At Monday’s City Council meeting, Fire Chief Gabe Benmoussa lauded well-trained, fast-acting civilians, police officers, and firefighters for contributing to Milton’s exceptional survivability rate for cardiac emergencies and a related, recently earned national award.

Benmoussa began his brief presentation at the June 1 meeting by thanking City leadership for their investment in effective training, valuable tools, and overarching support of Milton’s extensive efforts to improve patients’ outcomes. Milton had a cardiac survivability rate – the amount of people who survive a sudden cardiac arrest – rate of 33% in 2024 and 20% in 2025, both of which are significantly better than the national average of about 10 percent. 

The chief offered special praise for his department’s firefighters. 

“They practice medicine, they know what they’re doing, and I’m … extremely proud,” said Benmoussa. 

Milton’s multi-faceted approach contributed to it being named the lone recipient of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Heart Safe Community Award in the 100,000 population and below category. (The only other recipient, for larger communities, was Montgomery County, Maryland.) 

On Monday, Mayor Peyton Jamison described this award as “an achievement we’re proud to celebrate and one that reflects Milton’s commitment to public safety and preparedness.”

CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL SETS STAGE FOR LEGACY PARK WORK

This presentation and accompanying proclamation capped a meeting that began with an invocation by City Church Lead Pastor Billy Lowe and a pair of general public comments.

Then came the Council’s unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda, which is for routine matters – including those already accounted for in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process – voted on collectively. (In other words, there was a single yes-no vote covering all items.) 

One now approved Consent Agenda item related to Legacy Park should lead to noticeable activity in the coming weeks. Summit Construction and Development will reconfigure, resurface (changing it from gravel to asphalt), and expand (nearly doubling the number of spaces) the parking area of this 8.5-acre athletic complex off Cox Road. Crews also will enhance lighting, remove an old septic system and replace it with a new one, and make stormwater-related improvements. 

Work is expected to start later this month, ideally wrapping up by the end of August. Legacy Park will be closed to the public during this time. 

The same Consent Agenda included an agreement between the City and Spectrum Fencing to replace aging fencing and add new fencing around the border of the 106-acre Lakhapani Preserve greenspace. Other Consent Agenda items included altering official City contract language pertaining to LJA Engineering’s acquisition of BM&K and modifying lot lines for a pair of parcels totaling 6.65 acres off Hopewell Road. 

CLERKS PRAISED FOR KEEPING ‘COURT RUNNING SMOOTHLY’

This Consent Agenda vote was followed by a proclamation recognizing June 8 through 12 as Georgia Municipal Court Clerks Week.

Mayor Jamison noted Milton is “very, very fortunate” to have Deputy Court Clerk Wendy Lee and Court Clerk Brooke Lappin leading operations out of Milton’s Public Safety Complex. 

“They keep our municipal court running smoothly,” the Mayor said. “…We are very glad that you’re here.”

He then read a proclamation that noted how court clerks work with judges, lawyers, law enforcement, and citizens who come before the court to ensure the fair administration of justice. 

Lappin and Lee “prove time and again their impressive capabilities, impactful empathy, and sincere commitment to our community,” according to the proclamation. 

The Milton City Council’s next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15.