expeditiously to First Responders.

• Approval for the Submission of a Grant to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency for the Purchase of a Replacement Emergency Generator at Station 43.

  This item’s approval paves the way for Milton Fire-Rescue to use federal and state grant funding – which comes with a required 25% match – to replace its ailing emergency generator at Station 43 along Hickory Flat Road.

• Approval of a Change Order #1 to SaaS Agreement and Addendum No. 1 between the City of Milton and Governmentjobs.com, Inc. (dba NeoGov) for the Addition of a Complete HRIS Suite.

  The City in spring 2023 began using NeoGov to enhance its recruitment and onboarding system. With approval of this “Change Order,” Milton would expand its use of NeoGov to provide more of its valuable features including those related to benefits, time and attendance, payroll, and performance management.

• Approval of a Recreation Provider Agreement Between the City of Milton and Tim Bowen, DBA: Play-Well TEKnologies to Provide Recreational STEM Lego Programming.

  This recreation provider agreement would set the stage for Play-Well TEKnowledgies to run a STEM Lego program for young people at City facilities in partnership with Milton’s Parks and Recreation Department.

• Approval of a Construction Services Agreement with Spectrum Fence Company, LLC, to Construct a New Perimeter Fence Along the Road Frontage of Legacy Park.

  This agreement is for Spectrum Fence Company to replace an aging, damaged chain link fence by the entrance to the Legacy Park athletic complex with a new four-board style fence with metal farm-style gates.

  REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Proclamation Promoting Mental Wellness, Emotional Intelligence, and Suicide Prevention in Milton

  The City of Milton has worked earnestly to promote mental wellness – including sharing resources, raising awareness, and doing what it can to reduce stigmas over getting help – with a special focus on this critical subject every September. The LRJ Foundation has partnered with the City on these efforts, the highlight being an annual webinar featuring experts discussing a related topic.

  The 2024 webinar will focus on emotional intelligence; you can access it live online from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on September 12 at www.miltonga.gov/emotionalintelligence. And for mental health-related insights, resources, and more (including links to past webinars) anytime, go to www.miltonga.gov/mentalwellness.

   

  FIRST PRESENTATION

• Consideration of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, to Adopt Amendments to the Fiscal 2024 Budget for Each Fund of the City of Milton, Georgia Amending the Amounts Shown in Each Budget as Expenditures, Amending the Several Items of Revenue Appropriations, Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Actual Funding Available.

  The City budget requires amending from time to time as it is a dynamic, rather than a static, plan. The proposed budget amendments are an update to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget (which runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024). This Ordinance reflects recent changes recommended as a result of certain circumstances, opportunities, and recommendations. This same item must appear and be voted upon at a future City Council meeting to be enacted.

• Consideration of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, to Adopt the Fiscal 2025 Budget for Each Fund of the City of Milton, Georgia Appropriating the Several Items of Revenue Appropriations, Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Actual Funding Available.

  This item relates to City staff’s proposal for the Milton government’s budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which starts on October 1, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2025. Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill will summarize what was presented at an August 12 City Council Work Session (which followed related public presentations and discussions in June and July).  That presentation can be viewed HERE: https://www.miltonga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7727/638588135858330000. The final budget cannot be voted upon until the Council’s next Regular Meeting on September 16.

  PUBLIC HEARING

• Consideration of the Issuance of an Alcohol Beverage License to Lily Sushi Bar Milton, 1865 Heritage Walk, Milton, Georgia 30004.

  The Council will consider issuing an alcohol beverage license for Lily Sushi Bar Milton, a proposed new restaurant set to occupy the Crabapple Market space (previously home to Dua Vietnamese) along Heritage Walk between The Nest Café and Whitetail Bicycles and Coffee Company.

• Discussion of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, to Adopt Amendments to the Fiscal 2024 Budget for Each Fund of the City of Milton, Georgia Amending the Amounts Shown in Each Budget as Expenditures, Amending the Several Items of Revenue Appropriations Including the Use of Additional Occupational Tax Revenue, Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Actual Funding Available.

  This is a special opportunity for public comment for Fiscal Year 2024 budget amendments that is explained in the First Presentation section of this preview. To view the accompanying presentation, click HERE: https://www.miltonga.gov/home/showdocument?id=7767. 

• Discussion of an Ordinance of the Mayor and Council of the City of Milton, Georgia, to Adopt the Fiscal 2025 Budget for Each Fund of the City of Milton, Georgia Appropriating the Several Items of Revenue Appropriations, Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Appropriations and Prohibiting Expenditures to Exceed Actual Funding Available. (First Public Hearing at the 9.04.2024 Regular City Council Meeting) (Second Public Hearing at the 9.16.2024 Regular City Council Meeting)

  This public hearing is related to the Fiscal Year 2025 budget item that is also described above. The corresponding budget presentation can be found HERE: https://www.miltonga.gov/home/showdocument?id=7755.

  ZONING AGENDA

• Consideration of RZ24-02/U24-01/VC24-01 - 3499 and 3501 Bethany Bend by Sapient Minds LLC d/b/a Milton Montessori School to rezone from TR (Townhouse Residential) with the revocation of a “Senior Living” Use Permit to O-I (Office-Institutional) with a “Private School” Use Permit (Milton Unified Development Code 8.4.1.G) of 24,000 square feet with a total of 160 students and associated activity (outdoor) areas with a three part concurrent variance.1.To delete the 20' side setback along the south property line for 3501 BethanyBend. (Milton Unified Development Code 5.1.4.B) 2.To delete the 10' landscape strip along the south property line of 3501Bethany Bend. (Milton Unified Development Code 6.2.3.B) 3.To reduce the sidewalk width along Bethany Bend, within the City Right-of- Way from six feet to five feet. (Milton Unified Development Code 6.2.6.A)

  This item, if approved, would rezone 3501 and 3499 Bethany Bend near McGinnis Ferry Road from TR (Townhouse Residential) with a Senior Living Use Permit to O-I (Office-Institutional). The applicant is seeking a Use Permit for “Private School” involving the addition of a 24,000-square foot building for an existing private school, Milton Montessori, for approximately 160 more students. It comes with a requested three-part concurrent variance to:

  + Delete the 20-foot side setback along the south property of 3501 Bethany Bend

  + Delete the 10-foot landscape strip along the south property line of 3501 Bethany Bend

  + Reduce the sidewalk width along Bethany Bend, within the City right-of-way, from six to five feet

  Since this appeared under First Presentation on the August 19 agenda, the City Council can vote on it conclusively at Monday’s meeting.

  NEW BUSINESS

• Consideration of a Resolution to Condemn Property Rights Needed for Big Creek Greenway Project, Parcel 3 (0.006 Acres (281.03 Square Feet) of Fee Simple Right of Way and 4,714.42 Square Feet (0.108 Acres) of Temporary Easement for Construction of Slopes); Owners: Neelam Khan and Adnan Kahn.
• Consideration of a Resolution to Condemn Property Rights Needed for Big Creek Greenway Project, Parcel 12 (0.050 Acres (2,172.36 Square Feet) Fee Simple Right-of-Way and 4,740.94 Square Feet (0.109 Acres) of Temporary Construction Easement for Construction of Slopes); Owner: Deerfield CC Delaware, LLC.
• Consideration of a Resolution to Condemn Property Rights Needed for Big Creek Greenway Project, Parcel 4 (0.007 Acres (284.62 Square Feet) of Fee Simple Right of Way and 4,811.98 Square Feet (0.110 Acres) of Temporary Easement for Construction of Slopes); Owners: Samuel V. Moore and Susan Bosman Moore.
• Consideration of a Resolution to Condemn Property Rights Needed for Big Creek Greenway Project, Parcel 13: 0.043 Acres (1,892.19 Square Feet) of Fee Simple Right-of-Way and 9,349.56 Square Feet (0.215 Acres) of Temporary Construction Easement for Construction of Slopes); Owner: Deerfield CC Delaware, LLC.

This summary applies to the four agenda items directly above, all of which are resolutions related to acquiring relatively small amounts of property needed for the Big Creek Greenway Connection Project. This project will feature multi-use paths as part of a trail network so that people can safely walk or bike from the Cambridge High School area to the Big Creek Greenway.  (For more on this project, go to: https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/1195/big-creek-greenway-trail-connection.)

The aforementioned items refer to condemnations so that this project can proceed. They do not, however, mean that negotiations between the City and property owners cannot continue that leads to a mutually agreed-upon acquisition price. In fact, it is likely that several of these parcels will agree to a price before paperwork needs to be filed with the Courts.  This request from City Staff for authorization is a precautionary measure to allow the project to continue moving ahead without additional impact to schedule and cost.

• Consideration of a Resolution to Dispose of a Certain Small and Narrow Strip of Land from Milton City Park and Preserve to Warren Kirk Anderson at 795 Quarterpath Lane.

  With approval of this resolution, the City would sell a narrow strip of land that’s now part of Milton City Park and Preserve to the owner of an adjacent property along Quarterpath Lane. This is in line with City policy that allows for the sale of such small properties so long as no construction or other substantial can be added to this space besides landscaping and fencing and the previous setback requirements still apply.

• Approval of a Final Plat Revision. Name of Development / Location Action Total Density Comments / # lots Acres Lyndon Creek Cogburn Road LL 690 & 751 Dist. 2Sec. 2 The purpose of this revision is to revise lot line between lots 6 & 7, add 20’ Final Plat (Revision) 15.714 Acres 0.70 Units /Acre drainage easement along rear of lots 1,2,3,4,5 & 6; revise entrance to show gate, island, walls & reconfigured curbing; revise property line along Lot 11 next to detention pond and fence relocation along revised property line.

A plat for Lyndon Creek, a new private subdivision off Cogburn Road (south of Hopewell and Francis roads), was originally recorded in 2021. This final plat revision incorporates several changes since then, such as the installation of a drainage easement, reconfiguring the gated entrance area, and larger sizes for several lots (in part because the developer acquired just over 1 more acre).